Rena's BMW 5 Series was a complete mess inside.
Men's and women's coats and underwear were casually tossed onto the front seats.
In the spacious back seat, Rena was draped in Toru's shirt, leaning against the car door with nothing underneath.
Her long, beautiful bare legs rested across Toru's lap. He sat against the opposite door, letting his hands roam over her smooth, jade-like skin.
At this moment, Rena was completely exhausted, along with the fatigue and relief that came after releasing pressure. She closed her eyes, leaning against the door, breathing softly, as if savoring the moment.
After a long while, she opened her eyes, struggled to sit up, and pulled out a pack of women's cigarettes from the clothes on the floor. She took one out and lit it.
"Snap!"
The lighter ignited in the dim interior. She opened the rear window and sunroof, took a deep drag, and exhaled mint-scented smoke.
Compared to her exhaustion, Toru looked full of energy, as if he had not used any strength at all.
He looked at the small jade feet in his hands and asked, "How come I didn't know you smoked?"
"I usually only smoke in private. As a public figure, a TV host and reporter, I never let anyone see me smoking. I also remove the smell every time, so no one has ever found out."
Holding the cigarette, she asked, "...Boss doesn't like the smell of smoke?"
Toru shook his head. "I don't mind. You can smoke. I just don't smoke myself."
He did not know many women who smoked. Vermouth was one with a strong habit.
Looking at Rena now, she also seemed to be a heavy smoker. It showed that whether it was Vermouth or Rena, their work brought too much pressure, and cigarettes became a way to cope.
Fortunately, they both smoked high-end brands, usually fruity women's cigarettes, without any unpleasant smell.
Rena was surprised. "Boss, you don't smoke? That's rare."
"It is rare," Toru nodded.
In their line of work, as far as he knew, almost no one didn't smoke. The constant pressure of possibly dying at any moment made agents develop the habit.
Shuichi smoked, and Rei also smoked, but only in private.
Toru then said, "Compared to me not smoking, I'm more surprised that you were a virgin."
Their first time had been out in the wild.
When Toru had pressed her against the bridge pier by the riverbank, with her back facing him, he realized she was actually a virgin.
"Is Boss that surprised?"
"Of course. You're half Japanese, half American, raised in Japan, educated here. With your looks and ability, it's strange you never had a boyfriend."
"In our line of work, we could die at any time. How could I dare to have a boyfriend? I barely even contact my brother, afraid of dragging him into danger, so I was even less willing to fall in love."
She leaned against the door, exhaling smoke, and laughed self-mockingly.
"...The more emotions you have, the more weaknesses you expose. If I were just a member of the Organization, it would be fine, but I'm also an undercover agent. I could be exposed and killed at any time. I've experienced several near-death situations."
"In this situation, I don't think any man could make me fall for him."
Toru asked, "Even without feelings, didn't you ever look for a casual partner?"
"No man has ever made me think that way."
"So it seems I have?"
"Boss, you're very outstanding, and I like you very much. Not the kind of love between a man and a woman. It's more about the sense of security you give me. Especially since you saved my life, I'm very grateful."
She was referring to when she and Rei were captured, and Toru used Curacao's phone to send false information, preventing the Organization from killing her.
"I'm also a woman. I have needs, and I want to relieve stress. Boss, you're a good choice. Fortunately, you didn't refuse me, otherwise I'd really have to question my charm."
She brushed aside the damp hair at her temples.
"...This kind of thing really feels good. If we have time in the future, shall we continue?"
As she spoke, she lifted her pale foot and tapped Toru's slightly stubbled chin with her toes.
The Rena of before had always been respectful toward him, but after this, she became much bolder.
She even dared to tease her superior.
Toru grabbed her restless foot and chuckled. "How could I refuse when a beauty like you is willing? As long as you don't feel like you're losing out."
"Haha, I didn't expect Boss to be so traditional. There's no winning or losing in this. I don't need you to take responsibility, and I don't want to talk about feelings. That would feel strange to me."
She said lazily,
"...Maintaining this kind of relationship is great. We both get what we need. Speaking of which, I'm eight years older than you. With so many beautiful women chasing you, I'm the one who benefits."
As expected of a modern woman, her mindset was forward-thinking.
Rena was undeniably a great beauty, and an exceptionally outstanding one.
If ordinary people in Japan were asked to choose between Rena and younger girls like Yukino, most would choose Rena.
The reason was simple. She graduated from Waseda University, had beauty and temperament, and was the ace reporter and host of Nichibei TV, as well as the top internet celebrity of her kind in Japan.
In Japan, some professions carried strong appeal.
For example, famous comedians had extremely strong appeal in choosing partners, and many popular actresses ended up marrying comedians.
For women, being a TV host was the most coveted profession, even more admired than being an actress.
Many beautiful and elegant hosts married into wealthy families or married national-level male stars. This showed how much Japanese men admired TV hosts.
Many actresses could not compare to them.
Hosts at major TV stations had looks, temperament, education, and ability. Ordinary actresses could only feel inferior.
Nichibei TV was one of the five major TV stations in Japan. With its top female host willing to be his lover, there was no way Toru would be picky.
Especially since her private life was very clean.
"But let me say this first, I have a strong desire for control. You must make sure you don't mess around."
Toru said seriously.
Rena glanced at his abdomen and laughed. "Unless Boss abandons me, I won't betray you. I think you're more than enough to satisfy me and help me relieve stress. Other men definitely don't have your ability."
"Your understanding is very correct," Toru said righteously.
She couldn't help but laugh.
When it came to that topic, men always argued confidently and never backed down.
And after experiencing it, she fully agreed. He really was amazing, excessively so.
Toru then looked at the system panel only he could see.
As expected, there was no reaction.
Rena's feelings for him were not pure love, nor had they reached the level of sacrificing everything without regret.
The conditions for this system task were not easy.
A woman like her, with rich experience and working as an undercover agent, could not easily become love-struck or fall completely for someone.
If she were that kind of person, she would have died in the Organization long ago. Moreover, she still had family, and most of her emotions were devoted to them.
Toru did not mind.
This was the real world.
Having Vermouth, Haibara, and a yandere like Momiji was already not easy.
He still had to keep working hard.
Based on experience, aside from girls like Momiji, it seemed that girls without parents or relatives were easier targets?
Toru pondered this pattern.
Rena, who had regained some strength, straightened her expression and reported, no longer as a lover, but as a subordinate:
"Boss, three hours ago, Rum gave me an order."
"What order?"
She relayed Rum's words in detail.
Toru thought for a moment and said, "Curacao was Rum's most capable subordinate. Now that she is dead in his eyes, he needs someone new who is loyal enough."
"I've become a target?" her heart stirred.
"Just one of them. He must have multiple choices. For someone like Rum, ability is secondary. Loyalty is more important."
"Although your identity hasn't been exposed, your recent actions have already made the Organization suspicious. He won't trust you easily."
Toru analyzed Rum's thinking carefully.
"Then what should I do about this mission? Reporting it truthfully now is also equivalent to completing Rum's task. It depends on your decision."
"If you refuse, will the Organization take action against you?"
She asked with concern.
Toru shook his head. "No. That Organization won't easily move against me. Right now, I stand opposite the CIA, and they are not in a superior-subordinate relationship."
"On the contrary, they are hostile, only cooperating temporarily for mutual benefit. Once that cooperation ends, Spencer will be the first to eliminate them."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. They won't pay the price to act against me just for the CIA."
Toru fell into thought, considering whether he should pretend to agree and then use the Organization.
Or even take control of it from within.
(To be continued.)