Takashi watched the small form for a while, lips twitching into a smile as an idea came to him. Gesturing to his trusted right hand man, he pointed at the shaking and huddled figure in the alley below. "I want to know everything about him."
He watched from the corner of his eye as Mizuo bowed and left. Eyeing the broken wood of what used to be a bat, he waved his hand towards it, knowing his subordinates would understand. If this played out how he hoped it would, the splintered wood would come in handy later.
As much as he wanted to approach the boy now, he had to wait. Only when he knew everything he could about his target would he move his plan forward. He could see the potential for this boy to be great. All he needed was the right motivation and some training.
Takashi put his hands together. He couldn't wait.
Haruichi didn't realize he'd fallen asleep until a hand shaking him caused him to jolt up, his stomach flopping and head throbbing at the sudden movement. Closing his eyes and covering his mouth, he took a few deep breaths through his nose in an attempt to calm the two. Only when he was sure he wouldn't lose what little food was in his stomach did he drop his hands and open his eyes.
He shivered in the cold, noticing how much darker it was than when he'd left. Turning towards the person who woke him up, he stared at the hand before him as his mind attempted to process what was going on. Finally grasping that the stranger was waiting to help him up, the second year took the hand and let himself be pulled to his feet, swaying with a death grip on the stranger's arm when he was finally pulled to his feet.
"T-Thank you," He said, his teeth chattering. His coat and pants were wet from sleeping in the slush for who knows how long, and a light snow was coming down again.
"Are you alright?" Haruichi blinked up at the stranger, shivering and wondering why he was helping him. Either way, this man had probably saved him from freezing to death.
"I-I'm fi-fine." The stranger was unimpressed with his obvious lie. "A…A little c-cold."
"Why don't you come with me and get out of those wet clothes." Pausing, the stranger flushed and held up his hands, "N-Not like that! Just…you can borrow some of mine until we get yours dry." Haruichi flushed at the implication, ducking his head further when his stomach let out a loud growl, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. "Come on," The stranger once again held out his hand and smiled. "I promise I won't do anything to you."
"My name's Yamato Takashi."
"K-Komin-nato H-Haruichi."
"It's nice to meet you Kominato-kun. Come on, I don't live very far away."
Heart warming at the first act of kindness he'd been shown that day, and eyes watering because this stranger was the first person who seemed to care, Haruichi nodded and took the taller male's hand. "T-Thank you."
Haruichi followed the kind male out of the alley and down the sidewalk. It was much less crowded than it had been during the day, and some shops were closing for the night. Uselessly pulling his wet coat tighter, Haruichi shivered again. Without the sun, it was much colder than it had been.
The second year was feeling slightly dizzy, unable to focus on his surroundings. It was almost like his head was full of cotton. Letting out a sneeze, he huddled in on himself and groaned slightly, his head pounding. He knew he was sick, but he kept his mouth shut. This stranger was already helping him enough.
He didn't know how far they'd walked, or how far they had to walk, but with each step his legs were shaking more and more. His breathing was becoming more labored, and he couldn't feel his fingers or his toes anymore. Haruichi barely registered they'd stopped. His vision was wavering, and he knew he was going to pass out soon. The last thing he felt before drifting off into sleeps embrace was someone picking him up, and feeling safe for the first time in a long time.
Takashi frowned as he felt the heat radiating off the boy in his arms. Maybe he'd left him too long. Jerking his head, Mizuo bowed and ran off, not needing instructions. Striding forwards towards the large traditional home he'd inherited from his grandfather, Takashi handed the boy – Haruichi, to his awaiting staff.
"I want him cleaned and dressed before the doctor arrives. You can put him in the empty room next to mine." Waving his hand, he watched them disappear to do as he asked. Clapping his hands, he waited for his chef to appear before him. "I want dinner ready within the hour. Have something warm and easy to eat for our guest. He might have pneumonia." The chef bowed and headed back towards the kitchen, directing his subordinates as he went.
Slipping off his shoes and into slippers, he dropped his coat, scarf, and gloves by the door for his staff to deal with later. Making his way to his study, the young man slicked back his black hair and readjusted his suit. The information he'd had Mizuo gather earlier was sitting on his desk, awaiting his attention.
Opening the first folder, he began reading. Kominato Haruichi, age seventeen. Born March first in the Kanagawa Prefecture. Blood type, AB. Second year at Seidou, and second baseman for the baseball team. Third hole batter. Low on physical strength and stamina. Favorite food, cream stew. Favorite subject, Modern National Language. Hobbies, TV games. Shy in nature. Older brother, Kominato Ryousuke. Studying at Tokyo University to become a doctor. Parents are Kominato Haruna and Kominato Ryounosuke. Arguably a better player than his brother.
Multiple reports of bullying when he was younger, with accounts of being saved by his older brother. The two grew apart as they grew older, with Ryousuke getting jealous of his little brother's natural talents. Their parents were hesitant to let their eldest go away for high school, and let their youngest go only because he'd be with his older brother for at least a year.
The bullying continued in high school, though to a lesser degree until this year, when three third years were heard outside his classroom belittling him and spreading rumors about how everyone hated him. The three were brought before the principle and left with little more than a stern warning to not do it again.
Other's on the regular lineup for the baseball team were conspiring to get rid of their coach and bring back their old on, leaving Haruichi out of it because of his kind nature and inability to lie.
Takashi closed the folder and laced his fingers together, settling his chin atop them. A grin slowly formed over his face. There was so much he could use. So much he could twist around and feed to his small guest until the boy was so distraught he never wanted to go back. Until his mind was numb and heart was shattered. Until Haruichi became his.
Standing from the desk at the knock on his door, he straightened his shirt and strode forward. Opening the door, he nodded slightly to the doctor. "Please, follow me." Making his way to the room he'd ordered the teen placed, he led the elder gentleman inside and gestured to the bed. "Let me know if you require anything."
"Thank you Yamato-san." Takashi leaned against the wall and watched the doctor do his work, his eyes glued to the pink haired boy's face. There was so much he could do with him. So much he could teach him. The potential in him was almost limitless. Tracing his eyes down the sleeping face, to the exposed collarbone, and down the flat chest covered only by the thin sleeping yukata he'd been changed into, Takashi forced himself to look away.
'Later,' he promised himself silently. 'I have to break him first. Make him believe I'm the only one left who would bother to care. Then he'll be mine.' Grinning widely, he cast one last look at the boy on the bed before turning and heading towards the dining room. His dinner awaited him.
Anyone hate Takashi yet? Let me know what you thought! :)