A/N: Hello again! I'm really, reall

A/N: Hello again! I'm really, really sorry for the late updates. The past two months have been the most trying times of my life and I'm really hoping that things will return to normal soon.

Ideas from this chapter came from Zinnia_23 (Livejournal) who suggested Akihito should attend meetings at Sion and nightwyvre who suggested I should write Akihito's friends mistakenly think Asami is the cause of Akihito's injuries.

To Kusarihime and limnamae – Happy Birthday! This chapter is dedicated to both of you!

Warnings: lemons, cliffhanger

Thanks RiveReinStyx for beta-ing! You are awesome, as always (hugs)

Disclaimer: Finder Series and its notable characters are properties of Yamane Ayano. I made no profit from writing this fan fiction.

Business as Usual 28

In between a hectic schedule, Akihito managed to squeeze some time to meet his best buddies from high school. Kou and Takato had been complaining that they hadn't seen him for two months, and insisted that the photographer show his face. Five minutes would have been sufficient, according to Kou.

Apparently, they were worried if Akihito went MIA on them again; just like the time he was held captive by Fei Long in Hong Kong.

To prove that he was still very much alive and kicking, Akihito slot in an hour of his precious lunch break to meet up with at Kou's apartment.

"Ando, can you wait for me for a while? I need to see Kou and Takato," he said as the luxurious sedan pulled in front of a low cost residential area.

"Sure, Makoto can wait in the car while we see your friends."

Akihito stepped out of the vehicle. "There's no we, Ando. Just me."

"But Takaba sama, Toru san reminded me to be with you at all times." Ando protested as he got off the vehicle.

Ignoring his guard, Akihito walked up the stairs to the second floor where Kou's apartment was located. "Ando, I'm not going to jump from the building. Even Toru usually gives me privacy when I'm with Kou and Takato."

As expected, Ando gave in to his demands easily. Nodding his head, Ando announced that he would stand in front of Kou's apartment while Akihito meet-up with his friends.

Well, better than none, Akihito thought as he rapped his knuckles on the apartment door. Thank god Toru was on leave or he didn't think he'd be able to win the argument easily as the stoic, lanky guard wasn't as easily swayed as Ando, making it difficult for negotiations.

Kou opened the door, raised his hand to mutter a greeting.

"Yo, Kou," Akihito greeted and stepped inside the apartment where Takato was already waiting.

"Takato." Akihito fist bumped his friend before sitting down on the floor around the small table.

Kou came around to join them. "Akihito, we haven't seen you in two months. Where the hell were you?"

"Working."

"You sure?"

Akihito looked at his best friends. "Of course I'm sure. Where did you think was I?"

Kou and Takato looked at each other before narrowing their eyes at Akihito. "Give it to us straight, Akihito. Were you kidnapped by someone again?"

"No!" Akihito denied and felt slightly guilty. He wasn't abducted, more like he voluntarily went to Cambodia to be a decoy in Asami's plan to capture Chey Rith. He nearly lost his life, if it weren't for Toru who saved him.

"Well, if you say so, Akihito." Kou rested his elbows on the small table, looking at Akihito unconvincingly.

"Oh yeah, this came to my house," Takato said, passing a postcard to Akihito.

Akihito took the offered card and read. It was an invitation to his high school reunion party. His heart almost stopped when he noticed the location of the reunion party was near the onsen that Asami bought for him at Fukouka. He reread it again, just to be sure and nearly breathed out in relief. It wasn't his. Located near the posh onsen that he owned, it was more affordable and popular among high school students and company workers.

"When did you get this?"

"Last week. And this is your invitation." The light haired boy slid an identical card across the table.

"Why was it delivered to you?" Akihito asked as he took the card bearing his name.

"Remember glasses boy class president? He mailed me the other day, asking for your address. I don't know if I should pass Asami san's address to him so I had him mail both invitations to me."

"Thanks buddy," Akihito said gratefully.

His relationship with Asami wasn't something that he wanted the world to know. In fact the less people knew about it, the better. Akihito knew the older man was in a position of power and wealth, and that could make him a potential target by others. The last thing Akihito wanted was to put Asami in a vulnerable position because of their relationship.

Akihito flipped the card over, reading it again before keeping the card in his camera bag. "Are you guys going?"

Kou shrugged his shoulders. "I guess, I mean it has been ages since we've last seen our classmates. Plus, kaa-san is making a big stink that I haven't gone back for so long."

"Takato?" Akihito asked, sipping the offered tea.

"Yeah, I guess I'll go too. You, Akihito?" Takato directed the question back at the photographer.

"Hold on," Akihito said, rummaging his bag for his phone. "Ah, I'm good. No assignments on that day," he said cheerfully after checking the calendar.

"Great! I'll RSVP immediately!" Takato said and grabbed a pen to fill in the reply slip.

Akihito's smiling face fell when he suddenly remembered something crucial. "Shit, I forgot that I'm broke this month. That bastard Mitarai has been stealing my scoops lately, so I hardly have anything in my account!"

"You're forgetting something Akihito." Kou trailed his fingers lightly over the diamond studded phone.

"What?"

"This," the dark haired boy answered, pushing the phone towards Akihito.

"What about the phone?"

It was Takato who answered. "Pawn this and you can get your money for the trip."

Finally understood what Kou meant, Akihito grabbed his phone hastily and kept it in the bag. "Of course not!"

Kou smacked Akihito's back playfully. "Just kidding, buddy."

"OUCH!"

Normally Akihito wouldn't have yelped from the smack, but since he suffered a good beating from Koga and his gang a week ago his bruises were healing and the pain hadn't subsided.

"Hey, you okay? I didn't hit you too hard, did I?" Kou placed a hand gently on Akihito's back.

"You all right, Akihito?" Takato went to the photographer, pulled his shirt up to check for bruises. Kou moved backwards a little to help Takato.

Instead of Kou's palm print on Akihito's back, numerous healing bruises greeted them. Some were dark while others were yellowish; a sign that the bruises were almost healing.

"Akihito, your back –"

That had Akihito pull away. He tugged at his shirt hastily, trying to cover the evidence of his bruised body from his friends. "No – it's nothing."

Takato shook Akihito's shoulders gently. "That cannot be nothing! You're covered with bruises!"

Akihito forced a smile. "I – I fell down," he lied and averted his eyes.

"You don't get bruises like that from falling down," Kou countered. "You were beat up," he said flatly.

Damn it. The last thing Akihito wanted was to worry his friends over him. He hid his attack from Kou and Takato on purpose since he didn't want them to fawn over him. Standing up abruptly, the photographer grabbed his bag, ready to take his flight from his best buddies.

"You're thinking too much, Kou," he said as he moved to the front door. "Guys, I gotta go. I have an assignment in fifteen. I'll call you guys later ok?"

Takato grabbed Akihito's arm, yanking him back inside. "Akihito – " his tone softened, "—you're our best friend. If you're in trouble, we can help you."

"I'm not," Akihito reassured, pushing his friend's hand away.

"Then, how did you get those bruises? Did Asami san do that to you?" Kou challenged.

Akihito's eyes widened at the statement. "What are you talking about?"

Kou grabbed Akihito's hands. "Did he do that to you?" His tone was stronger this time.

"No, of course not!" Akihito denied hotly. He stared at his friends. Both had worry etched all over their faces. The photographer sighed. He couldn't just stay angry at his friends' baseless accusation since he would do the same if he were in their shoes.

"Look, I can assure you Asami didn't hit me or anything." Akihito patted his friends' shoulders at the same time. "You can ask Ando if you want to."

The door to the apartment opened at the moment and Ando stepped, looking concerned. "Takaba sama, I heard you raising your voice. Is everything all right?"

Akihito offered an unconvincing smile. "Yeah, we were just fooling around." He checked his wrist watch; the same one Asami bought for him on his birthday and made exaggerated expressions.

"Hey, I got to go! My assignment in court starts in ten minutes. See you guys later!" He waved and quickly escaped.

Ando, who was more concerned with the fact that Akihito was going to be late for his assignment, didn't probe further about Akihito raising his voice.

As the photographer relaxed in his seat, he sincerely hoped that his excuses were enough to satisfy Kou and Takato for the last thing he wanted was to witness a confrontation between his best buddies and Asami.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"Takato, I think Akihito's lying," Kou said as he stared at the closed door.

The light haired boy nodded in agreement. "Something isn't right." He followed Kou back into the living room. "Do you think Asami san did that to him?"

"I can't think of anyone else who could do that to Akihito." Kou sat on the carpeted floor. "I mean, Toru san and Ando san are always around him. It's unlikely that he was beaten by someone else."

"Should we contact Toru san?"

Kou shook his head. "Both of them work for Asami san. They're bound to take their employer's side."

For once, Takato looked seriously troubled. "Kou," he said in a somewhat panicked voice.

The dark haired boy stared at his best friend. "What is it?"

"Remember all those bruises on A

Kết quả (Việt) 1:

A / N: Xin chào một lần nữa! Tôi thực sự, thực sự xin lỗi cho những cập nhật cuối. Hai tháng qua đã cố gắng đặt thời gian của cuộc sống của tôi và tôi thực sự hy vọng những điều sẽ trở lại bình thường sớm.Ý tưởng từ chương này đến từ Zinnia_23 (Livejournal) người đề nghị Akihito nên tham dự các cuộc họp tại Sion và nightwyvre người đề nghị tôi nên viết Akihito của bạn bè nhầm lẫn nghĩ Asami là nguyên nhân gây ra chấn thương của Akihito.Kusarihime và limnamae-chúc mừng sinh nhật! Chương này là dành riêng cho cả hai của bạn!Cảnh báo: chanh, cliffhangerCảm ơn RiveReinStyx cho phiên bản beta-ing! Bạn đang awesome, như mọi khi (hugs)Disclaimer: Finder Series và các nhân vật đáng chú ý có tính chất của Yamane Ayano. Tôi đã thực hiện không có lợi nhuận từ viết tiểu thuyết fan hâm mộ này.Kinh doanh như bình thường 28Ở giữa một lịch trình bận rộn, Akihito quản lý để siết chặt một thời gian để gặp gỡ bạn bè tốt nhất của mình từ trung học. Kou và Takato đã khieáu naïi rằng họ đã không thấy anh ta trong hai tháng, và nhấn mạnh rằng các nhiếp ảnh gia Hiển thị khuôn mặt của mình. Năm phút sẽ có được đầy đủ, theo Kou.Rõ ràng, họ đã lo lắng nếu Akihito đã đi MIA trên chúng một lần nữa; cũng giống như thời gian ông được giam giữ bởi Fei Long ở Hong Kong.Để chứng minh rằng ông là vẫn còn rất nhiều còn sống và đá, Akihito khe trong một giờ ăn trưa quý giá của mình phá vỡ để đáp ứng với tại căn hộ của Kou."Ando, có thể bạn chờ đợi cho tôi trong một thời gian? Tôi muốn xem Kou và Takato,"ông nói như chiếc sedan sang trọng kéo ở phía trước của một khu vực dân cư với chi phí thấp."Chắc chắn, Makoto có thể chờ đợi trong xe trong khi chúng tôi nhìn thấy bạn bè của bạn."Akihito bước ra khỏi xe. "Không có không có chúng, Ando. Chỉ cho tôi.""Nhưng Takaba sama, Toru san nhắc nhở tôi với bạn mọi lúc." Andō phản đối khi ông nhận ra khỏi xe.Bỏ qua guard của mình, Akihito đi bộ lên cầu thang đến tầng thứ hai nơi Kou của căn hộ đã được đặt. "Ông, tôi sẽ không để nhảy từ tòa nhà. Thậm chí Toru thường mang lại cho tôi bảo mật khi tôi với Kou và Takato."Theo dự kiến, Andō nhượng của ông yêu cầu một cách dễ dàng. Nodding đầu của mình, ông đã thông báo rằng ông sẽ đứng ở phía trước của căn hộ của Kou trong khi Akihito gặp gỡ-up với bạn bè của mình.Tốt, tốt hơn so với không có, Akihito nghĩ như ông rap đốt ngón tay của mình trên cánh cửa của căn hộ. Cảm ơn Chúa Toru nghỉ hoặc ông không nghĩ rằng ông sẽ có thể để giành chiến thắng các đối số một cách dễ dàng như bảo vệ stoic, lanky không phải là dễ dàng chịu ảnh hưởng như Ando, làm cho nó khó khăn cho cuộc đàm phán.Kou đã mở cửa, nâng lên bàn tay của mình để mutter một lời chào."Yo, Kou," Akihito chào đón và bước bên trong căn hộ nơi Takato đã chờ đợi."Takato." Nắm tay Akihito bumped người bạn của ông trước khi ngồi trên sàn xung quanh bàn nhỏ.Kou đến xung quanh để tham gia cùng họ. "Akihito, chúng tôi đã không nhìn thấy bạn trong hai tháng. Nơi địa ngục đã là bạn?""Làm việc"."Cô chắc chứ?"Akihito nhìn bạn bè tốt nhất của mình. "Tất nhiên tôi chắc chắn. Nơi mà bạn nghĩ là tôi?"Kou và Takato nhìn vào nhau trước khi thu hẹp mắt của họ tại Akihito. "Give it to chúng tôi thẳng, Akihito. Đã được bạn bị bắt cóc bởi một ai đó một lần nữa?""No!" Akihito denied and felt slightly guilty. He wasn't abducted, more like he voluntarily went to Cambodia to be a decoy in Asami's plan to capture Chey Rith. He nearly lost his life, if it weren't for Toru who saved him."Well, if you say so, Akihito." Kou rested his elbows on the small table, looking at Akihito unconvincingly."Oh yeah, this came to my house," Takato said, passing a postcard to Akihito.Akihito took the offered card and read. It was an invitation to his high school reunion party. His heart almost stopped when he noticed the location of the reunion party was near the onsen that Asami bought for him at Fukouka. He reread it again, just to be sure and nearly breathed out in relief. It wasn't his. Located near the posh onsen that he owned, it was more affordable and popular among high school students and company workers."When did you get this?""Last week. And this is your invitation." The light haired boy slid an identical card across the table."Why was it delivered to you?" Akihito asked as he took the card bearing his name."Remember glasses boy class president? He mailed me the other day, asking for your address. I don't know if I should pass Asami san's address to him so I had him mail both invitations to me.""Thanks buddy," Akihito said gratefully.Mối quan hệ của ông với Asami không phải là một cái gì đó mà ông muốn thế giới biết. Trong thực tế, ít người biết về nó, thì càng tốt. Akihito biết người đàn ông lớn tuổi đã ở một vị trí quyền lực và sự giàu có, và đó có thể làm cho anh ta một mục tiêu tiềm năng của những người khác. Điều cuối cùng Akihito muốn là để đặt Asami ở một vị trí dễ bị tổn thương vì mối quan hệ của họ.Akihito lộn thẻ hơn, đọc nó một lần nữa trước khi giữ thẻ trong túi máy ảnh của mình. "Bạn guys đi?"Kou shrugged vai của mình. "Tôi đoán, tôi có nghĩa là nó đã là lứa tuổi kể từ khi chúng tôi cuối đã nhìn thấy các bạn cùng lớp của chúng tôi. Thêm vào đó, kaa-san thực hiện một stink lớn mà tôi đã không đi lại cho nên dài.""Takato?" Akihito hỏi, nhấm nháp trà được cung cấp."Vâng, tôi đoán tôi sẽ đi quá. Bạn, Akihito?" Takato hướng dẫn câu hỏi trở lại tại các nhiếp ảnh gia."Giữ ngày," Akihito nói, rummaging túi của mình cho điện thoại của mình. "Ah, tôi là tốt. Không có bài tập ngày hôm đó,"ông nói vui vẻ sau khi kiểm tra lịch."Tuyệt vời! Tôi sẽ RSVP ngay lập tức!" Takato cho biết và nắm lấy một cây bút để điền vào phiếu trả lời.Akihito của khuôn mặt cười rơi khi ông đột nhiên nhớ đến một cái gì đó rất quan trọng. "Chết tiệt, tôi quên rằng tôi đã phá vỡ trong tháng này. Thằng khốn đó Mitarai đã ăn cắp muỗng sữa bột của tôi gần đây, do đó, tôi hầu như không có bất cứ điều gì trong tài khoản của tôi!""Bạn đang quên một cái gì đó Akihito." Kou kéo ngón tay của mình nhẹ qua kim cương studded điện thoại."Những gì?""Điều này," tối tóc cậu bé trả lời, đẩy điện thoại theo hướng Akihito."What about the phone?"It was Takato who answered. "Pawn this and you can get your money for the trip."Finally understood what Kou meant, Akihito grabbed his phone hastily and kept it in the bag. "Of course not!"Kou smacked Akihito's back playfully. "Just kidding, buddy.""OUCH!"Normally Akihito wouldn't have yelped from the smack, but since he suffered a good beating from Koga and his gang a week ago his bruises were healing and the pain hadn't subsided."Hey, you okay? I didn't hit you too hard, did I?" Kou placed a hand gently on Akihito's back."You all right, Akihito?" Takato went to the photographer, pulled his shirt up to check for bruises. Kou moved backwards a little to help Takato.Instead of Kou's palm print on Akihito's back, numerous healing bruises greeted them. Some were dark while others were yellowish; a sign that the bruises were almost healing."Akihito, your back –"That had Akihito pull away. He tugged at his shirt hastily, trying to cover the evidence of his bruised body from his friends. "No – it's nothing."Takato shook Akihito's shoulders gently. "That cannot be nothing! You're covered with bruises!"Akihito forced a smile. "I – I fell down," he lied and averted his eyes."You don't get bruises like that from falling down," Kou countered. "You were beat up," he said flatly.Damn it. The last thing Akihito wanted was to worry his friends over him. He hid his attack from Kou and Takato on purpose since he didn't want them to fawn over him. Standing up abruptly, the photographer grabbed his bag, ready to take his flight from his best buddies.
"You're thinking too much, Kou," he said as he moved to the front door. "Guys, I gotta go. I have an assignment in fifteen. I'll call you guys later ok?"

Takato grabbed Akihito's arm, yanking him back inside. "Akihito – " his tone softened, "—you're our best friend. If you're in trouble, we can help you."

"I'm not," Akihito reassured, pushing his friend's hand away.

"Then, how did you get those bruises? Did Asami san do that to you?" Kou challenged.

Akihito's eyes widened at the statement. "What are you talking about?"

Kou grabbed Akihito's hands. "Did he do that to you?" His tone was stronger this time.

"No, of course not!" Akihito denied hotly. He stared at his friends. Both had worry etched all over their faces. The photographer sighed. He couldn't just stay angry at his friends' baseless accusation since he would do the same if he were in their shoes.

"Look, I can assure you Asami didn't hit me or anything." Akihito patted his friends' shoulders at the same time. "You can ask Ando if you want to."

The door to the apartment opened at the moment and Ando stepped, looking concerned. "Takaba sama, I heard you raising your voice. Is everything all right?"

Akihito offered an unconvincing smile. "Yeah, we were just fooling around." He checked his wrist watch; the same one Asami bought for him on his birthday and made exaggerated expressions.

"Hey, I got to go! My assignment in court starts in ten minutes. See you guys later!" He waved and quickly escaped.

Ando, who was more concerned with the fact that Akihito was going to be late for his assignment, didn't probe further about Akihito raising his voice.

As the photographer relaxed in his seat, he sincerely hoped that his excuses were enough to satisfy Kou and Takato for the last thing he wanted was to witness a confrontation between his best buddies and Asami.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"Takato, I think Akihito's lying," Kou said as he stared at the closed door.

The light haired boy nodded in agreement. "Something isn't right." He followed Kou back into the living room. "Do you think Asami san did that to him?"

"I can't think of anyone else who could do that to Akihito." Kou sat on the carpeted floor. "I mean, Toru san and Ando san are always around him. It's unlikely that he was beaten by someone else."

"Should we contact Toru san?"

Kou shook his head. "Both of them work for Asami san. They're bound to take their employer's side."

For once, Takato looked seriously troubled. "Kou," he said in a somewhat panicked voice.

The dark haired boy stared at his best friend. "What is it?"

"Remember all those bruises on A