Bounded by Secrets

"Shadows of the Island"

The navy quarters were abuzz with activity as the members of M-10 were ushered into a secure zone. Special officers swiftly began assisting them into heavy security gear, each piece tailored for the upcoming mission's intensity. Among the commotion, Jack stood apart, casually preparing himself without assistance, a routine he had perfected from countless missions. Once ready, he plopped onto a nearby sofa, engrossed in his mobile phone, his fingers scrolling absently. 

To his surprise, the familiar duo of Light and Ted entered the quarters. Jack raised an eyebrow, curious. "What are you two doing here?" 

Before Light could respond, Ted burst out in exasperation. "This *mad girl* made me travel all the way from home to Ren's headquarters, and now here, just to meet you!" He shot an accusatory glare at Light. "And guess what? Now I have to take her back too! I swear, sometimes I just want to—" 

"Kill her?" Jack finished with a chuckle, amused by Ted's frustration. 

Light ignored Ted’s grumbling and immediately ran to Jack, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "I came all this way just to see you," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and relief. 

Jack, however, remained glued to his phone, barely sparing her a glance. Annoyed, Light snatched the device from his hands. "Jack! I came all this way to talk to you, and you’re... you’re just sitting here glued to this thing?!" 

Jack froze, his gaze sharp as he looked at her. His tone was calm but firm as he reached for his phone. "Give it back." 

Light held it out of his reach, her eyes blazing with determination. "No way! You’re ignoring me. Do you know what I’ll do now? I’ll call Kevin and tell him how distracted you are on your phone and how disrespectful you’re being to me!" 

Jack sighed, realizing the battle he was in. Resigned, he mumbled a quick, "Sorry," and reached for the phone again, but Light wasn’t done. 

Just then, Ren entered the room, sensing the commotion. "What’s going on here?" he asked, his authoritative tone cutting through the tension. 

Light immediately launched into her complaint. "Ren! Jack is completely distracted by his phone. If you don’t take it from him, he won’t focus on the mission at all!" 

Ren’s gaze shifted to Jack, his expression calm but clearly unimpressed. "Jack," he began, "you’re the one who suggested I take everyone’s phones away for this mission. I didn’t expect you to be the one breaking your own rule. Hand it over." 

Before Jack could protest, Ren reached out and snatched the phone from his hands. Jack’s face twisted into a childlike pout as he whined, "Ren! Come on, I was just—" 

"No excuses," Ren cut him off. "You’ll get it back after the mission." 

Jack groaned in defeat, trying to negotiate. "Ren, please. Just for a minute—" 

"Enough, Jack," Ren said firmly, pocketing the phone. 

Realizing there was no winning this argument, Jack huffed and stomped off to his quarters. Too tired to argue further, he threw himself onto the bed and muttered under his breath. Moments later, he was fast asleep, leaving behind the echoes of his grumbles in the quiet quarters. 

Meanwhile, Light smirked, watching Ren’s back as he walked away. "Finally, some peace," she murmured, earning a quiet laugh from Ted. 

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The ship rocked gently as it approached the island, its silhouette outlined by the faint glow of the setting sun. M-10’s crew stood on deck, their gazes fixed on the bustling island ahead. The air was thick with anticipation as they prepared to disembark. Jack adjusted his bag, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Mayumi stood nearby, tying her hair back into a loose bun, ready for the mission.