Hello, it's me again! Again, I am humbled by the amount of reviews I received for my fiction. Thanks to radcat38, Nbsiren, oosuan, hawk1891,Suspicious Crow, BcozI'mNaughty, Serinji, bishyfreak, Kay the reader, Nikkie23534 for your lovely reviews! Also to my guest reviewers: Tbb, Reinri13,Nhara, Camillian, knox and Maya. Thank you so much! And thank you to those who follow and favorite me!
I have decided to remove the complete status, seeing how I might add another chapter from time to time. Rest assured, every chapter can be stand alone so you won't miss out anything at all.
This chapter is self beta-ed. Please pm me if there is any mistakes and I will try my best to fix it.
Disclaimer: Viewfinder and its notable characters belong to the great Yamane Ayano sensei. I do not earn anything from writing this fan fiction
Sorry to hog up some space here but I have to get this off my chest! I spent a sleepless night after reading the latest chapter on Viewfinder (chapter 44). That bastard manager, whatever his name is called should have his dick sliced off. Yamane sensei, please get well soon!
Akihito entered the café, heaving his heavy camera bag on his shoulder. He had just finished shooting for an event at the hotel a few blocks away from the café when his best buddy since high school called him out for a drink. Akihito nearly declined as he wanted nothing more but to go back and sleep; he was dead tired after putting up with endless snobbish models' demands in the event. Kou was persistent; he didn't offer Akihito a chance to turn his invitation down and even threatened to drag him out if he had to.
"Akihito!"
Akihito looked up to search for the voice and found his best friends sat around a table at the corner with two huge milkshakes in front of them. Akihito dropped his heavy bag on the empty seat with a thud, pulled the chair and sat.
"Yo! Glad you could make it!" Kou gave Akihito a friendly punch on his shoulder.
Akihito slapped his hand away. "As if I had a choice! You said you'd dragged me here if I don't come!"
"Do you know how long it has been since we last met?" Takato frowned.
"Three fucking weeks!" Kou added as he showed three fingers to Akihito's face.
Akihito pushed Kou's hands away, yawning tiredly. "I was busy. I got to make a living, you know. Unlike you two, I don't have a permanent job."
"Tsk tsk… Takaba Akihito. You're not fooling us. You don't even have to lift a finger if you allow Asami to take care of you." Takato poked a finger at Akihito's chest.
"I'm not his mistress." Akihito brushed Takato's hands away. His best friends found out about their relationship after his stint in Hong Kong. For weeks after he returned, Akihito avoided direct confrontation with Kou and Takato, choosing only to communicate via Internet or the phone. He clearly underestimated his friends for they managed to corner him after work one day, literally dragged him to an empty park and threatened to take nude photos of him if he refused. For lack of a better option, Akihito finally told them the truth, minus the gory details of gun fights and rape.
"Seriously Akihito, that man is filthy rich. It wouldn't hurt to use his money," Kou replied in a twinge of envy. He was surprised; even jealous when he learnt his friend's involvement with the yakuza. Mostly, he couldn't believe Akihito's luck; imagine all the money Akihito could have if he allowed Asami to shower him with it.
"I'm not with him for his money," Akihito grumbled. He stopped a passing waiter to order his favorite vanilla milkshake. Suddenly remembering something, Akihito rummaged through his camera bag for his wallet. He flipped it open and groaned.
"Damn, I'm broke. And it's not even pay day yet." He turned to his best friends who were looking at him with a puzzled expression on their faces. "Kou, Takato- Onegai! Give me a treat!" Akihito begged as he clasped his hands together.
Takato and Kou sighed in unison. "That's why we've been telling you to utilize your boyfriend's richness!"
"I don't want to take his money!" Akihito replied stubbornly.
Takato rested his chin on his palms. "You have some screwed sense of pride, Akihito."
Akihito immediately flushed at the remark when he remembered the incident that took place a few days ago. Asami had deliberately made fun of him when they argued over Marukoshi, calling him a yakuza's wife. Speaking about Marukoshi, I got to keep my lips sealed tight. His friends, who had been teasing him endlessly about his extra pocket money ever since they found out his relationship with Asami , would no doubt embarrassed him further if they discovered the truth.
He loved his best friends but no, he wasn't ready to put himself in a situation where they could laugh at his expense. Kou and Takato were great pals but sadistic when it comes to teasing Akihito; it was like their mission to make Akihito blush as much as possible.
"Shut up, Takato. I'm not using his money and that's final!" Akihito slurped his milkshake as soon as the waitress placed it in front of him.
"You know, he wouldn't even notice if you take a couple hundred yen to pay for this milkshake," Kou grinned.
"What's a couple hundred yen to him anyway? It's too little to be considered small change," Takato teased.
"Hey, if our meet up is to talk about Asami, I'm going home."
Kou and Takato laughed. "Sorry, Aki-chan. It's just fun to tease you."
"Don't call me Aki-chan. I'm not a kid," Akihito grumbled.
Takato gave Akihito a friendly slap. "Sorry, Akihito. We'll buy you another milkshake as apology, how about that?"
Akihito smiled. "Of course!" He immediately signaled the waiter to order a strawberry milkshake.
After the topic on Asami dropped, Akihito found himself enjoying his friends' company. It had been so long since they joked about the latest game and photography techniques. Takato was blushing furiously when Kou 'accidentally' told Akihito about a new girl who captured his heart.
"Guys, I got to go." Akihito grabbed his bag, noticing it was time to head back to the penthouse to prepare dinner. Asami told him that morning he would be home early and knowing the bastard, he would expect dinner to be ready the minute he stepped into the penthouse.
"Sure, we have to go too," Kou answered. Takato nodded in agreement as he signaled for the bill.
"Thanks for the treat," Akihito said when his friends pulled their wallets out.
"Where is the bill? She is sure taking her time," Kou grumbled, looking around for the waitress. They had waited for ten minutes and the girl manning the counter was still fumbling with the cash register machine.
The girl appeared a moment later with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for making you wait. Here is the receipt, thank you for your patronage." She bowed slightly and handed Akihito a small piece of fancy paper.
Akihito immediately had a bad feeling.
"Excuse me, but we haven't paid yet." Kou replied politely.
The girl smiled politely. "Oh, it has been paid by the gentlemen over there." The girl pointed to a man in dark suit and tie by the window. Akihito craned his neck to the direction where the girl pointed and his tempered flared.
Sitting near the window was none other than Toru, his personal bodyguard whom Asami had forcefully requested him to keep.
"Akihito! Where are you going?" Takato asked when he noticed his friend stood up abruptly with his camera bag.
Akihito paid no heed to his friend's call. He took a few large strides to Toru, glaring at him.
"What the hell are you doing here? I thought we agreed that you'll stay away from me! And why the hell did you pay for us?"
Toru stood up and bowed. "I'm sorry, Takaba sama. This is Asami sama's orders," Toru explained as he pulled out his phone. Akihito grabbed the phone rudely. True enough, there were messages from Asami.
Asami sama : Where is Akihito?
Me : Takaba sama is in a café at Roppongi west with Takato san and Kou san.
Asami sama : Good. Report to me when Akihito leaves
Me : Yes, Asami sama. Uhm… Takaba sama seems to have some difficulties. I overheard him asking his friends to treat him because he didn't have enough cash in his wallet. What are your orders, Asami sama?
Asami sama : Pay for them. Bring the bill back to Sion and pass it to Kirishima.
Me : Understood, Asami sama.
Akihito slammed the phone on the table. "You traitor," he hissed.
Toru took the phone and slipped in into his dress pants. "I apologize, Takaba sama. Compared to Asami sama's wrath, I'd rather face yours."
"That monopolizing bastard," Akihito cursed.
Takato and Kou came behind him. Kou placed an arm around Akihito, trying to ease his anger. "Calm down, Akihito. Isn't it great? Now we don't even have to fork out a single yen!"
Akihito ignored Kou. "Your boss is a jerk."
Toru looked at Akihito in a perfectly composed face. "Shall I convey your message to Asami sama?"
Kou and Takato clamped their hands on their mouths to refrain from laughing aloud. Really, the bodyguard is good! Akihito, who was growing more frustrated by the moment, nearly screamed. He managed, just barely to control his temper and gritted out. "I will tell him that myself."
The bodyguard bowed. "Very well, Takaba sama." At that precise moment, Toru's phone beeped, signaling an incoming text. Toru stared at the phone for a few seconds before passing it to Akihito.
"It's for you, Takaba sama."
Akihito snatched the phone from Toru's outstretched hand.
Asami sama : Toru. Show this message to Akihito.
Asami sama : Akihito, prepare sukiyaki for tonight's dinner. Don't forget to buy the ingredients. You know what they are.
That demanding bastard; I'm not your personal cook! Akihito was so tempted to disobey Asami but the thought of eating sukiyaki in the middle of a cold November was mouth watering. He could just imagine dipping a piece of Wayu beef in the beaten raw egg before putting it in his mouth, allowing the beef to melt magically in his mouth.
Takatou who had been peeping at the message whistled. "Wow, sukiyaki! I can imagine Wagyu beef on the menu!"
Akihito swallowed his saliva and passed the phone back to Toru. Pushing Kou's arm from his shoulder, he walked to the front door. "I got to go. It's good seeing you guys. We'll do it again soon ok?"
"Wait! I have to go to the mart too! My mom told me to get a packet of shitake mushrooms on the way home," Kou ran to catch up with Akihito.
Akihito froze. No, he mustn't allow Kou to follow him! "I… I don't think that's a good idea. I have to go to the rich housewives' mart to get the stuff. You know expensive the items can be."
"Marukoshi? Damn Akihito, you are shopping in that high class mart?" Takato smacked Akihito's shoulder in envy.
Akihito laughed nervously. "Ah, uhm.. yeah. You better buy at our usual place down the road. They're cheaper!" He looked away from Kou.
Kou eyed Akihito suspiciously but reluctantly agreed. His best friend was never good at lying- he would often lower his gaze to the right and refused to look at the person in the eyes. Akihito quickly excused himself before his friends could protest.
"Takato, Akihito is behaving suspiciously," Kou nudged his friend's arm.
Takato who was always slow on the uptake, replied, "Huh? What do you mean?"
Kou knocked Takato's head. "Akihito was lying! He gave pathetic excuses and tried to deter us from going with him."
"Ouch!" Takato rubbed his head. "Now that you mention it, he was not in his usual self. Aki usually doesn't make a big fuss about it."
Kou agreed. "Yeah. We followed him to Marukoshi once remember? There were these two bitches who kept on sneering at us. Our Akihito was embarrassed but we didn't give a damn about them."
"Maybe he wanted to protect our feelings? Knowing Akihito, he might want to save us from the humiliation," Takato countered.
"No, it's still too fishy. There is something our friend is hiding from us," Kou looked at Takato for a split second before he broke out a grin. "We'll follow him and find out his little secret!"
He pulled Takato forcefully by his arm before he could protest. They took the longer route to make sure that they wouldn't bump into Akihito, fearing the photographer would notice their presence behind him. Akihito was a trained photographer after all; he's sensitive to movements surrounding him.
Kou reached Marukoshi a few seconds earlier than Akihito. He pulled Takato to the huge recycling bins located some distance away and crouched behind them.
"Why are we doing this again?" Takato asked as he tried to catch his breath from running.
Kou slanted his eyes at his friend. "Don't you want to know Akihito's secret?"
"Well, I have to admit that he was behaving oddly just now," Takato mumbled.
"Shh – they're coming!" Kou smacked Takato's hand, signaling him to look.
The duo saw Akihito and Toru walking towards the mart. Toru wore a stoic look but Akihito was nervous; he kept looking around the mart, checking his back every second or so. When they disappeared behind automatic doors, Kou and Takato emerged from their hiding spot and followed Akihito into the mart.
As far as Kou could see, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Was Takato correct after all? Did Akihito merely want to avoid his friends from being humiliated by the stuck up sales personnel?
As Kou continued with his thoughts, Takato grabbed his hand to look for their friend. They ignored rude stares from a few staffs as they peeped row by row carefully. They finally found Akihito at the meat section and to Kou's surprise; Akihito was flanked not only by Toru but a few other men in suit. A middle age man was selecting a slab of beef for Akihito while the other was carrying a basket.
Kou's first assumption they were Akihito's bodyguards. However, something wasn't quite right. Compared to Toru's standard black and white bodyguard uniform, the men's suits were of a different color. The Royal blue coat and pants were Marukoshi's trademark uniform.
"What is Akihito doing there?" Takato asked.
Getting frustrated with the guessing game, Kou marched to where Akihito stood. Giving a hard smack on Akihito's shoulder, he asked, "Akihito! What is it that you don't want us to know?"
"KOU, TAKATOU! What the hell are you guys doing here?" Akihito gasped.
"You tell me, buddy. What are you hiding from us?" Takato looped an arm around Akihito's neck, trying to wrestle him.
"What- what are you doing to our president?" The middle age man in Marukoshi's coat and a name tag that read Suzuki Kenta, manager; asked.
Akihito slapped his hand across his face and let out a heavy sigh while his best friend had their jaws opened so wide that Akihito swore he could fit in two ping pong balls inside.
"Akihito, we—we did not hear wrongly right?" Kou looked at Akihito, bewildered with what he had just heard.
Suzuki stepped in forward and dared himself to repeat his question, "I asked what you were trying to do to our president."
"Suzuki san, please just – just keep quiet for a moment." Akihito pinched the bridge of his nose. Already a headache is forming.
Suzuki immediately zipped his mouth, too afraid to aggravate the president's anger any further.
"Akihito?" Kou prompted, still waiting for an explanation.
Akihito's cheeks turned red. He look at his friends' confused gaze and whispered, "I—I er –uhm –"
"This is Takaba sama's mart. Asami sama had bought it as a gift for Takaba sama," Toru replied stoically when he noticed Akihito was at a loss for words.
As Akihito had predicted, his friends' widened jaws closed and they slowly broke into a grin before laughing hysterically.
"Aki-chan, President and CEO of Marukoshi!" Kou was laughing so hard that he had tears in his eyes.
"And—and remember what Aki said the other day? He'd rather go hungry than shop here?" Takato had to hold onto Kou to stop himself from falling on the floor.
"GUYS!" Akihito shouted. This was definitely worse than when he found out he owned Marukoshi. Now Akihito wished there is a well he could jumped into.
His friends clutched their stomachs and laughed louder. Wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes, Kou replied, "We apologize, Takaba sama!"
Cheeks growing redder by the minute, Akihito took great efforts to stop his friends from laughing as he pushed them out of the mart. He didn't want to walk back into the mart; he refused to. He was so embarrassed that he felt like hiding his face beneath the pillows like an ostrich.
It was Toru who chauffeured Akihito home since the photographer could hardly move from his spot. As Akihito entered the penthouse, he noticed Asami's expensive loafers were already arranged neatly at the entrance of the hallway, indicating the yakuza was home.
Suddenly enraged with the incident a moment ago, Akihito removed his own sneakers hastily before marching into the living room where he presumed Asami would be. True enough, Asami was lounging at the long couch with a whisky in hand and a bath robe that wrapped snuggly around his magnificent body. The yakuza gazed at Akihito as he walked in, smirking.
God, that man is as sexy as hell. Akihito wanted so badly to straddle him and sink his teeth onto the nape of Asami's neck.
NOT NOW! Akihito scolded himself, pushing perverted thoughts away. "ASAMI!" He raised his voice.
"Bad day?" Asami replied lazily as he brought the glass of whisky to his mouth.
Akihito crossed his arms across his chest. "YES! Kou and Takato found out about Marukoshi! Do you know what they said?"
Asami smiled. Of course he knew; he received Toru's report minutes ago before Akihito barged in. The boy, still panting when he entered the room, looked somewhat pissed, hurt and embarrassed. Asami had never seen another creature so fascinating.
"They laughed so hard!" Akihito unfolded his arms as he sat down next to Asami, sulking.
The older man leaned forward to place the glass of whisky on the table before turning to the photographer. "Did you tell them you that you are now the CEO of the mart?"
Asami watched Akihito's eyes fired up. "I didn't have to because that stupid manager spilled everything! It's your fault! Kou and Takato—they were on the floor, clutching their stomachs. If I didn't know better, I thought they were having stomach cramps!" Akihito jabbed a finger at Asami's chest.
When Asami did not reply, Akihito continued, "They kept on calling me names, laughing and giggling as though they were high school girls!" Frustrated, Akihito placed both hands on his head, intended to pull his hair.
Asami stopped him. "Did they, really?"
Akihito scowled. "This is entirely your fault!" Akihito repeated. "If you didn't buy that mart and put it under my name, I wouldn't have to endure the humiliation!"
"Did the bitches at the mart give you problems?"
"No, they were very polite."
Asami smiled. "Good."
Akihito eyed him suspiciously. "I don't think they are that stupid to go against you."
"You're the owner Akihito. Not me," Asami cupped Akihito's chin for a kiss.
Akihito managed to evade Asami's advances. He knew what the yakuza was trying to do; distract him with perverted actions so that he'd stop asking questions. "No, the mart is under my name but you call the shots."
"Smart boy." Asami pet his lover's head.
"I'm not a kid," Akihito muttered but made no attempts to smack Asami's hand away. "By the way, I haven't shouted at you about Toru yet!"
"What about him?"
Akihito straddled his lover and grabbed the collars of the bathrobe. "Why did you ask him to pay for us?"
Enjoying his lover on his lap, Asami relaxed on the couch. "You were broke. You couldn't even pay for a milkshake."
Flustered, Akihito released Asami but continued sitting on his lap. Akihito bit his lip, trying to think of a smart comment to retort. Asami hit right on the spot; he was so broke that he couldn't even buy a cup of instant noodles.
Trying to save some form of dignity, Akihito countered, "I would have money in a few days time. Anyway, do you always text Toru? I never knew you had so much free time in your hands. Don't you have a universe to conquer?"
Asami slid his hands around Akihito's waist. "I do but it wasn't me who texted Toru. Kirishima did that. Naturally, I gave the orders."
"Lazy bastard." Akihito replied. His eyes widened suddenly as though he had just remembered something important. "What—what about those text messages that you sent me?"Akihito blushed furiously.
Enjoying his lover's reaction, Asami squeezed Akihito's bottom gently. "If you mean our sex texts, I typed those myself. Surely you don't think I'd allow Kirishima to do that?"
Akihito breathed in relief. "You are seriously sick, Asami. Sadistic, perverted and a jerk."
Asami replied by sneaking a hand behind Akihito's neck and pushed him closer for a kiss. Akihito placed both palms on Asami's chest, trying to push him away but his efforts were futile. Asami tightened his grip by placing his free hand around Akihito's waist.
After an endless moment, Asami pulled away; satisfied when he saw Akihito flushed face and swollen lips. He wasted no time. Pulling Akihito up, he guided the photographer to their bedroom and proceeded to mess his young lover up.
Xx Business as Usual xX
Just after midnight, a sated Asami untangled himself from Akihito and got dressed in his usual business attire. He retrieved a gun from the secret compartment in his safe before slipping into the weapon harness around his shoulders. Akihito knew about the safe but he wasn't given the access. Not that the photographer minded for not once Asami recalled Akihito asked what was in the safe. That was what Asami liked best about his lover; he can be relentless in pursuing his targets but he is no busybody when it comes to Asami's business. The chemistry between them is perfect. Unlike his other lovers who demanded things from him, Akihito practices the opposite. He refused to take anything from him apart from the occasional food related treats, which was why Asami couldn't resist heaping presents on him.
He sat on the edge of the bed and took one last look at Akihito. His lover was wasted, fast asleep on his stomach, a sign of exhaustion. As he was about to exit the room, he noticed Akihito's bag at the corner. Picking it up, he rummaged through the bag for Akihito's wallet. Toru's reports were accurate; the boy had only one 500 yen coin in it and Asami was already looking forward to Akihito's reaction as he slipped five ten thousand yen notes in his wallet before dumping it back into the camera bag.
He strode to the hall where Kirishima was waiting with Asami's coat.
"Asami sama." Kirishima bowed.
Asami nodded. "Where are they?"
Kirishima straightened. "At warehouse number three. We managed to catch Tanaka and Eiji in the act as they were pocketing ten packets of unprocessed cocaine in their duffel bags," Kirishima explained as he helped his boss to slip on his coat.
"And the cocaine?" Asami asked nonchalantly as he put on his leather gloves.
"Contaminated, Asami sama."
Asami's eyes turned cold. "Where are the goods?"
Kirishima swallowed a lump. "At the warehouse, Asami sama. I instructed the men not to do anything until you arrive."
Asami nodded in approval. "Estimated losses?"
"About 10 million yen."
Ten million yen wasn't much to Asami but he wasn't prepared to let the traitors get away. He had to be cold, ruthless – he had to mark his territory and show the others what he could do if they betray him.
"Kirishima, get the things ready," Asami ordered as he walked out of the penthouse.
Kirishima shuddered. By things, his boss meant tools: hammers, knives, baseball bats. Tanaka and Eiji are in for a very painful death. The last time a similar punishment was meted out, a few guards vomited violently when they did the cleanup.
As Kirishima locked the door of the penthouse, he wished Takaba sama would wake up soon and call Asami sama before he starts punishing them
Thank you so much for reading! Reviews are greatly appreciated!