All characters from the Viewfinder Series are the property of Yamane Ayano or that of her publishers/subsidiaries. No profit is made from this fanfiction.


(This a Kirishima/Suoh fiction. You have been warned.)

This is a spin-off from something I did titled: "A Questionable Viewfinder Meeting", where the characters responded to questions/comments from real fans. One question to Kirishima and Suoh was: "Do you ever socialize together outside of work?" The answer was "no", but Suoh made a vague reference to something that happened in Brazil.

Well, this is what happened in Brazil.

. .

. . . . .

It was a rare trip out of the country. A rather unusual trade deal led Asami and seven of his best men to a remote area in a small country in South America. The first part of the trip was extremely stressful. Though Asami and the South American capo seemed to get along fine, the capo's gang members and Asami's men stayed tense throughout the visit. Both sides thought the other side was unstable and might start firing their weapons at any moment. After a long week, the bosses finally came to an agreement, shook hands, and the transaction ended peacefully and profitably for everyone.

Asami was pleased that it had all gone so well and was particularly happy with the professionalism shown by his men, despite the rough conditions in the war-torn village. He rented a private island that was located somewhere just off the shore of Brazil. It came with a cruiser that could ferry them between the island and the mainland.

Kirishima left for a few hours and then came back with Takaba Akihito in tow. The men were surprised to see that the young photographer had been flown in because their boss never allowed Takaba to be anywhere near anything having to do with their underworld activities. Then again, it was true the transaction was now complete and Asami had rented the island to give them a place to unwind. Apparently, the crime lord felt a little unwinding was due for himself as well.

The question of how they were going to handle the awkward presence of their boss and Takaba staying in the same bungalow was answered by the sudden appearance of a state-of-the-art luxury yacht. Suoh was present during the discussion that Asami had with Kirishima about it.

"I can use the cruiser to take the night watch."

"You don't need to do that," Asami told him. "There's a proximity warning system on board the yacht."

"I'll do it anyway, just as an added precaution."

Asami spoke in a calm but commanding voice. "You're taking the night off, and the next day as well. Go ashore and do some sightseeing. Actually, I don't care what the hell you do, but you're officially on vacation."

"But I'm..."

Asami looked at his watch, "On vacation, as of now." Asami pointed out toward the ocean. "I'm going to anchor us just over there. You'll be able to look out and see the yacht from here."

Kirishima nodded. "I understand, sir." Asami turned and walked toward the dock where the yacht was moored.

Kirishima watched Asami walk away. Suoh noticed a look of worry and concern on Kirishima's face.

"He's a big boy, Kirishima. He can take care of himself," Suoh teased, trying to break the tension.

"I KNOW THAT!" Kirishima angrily snapped at him.

Suoh was surprised by Kirishima's sharp response. They had always worked so well together, one seeming to be the extension of the other. There had never before been a disagreeable word between the two of them.

Kirishima had been constantly at Asami's side during the whole South American deal. Suoh knew he had been under tremendous pressure, between assisting in the negotiations and having to be ready in a split second to protect their boss if things were to suddenly go bad. It seemed Kirishima was unable to shake off the tension from the intensified responsibility.

"Stand down, Kirishima!" Suoh growled at him. "You heard the boss! I will literally drag your ass to shore if that's what it takes!"

Kirishima took a deep breath and sighed. Suoh was relieved to see his colleague's posture relax a little. A slight smile appeared on Kirishima's face. "You know I'm capable of taking down someone of your size."

Suoh knew this wasn't an idle boast. Even though Suoh had his incredible size and strength, Kirishima proved to be more wily and agile when it came to hand-to-hand combat.

Suoh grinned. "That has yet to be proven. Come on, we're all going to jump on the cruiser to go to shore. You're coming with us."

Kirishima shook his head. "I'll be able to relax better if I can stay close by. You know that."

Suoh did indeed know that. If he forced Kirishima to leave the island, he knew Kirishima's stress would just exponentially increase.

"You're hopeless," Suoh told him, rolling his eyes.

. . . . .

The men had a fantastic time in town. They saw the sights, did some shopping, ate some good food, and took lots of pictures. A few of the men attempted to pick up the local girls, but only one of them- a man called Mayeda- was successful. He disappeared and didn't meet them for dinner. In fact, he nearly missed the boat that was supposed to take them back to the island.

It was very late when they returned. Kirishima greeted the boat and helped them carry the many purchases they had brought back. Suoh was surprised to see Kirishima in casual clothing. He was wearing shorts and a short-sleeved collared shirt.

Suoh grinned at the sight. It was the first time he had ever seen Kirishima with any part of his arms or legs exposed. Who knew Kirishima had a nice physique under all that business attire?

They unloaded some of the bags in the kitchen. One had food, and the other three contained various bottles of liquor. "I can see where your priorities are," Kirishima commented to the men, his lip quirking up in a smirk. They laughed back at him good-naturedly.

"I have a great recipe for a drink," said one of the men named Chiba. He found a pitcher in one of the cabinets and began opening bottles and pouring in different liquors. "You'll like this, Kirishima. I call it, 'Nerve Gas'."

Kirishima watched what was being added to the pitcher and shuddered. Whoever drank that concoction was going to be regretting it later. "No thanks, I'm going to pass. Have fun with that." He walked back outside to check on the yacht again.

. . . . .

A couple of hours later, Kirishima was leaning up against a palm tree and gazing at the yacht that was anchored off shore. It was lit up well enough that he could tell there was someone standing on the deck, smoking a cigarette. A smaller figure appeared and stood next to the taller one. Kirishima knew they were just fine, and he would have retired earlier if it hadn't been for the raucous noise and laughter coming from inside the bungalow. He could hear the drunken party from all the way out where he was standing. He would wait until they quieted down before trying to head to bed.

He heard the creaking sound of the bungalow door opening and closing, and then someone stumbling through the vegetation. He turned around to see who it might be but couldn't see anyone in the darkness. There was a cool, pleasant breeze this evening, so he figured it was someone coming out to enjoy the night air. He turned to look back at the yacht and saw that the two figures appeared to be embracing. Despite his distance, Kirishima politely averted his eyes and looked at the full moon that was rising on the horizon. The bungalow had gotten quieter, so Kirishima decided to head back to try to get some sleep.

The quiet of the night was disturbed by the sound of retching. Kirishima turned and followed the source of the sound until he came upon someone on their hands and knees, vomiting. He saw that it was Nakano, who at the age of 20 was the youngest employee of the Sion Group. He had shown a lot of potential in his first few months working for them, so they had brought him along for his "apprenticeship".

"Have a little too much to drink?" Kirishima smiled wryly.

Nakano lifted his head up and looked at Kirishima with a miserable expression on his face before bending back down and retching again. Kirishima knelt down and gently rubbed the young man's back until the heaving ceased.

He helped Nakano to sit up on a fallen tree trunk. "Are you all right now?"

Nakano nodded shakily. "Yeah. I actually feel much better. I guess I'm the big loser of the night."

"Loser?"

"Yes... of that drinking game we've been playing."

"You should know better than to go up against that lot." Kirishima put his hand out. "Let me help you walk back." He pulled Nakano up and then put his arm around the young man to steady him as they walked toward the bungalow.

And that was the last thing Kirishima could remember about that night.

. . . . .

Kirishima felt himself being jolted awake. "Hey, Kirishima... you still alive?"

He opened his eyes and saw someone standing over him. From the slightly blurry, petite outline, he knew it was Yamato. Kirishima sat up and felt his head pounding. "Where are my glasses?"

"Kirishima's glasses... who knows where they are?" He heard some grunting and a general shuffling around until someone said, "Here they are." Yamato handed him his glasses. Kirishima slipped them on and then took a look around.

The room was trashed. Drinking glasses, liquor bottles, and half-eaten bowls of snacks littered the room. The pillows from the sofa were scattered on the floor, and he could see two more men stirring on the ground as Yamato nudged them awake. "Hey, Mayeda! Go to your room and sleep it off."

"I'm awake," Mayeda groaned.

Kirishima discovered he had fallen asleep in an overstuffed chair. He stood up slowly and then went outside.

The bright sun was blinding. It caused his headache to flare up so badly that it even made his jaw throb. Kirishima had to seek out some shade to make it easier for his eyes adjust. He finally was able to focus on the yacht. He saw one lone figure standing against the railing in the morning sun, holding something up to his face. Kirishima guessed it to be a camera. The figure turned toward him, and then lowered the object and waved at him.

They're fine. He turned back around and returned to the bungalow.

Upon entering, he smelled and heard the sound of cooking. He saw Suoh frying up eggs in the small kitchen. He walked over and began helping him.

"Don't fix me anything... I'm not eating," moaned another one of their men, by the name of Oda, who was still lying on the floor.

Kirishima carried plates to the table and then discovered there was no place to put them because of the mess. "Everybody is going to eat, including you. It will make you feel better." He looked around at the men. "Clear off this table..." he stopped suddenly, concerned. "Where is Nakano?"

"I'm here!" said a cheerful voice. He turned around and saw Nakano walk into the room. He was looking fresh from a shower. "I'll help you."

Kirishima thought he looked a lot better than he did the night before. He furrowed his brow trying to remember what happened after he helped the sick Nakano back to the bungalow, but his memory was totally blank.

Chiba also helped clear off the table, rubbing his head in pain every once in awhile. "I must have had a helluva lot to drink last night because I can't seem to remember a damn thing!"

"Me either," said Oda. "I'd love to hear about it, if anyone can remember. Someone enlighten me."

They all shrugged. Kirishima glanced over at Suoh. Kirishima had heard that Suoh was legendary for drinking anyone under the table. Kirishima was certain he could remember everything, but Suoh kept his expression impassive.

So... he's not willing to volunteer any information.

Yamato grinned, "I remember Nakano getting sick! And I think Mayeda may have told us about his date with that Brazilian girl...?"

"Calisto," Mayeda answered him. "I remember someone winning a bet. Was it you Suoh?"

Suoh grunted without answering clearly.

"And..." Mayeda added, "I think someone here admitted to being gay."

"Oh bullshit, Mayeda!" said Chiba. "Someone..." He rolled his eyes.

Mayeda laughed. "Well I know it wasn't me! Maybe it was you, Chiba."

"No way! Not me. I wouldn't trust your alcoholic-hazed memory anyway."

Despite that statement, everyone glanced around at each other.

Finally, after the table had been cleaned off and set, all seven men sat down to eat. When Kirishima sat down, he noticed his shorts felt uncomfortable. He stood up, reached into his pocket and pulled out a huge wad of cash. He put the pile on the table and then sat back down, staring at it.

Oda grinned. "Well, at least we know who won the bet now. So, what was the bet about, Kirishima?"

"I haven't a clue," Kirishima frowned, rubbing his jaw. It was extremely sore. "Did one of you guys punch me in the jaw?"

Nakano burst out laughing and then covered his mouth, embarrassed.

Oda shouted out, "Nakano knows! You know what happened last night, don't you?"

"No! I'm just like you! I don't remember anything," Nakano protested.

"You liar!" Mayeda grinned. "You puked up all the alcohol you drank, that's why you aren't hungover. Come on, tell us!"

Nakano turned nervously to Suoh. "Suoh remembers everything... don't you, Suoh?"

"Yeah, I remember."

Kirishima sat back. "Well, let's hear it then."

"I don't think so." Suoh shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

Kirishima growled irritably, "Suoh, I'd like to know, please."

Suoh glanced up and looked Kirishima directly in the eyes. "Kirishima, trust me. You WANT to let this one go."

"OH come on! Now I REALLY want to know!" wailed Mayeda.

Kirishima turned to the young Nakano and glared at him. "You'll tell me."

Nakano looked at Suoh questioningly.

Suoh stared at Kirishima thoughtfully for a moment, and then smirked, "Go on then, Nakano. Do as he says."

Suoh settled back in his seat, with a look of unease on his face.

. . . . .

. .

Related: "A Questionable Viewfinder Meeting" [May 2014]