I apologize, Asami sama," Keiichi f

I apologize, Asami sama," Keiichi forced the word out. "It –," he swallowed painfully, "—it won't happen again."

Asami released the guard. "It definitely won't happen again," he agreed, taking out his gun. "Your mistake was falling in love with Akihito," he said, checking the gun. Walking around the injured guard, he curved a thin, sadistic smile. "But I supposed I cannot fault you for that –after all, Akihito is very attractive."

The yakuza kicked Keiichi and the former guard coughed out blood. "But I am surprised that you actually had the guts to confess."

"I – I'm sorry, Asami sama," Keiichi sobbed openly.

"You certainly aren't as smart as I thought," the yakuza said, releasing the catch of the gun. "You didn't realize that Akihito had snuck out of the penthouse and you thought he was showering –," Asami narrowed his eyes at Keiichi, " – only it turned out that it was me who was in the bathroom."

Asami fired the first shot randomly, causing Keiichi to flinch. "And something struck me while you were confessing, Keiichi." He pointed the gun at the guard again. "Did you do anything inappropriate to Akihito when you were alone with him?"

Keiichi's eyes widened at the claims.

"Speak."

"No, Asami sama. You have to believe me; I haven't!" Keiichi gathered his strength to kneel in front of Asami. "I wouldn't dare."

The yakuza smiled. He took a few steps backwards before turning to look at Keiichi again. Raising his gun, he pointed it at Keiichi.

"No, please Asami sama," Keiichi had his head on the floor, pleading.

Kirishima averted his eyes, preparing for the worse. Beside him, Suoh did the same.

The gun shot never came; instead it was the call from Akihito that saved Keiichi's life. Asami reached for the phone in his pockets and answered.

"Asami."

"Asami, you bastard! You told Keiichi to take my memory card, didn't you?"

"What memory card?" Asami asked calmly, his gun still pointed at Keiichi.

"The photographs involving the politician," Akihito said in frustration. "I spent a few nights for that! Give it back; my month's salary is at stake here!"

Asami's lips curved. "I don't know what are you talking about, Akihito. But if it's money you worry about, just tap your other account."

"Hah, you think I'd use your money? I am not your mistress!" Akihito said sarcastically.

"Suit yourself," Asami said. "I'll be back in an hour and I want Mackerel fish for dinner."

Akihito groaned. "Again? You know it's damn difficult to get that at this hour. I'll cook what I like, and if you're not happy about it, I'll eat everything myself," he informed, ending the call.

Asami passed his phone to his secretary. "What memory card did you take from Akihito?" He directed the question to Keiichi.

Hands shaking, Keiichi reached for his coat on the ground, and pulled out a memory card from the inner pockets. "Takaba sama had been snooping around Diet member Okuchi Junichi lately. He took a few photographs of Okuchi dealing with our business partner," the guard whispered, passing the card to Kirishima.

Asami kept his gun and turned his attention towards the images Kirishima pulled up from the lap top. Keiichi wasn't lying; the photographs showed Okuchi dealing with one of his partners and if the photos were leaked to the press, it could cause problems for him.

The yakuza stared at Keiichi again. The guard had a hand wrapped protectively around his injured stomach as he looked on the cement flooring. Deciding that he had seen enough, Asami waved his hand, ordering Kirishima put the lap top away.

"The photographs have just saved your life."

Keiichi's eyes widened. "Thank – you, boss," Keiichi trembled as he whispered gratefully.

"Kirishima, have Keiichi transferred to the branch office in Osaka," Asami ordered, walking out of the room.

Obviously not expecting the bonus, Keiichi bowed again. "Thank you, Asami sama!"

"You all right?" Suoh asked, helping the guard up.

"Yeah, thanks Suoh san," Keiichi whispered. "I knew you went easy on me."

Suoh returned a sympathetic smile. "I warned you not to do anything foolish. What on earth made you spurt out that confession?"

Keiichi winced at his split lips when he tried to smile. "I didn't think."

The bulky guard shook his head. "Remember who you work for Keiichi. Asami sama isn't very forgiving when it comes to Takaba sama."

Keiichi gathered his clothes. A hand clutching on his stomach, he walked to the door, assisted by Suoh. "I learned it the hard way, Suoh san."

Xx Business as Usual xX

A few weeks later

Kirishima stood next to the boss, unmoving. He gripped the thin black file on his hands, unsure if he should pass the documents to his boss. After the incident with Keiichi, Suoh and him had poured generous amount of time searching for a new replacement guard for Akihito.

Asami had hundreds of guards but none seemed to make the cut. He contemplated looking for a new recruit but he was at a loss of who to pick until Suoh dumped a file on his desk the day before, informing that he had found the perfect guard for Akihito.

Initially, Kirishima wasn't convinced with Suoh's candidate. He looked nothing like Keiichi but they shared the same style and qualities. He wasn't certain if Asami would approve but for the lack of a better choice, Kirishima took the file to his boss nonetheless.

"Kirishima."

The secretary snapped into attention. "Yes, Asami sama?"

"Is that all the reports that I have to sign?" The yakuza asked, dumping the last file on the table.

Kirishima pushed his spectacles up. "Yes, Asami sama."

"What about the file you're holding?"

Clearing his throat, the secretary passed the folder to his boss. "Suoh sent a possible candidate to replace Keiichi, sir."

Flipping the file open, Asami stared at the 4R photograph of an attractive young man: black hair, dark, unreadable eyes, firm jaw line and thin lips. The man could easily pass for a movie actor instead of a guard. "His background?" He asked and casually reached for the box of cigarette on the table.

"Egawa Toru. Father unknown; mother passed away last year due to illness. No siblings," Kirishima reported as he leaned nearer to light his boss's cigarette.

"Ranked top in tactical skills in the army. He's a black belt in karate and judo."

Asami tapped the excess cigarette on the ashtray, scrutinizing the photograph. "His achievements in the army do not fascinate me," the yakuza said. "Send him here."

"You're interviewing him yourself, Asami sama?" Kirishima asked, slightly surprised with the request.

The yakuza smirked, passing the file back to Kirishima. "I'll be doing a lot more than interviewing."

Xx Business as Usual xX

Asami gazed his golden orbs at the man in front of him intently. Like Keiichi, Egawa Toru was easy on the eyes but he was certainly more composed than the former guard. Standing at nearly six feet, Toru was considered taller than the average Japanese. His dark eyes bore no expression and to a point, emotionless. Asami had to give the man some credit. Aside from Kirishima and Suoh, no one can looked as calm as Toru did. Either he had frozen on his spot or he was naturally stoic.

The preliminary interview had been satisfying. Unlike his other guards who were sent into the interview room with Suoh, Toru was brought into the dojo and was given the task to spar with Suoh. Asami simply did not see the point to hire a guard with poor defensive skills.

And he was good, Asami had to admit after Toru nearly beat Suoh. Deciding to test Toru's capabilities in martial arts, Asami told a shocked Suoh to step aside, allowing him to take over instead.

His skills were better than Keiichi's; Toru's reflexes were quicker, sharper and he was far stronger. Still, Asami took him down in less than five minutes, leaving the man shocked with his defeat. With Toru still lying down from the aftermath of his defeat, Asami informed Kirishima to send Toru to his office after changing.

Glancing through the file Kirishima had provided, Asami looked at the man seated on his visitor's chair.

"Egawa kun," Asami greeted.

Toru bowed. "Please call me Toru, Sir."

Asami raised an eyebrow. "Any special reason?"

The man returned his gaze. "I did not have a father and it would be strange to call me a name that was given to me by an unknown person.