Chapter 11: The Aftermath

June 24, 2016

The Lodge Club

"Tell me who you are working for or I will not hesitate to shoot you in the head," Tora pointed the gun against his temple.

"Yukimura," Tora's grip on his collar tightened, "Tell me the truth!"

Hinata rushed to their sides before anything happens, he quickly pulled him away and slammed Tora against the wall. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Tora didn't try to fight him back but remained still as he threw another heated gaze at his direction, "He is the spy,"

"What is he saying, Yukimura?" they looked at him for an explanation

"Is this true?" they lowered their guns.

With eyes wide in fear, he shook his head relentlessly, "I d-don't know what he is talking about," he took a few steps back.

"Who was the last person who got into the car during our infiltration in Kenji's mansion? The person who brought securities right behind him as he got into our car?" Tora tried to justify his accusation

"You are the one who's been acting suspicious these last few weeks, " Kuuga said

"I have had a feeling that there is a spy in our group. I began investigating on my own with the help of one of the supervisors," Tora explained himself, "If you all are still unconvinced, how did you think three shooters easily passed through the tight security during the prime minister's wedding? It was only him and Kanou who worked with the security team,"

"Are you also suspecting me?" Kanou asked

"No. I am saying that in all of our assignments, Yukimura always played a role in sabotaging our mission and it is because he has his own agenda," Hinata's hold on Tora loosened up as he faced Yukimura in disbelief. It was slowly making sense.

"And who was the person in the bar with me earlier that slipped the drug in the drink before letting me pass it to Misaki?" everyone's eyes were on Yukimura.

Blood drained from Yukimura's face in alarm as he noticed each one of them slowly closing in on him, "I was just following orders," Yukimura's voice cracked

Takumi gritted his teeth as he took bold steps towards Yukimura and grabbed him around the neck, "Who's order?"

"Jiro Tadashi," he mumbled

The group fell into silence, unable to comprehend if what they were hearing was true.

"Is this true?" Takumi tightened his hold around his neck

"Someone recruited Jiro to switch sides in exchange of a very big amount. Jiro gave them information about our missions and I was given tasks to disrupt our assignments," Yukimura was already in tears as he fell on his knees and confessed the whole truth.

"How can we trust anything that he says?" Sakura asked

His eyes were filled with regret and guilt as he pleaded on his knees, "I am telling the truth!"

"We need to alert the director," Kuuga faced the others

"I will contact him right away," Tora pulled his phone out, "Make sure he doesn't leave your sight," Sakura took out a pair of handcuffs while Shizuko disarmed Yukimura.

"We can't let Jiro suspect that we know,"

"There are other spies planted in the institute, if they get your message they will let Jiro know right away. Make sure you contact the director directly," Yukimura added, "I am sorry," he looked down on the ground and a small sob followed.

They watched as Yukimura was handcuffed by Sakura, they couldn't process the truth that even after everything they went through together, he was able to betray them and put their lives at risk. Kanou walked up to him, eyes painted with anguish, he firmly grabbed his arm and forced him to look straight into his eyes to see how much pain he was causing them.

"How can you do this to us?"

"Jiro threatened to kill me if I don't cooperate," he avoided Kanou's gaze as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Takumi could have died during our last mission," he pushed Yukimura back down on the ground, "and you also put Misaki in danger tonight,"

Hinata stopped Kanou, "You don't want to do anything you will regret," he warned Kanou who was getting blinded with anger.

"Yet he didn't regret breaking our trust," he yelled out. Kanou faced his right and threw a hard punch on the concrete wall.

"I am sorry. I am sorry," Yukimura repeated like a broken record.

"It is too late for that," Kuuga helped him up and put him in the back seat.

"Tell Jiro that we are done the mission and we are on our way back. I have contacted the director," they all got into the car and drove back to the academy.

-x-

S.F.I Academy

A few cars were already parked in front of the administration building when they arrived. A few agents got out and greeted them followed by the director himself. It was hard to involve the police and share their discovery to other executives in fear that someone will alert Jiro. The director only called in his most trusted agents and securities to help with the arrest.

Takumi with Yukimura in tow lead the way to the Jiro's office. He knocked twice before entering. Jiro was busy doing his reports when they barged in. Takumi pushed Yukimura inside and he fell on his knees in front of Jiro.

Jiro's eyes widened in surprise, "W-what is happening?" he arched his brows in confusion

"You are arrested for giving out confidential information from the institute to other sources and for altering the missions and putting the lives of our agents in danger," the director stopped in front of Jiro and signalled the securities to restrain him

"Mr. Yamada, what is the meaning of this?"

"I never expected this from you, Jiro," he shook his head in disappointment.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he looked at them in puzzlement.

"We already have the evidences here," Ken Yamada threw the folder on the floor and pictures of contracts and information sent out to an unidentified person scattered all over the floor. With the help of Yukimura's confession and knowledge of Jiro's dishonesty they were able to track down how Jiro was able to send info to other sources. His bank account was also checked and he was hiding a big amount of money under another alias.

With all the evidences pointing at him, Jiro finally dropped his act. He threw a look at Yukimura and scoffed in disdain

"You are dismissed from your position and I will make sure that you will rot in prison for everything you have done," Mr. Yamada threatened him.

"This is only starting," with his façade completely forgotten, he showed his scornful side and grinned at the director. He looked the agents as he passed each one of them and stopped in front of Takumi. He gave him a sinister smile, "Watch your back. You don't know when they are coming for you,"

-x-

The news of Jiro Tadashi being arrested took everyone by surprise, especially Misaki who woke up the next day to the news. Nobody expected that the man they trusted for so many years was a fraud. The announcement was made the very next day.

"As all of you have heard our head supervisor Jiro Tadashi has been dismissed from his post. He committed crimes and given the enemies important information about us and our organization. The other spies were also named and they will be given the punishment suited for their crimes. We will also make sure to find the people behind this. Be aware of more secured procedures that we will implement starting on the next few days. Now that we have passed through this hurdle, I will try my best to keep the institute safe and running, with your help, we will be working to be a better and stronger group," Ken Yamada confidently said.

"I would like to commend Tora Igarashi for responding to this incident in the right manner, he will be rewarded for his honesty and devotion to the institute" the auditorium erupted into cheers.

"On another note. I am very pleased to announce that one of our most respected agent will be taking the spot as the head supervisor of the academy. I believe that his experience in the field and dedication to his work makes him a perfect candidate for this position,"

Misaki gaped in shock as a familiar man walked across the stage.

"It can't be," Shizuko said

"It is him," Sakura smiled.

"Let us all welcome Mr. Dennis Karino," the whole auditorium exploded into cheers as a tall, dark and handsome man in his early thirties walked across the stage and to the podium. He shook the director's hand and stepped up.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for your warm welcome. I am very excited to meet each one of you and it's a pleasure to see my old colleagues here," his focus narrowed down to the raven-haired girl in the front row.

"It is nice to see you again."