A Cup of Lust, Beauty and Affairs
Summary: Taichi, a photographer and artist fascinated by the beauty of the world, becomes captivated by the beauty of a customer at his parent's coffee shop. Innocent desires soon blaze into an unforgettable, insatiable, and very deadly, affair.
D-Angel: I'm back, two years later; typically me! Lol. We all know what a shit storm this year has been, and I guess I had a crazy 2019 too, haha. I'll keep things brief, so here are the responses to the reviewers from the last chapter:
Badger-chan- How are you? It's been a long time since I've seen your name pop up :) I definitely plan to finish this, don't worry :) I may be about 50 when I do though xD Thank you for checking in; I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Taimato Fan - It's definitely a soap opera! Hopefully our boys will get a chance to escape the madness and live a happy life together in the end :)
NoctIsFishing- Thank you so much for your reviews! Now that you're all caught up and have been waiting for a while, I hope you enjoy this new chapter :) Maybe it will answer your question about Nobu!
Elylle - I agree with you on that! I suppose throwing the characters in such a wild situation can result in them being a bit OOC sometimes, but I try my best to keep them as in character as possible :) And actually, I hate Yamato being depicted as overly feminine too. Sure, he's a handsome / pretty guy, but definitely not a dainty pushover. He and Taichi are equals in my eyes.
Cloe Lockless- Oh yes, his bandmates are used to his sluttiness, lol. I thought it would only be fair to portray both Takumi's strengths and weaknesses. Painting him as a narcissist has also been lots of fun so far, but probably not so much for Tai :(
PinkBrideGoneBad- It definitely will be the end of an era when this is over. Thank you once again for all your support over the years :)
Ichi Yagami - Thank you so much for your lovely words and long term support :) I'll definitely let you know when I publish anything, or if I need anyone to proofread my own original stories.
Shesunn - I'm still writing… Just very slowly! I hope you're still waiting eagerly!
D-Angel: So here we go… Read on and enjoy! It's long and meaty to make up for the wait! ;)
Chapter 29 - Unravelling the Threads
'I feel you crumble in my arms down to your heart of stone, You bled me dry just like the tears you never show'
That night, I slept at the flat. I needed a good night's rest; I knew Takumi would only wake me up for sex if I'd stayed in the hotel suite. When I did eventually drift off, the sound of pots and pans cluttering from the kitchen awoke me. My heart instantly seized. Takumi never cooked breakfast…
Tumbling out of bed and throwing on a crumpled up t-shirt that was strewn on the floor, I hurried through the living room, then froze in the kitchen archway, my brow furrowing, whilst, simultaneously, a wave of relief washed over me as I gazed at the figure looming over the stove.
Sensing my presence, Yamato peered to the side, eyes catching mine. Placing down the wooden spatula, he marched straight over, embracing me tightly; protectively. He was trembling, and, after a few moments, I realised I was too.
"I'm sorry you had to see him, with me…" Yamato said, his chin resting on my shoulder. I flinched. Yesterday in Takumi's dressing room- I'd fallen straight into that trap. We both had. His attempt to try and break us both. Although he hadn't quite destroyed us, it had left an everlasting imprint.
The hissing of vegetables sizzling loudly in oil broke us straight out of our blissful bubble. Yamato squeezed my arm, then headed back over to the cooker and flicked down the heat.
"How did you even get in here?" I asked, walking over to his side.
"Mimi gave me your spare fob," Yamato explained, his attention now focused on stirring the contents frying away in the wok.
I breathed a small sigh of relief. Using a keyfob, it would have looked less suspicious than him lingering outside the apartment block, waiting for someone to let him in. Still, it was a risky move, but I lacked the mental energy to argue with him about it. My silence unnerved Yamato to the point where he peered over and studied my expression.
"Maybe it was reckless," he added, "but after you messaged me, I couldn't sleep at all last night."
I bit down on the inside of my mouth. I remembered tapping out the text to Yamato during the taxi journey, telling him all about how close I had come to strangling Takumi, and the words that had escaped from his lips. Still, I hadn't anticipated Yamato would have felt the need to come see me in person. A concerned phone call, perhaps, but not going to the lengths of contacting Mimi for my spare keyfob just so he could access the apartment and even cook me breakfast. His kindness, his compassion… It was deadly.
"I'm not hungry," I stated, the tips of my fingers pressing against the worktop surface. The food smelled good, so good.
"Taichi," Yamato spoke my name with an impatient edge. I knew he could see it. I hadn't been eating properly for a while, running around after the band and Takumi, only snacking here and there. It had been several days since I last had a proper meal.
Silently, I reached up to the kitchen cabinet and grabbed two bowls. Yamato flicked the stove off and dished up the food. Once we were seated at the dining table, he didn't say another word until I had finished eating.
"Takumi's not just sleeping with me," he spoke calmly, although I could tell this was something that had been plaguing his mind from the moment he had embraced me in the kitchen. "He's seeing the band's old photographer. Suzuki Nobu."
I didn't even flinch.
"I know. Takumi has history with him, right?"
Nodding, Yamato curled his fingers around his coffee mug. "He used to see him back when we were in The Wolves."
I placed my chopsticks down.
"I'm guessing he knew you and Takumi were an item?"
Yamato's cheeks turned an alluring shade of pink.
"He was more than aware. He took some 'intimate' photos of us. Takumi's request," he explained, shifting slightly in his chair. "I went along with it, although I wasn't comfortable with the idea. I even had a bit to drink to help ease my nerves."
A sickening feeling churning away in the pit of my stomach, I visualised Takumi and Yamato getting down and dirty whilst Nobu snapped away with his camera.
"I never got on with Nobu, especially after I found out Takumi was sleeping with him back then." Yamato's brow creased. "Guess I still hoped Takumi only had eyes for me."
I saw a flicker of pain flash across his azure orbs.
"Back then I still trusted him. He's never trusted me. Not even back then. In fact, the closer we became, the less he trusted me. It's virtually impossible to find the right balance with him. That's why he's so exhausting."
"You don't have to keep seeing him," I said, my brow creasing. Yamato placed his hand down firmly on the table, his sudden action startling me.
"No, Chi. I do." His eyes bored into mine. "There's another reason why I'm getting close to him again."
Pressing my lips together, I knew he was about to tell me something big. He exhaled sharply, eyes drifting towards the door. His face was suddenly plagued with the same troubled expression from when I'd visited him after Sora had been hospitalised.
"Isamu already knows this. I'm sorry I haven't told you until now."
I felt my throat tighten, as if suddenly Takumi's hand had enclosed around my neck.
"Those... those morning sickness pills Takumi offered Mimi; he offered the same ones to Sora when she was pregnant. And, she took them." Yamato folded his arms across his chest tightly as he lowered his gaze. "A few weeks later, that's when... When she..."
A sharp shudder vibrated through my body. I did not want to believe that Takumi could go as far as doing something so sick and twisted, but his obsession with Yamato was becoming more prominent. He was quite capable of doing absolutely anything if it meant having Yamato all to himself.
"I know I can't prove it," Yamato said, voice still shaking. "But if I can find anything, anything that will expose Takumi for the monster he truly is, then I'll do whatever it takes."
"It's not been easy. He doesn't trust me. He never has, even back then. The closer we became, the less he trusted me," Yamato continued, gazing down at the palms of his hands. "It's virtually impossible to find the right balance with him. That's why he's so exhausting."
His eyes drifted up, examining my creased brow and dishevelled hair. He reached over and placed a warm hand on top of mine. The pressure of his flesh on mine alone was enough to tell me the words that shortly followed from his lips.
"Be careful with him."
Lingering outside Takumi's dressing room, I peered down at the display on my watch. It was almost seven and the warm-up act were about to go out on stage. At least the band's second gig was at the same venue in Tokyo. Since everyone was already familiar with the layout and how the evening would pan out, the atmosphere was far more relaxed. Despite that, I was uneasy.
My stomach tightened when I recalled the last time I had set foot inside Takumi's dressing room. Granted, he was unlikely to pull the same stunt twice, but still I pressed my ear against the door for a couple of moments, then pushed the door open when I deemed it was probably safe this time.
I jumped abruptly when I was suddenly standing face to face with the same guy I had seen hobbling down the corridor after yesterday's gig. His pupils enlarged before he looked away timidly and apologised, then hurried straight past me. With the same camera around his neck, combined with his uneasy expression, I now realised who it was. My brow furrowing, I stepped inside.
Takumi was perched on the edge of his dressing table counter, an amused smile playing on his lips.
"Was that Nobu?" I asked, soon after the door had closed behind me. Takumi's eyes lit up before he took a sip from his hip flask.
"Yeah, that's right," he said, nonchalantly. "He's doing some photography for The Steel Arrows."
"Why was he in your dressing room just now?"
Takumi's eyes narrowed. My chest tightened. The words had come out from my mouth without any warning, and with a hint of aggression behind them. As he continued to analyse me I was terrified that I had overstepped the mark. I could feel the sweat beading on my forehead, until he finally laughed then shook his head.
"Do you really think I've just fucked him?" Takumi rubbed his hand against his forehead before he glanced down at his legs. "I already told you, these leather trousers are like a chastity belt."
Sliding off from the counter, he smoothed his hand along his well-fitted white shirt.
"I never figured you were the jealous sort," Takumi smirked, eyes boring straight into me. "Honestly though, I did sleep with him that night we went to the Lemon Zest. He practically jumped me. I think he was just hoping to worm his way back into being our band's photographer."
There was no remorse in his voice. To him this was just normal behaviour. He would never be the type to settle down with just one person. As much as I didn't want it to bother me, it still did, especially now I knew Yamato was involved in the picture.
"You were with him at the Lemon Zest when he had his accident, weren't you?"
I figured now we were on the subject of Nobu, it was only natural to start digging a little deeper into it. Clearly it was a risqué topic. Takumi curled his around his hip flask as he slid his tongue along his lower lip.
"You think I pushed him, don't you?"
My eyes widened, before I immediately shook my head.
"N-no, I just want to know what happened," I quickly blurted, the back of my neck burning as Takumi's green eyes penetrated me. His grip relaxed as a small smile spread across his usually stoic face.
"Yes, I was there when it happened. So was the rest of the band. Nobu was tending the bar, but he kept joining in with our rounds of shots. Before long, he was completely out of it. I took him up to the rooftop for some fresh air." Takumi moved closer to me. "He almost fell down the stairs before we had even reached the top."
He took another gulp from his flask.
"He threw up once we were on the rooftop. I decided it was probably best to get him back home. He was so far gone, he didn't protest." Takumi paused for a moment, as if trying to recall the details of the rest of the story. "I let him walk on ahead. The next moment he was tumbling down the stairs, like a ragdoll. Then, he was just laying at the bottom, limbs all twisted. I rushed down to check on him. He was unconscious, but still breathing, so I called for an ambulance. They whisked him to hospital, and he came round a few hours later. He couldn't remember a thing. The paramedics said he was lucky to survive that fall."
I wasn't surprised. Those stairs were pretty steep; hard to navigate even whilst being relatively sober.
"Obviously I was questioned by the police, but, what motive did I have?" Takumi ran his fingers through his styled hair. "If I'd wanted to murder him, don't you think I could have got someone else to do the dirty work for me?"
It was a feasible argument. Still, there was a niggle in the back of my mind. The whole thing just seemed far too convenient. And the thing Shiro had mentioned about the lack of CCTV footage still concerned me.
"It was just an unfortunate accident," Takumi concluded, his hand now resting against my groin, squeezing it a bit too hard for my liking. "One that has worked in both our favours. Be mindful of that."
Rushing along the back corridor, I held my camera close to my chest. The band were about to come back onstage for their encore, so I had a few minutes to spare.
My phone rang just as I stepped into the toilets. I took one look at the display then quickly dashed into a cubicle and answered the call. Isamu spoke before I could even say hello.
"Yes, there's definitely a link."
Ever since Shiro had mentioned the possibility of Takumi being responsible for Nobu's accident, it had got me thinking: What if there was a possibility that Nobu's accident was somehow linked to the drugs Takumi had access to?
"There isn't enough evidence to connect it all," Isamu sighed. "Even Mimi's struggling to dig up any dirt, even with the help of her contacts."
I exhaled softly.
"Mimi doesn't have to get involved. She shouldn't. I know why you didn't want Mimi to take those pills." My hand squeezed against my phone. "I'm sorry I tried to persuade her to. Yamato only told me today, about what he thinks happened to Sora."
There was a brief pause of silence on Isamu's end before he replied.
"I couldn't let Mimi take that risk. If the pills are linked to Sora's miscarriage, then…"
He didn't want to finish his sentence, but I knew what he was implying. Takumi had absolutely no boundaries.
"Do you reckon you can convince him to go for a drink with you somewhere after the gig?" Isamu asked. "I could meet you there."
"Hmm…" I wasn't familiar enough with Nobu to just invite him out for a drink. It would raise too much suspicion, especially with Takumi. Scratching the crown of my head, I racked my brains; there had to be an opportunity we could seize after the gig was over.
Fortunately, it didn't take too long for inspiration to strike me and I explained my idea to Isamu.
"Worth a shot," Isamu decided after a small pause. "I'll head on over to the venue now."
I felt apprehensive as I stepped into the green room with Isamu. I briefly acknowledged the few familiar faces there, who I still didn't know the names of, before heading across the room to the two-seat sofa Nobu was sitting on. He was cycling through the pictures on his camera. Isamu gestured over at him with his chin, and we made a beeline for him.
"Nobu?"
His body twitched before his eyes darted between us, then he slowly nodded his head. I sat down next to him. Isamu grabbed a nearby stool and perched down opposite both of us.
"Yagami, what has Takumi told you about me?" Nobu asked, lowering his camera onto his lap. He knew we were here to confront him. By asking the first question, he was attempting to keep hold of the reins and guide the conversation in a favourable direction.
Isamu's eyes met mine. I briefly chewed on the inside of my cheek. The few times Takumi had spoken about Nobu, none of it had been positive. Obviously, I couldn't tell him that.
"Not a lot," I eventually said. "All I know is that you were the main photographer for Vertical Illusion up until you had your accident."
"I see."
A pained flicker appeared in his eyes momentarily. I knew better not to question it.
"He also told me you drank a lot that night."
Nobu shifted in his seat, then hooked a finger underneath the collar of his jumper.
"I was working at the bar that night, but I don't really remember much to be honest," Nobu confessed, his fingers fiddling with the strap of his camera. "I only recall having two or three shots. After that, I blacked out."
My brow furrowed. Two or three shots usually wasn't enough to get most people completely drunk. Tipsy, maybe, but not to the extent of losing all control and falling down a set of stairs.
"Three shots doesn't sound like that much," I said, my fingers tapping against my chin.
"Maybe I drank more- but as I said, I don't remember." Nobu slumped back against the sofa. "I blacked out, after all."
With that, hundreds of thoughts and memories flooded my mind all at once, all involving the few times I had been drinking with Takumi. On all but one occasion, I had ended up blacking out after losing all control of my body.
"Nobu, do you think it's possible that Takumi could have..." Isamu paused, before lowering his voice. "...drugged you?"
Mouth agape, Nobu sat straight upright in his seat. My own lips parted; even I was surprised at the accusation. Yet now, running through the scenario in my mind, it was more than feasible.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Nobu said, a little too sharply. "We were seeing each other at that time. And after I fell he called for the ambulance. He stayed by my side..."
Beads of perspiration, highlighted by the glow of the yellowish ambience emitting from the ceiling lights, had started to collect against the skin of his neck. As Nobu tried to defend Takumi, the expression on Isamu's face was similar to a predator who knew it had cornered its prey; his lips slightly furled, eyes glistening in intrigue.
Thanks to Nobu already admitting he had blacked out part way through that night, we all knew these were all things he couldn't remember- things he had taken everyone else's word for. There was, after all, no CCTV footage available to display the truth.
"He didn't push me either," Nobu said, gritting his teeth. "I'm sick of everyone accusing him of that."
"We never implied he did," Isamu interjected.
"Then, why are you so interested?" Nobu asked, barely missing a beat. It was an abrupt question, but Isamu's expression didn't falter.
"You did some photography work for Takumi's old band, right?" Isamu questioned, beginning to dig a bit deeper. Nobu was aware; he parted his lips, then closed them again when he realised Isamu wasn't finished. "We saw the pictures on your website."
Nobu released a small amused breath.
"Yeah, I did some photography for them," he said, nonchalantly. "That's how I met Takumi."
Isamu rested his hands on his knees, the corners of his lips furling into a small smile. "Then you must know Ishida Yamato, the blond haired singer from the band."
At the mention of Yamato, a small grimace appeared on Nobu's face. This, I realised, was what Isamu was honing in on.
"I do. Not that I really spoke to him. I just did my job." There was a pregnant pause. I could hear the cogs clicking away in Nobu's head before he spoke once again. "In all fairness, Takumi's obsessed with Ishida. Beyond the point of it being normal."
Nobu looked over at me. "You know he's seeing him again, right?"
I nodded. Nobu's eyes softened for a moment.
"He's never satisfied being with just one person, is he?" I said, speaking my own thoughts out loud.
"He never is," Nobu responded vacantly. "Not even Ishida is enough for him."
We all turned our heads as the door clicked open. The sound of loud laughter instantly followed as Takumi walked into the room, the rest of the band following. They'd been having drinks down at the venue bar with a group of their fans. Isamu and I had assumed we'd have more time to question Nobu before they came back here.
Takumi peered around the room before he spotted us all tucked away in the corner and made a beeline to where we were. He weaved across the room unsteadily; a few drinks too many affecting his balance.
"You three look cosy," Takumi stated when he reached us, standing beside me, resting his hand against the arm of the sofa. Isamu did not even bother to hide his scowl.
"I've gotta go," Nobu announced, uneasily.
"Aww, but I've just got here," Takumi's suave voice penetrated through the awkward atmosphere as he locked eyes with him. "Stay for one more drink at least."
"I'd best be off too," Isamu decided, standing up.
I knew the last thing Isamu wanted was to leave me alone with Takumi, but he had no option given how much he detested being around the singer. Undoubtedly he was hoping to squeeze some extra information out of Nobu too. The nod he sent in my direction affirmed this.
"Suit yourselves," Takumi said.
Nobu mumbled his apologies as he stood up. His gaze lingered on me for a few seconds before he and Isamu said their farewells and headed on over to the exit.
"I didn't know Nobu was your type," Takumi said sitting down on the vacant seat next to me. His lips brushed against my cheek, the warmth of his whisky soaked breath tickling my nostrils. "He wouldn't be able to satisfy you. Not like I can."
I knew Takumi wouldn't question me about my sudden interest in Nobu. It wasn't his style, and I was sure he already suspected my motive, especially with Isamu confronting him too. This had been a reckless move, I realised.
"Shall we go back to the hotel or the flat?" Takumi asked. "Or do you fancy fucking somewhere different?"
"Bored of Yamato already?" I retorted, ignoring his hand caressing my inner thigh.
"Oh, I just love this side of you, Taichi."
I remained still and silent.
"Wanna know something?" Takumi shifted his body closer, his mouth hovering close to my ear. "When we fuck, I often imagine you're him."
He was trying to feed my jealousy, and frustratingly, he knew just what buttons to press. Catching my mouth with his own, I bit down on his lower lip, hard enough that my teeth sunk in and pierced the soft skin. He moaned against my mouth before I pulled away, eyes glistening with rage. He brushed his tongue across his bruised lip then smiled.
"Hotel it is."
Back in the hotel suite, I tried to escape to the bathroom, but Takumi followed me. He ran us a shower, then fucked me within the spacious cubicle. It was exceptionally hard and rough. I hated myself for enjoying it.
Afterwards, I lingered in the shower for as long as I could, hoping he would be asleep on the bed by the time I came out. Sadly, he was stretched out across the covers naked, eyes fixated on the muted television screen on the wall opposite. A Vertical Illusion music video was playing; their debut song a few years ago, the one where all the band members were shirtless wearing bowties and boxer shorts, pretending to be waiters at some fancy wedding. Takumi had told me he loathed the entire experience of filming it.
"Towel off and get your beautiful backside over here," Takumi instructed, his drunken eyes still glued to the screen. It seemed like he'd made the most of the bottle of rum that was now perched on the bedside table.
"No," I said firmly. "I'm going to the flat."
For a moment, he continued to stare blankly at the screen. Then, his hand crept across the bed, grabbing hold of the remote.
"Is this because of Yamato?"
I didn't answer. Instead I grabbed my underwear from the floor and tugged them on.
"Come on. It's never bothered you before when I've slept with other people," Takumi sighed, switching off the television, turning his full attention to me. "You're welcome to do the same."
Unless it's with Yamato, my mind harshly reminded me as I stepped into my jeans.
"Didn't you enjoy watching me on stage tonight?" Takumi asked, sliding his tongue across his lips as he shuffled across to the edge of the bed. I pulled a face of discontent and continued to get dressed. "I bet it made you hard."
He reached out and tried to pull me onto the bed. My hand collided hard against his cheek. Green eyes widening, he rested his fingers against the mark. Then, he started to chuckle, softly at first. It morphed into a full on loud and amused howl, before he suddenly stopped as his eyes met mine.
"Harder," Takumi beckoned, a crazed look in his green depths. "Hit me like you hate me."
Raising my hand again, I saw the corners of his lips curl into a self-satisfied grin, until, instead of striking him again, I slammed my hand hard against the bedside table. Takumi cocked an eyebrow.
"It's over," I growled. "I want out."
His hand grabbed hold of my wrist.
"I'll say when it's over," Takumi said, a chilling edge to his voice.
My heart shuddered hard against my chest. Now I realised the truth. Takumi was intending to string me along as long as he could. He had no trust in Yamato. This was becoming a complete mess.
"I'm going to the flat," I said, managing to break free of his grasp. I backed away from the bed quickly, only to pause when Takumi suddenly buried his face into his hands. His entire body was shaking. Usually, he was so calm. So... together. To see him like this, it was more than terrifying.
"I hate how he makes me feel."
I assumed he was talking about Yamato. Hesitantly, I joined him on the mattress, hoping I could try and find a way to calm him down. However, the moment I twisted my body to face him, he suddenly reached out, grasping me by the collar of my t-shirt, sharply pulling me towards him.
"What is he planning?" Takumi asked aggressively, eyes narrowing, his breath hot and heavy against my skin. "You do know. You must know!"
"Takumi," I warned, my voice an octave higher than usual as my heart started to beat wildly against my ribcage. Frowning deeper, he tightened his grasp. I winced as the material dug uncomfortably into the back of my neck, a crazed shimmer dancing in his eyes, exactly like the time he had strangled me.
I grabbed hold of his wrist firmly and looked him in the eyes. "You're hurting me."
The wild look in his irises flickered, like a flame caught in a gust of wind, then, he let go. He covered his face with only one of his hands this time.
"Go to the flat," Takumi said, rolling onto his side, back facing me. "Stay there tonight."
As I managed to stagger off the mattress, back onto my feet, I only just about heard the final thing he said:
"If you stay, you'll make me do something bad."
I never went to the flat. Instead I curled up on the sofa futton. I knew I should have kept my distance; after all, I had never seen him this way before. This was a side he had kept hidden from me: a side that Yamato was trying to protect me from.
It seemed that now that Takumi had what he wanted, it was like he didn't know what to do with himself, or what he wanted to do with me anymore. He was simply becoming an unpredictable mess.
Slumping down onto the sofa, I stifled a yawn. Despite I'd managed to sleep I still felt exhausted. Not even two double espressos had perked me up.
Takumi often ignored me in the mornings, or had already left by the time I'd woken up, so I was surprised when he had slid beside me on the sofa futton and awoken me with gentle kisses and curious fingers
Once he was satisfied I was awake, he grasped me by the hand and led me over to the window so he could screw me whilst the sun rose. He wasn't as aggressive as last night. Perhaps he'd pictured Yamato beneath him instead of me.
"Rest up." Those had been his words before he left.
I rubbed my index fingers in small circles against my temples. His erratic mood swings were something I knew I couldn't get used to.
My phone buzzed lightly against the coffee table. A text message from Yamato flashing up on the screen.
I've found some copies of the photographs. They should be sitting in your inbox.
My breathing hitched. I'd asked him to send me over copies of the intimate photos Nobu had taken of him and Takumi (if he still had any copies). He'd been embarrassed to send them onto me, but understood that they could be crucial to our investigation.
Takumi could have been dangerous last night if I hadn't handled him in the right way. I'd experienced him in plenty of states since I had known him, but never like that.
I'll convince Takumi to leave you alone.
Yamato's words were pretty much an empty promise. Takumi was beyond anyone's control. We both knew this.
Opening up the email attachments, I sucked in a deep breath and braced myself.
The first image was a close up of a younger, long haired Takumi, kissing Yamato. The second was a mid-shot of Yamato splayed out on the sofa, Takumi 's hands roaming underneath his t-shirt.
My eyes immediately widened when I scrolled to the next image. Both Yamato and Takumi were naked. Yamato's legs were up over Takumi's shoulders, and it was quite obvious he was being penetrated by the black haired singer.
I hit the return button as I grit my teeth. Despite I'd already physically witnessed Takumi have sex with Yamato, looking at these photos were far worse.
Peering back down at the email, I noticed that Isamu's name was listed next to me in the recipient field. Yamato had obviously thought to save time and send the copies to both of him seemed like the best thing to do. He answered within the first few rings.
"Isamu, have you seen the pictures?"
"Yeah, I was about to call you actually. Something's caught my attention."
I arched an eyebrow.
"Look at the pictures again. Tell me if you see it."
Putting Isamu on speaker phone, I loaded the images onto my phone screen once again and scrolled through them.
"Doesn't Yamato look a bit off to you?"
"In what way?" I asked.
"It's like he's under the influence of something."
"Oh, he did mention he had a few drinks to help ease his nerves."
"That's not the look of someone who's drunk," Isamu stated.
Brow creasing, I zoomed in, gazing at Yamato's expression. He was right. Something was amiss. It wasn't the look of ecstasy I was familiar with. His eyes were glazed over, like he staring vacantly into the void, and his lips slightly parted, glistening with what I hoped was just saliva. He looked exactly the same in the following photo.
"Are you saying Takumi..." I couldn't even bring myself to finish that sentence. The knots in my stomach tightened. I pictured Takumi slipping something into Yamato's drink, then waiting until the effects had taken hold before having his wicked way with him.
"I'm in the process of doing some digging. I'll let you know if I find anything."
He ended the call promptly on those words leaving my mind reeling with all kinds of thoughts.
"Dammit, Takumi," I muttered under my breath.
The final Tokyo gig was tomorrow. Flopping down on the bed, I knew I had to get some rest, despite sleep was the last thing I wanted.
Somehow, I ended up drifting into a peculiar slumber where I was walking down a dimly lit corridor; the backstage corridor from the recent concert venue. There was a camera flash, seemingly from nowhere, followed by another one, dazing me. Blinded, I continued to stagger forwards, arm stretched out, until I grasped onto what I assumed was a railing. My vision gradually returned. I was overlooking the venue's stage. Vertical Illusion were performing, donned in their military uniforms.
They seemed miles away. I reached down to my camera and peered into the viewfinder. Zooming in on the stage, a cold shiver slid down my spine as I studied the four figures on stage. They were all Takumi, a wry grin fixed on each face, and their green eyes glowing bright, like toxic.
As the band started to perform Sexy Vibes, I drifted back to the land of the living.
Still half-asleep, my hand fumbling for my ringing phone that was rumbling against the bedside table. When I saw Isamu's name flashing up on the display I swiftly answered the call.
"Mooooshi mosh-"
"-Tai, get over here! There's something you have to see." A harrowing edge clung to his voice. I immediately sprung to my feet as Isamu continued talking and grabbed what clothing I could find scattered around the suite, although I was only absorbing every other word he spoke. Something to do with the photographs Yamato had sent, some kind of breakthrough, and that I needed to come over to his apartment as soon as possible.
"Isamu, what's going on exactly?" I asked, my mind helplessly trying to make sense of what he was trying to tell me.
"Oh, shit...' His breathing hitched. 'Taichi, get here, now."
He hung up, and barely seconds later, I was out the door.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Song lyrics
Post Malone - "Take What You Want"
D-Angel: Things are definitely heating up now! There's a lot going on, so please feel free to message me if you're confused about anything, or if there's any loose threads you're still worried about! xD It's also likely I'll be going back to amend this chapter as I continue to map out the ending to this story.
I'll do my upmost best to update again before the end of the year, between juggling basically a full-time adult life. If we go into another full on lockdown again in the UK, then I'll definitely dedicate more of my time into completing this story!
Take care for now my lovelys :)
D-Angel
22/09/20