Suzuki san!"A woman Akihito recogni

Suzuki san!"

A woman Akihito recognized as one of the cashiers walked hurriedly to them, her decent walking shoes squeaking against the polished flooring. Worry etched on her lightly enhanced face as she approached them. "Suzuki san," she panted.

The manager's face turned stern. "What is it, Fujishima san? I specifically told everyone that I am not to be disturbed when Takaba sama is around."

"I'm terribly sorry, manager," the girl bowed, a few locks of her long hair tumbled down. "There is a sales representative from Asahi beer and he was very adamant about meeting you or the president."

"Where is the supervisor?"

The girl bowed before them again. "Kanbe san is currently dealing with him but he is already at his limits."

Akihito took the opportunity to push Suzuki away. "Suzuki san, I think you should go and assist the supervisor."

Suzuki's grey eyes looked at him. His lips opened, trying to protest and was quickly met with Akihito's response. "Suzuki san, you don't want another mishap to happen, do you?" he asked, referring to the robbery incident.

At the mention of the word, the older man bowed, muttered a quick apology and left with the girl.

"Finally, I can shop in peace!" Akihito said happily as he pushed his cart to the next aisle. "Do you know how suffocating it is to shop like that, Toru?"

The lanky guard offered no comments as he watched Akihito wheeled the cart to the drinks section. After successfully putting in a few more items in the cart, Akihito whirled around at his guard. "You know, for some weird reason, I got so used to having you around that I don't think you're that much of a pain."

Toru's dark eyes softened. A soft smiled graced his lips as he bowed. "Coming from you, it is indeed a high praise."

"Don't get so full of yourself yet, Toru." Akihito gave his guard a cheeky grin. "You're still a pain sometimes, just lesser than the rest –," he trailed off, staring at the rows of canned beers.

Sensing Akihito's sudden change of expression, Toru walked nearer to the photographer. The boy looked deep in his thoughts. "Takaba sama?"

His master gazed his hazel eyes at him. "I know you were merely following Asami's orders but –," Akihito touched Toru's arm. " – thank you for saving my life in Cambodia. I am glad you were there."

"And – I'm sorry you got hurt because of me," Akihito choked the last line out.

The hand that touched his arm fell and Toru knew that he must have shock written all over him for Akihito averted his eyes away from his uncomfortably.

"Takaba sama," Toru began after an awkward moment. "I may have been following Asami sama's orders but I assure you that I had no regrets taking the bullets for you."

Akihito smiled. " That sounds like something Haru-nii would say."

Toru actually returned Akihito's smile. "Haruhito san will be very disappointed if he hears that, Takaba sama."

Akihito laughed. "True. Haru nii can be an idiot sometimes but he means well," he said fondly as he placed a few cans of imported beer that Asami favored into his cart. "I think that's all I needed for now."

As he pushed the cart to the front, Akihito suddenly remembered that he hadn't gotten the eggs yet. Akihito groaned.

"Toru, can you help me bring these things to the front? I forgot to get the eggs."

Toru stopped him from sprinting off. "I'll get it, Takaba sama. You wait here," he said and went away.

Akihito watched Toru disappeared from his sight, his hands idly fiddling the packet of nuts in his basket. The nutritional facts behind the packet of nuts didn't seem interesting but he read it anyway to pass time as he waited for Toru to come back.

The argument between Suzuki and an unknown male had Akihito's attention diverted from the packet of nuts to the front. Alarmed something bad might have happened, Akihito left his cart and moved slowly to the front.

Suzuki had his hands clasped neatly in front; all the while shaking his head at the salesperson. The man, whose back was facing Akihito, was dressed in a black business suit. He was slim, slightly muscular behind that power suit and he looked extremely familiar.

"Sir, please. We simply cannot sell this product here. Marukoshi has its own set of rules to follow," Suzuki said desperately as he tried to reject the proposal from the salesperson.

"But Suzuki san, if you would give me five minutes – just five minutes to listen to our company's proposal, I can guarantee you that our company is offering Marukoshi a very good deal!" The man said, trying to argue his points across a very reluctant Suzuki.

Even his voice sounds like Haru nii. Akihito nearly laughed at the thought. Don't be ridiculous, he told himself. His brother couldn't be here doing sales. He was based in Fukouka.

"You are putting me in a very difficult situation, Takaba san," Akihito heard Suzuki said. "Our president, Takaba sama is not available at the moment and I am not permitted to make any decisions on his behalf."

Strange; he shares the same surname. Akihito peered closer at the salesperson, trying to be as discreet as possible.

"Your president is Takaba sama? Please, allow me to speak with him!" The salesperson said persistently.

Suzuki looked horrified at the suggestion. "Absolutely not! Takaba sama is a very busy man. He hardly has time to drop by -," Suzuki trailed off as he stared at Akihito.

The man caught Suzuki's stares and he too, turned at Akihito's direction.

As the man's jaw dropped wide open, so did Akihito's. Both men pointed their forefingers at each other, trying to say something but nothing came out. It was Suzuki who managed to break the silence.

"Takaba san!" he rushed in front of Akihito, blocking the photographer from the man. "You are being very rude to our president!"

"President?" The man's eyes were so huge that they were bulging. "President?" he repeated and forced his way through Suzuki. "What are you talking about? He's Takaba Akihito, my brother!"

With his mind still deciding if it was playing tricks on him, Akihito muttered his brother's name, "Haru-nii."

"Huh?" It was Suzuki's turn to look confused. He looked at Haruhito, then at his president before it finally clicked. "You are Takaba sama's brother?" He directed the question at Haruhito.

"Takaba sama?" Toru jogged towards them. Unlike the brothers, Toru looked worried at the scene unfolding before him.

"Akihito, what is going on?" Haruhito asked.

Akihito covered his face with his right palm. He had thought about the possibilities of his brother finding out the truth about his properties but he hadn't imagined it to be like this. Heck, he wasn't even prepared for it so how was he going to come up with an excuse?

And for the second time, Suzuki Kenta had innocently given away the truth about Marukoshi's ownership. The first time it happened, Kou and Takato nearly had stomach cramps from laughing too hard. That had embarrassed Akihito but this – This is a mess. Akihito let out a long sigh.

"Akihito." His brother's voice sounded more confused than angry. "What did he mean when he called you the President?" he asked again, this time grabbing Akihito's arms.

Akihito averted his eyes. "Ah – nii san – it's – ah –"

"Takaba sama is the owner of Marukoshi," Toru said without hesitation.

"TORU!"

"WHAT?" Haruhito nearly shouted. He shook Akihito's shoulder. "Akihito, when did you purchase this upscale mart?"

Toru was about to open his mouth again but Akihito was quicker this time. "Toru!" he shot a warning glare at his guard.

"Akihito?" Haruhito shook the photographer's shoulder again.

Akihito sighed. "Haru-nii, come with me. I'll explain everything."

It was only then Haruhito's grip on Akihito loosened. Akihito led his brother outside where Ando was waiting with the Lexus. Sliding into the car, he motioned his brother to do the same. In front, Toru took the passenger seat.

"Takaba sama, where would you like to go?" Ando asked, his eyes never left Haruhito.

Akihito remained silent for a while, giving serious thoughts about a suitable place for him to have serious discussions with his brother without interruptions. He selected the penthouse since there was no place better than Asami's fortress. Besides, he needed to change his shirt anyway.

"Can you take us home?" Akihito asked before looking at Toru. "Toru, can you help me to inform Suzuki san that I'll pick the goods later?