Toru, Kanda had just reported to Ki

Toru, Kanda had just reported to Kirishima about the shootings at the court," his boss's voice was cool and calm.

"Sir, the prisoner apparently escaped the courtroom and tried to make a run for it. I happened to be in the area and saw Takaba sama running after him. He had a gun with him."

"Where was Ando?"

"Chasing behind Takaba sama. He managed to push Takaba sama when the prisoner fired a shot at him."

"His identity?"

"A former policeman by the name of Igarashi Mitsuo," Toru explained as he flipped his diary to check Akihito's schedule. "Convicted of murder and bribery; he was supposed to be sentenced today at the high court."

There was a moment of silence before Asami replied. "Get Ando to compile the report to me. What time is Akihito scheduled to finish today?"

Toru checked his wrist watch. "He should be home before eight, sir."

"And what's his schedule tomorrow?"

Toru checked Akihito's appointments. "He's clear tomorrow. No appointments."

"Good, report to the penthouse tomorrow morning as usual."

"Understood, Asami sama," Toru replied before he ending the call.

Toru didn't need to stand in front of Asami to know he was furious. He wondered what would happen to Igarashi once he got into prison. Even if Asami didn't send his assassins, Igarashi would most probably suffer.

Taking the katana from the rack, Toru sat on the floor and started the cleaning process. The katana had been sent to a professional after the incident at the warehouse so Toru didn't need to perform the arduous task of polishing.

The sensei who polished his blade had already oiled it with clove oil but it was necessary to check it regularly for good preservation. As Toru suspected, the oil on the blade was drying when he removed it from its scabbard so he carefully cleaned off the excessive oil and reapply it again.

The guard spent the next hour and a half cleaning and appreciating his katana before finally placing it back on the rack next to the television. The weather maintained at 29 degrees so he was pretty much soaked by the time he finished his chore. After a cool shower, Toru thought of cooking a simple dinner when the doorbell rang.

Ando, he thought as he went to the door. The younger guard was supposed to report to him after his shift ended. But it wasn't just Ando who stood at the door. To his surprise, Kirishima, Suoh and Kanda were behind Ando, and everyone seemed to be carrying a grocery bag.

"Toru san, let's have dinner together!" Kanda raised his hands, showing the plastic bags containing food.

Toru stepped aside, allowing the four to enter.

"We got all sorts of stuff for sukiyaki tonight," Ando explained as he placed the bags on the dining table.

"Suoh and I bought some snacks and beer," Kirishima added.

Toru bowed. "Thank you but –" Toru looked around. "I'm not that much of a cook."

Suoh gave Toru a friendly smack. "Don't worry, Kirishima and Ando are."

Kirishima and Ando had already discarded their coats, their sleeves rolled up half. Neck ties tucked neatly in the front pockets, both men set off to work. Suoh packed the cans of beers in the refrigerator while Kanda helped Toru set the table.

"Toru san, is this the sword that you used during Koga's interrogations?" Kanda asked when he spotted the blade on the rack.

The lanky guard nodded and Kanda looked impressed.

"Wow, I heard from the guards about your skills at the warehouse. You looked like a proper samurai."

"Pity you weren't there to see the demonstration," Ando said as he tasted the soup.

"Even Asami sama was impressed," Kirishima added.

Kanda moved to the dining table where Kirishima stood. Ando brought the soup and placed it on the portable gas cooker.

"Seriously?"

Kirishima offered the young guard a smirk. "He didn't say so but his expression in the limousine showed it all."

Both Ando and Kanda looked speechless with the remark. They stared at an expressionless Toru before uttering simultaneously, "Wow, you're good, Toru san."

"I was merely using kendo moves," Toru replied calmly.

"Don't be modest, Toru san," Ando said, taking his seat next to Kanda.

"Ando's right," Suoh said, placing the first slice of beef in the boiling soup. "When you stopped by Sion today, the new recruits were already star struck."

"Suoh san –" Toru interrupted, "—please, I'm not a film star. I'm merely doing my job," he finally admitted.

As Suoh laughed out at his reaction, the doorbell rang again. Grateful once again for the intrusion, Toru stood up to open the door. Two unexpected guests stood at his door.

"Asami sama, Takaba sama," he greeted, bowing in the process.

Akihito, still dressed in his morning jeans, white singlet and lightweight summer jacket, barged into the apartment, heading straight to the kitchen. Asami, in his usual three piece designer suit stepped inside, smirking at Akihito's antics.

"Takaba sama!" Ando was the first to greet.

Ignoring his guard, Akihito burst out. "Asami, I told you they were having sukiyaki!" he said rather crossly.

At the mention of Asami's name, all four guards at the table stood up and bowed. Ando managed to remain his composure but Kanda was so nervous that he went rigid on the spot without bowing at the yakuza.

Kirishima immediately went into his secretarial mode by leading Asami to the sofa while Akihito continued ranting about the fact that the guards were having dinner without extending an invitation to him.

"I knew you were up to something when you stopped by Marukoshi to buy meat." Akihito glared at Ando.

Ando bowed quickly. "I'm sorry, Takaba sama. I didn't mean to hide it from you."

Akihito sat on the chair, looking at the delicious spread. "Toru! What were you doing at the court today?"

Toru felt slightly underdressed in his long track bottom and long sleeve shirt but his poker face maintained. "I happened to pass by. Takaba sama, you shouldn't have chased after Igarashi. He had a gun."

Akihito glanced at Asami before quickly averting his eyes. The photographer went silent for a moment before flashing his determined eyes at Asami.

"That was my scoop! I won't let Mitarai steal another photograph! I was dirt poor because of that!"

The photographer stood up, walked to the sitting area and plopped next to Asami. "Did you know how happy the editor was when I showed him the photographs? They'll be on the front page tomorrow – FRONT PAGE!" Akihito emphasized.

"If you sit down and start counting your assets, you'd realized that you didn't need the few photographs to make a living," Asami replied.

Akihito looked away. "Hn! As if I'm using your money! Just you watch, one day I'll be rich and it'd be my turn to give you money."

The statement was bold, insolent and the only person who could use it on Asami was Akihito. Toru was the only guard who remained stoic at the statement. Ando, who was already used to Akihito's antics in front of Asami laughed discreetly. Kirishima and Suoh actually snickered. Kanda looked positively horrified.