A man in business suit entered the

A man in business suit entered the Nishi Azabu bar, the soft lighting revealed tables with plush cushions. At the bar counter, a man and a woman whispered softly before they broke into laughter, almost downing the soft music that was being played on the expensive speaker.

Toru was in his usual bodyguard uniform; black dress pants paired with a white shirt and a coat, saved for the black tie.

There were a few people in the bar, mostly women, and they whispered amongst themselves as the handsome guard walked past them. A few attractive women sauntered past him on purpose, batting their eyelashes but Toru was too preoccupied to observe such trivial matters.

The bar was nicknamed the Sky Bar. Located at the sixty-eighth floor in a building, the bar provided a clear, stunning view of the Tokyo Tower. Patrons who frequented the bar often marvel at the night view of the majestic tower as they sipped their martinis with their partners.

But that wasn't why Toru came to the bar. He scanned around and finally found his drinking companions seated on an oversize, semi-circle couch with their backs facing him. Two other single sofas surrounded the couch on each side, all facing the wide panel glass that showcased the Tower.

He quickened his pace towards the three men and out of habit, bowed slightly when he arrived.

"Good evening, Kirishima san, Suoh san, Ando. I apologize for being late." Toru sat on the empty seat between Ando and Suoh.

"What happened? Did Asami sama ask you to guard the young boss?" Suoh asked, his fingers tracing the rim of the whisky glass.

"No, I was rescheduling Takaba sama's work appointments." Toru signaled the pretty waitress for a glass of imported beer.

Ando cradled his glass in his hands. "It's rare isn't it, for the four of us to sit here?"

"Yes, usually Suoh and I have different days off since one of us will need to be with Asami sama." Kirishima smiled, pushing his spectacles up.

Suoh downed the amber liquid in his glass before signaling the waiter to pour him another. "Speaking of the boss, why were we given the same day off?" he asked, directing the question at the secretary.

His long-time friend looked puzzled. "I am not clear with the details. Asami sama merely said that he will be working from home."

Suoh immediately looked serious. "Any pending tasks? I thought after the discussion with Fei Long, everything should be smooth."

As if it was the most natural thing to say, Toru interrupted, "Asami sama is currently busy with Takaba sama. He has been for the past 24 hours."

Ando choked on his beer. "Toru san, only you can say that in that face!" he said, color flooded his cheeks.

Kirishima nodded, smiling. "Your straight as an arrow personality is what makes Asami sama trusts you."

Toru actually felt slightly embarrassed by the praise. Unsure of how he should reply, the guard took a gulp of his beer, choked on it a little, earning a loud laugh and a smack on the back by Suoh.

"Don't be so tense, Toru," Suoh chuckled.

"Don't tease him further Suoh," Kirishima smiled before turning to Ando, "How are you finding the job?"

It was Ando's turn to gulp down his own beer. "It's – it's all right, I supposed."

Suoh leaned forward. "What's bothering you?"

Ando looked at his glass, gripping it tighter. "There's nothing wrong with the job –" Ando began nervously. "It's just that it's not easy being Takaba sama's guard. I can't shake the feeling that I'm doing the wrong thing every time I'm with him. If Takaba sama reports my incompetence to Asami sama, I'll –"

"Takaba sama is not the type of person who complains just because he's unhappy with someone," Toru cut in.

Ando looked up at his senior. "But Toru san, look what Asami sama did to the people who went against the young boss? The lesser ones were removed from their jobs, the others were – ," he halted and shuddered when he remembered what happened to Ishida and Hayashi a few weeks ago.

Ando couldn't forget Ishida's fear stricken face when Asami sama ordered him to slice off Ishida's forefingers. The pain must be excruciating, considering how the former photographer had screamed when his fingers were hacked off with the hunting knife.

"Kid, that's not the worst punishment you've ever seen," Suoh said, patting Ando's knee.

Ando's jaw dropped from the statement. "It's – it's not? Then, what is the worst, Suoh san?"

"Suoh, that's enough. You're scaring him," Kirishima chided.

A small smile graced the bulky guard's lips. "My bad, Ando. Look, as long as you do your job, you'll be fine. Learn from Toru, he's doing fine."

"That doesn't make me feel better," Ando said miserably, looking down at his glass again. "Toru san is so good; one of the best I've seen and yet he was presented a gun at The Fixer just because Takaba sama pleaded for his leniency," he added, referring to the incident at Akihito's club where the photographer got hurt due to a scuffle with Inoue Daichi, the son of the minister of transport.

Kirishima raised his empty glass in the air, signaling the waiter for another before turning to Ando. "Don't belittle yourself. Toru recommended you, Suoh spoke highly of you and Asami sama gave his approval. My advice? As long as you don't harbor any interests towards Takaba sama, you're safe."

Appalled, the young guard nearly dropped his glass. "Definitely not! Although I've just gotten a divorce –"

"You're divorced?" Suoh interrupted, glancing at the remaining two men around the table. Kirishima and Toru looked equally shocked.

Ando scratched the back of his head. "Well – I haven't been spending time with her lately so she got a little lonely and –" he almost choked on his words.

The waitress arrived with Kirishima's whisky and the secretary knocked his glass lightly on Ando's beer mug. No further words were necessary as the other two guards did the same, offering their sympathies and understanding. They downed their drinks and refilled their glasses again.

"Toru, how are Takaba sama's injuries?" Kirishima asked, shifting his attention at the lanky guard.

"Kanzaki sensei said his ribs have healed but advised to exercise caution with them. Asami sama asked me to block his work schedule for another week." Toru replied.

"Is he aware about it?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Toru replied, "He suspected Asami sama had interfered with his work schedule and was finding ways to contact other sources for odd jobs. Of course, Asami sama found out about it and told him to stay in the penthouse for another week."

Suoh took a sip of his whisky. "I doubt he'll listen, he has the thickest skull I've seen. I swear he's the only one who dares to defy the boss."

Kirishima curved a thin smile. "He was certainly handful when Asami sama met him for the first time."

"What happened between them?" Ando asked, sorrow forgotten.

"It's a long and complicated story. Asami sama and Takaba sama didn't start off well –" Kirishima paused, wondering if he should be gossiping about his boss's private life with Ando and Toru.

"Did he take photos of Asami sama?"

Suoh chuckled. "Toru, you sure are sharp. If only you weren't hired to be Takaba sama's guard, I would have gotten you to be my assistant."

Toru bowed as a gesture of respect.

"So, Takaba sama took some photographs of Asami sama and he wasn't punished?" Ando asked, disbelief clearly written on his face.

Again, Kirishima curved a smile. "Let's just say, Takaba sama received his fair share of punishment in the early stages of their relationship."

The blonde guard next to the secretary smirked. "He was quite difficult back then," Suoh agreed, sipping his whisky. "Toru, what about you? Is he difficult to manage?"

"No, Suoh san. Takaba sama is actually very considerate." Toru was a little embarrassed when he finished the sentence.

Suoh eyed Toru worriedly. "Toru, you're not –"

Realizing where Suoh was heading to, Toru quickly explained, "No, it's not like that! I don't see Takaba sama that way; he's more like a brother to me."

All three guards leaned back, relieved. If Toru showed signs he was interested in Akihito, it would be the end of his career or worse, his life.

Finally, after a long pause, Suoh spoke, "Drill that thought in your brain, Toru. I don't want to be the one who have to beat the crap out of you on Asami sama's orders."

Kirishima nodded in agreement. "Suoh's right. Asami sama is highly protective of Takaba sama; it wouldn't be a simple beating if he finds out you have ulterior motives towards him."

"I understand, Kirishima san. Rest assured, I meant what I said in The Fixer. My relationship with Takaba sama is purely professional." Toru replied calmly.

Studying Kirishima's and Suoh's concerned looks, Ando braved himself to ask, "Kirishima san, what is it like to work with Asami sama?"

Not surprised with the question, the secretary answered, "He's a very capable man. Highly intelligent and has the sharpest mind I know."

Ando gripped his mug tighter. "Many people admire him from afar but for those who work closely with the boss, he's actually rather terrifying."

"I won't argue with you on that." Kirishima pushed his spectacles up out of habit.

Suoh toasted Kirishima's glass. "What are you talking about? You are equally scary yourself. Only you can make Asami sama stay in the office and sign all those documents for you."

Ando's jaw dropped as he stared at Kirishima; even Toru seemed genuinely shocked with Suoh's statement. Obviously, Kirishima Kei was not someone ordinary.