DECEPTION (Female Reader) [SAKAMOTO DAYS]

28: "Connected"

Shin and Lu's suspicion lingered, despite the conversation wrapping up. Too bad Hana wasn't home, but I left a small gift for Sakamoto and his family before heading out. That's all I did before leaving the store. With nothing more to say to them, I headed outside to find Nagumo. After eventually catching up with him, we made our way to the arcade-naturally, it was his idea.

--

I used to play games like these all the time in the virtual world, especially gacha games. They'd suck me in, but my luck was always terrible. Today, though, I wasn't in the mood, so I just stood by, watching Nagumo play, waiting for his bad luck to strike so I could laugh at him.

Of course, Nagumo being Nagumo, he dragged me into a photo booth. Annoying. When we looked at the picture, he made fun of my height. Annoying. Then he tried using my head as an armrest. Extremely annoying. In a flash of irritation, I kicked him in the knee, but his smug grin stayed plastered on his face. Infuriating.

After a few more games, we decided to step outside for some air. The arcade was packed with kids, high schoolers, and couples-it was suffocating. At least Nagumo got his fun.

While we hung around outside, Nagumo turned to me. "What a letdown. You didn't even play once... You alright?"

I shrugged. "Nah, I'd probably lose my mind with all the gacha crap. But I bet you'd love to see me snap, huh? Always digging for something."

He looked away, clearly caught. He then tried to change the topic he started. ".....Well, your [M!f/n] did give me a list of your likes and dislikes back then. I still don't know why he trusted me with it." Nagumo pulled out the crumpled note and waved it in front of me. I lunged for it, but he lifted it out of my reach.

'Damn his height.'

[M!f/n] gave Nagumo a note listing my likes and dislikes. I never understood why he trusted that information to a killer like him, especially when he hadn't been around for the past four years. 'Why entrust my care to Nagumo, of all people? Was it because [M!f/n] knew his time was running out? Out of everyone, why him?'

"Ah, ah! You're not getting this!" he taunted, holding it above my head. "Even if you tear it up, I've already memorized everything."

My temper flared. Without thinking, I jumped up, grabbed the note from him, and ripped it to pieces as soon as I landed. "So what? You might've memorized it, but at least no one else will see it now, dickhead." I smirked, though I was seething inside.

Nagumo's grin just got wider, clearly entertained. "And don't you have a busy day ahead?" I waved him off dismissively. "Sorry, Nagumo. I've got a solo mission to handle. You're on your own for now."

He sighed in mock disappointment. "I was hoping we could dig deeper into who placed that bounty on Sakamoto."

"Figure that out yourself for now. I've got my own leads to follow. Later, jerk." I walked away, leaving him behind with a cheeky wave, that same damn grin still on his face.