Renjiro's world was unraveling faster than he could control. The discovery of Kazuki's involvement in the stolen intelligence sent ripples through his mind, but what disturbed him most was the cryptic warning Kazuki had left behind: "The truth you fear is closer than you think."
Renjiro sat in Aya's apartment, the faint hum of her computer filling the silence. Aya's fingers flew across the keyboard, decrypting files Renjiro had retrieved from the previous mission. Despite the late hour, her determination burned bright.
"What did Kazuki mean by 'the truth you fear'?" Aya asked, glancing at Renjiro.
Renjiro's jaw tightened. He wasn't ready to share his suspicions, not even with Aya. The possibility that someone within the agency was feeding information to the enemy was a heavy weight to bear.
"It's just another one of his mind games," Renjiro replied, his tone betraying his unease.
Aya frowned but didn't push further. "Well, mind games or not, we've got a bigger problem. The files indicate that Kazuki is targeting the Hayashi Gala next week. It's a high-profile event with Japan's top political figures. If he's planning to strike, it could be catastrophic."
Renjiro nodded, his mind already calculating the next steps. The gala would be heavily guarded, making infiltration a challenge. But it also meant Kazuki would be operating with precision.
"What's the plan?" Aya asked, breaking his train of thought.
"We go undercover," Renjiro said. "I'll attend as a guest. You'll handle communications and support from the outside."
"And Aiko?" Aya's voice softened.
Renjiro hesitated. Aiko had grown too attached to him, and he couldn't deny the bond he felt for her. But bringing her along or leaving her alone was equally risky.
"She stays with Agent Kenta," Renjiro finally decided. Kenta was one of the few people he trusted.
Aya gave a small nod, but her expression revealed her worry. "Be careful, Renjiro. Kazuki isn't playing around anymore."
Renjiro stood, grabbing his coat. "Neither am I."