"Are you sure?!" Kazuhiko slammed a hand on his knee.

Hajime bowed down low enough to only see his Boss' bare feet. The loudness of his Boss' tone didn't have a hint of anger, but distress. Best not to point it out before he ran at the mouth. Hajime tended to shoot himself in the foot by saying the wrong thing.

"I saw him exiting a drag bar with a pair of twin guards and Somuku Kanou." Hajime reported, making sure to say his words clearly. "The image you gave us is accurate. This young man is Yukiya Ayase. Although…" He hesitated a moment but continued. "He looks gaunt and unhealthy."

Slapping his hand over his face, Kazuhiko breathed harshly through his nose. "How bad?"

"Bad enough that he needs a hospital stay and a therapist I should say." Hajime licked his chapped lips. "He looks far skinnier than the photo and ghost like."

"Fuck…" Kazuhiko tossed his head back; anger filled his body at the thought of his soulmate's suffering. Every night, he touched his back, feeling the twinges of sadness and despair from his end.

Somuku Kanou was making use of Ayase without regard to his feelings.

This was to be expected.

The details of his auction meant that Kanou wouldn't stop himself from getting a taste.

Kazuhiko wanted to wring his neck and watch the life leave his eyes. For his body to grow cold, stiffen underneath his vengeful hands. No one would think to tie this man's death to him. He was owed favors all throughout the underground.

His continuous friendships with these mens children helped Kazuhiko whenever he hit a tight spot. He returned the favor whenever he was called for a cash in. Most of these favors were tame, not at all incriminating in case of exposure.

As much as Kazuhiko wanted to, he couldn't snub elders in the underground without ruining the legacy of his family. His notoriety was not good enough for such a level of arrogance. He was not his late father. A man who built up his legacy through decades of unrelenting work.

Kazuhiko tempered his own impatience for observation and then action. Having previous Honda syndicate members who respected him, helped to transition him into this sudden role. They were vital in helping Kazuhiko not to fuck up too bad.

Which was why, Kazuhiko kept to his seat.

Instead, he thought about visiting this drag bar. Whoever the owner was, would tell him everything he needed to know. The hidden intent of trashing the bar would not be said, but implied . Before going to such extremes, he kept a suitcase of money for these sorts of interrogations. Money talked. Most men would prefer to sell out involved persons of interest before letting their business get ruined.

As the Boss, Kazuhiko had yet to ruin a business with his own two hands. He broke faces and bones, but never businesses. This was more prevalent when he was a stupid teenager with too much testosterone running through his blood.

The era of his father covering his ass was over.

Besides, he did learn a thing or two from his father. Underneath the scowling face, Kazuhiko listened attentively. As much as he rebelled, he never raised his voice or disrespected his old man. To do so was inviting a personal beating and lock down. He ingrained his father's values and lessons inside of his mind.

Money bested the strongest of moral compasses and friendships.

He had yet to meet someone who disregarded his money.

Sighing, Kazuhiko looked to his underling. Hajime kept a rigid bow but showed no fear. One of many men who followed into his service after he took the mantle. His late father's men backed him up in the sidelines, slowly easing into retirement as their sons took their place.

Those men were not in his confidence.

Not yet.

They had not earned his trust, but Kazuhiko kept them in the loop for a majority of his work.

Kazuhiko's inner circle was an open secret to the clan. There was no pin or outfit that made them stand out of the group. His closest members were allowed to enter the inner house, a handful of them were able to enter inside of his home.

Hajime was one of the few men who was given permission to enter Kazuhiko's home to give reports. Of course, he didn't have a key to enter. Kei-sensei, as the family doctor, had his own key to go in and out of Honda manor.

Kazuhiko only left his home unlocked if he or Haruhiko were home.

"Get some men and meet me at the entrance." Kazuhiko lifted himself up from the floor, wanting to change into a different outfit. A yukata wouldn't intimidate whoever this bar owner was. "You are going to lead me to this place, and I'll get the answers myself."

Hajime lifted his head up from the floor before getting up to his feet. He bowed low. "Yes, Boss."

Kazuhiko dismissed him. "Make it about… seven men. Big and bulky. I'm certain I don't need to lay a hand on this guy before he sings ."

"As you wish," As Hajime left the room, he muttered under his breath. "I feel bad for the guy already."

Hours before the opening of the bar, Someya checked his inventory and noted down items he needed to order. He wore a simple tracksuit, no wig or makeup, and comfortable slip ons for his tuckered feet. No one tended to recognize him outside of his feminine attire. Which was preferable for him to live an unaffected life outside of his bar.

As much as it was fun to pick his outfits every night, he didn't need to doll himself up for office work. Boring office work. The downside of being the owner was keeping up maintenance, inventory, and making sure his employees were paid on the dot.

His decent management skills kept more than a handful of employees from leaving. Someya prided himself for having loyal employees who were willing to come in at a moment's notice. He was lucky in this regard. His girls loved to entertain patrons without judging them by appearance. There were many lonely men who loved the attention they provided.

The patrons were always sweet to them. Loyal patrons were especially generous in gifting individual girls or the whole group with gifts during the holidays.

Of course, Someya was the most popular of them all.

His Kaoruko persona was a staple of his bar. No one would realize this lavish and vivacious person was simply old Someya. He made sure to accentuate other features to distract from others, keeping him relatively anonymous.

Someya noted down certain fixtures for his phone call to different services "Alright…we need to fix the fixture above the main bar, wires are exposed. The long table cushions have withered down enough for replacement. Multiple tables are wobbly…"

Continuing on muttering under his breath, he tugged and pushed various pieces of furniture. He grimaced when another piece of furniture creaked or gave into his push. This meant the latest weekend party did more damage than he first thought

Someya sighed. "The party was so much fun too…"

Writing down more maintenance issues, he forced himself away from the front area. He wasted an hour talking with various services, informing them of the problems before setting appointments. Early morning time slots were preferable to get it over with, but Someya groaned at the thought of waking up before midday.

He could always convince his manager to come in early for the overtime. Someya knew if he didn't offer overtime, his manager would be sour for the rest of the night. This was something Someya didn't want their patrons to notice.

His manager wore his emotions on his sleeve and could never hide his bad mood.

Money soothed down anyone not wanting to do extra work.

"That's done." Someya used his fist to hit his lower back, helping to loosen the tension. He disliked sitting on his desk for long periods of time. "Okay…I should start wipedowns before the manager comes in to go over tonight's theme with me."

Getting up from his seat, he went to the supply closet and grabbed cleaning supplies. He tended to use a cleaning service, but since he was in person, he might as well clean a bit. There was no harm in doing it.

Walking out of the back, Someya opened the front door to let in fresh air and got to work. He sprayed pleasant smelling cleaning products before wiping down every surface he could reach. Without music, this was a boring chore to do.

Kind of too late to go back to turn on the music.

Finishing the tables, Someya retreated to the back of the bar and moved items around to clean underneath them. He replaced empty containers or gathered syrups that needed cleaning. A few of the syrup bottles in particular, ones he used for seasonal syrups, were empty and past expiration. He set them inside of a large tub and continued on cleaning.

He was distracted enough to not hear people walking inside of his bar. During that time of day, there were people walking through the bar district in order to get their location. Loud chatter and laughter were not alarming to Someya. He grew accustomed to the random bits of noise to keep an eye on the front door.

Had he paid attention, he would have seen multiple men in suits saunter inside of his bar.

That was, until one of the men slammed his hand against a table. Hard enough to cause another crack on the surface of this particular table.

Someya jumped, turned toward the direction of the noise. His heart raced at the sight of all these men. He tried remembering if one of his patrons offended someone. Tongues loosened after a few rounds of drinks, bringing ample blackmail for Someya to use in case these men turned against the bar.

None of his patrons had recently angered members of the underground.

Wringing his towel in his hands, Someya tried hard not to give into the temptation to run out the back door. Escaping to live another day was tempting. His bar would bear the consequences of his cowardice. These men would break everything he worked hard to build. The fact that Kanou's enemies had used their friendship as a means to shake down Kanou was a miracle.

Then again, Kanou didn't advertise their friendship. Even when they were younger, Kanou spoke to him away from view on account of finding his feminine mannerisms shameful. Someya could have ended their friendship, but nostalgia and familiarity kept this fragile friendship going.

Someya tolerated Kanou's true thoughts about his lifestyle. Finding his drag bar and his persona as an embarrassment to all men. Despite the fact he made more than enough to live comfortably, Kanou tipped his nose at his bar and employees.

Someya might not be in the same circles as Kanou, but he learned about all sorts of men through his patrons. There were some leaders of the underground who spent private time in Someya's discreet booths.

Someya was a sugar baby to one of Kanou's so-called elders who was the epitome of a traditional man. Of course, Someya kept his mouth shut, happily enjoying the spoils of this arrangement. Too bad the man died from an assassination; he was one of the more gentlemanly of underground men.

In essence, Someya knew how to deal with these sorts of men.

He didn't know why this group entered his bar.

A modelesque young man with shoulder length black hair strutted past the guards and went straight to the counter. Someya's thoughts of his well tailored suit and how it fit him just right was not appropriate. Ogling the man was a stupid move. These men were here to interrogate him for information. Someya had not done this since Kanou intervened when another loan shark tried to shake him down for money.

The young man removed the sunglasses from his eyes, exposing his sharp and piercing eyes.

Someya recognized him immediately.

He was the late Honda Fumio's eldest son, Honda Kazuhiko.

The new head of the Honda syndicate.

Someya gulped. "How may I help you gentlemen?" He pushed a flirtatious tone to his voice to hide his nervousness. "My bar is not open for business until later on tonight. I welcome you gentlemen to come back-"

Kazuhiko interjected. "We need to talk."

"Now?"

"Right now."

Someya wrung the towel in his hands even tighter. "Sir, I have no idea what this is about. Can you tell me what you need?"

Kazuhiko sat down at his bar, motioning for his men to spread out. Amplifying the intensity of the intimidation tactic of bringing such a large group of men. The light behind their bodies added another element of intimidation through their shadows.

"Someya Kaoruko, or should I say, Someya Shinobu ." Kazuhiko's icy smile brought a shiver up Someya's spine. "You have information that I need and you will provide it to me. Right now ."

Kazuhiko remained seated at the bar as the owner rushed to lock the door to his establishment. He slipped his sunglasses in the front pocket of his blazer. Crossing a leg over his leg, he took time to observe his surroundings. The mixture of traditional and modern amenities tied the place together. Cream colored accent walls complemented the light color of the wooden paneling. There was nothing gaudy or irritating to the eyes.

Had Kazuhiko not liked to drink in the privacy of his own home, he would have patronized the place. The addition of his leadership role curbed his early adult club hopping urges. He lost nothing in not experiencing such activities. Many of his meetings were in bars or clubs anyway.

Turning his attention onto another area, he noted the discreet booths, with thick curtains meant for privacy. Kazuhiko knew men in high powered positions entered interesting, themed bars to decompress. Even the regular office worker might feel an attack to his masculinity and might request such a room.

He imagined the bar owner made far more money through renting out those booths.

Someya returned to the back of the bar and brought out a new jug of sake. Untouched and sealed. He opened the contents, showing Kazuhiko that he had not tampered with it. Kazuhiko could respect Someya's intention of good faith.

Someya asked. "Would you like a serving, Honda-sama?"

"Sure." Kazuhiko nodded his head.

Kazuhiko observed Someya pouring him a serving of sake and slid it over to him. Picking it up, he took a compulsory sip, impressed at the taste and quality. The sake was not industrial made. This was traditionally made without the underlying bitterness and off-putting coating on the tongue.

Real smooth.

"This is good."

"Thank you." Someya's shoulders relaxed. "An old patron provides me with high quality sake from the countryside."

"Hmm…" Kazuhiko emptied the saucer but continued to hold it in one hand.

Someya was quick to refill his cup.

"Now, what does Honda-sama need from me?" Someya asked.

Kazuhiko answered. "Your association with Somuku Kanou is of big interest to me." He swirled the sake inside of his saucer. "More specifically, his new roommate."

Someya almost slapped the jug off of the counter. Controlling himself, he faked a smile. "Oh? Why would you need to know about his roommate? The young man is not involved in Kanou's work whatsoever."

"Yukiya Ayase is mine ." Kazuhiko set down his sake saucer onto the counter and narrowed his eyes. "And your little friend is touching what isn't his."

Indignation filled Someya as his jaw snapped shut. "Ayase is…not a thing !"

"I know he isn't, but your friend sure sees him as one." Kazuhiko stared into Someya's eyes, intense and cold, causing Someya to avert his eyes. "Buying someone off an auction for sex constitutes someone who sees a person as an object ."

Someya's forehead started to sweat underneath the growing fringe. He couldn't argue against Kazuhiko or even dare to defend Kanou. The last few times Someya saw Ayase, he noticed the bruising underneath the high collars of his shirts and the skittish behavior.

Someya didn't dare think of what Kanou was doing to Ayase. The proof was clear on his pale skin. The manner Ayase acted around Kanou and the difference when he wasn't around. Someya knew had he not been Kanou's friend, he wouldn't have brought Ayase out in the open. Foolish to believe Ayase was alone and uncared for.

Someya poured another serving to Kazuhiko who downed it in one gulp.

Kazuhiko was no one to underestimate.

A furious man in power was a person someone turned their back on. Especially someone who was ready to send hordes of his own men to deal with his problem .

Someya breathed in. "Honda-san, how do you know Ayase?"

"Through my doctor,"

This was not a lie. Kei sensei found Ayase and immediately let Kazuhiko know about their shared mark. Had it not been for Kei sensei, Kazuhiko would remain oblivious to his soulmate's suffering.

Seeing the soft smile on Someya's face, Kazuhiko narrowed his eyes. "You care for him?"

"Of course, I do!" Someya exclaimed. "He is such a sweet young man. There was no judgment in his eyes when he saw my staff. Unlike Kanou, Ayase was attentive and polite whenever he addressed someone under my employment. Add onto the fact that he…he holds his soulmate to such high regard."

Kazuhiko hid his smile behind his sake saucer.

"He told me that he felt his soulmate's emotions through touching the mark. Which…I have to admit, I never thought it was a possible means to feel your soulmate." Someya chuckled without humor. "I never got the chance with my own soulmate."

Kazuhiko sipped his sake, humming to indicate that he was listening.

Someya blushed at admitting his fault. "That is…well. Ayase was sympathetic to the plight of many of my employees."

"Why, of course." Kazuhiko said. "Ayase is a kindhearted young man."

"Far too kind."

Kazuhiko nodded in agreement.

"Someone of his softness will break under Kanou's hand."

"N-No, Kanou might be a rough man, but he-"

"Don't lie to yourself." Kazuhiko snorted. "Yukiya Ayase is a shadow of the man he once was. My men caught a glimpse of him just recently. He is not well." He removed the photo from his inner blazer pocket and placed it onto the counter. "Tell me that Ayase looks exactly like his university ID photo. Please, amuse me with an attempt at defending your friend."

Someya forced himself to look away from Kazuhiko and was shocked at the stark difference. The young man in the photo was vibrant and carefree. His cheeks still had baby fat, blonde hair, nice and shiny, and his smile was genuine. The rare smile Ayase gave Someya during their late afternoon tea sessions didn't compare.

"An immense difference, isn't it?" Kazuhiko picked up the photo and slipped it back inside of the inner pocket.

Someya collected himself enough to ask. "What is Ayase to you? Someone of your caliber would have never interacted with someone like him unless it was through debt or pure chance."

Leaning close, Kazuhiko motioned to his back. Loud enough for Someya to hear, he responded. "Soulmate."

Someya paled. "H-He's your-" He clasped his hand against his mouth, mortified.

Kazuhiko observed Someya, wanting to see if he was acting or not. There was a possibility of Someya not feeling bad for Ayase. For him to act out a pitiful act to soothe down Kazuhiko from taking heavier handed measures to get his information. Someya's paling skin and widened eyes told him everything he needed to know. Someya was horrified.

"Yes."

Someya patted for his bar stool and sat down on it. "How are you able to function knowing what he's going through?"

"Not well." Kazuhiko smirked. "I am barely holding it together with the thinnest of threads. I am close to snapping. No one likes to imagine their soulmate in such deplorable conditions."

Someya shook his head. "Yeah…no one would tolerate such travesty."

"But you can help him." Kazuhiko offered an escape to Someya's evident guilty conscience. "Give him to me. Get Kanou to bring Ayase to the bar for us to retrieve him. Distract Kanou long enough for Ayase to escape ."

Someya slowly breathed out of his nose, gathering his thoughts. Comparing the pros and cons of going against his longtime friend. He wasn't naive. Kanou could end their friendship at any time. Years of friendship and knowing his deepest secrets kept Kanou from cutting Someya off entirely. Kanou could go months without calling Someya. With Ayase in his life, Kanou needed someone to leave him with outside of his twin guards. Someya was the perfect person to gain Ayase's trust and keep him from running off.

His attempt at guiding Kanou through handling Ayase was a failure. Every single time Someya saw him, Ayase was slowly retreating into himself. He answered Someya's questions after larger amounts of time in between. Almost as if he was retreating into a protective shell against the world.

He wanted to help. He truly did. Someya felt bad for Ayase's plight, but he didn't want Kanou to redirect his fury onto him if he found out about his involvement in Ayase's escape.

Growing tired of waiting, Kazuhiko motioned to a guard to bring him his suitcase. "I have a bit of...incentive if you're hesitant in helping me."

Someya broke from his thoughts and looked at the suitcase. Knowing full well there was a large amount of money inside of the case. He immediately shook his head, almost offended at being offered money to help someone in need.

"No need."

"Oh?"

Someya declared. "I'll do it."

TBC