"Alright, I'll bring him around." Kanou agreed without hesitation, almost relieved to have someone look after his new tenant. "I've needed to go out for work, and I can't keep my men separate from me in order to look after Ayase."

Someya sat across from his so-called friend, trying hard not to show the fakeness of his smile. His hands gripped the ends of his shirt to keep them from visibly shaking. Kanou didn't notice anything off about him. Which was preferable,

For good measure, he appeared outside of his usual garments, not wanting Kanou to say no or even shove him out before he finished his request. He knew Kanou enough to ask favors in his Someya Shinobu face, not the Kaoruko one.

Out of all the plans he thought of, the only request he came up with was asking if Ayase was available for work. Ayase had the perfect face for Someya's type of business. The various clothing aesthetics Someya could put him in would bring in more clients to his bar. Of course, he would keep Ayase closer to his bar area to better protect him from the drunken people.

The benefit of giving Ayase reprieve from his situation was a driving incentive for this lie.

He wasn't blind to ignore the relief Ayase expressed when he hid in his office during the last few visits. Part of Ayase's true self peeked through, from his empathy to his open mindedness when it came to his workers. Despite his kindness, an invisible barrier kept Ayase from lowering his guard.

Someya couldn't blame him. Ayase's situation was something Someya didn't wish on anyone. Honda Kazuhiko's blunt truth of Ayase's place in Kanou's side made his stomach lurch .

The ripped off blindfold forced Someya to face the truth of his longest friend. Someya knew what Kanou was like but ignored the signs of the festering darkness. Kanou continued on talking to him, associating with him despite his hobby, but never failed to debase him for his choices. Someya would have never torn down his friend over his choices, but Kanou didn't reciprocate the same action. Making their friendship almost one-sided due to how much effort Someya put into it.

After the retrieval was put into action, Someya hoped Kanou placed his attention on the supposed kidnapper and not him. After all, Someya entertained men of all walks of life. One of them could have snatched Ayase from his bar and ran off with him. Especially, if he pushed for a Saturday retrieval and not a Friday.

He might end up having to pinch his sides to produce tears. A good dramatic cry with a fall to the ground would push suspicion off of him.

Kanou cringed and avoided anyone who cried.

"He can work for me anytime!" Someya insisted. "I-I can disguise him in gorgeous outfits. There are so many clothes that none of my girls were able to wear because they didn't fit the aesthetic-"

Kanou muttered. "Because they looked disgusting ."

Someya chose to ignore his slander. "No one will know who he is. I have to say, I prefer Ayase-chan to come in on Friday and Saturday."

Kanou narrowed his eyes. "And why is that?"

"Busier, you know? Any other day of the week has less people patronizing my bar. Weekends are when there are more people, making it harder for people to pay attention." Someya offered this explanation. "Besides, don't you have certain types of work during the weekend?"

Kanou blew a line of smoke in the air. "Yeah. Far too much work."

"Also, I don't want to interject too much into Ayase-chan's university workload." Someya added in. "I'm sure his schedule is more or less free on the weekends. He can even study in the back during his break time. Many of the newbies are university students and can help him out in case he's lost in his material."

Kanou nodded his head.

Someya grinned. "Then, it's settled! Please, bring Ayase-chan early on Friday. I will have his outfit washed and prepared for him to wear. I'll even pay him for his time."

Kanou snuffed out his cigarette, inquiring. "Where will he be placed?"

"Excuse me?"

"What will Ayase be working as?"

Someya's smile twitched. "He will be speaking to patrons and serving beers. What else will he be doing? Standing around and doing nothing? Kanou, he will be safe with the old businessmen. They won't do a thing to him." Unlike your ass, went unsaid.

Someya clapped his hands together and stood up from his chair. "Now, let me escort you out, my manager will be here soon to do inventory."

Kanou said nothing more before he got up from his seat and walked out of the office. Leaving Someya to run his fingers through his slightly sweat soaked hair. Sitting through his meeting didn't help him settle down his nerves. He managed to relax when he heard the front door of his bar shut.

After a quick inspection of his bar, Someya locked the doors and checked every single room. Afterwards, he went inside of his office and sat down at his desk. Removing his keys from his pockets, he unlocked the drawer he kept his private items. Underneath his paperwork was a phone number without a name on it. Taking out the phone number, he quickly dialed the number, waiting for the person to answer.

The phone rang once before a deep, velvet voice answered. "Honda."

"It's Someya. I managed to do it." Someya breathed out. "I-I can have Ayase here on Friday and Saturday."

"What time?"

Someya hitched his breath. "Ah…well…. I have no clue. What time can your men come around?"

"Anytime."

The curt responses raised Someya's anxiety over this whole situation. Of course, helping Ayase was a priority, but he couldn't help but feel the recurring trickles of nervousness. One wrong action on his part and Kanou would never let Ayase leave his apartment ever again.

Although, Someya was far more afraid of Honda Kazuhiko. As handsome as he was, Someya knew this young man was raised to lead his syndicate. The rumors surrounding Kazuhiko as a borderline unreasonable bloodthirsty terror who punched first and asked questions second, blared in the back of his mind. Yet, during their little meeting , Kazuhiko didn't have to do much to intimidate him.

Someya settled on. "Saturday. Come Saturday at 2100."

"Why on Saturday? My men can pick him up on a Friday."

Someya informed him. "W-Well, if Ayase is grabbed on Friday, Kanou will be suspicious of who orchestrated the whole thing. And since he would be taken away when he was working at my bar..."

"That does not mean he will place his sights on you. Did he seem suspicious of your intentions, Someya-san?"

"No! Not at all. In fact, he seemed more or less relieved to have someone he trusts to keep an eye on Ayase-chan." Someya's heart flipped when he heard Kazuhiko's growl and a slam coming from his end of the line.

Kazuhiko's breath sounded harsh. "Saturday at 2030."

"Oh…but I said-"

"I know what you said. 2030." He hung up the phone, leaving Someya to want to cry, but somehow managed to control himself.

He would have to quickly dress Ayase the moment he arrived at his bar. There were outfits he preplanned in case he needed to convince Kanou to let Ayase work with him. Good thing he kept those clothes in the nearby closet where he housed rentals. Some of his workers started with little to no feminine clothes or were embarrassed in not buying their own clothes.

Why they didn't reassure the store clerks that they were buying clothing for their imaginary girlfriends was beyond him.

Someya used this excuse in the beginning of his drag days. In recent years, he still used an unnamed girlfriend who loved fancy and elaborate clothing as his cover. But this was for when he went to shop in person. Online clothing retailers were pricey but gave him the most comfortable clothing in his measurements. No one commented on the broad shoulders of his girlfriend during online correspondence.

Someya rubbed his temples and laid his head against his desk. The cold surface of his desk helped soothe his pulsating forehead. Drinking sake would only aggravate his tension.

Once this rescue mission ended, he was taking multiple days off at a hot springs resort. He would tell no one where he was going in order to shut his mind off of this mess.

He let out a shaky breath, maybe a week afterwards.

Kanou might pin him as the perpetrator that got Ayase kidnapped if he disappeared.

Ayase stumbled out of Kanou's car, gritting his teeth at the shot of pain that went up his spine. He breathed harshly through his nose, keeping a stone face. Showing pain would only make Kanou hiss threats into his ear. Not that he didn't threaten him before he lost his temper. Kanou enjoyed keeping him locked in his apartment, away from university. The original deal of selling himself to go to university was rescinded. Now, this was a means to collect on his debt.

Due to multiple absences, his grades plummeted. His plausible excuses ran out, tipping him on the side of academic probation. No matter what excuse Ayase sent, none of his professors believed him. At some point, they began ignoring him, not at all concerned by their top student's sudden stumble. Their attention went to other worries. A wayward student was none of their business.

It took multiple days of panic for Ayase to calm himself down. Less crying fits, more hidden anguish.

No one was looking for him.

His own family didn't give a damn. Tetsuo possibly told them Ayase cut ties with them, marking him as ungrateful. Ayase imagined their sneering faces over his supposed lack of respect.

The university that he paid the semester off for ignored the blaring signs of trouble. This could be placed on students who did similarly, but we're not in trouble. Yet, Ayase couldn't help but feel despair at his hard work being brushed aside as nothing. Not enough to trigger alarms for when he began acting strangely.

The careful consideration of Ayase's state of mind ended abruptly, bringing forth this beast of a man. Kanou was more physical. Unrelenting in mutterings of unpaid debts and shoving himself inside of Ayase.

There were days where Ayase was glad of his lack of touching so he wouldn't feel the echoes of his fingers on his skin. Kanou appeared apprehensive, maybe even disgusted at having fucked a man. He continued on fucking Ayase despite whatever mental storm brewed inside of his head. Whatever debates he had in his head, there was no mistaking Kanou keeping Ayase imprisoned in an apartment, holding a debt over his head to keep him compliant.

As Ayase stepped onto the sidewalk, his lower half ached, thighs rubbed against deep bites Kanou left on his skin, along with a neverending crawling tingle stretched throughout his skin. The only place Kanou didn't touch was Ayase's soulmark. This large piece was a reminder of Ayase belonging to someone else. Whoever was Ayase's soulmate belonged to him as well.

At least, Kanou stopped threatening to disfigure it.

Ayase knew this was due to his defeated and submissive stance. Otherwise, Kanou would have gone through with his threat and relished in informing him how deeply he cut into his skin.

Ayase hugged himself, shivering at the very thought.

Kanou's gruff voice cut through Ayase's thoughts with a jolt. "Let's go."

Ayase said. "Okay.'

Ayase walked in front of Kanou. Had he walked beside or behind him, Kanou would yank him ahead so as to not lose sight of him. Ayase was certain his shoulder would have dislocated had they not been in public. Kanou controlled himself well enough to not injure him.

Evening out his footsteps, Ayase walked directly to Someya's bar. The warm and soothing orange and yellow lights coming from the large bay window were welcoming. In comparison to the multi-colored lights and deafening music coming from the bar across the street, Someya's less trafficked bar was homey.

As he walked closer, one of the employees opened the door with a beaming smile. He wore a tight black maxi dress with a beaded corset bodice and a faux fur coat. His exaggeratedly coiffed black wig curled at the ends. The makeup was applied sparingly which made his bold red lip stand out.

"Welcome!" He smiled. "I am-"

Kanou interrupted with a sneer. "Not interested." He shoved the employee out the way, ushering Ayase to walk in forward.

Ayase rapidly uttered a fast apology, trying to bow, but Kanou pulled him on forward. The employee reassured him with a smile before turning his attention onto a set of businessmen who greeted him with enthusiasm.

Ayase wove in between the various groups of patrons and employees. He observed the different styles of dress of Someya's workers. No one wore a uniform. The apron and nametag they wore over their outfits differentiated them from the regular customer who frequented the bar.

He paid little attention to Kanou's attitude. Ever since the first time he visited this bar, Kanou made his opinion of the place quite clear. Which was why it was confusing why he walked into the place. He could have watched Ayase walk inside and leave. He didn't need to drop him off like a child.

Ayase made it to the main bar where multiple patrons sat on bar stools, happily chatting with the employees or their friends. None of them paid them attention, far too engrossed in their conversation to turn to look at them.

It didn't take long for Someya to appear from a random door. He wore a lovely kimono set with elaborate patterns woven in gold. Ayase wondered how much it cost.

"Ayase-chan!" Someya ushered him away from Kanou's view of sight, letting his workers distract Kanou through their fluttering lashes and cooing voices. "Thank you so much for coming."

Ayase blushed, nodding his head, muttering loud enough for Someya to hear. "H-He didn't want me to stay in his apartment without someone outside my door."

Someya opened the door to his office and led him inside. "I have some wonderful outfits for you to wear. Don't you worry, I get them laundered every so often to keep them fresh. No one wants to wear or smell musty smelling clothing."

Ayase shyly smiled. "I would have sprayed a bit of a scent and it would have been fine."

Someya pinched his cheek before shutting the door behind him. "Don't be so considerate. Be selfish."

Someya sauntered off, leaving Ayase to listen to his surroundings as he sat in his usual chair. He didn't have to wait long before Someya returned with different outfits in his arms. There was even a makeup bag dangling to the side. He laid them on his desk, winded from having to carry so much.

Someya informed him. "I picked some floor length outfits to start with. A lot of new hires prefer to be dressed from head to toe before transitioning into flashier outfits."

Ayase bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you."

Someya waved him off. "No need for thanks. I've been in the game long enough to notice which girls like modest clothes and those who don't." He set the makeup kit to the side and encouraged him. "Don't be shy. Look through them."

Ayase carefully lifted himself out of the chair before he walked to the desk to look through the clothes. He unzipped multiple outfits, inspecting them, before he zipped them up. Some were not colors he would have chosen or showed his skin. He didn't want to show anything.

Someya shifted through his makeup box, creating clunking noises alongside the zipping. Ayase let himself relax a bit.

He picked out a baby blue long sleeved lolita dress that ended at his knees. The white accents and bows didn't overtake the outfit. There were accompanying white tights that covered his legs. The material was thick, not at all thin.

"Do you have shoes?"

"Let me look in the closet. I might have some black ones in your size." Someya left the room again.

Ayase used this chance to change into the dress. It fit him a bit loosely, but otherwise it wouldn't fall off of him. Pulling up the tights, he hid the bruises from view. He peeked at himself in the large mirror on one side of Someya's office. The dress was a bit big on him. Bunching up the fabric on the side, he collected a few inches of loose fabric.

Ayase could tailor this dress if there was a sewing kit and a pair of scissors. Remembering this was a rental, Ayase sighed. He didn't have the money to replace this dress. His checkbook was at his apartment. Even if he wanted to pay Someya back, Kanou would snatch his checkbook and drain his money.

Echoes of the amount of the debt was enough to bring tears to Ayase's eyes. He swallowed the lump in his throat and pinched his side.

Someya returned just as Ayase did a soft turn in front of the mirror. Someya clapped the shoes with one hand, cooing. "You look like a delight Ayase-chan! Oh! I managed to find these shoes in a small size. They could fit."

Ayase pushed down his jolt in order to turn to Someya. His smile stiffened. "Thanks."

Someya gave him an inquisitive look before handing him the shoes. "Okay, now let me put on makeup and I'll see if you will need extensions."

Ayase sat back down onto his chair before Someya got to work. Someya spent little time on his face, muttering about his flawless skin as he put the finishing touches. Ayase wanted to comment about the lies but resigned himself into silence. Someya could excuse his dark circles for late night studying. He was supposed to be close to midterms, but Ayase was unable to attend them.

He wouldn't be surprised if Kanou removed him from university. Kanou had the connections to do it. If one day, Kanou announced he wasn't a student at his university anymore, Ayase wouldn't show a reaction.

"And…done! So, no extensions. I think the long bangs frame your face quite nicely. You need nothing else." Someya beamed. "Oh, don't you look darling?"

Ayase sheepishly smiled before turning his attention to the mirror. To his surprise, he didn't appear sickly. He looked normal. The added makeup amplified his features to appear more stunning.

"W-Wow–"

Someya slipped everything in his makeup box and shut it closed. "Let me reassure you that you will be positioned near the left area of my bar area. A lot of my less …exuberant clients sit in this area. They more or less like conversation."

Ayase nodded his head before he realized he would serve alcohol. "Oh, I didn't think I would be able to serve alcoholic drinks…"

"Technically no, but no one will rat you out to the authorities. I've had college students work here before who prefer the chatting aspect or serve drinks and chat."

"Okay…"

Someya smiled. "I'll introduce you to my staff as a part timer and show you to our usual chatty regulars. Don't worry about making mistakes, ask questions to my staff. They're pretty welcoming and won't be mean about it."

Ayase felt a bit of his nerves leave him at the announcement. He had only ever worked cashier jobs in small shops, and he experienced cranky and mean employees.

When someone knocked on the door, Someya said. "No time like the present. The one knocking is Yurika. Yurika is the one who meets with me before his shifts to boost morale. Always a charmer to the staff and will love you."

TBC