We should be arriving at Kou's plac

We should be arriving at Kou's place soon!" Akihito said cheerfully, in attempts to divert their attention. "You remember Kou, right? He's kind enough to move to Takato's place for a few days so you can stay at his place. Oh, and after that, we'll go to Tokyo Tower. Kaa-san, didn't you say that you wanted to visit the tower?" He laughed nervously.

The trick worked. Natsuko's eyes lit up at the mention of the tower and patted her husband's arm repeatedly. "Anata, we're going to visit the tower today! I hope it's not crowded because it'll be difficult to move about."

"Yes, you have been talking about it since last night," Hidenori patted his wife's hands. "Akihito, was it difficult to get the tickets?"

Grateful that he had finally evaded the topic on Asami, Akihito shook his head. "No, I called to reserve the tickets but we have to be there to collect them."

Hidenori and Natsuko took over the conversation, leaving Haruhito to sulk at the corner of the limousine. When the car pulled into a stop, Akihito wasn't expecting to step out on the red carpet of Keio Hotel, greeted by the manager himself.

Just when he thought he managed to solve the issue of about the car, another problem surfaced. What sort of excuse should he say to his parents and that overprotective brother of his now? Controlling his urges to whip out his phone to call Asami, Akihito strode to the front of the limo, knocking on the window.

The window rolled down automatically, revealing a very worried Ando. "Takaba sama?" he whispered after making sure Akihito was alone.

Akihito leaned forward, bending down. "What the hell is going on?" he hissed. "I thought Toru have briefed you about going to Kou's place?"

"I – I'm very sorry Takaba sama," Ando stuttered. "I received orders from Asami sama this morning," he bowed, knocking his head on the steering wheel. He sat up, rubbing his sore forehead and quickly took out his phone.

"Here," Ando said, showing the text message from Asami to back up his earlier statement.

It was useless taking it out on Ando when he was merely following orders so Akihito walked back to his family members who were still looking at the majestic hotel in awe.

"Welcome Takaba sama, allow my staff to carry your luggage while I do the necessary check-ins. Your rooms will be ready when you return from your visit," the manager bowed at Akihito's father.

A few doormen came forward to take the luggage from Toru's hands before disappearing into the glass doors.

"Akihito, I thought we're going over to Kou's place?" Natsuko looked at Akihito, awaiting an explanation.

"I don't think I have enough to pay for a night here," Hidenori looked around worriedly.

"There's no need to pay, tou-san. The hotel is owned by Asami."

Haruhito grabbed Akihito's shoulders, forcing his brother to look at him. "Who's this Asami guy? Why would he do so much for us?"

"We couldn't possibly impose on Asami san's generosity," Hidenori protested.

"But this is such a beautiful place," Natsuko clapped her hands together, still staring at the building in front of her.

With all the commotion in front of the hotel, Akihito felt like running away. Damn Asami and his plans. If only he kept the news away from the bastard, Akihito wouldn't have to suffer. Instead of screaming in frustration, he said, "Why don't we talk in the car? We have to be at the Tower or we'll be late."

Akihito climbed in the limousine again and instructed Ando to drive on.

"Akihito, you have to tell your oniisan who is this Asami; he might be someone dangerous," Haruhito said desperately.

Ugh, how true. Akihito wanted to answer; instead he laughed. "Don't be a worrywart, Haru-nii."

"But – but he's merely your landlord; don't you think he's doing too much?" His brother protested.

"Haruhito, you shouldn't speak ill of someone like that," Natsuko said disapprovingly.

Haruhito turned to his mother. "Kaa-san, don't tell me you're not suspicious of this Asami guy!"

"You're being paranoid, Haru-nii."

The elder Takaba sibling remained obstinate. "You're hiding something, Aki," he accused.

"If I may, Haruhito san," Toru interrupted. "Asami sama is a highly distinguished individual who owns several business interests."

"I wasn't asking for your opinion," Haruhito retorted rudely.

"Haruhito!" Natsuko looked appalled. "You're being rude to Toru san. Apologize to him."

When Haruhito refused, Natsuko knocked his son's head. "Act your age, Haru. And stop spewing questions at your brother. He's tired," she added firmly.

Haruhito sulked but mumbled a half-hearted apology to Toru. The guard noted that whilst the head of the Takaba family is Hidenori, the person who holds the reins is actually Takaba Natsuko. Toru concluded that it was rather interesting seeing his master in front of his family. Akihito was surprisingly dotted and accommodative. Toru supposed that was how Haruhito's brother complex was formed.

As Natsuko chatted animatedly about her visit, Toru quickly took the opportunity to text his boss about the earlier incidents.

Xx Business as Usual xX

Akihito was at least relieved to find out that Asami did not use whatever connections he had to close down the entire Tokyo Tower. Tokyo's most influential man or not; the Tower remains open to the public.

Natsuko seemed genuinely excited as she rode up the elevator. She giggled and made a lot of noise that reminded Akihito about himself when he was moaning under Asami. Pushing that image away, Akihito looked at his family again. They looked happy; even Haruhito had forgotten about the incident in the car and started joking around with his parents. That's Haru-nii for you, Akihito thought, ever optimistic.

The photographer was beginning to relax, thinking that nothing could ever go wrong visiting government-owned public places like this. Apart from the free tickets and a personal guide, nothing seemed out of the ordinary as they rode up the elevator to the observatory deck.

And he was wrong, again. There were nothing wrong with the first observatory deck but when his mother suggested moving to the special observatory deck for a more spectacular view, Akihito didn't expect the entire special observatory to be closed for private visiting. By private visiting, Akihito learnt from the personal guide, it meant that the deck was only reserved for Akihito and his entourage.

After having a tough time trying to make his family believed him why it was closed exclusively for their viewing pleasure, Akihito found his patience wearing thin. He excused himself, hid at the emergency staircase and took out his phone.

"Akihito, how are you enjoying your visit?"

"You bastard, you're doing it on purpose!" Akihito nearly screamed in frustration.

"Isn't it more comfortable to travel when you have your itinerary planned?" The yakuza drawled.

"No! Do you know what sort of excuses I have to come out with?" Akihito said irritably.

"You could have said it's a favor from your landlord."

Ugh – Toru and his excellent reporting skills. "No landlord goes that far for a tenant," Akihito pointed out. "And Haru-nii is right, whatever you're doing, it's suspicious."

"Except that you are not a tenant, but a yakuza's lover."

Color flooded Akihito's cheeks immediately. "I – I am not your lo –ver."

"Oh? Would you rather be known as my wife then?"

"St—op it, you pervert."

The yakuza let out a low, amused chuckle. "Enjoy your sightseeing, Akihito. And here's an advance notice of your itinerary so you can start figuring your excuses. Ando will be taking you to Hyotan for dinner after this."

The photographer groaned immediately; his brain immediately went to the amount of fresh excuses he had to come out with. "Can't Ando take us to a family restaurant instead?"

Again, the same chuckle. "Stick to Toru and be good," he said, avoiding the question altogether. "And stay out of trouble."

The line went dead before Akihito could retaliate. He stared at his phone, infuriated that he was forced into Asami's pace. "That jerk!" he muttered.

"Akihito?"

He turned and saw his brother looking at him. Again, there was the same skeptical look.

"What are you doing here? Who were you talking to?"

Akihito laughed nervously. "No one, let's go."

Haruhito's arm shot out, gripping his arm as he attempted to walk past him. Akihito looked up nervously at his brother.

"Are you hiding something from us?"

It was never good if his brother started using a serious tone. Like him, Haruhito can be relentless in pursuing for answers. It was something that both brothers unconsciously share.

"Nothing, Haru-nii." He averted his eyes to the side.

"You're lying." Haruhito tightened his grip on Akihito. "I'm your nii-san, I know you. You're fidgety, nervous and you've been avoiding the topic on Asami. Who's he to you?"

Damn his brother for being observant. "He's my landlord," he replied guiltily.

"Aki, if you're in trouble, tell me. I'll help you," his voice softened.