𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 | ᴋᴜᴢᴜʀʏᴜ ꜰᴜʏᴜʜɪᴋᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

~𝟒𝟎~

For the next few days, the taunts from Saito became relentless, each one pushing Fuyuhiko closer to the edge. His frustration turned into aggression, lashing out not only at the hostages he interrogated but even at his own men. His short temper and harsh words became a constant presence, and everyone around him treaded lightly, sensing the growing storm.

Hannah, meanwhile, was growing more suspicious by the day. She could see the shift in Fuyuhiko's behaviour, the sharpness in his tone, the way he barely spoke when they were alone, the intensity in his eyes that wasn't there before. He was hiding something, something that had been gnawing at him for days, and she was certain it had something to do with her.

One afternoon Fuyuhiko sat behind his desk, his fingers drumming restlessly on the wood as he discussed security measures with Peko. The tension in the room was palpable, especially after the recent threats from Saito. They were on high alert, knowing that Saito was still out there, lurking, waiting for his moment.

Just then, a soft knock interrupted their conversation. One of the servants entered the room, holding a small package in her hands. She walked over to the desk, setting it down delicately before quickly excusing herself.

Fuyuhiko's gaze followed her as she left, a sinking feeling beginning to settle in his gut. He exchanged a glance with Peko, whose expression mirrored his concern. Her hand instinctively rested on the hilt of her sword, always ready to protect him and their clan.

"Be careful." Peko said, her tone firm yet soft. She knew how dangerous the situation was becoming.

Fuyuhiko nodded, his jaw clenched as he reached for the package. His fingers trembled slightly as he began to tear open the brown wrapping, his heart pounding in his chest. Something about this felt wrong, like another one of Saito's twisted games.

As soon as he pulled back the wrapping and revealed the contents, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened as a stack of photographs spilled out onto the desk. He didn't even have to pick them up to understand what they were, he could already see Hannah's face, captured in different moments, all unaware.

The first few photos showed her leaving school, her face turned in a soft, oblivious smile as she walked through the gates, completely unaware of the camera following her. Then the next few were worse, taken inside the Kuzuryu manor itself. The thought made Fuyuhiko's blood run cold. Hannah, in her room, vulnerable and unaware, captured as she moved around, innocently preparing for bed or sitting by her window.

Peko stiffened beside him, her gaze narrowing as she leaned over to examine the photos. "How... how did they get into the manor?" she muttered, her voice dark with fury. The Kuzuryu manor was supposed to be impenetrable, guarded by the best security and men Fuyuhiko could trust.

But here was the evidence of just how close Saito's men had gotten. The photos of Hannah in her private space were intimate, invasive, and they made Fuyuhiko's stomach churn with rage.

"This is bad, young master." Peko said quietly, her voice tense as she watched him. "They've breached the manor. If they could get this close to her without us knowing..."

Fuyuhiko slammed his fist against the desk, the sudden outburst causing the photos to scatter across the surface. His face twisted with fury, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. The idea that Hannah, the girl he had sworn to protect, had been watched like this; stalked, violated, was driving him mad.

"They're trying to mess with me." Fuyuhiko growled, his voice thick with anger. "Saito's playing his sick game, and he's using her to get to me."

His thoughts were racing as he imagined Saito's men sneaking into the manor, possibly watching Hannah for days, weeks, who knew how long? He couldn't shake the image of her in those photos, so innocent, so unaware of the danger lurking just out of sight. And now, Saito was flaunting that invasion, using it to push Fuyuhiko's buttons, knowing exactly how to strike him where it hurt.