Bounded by Secrets

"A Leader's Burden"

The next morning, Ren gathered everyone to outline the new plan. They were joined by a spy and specialist, Miss Habibi, who had been brought in to handle two crucial tasks: first, to repair the intricate machines implanted within Mayumi's body, and then to assist with the high-security tower. Jack seemed confident in Miss Habibi's skills, but Gaku wasn't convinced. He bombarded her with questions, his suspicion evident. Norio, busy hacking something on his laptop, finally snapped, "Gaku, can you just stop? I need some quiet here!"

Meanwhile, Mayumi, visibly uncomfortable with the machines attached to nearly every part of her body except where her shorts and bra offered a little coverage, looked to Jack with pleading eyes. "Why me, Jack? Why not anyone else?" she asked, wincing at the sharp edges pressed against her skin.

Jack looked at her and sighed, his tone both firm and protective. "Because, Mayumi, I can trust everyone else with a sniper. But you? I can't even trust you with a single gun, understand, dear? Or do you need more explanation?"

Mayumi tried to move away, restless under Miss Habibi's tools. Habibi, looking visibly frustrated, was about to speak up when Jack intervened. He walked over to Mayumi, took a rope, and carefully tied her waist to a nearby pole. "There, now you can't move, Miss. You're free to continue your work."

The team burst into laughter as Mayumi's defiance turned into a teary-eyed pout. She started crying like a child, and Jack, trying not to laugh himself, patted her shoulder. "You'll be fine, Mayumi. Just bear with it a little longer."

Outside the security tower, Jack, Gaku, Mayumi, and Miss Habibi were gathered, strategizing their next steps. The rest of their team was positioned as snipers around the area, ready to defend at any moment. The plan required Mayumi to go in alone, but she was visibly terrified, her body trembling and tears forming as she whispered, "I can't do it..."

Gaku noticed her hesitation and, with a smirk, turned to Jack. "Jack, I think a single kiss from you could work wonders here. Go on, kiss her."

Jack's face turned serious, unwilling to play into Gaku's idea. But Gaku leaned closer, pressing the point. "Oh, so you're fine with this mission failing? With Ren losing faith in you? Want to deal with Ayumu's scolding, Ren's endless teasing, and-"

"Enough, enough!" Jack cut him off. With a resigned sigh, he turned to Mayumi, took a deep breath, and gently kissed her. Mayumi's eyes went wide with surprise, but as the shock faded, a newfound determination replaced her fear. She gave Jack a small nod and, bolstered by his confidence, turned to enter the tower.

Following Jack's precise instructions, Mayumi moved through the tower's interior, her nerves steadying. But then, she accidentally triggered an alarm, and emergency lights flashed through the corridors. Fear returned as she froze, but within moments, Jack appeared beside her, having breached the building himself. Together, they disabled the security system, with Jack covering her as she reached the locker and retrieved the memory disk.

As they made their way back, Gaku provided cover from outside, expertly fending off any threats with his rifle. They sprinted to the car and sped off, heading to the safety of a dense jungle nearby-a temporary hideout until they could regroup.

---

The night had been anything but restful. Medor's security forces had been alerted to the snipers' positions and were hunting them down relentlessly. The snipers, usually calm and controlled, were now frantically calling Jack, their fear evident in their voices. "Jack, they're onto us! What do we do? Where are you?"

Jack, though feeling the pressure himself, kept his tone steady, hiding his own fear to keep his team composed. He reassured them, quickly giving instructions, trying to make contact with Ren the whole night but to no avail. As the situation grew more dire, Miss Habibi slipped away, vanishing as soon as she sensed the threat. Jack didn't have time to think about her disappearance. By morning, he barely had the energy to keep his eyes open, but that didn't matter-he woke to the sound of Medor's security surrounding him. They'd been captured.