Bounded by Secrets

"Savage Resolve"

By the next morning, Jack and Mayumi found themselves in their respective rooms at Ren’s headquarters. The events of the prior day had drained them physically and emotionally, but sleep had been fleeting. A phone call from Ren interrupted what little rest they had, instructing them to meet at the government office for an urgent matter. Though they were groggy and irritated, they prepared swiftly for whatever awaited them. Jack, always methodical even in exhaustion, anticipated the chaos and steeled himself, his face colder than usual.

When Jack and Mayumi entered the government office, the rest of the team—Jun, Gaku, Asahi, Norio, and Kaki—were already there, flanked by Ren and Mr. Hiroto. The air was thick with tension. Ren motioned Jack over and leaned in close to whisper a brief warning. 

“Reporters,” he said curtly. “Stick to the story. Don't screw this up.” 

Jack smirked faintly, his eyes flashing with disdainful confidence. “I’m not the one who screws things up. Watch and learn.” 

Ren’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, letting Jack’s arrogance slide—for now. 

The team, minus Ren and Hiroto, moved into the hall where reporters swarmed, microphones thrust forward like weapons. A barrage of sudden, unrelenting questions greeted them. 

“What can you tell us about your upcoming space mission?” 
“How prepared is the team for such a groundbreaking operation?” 
“What challenges do you anticipate, given your lack of prior experience?” 

The team stood frozen. Their collective confusion was evident, a group of blank faces trying to process a situation they hadn’t been briefed on. But Jack, having been given a minute’s notice by Ren, knew how to handle it. His face twisted into a savage grin, a flicker of amusement behind his cold eyes. He stepped forward, exuding the composed charm of someone born for the spotlight. 

“Oh, it’s understandable that you’re curious. A mission like this is... monumental,” Jack began smoothly, gesturing with practiced precision. “Of course, we’ve been rigorously trained for months. The specifics of the mission are classified, but I can assure you it’s nothing less than revolutionary.” 

The words spilled effortlessly, each lie more convincing than the last. It was the kind of charisma one could only inherit from a businessman like Kevin. Even Ren, watching from the sidelines, was both impressed and mildly annoyed at Jack’s audacity. 

The reporters ate it up, their pens scribbling furiously. One turned their attention to Mayumi, catching her off guard. 

“Mayumi, can you elaborate on the team’s roles in this mission?” 

For a moment, panic flickered across her face. She stammered, her mind racing for something credible to say. 

“Well, um... we’ve all been trained to...” she trailed off, floundering. 

Jack stepped in smoothly, his voice dripping with sarcasm and cutting authority. “What she means to say,” he said with a sharp look at Mayumi, “is that every team member is crucial, trained for specialized tasks that will ensure success. Isn’t that right, Mayumi?” 

Mayumi nodded quickly, grateful for the save but uneasy under Jack’s piercing gaze. 

Asahi, picking up on Jack’s lead, began fabricating details about mission objectives, his confidence growing with each false statement. Gaku chimed in, speaking about scientific advancements the team was supposedly contributing to. Even Kaki and Norio, initially hesitant, jumped in with vague yet convincing explanations. 

For the next twenty minutes, they spun a web of lies so intricate that even the reporters seemed convinced. But Jack carried the conversation, his cold demeanor and savage confidence making him the undeniable center of attention.