Watching his brother's worried expr

Watching his brother's worried expression made Akihito guiltier. He sighed, "I'm not in any trouble, nii-san."

"But –," his brother protested, only to be interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Turning to the direction of the door, Akihito nearly breathed out in relief when he saw Toru.

"Akihito san, your parents are ready to leave," he said in his usual, stoic expression.

"Ye—ah, thanks, Toru," he replied gratefully. Turning to his brother, he tugged at Haruhito's arm. "Let's go, Haru-nii. We're going to a very nice restaurant for dinner."

Haruhito complied but as he passed Toru, he stopped, glaring at the guard before finally stepping out of the emergency staircase with Akihito.

Xx Business as Usual xX

Hyoten was an upscale, posh traditional Japanese restaurant in the urban center of Shiba-Koen. A very reserved restaurant, Hyota had no central dining room, just a warren of private chambers with tatami mats and low, traditional tables and chairs. Standing just outside the private rooms, a lovely garden, completed by a carp pond decorated the restaurant.

The sight itself was breathtaking but Hyotan's main attraction wasn't the luxurious décor. It was the food that earned Hyotan the top Japanese restaurant in Tokyo.

The food didn't come cheap, of course. Akihito was glad that he already told his parents that he'd be giving them a treat from the money he had saved. A big, fat lie but he hadn't had a choice.

A beautiful lady in kimono rushed out to bow at Akihito. She kept her head down as she led them to the back before stopping at a private room. Sliding the paper door apart gently, she gestured them inside.

Everyone, including Akihito, gasped at the size of the private room. Akihito counted the tatami mats and noticed that it was already bigger than his old apartment. A low, oak table stood in the center, surrounded by ten legless chairs.

"Aki, is it really all right to dine here?" Natsuko asked, looking uncertainly at her husband.

Akihito forced out a smile. "Don't worry, kaa-san. I've saved up quite a bit," he reassured, placing a hand on his mother's shoulder, motioning her to take a seat.

"You don't have to force yourself, we'll be fine even if we eat at a family restaurant," his father replied as he sat next to his wife.

The photographer took his own seat across his parents. His brother automatically sat next to him. "I'm not forcing myself tou-san; I have saved enough."

For the moment, no one spoke as the yukata cladded waitress came forward to pour them tea. Akihito murmured his thanks as he held the dainty porcelain cup in his hand, savoring its warmth before raising it to his lips.

"Ah – " Natsuko suddenly exclaimed, "Akihito, why don't you ask Asami san to have dinner with us? We'd like to thank him for all the trouble."

Akihito spurted out his hot tea. "No!"

"Why?" Haruhito challenged.

Accepting the handkerchief from Toru, Akihito dabbed his mouth before wiping the table with the cloth. "He's – a very busy man, I don't think he's free to join us."

"Surely, no matter how busy, he has to have dinner!" Natsuko protested.

"That's right, Akihito. Why don't you call him?" Haruhito asked again.

"I don't want to disturb him when he's working," Akihito finished lamely.

Haruhito opened his mouth only to shut it again when his mother gave him a warning stare. "Perhaps if we could meet him before we leave? We'd like to say thank you," his mother persuaded.

His mother had a gentle yet persuasive aura that made it impossible for Akihito to turn her down. "I—I will try to ask him when he gets back from work tonight," Akihito answered uncertainly as he looked at Toru and Ando who sat at the end of the table.

"Akihito, it's all right," his father interjected. "Natsuko, be considerate, Asami san is a very busy man.

Thank you, tou-san, Akihito cheered inwardly. He knew his father would understand.

"But –," Natsuko didn't get to continue as the door slid open.

Grateful for the intrusion, Akihito turned to the door; and nearly dropped his porcelain cup. Asami Ryuiichi stood at the door, flanked by Kirishima by his side. Dressed in his usual designer three piece suit, his hair was sleek, styled to perfection as he walked into the room confidently.

Toru managed to camouflage his identity as Akihito's assistant by remaining silent. He remained seated as he bowed slightly at his boss and superiors but Ando was so nervous that he immediately stood up, bowing deeply. "A – Asami sama."

Asami nodded his head and took his seat at the center, next to Akihito. As the seats in front were occupied, Kirishima went to the other end, sitting next to Ando and Toru.

Fuck, now what the hell am I going to say to my parents? Akihito glanced at his family members. His father had the bewildered look on his face; his mother looked as though as she had just seen a popular film star and Haruhito looked like a lion ready to pounce on its prey.

"Aki, aren't you going to introduce us?" Natsuko whispered across the table.

Refraining himself from cursing the man next to him, Akihito gritted out, "Kaa-san, Tou-san, Haru-nii, this is my landlord, Asami and his secretary, Kirishima."

He turned to Asami. "My parents, Takaba Hidenori and Natsuko." Akihito introduced before placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "And this is my brother, Haruhito, Asami san," he stressed the salutation, voicing out his displeasure.

The yakuza ignored his unusual pitch and returned Hidenori and Natsuko's bow. "Pleasure to meet you."

Natsuko's eyes sparkled. "My – my, you are even better looking than Toru and Ando."

"Kaa-san!" Haruhito and Akihito shouted simultaneously, embarrassed.

"I heard from Akihito that you took the trouble to plan the itinerary," Hidenori started, bowing a little. "I apologize for the trouble and thank you for your generosity."

Asami took a sip of the offered tea. "It's not a trouble, Takaba san. After all, Akihito has been very helpful to me," he said; his lips curved into a smile as he looked at Akihito.

If his parents and brother weren't around, Akihito was certain he would have flipped the table turtle. Controlling his temper and embarrassment, Akihito smiled forcefully, "Likewise, Asami san, you've been kind enough to provide me a room in your lovely apartment."

The crime lord gave Akihito a mocking smile. "It's not a problem, seeing that your services have always been excellent," he said, enjoying the game.

The photographer needn't to be reminded what sort of services the crime lord was mentioning. That nerve of the man! "Of course, housework and cooking are my specialty," Akihito answered, forcing out a smile.

His mother laughed. "I'm glad our Aki can be of some use to you, Asami san, right Anata?" she said, looking at her husband.

Asami smirked again. "He is."

"We're very relieved!" Natsuko replied, her face brimming with happiness. "Akihito can be quite handful at times, Asami san. That job of his, we tried telling him to quit but he's too stubborn to listen."

"That –," Asami replied, as he raised the cup to his lips, "I will have to agree."

"Kaa-san!" Akihito said desperately.

"What is it that you do, Asami san?" Haruhito cut in.

Asami glanced at Akihito's brother. "I'm a businessman –,"

"What sort of business?" Haruhito shot out, cutting Asami off.

"Haruhito, you are being rude to Asami san," Hidenori gave his son a stern warning. He turned to Asami and bowed slightly, "I apologize, Asami san."

"It's all right," Asami replied, taking another sip of his tea. "I supposed Haruhito san is only curious." He signaled for Kirishima.

The secretary came to the yakuza's side, offering a business card to Haruhito. The elder Takaba sibling took the card unwillingly before glancing at it. His eyes widened. "You're the Asami Ryuiichi, CEO of Sion?"

Even Hidenori looked genuinely shocked. "Ah, my company has dealings with you," Hidenori said. "I am from Taito Pharmaceuticals, Fukouka, Kyushu region."

Asami already knew about it from the report Kirishima had provided him that morning. Takaba Hidenori is a marketing executive while Akihito's mother works as a part time waitress at a local family restaurant. His brother, Takaba Haruhito is a top sales manager in Asahi brewery.

"It is indeed a surprise, Takaba san," Asami said although his tone did not indicate anything but.

"Thank you for your continuous support." Hidenori bowed.

Asami nodded politely, glancing at Haruhito. The sales manager didn't look pleased with the turn of events but for the lack of a better topic to talk, he remained silent. Akihito was fidgety, and from the looks on his face, he wanted nothing more but to escape. It was amusing, Asami thought, to see Akihito behaving so obediently in front of his parents. With his face flushed and eyes looking downwards at his folded thighs, Akihito looked like he was on his first omiai date.