Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 114 - 113

After being forced to try on at least 30 sets of lingerie, Hiro and Michi finally left the store with nearly a dozen bags of high-quality, sexy underwear.

"All that shopping has made me hungry. Should we get something to eat?" Michi asked, giving the bags to Han, Raiden’s driver, who had been following them around the mall.

Hiro nodded, a bit tired but amused. "Pizza and ice cream?"

Michi grinned. "It’s like you read my mind."

There was a pizza place in the mall so they just headed there. While Michi stood in line for their pizza, Hiro excused himself to use the restroom. When he was done and about to leave, someone familiar walked in and Hiro frowned, a sense of unease filling him.

Kaneku Shoji.

"Damn, I thought Raiden would never leave you alone." Shoji remarked, shaking his head with a smirk. "With all that talk about revenge, I didn’t think he’d turn into such a lover boy, sticking to you like an octopus."

Hiro’s expression immediately darkened, his body tensing as he became hyper-aware of Shoji’s presence. "Why are you here?" he demanded, his voice laced with suspicion. It seemed like Shoji only liked to meet him when Raiden wasn’t around. The last time they met was at the ice cream shop, where Shoji told him Raiden was a liar. After that, he had seen Shoji a few times but only briefly. Shoji never dared to approach him when Raiden was around or in public.

Shoji merely grinned as he walked closer to Hiro. "You never called," he said, his tone teasing. "I was expecting your call you know. I thought you’d be curious to know what kind of person Raiden is."

"I know exactly the kind of person he is." Hiro defended. "Stop trying to turn me against him. Raiden is a good man. I like him and we’re together now so you should stop this."

"You’re so gullible, little Hiro." Shoji said, letting out a deep sigh. "And you change your mind so easily. Didn’t you hate Raiden before? You could barely stand the sight of him and now you like him?"

"Yes. I do." Hiro affirmed seriously. "I just didn’t understand him before. And we’ve already talked about the past. Everything has been cleared up. We’re fine now so please, stop this or I’ll tell Raiden. I can’t believe you’re his best friend and you’re doing this. I know you’re my senior but I’m highly disappointed in you. Don’t talk to me again. I don’t like you."

With that, he sidestepped, wanting to leave but Shoji chuckled darkly. It was chilly and without mirth. "Best friend?" He said, the words tasting extremely bitter on his tongue. His best friend? Raiden was merely a chess piece. A stepping stone to getting what he desired. But Hiro couldn’t know that yet.

"If he were my best friend, he would give me Project Aegis."

Hiro was about to open the door when he heard those familiar words. ’Project Aegis.’ What the hell was this project anyway? He wanted to ask but then decided against it. He didn’t trust Shoji. Shoji could mislead him. He would ask Raiden himself.

"Don’t you want to know what Project it is?" Shoji asked when he saw that Hiro wasn’t interested. "Don’t you want to know why Raiden is hiding the Project from you? After all, it is your parents greatest work."

Hiro paused, tempted to ask for more information, especially when he heard that it was his parents greatest work but then, if he did, wouldn’t that mean he didn’t trust Raiden? He turned, glaring at Shoji. "I don’t want to hear anything from you. Leave me alone." novelbuddy-cσ๓

He was about to step outside when Shoji grabbed him by the collar and slammed his body against the wall. "Why do you like Raiden so much, huh? What has he done to make you trust him like this? What do you even know about that bastard?"

"He’s not a bastard!" Hiro shouted, hissing in pain. "Raiden is good person!"

Shoji had Hiro pinned against the wall by his shoulders, the pressure was so intense that Hiro felt like he might break. "Let me go! You’re hurting me!" Hiro pleaded, his voice trembling with pain.

Shoji’s expression twisted into something terrifying, his eyes wild with fury. "A good person, you say?" he sneered, completely ignoring Hiro’s cries. "What part of him is good? Tell me, what part of that bastard is good?!"

Hiro was petrified and could no longer hold his tears back. They streamed down his cheek as he whimpered in pain. In that moment, he only wished for Raiden to come back. Raiden would never let anyone treat him this way.

The sight of Hiro crying made something snap inside Shoji. He cursed inwardly, berating himself for losing control. He quickly stumbled back, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he released Hiro. His right hand began to twitch uncontrollably. He could tell that the symptoms were getting worse and Hiro already had full trust in Raiden. He’d have to use a different approach.

"I’m sorry," Shoji apologized, his voice strained as he tried to regain control. "I don’t know what came over me. Please, don’t tell Raiden about this. I won’t hurt you again. I promise."

Hiro wiped his tears with trembling hands, nodding slightly. "I-I won’t tell him. Can I leave now?" His voice quivered with fear. Shoji was acting like a freak, and Hiro knew it would be foolish not to tell Raiden what had just happened. Calling Raiden would be the first thing he would do the second he left Shoji’s presence.

Unfortunately, Shoji wasn’t convinced. His eyes darkened with suspicion. "You’re still going to tell him, aren’t you?"

"W-What? N-No." Hiro stammered, shaking his head furiously. "I won’t."

"You’re lying," Shoji muttered. He let out a deep, weary sigh before continuing. "You know what? Come with me. I’ll show you the truth."

Without warning, he grabbed Hiro’s hand and began dragging him out of the restroom.

"Stop!" Hiro cried out, trying desperately to pull away. "I don’t want to go anywhere with you! If you don’t let me go, I’ll scream."

Shoji whipped around, his glare freezing Hiro in place. "Didn’t Raiden say he was going on a business trip last week?"

Hiro stared up at him, heart racing in fright. "W-What does that have to do with anything?"

Shoji ignored the question, his voice lowering menacingly. "Raiden never left Japan."

Hiro blinked in confusion, his thoughts swirling. "What? That’s not true. You’re lying."

"He lied to you," Shoji pressed, his eyes boring into Hiro’s. "Just like he’s been lying about a lot of things. Come with me, and I’ll show you the truth. Let me save you from him before it’s too late."

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