Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 96 - 91: “The Puppet’s Smile”

Chapter 96: Chapter 91: “The Puppet’s Smile”

Tokyo.

A soft drizzle washed over the city, giving the skyline a somber grey hue. Inside a sleek café near Ren’s company headquarters, Saki Kamizawa stirred her tea with eerie calm. Her hair was neatly done, her outfit professional and stylish. She looked like any other successful businesswoman—but her eyes never blinked normally, and her smile had no warmth behind it.

She wasn’t alone.

Across from her sat a man in his mid-30s—one of Naruse’s old associates. A man who had quietly slithered back into the shadows after Naruse’s fall.

"You’re really planning to get involved again?" he asked cautiously. "After what happened...?"

Saki smiled, sipping her tea."I never stopped being involved. I just needed time."

She slid a flash drive across the table."Inside is surveillance data. Their home. The girl’s condition. Aoi Hoshizaki is pregnant. That child will make her weak. Emotionally. Physically."

The man looked unsettled."And what do you want from me?"

"A temporary distraction. Something loud. Something that makes her panic."Her voice darkened."Just long enough to speak to Ren again—alone."

—

Meanwhile – Ren’s Countryside Home

Ren stood under the canopy outside, watching the newly reinforced perimeter fencing. Behind him, the Watcher One drone hovered silently, its camouflage shimmering in the afternoon light.

Lucia’s voice crackled through his earpiece:"Sir. A sudden spike in network probes near your Tokyo office. Encrypted relay originating from a known Naruse contact. Possible link to Kamizawa."

Ren’s eyes narrowed."Activate the passive breach barrier. Flag all digital anomalies. Send decoys."

"Yes, sir. Also, Aoi is approaching your location. She appears calm but her heartbeat is elevated."

Ren turned just in time to see Aoi walking down the stone path with two warm mugs of tea. Her cheeks were flushed, her walk a little slower with her belly starting to show, but her smile was determined.

"You’re always working," she said, handing him a cup."And you’re always worrying about me."

Ren chuckled and leaned down to kiss her."You’re everything to me. That means worrying is part of the package."

—

Back in Tokyo

Saki opened a hidden drawer inside her apartment.

Inside: a small voice recorder, a burner phone, and a new ID card.

On the screen of her laptop was a paused video of Aoi walking through her office building, holding her stomach. She zoomed in on Aoi’s ring. Then paused on her smile.

"She took everything," Saki whispered."But even queens can fall—if you hit where it hurts the most."

She pulled out a sleek black earpiece, slid it into her ear, and pressed a button.

A faint voice responded:"Operation Phantom is set. Distraction will commence in 72 hours."

Saki smiled again."I’ll be waiting, Ren."