Chapter 8: Confusion and Uncertainty

May 28, 2016

Pacific Grand Hotel

The gun fires and screams took everyone by surprise, Takumi and Misaki quickly took cover behind their table as they tried to assess the situation. They waited for the information from the security team and their members who were assigned on securing the vicinity.

"How many are there?" Takumi asked.

Yukimura and Kanou rushed in from their designated posts while everyone was in chaos. The staff and guests ran the opposite direction to safety. Screams and gun fires resonated on the walls of the venue while the securities and the rest of the teams tried to execute their emergency plan, however nobody expected that more than one shooter passed through the security without being detected moreover openly fire close to the civilians.

"Still not sure," Kuuga reported as he made his way out from the security room and to the venue. People were rushing out to the hallway and were in frenzy as more shots were fired inside. The securities have closed the door from the outside to make sure that the suspects wouldn't be able to go out; leaving one door open and guarded while Yukimura and Kanou assisted out the remaining individuals trapped inside. A few other bodyguards stirred commotion as they tried to force their way in to protect their employers.

"I took down one shooter from the south-west location," Shizuko conveyed to the teams while she restrained the unknown man.

Takumi peered up from his position. For a moment the room became quiet, with the room almost deserted, it was easier to spot the shooters who have also taken cover. The remaining guests were down on the floor, too scared to make a move. Kanou and Yukimura stood behind the columns while the rests were safely hidden somewhere in the vicinity. With the still eeriness, he felt Misaki scramble up beside him. She ran to the minister who was concealed behind the huge champagne table, a red laser pointing at his head. Misaki tackled him out of the way and the bullet hit the wall behind them. Takumi not having enough time to react followed the direction from where the red laser was coming from.

"We have another shooter at the second floor," he relayed the information.

"Copy that," Tora responded,

"On our way," Kuuga replied.

"We already caught the two shooters, there's one more left," Shizuko reported as the securities helped make the arrest.

"Tell the securities to meet us by the exit door on the north-east. We will get the minister and his wife out," Misaki nodded at Takumi. He creeped to her side to help her evacuate when he noticed the red laser aiming at Misaki's head this time. Without weighing his options, he lunged at her and shielded her back with his. Time seemed to slow down as he felt the impact, the sharp pain in his back sent him forward and down on the floor.

"Takumi," her voice trembled as she hastily crouched down beside him. Her mind went completely blank as she reached out to check his wound. Only a second has passed and the back of his tuxedo was already soaked with blood. Another bullet fired at their direction and she woke up from her trance. Her hold on the gun tightened as she gave him another look over with a pained expression before making her way back to the minister. She needed to put her work first before anything else even if it was against her will. She loaded her gun and pointed at the direction where the bullet came from. She fired twice before moving from their spot towards the exit leaving the wounded Takumi alone.

"Takumi's been shot, I need a back up," Sakura who was near her location rushed to her side. Misaki guarded as they all made their way towards the exit door. As soon as they were taken away, Misaki ran back inside.

"He is on the run, block the exits," Kuuga reported on the other line. Tora and Kuuga was in hot pursuit while Shizuko and Hinata followed for support.

"We have 7 guests who got shot. Two in critical condition," Yukimura reported as he helped evacuate the rests of the guests and staff with the help of the other guards.

"The paramedics are on their way, Misaki," Sakura said.

She could hear the other team constructing a plan to catch the last suspect but every noise around was dulled out as she focused her attention on him.

"Takumi don't you dare die on me," she hissed as she shook him awake, with her vast knowledge in first aid; she sat him up carefully, making sure to not inflict any damage in his spinal cord. She reached for the table linen and cut a big chunk of fabric.

"Show some compassion at least," he groaned as the pain intensified. He could feel himself loosing consciousness.

"You stupid shit. Why did you take a bullet for me?"

"I didn't want anything to happen to you," her hand froze as his words took her by surprise. Putting aside his confession, she carefully removed his tux and unbuttoned his dress shirt.

"Well aren't we moving a bit too fast," he muttered despite having difficulty to speak.

"It is not the time to joke around," her hold on his shirt tightened

A distressed laugh came out of his throat, "I am just trying-," he stopped mid sentence as he gazed at her. Sweaty face, creased forehead and eyes welling up with tears. With the remaining energy he has, he brought up his hand and wiped the tear falling down her cheeks.

"I am not going to die," he assured her.

"Stop moving. You are losing so much blood," she pushed his hands away and tightly wrapped the cloth horizontally around his chest. Misaki applied more pressure on his back and checked his pulse, her eyes narrowed in alarm as its beat gradually weakened.

"Stay awake," she commanded, her hold on him was becoming desperate.

"Takumi!" her distraught voice was the last thing he heard before darkness enveloped him.

-xx-

May 29, 2016

Tokyo General Hospital

After her meeting with Jiro she immediately went to the hospital to check on Takumi. Luckily, they pulled through the mission. The three shooters were captured and was currently being held under investigation, it was still a mystery who their accomplice was and how they were able to get past the very tight security. With so many strange incidents during their assignments for the last few weeks, it is not impossible to rule out the possibility that they may have a spy in the institute.

Once Takumi lost consciousness the paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital with the rest of the injured guests. The teams had to report back to Jiro and met up with him the next morning for a full statement. With the interrogations and meetings, she never had the chance to check up on him right away.

She stopped in front of a white door and knocked twice before entering. He was seated up with his glasses on, reading a book. He was hooked up with a blood transfusion and an IV bag, a monitor was placed on his right that checks his vitals. Even in a hospital gown and untidy appearance he still looked pretty damn good.

"You finally visited me," he smiled as he closed his book. She remained aloof as she looked him over, her eyes darted to the untouched tray of food on the table next to his bed and her brows furrowed.

"You didn't eat yet?" she asked with a slightest hint of annoyance

"I don't feel like eating," he said nonchalantly

"You have to eat,"

"I will eat if you feed me," she narrowed her eyes at him and sighed, this was the least she could do for him.

She pulled a chair beside him and put the tray in front of him, "Fine."

The soup has cooled quiet a bit, she shook her head at his stubbornness. The room became quiet as she fed him, only the beeping sound of the machine and clanking of the spoon could be heard.

"I am sorry," she moved the spoon to his mouth, breaking the silence.

He raised his eyebrow as he analyzed her words, "Sorry for what?"

Misaki avoided his inquisitive stare, how could she possibly convey her true feelings. She was angry at herself, angry at him for risking his life for her and at the same time thankful for his sacrifice.

"Sorry for not visiting much earlier," they stayed in an uncomfortable silence while he finished his meal. He didn't realize how hungry he was until he finished the soup, he finished his beef casserole and fruits, even the disgusting pudding.

Misaki didn't utter a word, after putting the tray away she stood up and bid a quick good bye. She turned on her heels but he reached for her arm to stop her. He suddenly winced as he felt his wound slightly open up from his quick movement.

"Stop moving," her face was stern and full of worry as she rushed to his side. He took her hand and squeezed it lightly, assuring her that he was fine.

"Don't feel guilty, I wanted to save you," he voiced out the issue that has been bothering her, she gave him an incredulous look before shaking her head. He doesn't want her to think that she owes him anything for saving her life.

She scoffed, "You almost died and I could have put the minister's life in danger,"

"You still came back for me and everybody is safe. That's what is important," her expression relaxed. That might be the case but she was still in a dilemma. What does she feel about this man? How could he affect her so much that she lost sight of what was important and affect her judgement that almost compromised their mission. And risking his own life for her, he barely knew her yet he didn't even hesitate to jump in front of a bullet to save her. Her mind was in a total chaos.

She glared and raised her voice as she could still remember the scene unfold in front of her, "You could have died. Do you know how stupid that was?"

"Yeah. What can I do? I wasn't thinking very much," she looked up and stared at his mesmerizing pools.

"I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if you died because of me."

"I am still here," he tucked away a few loose hairs away from her face and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb, "You did your job and came back for me. You don't have to feel guilty for feeling torn between saving me and prioritizing your responsibility. We all knew what we signed up for the moment we stepped into the academy. We have to finish our job no matter what and prioritize our mission over ourselves,"

"Then why did you take a bullet for me?"

"You are too cruel Misaki, do you really want me to say it out loud?" his eyes moved from her hazel brown orbs to her inviting lips. He rubbed the pad of his thumb lightly along her bottom lip and his urge to kiss her intensified. He searched her eyes for uncertainty, aside from the small flush on her cheeks her face remained incomprehensible, he took it as a sign and held her by the neck slowly but surely reeling her closer to him.

"Hey," Hinata yelled out as he broke through the door.

Takumi froze in his spot while Misaki stumbled back in surprise, her face glowing red in embarrassment.

"Um you have company now. So-so I better g-get going now," she headed to the door without looking back and Takumi slumped forward in frustration.

"Are you not happy to see me?" Hinata asked innocently, "I brought you food," he happily waved the plastic bag at him, "Why was Misaki in a hurry?"

Right at that moment he didn't want to do anything else but strangle Hinata to death.

May 28, 2016

Sasaki Corporation

Main Base

The door to his office creaked open and his assistant walked in. He bowed his head and placed the folder on top of his desk. He nodded his hand and signalled his assistant to continue.

"Our men have been captured and is in custody of the S.F.I," Kiro flipped through the papers and slammed it down. The institute has done nothing but cause trouble in his businesses, they are crossing unmarked territories and gradually closing in on him.

"Any casualties?"

"None, Sir. Misaki Ayuzawa and the minister is still alive. Takumi Usui has been shot but he is still alive,"

"I thought I instructed you to kill them?" he inched closer to his assistant while the latter backed up in fear.

"Yes Sir," a frightened squeal escaped his lips as his back hit the wall.

Kiro grabbed him by the neck, "There's nothing I hate more than people who can't follow a simple order," he banged the man's head against the wall and tightened his hold around him. The man tried to push the hand gripped tightly around his neck while he desperately gasped for air. Slowly he felt the air constricting in his throat. He gradually stopped flailing around and his arms collapsed down to his sides.

Kiro released his hold around the lifeless body of his assistant hit the granite floor with a loud thud.

"Now, now aren't we being too rash- tsk tsk," his other companion stood up from his chair and walked away from the gruesome scene, "At least spare my son," he stopped by the window to look at the scenery

"Your son will get us all killed."

"No he wont, I will take care of him," he looked back and offered his boss an assuring smirk.

"You better. If he causes more trouble I will personally put a bullet in his head next time."