Undercover Desires | G.Tomioka x Reader |

Chapter 16

The first sign of trouble came as a whisper on the wind—a subtle shift in the atmosphere that sent a shiver down Y/N's spine. The office, usually a hub of controlled chaos, was quieter than usual. The tension was palpable, hanging in the air like a dark cloud ready to burst.

Y/N had been on edge for days, ever since her late-night training sessions with Giyuu had begun. The knowledge that she was being prepared for something sinister weighed heavily on her mind, but the unsettling behaviour of her colleagues added a new layer of unease. Haruto, who had once been her steadfast ally, was now distant and elusive, his reassuring smiles replaced by something more guarded.

That morning, as Y/N entered the building, she noticed an unusual number of security personnel patrolling the halls. Their faces were grim, their movements quick and purposeful. It was as if the entire building was on high alert, though no one had explicitly said anything to her.

She made her way to her desk, her thoughts racing. Giyuu had been particularly stern during their last training session, his usual stoicism tinged with an urgency that she hadn't seen before. He hadn't explained much, only that things were getting more dangerous, and she needed to be prepared for anything.

Y/N had wanted to press him for more details, but something in his expression had stopped her. There was a darkness in his eyes, a burden he carried alone, and she had chosen to respect his silence, even though it left her feeling more vulnerable than ever.

As the day wore on, Y/N found it increasingly difficult to focus. The constant patrols, the hushed conversations between higher-ups, and Haruto's continued absence gnawed at her nerves. By the time lunchtime rolled around, she felt like she was on the verge of unraveling.

Determined to find some answers, she decided to seek out Haruto. He had always been a source of comfort and guidance, and she needed to know if he was still on her side.

She found him in his office, his door slightly ajar. The sight of him brought a wave of relief, though it was short-lived. Haruto looked up as she entered, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Y/N," he greeted her, though his tone lacked its usual warmth. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to talk to you," she said, closing the door behind her. "Something's going on, isn't it? The security, the tension—everyone's acting like we're under siege. What's happening, Haruto?"

Haruto hesitated, his gaze flickering to the papers on his desk. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully, a hesitation that only heightened Y/N's anxiety.

"Things have escalated," he finally admitted, his voice low. "The rival organisation—our main competition—they've intensified their attacks. It's not just business any more. It's become personal."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean 'personal'?"

Haruto sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. He looked exhausted, the stress of the situation etched in the lines of his expression. "They're not just targeting the company. They're targeting people—people close to Giyuu, people like you."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Y/N felt the blood drain from her face as the implications sank in. She had known the risks involved in working for Giyuu's company, but this—this was something else entirely.

"They're after me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Haruto nodded, his expression grim. "Yes. You've become a liability in their eyes. They think they can use you to get to Giyuu."

Y/N felt a surge of fear mixed with disbelief. How had things spiralled out of control so quickly? She had never imagined that her involvement in the company would lead to this—to being hunted, used as a pawn in a dangerous game she barely understood.