The Spy Who Sat Two Desks Away”

Morning sunlight washed over the city again, but Aiko Tanaka felt none of yesterday’s calm. She stood at the sink, washing dishes with her usual gentle smile, yet her mind replayed the encounter with The Wolf. If he had shown up in broad daylight, it meant one thing:

Someone had leaked her location.

Someone close.

She dried her hands, forcing her expression to soften as Riku walked into the kitchen, adjusting his tie.

“You’re up early,” he said, yawning.

“I wanted to make sure you had a good breakfast,” Aiko replied, placing a neatly packed bento in his hands. “Be careful today.”

Riku blinked. “Careful? Why?”

Aiko froze for half a second—too long for an assassin, but short enough for a husband who never suspected anything.

“I just… have a feeling,” she said.

Riku laughed lightly. “You worry too much, Aiko. I’ll be fine.”

He kissed her cheek and headed out the door.

Aiko’s smile faded the moment he disappeared down the hall.

Someone is watching him. And if they’re watching him… they’re watching me.

She grabbed her hairpin blade and slipped it into her sleeve.

---

Riku’s New Coworker

Riku arrived at his office building, greeting coworkers with his usual cheerful awkwardness. He sat at his desk, booting up his computer, when his manager approached.

“Riku! Good timing. We have a new hire joining your team today.”

Riku perked up. “Oh? That’s great.”

A tall woman with sharp eyes and a sleek black bob stepped forward. She wore a crisp suit and carried herself with military precision.

“This is Miyu Sato,” the manager said. “She’ll be sitting right next to you.”

Miyu bowed politely. “I look forward to working with you.”

Riku smiled. “Same here! If you need help with anything, just ask.”

Miyu’s eyes flicked over him—too observant, too calculating.

“Thank you,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll learn a lot.”

But her gaze lingered on him a moment too long.

---

Aiko’s Instincts

Back home, Aiko stood on the balcony, scanning the street below. She sensed it again—a faint disturbance, like a shadow brushing against her senses.

Someone was tailing Riku.

She leapt across rooftops, following the invisible thread of danger until she reached the office district. She perched on a rooftop across from Riku’s building, watching through the windows with a sniper’s precision.

That’s when she saw her.

Miyu Sato.

Aiko’s eyes narrowed. She recognized the posture, the stance, the subtle way Miyu scanned the room.

She’s trained. And she’s not here for paperwork.

Aiko’s grip tightened on her hairpin blade.

---

Inside the Office

Riku typed away, oblivious to the tension building around him. Miyu sat beside him, pretending to review documents, but her eyes kept drifting toward him.

“So, Riku,” she said casually, “you’re married, right?”

Riku nodded. “Yeah! My wife’s amazing. Sweet, gentle, great cook—honestly, I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

Miyu’s eyebrow twitched. “I see. And what does she… do?”

“Oh, she’s a homemaker,” Riku said proudly. “She’s really good at catching things. Like, really good. Yesterday she caught a knife without even looking.”

Miyu froze.

“…A knife?”

“Yeah! Crazy reflexes, right?”

Miyu’s expression didn’t change, but her heartbeat did.

Shadow Princess… could it be?

---

Aiko Makes Her Move

Aiko slipped silently into the building through a maintenance door. She moved through the halls like a ghost, avoiding cameras, guards, and employees with effortless precision.

She reached the office floor and hid behind a structural column, watching Miyu closely.

Miyu subtly reached into her blazer.

Aiko’s eyes sharpened.

Weapon?

But Miyu pulled out… a small device. A scanner. She aimed it at Riku’s desk.

Aiko’s pulse spiked.

She’s searching for traces of me.

Aiko stepped forward, ready to strike—

But Riku suddenly stood up.

“Hey, Miyu! Want to grab lunch together? I can show you the cafeteria.”

Miyu quickly hid the scanner. “That would be helpful.”

Aiko froze mid‑step.