CHAPTER TITLE: Private Eye, Akihito & Damsel in Distress, Asami


"Tell me Asami-san, how can I be of service to you?"

I watched as the man known as Asami Ryuichi took a sip of his drink. Fortifying himself. "I seem to find myself in desperate straights of late. I have enemies aplenty. As such there are few I trust and even fewer that I can put my life in the hands of. It is my right hand man, you see. He has gone missing.

"He is one of the only two I trust with my life. Kirishima Kei is a bright fellow. Genius. He acts as my right hand, my personal secretary and is the vice president of my company. I have come to you because I hear you are the best. I need you to find him."

"Asami-san, missing persons is a matter for the police."

"They are investing, but I hold no hope in them. As I said before, I am a man with many enemies. Some of those enemies are in the police."

"Ah, I know of what you speak. The police can be so hypocritical. Serve and protect one moment and then turning their backs on the one who needs them. I suspect those on the police force who do help you are the ones you have bribed or work for you."

"You would be correct."

"How long has your man been missing?"

"It has been a week now." Asami must have seen the look in my eyes. For what he said next matched my thoughts. "The longer one is missing, the less likely they are to return home. However, Kei is more valuable alive than he is dead. They want information from him. This is because of me, I am afraid.

"Kei is well trained. He will keep silent about my secrets. Just giving them enough information, which is of little use to them, to stay alive."

"I understand. But I must ask, why not use your own men? You do have an army at your disposal."

"Like, I said before, I trust very few. There are traitors in my organization. That is something else I would like you to look into. I will pay you your usual fee, as well as a bonus for any traitors you find."

"Tomorrow, my chief of security, Suoh Kazumi would like to meet with you. He will be at his home. This situation has taken quite the toll on him. He feels he has failed in his work and failed his lover."

"Lover?"

"Yes. Kazumi and Kei are lovers. Will this be a problem for you?"

"No. But I see now why you can not trust the police. It is not just because of who you are. Homosexuality is highly frowned upon, even in this day and age. I will help you. The fee you have offered is fair. I shall meet with your man in the morning."

Asami and I stood, making our way to the door.

"Fear not for your Kirishima-san. I shall do all that is in Mt power to bring him back. You may tell Suoh-san that."

I stood in the doorway, watching that tall figure disappear into the dark of the night. You would have ever thought that Asami Ryuichi would be a damsel in distress.