Bounded by Secrets

"Shattered Bonds"

Jack was under a lot of pressure, his fists relentlessly pounding the punching bag in his room. Sweat ran down his forehead, but he kept hitting harder, as if he could fight off his stress and frustration with every punch. He didn't want to talk to anyone, not even Rimmy, who came in quietly with a milkshake, hoping to cheer him up. When she tried to offer it to him, he simply shook his head, his voice low and strained, "Rimmy, please... just go back."

Rimmy hesitated but finally left, respecting Jack's space. A few minutes later, Norio entered, sensing Jack's mood. He tried to start a conversation, but Jack's silence was a wall. Ignoring it, Norio pressed on, though his tone was casual. "What's the deal with that girl, Rimmy? She's... strange. Is she mentally ill or something?"

That was enough to make Jack stop mid-swing. He turned sharply, his voice rising in defense. "You don't know anything about her past."

Jack's fists clenched as he began, a flicker of pain in his eyes. "Rimmy's father... he was a Mafia man, Norio. Her whole family was a mess-a dark one. When my father found out about it, he put an end to some of those men, but it didn't stop the heat. Her father, he was always running from the police, risking his life... and hers too. Eventually, he realized he couldn't go on like that, always on the run, with his little daughter caught in the middle. So he did the only thing he could."

Jack took a breath, the weight of that memory sinking in. "He surrendered-to me. And that was my first Mafia case. He asked me to take care of his daughter. To keep her safe." Jack's voice softened, almost as if he were talking to himself. "Rimmy's been with me ever since. And despite everything she's been through, she's the one who takes care of me. Yes, she has her scars, her mental struggles because of her childhood trauma... but she's stronger than anyone realizes."

He locked eyes with Norio. "Is that enough? Or do you want to hear more?"

---

Jack strode into the practice room, ready to give his final instructions to the team before departure. Nearly everyone was gathered-except for Norio. But as Jack scanned the room, he noticed Gaku, Asahi, Izumi, Jun, and Mayumi looking disheveled, as if they had just come back from a party. Trying to ignore it, he took a deep breath, focusing on the briefing. But Mayumi's behavior soon made that impossible. She was swaying unsteadily, giggling, and singing nonsense, dressed in nothing but her nightwear.

Jack's irritation boiled over. He marched toward her, calling out in a hard voice, "Mayumi! What the hell are you doing?"

Mayumi just giggled, looking at him with glazed eyes. "Oh, lighten up, Jacky!" She twirled around, laughing, "It's just a little... fun."

Norio tried to intervene, mouthing to Jack, "She's drunk." But Jack's patience had already snapped.

"Enough!" He slapped her, the sound echoing sharply. Mayumi blinked, momentarily stunned, the drunken haze clearing from her eyes. She stared at him, her expression shifting to hurt and shame as she realized what had happened.

"What were you thinking, Mayumi?" Jack's voice was sharp and unforgiving. "Dancing around like this, acting like a fool, dressed like that? You're supposed to be here, ready for the mission-not embarrassing yourself like this!"

Mayumi's voice wavered, her eyes filling with tears as she tried to explain, "Jack, I... I didn't mean to-"

"Oh, so you just thought this was all some big joke?" Jack cut her off, his words relentless. "You think that while everyone else is here, working hard, you get to ignore all of it?"

"Please, Jack," she whispered, her voice choked with tears, "I'm sorry."

But Jack didn't relent. "Do you have any idea how irresponsible you're being? You're letting everyone down! Is this how little you respect us?"