Hi, I want to say thank you to everyone who spent time to read the story, moreover to review, follow, like, and messages me. When my friend told me to publish this fanfic here, I didn't expect anyone to like the story. Actually, I literally planned to keep it hidden in my laptop forever. Haha. I really appreciate every input/feedback/comment. Feel free to let me know whatever you likes/hates about the story. I will also fix the problem some people mentioned in their review (including Asami's name in previous chapter). Thank you!
PS. I should have released this chapter a few days a go. But unfortunately, I was sick. So, I released this chapter together with the next one. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own VF and all its characters. I don't know much about Japan politics and government and everything I wrote is just fiction.
Chapter 3. What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You
"Of course, Watanabe-san. Yeah. I don't have problem with the offered fee at all. I just want to think about it first. You know I haven't got any experience taking this kind of photo. I don't want to let you or Fujimoto-sama down. No. No. Of course. I will let you know my decision by tomorrow. I hope Fujimoto-sama will understand."
I rolled my eyes at Arata with a teasing smile on my face, making various mocking gestures that more or less meant, 'He keep talking, I don't even listen to what he says anymore' as I listened to Watanabe's non-stop chattering. He grinned back at me and winked his eye as he prepared the salad for our dinner. Thankfully, Watanabe finally realized that I wouldn't decide right away no matter how long he tried to convince me. So after my countless attempts to end our conversation, I could finally hang up.
"What does he want from you now?" Arata asked as I walked over to the kitchen counter to give him a kiss on his cheek.
I sighed, "He said there is this politican who was really really really really really -yes, he did say it at least five times, I counted it-," I told Arata with a laugh when he frowned at my hyperbolic statement, "Anyway, he wants me to handle the photographs for his political campaign. Apparently, it is Fujimoto Daiki whom everyone praises to be a politician who will bring the country into a new era blah blah blah. Watanabe said that he saw one of my photos I took in Africa, the one that just won an award, and he loves it. He thinks I can capture the people's heart and inspire other people through my photos. That is why he wants me to handle his entire campaign photographs. At least, that is what Watanabe told me." I shook my head slowly because I found the entire idea was somehow ridiculous.
Arata froze right after he heard the name. "Aki, Fujimoto Daiki-san is one of the prospective candidate to be the next Prime Minister. All over the newspaper and TV programs, people mentioned him as one of the good guys who play clean and fair. He is very strict on gangster and totally anti corruption. Everyone loves him. Survey said, he has the biggest chance to win the election. It will be a great opportunity for you to take this project," he argued.
I shrugged my shoulders as I helped him to put the chicken to the pan, ready to fry it. "Well, I have never been one to believe in good guy VS bad guy, especially in politic. My point of view is there are both evil and virtue in everyone. Some guys are just looks better compare to the other in a certain perspective. But if we change our perspective slightly, the better guy may looks worse than the previously worse guy. If there is something that I learn from criminal photography-, " deep down in my heart I silently added, 'and my years becoming a lover of one hell of a crime lord' before I continued, "-it is that there isn't 100% good or 100% bad. The line between black and white can be so blur that in the end you will realize everything is just one huge grey-scale picture with hundreds of different perspective depending on which angle you take. Besides, I don't like politics."
Arata looked at me in disbelief like I suddenly grew another head and told him that I would give birth to his baby alien right there right then. I know what he thought. For Arata, it is not about the bad guy or the good guy. He believes we needed to take every opportunity that allowed us to climb the society ladder because those kinds of opportunities wouldn't come twice. In his opinion, taking every opportunity and working hard was the only way common people like us could become 'someone' and stopped being 'no one'. That was why he didn't understand at all why I even hesitated to take the offer. I thought sometimes, he just couldn't grasp the idea of working for one's passion or belief.
Or maybe, it was simply because he didn't know. If it were money or prestige or power or status that I wanted in my life, I would have given up my job long time a go to rely my whole life on a powerful man who can grant me all those things at the snap of his fingers. I looked at Arata through my shoulder as he incredulously stared at me with an open mouth. Sighing, I tried to answer tactfully, "I will think about it, okay? Now get back to our salad, you lazy ass. I am damn hungry and I want to have my dinner at least before the sun rises again. And, at this moment, the prospect doesn't look very promising considering how slow you work on it."
Walking into Asami-sama's spacious office with the his own assistant bringing a glass of orange juice and some snacks for the boy, Kirishima watches silently at Takaba-sama as the boy switches channels on the 110-inches Ultra HD TV. It was Friday night and as per their arrangement, the boy will have dinner together with his boss once a week, which usually are held every Friday. Sometimes, it was just a quite dinner at home. Other times, they will go out somewhere with private room.
Today, their plan is to go to a new boutique restaurant that also serves as a gallery. The restaurant currently hosts a photography exhibition that customers can enjoy while having their dinner. And Kirishima has booked the whole place for their private dinner. Unfortunately, Asami-sama suddenly has a last-minute meeting that can't be postponed. Which is why the boy now sits on the oversized but cozy sofa in Asami-sama's luxurious office, trying to find something to spend the time. Maybe it is time to add PS3 into the office, Kirishima decides.
Kirishima's assistant, Haruka, puts the orange juice and snacks at the side table near the boy. Then she bows low at her boss' lover and waits to be excused.
"Oh, come on, Haruka-san. Stop being so stiff. I told you not to bow and all. And thank you for the drinks and foods," the boy immediately stands and complains at Haruka's attitude.
Haruka knows better than being anything but polite towards this boy who is introduced as his boss' undisclosed partner, though. Kirishima briefs her himself though he doesn't explain much of the details. So she diplomatically answers, "Of course, Takaba-sama." Then she bows once again and leaves the room.
Good girl.
The boy shakes his head at her. After a while, giving up on correcting Haruka's attitude, he turns his attention back to the news on the TV.
"Hey, it is Fujimoto Daiki. I haven't heard about him for a while since he was arrested for getting caught bribing various parties and corrupting government project's funding for his political campaign half a year a go," the boy exclaims before looking at Kirishima who stands good-naturedly a few feet behind the sofa, "Right before he was arrested, he actually asked me to do the entire photography for his political campaign, you know. And when I declined, he doubled and even tripled his offer. Arata practically begged me to sign the contract every night since Fujimoto was a very promising candidate for the Prime Minister position by that time. When he was caught, everyone who was involved with his campaign went into hell together with him. Lucky, I didn't take the project. I don't like politics anyway." The boy waves his hand as a sign that the whole things don't interest him in the first place.
Of course, Kirishima knows every detail about that, but he just replies in a respectful tone, "Really? Then, it was a wise decision for you not to take his offer, Takaba-sama."
The boy raises his eyebrow at his comment and glances at him. There is a heavy silence for a while and somehow it makes Kirishima feels a bit of unease. What the boy says after that does make him hold his breath for a while.
"You see, Kirishima, I always notices that when you talk to me way too politely, it usually means you don't want me to know about something that you know," the brat said with a complete blank face, feigning innocent by tilting his head.
That damn brat is getting smarter! Kirishima's first reflex is to defense himself, denying what the boy said. But his experience with Asami-sama stops him from digging his own grave deeper by saying anything that will only infuse the boy's curiosity further. So, he simply sighs and tells him the half-truth, "Well, I do know about Fujimoto's offer to you. I am the one who handles the daily reports of your activity for Asami-sama. I would know everything about you even if I didn't want to know. What else do you want me to say? It was truly wise for a brat not to be involved in politics, it is not a toy for a boy like you."
The boy looks at him for a full minute and Kirishima tries his best to keep his cool. After a moment, it seems the brat believes that Kirishima doesn't hide anything else so he turns around to continue watching TV. Inwardly, Kirishima exhales his relief.
Of course Kirishima still remembers this Fujimoto Daiki bastard. It was a few weeks after Takaba-sama received his award from the Photography Society. He and Suoh accompanied Asami-sama into a secret meeting with Fujimoto in a high-class Japanese restaurant. Almost none knew that Asami-sama was the one who sponsor Fujimoto's actions. In fact, it was Asami-sama himself who nurtured the good looking politician long before he gained his popularity through some of his radical moves; ones that was suggested personally by Asami-sama so he could add Fujimoto into his extensive pawn collections in the government.
The two loyal subordinates sat quietly at the corner of the room while their boss and his stupid doll enjoyed the dinner, discussing the incoming election and steps that Fujimoto should take to win it. It was when Asami-sama asked about Fujimoto's plan for his campaign that the idiot made his first blunder. Kirishima still memorizes what he said even until now.
'Ah, have your heard about Takaba Akihito, Asami-sama? I saw his photos that win an award from the Photography Society. I think he will be great in doing the photograph for the campaign,' the man laughed disgustingly before continued, 'Considering how much I offered him, I am sure he will accept the project. Then he can work for my campaign and my other-', he paused a while for effects, '-needs.'
Kirishima could detect Asami-sama's anger by the way he froze upon hearing Fujimoto's idea. It was not that other people would notice the difference. Asami-sama is very good at hiding what he truly thinks about people. It was an art he had perfected during his years ruling the underground world. But Kirishima had worked for him long enough to notice how his jaw slightly stiffened and his eyes grew discreetly icy, even when his smile was still on his lips.
'I beg your pardon, Fujimoto. I am not sure I understand what you mean by "your other needs".' Asami-sama gave that idiot a chance to correct himself. Not that he deserved any of it.
The politician just chuckled as if what he said was one of the funniest joke ever existed in the human history as he explained, 'You see, Asami-sama, being such a great person, you may not notice it. But your preference with light brown hair men and women has somewhat became a trend among the elites. Now, light brown hair pretties are totally in and everyone wants to have one or more of their own. Of course, I want to follow your steps as well. And when I saw that freelance photographer on some news, I knew he would be perfect. I am sorry to be this blunt,' he whispered in conspirational tone, 'but I can see that his ass is definitely one to die for; I can't wait to taste it myself. Imagining his lithe body writhing beneath me is enough to give me a hard on. I am surprised that you haven't noticed him yourself. I think he totally fits your usual type. If you want, I can share him with you.'
Sometime during his absurd speech, Kirishima swore that he could feel that the temperature in the room decreased at least a few degrees. He had no idea how come the idiot didn't feel it at all. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Suoh's hands shook on his knees from anger at the rude insult towards Takaba-sama. The boy might have been so naive beyond stupidity and caused numerous problems for them during his time with Asami-sama. But after one incident in Thailand, both he and Suoh had to admit that the boy was completely loyal and nonsensically in love with Asami-sama that he was ready to die for their boss. And that is enough reason for the two loyal subordinates to respect the boy as their boss' partner even after the boy left. As long as Asami-sama hadn't given up on the boy. any insult towards the boy was equal to an insult to Asami-sama himself. And for that, they were ready to blow this idiot empty head with a single bullet right away.
But Asami-sama sat still, not losing his polite smile at all. Without missing even a blink, he answered, 'I see, but I am sure you think too high about me.' and then continued the conversation as normal. If Asami-sama thought that they needed to let this Fujimoto alive in spite of his offenses, Kirishima and Suoh would accept his decision without questions.
The conversation went on as Asami-sama gently reminded Fujimoto on his promise to obtain an entry license for one of Asami-sama biggest shipment route, including some of his illegal ones. It was after Fujimoto left that Asami-sama removes his mask of kindness. With such a chilly voice that gave Kirishima goose bumps, he ordered the secretary to push Fujimoto to sign the grant as soon as possible; otherwise he would cancel all his future sponsorship for the politician. Afraid of losing his biggest support and blindly believing that Asami-sama would always protect him from any harm like he always did before, Fujimoto worked hard to get the entry license, bribing various parties with his illegal corrupted funding. It was only after the idiot signed the entry license for Asami-sama and all necessary documents were saved inside a safebox, that his boss ordered him to release the proof of all Fujimoto's criminal activity, careful enough to leave Asami-sama out of any damage.
Fujimoto lost all his popularity, power, wealth, position, wife and son in a single night. When the man tried to contact Asami-sama for help and got no response, he finally understood his situation. Luckily he still had a few working brain cells, for he didn't mention Asami-sama even once during the interrogation or he would lose his life as well. As Fujimoto went into jail, Asami-sama turned his full support into Fujimoto's rival who accepted his offer like a starving dog getting a piece of meat.
Indeed, Takaba-sama was wise to decline Fujimoto's offer. But Kirishima knows the boy has never been interested in politics in the first place. So he has no worry about that at all. That brat is far to idealistic to accept any political project.
His phone beeps disrupting his train of thought. It is a message from Suoh, informing that Asami-sama has finished with his meetings and is ready to go now.
"Takaba-sama, Asami-sama is done. He will be waiting for you in the car. I will accompany you there," he notifies the boy who is still seriously watching the news.
The boy immediately jumps and grabs his scattered stuffs. Kirishima will never understand how come the boy always manages to make such a mess in any amount of time. While the boy snatches his pen that somehow falls under the sofa, Kirishima hears him asks, "Kirishima, do you also know the real reason why I decline Fujimoto's offer?"
Kirishima frowns. What is this about? He decides to just answer honestly, "You already mentioned it. You said that it was because you don't like politics."
The boy's head pops from under the sofa as he looks at Kirishima. Then he slowly explains, "True. But actually, the night before God of Fortune turned his back from Fujimoto, I almost accepted his offer. Simply because-," he pauses to consider his next words carefully before resumes, "well, let's just say, I talked to another photojournalist who has a somewhat similar interest on Fujimoto. And I just can't let him to do that. Journalist can be very territorial on their target, you know."
Well, this is news. He doesn't expect the boy to be that interested in someone like Fujimoto that he doesn't want to let anyone else to steal his offer. Kirishima is actually a bit surprise. But he is not a journalist himself, so what does he know about what is inside their mind? Whatever the reason was, he thanks whatever God with such a great power that He could somehow change the boy's mind. Heaven knows how stubborn the boy could be once he made up his minds. Otherwise, it would be such a mess. Kirishima waits for the boy to finish his story, not sure where this conversation will lead to.
"And when I came back home from the bar that night, finally decided to take the offer, I received an anonymous text message. It was a short one. It said, 'Don't accept his offer', that was all. From an unknown number. No name. No signature. Nothing else. I didn't even tell anyone other than Arata that I got the offer. Well, not until I told you just now, which obviously you somehow already knew. And I am sure Arata didn't mention it to anyone. I can always trust him on this kind of thing. Watanabe was dying for me to accept the offer, so it must not be him. Anyway, whoever it was," the boys emphasizes on the word 'whoever' with an air quotes and a smug grins before he continues,"I ended rejecting the offer that night. The next morning, people went into jails for being involved with Fujimoto," he calmly finishes.
Kirishima's shock is beyond words. He can feel his face betrays his effort to keep his emotion hidden. Who did that? Was it Asami-sama? He shakes his head to clear his mind. Asami-sama usually informs him about all his actions related with his boy. Okay, maybe not exactly all of them, but Kirishima is quite sure he knows ALMOST all of them. But who else knew that the boy got an offer from Fujimoto other than him, Suoh, and Asami-sama? Suoh won't do anything without being instructed, he is just that loyal.
The boy grins at his shock expression and cheerfully says, "Well, I could see that even you don't know about this. Finally! There is something that I know that you don't know. Now, I can finally rest in peace." He jokes as he imitates holy pose with stupid smirk on his face before he turns the TV off.
"No need to accompany me. Geez, Kirishima, I am not a child. I know the way to the car park. Have a good rest tonight, okay? You deserve it. And thanks for keeping me company while I wait."
The boy bumps Kirishima's shoulder in a friendly manner, smiling all over at his small victory. He leaves Kirishima standing there in disbelief, jaws hanging open, while that little shit runs towards the lift, loudly shouting goodbye to Haruka on his way out.
The night before I needed to tell Watanabe my 'final' final decision on Fujimoto's offer, I decided to take a break from the whole affair AND from Arata's nagging. I knew that he just wanted the best for me. But sometimes he could be so annoying with his view of success.
The bar was quite pack, but I can finally find a table for Mitarai and I. Even though I didn't do criminal photography anymore, I always kept in touch with my previous colleagues. It helped to keep me up to date.
That night, I let Mitarai pouring all his stress and complaining about his job, waiting patiently for him to slip me the information that I need on his own. He didn't disappoint me. After a few shots of hard liquor, he spills what I want to hear.
'...and you know that Fujimoto Daiki? Some said the head of Takamiya group supports him. Other said that it is some foreign government who stands behind his back. But I got a reliable source that told me he is actually working for someone who is involved in the underground world. Alas, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find any proof. Could you believe that? How could you trust our own government if you know something like this happening under your nose? You understand, right, Takabat?'
I nodded simply to make him kept talking. Mitarai's voice was slurred, as he was getting drunk. But I still could understand what he said.
"Who does he work for, Mitarai?" I pushed him.
Mitarai grumbled and scowled before he answered, 'Who else that has so much power he could remove all the evident without any trace? Of course it is Asami Ryuichi, stupid! But even someone as strong as Asami Ryuichi will make a mistake one day. He will fall. When the day comes, I will be the one there to catch him through my viewfinder. And that is why I will keep following Fujimoto Daiki; my guts told me he will somehow bring me to my target.'