Chapter 14. Fatherhood 101 - The Birds and The Bees
Someone asked what Yakenonokarasu means. I am not an expert in Japanese language, so I apologise in advance if I translate it wrongly. According to my reading, it means "blacker than black". Hope this explains! :)
Disclaimer: VF belongs to YA. Lemons.
"We need to walk from here," Asami said as calmly as he could pretend to be. But Gods knew it took all his willpower not to grin like a cheshire cat. "The cabin is around 500m away. We will spend the night there."
He parked the car but he didn't get out. Instead, he turned towards his companion, waiting.
Sakurako had been nervous on the way here. But she trusted him enough not to back away from the challenge he threw at her. Now, however, she gawked at him as if he had asked her to murder her future firstborn. Her pink lips were parted and yet she made no sound.
He couldn't hold back the smug grin that he had kept inside. "What's wrong, princess? Do you need your safe words?"
The icy reminder that she could stop all of this, whatever this was that they had been doing for the past year, made her blink. Slowly, as if to gather all the courage she had in that beautiful body of hers, she took deep breaths.
It took a while for her to calm herself, then she bowed her head in front of Asami, her long black hair curtained her expression, and said, "No, I am fine."
Asami grabbed her hair and slapped her. Not too hard. He didn't want to cause her pain. Not yet. This was just a reminder.
"'I am fine' what?" he growled, pulling those silky hair back, forcing her to look up and bringing their faces close together.
The heiress hold her breath for a second, trying to figure out what she did wrong, then quickly corrected her answer, "I am fine-"
Asami jerked her hair harder and she gasped.
"—Master," she continued, breathless. The devotion in her eyes were clear to see.
Master. Tsuji-sama would kill him if he found out how Sakurako had called a mere bodyguard like Asami in private, moreover if he knew what Asami had done with his daughter and sole heiress. Hell, Asami would be lucky if he could get a quick death. Tsuji-sama would have torn him limb by limb until he begged for death himself. Yet, that single word out of Sakurako's lips was all it needed to incite Asami deepest desire. Master.
He felt like an addict. How many time over the past year had he told himself that agreeing to do this with the boss' daughter was not only stupid but also suicidal? How many times had he promised himself that it would be the last time? And how many times had he fallen to the temptation, over and over again, like an addict craving for one last dose of drugs?
They got out of the black sedan and Asami hold his breath at the sight in front of him. Sakurako stood shyly, her cheeks were pink from embarrassment and she used her arms to cover her body. The remaining sunlight casted a suggestive silhouette through the sheer fabric of her dress. It was so thin Asami could literally see her naked body behind the expensive clothes. The fullness of her breast and the bareness of her hips was visible despite her attempt to hide it behind her hands.
He knew it had been challenging enough for the prude lady to sit in the car without any underwear in a nearly transparent clothes on the way here. The shameless behaviour was the opposite of everything she had been taught since young. Asami had noticed the way she held her breath every time he stopped at a traffic light. She had wanted to bow her head, hiding her face from the people crossing the street in front of them. But he had forced her to hold her head high, to sit regally like an imperial queen before her subjects, to never trying to cover her body. He had known that the tint of the windscreen wouldn't allow any onlooker to get a clear view of the inside of the car, but she didn't know that. He unconsciously grinned sadistically at the thought.
Although it was against her usual reserved nature, she had obeyed him. That fact alone had given Asami a new high, stronger than what any drugs could give him. He had never felt more alive, more powerful, more omnipotent than he had ever been in his young 21 years of life.
Now, he would make her to walk outside nearly naked. Asami was drunk from the power he held over this young woman who was raised to be a virtuous lady and treated as if the sun revolved around her. And yet, here he was, making her doing things that no one could even imagine.
"Arms by your side. Stand tall. Hold your head up high, princess," he reminded her sternly.
She hesitated, but quickly fixed her posture. Her nipples were visible behind the nearly transparent fabric. The area between her legs had been shaved clean, just the way Asami liked it. She stood like a goddess and Asami wanted nothing more but to bury himself inside that warm, beautiful body.
He caressed her cheek and she leaned against his rough palm, seeking comfort. "I am afraid, Master," she admitted softly. "What if someone sees me walking like this? What will they think?"
No one would see them, Asami had made sure of that. This entire hill was a private property belonging to their group and it had been left untouched for years. But Sakurako didn't need to know that. It was the thrill of the unknown that excited her. The thought that she had done the unthinkable and the fear that someone she knew might caught them was like an aphrodisiac to her.
And he would gladly give her that. They would walk a short distance to a small cabin hidden in the forest, but he would make it seemed to be way further than that for her.
"Such beauty, it would be a shame to hide it." he rasped against her skin, licking her smooth, fair skin, his voice hoarse with need. "If someone passed by, no matter who it is, even if it's one of your rich lady friends, your smart university classmates, or your esteemed professors, I want you to show off your body. Don't even dare to try covering it. Trust me, you don't want to know the punishment I have been thinking of if you cover your body even for a second. Let them see what a beauty my woman is."
He could feel her body still at the mention of being his woman. After so many nights they spent together for the past year, after all the extreme scenes that they had done behind closed door, after the passionate sex that made the two of them breathless, never once had he claimed her in such a way. He wasn't sure what pushed him to say that. It wasn't like he wanted a long term relationship with her. He wasn't ready for such a thing. But tonight, he wanted to show her off as his trophy. His and no one else's.
Not bad for a middle rank mobster, he thought proudly. Not bad at all.
His fingers found the damp fabric covering her sex. She was wet. And when she finally spoke, Asami thought that his 21-years old self would come in his pants for the first time in his life.
"Yours, Master," she whispered softly. "All yours."
"Your lover is in such a fucking deep shit, I am surprised you haven't smelled it up until now," Mitarai whispered in a sing-a-song tune as he took the bar seat beside me.
There was no one close enough to hear our conversation in the dingy pub that we picked randomly for our regular meet up. Soga had long accepted my cover story that this monthly catch up with Mitarai was merely a drinking session between two ex-colleagues ranting about their shitty low-paying jobs, so he obediently gave me space by sitting at the furthest seat by the bar. The position gave him the advantage of watching my every move and observing potential threat while staying discreet, but it also gave me privacy to talk with Mitarai in peace.
Mitarai's news was enough to drain blood from my face, but I tried to keep a cheerful expression to avoid Soga's suspicion. The bodyguard might have been kind and respectful to me, but his loyalty still lies with the man who had hired him and paid his salary, and that man was definitely not me. If I behaved differently from my usual self, Asami would surely hear about it within hours, if not minutes.
"Mitarai! How are you, man?" I said instead, even though deep inside I wanted to shake his shoulders violently and demand an explanation.
"Ohhh, just the same shit, different day," Mitarai drawled, clearly taking his time now that he had piqued my interest. He waved the bartender to order his drink and purposely ignored my fidgeting self who was dying to start shooting questions.
When his drink finally arrived, I couldn't take it anymore. "What do you mean Asami is in a fucking deep shit?!" I growled quietly while covering my mouth with my giant beer glass.
He turned towards me so that Soga couldn't see what he was telling me and smirked, "Impatient, are we? Can't I even taste my drink first before the interrogation starts?"
I'd love to throw his entire drink down his throat if that could help him drink faster, but I doubted it would work. So, praying silently for patience that could rival a saint, I let him get a full swallow before pushing, "So?"
There was a glee on his expression that made me nauseous. The fact that Mitarai looked this excited could only mean that whatever shit Asami was in, it was huge. And for Mitarai, huge shit meant first-page scandal that he could sell to public. Good for him, bad for whoever that would be on that first page.
And this time, the person whose photos would plastered on the first page of the paper might be Asami.
I wouldn't let it happen.
"Remember Hayashi Taro murder?" he asked.
I nodded calmly, but a tight knot had formed inside my stomach.
"They called Asami for questioning a few times already. His lawyers kept trying to reschedule it, buying some time, I guess, but they don't think it will be long before they can drag his ass for interrogation. "
Doing my best to stay calm, I said, "Well, this isn't the first time they tried to bring him in for investigation for the last 2 decades."
It was the truth. Thanks to Mitarai, I had managed to get some update every time the police was trying to link Asami to some incidents. So far, there had been nothing anyone could find that could discriminate him. A tiny voice in my brain whispered, it doesn't mean that it will never happen though. There's always a first time for everything.
Mitarai's pitiful expression made me feel as if someone just forced me to drink asphalt. "They are not investigating him out of formality like usual, Takaba. It's different this time. They really mean business. And Hayashi Taro is not the only murder they suspected him of. By now, there are at least 2 other murders; one of the victim is Commissioner General Matsushita."
Three murders. And one of them was related to a high-ranking government employee. I swallowed.
What are you thinking, Asami Ryuichi? Are you trying to win Criminal-of-The-Year or something? I cursed quietly.
Okay, this was serious. But how could Asami be that stupid to murder these people and having anything trailed back to him? Rationally, I just couldn't believe it. My husband might be a lot of things, but stupid wasn't one of them.
"They still need to find the evidence to connect him to those murders," I argued, but the anxiety had settled in my brain. "And I doubt they will find it. At most, they might have some circumstantial evidences, if there is even any. Even then, it might not be enough. If Asami was such an idiot to leave behind anything substantial, they would have gotten him decades ago."
Mitarai nodded, "That's true. I tried to find out more but my informant wouldn't tell me anything about that. Although, observing how confident they are to make an enemy out of the great Asami-sama, I have a feeling they really have something on him. Either that, or they have someone more powerful and more terrifying than your lover to back them up. Just my feeling, you know."
Well, a feeling is not fact, I tried to convince myself. But I understood what Mitarai was trying to say. In our industry, trusting your own gut feeling could make a difference between getting a great news and being the last one to publish something.
"Besides," he added, "the fact that Sion group is making Takamiya group their ally is kinda telling that their situation is not so hot. I heard your son is now dating the Takamiya daughter? Good job in securing the alliance. It's hot gossip these days in the underworld."
I stilled, a sinking feeling in my belly. "What the fuck are you talking about?! What alliance?! My teenage son is dating their daughter! That's all! Since when dating has anything to do with business?!"
Mitarai took another gulp from his glass before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He was laughing so hard it's a wonder he didn't fall from his chair. "Seriously, Takaba? I can't believe you are that naive! Have you not heard the term 'arranged marriage'? Don't you think the timing is too coincidental? They hated each other before. Then, both groups are not doing so well, losing businesses left and right, not getting new clients, one of them even being investigated for murder cases, and then suddenly the son and daughter of both sides are falling in love with each other and they all now buddy-buddy with each other and taking business contracts together? What, do you think this is a fairytale? Will everyone sing and dance to 'let it go' now that they are friends?"
He mocked by doing a terrible imitation of Elsa the disney princess, singing 'Let it go' at the top of his lungs.
He might think that this situation was funny but I was fuming. "This is my kid you are talking about! And last I checked, I didn't arrange any marriage to any of my kids! That's just gossip. People like to hear about Asami so they talk bullshit. I didn't expect you would stoop so low into becoming a journalist for cheesy tabloid."
He sighed. "Denial, first stage only. You are still a loooong way into acceptance, my friend."
Patting my shoulder in sympathy, which I didn't appreciate, he continued, "Well, if the two biggest groups are joining forces, the other groups will need to quickly secure an alliance with you guys or they might as well disband themselves. So, everyone is keeping an ear to the ground for any news about the alliance. There are many rumours, it's honestly hard to differentiate which one is true. So, let's hope you are right, Takaba. One of my contacts even claimed to see Takamiya Sakurako bringing her daughter to a famous bridal shop. They said a winter wedding between the Asamis and the Takamiyas is coming."
I choked. My first thought was that Asami would need to kill me before I gave a blessing for my son to drop out of school to marry his annoying girlfriend. And even after I was dead, I would haunt the bastard and made him miserable for the rest of his life! Then, I made a mental note to do the unpleasant task of giving a lecture about safe sex to both my sons, because…well, I was shuddering at the thought that I might need to call that nasty girl my daughter-in-law anytime soon. And that was when my brain started to notice a particular detail in what Mitarai just told me.
"Takamiya…who?"
Mitarai finished his drink. "Takamiya Sakurako," he said. "Have you never heard of her? Oh well, not many knows of her," Mitarai explained, his eyes shining with the proud glint every investigative journalist had for having the most accurate details. "She is the wife of the current chairman, Takamiya Kichiro. She is very low profile, not appearing much in public. A lady-like figure. I heard she still has a royal blood from her great-great-grandmother or some shit like that."
My heart started to beat rapidly. I still remember my conversation with Asami a few weeks ago, during my friends' unexpected visit.
"Who is Sakurako?" I had asked him.
I remember I had found it strange that he would pick such a random name to cover my lies in front my friends. Wouldn't people usually pick a name more familiar to them when they were caught off-guard?
Asami had stilled. It was only for a millisecond, but I could feel him stop moving against my skin. Then, he said calmly, "Just a random name that popped into my head."
Well, a random name my ass. My instinct told me that the name wasn't as random as Asami had made me believe.
"Why?" Mitarai asked when I didn't say anything after his revelation.
I shook my head. "Nothing," I lied, hoping that my expression didn't betray me. As much as I thought of Mitarai as my friend, I didn't really like sharing information about Asami with him.
Asami knew Sakurako. And it was quite recently, it seems, for the name to pop into his head at a pressuring moment. Was this just a coincidence? Perhaps it was a reference to another Sakurako? An employee at Sion group, maybe? This Takamiya lady couldn't be the only Sakurako in the world, right?
Hadn't I just told you that gut feeling could make a difference between getting a great news and being the last one to publish something? This was one of such situation. I wanted to believe that I was just being paranoid, but something in me insisted that this was a clue to something important.
I just needed to follow the breadcrumbs to get to the answer.
The question was, did I even want to know the answer?
As she reached climax, Sakurako let out a nearly inaudible whisper, "Master…"
It was unusual for her. She rarely called out to him during sex, not even here in their secret, hidden cabin in the forest, where no one could hear them shouting for miles. She had always been a quiet lover. But it had been a very emotional day for both of them, so Asami wasn't too surprised with the uncharacteristic reaction.
He thrusted one last time before letting go, wave after wave of his cum fill the warm body beneath him. They had foregone the condom a year back, as Sakurako started taking birth control pills. It had been three years since he first brought her here to this cabin. Time really went in a blink. The sex had been fantastic but tonight, it would come to an end. Just like any other good things in this world.
He tried to control his breathing before muttering, "I am not your Master anymore."
She looked at him. There was sadness inside those opal eyes, something that he didn't used to see in her. She had been an easygoing person. A smile was always hanging on her full lips. Life had never gave her any hardship growing up so she had never had a reason to be sad. But the past week had been hell for everyone, especially her. And his comment didn't help at all. He knew it. He was just past care to filter his words.
"Can't you?" Sakurako asked softly as he went up to the tiny bathroom to clean himself.
He washed his hands and cock as he mulled over the question. Tomorrow, she was going to marry the person who had killed her own father in cold blood. There was not much left of Tsuji-sama to bury.
Tsuji-sama. Despite his bad temper, the old man had taught Asami everything that he now knew. Sakurako mightn't have a full picture of how the killing had happened, thank all the Gods for little blessing in life, but Asami could still remember the old man's screams in his ears. Tsuji-sama hadn't even had the opportunity to have a fair fight. The old man had been almost 75 years old, godamnit. Was it even necessary to kill him? Was the betrayal not enough? Could Asami still sleep with Sakurako knowing that she would also sleep with that back-stabber, Kichiro Takamiya?
She was staring at him as he came back to the small bedroom that had become so familiar to the two of them. The proud heiress looked so lost and forlorn. Her body was covered by a simple cotton blanket as if the thin layer could protect her from the harshness of the world. It had been almost three years ago since the first time he had brought her to this place, forcing her to walk almost naked through the small path surrounded by greeneries that hid this remote cabin. Yet, he could remember every detail vividly as if it had just happened yesterday.
"I don't share," he answered simply. The real reason was much more complicated than that, but it wouldn't matter anyway. Nothing could change his decision.
She didn't cry. Neither did she shout at him. No, being taught to behave like an imperial princess, Sakurako was above displaying her sadness or anger out loud like a mere commoner.
"Then, stay," she tried to switch the angle. "I am not asking you to still be my master. You don't have to sleep with me. Just, stay. You can at least do that. Kichiro-san promised that he would let everyone who worked for my father live if I marry him. Most of our men will stay, Ryuichi. Together with Kichiro-san's men, we will rebuild everything and grow even stronger. You and Kei don't need to go. I can persuade Kichiro-san to make you the wakagashira. I know I can. After all the achievements you did for the group in the last 4 years, you deserve it."
He would rather cut his tongue than working for that snake, but he didn't say it out loud. They both made their own choices. She chose to stay and marry the slithering bastard to protect herself and his father's men from Takamiya. He chose to leave the golden cage to build his own empire. The fact that Kirishima had insisted to follow him was just bonus.
Just like three years ago, he caressed her cheek and she leaned against his rough palm, seeking comfort. How he hoped he could have the privilege to be as ignorant of the way their world worked as her. Unfortunately he knew fully well that her optimism was futile. He was lucky enough to be alive because Takamiya didn't know yet how close he was with Tsuji-sama or his daughter. If that snake found out about it, he wouldn't let Asami breath another gulp of fresh air. He should retreat when he could. There was no point in winning the battle only to lose the war.
"Such beauty," he murmured. "I wish I had time to do shibari on your body for one last time. I can make such an intricate pattern around your breast, against your sex. You will feel the rope every time you move."
She blushed, like she had always done whenever Asami elaborated what he wanted to do with her body.
"Red rope will look amazing on your fair skin. I will make sure it leave some marks so you will remember what we did whenever you are naked. It will be tight. It might even be a little uncomfortable for you. But you will endure it for me, won't you?"
The answer was immediate and sure, as if she was born to serve him. "Yes, Master."
He wanted to correct her that he was not her Master anymore, but this time, he let it go. Instead, he chuckled at her willingness to suffer for him.
"Such an obedient whore for me," he teased, hoping to make their grim situation a little more bearable than it currently was. "You are a slut," he added, laughing. Despite her sheltered upbringing, Sakurako had a strong spirit and she would survive this. And so would he.
She shrugged, "Must you always be that crude?"
"Must you always be a prude?" he replied easily, quickly falling into their old banter.
"I will miss you," she said with a sad smile.
He wanted to keep it light. "Think about it, you can have many kids with your husband. Isn't that what you have always wanted? To be a mother? You know I am not going to give you any."
It had been why, despite Tsuji-sama's many hints and encouragement to do so over the last year, Asami had politely turned down the offer to marry the heiress. Sakurako had clearly said that she wanted to have children. It was what had been expected of her: to continue her family legacy. But Asami had never wanted a family. Growing up he had witnessed how toxic a family environment could be. His parents had never been a great role model and his world didn't seem like one where he'd like to bring a child into. He had seen men died trying to save their family member. Having such relationship looked more like a weakness than anything else. If he wanted to be the strongest in the underworld, he couldn't shackle himself with such a burden.
"I love you," she whispered, more persistent, but the defeat was clear in her voice. She wouldn't be able to change his mind. No one could.
Asami could lie to her that he also loved her back, just to comfort her. But they both knew it wasn't true. He respected her, even cared for her. He wanted her to be happy. Love, however, was a different thing altogether. He wasn't even sure he believed in it. And she had been aware of his feeling since a long time ago. He had never tried to hide that fact.
"I will miss you too," he said instead, because, although it wasn't what she wanted to hear, at least, it was partially true.
There were many times when Asami disagreed with Akihito's parenting style. And tonight was one of those. But Asami understood the importance of showing a united front in front of the kids. He found that parenting was just like leading a business; if the top management had different visions and agendas, the staff would become confused and productivity would start to go down. It wouldn't be good for anyone. So, despite his doubt on Akihito's approach about tonight's issue, he kept his opinion to himself as Akihito gathered the twins in Asami's office room.
The two teenagers glanced at each other as they followed Akihito, clearly knowing that something serious was coming. Asami's personal office at home was the place for the so-called family meeting. It was Akihito's rule: whenever there was an issue, anyone in the family could ask for a family meeting to settle it. So far, it had helped to solve their daily family disputes: Nao skipping to wash the dishes, Mizuki entering Rikiya's room without knocking, or pranks going wrong. Just the regular family argument.
Today, however, was not the usual family meeting.
"Where's Mizuki-chan?" Nao asked as he flopped onto the sofa where Asami usually had a more casual business discussion.
Akihito sat on the other arm chair beside Asami's. "She is not joining us tonight," Akihito explained with an uncomfortable smile. "Your father and I want to have a chat just with the two of you."
Sitting on the other end of the sofa, Rikiya raised an eyebrow but he didn't say anything. When feeling uncertain, his eldest son preferred to observe instead of being reactive. A trait that would bring him far once he took over Asami's business.
Nao, however, had a completely different approach in life. Bite first, think later. "We have never had a family meeting without everyone present. That doesn't seem right to me," his younger son commented.
His husband cleared his throat awkwardly before proceeding carefully, "This is not our usual family meeting. We asked you both to come here because…"
And Akihito lost all the words that he had prepared as everyone in the room was staring at him.
"…ummm, your father and I, we were just thinking," he tried again, "that perhaps…you see…"
Asami watched with amusement as Akihito's hands flailed around, trying to make his point but causing more confusion instead. The two teenagers sitting in front of them frowned, clearly unable to guess what their dad was trying to say.
He had told Akihito that this was a stupid idea. No one had talked to Asami about the birds and the bees when he'd been a teenager and he could do it just fine. If Akihito didn't believe it, Asami had a long list of men and women who could vouch about his techniques in bed.
And it was all self-taught, he thought proudly, although he didn't dare to voice it to Akihito. There was no need to open a new can of worms.
So, why Akihito wanted to torture himself with this kind of embarrassment, Asami couldn't understand. But his husband had insisted that this was important and so, trying to be a supportive partner, Asami finally took pity and decided to bit the bullet.
"We want to talk to you about sex and how to do it safely," Asami explained succinctly with a flat tone, as if he was reading grocery list. There was no need to add any more awkwardness into the room.
"Arrrghhhh, seriouslyyyy, Dad?" Nao instantly complained, covering his face with both his hands so that he didn't have to face his parents.
Rikiya didn't show such a dramatic response, but his frown grew deeper as he argued, "We already have such talk at school. Why do we need to do this again at home?"
Akihito sent a grateful glance towards Asami before explaining in a calmer manner, "Uhh, I know it's uncomfortable for you. It's uncomfortable for your father and I too. But we want you to know that you can always talk to us about sex and-"
"NOPE!" Nao quickly shouted. He covered his ears with his hands and closed his eyes, as he yelled, "Nope! Nope! Nope! Nope!"
Asami wanted to roll his eyes at the childish behaviour, but Akihito had already given him a strong lecture about avoiding any negative reaction to the twin's questions or responses. So, he tried to maintain a neutral expression, even though deep down, he was tempted to shake his son and yell back that it would be better for all of them if they could just let Akihito talk whatever it was he wanted to talk about and get this conversation over fast. You know, like ripping a bandaid off.
Rikiya, on the other hand, looked at Akihito with a calculative look in his hazel eyes, as if he was trying to assess how to turn the table around. Asami knew his eldest son could be manipulative at times, but he decided to let Rikiya play his cards before deciding what he would do about it.
"Are you saying…," his eldest son started asking shyly, a careful note in his voice, as if he was unsure whether to continue or not. But Asami knew better than to believe that this question was going to go anywhere innocent. "…that we can ask you about any relationship matter?"
His naive husband, though, took the bait, "Of course!" Akihito was nodding with a relieved expression on his face, "You are both teenagers now. You will start liking someone. Oh and whichever gender it may be, I want you both to know that my father and I are not going to judge you. Well, Rikiya, you are starting to date. I am sure there will be a lot of questions that you both might have in mind. You might feel curious about something. It's normal! Your father and I went through the same thing. Remember, we were also your age once upon a time." He let out a nervous laugh.
"Oh, I do have a question that I couldn't ask at school," Rikiya gave them a sheepish smile, but there was a teasing glint in his eyes.
Of course, Akihito missed the red flags. Sometimes, Asami was not sure whether his husband was just too naive or was placing too much trust on their sons. Well, to be fair to Akihito, normal kids weren't trained since young on how to rule by terror and manipulation. So it could be just that Akihito's parenting style was not really applicable for raising little mobsters.
That didn't mean Asami would allow the kids to be rude to Akihito though. Discreetly, he sent his eldest son a warning glare. This conversation might be awkward, but if his sons could slit throats without blinking an eye, they had to be able to endure whatever silly topic their Dad wanted to discuss with them.
Rikiya took a deep breath as if this question had troubled his very soul, then asking with faked innocent, "What do you think about bondage or domination, Dad? Have you both ever done that?"
Asami would burst out laughing if he didn't remember his resolve to show a united front with Akihito. It took all his willpower to school his expression. That was a clever move from Rikiya, Asami had to say. His eldest son decided to embarrass the opponent rather than being embarrassed himself, putting Akihito under the spotlight and not the other way around. It was a good strategy. If it wouldn't annoy Akihito, Asami would have praised Rikiya himself.
Too bad for Akihito, he didn't have Asami's poker face. Comparing the colour of Akihito's face to a tomato wouldn't even do it justice. His skin turned so red that Asami wondered if it could still be considered healthy. Akihito opened his mouth, closed it, opened it, then closed it again; it reminded Asami of a goldfish trying to get back into the water.
"I…," Akihito cleared his throat, obviously speechless.
He looked at Asami, asking for help, but it would be a lie if Asami claimed that he wasn't curious about what Akihito would say. So, pretending that he was unaware of Akihito's panicking SOS and trying to hide his own grin, Asami simply stared back at his husband and said calmly, "You can answer first, Akihito. Then I will."
He could imagine the various thoughts that crossed Akihito's brain. His husband was trying to decide whether to stay honest or not. And if Asami could read Akihito's expression that easily, he knew that their sons could too. Would Akihito lie knowing that it would beat the purpose of this discussion which he had been so persistent about?
But after a few minutes of silence, Akihito took a deep breath, closed his eyes to avoid everyone's gaze on him, and while still blushing like a red tomato, answered truthfully, "Yes, I have done that. But I only do it with your Father because he is someone I completely trust. He knows what he is doing and he will keep me safe. BDSM is something that must be done carefully and only with a person that you fully trust. It can be dangerous, not just physically but also emotionally. Honestly, I am not so sure I feel comfortable with any of you doing it without guidance from an experienced mentor. If this is something that you're interested about though, I prefer for your father to introduce you to someone who can teach you how to do it safely at your age. But, Rikiya, thank you for telling me openly that you are curious about it. I really appreciate it."
Asami hadn't expected such an honest and sincere answer. And clearly neither Rikiya and Nao. Akihito opened his eyes, his hands trembling a little in his lap although he tried to hide it. The room was completely still as the three of them realised the tremendous effort Akihito made to give them that little speech. Even Nao was no longer making a disgusted face just to mock his dad.
Akihito's declaration of the trust he had for Asami was another delightful surprise. And now that he started to think in a more-open minded way, Asami had to admit that he would also prefer to have someone he trusted to guide his sons if any of them was interested in BDSM. Yes, Asami had learnt it without anyone teaching him when he was young, but it didn't have to be like that for his sons. He had heard too many accidents involving newbies that, should he'd had the choice, his younger self would have also appreciated having an experienced mentor.
And it was not only about BDSM, sex, or relationship. As a teenager growing into an adult, life in general could be confusing in so many ways. If he could help his sons to navigate this phase in their life, why wouldn't he? But how could he do that if they didn't even talk about their concern with him?
Asami begun to understand why Akihito wanted to have this honest and open discussion with their sons. He could even see the importance of it. And perhaps, this conversation didn't have to be that awkward as long as they didn't make it so.
Feeling a sobering guilt because he had mocked Akihito's approach before, Asami decided to help his husband making this sex education session a little less nerve-wrecking. He said, "I have to admit that, before, I didn't think this conversation will be useful for you in any way. But now I agree with your Dad. It's best if we can talk about any concern you might have openly."
He turned his scrutiny toward Rikiya, "Are you really interested in BDSM, Rikiya?"
The young man now looked genuinely uncertain. The evil, teasing glints in his hazel eyes were completely gone, replaced with a youthful curiosity that hadn't been there before. It was amazing how Akihito could quickly turn the criminal-wanna-be into the teenager that he actually was.
"I am not sure, maybe a little," he answered finally. "Do you think I can talk to someone who knew about it even if I am still not sure? I know you are experienced yourself, but it would feel awkward talking about this with you. I mean, like, talking in more details, you know."
Asami nodded. "I understand. I can introduce you to someone who can guide you about this."
Now that Akihito was assured that Asami wouldn't just leave him to die alone out of embarrassed, his voice sounded more confident as he asked casually, "Is this something you'd like to do with your new girlfriend, Rikiya?"
There was a pause, then Rikiya shook his head.
Akihito smiled but there was no judgement there. That easygoing response changed the whole dynamic of the conversation into a more casual nature. Their chat went much easier after that. His husband gave the twin a general explanation about protection, pregnancy, and consent. "No means no," Akihito said firmly. "If the other party is drunk or asleep, that was not consent. Any form of forced sex is rape."
He sent a sharp, but discreet look at Asami then, clearly remembering the far-from-ideal way their own relationship had begun, and Asami felt a twinge in his heart. As always, he told himself that there was no point hoping to turn back time. He had no regret. What he had done had brought him the greatest joy in his life. All he could do now was to promise himself that he would always cherish Akihito for the remaining of his life, however long or short it would be.
"Any other question?" Akihito finally asked.
Nao looked at them shyly before asking in a small voice that Asami almost missed the question, "How do you know that the other person is the one?"
Akihito gave their youngest son a warm smile at the question, "Well, some people said that they knew it right away. For me, it took a hell long time! You know your father can be quite annoying at times."
Asami laughed at the light-hearted teasing.
With a gentle squeeze around Asami's arm, Akihito continued, "But I think it's different for everyone. We all just need to be brave and patient to find the right person."
Rikiya's expression turned serious as he thought over the answer, "So, while trying to find the other, have you ever date someone that you don't actually…uhh, you know, love?"
That question was loaded with so many layers of confessions that Asami was actually feeling worried about his eldest son. Love, and the lack of it, could ruin anyone, no matter whether they were raised to lead a multi-billion empire or to live a regular life. A broken heart is a disease that didn't discriminate. Yes, the treaty with Takamiya had made them stronger in this difficult time, but Asami would never do that if it meant sacrificing his own son.
He could see that Akihito was similarly stunned before his husband's expression turned into something closer to an understanding. Then, there was a determined look in Akihito's face that Asami had never liked. It was one that usually meant Akihito was up to no good.
But for now, Asami needed to focus on gently nudging Rikiya to the right direction. After all, Asami could only give his guidance and support. The twins had to make their own mistakes, find their own answers, and make their own path in life. In this, Asami agreed with Akihito.
With a grim smile, Asami answered, "Well, I did. It's one of the few things in my life that I am not proud of. Love is something to be treasured. But I was young and I didn't realise it yet. I didn't actually love this person, I just enjoyed the pride that came with it. In the end, not only I hurt this person, I think I also hurt those around us."
He thought of Tsuji-sama who had hoped for Asami to marry and protect his only daughter. He thought of Sakurako's endless devotion and love for him. He thought of her wishes to build a family and have kids with him. And how he had broken her heart into thousand pieces. She had changed his life in many ways and yet, he had treated her as a mere trophy to be claimed, a boost for his young and fragile ego, and then he had left her without ever looking back. There were countless people he'd slept with after he'd left her until he'd found Akihito, but she was the one who always came to his mind whenever he thought about the love in his youth. He hadn't understood love then, but he did now, and he would do everything he could to treasure the love in his life.
There was an unreadable expression on Akihito's face when he asked gently, as if he was worried that he might reopen an old wound, "What happened?"
He chuckled before kissing his husband on the lips, ignoring the complains coming from two embarrassed teenagers who were pretending to feel disgusted at the spectacle. Asami knew for a fact that they would actually get worried when their parents didn't act like the loving couple that they were.
"Just my youthful arrogance," he said out loud.
Then, burying his face in Akihito's slender neck, he whispered for Akihito's ear only, "Perhaps, I will tell you about my erotic adventure one day."
Akihito blushed again. It was amazing how fast Akihito's blood could rush to betray his composure.
Once upon a time, Asami had hated the idea of having a lover, moreover raising children with that person. His 21-years-old self would stare in horror at how much he loved his family. Oh yes, his young arrogant self would cringe at the fact that Asami would give up his entire empire, would even gladly die, if it would protect his family.
At one point in his life, Asami had changed. He couldn't be sure when or even how it could happen to a stubborn man like him.
One factor that had made it possible was certainly Akihito and Asami often wondered what was it about the younger man that had pushed Asami to start changing his ways. Was it even because of Akihito or was it just a matter of timing? Would he leave Akihito too if they had met a decade earlier? Or would he agree to have children with Sakurako if they had met later in Asami's life like Asami had done with Akihito?
It didn't matter now because surrounded by his husband and sons' laughter, Asami couldn't feel anything else but bliss.