ENGLISH VERSION - Second Star to the Right (Mikey Bonten x OC)

Chapter 15: Game Theory

POV AYANA

Tokyo, Wednesday, May 2nd – 11 a.m.

Mikey left at dawn, as silently as he had arrived. I refuse to think about last night, or what he still means to me. It's too... dangerous.
If I start, everything I've been trying to bury will resurface, and I can't let that happen. So I push it aside, lock it away. There's something more urgent: finding a way out of here.

My first idea: snooping around Kokonoi's office. After spending some time observing each of them, it quickly became clear he's the one who holds the most information.

I take advantage of the fact they're busy elsewhere and slip into his office, located on the same floor as the suites.

And what an office! Luxurious tapestries adorned with golden patterns, a massive mahogany desk, black marble floors streaked with white, and a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. If luxury had a definition, it would be here, right in front of me.

My attention shifts to the enormous bookshelf.
Tell me what you read, and I'll tell you who you are.

I scan the shelves, mostly filled with books on finance, economics, and management. Not a single novel. Nothing that isn't about money. My eyes settle on a book about Game Theory. It reminds me of university. I grab it, open it, and start reading.
The prisoner's dilemma... A paradox where two individuals, each seeking to maximize their own interest, betray each other, leading to a worse outcome for both. If they cooperated, they'd achieve a much better result.

"Need some help?" Kokonoi's voice cuts through the air, making me jump.

"No... I was bored, and this is the only place with books."

"Not surprising. The guys think books are just for propping up furniture."

He approaches with a graceful stride, and sits on the edge of his desk, facing me. He places a badge next to him.

My mind races. This isn't just any badge. I've seen it in their hands before, and I know exactly what it controls: doors, the elevator... my way out. I need it. I have to take it.

Kokonoi takes the book from my hands. "Game Theory, huh? You like reading?" His voice is smooth, almost seductive. I need to distract him, draw his attention away from the badge.

I give him a small smile. "Yeah, didn't Mikey tell you?"

"Mikey doesn't talk much."

"He doesn't talk to you much."

Kokonoi raises an eyebrow, his expression wavering between amusement and curiosity.
"So, you're special?"

"Not really."

He leans in slightly, his smile stretching like a cat playing with its prey.
"Special enough to deserve special treatment."

"But not enough to earn my freedom," I reply, my voice sharper.

His gaze hardens, almost mocking. "I saw him leaving your room this morning."

My chest tightens. Shit.

"He was keeping an eye on me, probably afraid I'd try to escape..." I try to feign innocence, but my answer sounds hollow, even to me.

"How did you meet Mikey?" he asks, his smirk betraying his disbelief.

That question again. It's like Mikey never mentioned me to anyone. Not that surprising. Even as a kid, he kept everything to himself.

I decide to turn the question back on him. "How about you? How do you know him?" My tone is neutral, but my curiosity is genuine.