Bounded by Secrets

"Loyalties and trial"

The next morning, everyone was scheduled to gather in the meeting hall for the arrival of some important outsiders. The atmosphere was tense, and preparations were already in motion. In the quiet lobby, Norio and Jack found themselves alone, checking their lockers in the corner. The sound of locker doors opening and closing echoed softly through the space, a moment of calm before the coming storm of responsibilities.

Jack, glancing at Norio as he fiddled with his locker, broke the silence with a casual question. "Hey, Norio, why do you consider me such a good friend? I mean, what makes me so special to you?"

Norio paused for a moment, then smiled as he turned to Jack, leaning against the locker door. "Why not, Jack? You've done a lot for me, more than you probably realize."

Intrigued, Jack raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Norio counted off on his fingers, beginning to share his thoughts. "Well, for starters, you're the one who taught me to be more open with my dad. That wasn't easy, you know. Before you, I never would've thought of actually talking to him like I do now."

Jack grinned, pleased with the compliment.

"And," Norio continued, "you made me realize that it's okay to loosen up sometimes. Like when you introduced me to tying a proper tie-and when we had those drinks after a rough day. That was your idea, to cool down when the mood's off. I used to think it was wrong, but you showed me that it's okay to let go sometimes."

Jack nodded, remembering those moments. "Anything else?" he asked, curious.

Norio chuckled. "Oh, there's more. You're the one who taught me how to drive, remember? I was terrified behind the wheel, but you made it fun, even when you got us into that crazy race. You're always pushing me to be a little more reckless, but in a way that makes me braver. It's like... you know how to balance things-serious and fun."

Jack listened, his expression softening as Norio continued with his list. "You helped me stand up for myself. You taught me how to handle pressure, especially when it comes from Ren. You've always been there when I needed to blow off steam, and you're honest-sometimes brutally, but I need that. You never let me stay in my comfort zone for too long."

Jack couldn't help but feel happy with Norio's words, a warm sense of pride welling up inside him. "You really think all that, huh?"

"Absolutely," Norio said with a smile. "You're one of the few people I feel I can be myself around. And besides, you're like family to me at this point. I trust you with everything."

They stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, the bond between them clear. Then, Norio shifted his weight, looking at Jack a little more seriously. "But I have to ask... are you ignoring Mayumi?"

Jack stiffened slightly at the question. "Izumi said something like that to me yesterday," Norio added.

Jack sighed, nodding slowly. "Yeah, I am. It's just... she's really distracting right now. With the mission coming up, I need to stay focused, and she... she messes with my head."

Norio's smile turned sympathetic, but he didn't comment right away. Jack continued, glancing at his friend. "I expect you to stay away from her too, at least until the mission's done. It's not that I don't trust her, but... I can't afford distractions right now. And neither can you."

Norio chuckled softly. "I'll try, Jack. But you know how it is-Mayumi and I, we're like twins. We've been raised together since birth. I can't totally avoid her, even if I wanted to. She's like one of my closest friends, just like you are."

Jack looked at him, a mixture of understanding and frustration in his eyes. "Yeah, I get it. But just try, alright? At least for now."

Norio nodded. "I will, Jack. But don't worry too much-Mayumi can handle herself. She's tougher than she looks."