Undercover Desires | G.Tomioka x Reader |

Chapter 21

Y/N sat on the edge of the plush couch in Giyuu's office, her body aching but significantly better after a week of rest and medical attention. Bandages wrapped her arms and legs, a stark reminder of her recent ordeal. Her mind was still a tangled mess of emotions—relief at being rescued, confusion over what came next, and a strange, growing warmth every time she thought of Giyuu.

He stood across from her, arms folded, his gaze heavy and unreadable. The room was quiet except for the distant hum of the building's operations. Giyuu had called her in for a private discussion, and Y/N had an inkling of what it was about.

"I've already arranged for security to follow you," Giyuu began, his voice calm but firm. "From now on, my best men will be assigned to protect you. Wherever you go, they will be there, watching for any signs of danger."

Y/N looked up, surprise flickering across her face. "You want... bodyguards for me? All the time?"

"It's necessary," Giyuu said, his tone leaving little room for argument. "The enemy knows about you now. You're not safe on your own."

Y/N's heart sank at his words. She had expected this. After everything that had happened, it was only natural that he would want to keep her safe. But she couldn't shake the unease that crept up her spine at the thought of being constantly watched.

"Giyuu," she started, her voice steady but with a slight edge, "I appreciate everything you've done. But having men follow me around all the time? I don't think I can live like that."

Giyuu's brows furrowed, his jaw tightening slightly. "You were kidnapped. Tortured. You could have died, Y/N. I can't take that chance again."

"I know," she said quickly, guilt twisting in her stomach. She didn't want to minimize what had happened. She was well aware of the danger. But the thought of having bodyguards hovering around her every move made her feel like she would never be free again. "But it would feel... strange. Like I'm being watched every second of the day."

Giyuu was silent for a long moment, his gaze unwavering as he studied her. She could feel the weight of his eyes, the intensity of his focus, and it made her shift uncomfortably in her seat. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke again.

"If you won't allow them to protect you that way," he said slowly, each word carefully measured, "then I won't allow you to stay in danger."

Y/N blinked, unsure of what he meant. Her confusion must have shown on her face because Giyuu stepped closer, his eyes softening just a fraction.

"Stay with me."

The words hung in the air between them, thick with tension. Y/N's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing to catch up with what he was saying. Stay with him? Her mind immediately flashed to his home, the sprawling estate she had only glimpsed from the outside. It was big, sure, but living there... with him?

"W-What?" she stammered, her cheeks flushing with heat. "Stay with you?"

Giyuu didn't hesitate. "Yes. My house is secure, far more than any of your current arrangements. You'll be safe there."

Y/N's mouth opened and closed, trying to find the words to respond. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Living with Giyuu? In his house? She had never even considered something like that. The very idea seemed so... intimate.

"I..." She trailed off, completely at a loss. "I don't think that's necessary. I mean, I can handle—"

"You're not handling anything," Giyuu cut in, his tone firm but not harsh. "You were nearly killed, Y/N. I won't let that happen again. Not while I can do something about it."

There was a fire in his words, an urgency she hadn't heard from him before. It took her by surprise, and for a moment, she simply stared at him, unsure of how to respond.

Giyuu's gaze softened slightly as he continued, his voice quieter now. "I know it's a lot to ask, but you wouldn't have to worry about anything. The house is big enough. We wouldn't even have to see each other often if you didn't want to. But at least I'd know you were safe."

Y/N's heart clenched at his words. There was something vulnerable about the way he spoke, a quiet plea hidden beneath the stoic surface. And despite her confusion, her instinct was to trust him, to believe that he only had her best interests in mind.

But living with him?

"I don't know, Giyuu," she said quietly, her voice shaky. "It feels... strange."

Giyuu stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. "What feels strange is knowing you're out there, vulnerable, and I'm not doing everything I can to protect you. You can call it strange, but it's the only solution I can think of that keeps you safe without making you feel suffocated."

Y/N swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "I don't know if I can do this, Giyuu," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know if I can live with you... like that."

His eyes softened, and for a moment, he looked almost unsure. "I wouldn't ask you if there was another way. But I won't risk your life. Not again."

Y/N felt her resolve weaken under the weight of his words. She wanted to say no, to refuse the offer and find another solution. But the truth was, she didn't feel safe. Not after what had happened. And Giyuu... he was offering her something more than protection. He was offering her security in a world that had become increasingly unstable.

Before she could respond, a sound caught her attention—a faint rustle, barely audible, just outside the office door. Y/N's eyes flickered toward the noise, and she saw a glimpse of light brown hair before it disappeared.

Haruto.

He was just outside, standing in the shadows. She didn't know how long he had been there, but something about the air felt different. She could sense his presence, his lingering just out of sight.

Her gaze drifted back to Giyuu, but her mind remained partially on Haruto. Why was he out there? Was he listening to their conversation?

A strange tension settled in her chest. She had never felt uneasy around Haruto before, but now... something was different. His behaviour lately had been unpredictable, erratic even. And now, he was eavesdropping on a private conversation between her and Giyuu.

Giyuu, unaware of Haruto's presence, continued. "I'll give you time to think about it. But I need an answer soon. This isn't something we can delay."

Y/N nodded slowly, still distracted by the thought of Haruto outside the door. "Okay... I'll think about it."

Giyuu's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he stepped back, his usual calmness returning. "Good. I'll be waiting for your decision."

As he turned to leave the room, Y/N's mind raced. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that Haruto's presence outside the door wasn't just a coincidence. But she didn't have time to dwell on it.

She needed to figure out what she was going to do. The idea of staying with Giyuu was daunting, but the alternative—being left vulnerable and unprotected—was equally terrifying.

And then there was Haruto.

Why had he been listening? What had he heard? And more importantly... why did he seem so angry?

Y/N's heart pounded in her chest as she sat there, alone in Giyuu's office, the weight of the decision pressing down on her.

Something told her that whatever choice she made, it would change everything.