Chapter 12: Rivalry and Jealousy

June 25, 2016

S.F.I Academy

After the assembly, each teams present were scheduled to be briefed and introduced to the new head supervisor. Everyone was still in the process of taking in the news, the spies were people they knew and for some, people they worked with for many years, someone they cared for and treated as family. Each group was greatly affected, especially the teams that had double agents including Team 3. Yukimura was imprisoned after capturing Jiro Tadashi, he has confessed to his sins and willingly came with the authorities. A few other agents and officials was also taken away from their position and were detained. It was discovered that Jiro was leading the operation for the unnamed culprit, the investigation was still on-going as the institute tries to get to the bottom of it.

Takumi and the rest of his team arrived at the meeting room. The new head supervisor rose up from his chair and welcomed them in.

"It is very nice to meet you all," Dennis shook their hands and greeted each one them

Hinata was the first one to greet him, "You are a legend Mr. Carino,"

Dennis Carino has been an agent for more than 10 years, he led different teams and operated successful solo missions. His remarkable record and dedication to work made him one of the most sought-after agent of their time. He recently took a break from the field and have been working alongside the director at the main base for the past year.

"Thank you, please just call me, Dennis," they took their seats and waited for the other team's arrival.

"You must be Takumi Usui," he gazed at Takumi who was sitting on the chair on his right.

"It's nice to meet you," Takumi politely replied.

Dennis faced him, "The pleasure is mine. You are very popular, I have heard a lot of things about you,"

His mouth curved into a smirk, "I am hoping it's all good words,"

Dennis chuckled, "Of course. Your team is considered to be one of the best, I am surprised to learn that you were put in probation,"

"It was because our missions were sabotaged," Kanou replied with a stern voice. Out of all people in the team, he was one of the most affected from the recent events. He was very close to Yukimura and he still couldn't accept the fact that he was able to betray his own team.

"I guess whoever is behind this found your team as a threat and wanted to keep an eye on you," Dennis noted.

They could only keep their thoughts to themselves, a knock on the door interrupted them and team 8 walked in. The girls were very thrilled as they marched inside to greet their new supervisor.

"My favourite girls," he grinned and stood up to meet them.

"Senpai," Sakura ran up to him and hugged him followed by Shizuko. They looked back to Misaki who was still standing by the door looking at him with a grim expression.

"Missed me?" he grinned at the raven-haired girl.

She glared at him for a minute, "Oh come on," he pouted his lips and Misaki's face softened.

She walked up to him and threw her arms around him, he reciprocated her action and pulled her into a tight hug.

"How are you?" he asked as he finally let her go.

"You didn't even bother telling me," she yelled at him, she paused for a second realizing where they were. She glanced at the rest of the team and smiled in embarrassment, "We haven't heard from you for so long," she said

"Sorry about that but I know you guys have been very busy also you can't yell at me like that anymore. I am the head supervisor and I can make you do anything I want," he ruffled the top of her head

Misaki pushed his hand away, "Total abuse of power," she sat on the chair on his left while fixing her hair back to its place, despite her creased forehead her excitement was written all over her face.

"I'm glad to see you again," he dotingly smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes and looked ahead, her smile slipped after meeting the gaze of the owner with green pools sitting across her. Before she could ponder about his reaction, Dennis began the meeting.

"There will be a lot of changes over the next few weeks, we want to make sure that the missions and instructions are not being intercepted by another party. We will tighten the security and a lot of new rules will be implemented. I need you all to sign a few agreements regarding the new policies and regulations," he distributed the folders around and each one read it thoroughly before signing it.

Dennis resumed, "After this long dreadful week, I want to turn the mood around and announce that your probation is officially lifted and your teams will return to normal operation starting next week," the boys cheered at the announcement.

"Thank God," Kuuga dramatically sighed.

"Okay. Settle down," Dennis chuckled and the girls shook their heads in amusement.

"I will also start briefing you separately since you will be receiving different missions from now on. I know you will miss each other a lot but its time to move on," he teased while both teams exchanged smiles. They might have had a rough start and a lot of misunderstandings in the beginning but they came out of it stronger and united

"I don't want anyone crying today. Understood," he said as he looked at each team, "Save it for some other day," the rest of the teams laughed with him

"You haven't changed," Shizuko smiled at Dennis

"How did you know the girls?" Hinata inquired, noticing the closeness of the four.

"I was one of their teachers," he glanced at Misaki, "and her personal trainer. That is how she got her mad skills and demonic power. I am all responsible for it," he winked at her

She scoffed, "What a load of bullshit. I already had all of these skills from the very beginning, you only taught me how to hold a knife and a gun,"

"Watch your language. I am your supervisor now, show me some respect," his tone was very serious but there was a playful glint in his eyes.

"Nothing respectable about you," the girls beside Misaki chuckled at their squabble.

"We have all grown up but they are still the same," Sakura said while shaking her head.

Takumi pressed his lips together as he watched their interaction from the side, his face became callous seeing Misaki carefree and comfortable with him. As they continued their conversation, catching up and talking about their history he knew nothing about, an unfamiliar emotion swept him over and created turmoil in his head. While the others were enjoying listening to the stories from their training days and Dennis' fond memories of her, Takumi was distracting himself with the pen on his hand, twirling it around his fingers, glancing up once in a while to see her face. Hearing her laugh and touching him with familiarity, he deliberately threw the pen and it landed in front of her.

Misaki paused and looked at him in puzzlement, "Sorry, don't mind me," he muttered staring directly into her amber eyes.

Dennis cleared his throat and glanced at Takumi, a slight chuckle escaped his lips before resuming, "Anyway, I want you guys to write a report from the last two months. I want to know about all the missions and instructions Jiro gave to your teams, we will be needing them for our investigation,"

-xxx-

"How about we go out tomorrow and have some fun before we leave for our next mission," Kuuga proposed as they made their way out

"Yeah, I need a break after everything that happened this week," Hinata sighed, "Also this might be the last time we will see each other for a while," he added

The group became quiet, "Let's do it," Sakura smiled, "A commemoration for still being alive,"

"I don't think that's something to celebrate," Kanou replied, "I will pass. Unlike all of you I am not in a celebratory mood," he walked ahead without looking back

"Kanou," Tora called out

"Sorry, I know you guys are going through a tough time. I was out of line," Sakura apologized

"No, it's just that Kanou is taking it harder than the rest of us," Hinata replied.

Misaki glanced at Takumi once again, he hasn't been himself today and she might finally understood why.

"It is all set then, we will let you know the plan tonight," the boys went ahead to their dorms while the girls headed to the gym.

Misaki spotted Takumi splitting away from his team and heading to the field, "I will catch up with you later," she told the girls before running after Takumi.

Hands in pockets and lost in thought was how she caught him, "Are you okay?"

He stopped on his tracks, "Are you worried about me?"

"No!" her cheeks turned pink as she tried to cover up her lies, "I mean, I am just wondering how you are doing after everything that happened," she sighed. She couldn't imagine what he was feeling after learning that his closest friend deceived all of them.

"I will be okay," he turned around to face her.

"What's in your mind right now?" she asked noticing his state she figured what he needed the most was someone to talk to.

"I have a lot of things in my mind right now," he replied, he remained closed off as if he was trying to push her away

"If you need someone to talk to about what happened, I am here to listen," she reassured him.

"I am dealing with it on my own way. It feels awful to be betrayed by someone really close to me but there are other things bothering me right now,"

She nodded her head in understanding.

"Where's Dennis?" he asked all of a sudden

She arched her brows at his query, "I don't know. Back in his office. Why are you asking about him?"

"You two seem very close,"

She narrowed her eyes at him, "What's your point?"

He took a deep sigh, "Nothing," he turned away and began walking

"Takumi," she yanked his arm to stop him, "What is happening with you? Why are you acting like this?" she frowned

"You really want to know?" he said in a strained voice.

She paused, "Yes,"

"I am jealous, Misaki,"