Against The Wall

by edana.azu

(Sequel of The Perfect Love Affair) Asami and Akihito were drifting apart. Their children were facing issues of their own. Enemies were just around the corner. And someone wanted to bring Asami down. They did everything they could to save their little family. But there were just too many dirty secrets. And not enough trust.

10. Chapter 10 The Angel of Mercy

Disclaimer: VF belongs to YA

Warning: Torture and violent. Might not suitable for the kind hearted. Grammar issue, as usual.

Previous Story

After years living relatively in peace with Akihito, their 15 years old twin sons, and their 11 years old daughter, Asami Ryuichi was now pressured from all sides: the government wanted to put him behind the bars, the Takamiya Group took every opportunity to expand their grip in Japan, and an anonymous newcomer had entered the market with the grim determination to be the top dog.

In order to avoid an all out war, Asami had agreed to marry Rikiya, his eldest son, to Takamiya's daughter, a beautiful young woman with nasty personality. But the problem didn't stop there. His husband, oblivious to the dangerous politics in the underworld, had defied his power in front of his son's fiancee before mocking Asami's love like it barely worth shit. Liu Tao, his second-in-command, without Asami knowing, had his own agenda and plans. And Nao, his younger son, had begun doubting his decisions.

In the end, there was just too many secrets. And not enough trust.

---

Chapter 11. The Angel of Mercy

"Stay away from the family, don't speak to any of them unless you are spoken to, or I will beat you down myself. Better me than the Angel of Mercy, brat. Trust me, you'd thank me after that." - The very first advice given by the head of the Asami household's security team, during a training for newbies

Nao immediately spotted the well-built man who was trailing him like a love-struck stalker. The man was at his early forties, nearly bald, wearing shabby black suit and unremarkable shirt like those worn by million other office workers in Tokyo. He stole a wary glance at Nao every now and then, although he pretended playing with his phone like everybody else in this smartphone era. When Nao started walking down the street, the man followed from a safe distance, doing his best to look like he belonged to his surrounding, yet not quite succeeded. It was so funny Nao almost laughed.

To be fair, the man wasn't that bad at his job. In fact, Nao was sure the man had some experience. Perhaps he was a freelancer or a private detective. Had Nao been a normal person, he wouldn't notice the man shadowing his every move all day. But Nao was trained since young by the best killers out there. Uncle Feilong and Tao-niisan had personally taught him the importance of being alert and observant, especially when in a crowd. It would be an insult to his mentors if this man, whoever he was, thought that he could stalk Nao without getting caught.

Nao carefully made sure that the man wasn't one of their own before he reported the situation to Tao-niisan. He quickly volunteered to torture the man for information, but to his surprise, his mentor had another idea. Tao-niisan believed that it might be more useful if Nao acted as if he hadn't noticed that he was being followed for at least a two to three days. "Maybe we can learn something from him. Dispose him anytime you feel there is nothing we can gain here," Tao-niisan explained, sounding surprisingly amused when Nao complained about taking such a roundabout way to gain information. And that was how Nao ended up with this goon following him everywhere for the last few days.

If Nao had to be honest, it was quite entertaining. At least, in the beginning. Like a tiger playing with its preys before devouring them alive, Nao led the poor man all over town. Purposely, he took the oddest and most difficult path and stairway, just to torture the unsuspecting man. His angelic smile grew nastier every time he saw the man struggling just to keep Nao in his sight.

The next day, Nao visited woman underwear section in an upscale department store. He told the nice shop assistant that he was looking for a gift for his sweetheart. Deliberately, he spent hours browsing through all the different types of lingerie while trying his best not to burst out laughing like an idiot as the man fidgeted as he stood outside the shop.

The day after that, he led the man to the love hotels district, where the clueless man had to watch Nao flirting endlessly to boys, girls, men, women, and literally everyone in between. Nao might be a virgin, unlike his lady-killer twin brother, but he knew how to use his charm when needed and he wasn't above using it for his personal amusement. And every time the man threw a disgusted glare his way, Nao's grin grew wider.

In general, it had been a fun few days. Nao hadn't felt this relax since the quarrel between his father and dad had begun.

Today, however, nothing was funny anymore.

It was Saturday and while Nao was more of a homebody, the atmosphere in the house was bad enough that he didn't think staying at home would be a good idea. Rikiya had a date with his stupid 'girlfriend', Mizuki was invited to her friend's house for lunch, and his dad rarely came out of his bedroom since the quarrel had started. Nao wasn't going to spend the beautiful autumn day alone in his room so he decided to go out playing with his guileless 'stalker' before disposing him. It was already the fourth day, after all, and it began to feel boring.

He was about to leave the house when Tao-niisan called him. Even with a simple phone call, Tao-niisan could still make Nao's heart race in a blink. He shut his eyes, silently counting into five before answering the call, hoping that his voice was steady enough not to betray his chaotic breathings.

"My office. Now." was the only thing Tao-niisan said before hanging up.

Nao scowled at the now silent phone in his hand. There goes his plan for a fun day.

---

Tao-niisan's office was located a few floors below his father's. While only a handful of highly trusted employees had the privilege to enter the private floor where his father's office was located, Tao-niisan's office was open for all managerial level, business associates, and prospective partners. It was part of Tao-niisan's job as Sion Group's Chief Operations Officer whose one of many tasks was to oversee the day-to-day activities of the entire organization. More often than not, those guests would linger at the lobby on niisan's floor. But today, it was mostly empty and quiet.

Nao sent a charming smile to the receptionist lady behind the front desk. Unlike her predecessor who had been eager to attract the attention of the boss' bastard sons, hoping that Nao and Rikiya would be all naïve and pliant, this lady was very polite. She was in her mid-forties and she often chatted with Nao when he waited for his turn to meet Tao-niisan.

"Liu-sama has been waiting for you, Nao-sama," she said kindly as she led him to Tao-niisan's office. With a soft smile and graceful bow, she knocked, opened the heavy door for him, announced his arrival to Tao, and stepped aside to let him enter the room.

"Thank you, Amori-san," said Nao as he passed her smaller figure.

The office was spacious, although slightly smaller than his father's. Both gave similar high-class vibe but Nao always found Tao-niisan's to be far more clinical. There wasn't any personal touch in this room. The colours were the general combination of light grey, soft black and dusky blue that represented Sion Group's branding. The books and magazines that were placed artistically around the room were those nondescript ones that didn't reflect any of Tao-niisan's interest. There wasn't any photo on the table or sentimental memento on the shelf along the sidewall, not even a desk nameplate to give a clue of to whom this office room belonged to. A stranger could claim this room as his and no one would be able to prove otherwise.

"Because only idiots with a death wish willingly put hints about their life, moreover photos of their loved ones, in a place accessible by strangers," Tao-niisan had explained once. "And unlike your father, I need to entertain various people in my office, most of them I've just met for the first time."

That explanation had been followed by a brief lecture about the danger of social media. It was succinct to say that Tao-niisan didn't approve the concept of sharing one's activities and details, moreover whining about one's life tragedy, in the internet. The older man believed it wasn't only a waste of time, but also a tasteless habit from which one had to grow out of by the time one knew how to breath.

Listening to the stern warning, Nao had been extremely tempted to shove his dad's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, not to mention a personal website that was showcasing his dad's skill as a photographer and listing all the different contact channels to contact/hire Takaba Akihito, to Tao-niisan's face. Nao was deadly curious to see whether his mentor would dare declaring his dad's infatuation with the internet as 'a tasteless habit' or 'a waste of time', as Tao-niisan had so nicely put, but his survival instinct told him to keep his trap shut. In the eyes of Liu Tao, each member of the entire human race had faults one way or another; every single one but Nao's dad.

Besides, Tao-niisan surely knew that his dad was exploiting the internet in the name of fine-art photography. And if Tao-niisan had decided to let it be, Nao'd better obey.

The sad irony which always made Nao torn between wanting to smile and needing to scream was the beautiful photograph capturing Tokyo cityscape during sunset, which decorated the wall behind Tao-niisan's wide desk. It was printed in full-colour on 2 by 3 meters of high-quality canvass. The theme of the photograph was generic, although the angle was definitely unique, which was typical of those artworks hung in high-class office buildings. There was neither signature nor plate to identify the photographer. Nao doubted anyone would suspect that the photograph had more meaning that a mere office decoration. But, Nao knew better. It was one of his dad's unpublished photographs, a gift for Tao-niisan that neither his dad nor his mentor had ever mentioned, an exclusive joke meant to be shared just between the two close friends. Anyone who was familiar with his dad's artworks would recognise it from the distinctive style: the strong contrast between the bright colours and the soft lighting emphasising the vocal point of the picture. Tao-niisan treasured the photograph with the ferocity of a man protecting the purity of his precious daughter. Every time his mentor made a quick glance towards the artwork, those black eyes would soften slightly with hidden tenderness, obvious only to Nao's watchful eyes. It was a harsh reminder that even a man as powerful as Liu Tao succumbed to the temptation of having a piece of his loved one close by his side all day long, no matter how often Tao-niisan told Nao and his brother not to show any attachment to anything to public.

Today, it wasn't the still photograph behind the desk that captured Nao's attention as he entered the room, but the lean, athletic man who stood casually besides Tao-niisan in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. The unfamiliar man was most probably in his late twenties. Wearing plain white t-shirt, casual dark blue suit, tight fitted jeans and polished Italian shoes, he looked like he just stepped out of a fashion magazine. The combination of his olive toned skin with light brown hair proudly announced his mixed background. Sure, there was the possibility that he had coloured his hair, but such vanity just didn't seem to fit the air of carefreeness that the man portrayed. The way he brought himself told Nao that this stranger was an easygoing person, yet wasn't one to be underestimated. He had a face of one full of quiet confidence; he didn't seem to be an arrogant man, simply one who knew what he wanted in life. And from the look of it, he had more than enough money to make sure he got what he wanted.

When Nao entered, the man was laughing flirtatiously at something Tao-niisan had said, then he noticed Nao's arrival and turned to look at Nao with mirth in his hazel eyes. Nao's stomach churned at the realisation of how similar those hazel eyes with his own. Except, this man was almost blond like his dad, while Nao's hair was pure black like a raven. Hazel eyes and nearly blond hair. Damnit, Nao didn't believe in coincidence. Did Tao-niisan-

"Ah, finally, here you are, Nao," Tao-niisan greeted Nao with one of his lazy smile hanging on his lips, automatically stopping Nao's thought mid-sentence.

The easy grin meant that Tao-niisan was in a good mood and usually, he would be more generous in giving Nao his attention. Nao loved it when Tao-niisan was relaxed like this. But today, it irritated Nao simply because the most probable reason for that good mood was this unknown stranger.

"Well, someone ordered me to come without even caring what I was doing," he automatically answered in his bratty tone, knowing that it would irk the older man. But being in such a good mood, Tao-niisan merely raised an eyebrow at the disrespectful attitude and that was all the reaction that Nao got for his effort.

"Come." Tao-niisan waited patiently until Nao was just a few steps away from the two of them. "I'd like to introduce you to a good, old friend of mine, Alex."

Nao waited, but there was no further explanation. Just Alex. No last name. No details. No background story. Just a good, old friend.

"Alex, this is Asami Naoyuki-kun," Tao-niisan said while turning to face his good, old friend.

Alex's plump lips curled into a perfect smile that made him look like those perfect good guys in Hollywood movies, showing a glimpse of perfect white teeth, and he shook Nao's hand warmly with the perfect squeeze and perfect amount of eye contact. Was there anything about this guy that wasn't perfect?

"Nao is my distant cousin and apprentice," Tao-niisan continued with a chuckle, placing his solid arm around Nao's shoulders.

Ouch. A distant cousin. And an apprentice. Was that all? Not even a friend?

"Ah, I see," Alex answered in fluent Japanese, although he had a thick foreign accent that Nao couldn't recognize. "It is nice to meet you, Nao dear."

For a brief second, Nao didn't say anything, too annoyed to react, but a more forceful squeeze on his shoulder reminded him of his manner. A mask of cheerfulness fell into place as he nodded with an equally warm "It is nice to meet you too, Alex-san."

Unlike his twin brother, who projected the aura of strength and confident that made people instinctively treated Rikiya like an adult, Nao tended to give the impression of innocence that persuaded people to instantly trust him. He had quickly found that this persona was perfect for him. His captives thought that he would be more lenient if they gave him what he wanted. His enemies often underestimated him, which gave him the advantage of striking them when they expected it the least. His victims became easy targets since they were oblivious to the danger that lurked for them, mistaking the openness in his face as a sign of naivety.

Right now, Nao was praying to every deity out there for this persona to disguise the raging jealousy that burned deep within him. There would be nothing more humiliating than displaying his insecurities in front of this stranger, like a puppy baring its belly in submission to an alpha dog.

"You aren't like what I thought you would be," Alex commented, staring at Nao as if the man was assessing a cattle to buy and finding it lacking. The mere thought of this man looking down on him was maddening. But thankfully, Nao's angel-like smile didn't falter.

"And why would I care about what you thought, Alex-san?" His warm expression and perfectly polite tone contradicted the rudeness of his words.

Tao-niisan's chuckle was unexpected. His mentor rubbed Nao's arm tenderly, as if Tao-niisan was proud of his response. It confused Nao. What did that chuckle even mean? Were the two older men actually not as close as Nao had initially thought?

Nao's hardly veiled rudeness didn't affect Alex in the slightest. The other man looked thoughtful before answering casually, not caring at all how his words might distress his younger acquaintance, "You are a boy, sweetie, not even a man yet. Despite being a very pretty one, I have to admit."

Sweetie? Seriously, did this guy just call him sweetie? What. The. Fuck.

"Well, you aren't the first person who told me that and you won't be the last," Nao replied with a deeper smile. He knew his tone grew melodious; softer, lighter, tenderer. Those who were familiar with his patterns knew that Nao was all bark and no bite when he was tense. It was when his body rapidly relaxed, his stance open, his smile adorable and his expression serene that they needed to be worried. He didn't actually do it on purpose. It was an instinctive reaction his body did when Nao was mad beyond reason, as if his body naturally knew that it needed to save the energy for when Nao made his hit. "But, my pretty face is still intact. I can't say the same for those who commented about my pretty face."

Alex laughed as if Nao had just made a joke. "Awww, such a fierce, scary pup. Did you slap them with those skinny hands, pup?"

Nao fumed inside. He wasn't a pup, a sweetie, or whatever. And he wasn't skinny! He mightn't be bulky but he had muscles just fine. And he had never slapped anyone. He found slapping tasteless. There would hardly be any sound of breaking bones or smell of blood when you slapped someone. It would most probably just hurt your hand. So, what was the point?

He was about to show this man what he had done to those people who commented about his face when he noticed two strong fingers pressing the nerve point at his nape. In his fury, Nao didn't even notice when Tao-niisan had moved his hand from around Nao's shoulders to the back of his neck. Tao-niisan's fingers only made a light pressure on Nao's skin now, the thumb gently stroking the skin. Alex would never think twice about the casual touch, oblivious to the tension in the air. But Nao knew from experience that it would only take a second for Tao-niisan to make Nao scream in pain, or even lost consciousness. Unlike Alex the civilian, Nao recognized his mentor's quiet caress for what it was. A silent warning.

Without hesitation, Nao ignored the overwhelming urge to draw blood and settled for a light remark, "Something like that."

"Come on, Alex. Give the kid a break. He is 15. He'll grow in no time," Tao-niisan defended him, but there was an obvious layer of amusement in Tao-niisan's voice. And the fingers on Nao's nape didn't move even a millimetre, steady and ready to strike whenever Nao decided to overstep his limit. Talk about mixed signals.

"I am not a kid," was what Nao said automatically before he could stop himself. Shit, now he truly sounded like a kid. A whiny one.

Alex laughed harder and even Tao-niisan joined him. Tao-niisan's body shook in amusement. Nao hated him for this, for laughing at Nao in front of a stranger. But all that anger quickly melted away when Tao-niisan pulled him closer, their bodies touching, Nao's right side to Tao-niisan's left side. He could feel the heat from the older man's body and the strength of the arm that rested casually behind his back. He wanted to circle his own arm around Tao-niisan's waist, but he ordered his traitorous body to stay still.

"Alex is on business trip. He will leave Japan tonight and he wants to see a bit of Tokyo city life before he leaves. Unfortunately, I already have a commitment until late afternoon. Show him around and I will meet you guys at the airport around 8PM, okay?"

Honestly? No, Nao wasn't okay at all. It wasn't his problem if Alex didn't have a friend who could bring him around. But, even as his brain silently yelled a big no inside his head, his mouth uttered a loud and clear, "Of course, Tao-niisan."

That was when Nao realised that he was beyond help. Tao-niisan could ask him to strip naked and run around the city in his birthday suit, and most probably, all Nao would say was, "How many laps, Tao-niisan?"

---

"So, where do you want to go?" Nao asked as Alex manoeuvred the rented car through Saturday morning traffic. Nao had expected a guy who looked like the world's top model to rent a flashy sport car. Something like a Ferrari or Lamborghini, perhaps. But Alex had rented a plain, although very comfortable, urban car. Did that mean the guy wasn't as rich as Nao had assumed? Or was he trying to blend? "Tokyo tower? Imperial Palace? Disneyland?"

Alex snorted at the suggestion. Instead of giving a straight answer, Alex asked back, "Where do you want to go? Do you have any plan today?"

The innocent question reminded Nao of his faithful stalker. He sent a quick glance at the rearview mirror. Predictably, there was a familiar nondescript Toyota sedan trailing from a safe distance. Nao made a mental note to keep a more vigilant watch over his dedicated stalker, especially since he now had Tao-niisan's friend to consider. There would be no way he'd disappoint Tao-niisan by putting Alex in harm's way, no matter how annoying the man was.

"You mean, did I have any plan today before you messed it up?" Nao couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice. It was harder to behave when Tao-niisan wasn't there to watch him.

His honest question made Alex laugh. As annoyed as he was with Alex, Nao was surprised to find that he liked the jovial laugh. It was rich and pleasant, like it came from deep within Alex's broad chest, and it sounded so sincere it was hard to remember the man's rude remarks.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean," Alex replied with a grin on his face. "I am not interested in tourist attractions, pup. If I want to go there, I will join a tour instead."

Nao tilted his head, thinking. Maybe, if he played his cards well, he could kill two birds with one stone. His lips curled into one nasty grin as he gave direction to Alex.

They found a parking space in one of the building nearby and decided to walk the short distance to the shop. Nao didn't bother to explain where they were going to and Alex said nothing as they strode in a relatively civilised silence. A few casual glances assured Nao that his stalker was still dutifully following him. This guy was quite persistent, Nao had to give him that. Either he was a very obedient goon or he got paid well by whoever sent him.

Or his life would be in danger if he ever failed to get whaetever his boss wanted from Nao.

Nao ignored his stalker for now and paid more attention to leading Alex to their destination. To Alex's credit and Nao's dissapointment, Alex stayed cool as they entered one of the most popular themed café for girls in Tokyo.

The young woman, who was supposed to greet the customer, looked up at them, a welcoming smile ready on her face. She did a double take at two man, one was clearly an adult, who approached her like they were walking into a gentlemen's club. Mostly for his entertainment, Nao specifically asked for a table in the most girlish theme room the shop had. It would make both Alex and his stalker stand out like rotten teeth, easier for Nao to keep track of them.

The girl who showed them their table was clearly flirting with Alex, perhaps hoping to hook up with this seemingly wealthy foreigner. Nao ignored her, choosing a seat that would place his back against the wall. His position gave him an advantageous view of the entire place. With no excessive movement, he studied the layout of the room, listing down all escape routes in case of emergency. A quick observation of the guests proved that, aside from his stupid stalker who had followed them inside because apparently he couldn't afford to have Nao escaping from any back door, everyone else seemed normal and harmless. Most were girls, squealing and laughing with voices as light as summer breeze.

Nao found most females endearing, although he had no desire to go beyond appreciating their beauty from a distance. He was gay, for fuck's sake. There was no way he would be interested in any female in a sexual way. He didn't think females were weak. Just look at Little Moon or Haruka-san, both were strong enough to kick his ass, one way or another. But despite their strength, there was something heartwarming in their softer edges, a gentler nature that reminded him of home. Or of his dad, to be precise.

Not that his dad behaved or looked anything like a woman, of course. His dad was as manly as any other guy, not overly muscular but lean and athletic, resilient like the ocean, and chivalrous like a well-bred gentleman. But along with all those qualities, his dad was also the one with the gentler disposition between his parents. Asami Akihito was the soothing fire that kept the whole family warm in this cold, unforgiving world. His father might have taught him everything about the power that would help him to not only survive, but also win the game of life. But it was his dad who taught Nao everything about appreciating life and how to not lose himself in the race to the top. Because what was the point of winning if you didn't enjoy it in the end?

"I guess, this is to be expected. Although no one would guess just by looking at your appearance and attitude," Alex's voice brought Nao's mind back to his current situation. The man was perusing the menu with a frown in his face. Nao had noticed more than a dozen girls stealing a glance or two at them, before giggling to their friends and pretending they didn't ogle after the two good looking men sitting a few tables away.

Nao raised an eyebrow, curious. "What's to be expected?"

"Your feminine side, sweetie."

Now, if that wasn't a sexist comment, Nao didn't know what it was. "Why, Alex-san? Does all the pastel colors hurt your machismo?"

Alex gave him a cool look, but his voice was clearly displaying his annoyance when he said, "It is just a comment based on my brief observation. And I didn't mean it in regards of this place. Could you please stop being so emotional over my every word and just take it as it is?"

What a nerve! Nao couldn't fucking believe it. A single blow was all Nao needed to kill Alex and the man dared saying such words to him. Of course, Alex wouldn't know that Nao was a trained killer, which made his reckless bravado understandable. Still, the man's attitude was so maddening it was tempting to drag him to the restroom and gave him a taste of Nao's 'skinny' hands.

"Please explain then," Nao challenged with an easy smile. "Because I am afraid I don't understand, Alex-san."

Alex didn't reply right away. Instead, he shoved the menu aside and asked, "Don't this place have normal tea?"

Nao smile grew wider. "Is their tea too girlish for you?"

His teasing didn't bother Alex a bit. "I just don't fancy flavoured tea with weird naming," Alex said calmly.

Without missing his smile, Nao waved for the waiting waitress to take their order.

"One ring plate with strawberry macaroon and one necklace plate with rose cupcake," Nao ordered, enjoying the way Alex winced at the prospect of eating that much sugar for brunch. "Do you want anything, Alex-san?"

"Just any tea that you will recommend for me, please?" Alex gave the blushing waitress a smile that would melt even royals.

"And hot café latte for me, please," Nao added cheerfully. "Extra sugar." Alex winced once again at the mention of sugar and Nao considered it a win.

The waitress bowed shyly before leaving them alone.

"So? Care to explain?"

Alex sighed. "And if I explain, you will take it personally again. You put too much emotion into everything, dear. It isn't healthy."

Could this foreigner get any ruder? And what was that with all the pet names? Couldn't he address people normally by using their freaking names like every other freaking person?

"Well, I am sorry for that. If it helps, I can call Tao-niisan and tell him that you find me too feminine to accompany your macho self? Perhaps, he can find you a more masculine escort." That would be perfect. Tao-niisan wouldn't blame Nao if Alex made a judgmental complain like that. Tao-niisan might even defend him. Might be. Hopefully. For a brief second, Nao indulged himself with the fantasy of Tao-niisan beating Alex into a pulp in order to protect Nao's honor. Not that Nao needed anyone to protect his honor. He himself could do that just fine. Still, it was a nice fantasy.

Alex snorted. "I don't mind your company, sweetie. Honestly, I find you cute, like a small puppy that keeps barking for attention."

Nao was too angry to even give a proper reply. He merely smiled without a word, but his hazel eyes had turned icier.

"And, you just took offence of my compliment again."

Nao let out a bitter laugh. "Was that a compliment? Really? Have any of your lover complained about your lack of common sense? I kinda pity them."

Alex answered in a stride, "None of my lovers has ever complained about my lack of anything, pup." Then, with a mischievous glint in those hazel eyes which reminded Nao of his own dad's, Alex continued, "Not even your precious Tao-niisan."

---

Nao saw red.

Everything slowed down around him. His senses sharpened to a point that he had never thought possible. His ears heard every single voices in the room, drowned only by his own heartbeats. His eyes detected the tiniest movement. And yet his brain didn't get overwhelmed by all that information.

There was no feral rage. No madness. Instead, he felt calm and focused, as grounded as the earth itself. His heartbeat was steady, his breathing was deep and slow, and his body was relax. He took his wallet, then threw more money than what they needed to pay to the table as he stood, moving with such efficiency, no energy wasted in unnecessary action.

Alex stared at him with a strange expression on his face, but slowly, he stood to follow Nao. Somewhere in the background, he heard the waitress calling after them, asking whether everything was okay. Alex told the poor girl some nonsense about having to go. Nao didn't care. He left the cafe without looking back to check whether Alex and his so-called stalker were coming after him or not. He didn't need to. He knew by instinct that they did, just like a predator knew that its prey could do nothing but to fall into its sweet trap.

With every step, Nao's cruel brain supplied him with various ideas of which part of Alex that Tao-niisan had found not lacking. Was it his manhood? Had his nii-san sucked Alex? The thought of his strong, powerful nii-san kneeling in front of the wimpy Alex, sucking Alex's huge member, boiled Nao's blood. Worse, what if Alex had fucked Tao-niisan? Not that Nao knew for sure how big Alex's cock was. Geez, maybe it was super tiny. Imagining Alex with a tiny cock made him feel better for a second. But if Tao-niisan hadn't found it lacking, it meant that it should be at least above average, right?

And how dare Alex to claim Tao-niisan as his lover? Tao-niisan slept around with pretty boys and men, sure. It wasn't exactly a secret, although everyone, with the exception of his dad, was polite enough not to point it out. But, never once Tao-niisan claimed any of those whores as lover, moreover keeping in contact with them. Tao-niisan loved no one but Asami Akihito. His mentor literally worshipped the very path his dad walked on, as if his dad was a miracle from God himself. Such was Tao-niisan's love that he would obey the order to stand guard outside the door when the person he loved was being fucked by another man inside the room, as long as Nao's dad came out of that room with a smile as wide as the rainbow. Nao knew because he had witnessed it himself once, when his father thought he wasn't around. And for a man who was used to getting everything that he wanted like Tao-niisan, this sacrifice spoke volume about his feeling towards Nao's dad.

Well, his dad, he could still accept. If there was one person in this world that Nao loved more than his niisan, it was his dad. His dad was the one person who stayed by his bed, holding his hand, even with a tired smile, whenever he was sick. Despite juggling between work, a demanding husband, and two other growing children, his dad came to every school event, cooked his favourite food whenever he felt down, held him tight in a bear hug as he cried after he'd lost in the regional basketball competition, and took his side when his father had thought that playing basketball was a waste of time. Everyone else in this world might hurt him one day. Even his father had sold Rikiya, the eldest son and heir, to the Takamiyas just to avoid loss. And Rikiya had defended that bitch rather than Nao. But not his dad. His dad would never do anything that would hurt him. And for that, Nao loved the man like nothing else.

Then, Alex had claimed that Tao-niisan had loved Alex like a lover. Like how Tao-niisan loved his dad? Bollocks. Alex's idea of love was so shallow Nao wanted to laugh. The man didn't even know what he was talking about. Alex was nothing but another whore in niisan's long list of flings. If sex was equal to love, the brothel would be holier than high heaven. The notion was so wrong Nao just couldn't stand it.

He needed to right this wrong, to punish Alex for even thinking that Liu Tao had deemed him a lover once upon a time. But how? No, he couldn't just kill Alex. Tao-niisan would get furious. So, how could he teach Alex a lesson without upsetting his niisan? Shit. At times like this, he hoped he had Rikiya's brain.

It was then when he got an idea. He stopped for a moment in front of a small path leading towards a public toilet that he had noticed on the way to the cafe. Without a word, he began walking to the entrance of the small building that smelled like months of urine and vomit. The main door was slightly broken. There was no way Nao would touch that disgusting handle voluntarily. So, he merely kicked the wooden door open.

"What are we doing here?" Alex asked, grimacing at the cracked mirror and stained floor. The man stepped carefully around a pool of suspiciously filthy water.

Nao observed the small window at the back of the small restroom. The window was just big enough for a person his size to sneak through it. And he knew by now that the goon who had been following him wouldn't take the risk of him running away from the back window. He just needed to be patient and wait.

"Just stand or sit somewhere out of my way," he murmured absentmindedly.

Alex snorted. "And why should I do that here?"

The older man made a move to get out of the stinking place, but Nao was faster. Much faster. He grabbed Alex's forearm so hard until the man winced in sharp pain. The hazel eyes that Nao knew Tao-niisan loved so much were now void of certainty, replaced by shock and confusion.

"You asked about my plan earlier," Nao explained calmly with an endearing smile. "I decided to let you participate in it." He tilted his head, staring at Alex smugly because this decision was such a gracious gesture that deserved the greatest appreciation. Alex would not only learn his lesson but also experience something that could finally spark some excitement in his ordinary, boring life, and he'd better thank Nao for it.

"What do you m-"

Alex's question was halted when the door creaked open. The big man, his faithful stalker, walked inside while pretending to look for a urinal to pee. Just like Nao had predicted. It was so easy he almost laughed.

"What is this, pup?" Alex sounded alarmed now, peeking a glance at the man who tried his best to feign ignorance while pissing. His niisan's friend was clearly worried. "Are you planning to meet anyone here? To do…things?"

Oh. My. God. Nao chortled at Alex's naivety. Did the man truly think that Nao would…what? Sell himself to some disgusting old geezer just to earn more pocket money? Buy drugs? When was the last time Nao saw such innocence in a grown man other than his dad? It was quite adorable, actually.

Alex raised an eyebrow at Nao's gleeful laugh. "This isn't funny," Alex whispered through gritted teeth. "You would do no such things. I won't allow you to disappoint Tao in such a way!"

He roughly pulled Alex closer until their faces were merely inches from each other's. "Do what, Alex-san? I don't understand."

Now, he could see fear blooming in Alex's eyes. "What are you doing, Nao-kun?" Alex's smooth voice raised a few octave out of dismay, unsteady by the end of the question. Perhaps, Alex had noticed Nao's frightening stillness. But more than anything, the change from those silly pet names to his own pleased Nao more than he wanted to admit.

Nao stood with confidence now. His expression was as sure as a man knowing he was a dead cert to win. His lips bore the semblance of a smile, just enough to make his expression look angelic. His mind was quiet, keeping such a tight control of the storm of energy that might overwhelm any other person. He was in his element, and Alex would soon learn how undeserved he was of Tao-niisan's love.

"I am doing what I was planning to do today, Alex-san, before you made me change my plan," Nao said before pushing the confused man against the dirty wall. "And I am giving you the front seat to watch. Be grateful."

By then, the man who had been shadowing him was staring at them with concern in his eyes. Surely he didn't want to report to his boss, whoever that was, that the rich teenager he should have been following was dead. "Hey, kid…anything wrong? Need help?"

Fool. Nao wasn't the weakling who needed help.

In mere seconds, Nao released Alex, knowing the older man was too stunned to do anything other than gaping in shock, and lashed out at the other man in the room. Surprised, the giant staggered backward in quick steps. But Nao's hand quickly shot out, seizing the man's shirt and turning his huge body around to block his exit.

The man was dazed for a moment but then his self-preservation held back up. He instantly fixed his stance and threw his body weight behind the fist that flied towards Nao's face. Nao skilfully dodged the man's fist and came up with his own. He ignored the pain that shot up his arm as his knuckles collided with the man's nose. The sound of broken bones was loud, and soon, his own fist was covered by fresh blood.

'Rule number one: maximise their fear. The first blow must hit the most critical part. Make it brutal and quick,' Tao-niisan had explained during one of his earliest trainings. 'Dehumanise them. Destroy their confidence. Build the terror. Remember, uncontrollable fear weakens even the strongest warriors.'

So, that was what Nao always did. Swift. Vicious. And often, dirty. When it came to neutralising threat, Nao didn't care about honour or code. Kill or be killed. There was no glory in death.

The man let out such a whining howl that didn't fit his sturdy image. It seems he was nothing but a common thug. So disappointing. Nao had expected more of a challenge.

Grasping his broken nose, the big goon screamed in rage, "I'll smash your pretty fucking face!" Which sounded more like "Awll smash yar frity fucking fess!" so Nao couldn't be entirely sure that that was what the man had yelled at him.

Whatever. It didn't matter. As the furious man lunged towards him, Nao used the brute force behind the attack against the man himself. Never losing his smile, he sidestepped and the man stumbled. Then, with both his hands, one was bloody and bruised, Nao calmly grasped the man's head and brought his knee up to the man's face. There was a terrifyingly blunt crack and another loud cursing behind him, which had to be Alex's, but Nao ignored it all. He grabbed the thug's black hair, pulled him back before slamming him hard against the broken mirror on the wall. Yellow teeth fell from the man's mouth like rain drops. Another bang against the mirror. Again. And again. And again. Until blood was all over the sink and Alex's voice telling Nao to stop became annoyingly unbearable.

Calmly, Nao let the man fall to the floor, nearly unconscious, but not quite. He took deep breaths to gain some balance after the adrenaline rush. His fists slowly unclenched as he observed the man grovelling at his feet.

A hand fell on his shoulder. Alex. "Leave him be," the older man said. "Please. Let's go."

But Nao wasn't done yet. Not even close. He needed to make sure Alex had learned that a weakling who couldn't even stomach this much of violence had no place beside Tao-niisan.

He brushed off Alex's hand. Humming softly, as if he was merely washing the dishes and not manhandling a half-dead man, Nao took a pair of disposable gloves and cable tie that he always brought everywhere in his back pocket. He wore the gloves, because touching blood directly just wasn't safe and he'd prefer to be safe than sorry, before securing the man's thumbs together behind his back The man moved but was too much in pain to fight.

"Nao, what are you doing?" Alex sounded a little bit panic now.

Nao chuckled. He wasn't sure how much Alex knew about Tao-niisan's work, but Nao knew for a fact that Tao-niisan didn't hide who he was and what he did for a living from any of his whores, although none would have any specific details. So, if Alex was truly one of Tao-niisan's exes, he would have some ideas on one level or another of what kind of things Tao-niisan had to face every day.

He glanced at Alex over his shoulder as he dragged the giant towards the further back of the building, positioning the injured man against the wall. "Isn't it obvious? I am working," he answered with a grin.

"Worki-" Alex didn't even bother to finish what he was about to say. "Fucking hell, Nao-kun! Are you insane?"

Nao ignored him. Instead, he knelt in front of the stupid good and slapped his cheek roughly. "Wake up."

"Uhgg," the man struggled to open one of his swollen eyes.

"What's your name?" Nao asked.

Despite his bloody face, the man still managed to spit at Nao. "Fuck you."

Nao smiled. In calculated and deliberate movement, he took his folding knife from his pocket. The imported, military-standard knife was a gift from his father, given on the day of his first kill. The handle was customised for the left-handed since Nao's right hand was often too unstable for a steady hold. It was made of titanium, lightweight and durable, with a finger hole that allowed Nao to easily open the knife with a mere flick of his thumb, making the expensive knife extremely effective in a fight.

The man's eyes widened but he didn't say anything. Instead, the man sneered in a mocking 'don't hurt yourself, brat' look. That was okay. The least suspecting his victim was, the more enjoyable it was to break them.

"Fuck, Nao-kun," Alex's voice sounded high-pitched, as if he was suddenly having a problem to breath. The smooth tone now was replaced by uneasiness. Nerves. "I hope you know what you are doing." It was followed by another litany of "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

Nao shook his head, the edges of his lips curled into a playful smile. Who is the sissy one now, huh?

"Just stay where you are and you'll be fine, Alex-san. I can't guarantee anything if you ever try to run."

Without waiting for a reply, he stood and looked around. There was a closet at the corner of the room which, Nao was guessing, contained the cleaning tools. He opened it and found a dirty piece of cloth and a roll of duct tape. It would do.

He plugged one of the sink, filling it with water from the tap, and soaked the filthy piece of fabrics in it. He needed it wet. It would add another level of suffering for his prisoner because it would be harder to breath with a mouth filled with wet fabric. The water quickly turned slightly brownish from all the dirt that had been accumulated on the disgusting thing, but it didn't matter. A dead man wouldn't care about hygiene. He squeezed the cloth, not caring enough to make sure it was completely dry, before forcing his prisoner to open his jaw. With more strength than necessary, Nao shoved the fabric inside the man's mouth, then secured the gag by covering the mouth with the tape.

The man struggled, but Nao just backhanded him across the jaw. His victim barely grunted. It would soon change because Nao was planning to make him sing like a bird. He grabbed the man's chin, moving his head left and right to closely inspect his newest toy for the first time. The man was average looking, nothing fancy, with scars here and there.

"Behave and everything will be easier for you," Nao told him, releasing the man to crumpled back against the wall.

With a growl, the man looked up and narrowed his eyes at him. Nao gave him an indulging pat, knowing that there was no need for a pissing match now. The man was his and all the arrogance that was still left in him would be broken to pieces soon. It was just a matter of time.

Years ago, Nao had been much more impatient and prideful. He had wanted to break his victim as soon as possible, to make them talk in a matter of minutes. But after so many interrogations and killings, and some painful physical hints from his niisan, he had learnt that taking his time would actually break them quicker. There was nothing more torturous for a man than waiting for the decision of his fate, wondering whether the pain would end because he had stopped breathing or because he had been allowed to see another sunrise. The longer they wait, they easier they break.

He flicked open his knife and before the man could guess what he was going to do, he peeled a slice of skin along the man's upper arm, just below the shoulder to right above his elbow. Blood quickly gushed out of the open wound and the man let out a howl that sounded more like a wild animal. The shock sent him into a temporary unconsciousness but Nao quickly snapped him back to reality by roughly slapping his cheek. The man opened his eyes with difficulties as Nao rubbed the now dead piece of flesh against the bigger man's face, painting the face with streaks of his own blood and disgusting fat that was previously hidden under the skin. It made the man flinch in fear and Alex gagged as if he was struggling to stop himself from vomiting all over the floor.

Nao didn't bother to be gentle when he removed the gag; the man hadn't earned any kindness yet. "Your name?"

His victim began to sweat now. Fresh terror was now filling his eyes as he looked back and forth between Nao and Alex, who now just stood timidly at the furthest corner of the room, occasionally muttering some curses creative enough to make a whore blush.

Nao played with the gag in his hands. "I can repeat this as many times as needed, if you want to be unnecessarily stubborn."

But before the gag even touched the man's lips, his victim cried the answer quickly as if each word hurt his tongue. "Ito! M-my na-name…i-is Ito!"

"Aww, don't be so cold. We are going to spend some quality time together. Don't you think I deserve to know your given name?"

The man blinked twice before fixing his terrified gaze on Nao as if he was questioning Nao's sanity. Oh, well. Everyone was insane one way or another, anyway. Most people just had trouble admitting their darkest desire. Trapped in the cage of social expectation, they tried to suppress any 'inappropriate' behaviour just to gain their peers' approval. Nao just didn't care much about society and their approval. He didn't feel attached to a lot of things in this world, unlike most people. Few hold his interest and even fewer made him care enough to bother. It didn't make him a crazy. He believed 'a free spirit' was a better way to describe his inhibited nature, instead.

"H-hiro…"

"Ah, nice to finally talk to you, Hiro-san," he gave the man a charming smile. "I want to introduce myself, but you already know my name, don't you?"

"A-asami..Na-naoyuki."

He chuckled, "You can call me Nao-kun."

The man nodded with hesitance.

"Come on," Nao nudged the man's uninjured arm. "Try it."

Now, Hiro looked totally confused. Nao ignored the suspicious look thrown at him and instead, he waved his hands in the universal gesture of 'go on'.

"N-nao…kun."

"See? You can do it! I am so proud of you."

The poor man stared at Nao, getting more and more confused. Perhaps, he was wondering whether he had come into an alternative universe or something. Clearly, he was expecting pure violence that was the usual MO of the underground thugs. But as his dad always said, violence was too overrated. Using your fists isn't the only solution out there, his dad told them often. After years doing his role as an enforcer in Sion Group, Nao was now a firm believer of that notion, which was why he always combined gentle persuasion and manipulation in between torture.

"Now that we are friends, Hiro-san, I need you to tell me who sent you to follow me. And why."

"I-I d-don't…k-know."

Nao just stared at the man without a word for a whole minute, causing the man to fidget awkwardly.

"Open your mouth," he finally said.

The stubborn thug did the opposite instead. He pressed his lips closed tightly.

Nao waited patiently, and when there was no sign of the man obeying his command, he pressed his gloved fingers into the open wound on the man's arm. The man made a close-mouthed scream.

"And here I thought we are friends. Why did you make me do this, Hiro-san?"

He pushed his knife to the man's thigh, near his crotch, preparing to peel more flesh there. But before Nao could even cut open the pants to get into the warm skin underneath, the man opened his mouth to yell in panic, begging him to stop.

"Good. Now, keep it open or I will continue my work down there."

The look of terror on the man's face was now unadulterated. It began to sink in his mind that he wasn't facing a spoiled teenager, nor a common thug, and his horror made him close his mouth slightly. Nao sighed, feigning regret and sadness, "I hate to do this as well, Hiro-san. But we both know that it must be done, don't we? So, you are going to keep your mouth open and I will do my best to make this easier. Okay?"

It was obvious that opening his mouth was the last thing Hiro-san wanted to do. But the pressure against his cock made him more pliant. Slowly, he opened his mouth again.

"Wider," Nao ordered coldly.

Tears started to fill the man's eyes as he opened his mouth wider.

When he was finally satisfied, Nao nodded approvingly, "That's it. Good man."

Then he shoved the dirty cloth back to the man's mouth and taped it again to keep it in place. The moment he realised what Nao was going to do to him, Hiro instinctively started to fight his way out of restraint again.

"Hiro-san," he warned. The man was in full blown panic he didn't even seem to hear Nao.

"Hiro-san!" He shouted to get the man's attention, roughly grabbing the wounded arm to emphasise his command. The man howled and thrashed around to get away, but he couldn't get out of his restraint. Nao waited for a while before continuing gently, "Calm down."

As always, his voice somehow calmed his prisoner. Tao-niisan had called it magic. Nao preferred to call it charm.

"Good man," he murmured as he stroked the man's uninjured side tenderly. "Calm down now."

He waited a few more moments before saying in an even gentler tone, "Now, take a deep breath, okay? Bite hard into the gag if you need to."

And without another warning, he began peeling a few more strips of skin from the man's torso. The screams that followed were muffled by the cloth and interrupted every now and then by more curses from Alex.

After throwing the fourth strips of skin onto the dirty floor, Nao took the cloth from the man's mouth again.

"Who, Hiro-san? Why?"

"I-I don't…" The man sobbed like a little girl. His breathing was rough, like every gulp of air was acid that burned his lungs. "Do-don't kn..ow. P-ple…ase."

Nao just gave him a smile, running his knuckles down the side of Hiro's now ruined chest almost in a loving way. He let the man take a couple of ragged breaths, before murmuring tenderly, "Please, Hiro-san." Nao kept his tone soft and sweet, a complete contrast from his action just a few minutes ago. "Don't make this harder for you. It hurts me to see you in such a pain."

"…s-swe..ar…ne-v..ver met…him," Hiro struggled just to utter those four words. "…k-know…no…thing…"

Nao sighed, more for the dramatic effect it caused rather than a show of real resignation. Long time ago, he had found that appearing sympathetic in front of his victims somehow helped. People wanted to believe that he didn't really want to torture them and then they would tell them things to make him stop.

This time, he didn't bother to ask Hiro to open his mouth. He forced Hiro's jaw to open and shoved the filthy cloth back inside. Forgoing the tape, he used his unstable right hand to keep the gag in place, while the other one held the knife close to the man's body.

"I am sorry, Hiro-san," he whispered, leaning once to give the man a chaste peck on the cheek. "I really, really don't want to do this. But you have given me no choice."

Hiro's eyes widened in horror. He began thrashing and screaming, but the sound was muffled by the fabric and Nao's weight on top of him made it impossible for the man to move away from his torturer.

"Now, as you might already know, this is going to hurt a little bit, but you better stay still." Nao placed the sharp side of his knife against Hiro's chest, a mere few inches away from the first set of wounds he had created. "We don't want me to cut more than I have to, do we?"

With one smooth motion, he peeled another 10 cm of skin from the man's torso, slowly revealing the raw meat below. More blood oozed from the cut, painting the man's body with more natural red paint. Hiro started to cry like a baby, tears streaming down his cheeks as he yelled and fought the restraint in vain.

Nao spread the blood on the man's pecs, giving him a gentle massage as if he wanted to please the man and not to kill him. When his long fingers brushed the injury, Hiro gave another loud, piercing shriek. Nao ignored the howl, and pressed his fingers harder on the open wounds. The body below him began to jerk in pure agony, a simple instinctive reaction to get away from the pain inflicted upon it. But there was no room for the man to run to.

"Take a deep breath, Hiro-san. Here comes another one."

There was another miserable cry as another slice of skin was removed from Hiro's muscled body. This time it was on his right pec, removing the nipple along with the skin Nao had just peeled. Nao threw the bloody flesh to the floor, not paying it even a second glance. It was nothing more than dog food now. Without stopping, he moved to the left one and did the same, triggering another muffled scream. The next slice just above Hiro's stomach made the man piss himself.

The smell of terror and suffering was thick in the air. The sense of power he had over this man's life made Nao fly so high like he had been injecting himself with the sweetest heroin. His father prohibited them from using drugs but if Nao ever tried one, he believed this would be how it felt. It was heady and addicting, quickly soothing his fury after knowing that Alex had slept with his niisan and called him a lover.

Despite feeling a little bit calmer, his mood was still sour. This past few weeks were particularly rough for him, with his parents' quarrel and his idiotic brother's incoming engagement. He wanted more violence, needed to punish someone, anyone, for everything that went wrong. He could continue unleashing his irritation on his prisoner, but too much bleeding would kill the man sooner than Nao wanted him to. And for now, Nao needed answer.

Nao gave the man a few minutes of break. When the man's cry slowly turned into a muffled sob, Nao pulled out the gag from his mouth again. The man's body was now slumped against Nao, and his head hung forward.

Nao run his hand through Hiro's black hair. His touch was tender as if he was trying to take away some of the man's pain. Hiro trembled under his caress, whimpering and shivering like a drenched cat under the heaviest rain. Snot, tears, sweats and blood covered his face, but the man didn't seem to care. Pulling him into a loose embrace, Nao let the bigger man lean against him, lending his strength to keep the man sitting somewhat properly. The man didn't even question his gentleness anymore.

Broken.

"Shh, it's okay, Hiro-san. It's over for now." Nao shushed him softly in the way a parent would comfort an upset child. "You did great."

The man's body was shaking. In fear or relief, Nao wasn't sure. It didn't matter anyway. Slowly, Nao rocked him back and forth, humming a childhood song that his dad had sung for him and his brother when they had been much younger, every time nightmares had woken them up in the middle of the night. Blood was smeared between their body, staining the white t-shirt Nao wore as well. But the steady movement seemed to calm the man a bit. So, it was worth the trouble.

"Please, Hiro-san," Nao murmured soothingly. "Tell me what you know so this will be all over."

For a brief moment, there was no answer and Nao resigned himsef for another session of flaying. But then he heard Hiro's pained grunts. The answer was so soft Nao thought he had heard it wrong. "…ya-yake..no..noka-kara…su…"

"Yakenonokarasu? Blacker than black?" he asked in confusion.

"T-that…he..call…ed…h-him…self…ple-please…know-ow…no m-more…"

The man who had paid Hiro to follow him was called Yakenonokarasu? Blacker than black? What kind of a fool using a cheesy name like that? And who was this man who dared to challenge Sion Group, moreover brave enough to send people to follow one of the Asamis? Was this guy somehow related to the turmoil in the underworld?

Nao pulled himself away so he could see Hiro's face clearly but he kept his hands loosely around Hiro's waist. His thumbs made absentminded circle patterns on the man's hips as he watched him closely. His intense observation was clearly unsettling for the man. He tried to look away from Nao.

"Look at me, Hiro-san," he commanded.

There was a slight hesitance, but then, slowly, the man looked at him like an obedient dog. "P…ple-please…"

"Have you ever met the man? This Yakenonokarasu?"

"I t-told y-"

Nao snapped and the big man cowered further away from him. It was funny actually watching the giant trying to burrow himself into the wall behind him, making his huge body as small and timid as possible to avoid Nao's wrath. "Just answer my question, Hiro-san. Yes or no?"

Shaking his head so hard, Hiro gave a shaky answer, "N-no….p-please…he send m-me…an email a week ago with…instruction. S-sent money. Need money, so I d-do it. That's all I k-know…"

Hiro began to sob again. Most probably regretting his decision to take the job. Following a rich, spoiled teenager must have seemed like an easy job a week ago. Well, too late, Nao thought. He shouldn't bite off more than he could chew.

"D-don't…kill m-me…p-please…"

Nao shrugged. "Just give me the details to get into your email account."

The man blinked hard and relief quickly flooded his eyes. He gave Nao his email address and password with a grateful smile on his tore lips. Nao took his own phone and threw it at the still-stunned Alex who stood behind him with face as pale as his pristine white shirt. Surprisingly, the weakling managed to catch the phone, although with trembling hands.

"Write the details down in my phone," he told Alex. Alex did as he was told without another word despite his shaking fingers. Good. Maybe the guy wasn't as weak as he looked like, after all.

Sion Group's IT team would be able to find Hiro's account and hack into it with no problem, but why should they take the rougher route if there was a paved highway to use? It would be much faster this way. He made Alex repeat the information twice and asked Hiro to confirm it. Hiro was so thankful that the man made double sure the information was all correct.

Satisfied with the result, Nao turned his attention back to Hiro. "Anything else you want to tell me, Hiro-san? You don't want me to get angry just because you forget something, do you?"

The man shook his head again. "I k-know n-no-nothing more. I s-swear."

"There, there," Nao said with a gentle pat to the man's cheek. "It wasn't that difficult, wasn't it?"

This time, Hiro nodded vigorously. Nao smiled at Hiro's eagerness to please him. The man deserved a praise.

"Good man," he kissed Hiro's forehead lightly, almost bursting into a cruel laugh when he noticed the way the man's body lean instinctively to submit to him. Simpleminded people were always the easiest to break.

"Now, where were we?" he asked as he took his knife back.

Frown now marred Hiro's face. "W-what-"

Nao laughed and patted the man's arm affectionately. "You silly, silly man. Surely you don't think I will let you go after you dared challenging my family?"

No one threatened his family and got away with it. No one called him "a pretty face" and got away with it. No one slept with his niisan, claimed him as a lover to Nao's face, and got away with it. No one.

"You see, Alex-san," he murmured absentmindedly. "My pretty face is still intact. Apparently, skinny hands can be very handy, don't you think?"

Seconds later, another stream of cries and pleadings from Hiro and more cursing from Alex filled the air. It was the most melodious music to Nao's ears.

---

Tao-niisan was waiting for them at a quiet corner in the departure area. At one point during the day, his mentor had apparently showered, or at least changed his clothes. The formal Armani suit had been replaced by a much more casual medium-grey one. Underneath it, the man had wore a simple blue shirt which, despite showcasing all his chest and abs muscles, also softened his dangerous-man edges. The look was completed with a pair of dark blue pants, white sneakers, and a Ray Ban sunglasses, making him look stylish, sexy and handsome, although not in a dominating way; more like the extremely wealthy and approachable type, rather than the insanely powerful and ruthless one.

The entire casual outfit was disconcerting. Nao had rarely seen his niisan this relax near anyone else but his dad. Now, Tao-niisan and Alex looked like a real couple, or at least good friends, with their similar easygoing vibe and the way they greeted each other with a warm hug. Looking at his own leather jacket, old t-shirt, torn jeans, and a pair of sneakers that his dad had asked him multiple times to throw away, Nao was sure that no one would guess that two out of the three men standing together carried weapons somewhere on their body. At least not until people noticed the few bodyguards scattered around the three men, standing a short distance away to keep people from getting too close.

"Niisan," he greeted his older cousin with a smile that quickly turned into a silly grin as his niisan patted the back of his neck fondly. Tao-niisan knew better than to ruin his carefully made hairstyle.

The bigger hand felt warm and strong against his skin. Nao wanted nothing more than to lean into its safety, but he kept his body still. Unlike his father, Tao-niisan had never been too comfortable with public display of affection. A hug or a pat was the most touchy gestures his niisan would do in public. Even with any of his whores, Tao-niisan had never appeared anywhere with them clinging to his arms or holding his hands.

"You are just in time, love," Alex murmured from somewhere beside Nao. The previously cheerful man was now sombre, his face grim in heavy seriousness. Since the interrogation, Alex had been disturbingly quiet, and not in a terrified way, which deeply annoyed Nao. The foreigner looked contemplative, deep in thoughts that he clearly had no intention to share.

Alex hadn't even said much as Nao brought him to one of the safe house after that. Nao had left him alone in the living room so he could shower and get clean clothes. He'd also called the disposal team to take care of the body and the scene, making sure nothing could be tracked back to his ass. And then he'd given Tao-niisan a quick call, briefly explaining the situation. He'd calmly claimed that the now-dead man had suddenly attacked him and Alex inside the restroom, giving him no other choice but to defend himself and the other man. Initially, Tao-niisan had shown doubt, but Nao had kept his voice relax and steady, and his mentor hadn't pursued that line of questioning. Nao knew his niisan wasn't stupid and most likely had realised what had actually happened. But if his niisan was willing to let it go, then all was good.

Or so he thought. Until his niisan spoke coldly before the call had ended, "By the way, you are a bad liar, brat, just like your dad. So, please, next time, don't bother to waste your breath giving me fake excuses. Just be grateful that I will let it go this time since neither of you gets hurt."

So, he had gotten a slap on the wrist. Considering he had compromised the safety of his niisan's good, old friend, it wasn't bad. He had kinda expected something worse. But his niisan was so pleased that they now had a name of their opponent, he didn't seem to be too annoyed by Nao's recklessness this time. After all, it was a progress since all the goose chase they did just to find who had been so intent on bringing Sion Group down.

But this new information raised a thousand more questions. His niisan was also concerned on why the previously careful opponent, this Yakenonokarasu, had suddenly taken the risk of exposure just to follow Nao. Had he been planning to snipe Nao? Or to abduct him? Was that why he needed someone to shadow him? None of the other family members had encountered similar problem. So, why Nao? It seemed like a weird, and also risky, move for a man who had been so secretive about his identity up until now.

Oh well, Nao wasn't all that worried. He would take it all in stride. He actually worried more about the full report of the interrogation that he still needed to write. He fucking hated writing. But it could wait until tomorrow morning. For now, he would simply enjoy his niisan's good mood.

His niisan took out a box of cigarettes out of his suit pocket, just to find it empty. Before he could stop himself, Nao had smiled at the endearing look of annoyance that crossed his niisan's face.

"I will go get your extra box from the car, niisan," he offered dutifully. The brand that Tao-niisan liked, Insignia, was produced in India and not for sale in Japan. They needed to smuggle boxes of it into the country every month, specifically just for his niisan, but Tao-niisan was so hooked he couldn't smoke a different brand by now. And geez, a box of the legal one of this brand was damn expensive already. The blackmarket ones costed his niisan more than ten times the original price, although for his niisan, that amount of money was still nothing but one grain of sand in the dessert. But people did say it was the best cigarettes in the whole world, so it might worth the price and the risk of lung cancer.

Tao-niisan nodded with another gentle squeeze around his nape and a tender, "Thank you, boy."

Then, as if Tao-niisan had just remembered something nasty, his expression turned hard and stiff. His eyes had the feral glint of a man ready to kill to protect what was his; a possessiveness that Nao knew had only been displayed for a few people in his niisan's life. He felt treasured to be one of those few people. "Bring one of the guys with you and stay alert, boy. You aren't going anywhere alone until we are clear who this Yakenonokarasu is and why he sent a man to follow you."

Nao groaned at the idea of having another person following him around. But he just nodded and left with one of the guards, not a word of protest leaving his mouth.

What could he say? Tao-niisan had already tamed the rebellious animal in him a long time ago.

---

Alex watched the little pup bounce as he did his precious niisan's bidding. It was almost sad to see how desperate the kid fought for every scrap of Tao's affection, no matter how small it was. No doubt the kid didn't question even for a second why his usually meticulous niisan had suddenly forgotten to replace his empty cigarettes box with a new one. The power to control such a dangerous and volatile killer with blind trust issue had to be exhilarating. Alex wondered whether Tao got off from controlling the pup like that and whether Nao even realised what his niisan had done to control his behaviour.

"So? What do you think?" Tao's deep voice broke Alex's musing.

"Hmmm," he murmured noncommittally. "He is okay. Not bad."

After a minute of raised eyebrow from his ex-lover, he shrugged. "Okay, fine. You are right, love. The pup has talent. I can see why your men began calling him The Angel of Mercy. He taunts his victims with leniency, like a man taunting starving dogs with raw meats to control them. His mind game is better than most men thrice his age, and I have seen a lot of them. What a rare and unique gift and he managed to polish it in such a young age. Impressive, I have to admit."

"…but?"

He shook his head slowly before turning his full attention at Tao. "He is as emotional as a woman in her period. Worse, actually, because instead of getting into the phase once every month, he is in the phase every single day, twenty-four seven, seven-days a week, with no day off and holiday. He takes everything personally. Too unstable. Bloodthirsty. Unpredictable. He is a wildcard, love. One wrong move that breaks his trust and his complete loyalty will sway. Oh, and clearly, violence gets him off, which is a good asset for a killer, but only until a certain limit. His technique just now was too messy for my taste; it wasn't hard for me to feign nausea. To be truly honest? I am not sure I am the right person to handle him, sweetheart. His style and my style are too different. I might ruin him, instead."

His handsome ex smirked as he stepped closer. Even after five years, Alex's body still reacted to any closeness between them, eager for intimate contact. God, but Liu Tao was truly breathtaking. It was such a pity their relationship hadn't worked. But Tao had fallen for another man for the longest time, a man that was beyond his reach, and nothing Alex could do to change that. Heaven knew he had tried everything in his power for a whole year before accepting defeat. And he knew that Tao had tried his best as well.

It was normal for Tao to sleep around without caring about his bed partner's feeling. For the man, they were nothing but a distraction from the emotional pain he felt after holding back on his own feelings for so long. He used his whores like any man using toilet paper, simply something to clean his shit before being thrown away, not worth even a glance.

But with Alex, Tao had truly made an effort to make their relationship worked. Perhaps it was because they had been a-sort-of-co-worker before they had decided to give it a shot. Or perhaps it was because Tao had always respected Alex as a seasoned assassin. Alex was still not sure on the actual reason until now.

All he knew was that Tao had been such a caring and attentive lover when they had been together. The older man had spent all his day-offs and holidays that year with Alex, making a point of not bringing his work during those quality times. They had texted each other like teenagers, even when Alex had been stuck in a wooden crate waiting for an opportunity to shoot down his target. And a short call just to say "I miss you" in between back-to-back meetings had been a regular thing that occured at least a few times a day.

There were also all the gifts: a hotel room full of his favourite flowers, the $11-million-dollars Patek Philippe watch that he had been eyeing for months, custom-made gun which truly fit his grip and style, a Harley Davidson bike so they could go riding around the Europe together, and even a cozy apartment in the heart of Paris, the city where they had first met. Not that Alex couldn't buy any of those on his own. His own pay earned him more than enough money to last for generations. But it was still nice to know someone had cared enough to remember all his likes and dislikes to the smallest details.

Above all those, though, it was Tao's normal side that had made Alex fall hard; the times when the man offered no extravagant set up or grandiose display of power. They had spent many nights together, just lounging in front of the TV and making each other laugh. Sometimes, when Tao had felt like pampering him, the older man'd cook some home-made foods and set a simple romantic dinner for two at the balcony, followed by a sensual massage or a quiet cuddling in the hot tub. Those stolen moments from their chaotic lifestyle had always melted Alex's inside, turning him into a goo that would do anything for Tao.

At least, it had until he'd found out that Tao'd done all that every time the man'd felt guilty for wanting Asami Akihito again, usually seconds after an innocent dinner or lunch with the infamous Asami-sama's husband. Apparently, it was only innocent on Akihito's side and not on Tao's. A week or two away from Akihito would usually help Tao to calm down. But then the two men would meet again for their regular lunch or dinner, and the great Tao would succumb back into temptation, spending hours watching the unsuspecting man from the shadow, like one crazy stalker.

They had decided to part ways amicably. It wasn't like they didn't care about each other, anyway. It was just the wrong time, the wrong place, and most importantly, the wrong person; the typical tragic love story. Besides, Alex often took contract from Asami-sama and it wouldn't do if the powerful man who ruled the entire Asia market thought that he wasn't professional enough to move on beyond his bad blood with Asami-sama's second-in-command. Words spread quickly in the underworld and a heartbroken assassin would surely become a laughing stock. So, they both had kept their past relationship a tight secret between the two of them.

"Don't tell me you can handle a room full of Russian gangsters pointing their weapons at you but one hormonal teenager can make you run in fear?"

He merely sighed. "You know I am not above admitting my own limitations, love. If I am, I wouldn't have let you go."

As always, the reminder of their failed relationship stiffened Tao's expression ever so slightly. Alex doubted anyone else would notice the difference. But he did and it made him feel bad, because he didn't say all that to make Tao feel guilty. Again. He had moved on after all. Mostly, at least.

"I was just teasing, sweetie. You've become boring in your old age."

"Say it again and I will show you old," Tao growled, but there was a hint of fond amusement in his eyes now.

Old, old, old, he wanted to say. Then, he realised that taunting Tao like that would make him no better than Nao. In the end, the only reason he would say it was to get a reaction from Tao, exactly like the emotional pup who had been making antics all day just to get Tao to notice him. And Alex was nearly 10 years older than Nao. What did that say about his maturity?

"I told him about us," he said instead.

That got Tao's attention even quicker. Annoyance filled his eyes for a flicker of second before the man managed to replace his stoic mask. "You truly know the best way to make me suffer, don't you? Now, he will get all emo and I will be the one who have to clean the mess. There is only so many sweet cakes one can buy from bakeries before the bribe lost its charm."

Alex raised his hands to plead his innocence. "Well, I am sorry but I need him to flip so I can see him in action. Just talking, like you suggested, won't be enough for me to assess his skills. That goon had been following him around, as you warned me, and damned me if I don't use him to see our young pup at work. But, you are the only thing that can trigger his switch. So, I do what I gotta do. Deal with it and move on, love. At least now you get a name of the person that has caused your boss so much trouble."

"Your reputation-"

He cut Tao off before the man could finish the sentence, "-will be just fine. I doubt the pup will gossip like a fishwife, especially not about something that he thought might cause you harm. I am still amazed he didn't try to kill me right there and then for doing the unspeakable sins to his beloved niisan."

He couldn't help the bitter irritation in his voice. It was one thing to know that someone disapproved of him being Tao's lover. It was another thing to see that cold disapproval in such blatant display of fury and disgust. Like getting dumped just because he could never replace another man in Tao's heart wasn't humiliating enough.

Tao rubbed his forehead as if he already saw an incoming headache. When he spoke next, his voice was barely audible, like he was afraid to be overheard. "Alex, I know I don't deserve to ask any favour from you. But-"

Tao paused, weighing his words carefully. It was rare to see his usually collected ex to be this…edgy. What was going on?

"-but if anything happens to me, I want you to take him in as your protege. To protect him in my stead. Trust me, he-"

"If anything happens to you?!"

"-has talents. With more experience and your guidance, he will grow to be a good assassin, a shooter, not merely an interrogator or enforcer. I-"

"Wait! Wait!"

"-taught him everything I know. But-"

"No. No. No. You don't get to do this to me."

"-I am more of a ruthless businessman than a killer. It isn't my speciality. And-"

"Tao, please, don't do this to me, love."

"-unlike his brother, he isn't interested in the business side of the our world. He needs someone like you. Someone who can teach him what it means to be-"

"Liu Tao!" He grabbed Tao's suit lapel and pulled the man closer until their faces were mere millimetres away from each other's. Thank God their height was generally similar. "Shut your fucking mouth right fucking now and fucking listen to me, or I fucking swear to the fucking God, I will-"

He stopped abruptly when he realised how close their lips were, how easy it was to go the remaining distance and get another taste of those full lips after 5 long years.

"…you will…what?" Tao asked him softly with a knowing froze. It seemed his body couldn't decided whether to lean into the muscular man, all consequences be damned, or get away and save whatever remaining pieces of his poor heart.

What a cruel, cruel man you are, Liu Tao.

"You are still cussing a lot when you are upset," Tao chuckled. "It is always good to see that some things will never change."

And I pray to God that some things will finally change for you. The sooner, the better.. Because, seriously, for all that's holy, isn't 20 years too long for crushing after the same fucking man who won't even return your feeling? Alex knew a lot of marriages which lasted much shorter than a quarter of that time.

"Listen, I can't explain much right now. But things aren't looking good at the moment here in Japan. I just want to be prepared, Alex. That's all."

Oh, really? Is that all? Alex wanted to laugh. You can lie to everyone else, Liu Tao, and none will know. Not even your Akihito, most probably. But not to me. You are hiding something. This isn't just about the problem in Japan underworld. Not even about Yakenonokarasu, whoever this newcomer is. It is something else. Something that makes you…nervous. Something that makes you ready to leave everything behind. Or should I say, someone?

"He is a good kid. He has potential. I know he can be emotional and all that, but if you are willing to give him a chance, you will see that you both have more things in common than you think."

Yeah, we do, sweetheart. We both love the same asshole. We both are stupid like that.

"He won't disappoint you. And I know you can handle his shit. He is more bark than bite, anyway."

I bet you all my money, this is all about Asami Akihito, isn't it? What are you going to do, Tao? That man is Asami Ryuichi's husband and Asami-sama will kill anyone who dare to touch what is his. I was there when he eliminated the entire Arbatov clan. I had witnessed his wrath. I am sure the Devil himself would look more like a saint compared to Asami-sama that day. Please don't tell me you are as stupid as those imbecile Russians.

When Tao finally realised that he hadn't said a word in reply, the man gently held his hand, a rare service from Liu Tao who hated nearly all types of PDA, and asked, "Please, Alex. I want to make sure he is taken care of."

Yeah? And what about me? Who will take care of me? Do you care about my wellbeing at all?

But instead, he said, "You take care of him yourself."

The man gave him a fond look. "I will, for as long as I can. But just in case I can't anymore, there is no one else I can trust more with his safety and education. You are the best out there, Alex. If he can get you as his mentor, coupled with his own talents, his future will be all set."

And those were the magic words. Because after all that had happened between them, it still filled Alex with contentment to know that Tao had, and would always, respected him professionally. That even though he couldn't win Tao's love, he had won Tao's trust as a comrade who would always watch his back.

"Make no mistake, love. If I ever do that, it isn't because you asked me to," he finally said with a resigned sigh. "But because I have faith in the little pup. He does have potential. And with the right guidance, I think he can be indestructible: a real Angel of Mercy who is walking among mere mortals."

Tao gave him a blinding smile. "I would expect nothing less from Alex The Reaver, the highest-paid killer in the century."

He just gave his ex-lover a small, wistful smile.

You'd better not, love. Because if the great Asami-sama dared touching even a single strand of your hair again, regular esteemed client or not, he would find out the hard way how I earned that reputation.

---

Note

*) The Angel of Mercy is a term often used for someone who shows compassion and kindness, someone who brings hope. But it also refers to the grim reaper, as the one who ends the suffering and pain. In criminology, Angel of Mercy is a rare type of criminal offender (often a type of serial killer) who is usually employed as a caregiver and intentionally harms or kills people under their care.