DECEPTION (Female Reader) [SAKAMOTO DAYS]

7: "I Need You"

Nagumo's POV:

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Here I thought she actually didn’t know it was me. But judging by the way the 'Puppet' reacted earlier; when Akao brought up that I draped my coat over her two years ago, her reaction was pretty obvious. She already knew. I expected some shock, but instead, she just looked irritated, especially once her background was revealed to Sakamoto and Akao. Her expression made it clear she didn’t want them to know—or me either, for that matter.

"I can’t believe I actually thought she hadn’t figured me out yet." I muttered while staring out over the city. "I was even planning to tell her the truth eventually...but she’s already pieced it together." I smiled faintly at the view. "She’s probably wondering why I released her from that seal... and honestly, I don’t really know what I’d say if she asked. Maybe I felt pity for that 'Puppet'... who knows?"

(Y/n)'s POV:

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I slammed my fist into the shady drug dealer’s face and dragged him by the hair into the dark alley. He tried to make a run for it as soon as I dropped him, but I was quicker. My hand clamped around his neck, and I wrestled him back against the wall, yanking his collar up while I pressed my gun to his throat.

"Rumor has it you used to work for the 'Nameless' as a janitor..." I said in a cold, steady tone, watching the color drain from his face. His eyes flicked nervously between the barrel of the gun and my expression. "And now, you’re just a low-level drug dealer..."

"W-why would someone like you care!?" he shouted, voice shaking.

"Let’s skip the dramatics before I put a bullet in that disgusting skull of yours." I growled, tightening my grip on him. "Test Subject 'Fear'—where is she? The short girl with white hair and blue locks? I heard she just woke up after a month inside that simulated world they used for their live-streamed shows, the ones millions of people watched."

"You...you mean Inez Abe? One of the participants of that game show?" he stammered, panic flooding his voice.

"Yup!" I responded with unnerving enthusiasm. "I hear they wrapped up the series, and now she’s become quite the celebrity. Probably in hiding now, too famous to just walk around unnoticed. Must be hard to find her, huh?"

His fear turned to frustration. "W-why would you expect me to know where a damn celebrity is!?"

I flashed him a twisted grin. "You probably know Inez’s history, right? Dumped in an orphanage, adopted by the Yakuza? Used her smarts to rise through the ranks, saved kids from suffering, and built schools for them, all with her clan’s resources? She’s quite the kind person, isn't she?" I let the venom drip into my words, making him shudder.

"Ugh, f-fine!" he stuttered, eyes wide with fear. "I’ve heard she’s being isolated in a high-security dome... that’s all I know, I swear!"

I knocked him out cold and tossed his limp body into a pile of trash. 'The government... always pulling strings behind the scenes. They host their sick little shows and then tuck away their stars like dirty secrets. Of course, the internet’s been buzzing about her disappearance... but they’re not ready for the truth. They’ve hidden her from the world, and I’ll be damned if I let them keep her locked away forever.'

--

I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Hey, Nagumo, I’m surprised you actually came to see me!" I flashed a bright smile. "Don’t get the wrong idea, though... I’m just here to ask for a favor."