Chapter 2

"So, I'm counting on you, Chuuya-kun. I don't want my subordinates to waste their life against them" Mori said while sitting on his usual seat before the big window where he could watch and enjoy the scenery of Yokohama.

"Count on me, boss. As you ordered, we will let them taste their absolute despair" Chuuya replied and smirked as he fixed his black hat on his head. Inside, he was thankful that the pain he felt this early morning eased a bit which allowed him to keep his usual composure.

"I'm sure the Detective Agency will not keep quiet too. Good news, they will not lay their hands on us and the bad news is we can't take their heads either, for now" then Mori sighed in disappointment. Chuuya smirked by his reaction and nodded.

"Well then, boss, I have preparation left to do so may I excuse myself" he said then turned back and head for the entrance door to exit.

"By the way, Chuuya-kun" Mori's sudden remark halt mafioso's action. "Are you sure you can go with that condition?"

Chuuya stiffened. He knew what his boss is referring too, wondering how he find out his condition at the same time amazed by his observation skills. The executive then released a defeated sigh with a smile and looked back to his boss.

"I'm fine, boss. Besides, most likely they are coming here for revenge. They want my life so I am their perfect opponent and I am also the perfect person to end their lives." And gave his mischievous smirk as he shrugged his shoulders.

Mori chuckled as he reclined his back against his chair. "Fine, I shall leave them to your hands. You may leave now" he said and took a sip of his wine. Chuuya gave his short bow before he left the room.

"Rintaro~" Elise popped out from the scene. "Are you really sure to let Chuuya go? He seemed to be a bit different today" she said as she stared the door while cuddling the big Teddy Bear she bought with Mori yesterday.

Mori chuckled and replied. "It's fine, Elise-chan. Let him be, besides even if I will stop him, he will not listen"

""""""

When Chuuya entered the first basement, his subordinates were already gathered, preparing the assigned tasks they were given. As soon as his presence was recognized, everyone stopped their current activity and stood up straight to greet their leader.

Chuuya raised his hand as a gesture for them to continue in their tasks. "How's the preparation?" he asked Hirotsu.

"Everything is going smoothly. Kajii is also making enough Lemon bombs to destroy at least quarter of their forces." Hirotsu reported. "Honestly, I'm surprised that they will be coming here again in Yokohama. Are they seeking for revenge, perhaps?"

"Most probably" Chuuya laconically replied as he continued to check their preparation. "We should defeat and eliminate them completely this time."

"Absolutely"

"Chuuya-san, I got the pictures and documents you asked for" Tachihara rushed towards him and handed over a brown envelope. Chuuya mumbled his thanks and opened it. His eyes went from side to side, reading over the information they obtained, then proceeded in scrutinizing the pictures.

After he studied few pictures, something caught his eyes. It was the skull tattoo with a word 'Despair' written under it. He was sure that they didn't had them before. Tachihara, who was standing beside him noticed the puzzle look of the senior.

"Oh, about that tattoo, it seems like it serves as a proof that they belong to the gang. Nothing special"

Chuuya hummed in comprehension.

"Good work, Tachihara. Be sure that our speedboats and ferry are ready by the time when we will arrive there. By the way, where is Akutagawa?" he asked while moving his head from side to side looking for his subordinate.

"He is over there" Hirotsu gestured his hand as he indicated the person that the executive is searching for. Chuuya followed the direction of his hand and saw Akutagawa reading a map, confirming their route plans and the expected locations where the gang will appear.

"Akutagawa" Chuuya called and immediately caught the attention of the junior. "I just want to confirm our plan-" the very moment when Chuuya took a light step forward, a wave of pain was felt throughout his body as if a lightning struck him.

His abrupt halt of his words and action puzzled his subordinates nearby.

"What happened Chuuya-san?" Akutagawa inquired as he rushed towards his senior.

Chuuya barely contained his painful expression and groan as he bit his lips before he looked back to his worried subordinates.

"Nothing, I just remembered something important" he muttered a lie. "By the way, Akutagawa, since there is a big possibility that those idiot detectives might also appear in the scene, remind everyone not to lay their hand on them and this an order from boss. We are in a ceasefire with them—for now" Chuuya commanded as he placed his hand on Akutagawa's shoulder.

"Understood" Akutagawa replied and nodded.

"Good. Well then, if you guys receive new information, report it to me immediately. I will be in my office doing other stuffs" he said as he walked off from the scene. Subconsciously, when Akutagawa glanced his senior, he noticed that Chuuya was sweating a lot. This surprised him for it was rare sight for him to see Chuuya in that state and besides the basement wasn't that hot rather he feels a bit cold. He was sure that his senior did not attend any mission. Albeit it was a short glance, Akutagawa noticed that Chuuya seemed to be struggling something inside him. Before he could inquire about it, the executive has already left the basement.

""""""

As soon as Chuuya closed the door behind him, he rested his back against it while releasing a heavy sigh but then flinched when another piercing pain struck his head.

"Damn it" he cursed under his breath. He was already tired to deal with the pain he has been experiencing from early in the morning. It was more frustrating when he thought that the pain finally disappeared, it came back again.

Beads of sweat trickled down to his face and this annoyed him. He wanted to stay as neat as much as possible so he decided to tie his hair into a ponytail then pulled some tissues from a tissue box and wiped his sweat in his forehead and behind his neck. When he stood before the mirror to check his appearance, he was stunned to see his reflection; a red velvet swirls that is supposed to appear only when he activates his 'Corruption' is visible behind his neck.

"W-why this thing came out…?" he asked himself in wonder as he caressed the mark with his fingers. "This must be a kind of a joke…" it was a sign that his control over his ability was weakening. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he saw a black shadow appeared behind him through the reflection of the mirror.

His eyes dilated in horror when the shadow cleared its identity. It was him in Corruption form. He was wearing devious grin which gave Chuuya himself a wave of chill down to his spine. He then swiftly turned around to face the shadow but nothing was there.

Chuuya released a 'tch' from his lips. He couldn't believe that he begun to see a delusion of himself, and what annoyed him most was he saw flashes of his gruesome nightmare he dreamed this morning. Just thinking about it makes him uncomfortable and nauseated. He did not wish to see this worst nightmare in reality.

He then turned himself to the mirror once again and checked his appearance. Since these scarlet marks and swirls were clearly visible, he decided to untie his hair in order to avoid the concerns he might receive from his subordinates. That very moment he jolted when he heard few knocks from the door.

"It's Akutagawa"

Chuuya did a short sigh of relief then fixed his hair again, making it sure he hides the swirls behind his neck well and put on his hat. "Come in" he ordered as he flopped on his office chair. Akutagawa entered and closed the door behind him.

"What's the matter?" Chuuya asked nonchalantly. Akutagawa just stared at him for a while before he answered.

"Excuse me, Chuuya-san, are you feeling well?"

The executive flinched with the sudden question. Keeping his coolness, he feigned his usual self and smirked. "I'm completely fine- why?" he asked as he propped his chin on his hand.

Akutagawa placed his hand before his mouth and thought for a while. "Back there in the basement, your face seemed pale that's why- or was it only my instinct?" When he said that the other laughed as he leaned back against the office chair and covered his face with his hat.

"I didn't know that you were this funny, Akutagawa" he remarked making his subordinate's face red, embarrassed with his answer. "But- it will be a lie if I will say I'm completely fine".

The sudden change of Chuuya's tone made Akutagawa to fix his composure again. His instinct was correct. His senior wasn't feeling well, but what happened to him?

Chuuya mulled over whether he should discuss his condition to his subordinate or not but in case of emergency, if Akutagawa knows a brief of his problem, he could take in charge of the mission in his place. He then sighed and fixed his hat on his head and looked directly into his subordinate's eyes.

Akutagawa gulped discreetly when he noticed the seriousness in Chuuya's eyes.

"I feel like I'm losing my control over my ability" he said laconically as possible but it only just bewildered the other.

"W-what do you mean? Why this is happening to you?" Akutagawa wavered in concern and astonishment. He knew the consequence and the power of his senior's ability. Yes, his ability is so powerful but also at the same time it is hard to control. Once he uses 'Corruption' he will become the strongest man in the battle field but also the same time, he will suffer the most. It is only Dazai, his former mentor has the capability to nullify his ability but he is not here anymore. And here, Chuuya, the executive and the senior he respects said that he is losing control over his ability. This is a problem that he can't overlook just like the mission they are going to take.

Chuuya shrugged clueless and crossed his legs and then his arms as he placed it against his chest.

"Don't worry," he assured when he noticed the worried expression of his subordinate. "I will not let my ability to corrupt me. You know who I am, don't you?" he remarked and did his usual confident grin, trying to remove the weight from his subordinate's shoulder. "But just in case if I will be struggling to control my ability during the mission, I want you to take in charge."

Akutagawa opened his mouth to say something but halted when his eyes met with the azure ones, silently imploring him to accept his request through his azure eyes.

"I know it's so sudden but please take in charge when that situation happens. I'm counting on you" then gave his grin barely containing the headache that just came back a minute ago.

"Understood" Akutagawa replied with reluctantly, not feeling content with the command he received. But also, at the same time, his resolution to do his best and support his senior no matter what circumstances may be surged inside him. Chuuya smirked then stood up and placed his hand on the other's shoulder.

"I'm counting on yo-" his words trailed off when suddenly his vision blurred for a brief seconds. Chuuya himself was surprised but he didn't had time to process his mind. A moment later, he could feel a burning sensation from his chest and felt his body temperature rising.

Akutagawa noticed that Chuuya's grip tightened and when he glanced towards his senior, he didn't fail to miss the winced expression of the executive. Come to think of it, his senior's complexion became paler than before.

"S-Senpai?" Akutagawa's voice was filled with great concern as he held the shoulder of the other.

"I'm fine" Chuuya immediately replied as he immediately removed his grab from Akutagawa's shoulder and went back towards to his office chair.

"But—"

"By the way, don't tell anyone about this matter. I want to keep this as a secret. I want everyone to concentrate with their mission. That also goes the same to you, Akutagawa. I appreciate your concern but our top priority for now is the mission. Understood?" he reminded as he emphasized the word 'mission' which also serves like a key word for all the mafiosi to regain their concentration.

Akutagawa, albeit he wanted to request his senior to rest, mission and command are absolute. He had no choice but to follow his orders.