The siblings exchanged a couple of

The siblings exchanged a couple of small talks about work and their parents before Haruhito became quiet.

"Haru-nii?"

Haruhito pushed the plate away. "Akihito, you sure you won't regret being with Asami?"

"Why the sudden question, Haru-nii?"

"I just wanted you to know that it's not easy becoming a yakuza's lover," Haruhito looked away, uncomfortable.

Akihito swallowed the last mouthful of his curry rice and sipped his water. He glanced at his guards, seated a few tables away before looking at his brother again. "Haru-nii, I know the consequences," he murmured.

Haruhito leaned back and sighed. "I won't say anything else, Akihito. But if he ever lay his hands on you –," his brother's eyes became fierce, " – I'm taking you away and I don't give a damn whether he threatens me or not."

"He threatened you?" Akihito gripped his spoon.

Realizing that he had blurted out the wrong word, Haruhito averted his eyes. "No, of course not! Did you think he can threaten your nii-san?"

It was painfully obvious that his brother was lying. Haruhito was nervous, fidgety and he wouldn't look at Akihito when he mentioned Asami.

A few months ago, when his parents came to Tokyo for a visit, he remembered Haruhito looking uncomfortable on day they were scheduled to return to Fukouka. Akihito was naïve to think that his brother and Asami merely chatted when he visited the yakuza at Sion.

It was pointless trying to weed out anything from Haruhito so Akihito didn't even bother trying. Obstinacy was something both brothers unconsciously share. He played the perfect host until it was time for his brother to board the flight.

As Akihito waved at Haruhito, his expression turned grim. Coolly, he slipped into the backseat of the car before ordering Ando to take him home. He'd have a long chat with Asami when he returned from his office.

Xx Business as Usual xX

Toru had never seen Akihito so angry. His master had both fists clenched by his sides as he stared outside the window of the BMW. His face muscles tightened, most probably trying to control his raging anger.

Beside him, Ando kept glancing at the rear mirror, checking Akihito every five seconds or so.

"Takaba sama?" Toru questioned carefully. "Are you all right?"

No reply.

This is getting bad, Toru decided. Akihito had never ignored him before no matter how angry he was. He regretted not eavesdropping on the brothers' conversation earlier at the family restaurant. That was a mistake on his part. He thought after last night, everything should be all right since Akihito seemed to be in high spirits that morning.

As they reached the penthouse, Akihito stormed inside without a backward glance. Toru followed Akihito to the penthouse, watched the photographer fumbled with the keys angrily before slamming the door behind him.

He stood there, staring at the closed door.

"Toru san," Ando called as he stepped out of the elevator. "Is Takaba sama all right?"

Toru leaned against the wall. "No."

"I wonder what Haruhito san said to Takaba sama. I've never seen him so angry," the younger guard said worriedly.

"I think I better inform Kirishima san about this," Toru said, reaching for his phone when he heard Akihito yelled.

"TORU!"

Xx Business as Usual xX

A few minutes earlier

Akihito stormed into the penthouse, furious. He toed off his shoes at the genkan, slamming the keys on the shoe cabinet with such a force that they fell behind the shoe cabinet.

Already in a foul mood, Akihito pushed the shoe cabinet away roughly to retrieve the bunch of keys- and found himself staring at a switch.

Weird, Akihito thought as he stared at the odd-looking switch. Why would Asami install a switch in such a place? Unless it was used to activate something in the penthouse, Akihito couldn't think of a reason why it was there.

He switched it on and waited. There was nothing. He walked into the living room, scanned around. Nothing aroused his suspicions but Akihito wasn't about to give up.

It couldn't be there for no apparent reason.

It was by pure chance that Akihito noticed a tiny red dot from a strange device next to the television. He crouched, examining the round object. Slightly smaller than a 500 yen coin, the device was attached to the small vase of similar color.

Akihito wasn't stupid. As a photographer, he tinkered with many devices before; and the small round device he was currently looking at told him that it was a high-tech security device.

Curling his fingers into fists, Akihito stood up. "TORU!"

Xx Business as Usual xX

"Takaba sama, are you all right?" Toru barged into the living room with a gun in his hands. Ando followed behind his senior and he too, held a gun.

"Did you know about this?" Akihito asked, pointing his finger at the small camera.

The slightly surprised look from Toru answered Akihito's question. "When did you find out?"

For the first time in Toru's position as a guard, he didn't dare to answer his master. He remained silent, infuriating the younger man even more.

"Was the camera switched on when Haru-nii and I were here yesterday?" Akihito raised his voice.

Again, there was silence. Squeezing his eyes in helpless anger, Akihito commanded his guard. "Call Asami and tell your boss that if he doesn't get here in thirty minutes, I'm leaving."

"Takaba sama, please calm down. Don't –," Ando began but he was sternly interrupted by Akihito.

"Shut up, Ando," Akihito commanded and looked at the lanky guard in front of him. "Call the bastard."

Nodding his head, Toru kept his gun, dragging Ando out of the penthouse.

"Toru san, what are we supposed to do now?" Ando asked, his eyes darted at the penthouse door.

"I'll call Asami sama directly," Toru answered, his fingers already fishing for his phone. It rang even before Toru managed to unlock the screen.

"Kirishima san –,"

"Asami sama is on his way. Both of you stand guard at the door," the secretary ordered.

"Understood," he replied before ending the call. He relayed the instructions to Ando.

"Does Asami sama know what happened?"

Toru nodded. "Takaba sama activated the camera just now. Most likely Asami sama had witnessed everything in his office."

Ando gulped. At that moment, he didn't want to think what would happen if his employer and Akihito quarreled.