Hi all,
Just to let you know in advance, there will be a few chapters with titles that start with "Fatherhood 101". These chapters will tell a story about how Asami raised his kids (slightly abnormal, of course, so this is not a real tips and tricks).
Also, please don't bother with the numbering of the rule. The numbering is not in order because sometimes it is a rule that Asami had told the kids long time a go and he just reminded them again.
For those who wonders, Against The Wall took place 15 years after the twins were born.
Disclaimer : As usual, VF belongs to YA.
"When you work for the Asami family, you always have to be prepared for the unexpected." -Kirishima Kei, during a training for new recruits
Chapter 2. Fatherhood 101 - Rule #25: Clean Up Your Own Mess, Boys
12.30 PM
Tao was already sitting at our favourite table by the time I entered the high class cafe. I didn't like these kind of places, always felt a little out of place in it, but Tao would attract attention if we went to a normal coffee shop or restaurant. It was difficult to act as if we were just two normal guys wanting to have lunch together when his clothes and behaviour screamed wealth and power in capital letters.
Over the years, the small boy I'd met in Hong Kong years ago had outgrown me. Not only Tao was bigger now, but he was also taller than me by almost a head. He had this distinctive physiques that many people might consider as an ideal body shape: toned arms and thighs, broad shoulders, defined back, narrow waists, and a fucking six packs stomach which made me burn with jealousy. Not that I was fat or anything. Even at my age, my body was still lean and toned without any excessive body fat. Yet, standing beside men like Asami and Tao every day, one couldn't help but being conscious about their own body.
Today, Tao wore dark grey woollen suit on top of a light blue shirt, combined with navy silk tie. Every pieces of fabrics was meant to show off the masculinity of his body. Completed with graceful movement and perfect manner, Tao was the living image of someone who had a lot of power and money. It made him look incredibly sexy, but somehow also gave him an aura of danger, as if beneath that mask of perfectness, there was a beast lurking.
He didn't look up from the papers that he was reading when I sat in front of him, something that I was used to by now. We made it a rule to have lunch together at least once a week whenever he was in town. But more often than not, I would spend the first half an hour enjoying my lunch alone while he was finishing up whatever it was he was doing.
Knowing nothing would be able to distract him when he was focusing on his work, I didn't even bother to say hi. Instead, I waved cheerfully at the waitress.
"Good afternoon, Asami-san. Are you ready to order?" Masumi, the waitress that we were very familiar with, greeted me.
"How many times have I told you? Stop that Asami-san bullshit, Masumi! You said I can call you by your name, so you must call me by my name! That is how this friendship thing works, you know! Geez, am I the only one on earth who has this common sense?" I protested.
She laughed politely. "There are many ways to be friend, Asami-san."
I banged my head to the table dramatically. Admitting my defeat, for now, I grumbled, "You are not fun. I begin to question our friendship. Putting that aside, can I have the usual, please?"
"We try a new dessert today, molten lava cake. The outer layer was crisp with sweet melted chocolate inside. Do you want to try it?"
I turned my head to face her, a big silly grin in my face. "Forget my previous statement. You are officially my friend forever, Masumi-san."
She smiled and bowed before she left. Ten minutes later, when I had read almost every posts in my Facebook walls, she returned with my meals. Knowing better than to waste time by asking or offering Tao, I quickly dove into the delicious food in front of me. Despite my hatred for the cafe's atmosphere, the food was great. And their cakes were definitely to die for.
When I was about to swallow my second bite of that evilly delicious chocolate cake, Tao finally put his papers into a leather folder, closed his laptop, and finally, graced me with his attention.
"Sorry, I have an important meeting after this," he explained without an ounce of remorse on his face. I could recognised an insincere apology when I saw one, so I just ignored him, happily chewing my delicious cake instead.
"Sooo," he dragged the word as if it had at least 5 syllables instead of just one, "How was your one night stand, Akihito? Good?" he continued with a straight face, but the amusement in his black eyes betrayed his emotionless tone.
I was almost choked by my innocent piece of chocolate cake. Embarrassed was an understatement. My face burnt hot with shame. Blood rushed to my head and I was sure that I had to be red to the tip of my ears.
"I will kill him!" My first thought was that Asami had exposed our private life to his subordinates. Even if I considered them as my friends, best friends even, I didn't want them to know every details of my sex life. For me, blabbering about our pleasure in bed was an offence punishable by death. Or public humiliation, at the very least. I still had some photos capturing Asami's most embarrassing moments somewhere in my studio. My friend in Mainichi Shinbun would love to have those pictures for their front page tomorrow.
Tao made an evil smirk. "Please, Akihito. Asami-sama didn't need to tell me anything."
I looked at him suspiciously. Was he trying to save his boss now? Tao's loyalty to Asami always amazed me, especially considering their rocky beginning.
"I was at the security room," he explained, signalling Masumi-san to refill his empty coffee cup. The young woman quickly appeared by his side, poured more coffee for him, and returned to the corner, far enough to give us privacy. "In case you forgot, I am Sion Group's managing director and it is my responsibility to control our establishments from time to time. I was looking at the security screens when I saw Asami-sama coming to you. He gave you a reserved greeting and you both acted as if you just met each other. A few minutes later, Suoh called to inform me that Asami-sama wanted to be alone and no one was to follow him. It isn't hard to put two and two together."
It had been weeks since that night at The Haven and I'd thought that no one had known about it. Apparently, Tao knew all along and the only reason he hadn't discussed the embarrassing topic up until now was because he had been too busy these past few weeks to meet me for lunch.
"You were peeping!" I accused him while throwing a disgusted glare at him.
Tao merely snorted. "If you don't want anyone to see, do it behind a close door. Seriously, I didn't have to peep to look. It was blatantly there, in the middle of Tokyo's hottest club, on Friday night. What a way to be discreet, in my humble opinion. The only thing that stopped your sweet little affair from being in the front page of every tabloid and gossip magazine in Japan was Asami-sama's precautionary steps to keep his and his family life private."
For a while, I just stared at my friend. Anger and embarrassment were instantly forgotten and quickly replaced by curiosity. "You know, Tao, sometimes, I wonder. I know my husband is a rich, powerful, evil, and perverted bastard. But how much power and money does he actually have to be able to shut the mouth of those scandal-seekers working in gossip magazines? I work in the publishing industry, Tao. I know how cruel those people in gossip magazines can be."
Tao didn't answered. Watching me with those uncanny opal orbs instead, he sipped his coffee quietly.
"Tao, what is it that Asami is doing actually?" I pushed.
It was irritating that Sion Group's managing director might know my husband better than me. But, recently such questions popped more often into my mind. Was the Asami that I knew the real one? Did he also wear a fake mask when he was with me, like when he was in front of everyone else? How much power and money did he have? And more importantly, what did he do to earn such power and money? I wasn't stupid. I knew he did illegal things. But how illegal? We had the kids to think about now. What if his so-called business jeopardised our children's safety? No one tried to kidnap or hurt them for a long time, but I could never say it was impossible.
My internal battle had to be obvious because Tao sighed. "Relax, Akihito. Asami-sama is just another businessman. He has business to take care of and he still has a family to think about. There is only so much things a man can do in a day. And he tries to do everything. Don't be so hard on him. In the end, he is just a man who truly loves his family and does everything in his power to keep you and the children safe and happy. One doesn't have to be rich or powerful to do such thing."
True. One didn't have to be rich or powerful to care for the people that they loved. If zombie apocalypse ever came and we only had limited amount of food, I would also give my share to my husband and children without question. Hell, I would gladly die for them. But to be able to stop those gossip reporters from putting a scandal on their front page? It needed something more than love and bravery. It required a huge amount of money and power; an amount that I couldn't even imagine.
"Talking about family, how are the children?" Tao didn't even bother to be discreet when he switched the subject to a relatively safer topic. Talk about loyalty.
"The twins' teacher called me this morning," I replied absentmindedly. "Said there was something urgent that she needed to discussed with me in person."
He frowned. "What is it that's so urgent till it can't wait until next week? Today is still summer holiday."
I shrugged. "No idea. I'm going there after this, then I'll pick up Mizuki from her piano class. Asami told the boys to go to his office today so I'll just meet them there. We'll have family dinner."
"I see," he said. But his tone clearly stated that he was aware of the dinner plan already. "How is the little moon?" Tao loved to call Mizuki the moon, as was the meaning of her name. It was a habit that everyone started to pick up.
"Strong minded, as always. I pity her future husband. That man will have his hands full of her AND still need to avoid a sociopath father and two over-protective big brothers who will watch over her like a dragon protecting its gold."
Tao raised his eyebrow. His expression was a mix of feigned hurt and fake surprise. Knowing what he wanted me to say, I added dully, "Oh, sure, also a twisted older cousin, a bunch of violent uncles, and a loving aunty."
"Hey, how come I got the title of a twisted cousin while Haruka became the loving aunty? That's unfair! I am a very good cousin," he protested.
"Seriously, Tao? Do you still need to ask that? You don't exactly make a very good role model with how you keep bringing different boys and girls every time you join our family events. I doubt you even know the name of that exotic boy you brought to my anniversary dinner last time."
Tao snorted. "He is just a hired companion, Akihito. A whore, if I can be blunt. Why should I know his name?"
I sighed. The exotic pretty boy had introduced himself as Malik and he had stared at Tao with pure adoration in his dark brown eyes. I had pitied him because I'd knew Tao would dump him after a few weeks. Or worse, days. But debating this issue with Tao was like talking to a wall.
"You are hopeless, Tao," I shook my head in frustration. "Anyway, I have wanted to ask this for some time already, but I always forgot. Do the twins have girlfriends? I assumed that they would be more open about such things to you since they see you as their big brother."
Tao stilled. For a brief second, an unusual emotion flashed on his face. Was that shock? Jealousy? But before I could recognise it, it was gone. When he finally answered me, his voice was even as if the topic bored him.
"Girlfriends? You mean, romantically? What is it that makes you think that way?"
Tao's tone reminded me of Asami. It was the same way Asami would talk to me whenever he wanted to distract my attention away from something important. I pretended that I didn't notice it. After more than a decade living together with Asami, I had gotten better and better at pretending. There was a gun hidden inside my husband's side table? Pretend I didn't know it. Found a blood stain on my husband's pants? Pretend I didn't see it.
I had perfected the art of pretending ignorance so thoroughly that I would win the gold medal if it was included in the olympics. It didn't mean that I wouldn't try to secretly find out what Asami had hidden from me, though. I hadn't became an investigative photographer for nothing. It was hard since Asami had been very careful. So far, I only managed to get bits of pieces here and there. Nothing made any sense yet. But patience was my forte.
"Lately, they always had something to do, studying at the library, meeting a friend, extracurricular activities, summer practices. Seriously, Tao, how busy a teenager can be? Sometimes, they receive a call and they will go into their room just to answer that call. So I thought maybe they have girlfriends. I really don't mind them having girlfriends. Or boyfriends. Whichever they prefer. It might even feel nice to have more people in our family. Or is this the beginning of the infamous rebellious phase?"
Surprisingly, there was a look of relief on Tao's face. But I couldn't be too sure. Because, once again, he quickly schooled his expression.
Rather than answering my question directly, Tao just gave me a vague nod. "I'll tell them to spend more time with the family," he said.
I waited for him to continue yet Tao didn't say anything else.
But I noticed the way he raised his right hand to his chin, his forefinger slowly rubbing his bottom lips. It was something he did whenever he hid a fact from me. He didn't seem to be aware of this habit, so most probably it was an unconscious act. I was pretty sure he didn't do it in front of anyone else, having seen him telling outright lies to other people without even blinking an eye. I guessed, Tao didn't feel bad about lying to other people, but he did feel bad when he needed to lie to me. Perhaps, it was because he always saw me as his best and only friend. It seemed that his guilt had caused the instinctive habit.
It made me curious. My friend had something that he didn't tell me and my inner journalist was determined to find what it was about.
4.35 PM
Asami's phone rang right before he gave his answer to Takamiya Daisuke. It was Asami's private phone and that ringtone was reserved for only one person in his contact list: Akihito.
The limited edition matching iPhones were a gift from his daughter, Mizuki, for their wedding anniversary last weekend. The bezel was made of gold with hundreds of flawless diamonds embedded. It was a bit flashy, in Asami's opinion, but it was a gift from his precious little princess. So, of course Asami would appreciate it as if it was a national treasure.
"Dad hates it when you ignore his call," the 11 years old girl had explained patiently. Asami had opened his mouth to give his usual excuses, that he'd been working, that he'd never missed any family event despite him being busy at work, etcetera etcetera, but the blond girl had quickly cut him off, "I know. You are busy. And when you are busy with your work, you ignore not only dad's call, but also everyone else's. If it is important, the caller can contact you through Kirishima-san." It had been Asami's usual excuses. Obviously, the little girl had remembered it word by word. "But, you see, sometimes, dad just wants to hear your voice, not Kirishima-san's. And you are always busy lately that he can't get through to you at all."
He'd been struck by the little girl's honesty. It'd been a few weeks after the incident when he'd unintentionally hit Akihito on the night of his sons' birthday dinner. And Asami had tried his best to fix their relationship. But, indeed, his business had required most of his attention since the Takamiyas had became more aggressive with their expansion. Yet, Mizuki's blunt reasoning had reminded him of what the most important things in his life were. Akihito. His children. His family.
"I set a special ringtone for dad in your phone. This way, you will know whenever he calls," Mizuki had continued with wisdom and maturity only few 11 years old girls had. "You can ignore my calls or the twins' or everyone else's, but when you hear this ringtone, please answer it."
Apparently, the ringtone was a western song by a singer called Taylor Swift, titled Love Story. In the beginning, Asami had thought that the song was kinda stupid. If the boy really wanted the girl, he shouldn't make her waiting and should just take her right away. That was a sign of weakness, in his opinion, and the girl's parents had done right by forbidding their relationship. Asami also didn't want to give her sons or daughter to someone that was weak. Akihito was even more livid when he heard the ringtone, quickly assuming that in his daughter's eyes, it was him being the 'princess' while Asami being the 'prince'. But Mizuki had pouted when they'd tried to change that fucking ringtone. So they'd given in. After a while, Asami had gotten used to the song and lately he even felt that the song was quite nice. Not that Asami would admit it. Ever.
Anyway, for the past week, whenever he heard that special ringtone, Asami would stop whatever it was he was doing to listen to anything Akihito wanted to say for a few minutes. Or sometimes, for almost half an hour and a session of phone sex. He had found that it had not only improved their relationship but also motivated him to do his best. So, he didn't want to stop this positive habit now. Not even for Takamiya and his retarded men.
''Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes''
Taylor Swift's voice echoed in the now silent room. Takamiya Daisuke looked at Asami with confusion in his face while his nephew, Takamiya Aoto, frowned at the cheesy lyrics. It was apparent from the way they stared at him that the ringtone had shifted their perspective of Asami Ryuichi, the person who controlled the entire Japan.
Without losing his cool, Asami looked around the meeting room before excusing himself, "I am sorry, gentlemen, but I really need to take this call. Please, continue. I trust my sons to lead the discussion with you."
For some time already, Asami had started to trust his sons with parts of his business. If Rikiya and Nao felt that they couldn't handle it without him, Kirishima and Tao would always be by their side to assist. And if the Takamiyas thought that they could exploit Asami's absence to threaten his sons, either mentally or physically, they would get a huge surprise. Despite their young age, the twins were tougher than what people thought. Besides, Takamiya Daisuke was an idiot. It was Daisuke's brother-in-law that Asami was worried about and the man would never do this kind of chores himself, preferring to send Daisuke or his son, Aoto. So, Asami didn't feel worry to leave his young sons with his rivals.
"Yes, Akihito?" He greeted his husband as soon as he was outside the meeting room. Nodding slightly to Suoh who was waiting patiently near the lift, Asami leaned against the wall just beside the door while talking in a low voice.
"I really can't accept this, Ryu!" Akihito voice was so loud and full of anger that Asami had to move his phone away from his ear.
Quickly, Asami tried to recall what he did wrong this time. Did he miss any important dates? Birthday? Anniversary? Did he promise something and then forget about it? No way. Even if he forgot, Kirishima would remind him. Deciding that he didn't remember doing any crime that was related to Akihito (yet), Asami waited silently for Akihito to explain.
"One of the twins' teacher called me to school this morning! She said, she had something important that she needed to discussed with me!"
Oh, it was about school, then. Quietly releasing a relief breath, Asami replied, "And why doest it make you so angry?"
"She accused our sons of being criminals!" The shout was so loud that Asami was sure Suoh could hear it as well from across the room.
Knowing that it was just a petty school problem, Asami was listening with only half his attention now. Evenly, he asked, "Oh? And may I know what kind of crime she accused our sons of?"
"Countless baseless crimes! Bullying other children. Prostituting both male and female students. Bribing the teachers. Threatening their victims. Skipping class for days. I don't remember what else! I told her it was all bullshit! My sons are good students, the best in their class. Rikiya is the student body's president since junior high. And Nao is the captain of their basketball team, bringing more trophies for the school than any other students the school have ever had! They actively participate in every school events, rank as top students every semester, and everyone loves them. Never before their teachers said anything bad about their score or attitude in school. And now this new teacher accuse them of doing that!? Can you believe it?!"
Akihito sounded so angry that Asami was afraid his husband would start hyperventilating if he didn't calm the younger man. Not that Akihito had ever hyperventilated before. But Asami rarely heard his husband panting that quickly when they were not in bed.
If the statement came from other parents, people might think that the parents were being biased. But Rikiya and Naoyuki were truly the top and most popular student in their school. The twins were not only extremely handsome with a body to die for; they were also ridiculously smart, great in sports, and charming. And they were both devoted to the family; always, they put the family above all else. No parents could ask for better sons than the twins, in Asami's opinion. So, Asami couldn't blame Akihito for feeling insulted at the accusation.
"No, I also can't believe it, Akihito," Asami answered dutifully, trying to placate his husband.
I can't believe that my sons can be so careless to leave any evidence behind, he added silently.Moreover, being so careless until it raisedthis new teacher's suspicion. I will need to have a long talk with Rikiya and Nao about the importance of removing evidences thoroughly.Soon.
Satisfied that Asami had agreed with him, Akihito yelled smugly, "See?! I told that stupid teacher exactly the same thing! No way my sons did any of that!"
What Akihito didn't know was that the twins indeed had a side business, and not a very legal one as far as Asami knew. Something about loaning money and prostituting students who needed quick money; he didn't really know the details. It had started one day when Tao'd told the twins about the story of how he'd started his first business against uncle Feilong's wish. Somehow, it had inspired the twins to start their own business without Asami's help. In Asami's opinion, there was nothing wrong with giving his sons some space to prove themselves as independent men. If anything, he was proud of his sons for not wanting to rely on their family's power and money. Which was why he had silently supported the twins' side business by keeping it a secret from Akihito.
Well, Rikiya and Nao had secretly worked part time for Sion group for almost three years anyway. The work required the boys to be involved in many illegal activities. It was part of passing Asami's vast empire to his sons. His sons' side business was a small crime compared to what the twins had done to achieve their place in Sion group. But it was a trivial detail that Akihito didn't need to know.
"And how could this teacher come to such a conclusion? There must be a reason."
Asami heard more grumbling before Akihito finally answered, his tone sour with disgust, "There is this girl, Kisa-chan. According to the new teacher, this girl reported that her friend had borrowed a large amount of money from the twins. She told this teacher that Riki and Nao are something like loan sharks."
Suddenly, Asami heard a muffled shout from inside the meeting room. He opened the door slightly and peeked inside to check on his sons.
"Hmm," he murmured noncommittally, encouraging his husband to continue the story.
Inside the room, Nao was in fury, growling something Asami couldn't hear while pointing his gun to Takamiya Daisuke with his left hand. Nao's right hand could never hold the gun still enough to get a good shot. But over the years, his younger son had learnt to use his left hand to replace his right one, something else that Akihito didn't know much.
Daisuke, being such a coward, was pale and shaking. But his three men, including Daisuke's nephew, Aoto, were pointing their guns back to his youngest son. Tao quickly moved to cover Nao. Asami's own men were directing their guns to Takamiya's men. To his credit, Rikiya sat calmly in the middle of all that chaos, looking as if he was enjoying a tea break among friends. His oldest son's ability to stay cool-headed in any kind of situation always made Asami proud.
Covering the phone with one hand, Asami gave a signal to Suoh, silently telling him to go inside and help. His trusted bodyguard didn't need to be told twice. Within seconds, Suoh already called more security men before walking into the room. The Takamiyas must be delusional if they believed that they could walk out of Sion office building safely after threatening Asami's sons. Not that Asami had any doubt on his sons' ability to defend themselves.
"Kato-sensei -oh, that is the new teacher by the way- told me that based on her investigation, she believes that the twins forced the other girl, Kisa-chan's friend, to pay her loan with her body when she couldn't pay back. Kato-sensei even accused the twins of raping the girl! The twins! My polite and gentle babies! Can you imagine they do such things?!"
Akihito's yell drowned the uproar from inside the meeting room. It was difficult to focus on his husband's story when his youngest son was facing a loaded gun. But he managed to catch Akihito's last few sentences and before he could stop it, he snorted.
No, Asami couldn't imagine his youngest son raping a random girl. Nao had set his heart on a certain someone since….well, since as long as Asami could remember. The crime lord wasn't as dense as his younger husband to be able to ignore Nao's obvious –and almost desperate– attempts to get his crush's attention. Or maybe Akihito was just in a denial mode.
His oldest son, in the other hand, was an entirely different case. Asami could perfectly imagine Rikiya doing just that. His oldest son was always a womaniser, moving from one woman to another quicker than a whore taking off her clothes. Heaven knew how Rikiya could keep this side of him a secret from Akihito. The boy reminded Asami of his younger self: a young, confident and arrogant boy who knew what he wanted in life and how to get it. Or so the boy thought.
Up until Asami'd met Akihito, just like Rikiya, Asami'd also thought that money, power and the right network was all that mattered in life. Hell, he hadn't even thought that he would have needed love. Sex was merely something he had done to satisfy his basic need, like eating and sleeping. A good fuck was a good fuck; there was nothing personal there. But here he was, almost two decades later, feeling completely sure that his family was the biggest achievement in his life. And that was something that Rikiya would also learn when the boy met the right person.
Observing his oldest son's love life, it wouldn't happen anytime soon though. And Akihito would surely die from a broken heart if he ever found out about Rikiya's 'adventurous' side. So, instead of revealing the hard truth, Asami carefully said in a soothing tone, "There must be a misunderstanding." Not exactly a lie, in Asami's opinion. A white lie, maybe, or an omission of truth. But not a lie.
Akihito mistook Asami's snort as a sign of Asami's disbelief in the entire accusation and Asami's further response just strengthened Akihito's faith in their sons.
"I believe so, too, Ryu. I called the headmaster and we will meet next Monday. I won't accept this kind of ill treatment towards any of my children!"
Asami wanted to chuckle at his husband's antics. Akihito was such a mama bear. His husband was kind and all, but as soon as someone disturbed his lovely cubs, Akihito's ferocious side would come forth to protect his children. However, the argument inside the meeting room suddenly grew louder and Asami's amusement was instantly forgotten.
Asami was opening the door a little bit wider when the first gunshot rang out.
It was still quite loud despite the usage of a silencer. The sound echoed in the spacious room. That was the problem with the real world. In the movie, a silencer would make the gunshot sounded as if we were just throwing something heavy into a pillow. You know, that soft 'phut' sound. But here was the truth: even with a silencer, a gunshot still made noise. And Asami was just a few seconds too late to cover his phone to save Akihito from that truth.
"Ryu, was that a gunshot that I heard?" Akihito's voice was instantly alarmed.
Asami didn't answer immediately. Frozen, he stood just outside the opened door, staring into the room. Nao had made a clean shot at one of Takamiya's man. Right between the eyes. Looking serene like an avenging angel, the boy was smiling charmingly at the other men in the room. Those hazel eyes sparkled with amusement. The pretty pink lips curled into a smirk. Then, without a warning, Nao shot the dead body multiple times until his gun was empty of bullet. Blood was splattered all over across the sofa, floor and carpets. Suoh, Kirishima and the rest of Asami's men were pointing their gun right at the back of Daisuke and Aoto's head. Tao was practically crushing the other Takamiya's bodyguard into the wall. The silence that followed was deafening and Akihito scared whisper sounded more like a scream in Asami's ear.
"R…Ryu?"
Asami could hear Nao asking Takamiya Aoto, a twisted young man with an ugly face just like his father, mockingly, "Anyone else wants a taste of Asami's pretty little boys?"
Thank god Akihito couldn't hear it since Asami was still covering the damned phone with his hand. Clearly, Takamiya's man had insulted his youngest son and the now dead man had experienced Nao's temper firsthand.
"Ryu, please, say something! Are you okay?" Akihito shouted in fear.
Asami cleared his throat while sending a deadly glare to his youngest son. Nao was in the middle of a complete fury that the boy didn't realize Asami's wordless warning right away. But Rikiya instantly understood and he silently held his brother wrist. After Asami was sure that Nao wouldn't cause any more noise (no doubt Takamiya and his men would stay silent with guns on their temples!), Asami answered his husband casually, chuckling slightly to lighten the mood, "Don't be silly. You watched too many movies. One of my meeting rooms is being renovated and the construction workers were a bit rough. But I already told them to keep the noise down from now on."
Akihito mumbled something he couldn't understand, apparently still shaken by fear. Quickly, Asami assessed the situation in front of his eyes. After a brief second, he decided that everything was still under control.
"Give me a sec, okay? I am going to find a quiet place," he told Akihito before turning off the phone's mic. He didn't want to scare Akihito anymore than this. Signalling his sons and men to go ahead with a nod, he went to his private office.
"Please forgive my brother, Takamiya-san," he could hear Rikiya telling Takamiya Daisuke insincerely, most probably with a wicked smirk in that young and handsome face. "I am afraid his temper has always been hard to control since childhood. However, I agree with him. With our current situation, you are in as much trouble as us. And being rude in our place won't help you at all. Be wise, Takamiya-san, and we may be able to come to an agreement that will benefit us both, even though I found your brother in law's proposal to be quite… ridiculous."
What proposal?
Well, he would get the full report later anyway. And no agreement would be sealed without his permission. Completely trusting his sons and subordinates to handle the situation, Asami didn't wait for Takamiya's reply as he walked towards the private lift. Let his sons handle the Takamiyas; Asami had a husband to please.
6.49 PM
"'Romeo save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes''
Oh oh oh oh…"
For the second time today, Taylor Swift interrupted Asami's speech. Tapping his cigarettes lightly on the ashtray that Kirishima had provided, Asami waited for his trusted secretary to bring the phone to him. He pressed the answer button and switched the call into loud speaker mode.
"Ryu, Mizuki and I are downstairs. Are you done? Are the twins there already?" Akihito's cheery greeting echoed in his silent private office.
Asami didn't reply immediately. Instead, he glared at his two sons, both standing nervously in front of his desk, hands crossed behind their back. After he was sure that his sons wouldn't cause any problem, Asami answered calmly, "I am in the middle of talking to the boys about what the new teacher told you, Akihito. But I'll be done soon."
There was a moment of silence and then rushed footsteps before Akihito finally asked in a strained whisper, "And?"
Obviously, Akihito didn't think that Asami would put the phone in speaker mode. Which was why Asami did it. He wanted to show his boys how worried Akihito had been because of their stupid mistake. This would be a much more efficient punishment than any beatings. The twins loved Akihito too much. They would do anything to keep their beloved dad safe and happy.
As expected, both Rikiya and Nao flinched at the clear worry in Akihito's voice. Nao bit his lips anxiously, an unusual grim expression on his face. Rikiya stayed still, but it was obvious that the older boy felt guilty from the way he frowned.
Good, Asami thought. Let them see the mess they have created.
"Well, they said they didn't do it," Asami told his husband evenly.
There was a sound of Akihito releasing a relieved sigh. Apparently, his husband had been holding his breath in fear. Asami smirked when he saw his youngest son shutting those hazel eyes in regret.
"I know they won't do something like that," Akihito whispered softly.
It was true that the twins didn't do it. Asami had asked his sons right before Akihito had called.
Nao hadn't even touched the girl. His youngest son had blushed to the tip of his ears when Asami'd asked him bluntly. "I introduced her to an old man who was willing to pay a lot of money to sleep with her. We took 60% of those money as payment. She took the rest. But that was all that I did," Nao said.
Rikiya, however, had admitted that he had slept with the girl before they'd sold her to the old man. "But, I didn't rape her, father. She was the one who asked to pay her loan with her body," his oldest son had explained quickly. "She is quite pretty and I want to taste her. Nao said it was okay, but we told her that it would only pay the interest of her loan."
Rikiya took pride on seducing all his bed partners, luring them effortlessly with his good look and cocky attitude until they were willing to do anything that he said. It was clear, though, that Rikiya didn't feel guilty doing what he had done. What'd made Rikiya hanging his head in shame now wasn't the fact that he had just admitted to his father that he'd slept with his underage classmate. No. It was knowing that he had made Akihito worry that had filled Rikiya with remorse.
Surely his sons would be more careful in the future now that they knew there were risks and consequences in their every action.
Satisfied with the twins' reaction, Asami told his husband, "We'll see you and Mizuki in 15 minutes, then?"
"Sure, Ryu. See you soon."
The call ended and Asami turned his attention back to his sons.
"So, back to our discussion, boys. I am not angry because you both did what you did. You want to sleep with every living female on earth? Go ahead. You want to put hundreds of bullets inside a jerk? Feel free to do so. What I can't accept is when what you did causing stress to your dad, either directly or indirectly. Whatever you do, you do it safely and neatly. If you want to do anything illegal, make sure you clean up after that. Don't leave any evidence that may send him into a panic attack, especially if that evidence is in the form of a 15 years old girl who can TALK." Asami raised his voice slightly while glaring at his oldest son. Even Rikiya winced.
Then, turning to face his second son, he continued, "It also means, if you want to kill someone, you do it somewhere your dad can't see or HEAR it." This time, it was Nao who fidgeted as if he tried to make himself invisible in front of his father.
Asami paused to let his words sink into his sons' head. The tension was thick in the air as he stared silently at the twins. Both boys didn't even dare to look at Asami in the eyes.
"Do I make myself clear, boys?"
"Yes, father. It won't happen again," Nao answered quickly.
"We promised," Rikiya added with determination in his face.
"Good. Now, don't forget to clean up your own mess. Make sure you both take care of that new teacher of yours. Next time I hear your dad panicking over this matter, I won't be this lenient."
Looking at their father with respect in their eyes, his sons nodded obediently.
Praying that his sons had learnt their lesson and would be more responsible in the future, Asami shrugged. Being a father could be difficult sometimes. But it was definitely worth every second.