Nakai trembled violently. "No, no.

Nakai trembled violently. "No, no. Asami sama, please. I beg you. Please – please – please."

With his forehead on Asami's expensive plush carpet, Nakai continued to plead for his leniency, which annoyed the crime lord. The headache and chills he had since that morning hadn't subsided and with Nakai chanting on his feet, Asami felt that someone had just hammered a long nail at the back of his head.

He closed his eyes briefly, opening it again. "Kirishima, slice his tongue off if he say another word."

The bespectacled secretary nodded, hands reaching into the inner pockets of his tailored suit, pulling out a knife in the process. At the sight of the sharp blade, Nakai kept his mouth shut but that didn't stop him from sobbing.

The knock on the door had Asami's attention fixed at his secretary. "I thought I said I don't want to be disturbed."

Kirishima bowed. "My apologies, Asami sama. I did instruct the staff that we are not to be disturbed no matter the circumstances." He walked to the door, opening it a little.

"Suoh," Kirishima greeted, stepping aside for the bulky guard to enter. "What's going on?"

Suoh took note of the serious situation and quickly locked the door behind him. "Asami sama, I apologize for the intrusion. Takaba sama and his brother are here to see you."

Asami's left eyebrow raised. He should have watched the entire video before closing it off too soon. "Did Akihito mention why he wants to see me?"

Suoh bowed again. "No, sir. Even Toru couldn't be sure of the specifics."

"Where are they?"

"Waiting in Kirishima's office, sir."

Asami kept his gun. "Bring this garbage out and show him how I deal with people who cheat from me," he ordered the guard. "Be discreet."

Suoh nodded his head in response and went to Nakai. Hauling the man to his feet, the bulky guard dragged him out of the room.

"I'll escort them here, Asami sama," Kirishima said before exiting the room.

Alone, Asami sat behind his desk, and massaged his temples. Over the hours at Sion, Asami felt his headache doubled, chills worsened and his body weakened. He suspected fever but like his lover, he wasn't fond of medication.

He drank the coffee again and nearly spat the liquid out. Nothing tasted as bad as cold coffee. Grabbing the unopened mineral water on his desk, Asami gulped down half the bottle and placed it on the table again.

It was rare for Akihito to visit him at Sion. Most of the time, the photographer had to be blackmailed or dragged to his office so it piqued Asami's interest why his lover would voluntarily pay him a visit. And then there's Haruhito, Asami thought. Like Akihito, Haruhito wouldn't even set a foot in Sion if he were given a choice. Really, the brothers had too much in common.

The discreet knock had Asami's attention shifted to the door. His secretary entered first, followed by his lover, Haruhito and Toru. The yakuza noted that Akihito looked uncomfortable. He had his hands clasped in front as Kirishima led them to the sitting area.

Asami smirked, realizing the cause of Akihito's awkwardness immediately. The boy had worn the wrong shirt to work and he was trying very hard to hide it. Haruhito looked slightly uncomfortable, evidence that he had not forgotten about their last conversation. The yakuza told Haruhito rather bluntly during the last visit that he would not react kindly to anyone who intended to take Akihito away from him – Haruhito included.

"Akihito, this is a surprise," he greeted casually.

Akihito averted his eyes for a while before looking at the crime lord. "I – I need to ask you something." He sat on the visitor chair and prompted his brother to do the same.

The infamous eyebrow shot up. "I assume it's something of great importance, seeing that you asked Ando to chauffer you here."

The photographer fidgeted in his seat. "Yeah – I mean no. It's not about me but I need you to read Haru-nii's proposal."

"Proposal?" Asami leaned forward and rested his hands on the table.

"Haru-nii is here to meet the representative of Marukoshi. He's trying to sell Asahi premium beer in all Marukoshi stores –," the photographer halted before standing up.

Akihito's fidgetiness a moment ago was replaced by a flash of anger. "Speaking of Marukoshi, did you buy all the branches in Japan and placed it under my name?"

Asami glanced at his secretary standing beside him. "Did I, Kirishima?"

Kirishima bowed. "Yes, Asami sama. Marukoshi has a dozen branches located throughout Japan, with Tokyo as the main branch. Takaba sama is listed as the President and CEO of Marukoshi Corp."

Asami glanced at Haruhito, who looked shocked beyond words. Then, he rested his gaze on his lover. "I did."

Infuriated by Asami's nonchalant answer, Akihito slammed his hands on Asami's desk. "Are you crazy? You bought all the stores and placed it under my name?"

"If you had put your journalist skills into good use, you would have found out immediately."

Akihito looked away for a while, embarrassed that Asami had hit him at the sore spot. "I –I still think you have a few loose screws on your head. In the first place, I don't need so many stores."

"Pardon my interruption, Asami sama," Kirishima interrupted, "Takaba sama, Marukoshi did not have multiple proprietors to begin with. That is why when Asami sama bought it, he had to buy the entire corporation."

"But – but –" Akihito sat on the chair again.

"Akihito," Asami cut in. "You haven't stated your real purpose of being here yet."

"Oh – right," the photographer replied, his anger and forgotten immediately. "Haru-nii, your proposal?" He held out his hand.

Astounded by Akihito's bluntness in front of Asami, it took a moment for the elder Takaba sibling to snap out of it. He rummaged through his briefcase, pulling out a folder before passing to Akihito.

"What is this?" Asami took the offered file, flipping it open. The words seemed to be jumping all over the place as his head began to pound again.

"It's Haru-nii's proposal for Marukoshi," the photographer explained, looking at his brother.

"Marukoshi is your company, Akihito," Asami reminded his lover. "You are free to grant proposals or amend anything that you deem fit."

It was Haruhito who answered, "Asami san, I don't want my brother to accept my proposal just because we're brothers. I do not condone nepotism; I have my pride."

"Since I'm clueless about business, the least I can do is to bring his proposal to you. You are familiar with these stuff; you'd know what is good or bad." Akihito's hazel eyes flashed at the crime lord, determined. "Read the proposal, Asami. If you think it's not beneficial to the company, I'll reject it."

Asami looked at the neatly arranged folder again. "All right, give me a concise report of the proposal."

Haruhito sat up straight. "This is a proposal for Marukoshi to sell Asahi premium beers."

Asami closed the file, finding it difficult to concentrate. He passed it to Kirishima. "Marukoshi doesn't sell locally produced alcoholic beverages."

"I am aware of the fact," Haruhito stood up. "That's why I propose to have the new premium blend beer to be sold exclusively at Marukoshi and a few other prestigious clubs in Japan –" Haruhito halted.

"It is a win-win situation. Marukoshi will be the sole dealer of the beer and it will also create an impression that beer is an exclusive blend that can only be found at upscale marts like Marukoshi," Haruhito continued when he noticed Asami did not offer much reaction to his initial explanations.

Leaning back against the leather seat, the crime lord rested his elbows on the arm rest. "I don't see how it that can be a win-win situation for Marukoshi. It sounded like you're trying to do branding for the premium beer at Marukoshi's expense."

Haruhito showed his top sales manager prowess immediately. "Asami san, I understand your concerns but at page four of the proposal; we listed the percentage of interests and benefits for Marukoshi."

"Kirishima, what do you think of the proposal?" Asami asked.

The secretary closed the file. "It looked promising, Asami sama. The remunerations are satisfactory but I will need more time with the proposal before I can offer a more concrete report."

Asami nodded his head. "Leave the proposal here. Kirishima will get back to you in a few days."

Haruhito looked so happy that he could jump. "Thank you." He bowed before turning to Akihito. "Thanks, Aki chan."

"Don't call me Aki-chan," Akihito grumbled but he too, had a smile plastered on his face.

Haruhito stood up, bowed slightly. "I look forward to hearing a favorable reply from you," he said to Asami and turned to Akihito. "By the way, do you know how to get to this club called The Fixer? It is one of the clubs targeted by our company and I am trying my luck there."

Akihito nearly fell from his chair. "Nii san," he stuttered. "Here's the thing – uhm – The Fixer – uhm –"

"Takaba san, you can leave your proposal for The Fixer with me," Kirishima said, pushing his spectacles up.

"The Fixer belongs to you?" Haruhito directed the question at Asami, mildly surprised with the fact.

"No, The Fixer belongs to Akihito," Asami stated.

"Asami, you bastard!" Akihito spewed. He didn't want to look at his brother now, knowing that he'd be furious. The idea of Akihito owning a chain of upscale marts had only started to sink in to Haruhito; and Akihito couldn't imagine his brother's reactions if he found out about his other properties.