Caught Red-Handed
Bonten!Haitani Ran x Fem!agent!reader
Warnings: Strong Language, Dark Romance, Toxic and Dark themes, Graphic description of Blood and Violence, MCD, Captivity, forced proximity, hostage situation, Psychological trauma, survivor's guilt used over MC, and WHUMP
Reader Discretion is Advised. This fanfic features a dark, toxic and manipulative Bonten!Haitani Ran. Please read responsibly!
Inside a luxurious grand mansion in a private area up in the hidden place of Japan, a huge gathering was held, where representatives from various gang organizations gather to feast.
The feast was about the celebration of two organizations conjoined together and created an alliance for the benefit of both.
And in some circumstances, this information had miraculously reached the ears of the Government, and they had planned to infiltrate this celebration to gain more info about these so-called yakuza in the country to stop their plans. And one of them was the infamous organization known for their numerous crimes in Japan, Bonten.
"Psst—Are we sure about this?"A man whispered, wearing a fully black suit, just like the others, from atop a glass roof. His voice was laced with anxiousness and wariness as he looked down below from where they hid.
"There's a low percent chance we'll get out of here alive... Either we die trying, or maybe let's pray the Gods or anyone from above will hear our sacred prayers, and we all get out of here ALIVE and a bonus— with our mission a success."
He continued muttering, his body shaking from the intense pressure he's feeling and the thought of getting himself killed by those dangerous groups of people inside like a sheep circled by a hungry clan of hyenas, waiting.
Suddenly, he yelped due to a force coming from his shoulders, which scared him out of his anxious state.
"Dude, you keep running your mouth, focus." He composed his self before turning to the person he heard scoffing behind him.
In a fit of rage, his face turned red and his eyes glared at his co-worker, "For goodness' sake, can you not push me?! What the fuck's with you today, Midori?"
"You're distracting the team! I had to wake you up from your blabber—"
"Oh? You think it's okay pushing someone on a roof that is made of fragile glass a great idea?"
"You wear glasses and you know you're smart, yet you can't tell that this glass is not that fragile and I don't know maybe cost more than you? Stupid Haruto." Midori grumbled under his breath and he whispered the last lines.
"My brain isn't braining today because you're distracting me!"
"—Oh? It's my fault now! Great"
Before the two could continue to bicker back and forth, their noses were greeted by the smell of dirt and sweat, and in an instant, their mouths were covered by the hands of their teammates. Then seconds later, they heard a loud groan from their team leader.
"You two continue to act like kids! If you both continue your nonsense bickering for sure your heads will be the first to be off." The pure bitterness lingers in their voice, emphasizing that their situation isn't just a simple mission. "Agent 09 and 02, I expect both of your cooperation for this mission and not both of your hands at each other's throat. Have I made myself clear?"
With their mouths free from the grasp, they replied simultaneously.
Not far from the scene another voice joins in, "They act like a couple fighting. Honestly, we might all just die at this point—"
"Agent 11! Dare to continue?" She stopped mid-sentence when their leader called out her codename.
"Dare to finish what you're saying (Name) so I'm not the only one sane here." Haruto or Agent 09 calls with his voice strained. "I dare not do what you dare to ask me to do." (Name) looked away as she ignored the latter's request, whilst he looked at her pleadingly.
"What did I say about using your codenames? It is essential and important not to use any of your government names during a mission."
"Don't Fuckin shout!" The captain continues to whisper-shout at his team, "If you want to make it out alive after this mission, focus. We can't risk losing our lives—any of us. We cannot afford to lose one of you." His voice slowly lowers his character breaking for the unimaginable thought his team would suffer from if they got caught.
"We'll immediately retreat once one is caught or they found out about us—you have my word." His words left the team dumbfounded, the atmosphere quickly changed, and all of the team felt the rush of adrenaline in their blood. The wind was louder than the noises from below where they stood, and in the moment of silence— everyone shared one look.
They continue with their plan and have already succeeded in opening one of the roof hatches without any of the butlers or guards noticing.
The teams were divided into four distinct groups: the pretend guards, the butlers, the visitors, and the watchguards stationed on the sidelines to monitor the area and the teams as they performed their designated assignments.
Agent 11 and the others were tasked to be the guests or visitors of the celebration to gather more intel from other organizations about any plans or whatever they could gather. Agent 11 or (Last Name) (Name) was dressed formally to blend in with the visitors, holding a fan that matched her whole attire, and to distinctively hide her identity from the horde of yakuza strolling around.
She wasn't alone, as said, she was with her friend Agent 14, a woman just like her in the team, and along with the two who had a 'Lovers Quarrel', Agent 09 and 02. As their group walked together towards the main area where the gathering was held, they couldn't help but feel their anxiety increase rapidly.
"(Name), I'm scared for real this time. What if we don't succeed?" 14 thought out loud for the feminine to only hear, she felt she wanted to gouge her eyes out while looking around the horde of men with tattoos walking with them. (Name) instinctively wraps her free arm around her friend.
"Just go with the plan and never part ways with 02, you'll be safe with him." She reassures and then an arm was wrapped around 14's shoulder with a voice joining to reassure their teammate.
"Don't worry, we'll make it out alive with info and succeed on this mission like always. We're the best team the government has." He said, grinning.
"More like the worst team." while fixing his glasses, 09 mumbled under his breath.
"We have more failed missions than successful ones that the team has ever had. The government only chose our team for this mission to completely obliterate us for good."
The three and their other companions remained silent, truth to be told. He might've been right. They rarely succeed in their missions, they always come back alive with a few bruises and injuries from battle and so on.
They fail but they're always in one piece as a team. They were only lucky. But, with a mission this big and dangerous, their luck might've already been drained. (Name) Clears her throat to break the building tension and spoke, "Enough with the negativity. We can do this."
"I suggest we don't bump into one of the executives of each organization for safety and just gather as much intel as you can from their members instead. When the timing is right maybe we could get a possible information to one of the actual higher ups, but, be cautious and do not ever let your guard down." She adds, her eyes narrowing and her voice deepening as they went closer to the big doors. Her team could only nod their heads and breath heavily.
While waiting for the door to be opened, "Get ready team, this is going to be tricky and might get dirty." A voice claims in their hidden earpiece.
"Wrap your arm around 02" (Name) Whispers to the feminine that was still clinging on her arm. They all now parted ways with their assigned partners to wander around the main area to finish their mission and get the hell out of there.
(Name) was then stuck with Agent 09, with Haruto. Both of them were silent and kept a poker-face while walking around the huge venue that seems to be a ballroom. "For a criminal organization, buying a whole luxurious, big and formal place wasn't in my bingo card." She rolled her eyes. "Just for them to celebrate their evil doings— inside of this magnificent place was an actual thing." She murmured.
"Of course, they'll spend their dirty money for what they want. They can buy off anything—" Haruto joins in looking around.
Without turning her head upwards, her eyes did the job. As she did what her partner instructed.
There, she spots the extra guards that the mansion had. From the other floors, stairways, and balconies there were guards everywhere and every single one was loaded with guns.
He swallowed hard, the sharp silhouette of his Adam's apple jumping wildly in his throat as he noisily gulped down air. His arm, wrapped around hers, began to vibrate with a violent and uncontrollable shake. Still, he builds an effort to hide it all, fixing his face into a mask of cold, stoic demeanor.
"I think I'm gonna shit my pants (Name)"
"No shit, you almost scared me. I thought we got caught 'cause you were shaking violently—"
They were interrupted suddenly by a butler approaching with a tray of champagne glasses. The said butler then offered a drink to each of them. "May I offer you a champagne or a specific drink, Madam and Sir?"
"Oh—uh, can I get a—" Haruto sputtered, cut off by surprise. (Name) felt the jump run through his arm the moment the butler spoke out of the blue; panic now made him stutter over his words. (Name) then speak out for him, thinking that their cover might get blown.
"Oh- well my husband seems to be already tipsy. He had already finished his wine. Maybe, a champagne will do for me. Thankyou." She said while taking a glass on the tray.
"Have a great night, Madam and Sir." The butler bowed his head before leaving the two.
"Uh, yeah! You too" She mentally cursed to herself as she listens to her partner, and took a sip into her champagne.
"Oh please, that was just a butler. Don't panic just act natural, dearest husband." She retorts sarcastically adding bitterness to her last words.
"Oh, how thoughtful of you my precious wife for reminding me what to do." Rolling his eyes, he matched her energy.
Not far from where they stood, a tall man loomed within the crowd. He held a glass of red wine, idly swirling the liquid as his gaze fixed upon the supposed couple.
A knowing, playful smirk curved across his face.
"Hey Rindou, tell the others I'm going to have some fun. The party's honestly boring but it seems like I have found my entertainment."
"Have a great night you two!" The unknown man bid his goodbyes and continued strolling around the venue, having finished his conversation with (Name) and her partner. Haruto and (Name) both let out a quiet huff of relief after he left, gaining key information's from their talk.
They glanced at each other—a signal that they had gathered enough intelligence—and smoothly resumed their façade as a fake married couple and waited for any signal from their team for a right time to leave.
That's when until Haruto grabbed (Name)'s attention.
"Remember when I said something the moment we walked in here?" He asked the confused feminine, she shook her head then replied.
"I'm about to actually shit my pants! Can I leave you alone for a while?" he blurted out, speaking rapidly as his feet performed a quick, agitated dance on the floor as if he is performing a tap dance.
She chuckled, giving him a gentle shove towards the nearest restroom.
"Yeah, just hurry up," she stated. With granted permission, he quickly ran as fast as he could. Dodging a few butlers on the way. (Name) watched Haruto with an awkward grin, besides that— she hopes that the man will be back sooner. They're still in enemy territory after all.
"So... Is the fine maiden perhaps taken for this evening?"
A playful yet gentle voice wakes her up from her thoughts, she turns around and sees a tall man with his hair in a slicked-back side part going to the right with the help of an expensive gel to keep it intact, his hair color was a unique; purple hue and black strands that matches his lilac and lavender eyes.
And those addictive eyes were staring back at hers. She couldn't help but continue to stare at the man for a few seconds.
When she finally realized he was addressing her, she quickly fixed her posture and cleared her throat. "Good evening," she said, slightly flustered for a moment.
"My apologies for staring—I didn't realize you were speaking to me."
"Apology accepted, Darling." He smirked playfully, an expression that did not go unnoticed by (Name). She felt a sense of familiarity from his smirk and presence. She continues to analyze the man whilst listening to him.
"What were you saying earlier again? I believe I didn't hear it quite clearly."
"Oh my, do you have trouble hearing? I hope you don't mind but how old are you exactly?" She hesitated to answer but nonetheless replied with a few lies to entertain the man.
"I'm 25... Sir?" That's when the woman noticed his expression, he raised one of his eyebrows as if he's waiting for the woman to know his name. "I'm not good with remembering names I'm truly sorry—"
"Oh! That explains it. Don't be sorry, rest assured. I'm— Kou. Just call me Mr. Kou for now." He said chuckling from embarrassment, rubbing his nape like a shy teenager. "It's truly a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Kou," (Name) began—only for the overhead lights to suddenly pitch-black welcomes itself onstage for a few seconds.
The venue plunged into darkness, but then the pulse of colored spotlights swirls across the expansive space.
What's happening? Her stomach gradually tightened. Had one of her coworkers been caught? Had she— Before panic could take root, the man beside her let out a low chuckle.
"Relax," he murmured, his voice smooth "It's just a dance." She turned to him sharply, but his smirk told her he'd already read her hesitation. With deliberate grace, he extended his hand, palm upturned—an unspoken challenge glinting in his eyes.
"May I have this dance?" The question hung between them, the atmosphere seemed to be quiet and only weighted between the two with something far more dangerous than a simple waltz.
"It's rude to decline a man in waiting." He spoke eyes glinting within the swirling lights that filled the whole room. Flustered, she deliberately accepted his hand and was pulled in with the others already swaying in the middle.
"Have I met you before Mr. Kou?" She mutters, starting the conversation.
"My, for a lady I like your confidence for starting! Well, glad you asked. I was thinking about the same thing."
"Have we met before?" He repeats her question. Meeting his eyes she stutters from her words, "Uh- well I believe so. But I don't know where or when Mr. Kuo"
She felt herself sweating as she comes up with an answer, the man still staring at her facial features with an interested look. "Maybe during the past gatherings, we had and maybe at some clubs?"
"Look, sweetheart. You probably have to get your head fix—This was the first ever gathering me and my organization went to. It's impossible unless I have a twin lurking around acting as me." Her heart sunk. "Don't get me started on the clubs as well—" Before she can reply, his hand tightly but gently caught her hand then spun her beneath his raised arm; her dress swirling along with her.
He grasped her waist to halt her movement, his intense and flirtish gaze pinning her in place. And a slow, wide smirk spread across his lips.
"Some clubs? For a married woman with a ring on her finger, I didn't expect her to be playing around with other men. Am I right, Ms. (Name)?" Oh boy, the blood on her face drains. She placed both of her arms around his chest to create some space between them.
"Well not really playing around with other men, but more like accompanying my p-partner."
"So, you're indeed married?" He asks, his right arm slithered around her waist—letting the other one retreat back to his pocket. "I like your ring. But it looks cheap to be honest."
"I'm married. I was about to tell you earlier, but you said it was rude to keep a man waiting."
'Of course it looks cheap. We just bought this fake ring online.' The feminine laughed off to herself, the man's smirk widening.
"My apologies for cutting you off earlier, but it did make you laugh at some point." He joins in chuckling. "How is your husband then? Is he a good husband?"
"Oh." She hadn't expected him to ask about that type of stuff, but she came prepared nonetheless. "Yes, he is. He's nice." Mr. Kou hummed while listening. "And since when have you two been married?"
"Actually 5 years ago, when I was in my perfect twenties. It was a nice and memorable day to be honest. I really like that guy."
She murmured the last part, a whisper that sounded suspiciously like a lie. Her deception didn't go unnoticed. The man knew she was hiding something. He simply held his own fake smile and leaned down to whisper something on her ear—brushing his hands to push her hair away.
"You know, I wouldn't mind a married woman, to be honest— especially one this gorgeous and elegant. But, what about you? do you mind having a secret affair, Miss (Name)?"
The blatant proposition completely stunned (Name), who stared back at him, her face shared a look of shock and confusion. She heard It from his voice that he was actually serious and had the audacity o be flirty with her.
He stood back straight again while smiling simply at her form with his lazy eyes staring back at her.
"Brother." She finally woke up from her gaze and looked behind the man in front of her, still in a daze of shock and confusion from where their conversation was going.
"Oh, my dearest little brother. Why do you wish to see me at the moment?" Mr. Kou utter without looking back— knowing the owner of the voice. "Well..." The man from behind him starts while taking a quick glance at (Name).
The new man that joined them huffed in annoyance, "Why are you flirting with... a married woman?" (Name) instantly felt like she was caught. The way he halted his words before "married" wasn't hesitation; it was sort of a performance or an act.
She could only come to one terrifying conclusion: he wasn't fooled at all. They knew exactly who she was.
Right after, the lights when on again and the others stop dancing. She pushed Mr. Kou little by little as if sensing that she's in trouble.
The man in front of her is familiar and the man behind. She finally heard Mr. Kou chuckled in delight. "Married? She isn't."
And as if on cue, she shoved him completely and stepped back— though the man, faster than she expected had grabbed her hand and ripped the fake ring on her finger.
Now, she stood a great distance from the two men; who looked so strangely alike.
The taller one, Mr. Kou casually threw the ring away. A loud clang echoed before it disappeared.
"For an agent," he said, his voice flat, "I expected you'd know the moment I approached you that you're already in danger."
"I genuinely thought you were still keeping up your act because you know you were already caught red-handed. it was a bit hilarious. But you actually don't know?" He chuckled darkly, covering his lower face with his hand whilst looking at her intensely.
She took a deep breath before questioning. Stupid why don't you run away already?
"Well— Me." He simply replied smirking. Her eyes narrowed, deeply confused.
A hand abruptly pulls her backward, forcing her to stumble. and she spun around ready to attack when Agent 14 came in view, her nose bleeding and her right eye bruised.
(Name)'s mouth fell open, about to question what happened when she also noticed Agent 09, Haruto, already in a fighting stance and the one who shielded her protectively. Then they heard Mr. Kou whistle tauntingly.
"Let me guess, you're supposedly the husband?"
While they were talking, (Name) took the chance to finally ask abruptly. "What happened to the two of you? Where is 02? Why did our leader didn't tell us to fall back when you're like this—!"
14 halted her blabbering with a shaky voice and widened eyes, grabbing (Name)'s shoulders before pacing— "He did! He called your codename multiple times in the earpiece! You were already in danger the moment you met one of the brothers and when... when- when he—"
"Midori is dead." 09 finished for 14. (Name) watch the feminine shake violently while stopping her tears.
"This jellyfish motherfucker killed him, I- I was his target yet I escaped death and Midori... He didn't." Haruto looked down, the memories he had with Midori came flashing back.
"That's when the others already told us to leave." He continued. She looked back at the two unknown men.
"GO run already. I'll buy you guys some time to leave with the others." They heard the trembling fear in his voice.
They knew Haruto was scared, but here he is now—in a fighting stance ready to fight and block the two men, his adrenaline rush was kicking in. The room was already in chaos, the agents hiding were pulling out their guns and wasting their bullets along with the guards around the venue.
"11 come on. Let's go already! Fall back!" She ushered (Name) by grabbing her hand and running towards the door.
(Name) continue to watch and reach out for Haruto, he was fighting two dangerous men by himself. "We can't leave him—"
"He said it himself that he'll lend us time to escape! Don't ruin his heroine (Name)" 14 tries to joke around while constantly pulling her friend away.
Mr. Kou calls out to Haruto.
"How bout you? Do you know me?" He asked him, earning an annoyed scoff from the injured man.
"Of course, How can I not know you?" Haruto glared, his voice bitter and sour. The man hearing this lightly smiled before walking casually to Haruto's side.
"Should've introduced me to that woman before planning to infiltrate us here uneducated about who you guys' plan to take down."
"Now you guys failed. What was it? Oh, dear Mr. Haruto."
"Tsk. She does know you," Haruto spat, slowly backing away. "She might've just forgot. She never really had an interaction with any of you damn Haitani." Haruto slowly backs up as Mr. Kou... or correction.
Haruto further stumbles back as Ran was inching closer towards him, while the said criminal's smile widens in each step. "That hurts."
Ran chuckled, "but I wouldn't mind getting to know her more personally. I'm tired of reading every single file and document about her."
Haruto's blood ran cold hearing this.
Ran casually walked past a living statue— Haruto that was processing the man's words was completely baffled.
"My apologies, but- you're not my priority. I'm not finished with my entertainment."
Haruto, clutching his now-bleeding shoulders where the impact of a bullet had met his body. The metallic tang of iron flooded his mouth as he coughed off the mixture of his blood and saliva.
Rindou lowered his smoking pistol, his face remained with a straight and cold gaze.
"Rindou will entertain you for the moment." Ran said, not bothering to turn from the doorway. His voice was casual, almost bored.
"Besides, I'll take care of your precious little fake wife— and your real woman with her." Ran said without looking back at his brother and Haruto.
"Please. Your squad was infamous for being die-hard failures that somehow survive every mission," Rindou answered, slowly reloading his gun as he approached the wounded man on the floor.
"That's a pretty bad title for your team."
He paused. "And it wasn't that hard to find every last piece of information about all of you."
"Say goodbye to Eri already while she's currently alive." Rindou pointed his gun, Haruto slowly stood back up still holding to his bloodied shoulders.
Haruto shakes his head, "You won't—''
"We will. What was her number shit again? Ah, right it was..."
"14!! We have to go back for Haruto— Your—"
"Agent 11 We can't! His sacrifice won't mean anything if we comeback." 14 cried as she desperately pulled (Name), their pace was getting slower as stumble in each step since (Name) kept resisting her friend's grip.
"Let's just leave. I promised him we will escape this catastrophe and leave this job." (Name)'s friend continues to plead; her tears mixing with the dried-off blood in her face. "We can't go back! Half our team is already gone. Demolished. We have to survive, (Name)! We can't fight them!"
(Name) looks back at the hallway where they last left their teammate at the chaos She pushed her emotions aside, shoved her grief down, and finally ran along with her friend. "Ho-How..." 14 turns her head around (Name), her ears perked up at her mumbling something. "How I wasn't informed? About the fallback? Why did..."
"(Name), where is your earpiece? Where is it?"
The lack of response confirmed the horrible truth. (Name) couldn't just lost her earpiece- but it was stolen. Swallowing a scream, 14 clicked her own earpiece.
"Everyone!" She called the attention of her teammates through the piece of device, her voice cracking. "I repeat, leave the premises and just survive! Don't wait for the others-''
"Help! I got Agent 09, He's alive!" She heard someone yell through the device.
"Agent 09? Alive...?" (Name) despite her weakened hearing, still caught a faint desperate sound from her friend. Making (Name)'s steps falter.
"Where is he?" 14 continued to speak urgently into her comms,
"Help! Look behind you, we're here! I see you two." 14 instantly halts her movement and turns her heel around without thinking.
Then, disaster stroke again.
As if suddenly, everything shifted into a terrifying slow motion.
The sound of the deafening shotguns was silenced across the mix of iron like smell and contaminated smoke in the air, the visitors- other people that were running around to find their escape from the disaster were nothing but still-frame statues in her vision.
She— She didn't dare to move, she swallowed hard, she held her breath. Her irises had shrunken but her body remained frozen. A splatter of crimson welcomes her vision, the sight unbearable and horrible. She suddenly felt her stomach flipped to the core; a drop had reached her bare cheek.
She ran towards the falling body, catching it on time before it hits the ruined floors.
"Eri... N-no...! You can't- " I
"(Name) You have to run. Escape. Quickly—" Eri held (Name)'s trembling hands with her cold ones.
"I can't leave you; we already left Midori and Haruto. I can't—"
"P-please, stop... c-crying and leave. He'll come for you- they'll kill you too." In each word, Eri paused and in each second, she felt herself drifting to seems to be eternal slumber.
"Stand up. Stay alive for us. He... H-He's coming."
Eri with her remaining strength shoved (Name) away from her bloodied state. "I'll only slow you down—"
"The government made a huge mistake sending your team in this hellhole. In our hellhole." (Name) heard up front, she hastily stood up; ignoring the desperate cries her dying friend was sending her.
"(Name) r-run. Stop trying to find a way out of this."
"I can get you out of thi—"
"Please (Name)—! I'm begging."
(Name) stood her ground taking a few steps back, her gun at hand; pointed at the executive present in her blurry vision. "Just because you guys had so much luck escaping danger more than the others had, doesn't mean your luck does not run out and your team— unstoppable? You get me, right? (Name)?"
"It's called being a coward." Ran adds with a smirk.
"Planning to be a coward and run away again, (Name)?"
(Name) ignores his remarks maintaining her unbothered demeanor but the gun shaking from her hand betrays her true state. "I like your guts." Ran says, casually. "It's the same, just like the last time I saw you. Your teammates— they always plan to get away. But you- you got the guts to fight."
Suddenly, he tossed his gun aside. He stood straight, waiting for her to make the first move.
"So why won't you fight me and I'll let the two of you off?" He grins.
Without a second thought, (Name) instantly pulled the trigger.
Catching Ran completely off guard. She swiftly moves aside and keeps firing her gun at him.
"You caught me in for a surprise. Here I thought we're only using nothing but our martial skills— You're playing dirty, I see." He stumbles back, dodging the bullets whilst chuckling from amusement.
"You didn't specify about not using guns." (Name) muttered, her jaw clicking in each shot missed.
As for Ran, he felt a tingling sensation in his chest after hearing her cold but trembling voice. "You finally talked" He said, "And here I thought you've gone mute, Darling."
"I mean, I understand." He continued smoothly, "Losing three people— or maybe more in a row? Honestly, will get me to shut down and emotional, too. But well, look at the bright side."
"Looking at you just helps me forget about all that."
(Name) visibly frustrated, finally
snapped. "What's with you?"
And Ran took this opportunity. "What's with me, darling?" He repeated, while he casually dodged each bullet and as he slowly marched towards her form.
"You keep blabbering your mouth and flirting? You're sick."
He closed the distance, smiling. "Sick for you."
This time he had her caught off guard, his words hit harder than a bullet. And Ran heard the hollow click as her gun ran dry.
In a second, he raised his knee, and knocked the gun out of her hold. Leaving her vulnerable and weaponless.
Ran seized her hands, and spun behind her, back securing her in a tight hold.
A cruel, amused smile remained plastered onto his face, watching her struggle against his grip.
He is strong. (Name) thought, trying to move her arms from his grip. But she hadn't undergone training for nothing.
Using her intellect, she raised her lower body up— a risky move— but thanks to her lighter weight, she successfully flipped herself over his shoulders in one swift motion. She landed awkwardly on the man's shoulder but she instantly gained control over the situation; strangling him using her legs around his neck.
"T-that's what I like." Ran muttered hoarsely with red cheeks— he had something in mind as he was not planning to let go of her wrists at all even though he was being strangled to death.
He said, letting go of one of his holds on her wrists. He hastily reached into something inside his suit, wasting no time.
(Name) wondered what it was, but at the same time she didn't hesitate to take a dagger that seemingly came out of nowhere and was about to stab the man with her free hand—
Just as the tip of the dagger reached his neck, an electric shock ripped through her body. Ran hadn't grabbed just any type of weapon but grabbed a stun gun.
The electric current reaches her whole body— paralyzing her.
Then the grip on Ran's neck loosened and he seized the opportunity to slam her to the ground. "Got 'cha Darling"
Her back hit the ground with a loudthud. She hissed from the impact, pain flaring across her spine.
Then Ran with a victorious grin hovered above her,
"You should know by now, sweetheart. That playing dirty with me is like fooling yourself— You can't hustle a hustler."
He was always a step-ahead of her. He already read her every move. He knows her dearly; he knows her tactics.
After all she played his game.
"Just let the others go already. Let Erin live, please." She looked at her comrade at the corner of her eyes, desperately believing and hoping whatever was left of her sanity that she's still breathing.
He heard her whisper under her breath, pain evident in her voice.
"Let me ask you one thing, sweetheart." Ran dropped in one knee, lowering his face near her. Taunting her vulnerable state by whispering back.
"If you were in my shoes right now, and we desperately plead and cry at you to let one of us go? What would the government do?" Ran sighed.
"Free these malicious criminals? I don't think so."
"You didn't even hesitate to stab me on the back with a dagger." He sang and now playing with the said dagger on his right hand before tossing it aside.
"Although I have a proposition. You have two options." He brought up two fingers in her line of sight.
"First Option. Leave that agency and live a different life, under a few conditions."
"Starting, you'll be under supervision, and you'll be under my care. I won't force you to join us—though I'd love a woman fighting alongside me. But that's beside the point." He chuckles to himself.
"My last condition? you'll live and be together with me."
"W-why?" She managed to ask through the building up pain in her body.
"Were you truly oblivious, Darling? I mean you saw the hints I was dropping. You know exactly why." He leaned closer, brushing his hand on her bruised-up cheeks softly.
With a bit of strength, she raised her left hand and held his wrist that was brushing on her face.
"What's the- the... other... option?" She asks through ragged breaths.
Ran's demeanor instantly changes. To his charming masks and amusement suddenly vanish into thin air and is welcomed with a menacing and lethal gaze.
(Name) deeply felt his gaze felt heavier and colder... her body ran cold; she couldn't move a muscle from the weight of his demeanor.
His voice dropped as a low, cold promise.
"You'll suffer like the others." He said flatly, with no remorse.
"But worse. Because you survived."
"What's it going to be? Be a heroine and suffer like the others. Or live another chance?" Ran said, his cold gaze still lingered. (Name) flinched from the sight and sound of the stun gun.
"Tick tock, Darling. I'm an impatient man."
(Name) remained still and quiet. "Live or suffer?"
Hiccupping, (Name) forced out a word. "L-live.''
She murmured in guilt, yet Ran decided to continue toying with her.
"I can't hear you, darling? What was it?" He moved his active stun gun closer and turned it on, earning a sharp flinch from the woman below him.
"You want to live?" He asked, spinning the stun gun playfully on his palm.
He watched her head with a frantic nod— a clear signal.
Ran rose smoothly at his feet, dusting off the remaining dirt and ashes that caught on to his expensive suit. He offered a hand at her form, waiting for her to come grab it.
Until he realizes. "Silly me, I forgot. A thousand apologies Darling, I'll carry you instead." He carried her painful and bruised-up body, gently. His arm wrapped around the back of her knees and the other at her back.
As if he wasn't the cause of it. He was strange, extremely strange.
At the center of the chaos and ruins inside the broken Mansion;
—dirty smoke lingers, bodies piled up and dried blood scatters everywhere, firing guns continues to echo.
The two walked along the hallways freely, Ran carried a bruised-up maiden; sleeping peacefully in his arms.
While a triumphant grin was plastered across his own face.
As he caught a woman for his desires. A woman he wished to meet. The woman he wished to be with.
“ Caught in his trap from the very beginning. ”
Note: One of my most favored ones especially my first ever PSYCHOLOGICAL THEME FANFIC. I'm proud to say I very much liked this one ever since I've published it. You can Leave a few comments of advice and thoughts about this creation. I pretty much appreciate it. I will continue writing a few ones especially I've reached of age and has been waiting for this moment. Btw this is Proof-Read
PUBLISHED DATE : December 22,2025 (REPUBLISHED)
ONESHOT TITLE : "Caught Red-Handed"
