Without waiting for Mah to reply, A

Without waiting for Mah to reply, Asami strode out of the warehouse and slid into his limousine. "Kirishima, progress?" he asked the minute the secretary climbed into the front passenger seat.

"Inspector Mori updated me that the Chinese police have raided Mah's main heroin processing center and they are on the move for the remaining five. His son was arrested," the secretary answered.

Asami nodded his head. "Leak Mah's whereabouts to Mori. He'll try to escape the country via the sea. Mori can pick him up from there."

Kirishima pressed a few buttons on his phone. "Understood, Asami sama."

"And get someone to video tape that execution of his."

Kirishima gulped. "Yes, sir."

Satisfied with the successful negotiations, Asami took out his phone and dialed Akihito's number.

Akihito sat crossed legged on the tatami mat in an exclusive restaurant owned by Asami, sulking. His best friends were having the time of their lives, stuffing everything they could get their hands on in their mouths. Thankfully, they were in a private room or the snobbish patrons dining outside would no doubt lose their appetite at the sight of his two friends bingeing down food like cavemen who hadn't eaten for days.

"Akihito, stop sulking and dig in!" Takato spoke with his mouth full.

"Yeah! This is great stuff! I've never eaten a high grade tuna belly before!" Kou added as he dipped a piece of sushi on the soy sauce before stuffing it into his mouth.

"And we don't even have to pay!" Takato managed to say before he chomped down the sushi roll in one bite.

Akihito reluctantly picked up his fancy chopsticks and toyed with the perfectly cut salmon slices in front of him. He looked at his guard at the end of the table, sitting perfectly still as he enjoyed his own set meal. Feeling annoyed all of a sudden, Akihito slammed his chopsticks on the table and moved to Toru.

"Do you seriously have to report EVERY single movement I make to Asami?"

The guard stopped eating and arranged the chopsticks on the chopstick holder neatly before turning to Akihito. He bowed a little. "I apologize, Takaba sama, it is my duty to report."

The photographer frowned. "I know but it doesn't have to be in detail!"

Yesterday, Kou and Takatou had called him while he was working, reminding him about their little Christmas gathering. They made plans a week ago and placed Akihito to be in charge of booking the restaurant they usually patron during New Year's Eve at the obaasan's place but the photographer was so caught up with a few jobs that he had completely forgotten about it. By the time Akihito called the weird old lady, she cheerfully informed Akihito that her restaurant was fully booked – first time in ten years.

Akihito groaned in despair and was wondering how to break the news gently to his best buddies who were eagerly looking forward to the Christmas present exchanging party. He tried calling other restaurants but reservations were so full that Akihito had better chances buying Setsuna's concert tickets than booking for a place in the restaurant.

He went back to the penthouse and tried searching for places but the only available restaurants were the ridiculously expensive ones. He was about to call Kou to cancel their plan when Asami stood by the bedroom door with arms across his magnificent chest and a satisfied grin on his face.

Akihito knew instantly that Toru had reported unnecessary things to Asami again. His stubborn self wouldn't agree to Asami's request of using one of his upscale traditional Japanese restaurants but the older man coaxed him into agreeing, using dirty methods that involved a lot of bed actions.

"Takaba sama, it is Asami sama's orders."

Akihito punched his guard's arm lightly. "It really wouldn't hurt if you keep some things from him."

"Akihito!" Takato crawled to him with his mouth full. "The food is really good! Can we order another set?"

"Takato, can you at least swallow your food before you talk?" Akihito grumbled as he brushed off a few grains from his hands.

Takato covered his mouth with his hand, trying to chew the remaining food before swallowing. "Can we order another round? It's on the house right?"

"No!" Akihito said stubbornly.

Kou, feeling lonely sitting all by himself, deserted his seat at the other end to join them. He draped an arm around Akihito. "But Aki-chan," Kou whined, drawing circles on his friend's chest before continuing, "This is Asami san's restaurant right? We can practically clean house and walk away.