Counteract

Once more, he found himself leaning back on his chair, and looking blankly at the ceiling. His face blank and absent of any sort of expression.

'If Kyoya were a mere criminal schemer, I would've wrapped this up by now.'

'I'd unearth his deception, involve the authorities, present Himiko with undeniable proof, and in the process, paint Haruto in the most favorable light.'

'But Kyoya isn't just any crook.'

'He's got connections, and the odds that he has allies capable of extricating him from prison walls make it risky to rely solely on our oh-so-reliable justice system. Taking into account what I know about his past, I'm convinced that Kyoya's intellect surpasses the ordinary. He's likely discerned Himiko's vulnerabilities; he's just chosen not to capitalize on them yet. Why? Heh, he just doesn't feel like he needs to.'

'He can just go on without doing anything too out of the ordinary, because those vulnerabilities of Himiko unlock an A+ grade technique that is especially effective on her: "Himiko... I did it for the wealth, yes. I'm the villain in this story. I can't change the hurt I've caused you and Haruto... but being with you made me feel like perhaps there was something more than just money." '

'Essentially, he's poised to cast himself as the wounded soul, the damaged man yearning for redemption. Given Himiko's nurturing disposition, she's likely to succumb to his manipulations, further ensnaring her in his web. She's drawn to healing emotional scars, and he knows just how to present them.'

'If he'd realized my intervention, he would have used that card already. That's why our next steps must be measured, even though we have a plan in place.'

This very thought consumed Yuuto's mind as he locked eyes with Sendo, who was emerging from the hospital, his injuries still evident.

"Your phone," Yuuto began, extending the device to Sendo, its battery indicator blinking ominously. "But I need more from you, Sendo. It concerns Haruto."

Sendo took a moment, perhaps processing Yuuto's words, his gaze unwavering. Then, in the familiar casual tone, he responded, "Alright, I'm in."

Yuuto raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Just like that? Put up a fight. Challenge me. Anything acquired too effortlessly will be broken just as easily."

Sendo shrugged, "Look, senpai, I ain't too keen on what's easy and hard. I just said yes. And I get dat ya care for dat dude."

But Yuuto pressed on, "After our heated exchange at the hospital, this sudden compliance is out of character. I called you 'stupid', a term I know gets under your skin and we almost threw hands. And yet, here you are, so compliant. Are you aligned with Kyoya?"

Sendo pondered, skyward gaze thoughtful, before retorting, "I used ta fight with my brothers, shoutin' words we didn't mean. We were angry, for sure. Fought more dan once, too - got all physical and stuff. But we stayed friends cuz dat what we were."

Yuuto clenched his jaw, "I meant every word. I view Haruto as weak, albeit with potential, and you as naïve and STUPID for shielding him from truths he needs to confront. Your retaliation back at the hospital makes it clear you ain't too bright."

Sendo countered, "It's cuz of how ya said it dat made me angry, senpai. Ya even cussed at him for no reason and 100% seemed like you meant every word. It was like ya were punishin' him for whatever that Kyoya did. It just didn't seem like ya at all."

Yuuto exhaled sharply, poised to respond when Sendo interjected.

"I don't get yer animosity towards him. Maybe dere's history, or he reminds ya of someone ya hate. But I'm with ya because I like yer guts. Name-calling won't push me away. I want ta help."

"So what, we're 'buddies' now?" Yuuto questioned, his eyebrow raised slightly.

Sendo shot back, playful confidence in his voice, "Ya didn't say we ain't when I called us dat, so yeah."

Yuuto muttered a begrudging, "Crafty kid."

'Apologizing for calling him stupid now would be redundant, especially after I called him that before, and apologized. Besides, it isn't like he didn't do his fair share of screaming. We'll just move on from this. There's no need to get stuck on this useless sentim-'

"Sorry for lashing out at ya, senpai. And threatening ta beat ya up."

"...."

"... Sorry for calling you stupid again," Yuuto replied as his voice trailed off.

'What am I? 4?' Yuuto thought to himself in defeat.

Sendo smirked.

Yuuto examined Sendo's blonde hair and earrings. 'It just doesn't match. He's 100% an NTR looking antagonist... What a weirdo.'

"Jesus, can you act the way you look for once?" Yuuto uttered as he raised his eyebrows.

"...Huh? What's dat supposed ta mean, senpai?"

"Tsk, like a shitty delin-... You know what? Nothing. Let's walk. I'll tell you what we need to do."

-----------BACK AT HIMIKO'S PLACE, A few days later, 6:02am---------

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, and Kyoya, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, smiled. "Himiko," he began, the twinkle in his eyes contrasting the seriousness of his tone, "ready for that hike?"

But before he could delve further into their plans, the trill of his phone interrupted him.

[Mister Guuji, I expect to see you at your gym in exactly one hour. Don't disappoint. We wouldn't want any... complications with your establishment now, would we? Be there.] The line went dead.

The corners of Kyoya's mouth tugged downward, a clear agitation shimmering in his eyes. "...It's Haruto again. Always him," he grumbled, the muscles in his hand flexing around his phone.

Himiko's eyes narrowed, her posture tense. "The inspector Haruto?" Her voice was edged, a growl almost.

With a sly smirk, Kyoya replied, "What, did you think I meant your beloved stepson? That... individual," he spat out, frustration evident. "He always manages to interrupt our plans. Sometimes, it feels like he's got eyes on me."

A flash of desperation in Himiko's eyes, she clutched Kyoya's shirt. "Then tell him no. Reschedule. I need this time with you, Kyoya. More than you might realize."

He looked down, catching her earnest gaze, and placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "I know," he sighed, "and we will have our time. But..."

Himiko softened, letting go of the tension she had held. "It's about your gym, isn't it? I understand. I can wait, if it's for something you cherish."

The genuine concern in her voice caught Kyoya off guard. He blinked, momentarily speechless. "You... You actually care?" He seemed almost bewildered.

She met his gaze with unwavering sincerity. "Of course. It's vital to you, so it matters."

Still processing, Kyoya nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's compromise: Movie night?"

With a relieved smile, Himiko agreed. "Perfect. Movie night it is."

Thus, he set off into the distance, with Himiko waving him off.

'Why, it's almost like that scum has a sixth sense. Me having eyes on him, who would think something so ridiculous... I suppose the years doing small jobs like this have made you duller, Kyoya.' Yuuto thought to himself as he stared at him through the monitor while sitting at the internet cafe. 'Now then... I better get going. I hope that guy knows what he has to do in a few hours... Oh well, I trust he'll make due.'

-----A FEW HOURS LATER-------

The grand gate of the Narukami residence echoed softly with the repeated knock. But the vastness of the house's yard swallowed up the sound, leaving it almost inaudible.

'Wasn't Senpai certain she'd be home?' Sendo's inner thoughts tangled with doubts. 'In a house this big, how can one even hear a knock from the front? That's just bad design.'

After what felt like an eternity, a door finally creaked open, revealing a woman with fiery red hair, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.

"You could've rung the doorbell," she remarked with a hint of amusement in her eyes, gesturing toward a discreet button by the side of the entrance.

Flushing with embarrassment, Sendo's gaze darted to the doorbell he'd missed. Trying to recover, he began, "Uh... da name's Sendo. Pleasure ta meet ya'. I don't go ta meet a lotta people so I missed dat." Even as the words slipped out, he wondered why he went through so much trouble.

She gave him a once-over, her eyes lingering on his vibrant hair and piercings. "Hello, Sendo. How might you be acquainted with us? Are you here for someone?"

Gulping nervously, he responded, "Actually, ma'am, I'm a friend of Haruto's. I was wonderin' if he might've stopped by?"

The mention of Haruto seemed to spark a visible excitement in her. "Haruto? You mean, my Haruto? Haruto Narukami?" She stepped closer, almost breathless, placing her hands on his shoulders.

Slightly startled by her enthusiasm, he nodded. "Yeah, dat Haruto. He's been stayin' with me for a bit, and I've kinda lost track of him. Thought he mighta come back home."

A perplexed frown danced on her face. "Your place? Not... not with his girlfriend?"

Sendo blinked, taken aback. "Girlfriend? No way. Haruto woulda told me if he was seeing some girl."

Her face contorted in a blend of relief and confusion. "Oh! I just... assumed. It was a silly notion, I guess." There was an undercurrent of something deeper in her voice, a fleeting shadow of a memory, linking to something that Kyoya had said.

Sendo couldn't help but think, 'She's reacting exactly how Senpai predicted.' he then added, "Last I knew, Haruto was only into swimmin' and studyin'. And trust me, he'd definitely mention a girlfriend."

She gave a weak smile, seemingly lost in her thoughts, "Thank you, Sendo. That's... good to know."

As the silence stretched, Sendo shifted on his feet. "I'll get goin' den. Haruto's probably at a pool somewhere. Thanks for yer time, ma'am."

She glanced up, "Would you like some tea before you go?"

His steps briefly halted. "No, thanks. If I sit down now, I might just doze off. Busy day ahead."

A brief hesitation, then in a voice just above a whisper, she ventured, "Do you... know why Haruto left home?"

Sendo paused, looking back over his shoulder, a hint of surprise evident. 'How did Senpai guess she'd ask?'

He hesitated, a sigh escaping him before he responded. "Well, It ain't like he wanted to leave... He mentioned once that he might've felt like he was... getting in da way, y'know?"

Her voice, threaded with a pang of regret, softly queried, "... In-... In the way?"

"Ahhh... I hate doin' shit like dis..." Sendo scratched his head while muttering loudly, "In da way of ya and yer new partner, ma'am. Guess he didn't feel comfortable with ya' anymore now dat ya got a partner to worry about."

She blinked several times in quick succession, guilt weighing down on her like a ton of bricks. "O-oh... OH... Haha... I see... Haruto... Haruto didn't feel comfortable now that I have-.." She murmured awkwardly, while forcing a chuckle after every sentence. Trying to hide away her turmoil.

"Ah, shit he told me not ta say dat... He jus' didn't wanna get in yer way-"

She signaled the youth to stop talking with her hand as she shook her head slowly. She then replied, her voice trembling. "Thank you... For... For telling me."

'Ait... I think I told her exactly what Senpai told me to say... I hate doing stuff like that.'

"... Sure." Sendo replied before leaving.

"It's..." She stopped him again, murmuring, "...Good to hear. That he has friends like you that worry about him so much. Thank you for taking him in." She said calmly. Gratefulness evident in her tone as she bowed.

"Don't mention it."

Meanwhile, at the gym, Haruto Sakurai (Yuuto the fake inspector) stayed there for hours. Delaying the inspection on every detail, forcing Kyoya to follow him. A speck of dust, a grain of white chalk, or remnants of protein powder. Even the space above the acoustic ceiling panels wasn't spared. Sometimes, he made things up... And just like that, with breaks, 7 hours went by.

Yuuto: "Well, everything here seems clean enough! I will come back again tomorrow!"

Kyoya: "When."

Yuuto: "Hmmm?"

"I asked WHEN. Do you think that's fair, making me dance to your tune? I have a personal life, plans and promises that I need to keep. Calling me an hour ahead of time ISN'T ENOUGH. I need to know NOW WHEN You're going to be coming from now on so that I could properly arrange my schedule to meet." Kyoya nearly bellowed, his chest puffed as if trying to intimidate Yuuto, disguised as the fat and bearded health inspector. "You speak of professionalism, but you NEVER ONCE gave even a 24-hour notice whenever you are coming for an inspection."

"I thought we spoke of this, Mr. Guuji. We're both busy men. And if I had informed you, you and your..." Yuuto took a moment to look at Kyoya's gym assistants, eyeing Yuuto menacingly, "Lovely bunch here, would've had all the time in the world to hide indecencies and flaws. This has to be done organically in order to instill those habits into yo-"

Kyoya knocked over an equipment in fury, the clash of it against the ground rattled everyone, except Yuuto, who stared at him indifferently.

Kyoya looked at Yuuto. His fists are balled, and his muscles are all tensed.

"Is this a violation, Mr. Inspector...?" He questioned chillingly, while his face fumed.

Yuuto sighed and walked to his behalf, kneeling near the broken equipment, examining it solemnly. Un-alerted by Kyoya's stance.

"Equipment breaks, accidents happen. It's a shame, but you will have to store this one until you get it fixed. Not a violation."

"...." Kyoya stood above the inspector. His trainers all readied themselves, facing the Inspector who seemed casual.

"Kyoya. You are not the only one to smash equipment in rage. Me being unreasonable? Interruptive and draining you of your personal life? Such is the corporate world, full of hidden nuances, tests, and surprise visits. If such things never existed, do you think an establishment could keep on its feet for years to come? It is all a part of a system. A system YOU, are also a part of."

Kyoya's muscles loosened, and he signaled his goons with his gaze to stand down.

"...And might I add," Yuuto rose, placing a soft palm on his tall shoulder, "Doing a good job at being that part of the system. Do not ruin it for yourself, Mr. Guuji."

"....I... I understand."

"Good. And might I remind you, just 15 more days, and then - I'll be out of your hair for good. Well, me, at least. Maybe someone else will come after a few years. But not me. Take care now."

Yuuto left and went home again. Glancing at the fainted Haruto on his couch, smirking before going upwards to his room, undressing and redressing in casual clothes before heading out to meet Sendo. Sendo relayed the details of his encounter with Himiko to Yuuto. To which Yuuto simply nodded. However, Sendo's doubt arose...

"Senpai, what's da big idea? Even if she begins ta doubt Kyoya, won't she eventually bring it up ta him? He's good with words, ya said that. In a couple of hours, he could have her wrapped around his finger again."

"You're not seeing the bigger picture," Yuuto replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "After an encounter like the one she just had, her immediate instinct might be to confide in Kyoya. But give her a few hours alone, allow her time to introspect, and it changes the game. That was why it was important to do it while he's nowhere nearby for a very long time."

"How?"

"People's minds wander, especially after something unsettling. By evening, her thoughts about Haruto won't be just about him leaving. She'll start analyzing every detail, every instance where things might have gone wrong. The guilt, the 'what ifs,' the possibilities – it'll all grow, taking on a life of its own. And the longer she's left to stew in that, the more walls she'll build to protect herself from any further seduction by Kyoya, using what you've fed her."

"Uh... I see... I think. So, we make Kyoya da bad guy, right?"

"blablblablablablablablablablaaIt's not about vilifying Kyoya, that would be too obvious and force him to use his trump card strategy.blablablablablablablabla No, what we're doing is creating doubt in her mind. If we do it right, Kyoya won't pick up on her emotional turmoil until it gets too late. That's when she'll start piecing things together on her own, asking herself ANDblablablablablablablablablabla answering the important questions... "Why does Haruto think he's in the way?" "He doesn't have a girlfriend and it sounds like he didn't want to leave..." "Was Kyoya the reason I don't have Haruto in my life?". The more she asks herself these questions and the longer Kyoya is too tired and dull to notice, something I will personally see to, the space between them grows. And guess who fits perfectly into that space?"

"Uh..." Sendo mumbled, Yuuto's words running wild in his head, unable to form together.

"Haruto." Yuuto uttered.

"Uhh, yeah. Right." 

".... You didn't catch a single word of that, huh." 

"Sorry, Senpai... I ain't dat bright."

Yuuto sighed.

"tl;dr - you planted the seed of 'care for Haruto' in her, she will care more about Haruto when she alone a lot of hours. Clear?"

"Oh, sure. Ya shoulda said dat from da get-go."

"Gr..."

"Wait, but she has a phone? She coulda called Kyoya and asked 'im right away..."

"Nope... Somehow, I feel that we're good on that end." Yuuto sneered. His phone rings in his pocket. Dozens of calls were missed from a number not registered and texts. 'Rerouting phone calls is so easy...'

---BACK AT THE GYM----

Kyoya stared at his phone. It was silent, specifically set to that mode for the inspection. Not a single notification from Himiko. In contrast, Haruto's father bombarded him with incessant calls and messages.

He let out a mild sigh, 'She's probably stewing over what happened today... I'll pamper her a bit tonight. That should help.'

A slender silhouette slipped out from the shadows, its movements smooth and deliberate.

"Kyoya, need assistance handling that fatass? I could erase him, and all traces leading back to us..." Kazuki's voice slithered into the conversation, moving toward Kyoya much like a serpent stalking its prey, moments after the inspector's departure.

Kyoya shot him a glare. "No. We're transitioning to legit business. Once this job's over, it's clean deals from there on. It's just this corporate bullshit that the inspector does that I'm not used to. 15 more days, and he's out of the picture."

Kazuki tilted his head, a smirk forming. "Making any headway with the lady?"

Kyoya grunted, "That inspector is a nuisance, sure. But nothing I can't outmaneuver, she is mine... Just need to be a bit creative with her, that's all."

Kazuki's smirk deepened, "Being 'creative'? That's new for you. Has our tough Kyoya developed a soft spot for this woman?"

Kyoya's tone grew icy. "Watch your mouth. I'm just being careful. She's... perceptive. Can't rush things with her."

Kazuki chuckled, the sound dripping with mischief. "Never took you to notice or care about such subtleties. Why not just get it over with?"

Kyoya's patience wore thin, "... Are you challenging my methods, Kazuki?"

Kazuki stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender, "Oh, I'd never dare. Just wondering if you're still the same Kyoya I knew."

Kyoya exhaled slowly, his gaze unyielding. "I handle things my way. The end goal's what matters. Stay in line, follow the plan, and we'll be legitimate soon enough."

------

"Now, all that's left is Haruto's battle. All hangs on him. Naturally, Himiko will want to call him."

"Ain't that a good thing if yer girl's callin'?" 

"Not in his case... Hearing his voice will reassure her and talking it out will allow her worries to flow out in a way. They gotta fester and grow in her mind, until, before she realizes, she can't stop thinking about Haruto."

-------------------

Haruto was lounging on the couch, his muscles still sore from the swimming exercise which had grown increasingly difficult with every day when his phone buzzed to life. The name "Himiko" illuminated the screen, and Haruto's heart skipped a beat. For a moment, the entire world seemed to halt; only the soft glow of the call notification and the rhythmic pulsation of his heart existed.

His eyes shone with anticipation, the glint of excitement clearly visible. It had been so long since he last heard from her. The distance and silence had been a challenge, but here it was - the call he had been secretly yearning for.

But as his hand moved to answer the call, Yuuto's voice echoed in his mind, as clear as the day he had first heard those words: "Whatever you do, DON'T ANSWER. If you do, you two will talk, for sure - but all chances for falling in love or her getting back to you is zero."

The gravity of those words held Haruto's hand in mid-air, torn between longing and logic. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, each beat seeming to howl loudly: "Answer the one you love." It was almost a physical pain, resisting the urge to reconnect, to fill the void that had grown between them.

But he remembered Yuuto's reasoning - the need to let the emotions fester, to allow true feelings to surface, and to give them a chance at a deeper, more enduring relationship. The phone buzzed again, another call from Himiko. And then another. And another. And once more. Each call was a siren song, each one harder to resist than the last.

With every unanswered call, Haruto's heart felt heavier, weighed down by guilt, longing, and doubt. The screen eventually dimmed, signaling the end of the call spree. Silence engulfed the room once more.

Haruto placed the phone face-down on the table, as if to shield himself from further temptation. Yet the doubts still gnawed at him, his inner turmoil palpable. 'Is this... Really the right answer?' His mind echoed, gazing out of the window, the twinkling city lights reflecting his inner confusion and hope.

------------------

"Senpai."

Yuuto barely glanced at Sendo, clearly irked. "What now?"

"Why can't dey just... Talk it out? Why not reveal everything ta dat woman? Ain't it fine for dat guy ta just tell her he's got feelings for her?"

With a heavy sigh, Yuuto shot Sendo a sharp look. "You think life's a fairytale? They spill their feelings, and they live happily ever after?"

Sendo shuffled a bit, unnerved by Yuuto's cold demeanor. "I just think... if dey care 'bout each other, why not be open?"

Yuuto's voice was icy, devoid of warmth. "Love isn't a children's storybook, Sendo. Genuine connections require more than juvenile confessions."

"But Senpai," Sendo protested, "lettin' dat Kyoya guy mess around with her while Haruto does nothing, ain't dat just pushing 'em away from each other?"

Yuuto's patience seemed to thin. "Again, this isn't child's play. It's strategy. Raw emotions, when thrown around recklessly, cause more harm than good. They need precision, calculation."

Sendo's brows furrowed, frustration evident. "Feels like yer makin' it more complicated dan it should be."

Yuuto's response was curt, his tone final. "It's how the world works, whether you accept it or not. Love, like all things, requires tactics."

"Senpai, yer overthinkin' it," Sendo pushed, trying to penetrate the icy wall Yuuto had put up. "Love's simple. Ya feel it, ya act on it."

Yuuto's laugh was short and humorless. "Simplicity is for the naive. You think wars are won by just charging in headfirst?"

"We ain't at war here," Sendo countered, getting heated. "It's 'bout two people likin' each other. Ain't no strategy or game plan needed."

"That's where you're wrong," Yuuto snapped, eyes narrowing. "Love, is like a clash of minds during a chess game. You make the wrong move, and it's game over."

Sendo's voice grew louder, frustration bubbling. "Chess? Ya can't compare people's feelings to a game! Haruto's hurtin', and yer sittin' here plottin' like it's all some... some damn puzzle!"

"Because it is," Yuuto responded, the chill in his tone undeniable. "Every move has consequences, every action a reaction. If you can't see the bigger picture, you're just setting up for failure."

Sendo threw his hands up in exasperation. "Haruto just needs ta speak his heart out!! Ain't nothin' more ta it!"

Yuuto's voice grew colder, more clipped. "And what happens when he does? Think it'll be a simple 'they lived happily ever after'? Life doesn't work in straight lines, Sendo."

For a moment, the two stared each other down, the weight of their differences palpable in the charged air.

"Look, Senpai. It's yer thang. I won't tell ya what ta do. It just feels wrong." Sendo sighed, lessening his muscles.

"Good. Then let's agree to disagree. You'll eat your words soon enough when they're together."

"...."