15 Chapter 15

"Yes... so Friday night?"

"Sounds good. I'll check with Takato and let you know. Also, congratulations Aki! You don't know how worried we were about you when you didn't pick up any of your calls."

Akihito laughed. "Yeah... sorry about that Kou. Let me know what Takato says ok?"

After a short banter, the call ended. Akihito let out a sigh. He didn't know how his friends would react to meeting the Asami Ryuichi. He only hoped that they didn't do anything silly to tempt his lover into pull the trigger on them. Kou could be quite the blabbermouth with no brain-to-mouth filter when he was tipsy. Akihito didn't want to see his lover murder his best friend but he couldn't deny Asami the pleasure of meeting his friends after being proposed to.

Blushing at the memory, Akihito curled up on the bed and buried his head beneath the pillow. Why did he have to remember it now of all times!

"Takaba-sama," Ishida knocked on the door. "You have a shoot in two hours. The ride is ready."

That was another reason to make the omega groan. His alpha was being overly nosy. After his editor called to inform Akihito about a new job, Asami drilled details from the blond who answered everything begrudgingly. After that, Asami took matters into his own hands to arrange transportation and guards for the photographer. It wasn't a stakeout, just a regular job at a gala with snobbish celebrities but the businessman was having none of it.

In the end, they compromised. Akihito would be going in a black sedan with only one driver and Ishida who will disguise as his assistant. Asami wasn't too happy about it but relented. Akihito won't put it past the crime lord to secretly add a few more guards to follow them stealthily. Although the couple didn't spend much time together, Akihito just knew that Asami's possessive streak wouldn't allow only one guard to follow him around. It was partly the alpha instinct and partly just part of the asshole's character to be so paranoid. Akihito tried many ways to have the man loosen up a little more only to fail. It was a lost cause.

To be precise, there was one method that Akihito knew would work but he hadn't been ready to try it yet. He might be looking forward to it in their future but for now, Akihito was content with heated kisses and the occasional blowjobs.

Time was running out and Akihito grabbed his camera bag, ticking off the mental checklist for everything he needed. Satisfied, he opened the door and greeted Ishida who was already waiting for him. The guard looked good in civilian clothes and Akihito thanked his dead parents that Asami's guards had at least more common sense than him. Sometimes Akihito wondered how disassociated from the normal life Asami was.

That one time they went out on a date, Asami wanted to buy Akihito a ramen shop simply because Akihito loved the ramen there. The blond had to stop his alpha from threatening the old couple who owned the establishment and explain the concept of dates to Asami in the limousine. Asami wasn't pleased but agreed to pay for the meal and leave it, only to find that he didn't have enough cash. Akihito had a good laugh and paid for both of them before Asami dragged him to a high-end shopping mall to buy them matching engagement earrings because Akihito insisted that he didn't want rings that would get in the way of his job.

While Akihito was perfectly fine with the piercing gun, Asami insisted on taking them to a doctor to get the piercings done correctly. The photographer rolled his eyes at that but allowed his alpha to drag them to Dr Mashiro's hospital anyway.

"Takaba-sama, we have arrived."

Ishida was reaching for the camera bag when Akihito stopped him. "I can handle this. Just go pick a spot for us. We're still early so there should be a good spot to catch the best angles."

Unable to refute, Ishida bowed and left. The gala was held at a fancy hotel and there were may paparazzi camping near the red carpet, waiting to get a shot of the celebrities attending. What Akihito didn't know was that Asami was going to be attending the gala as a sponsor.

When a familiar looking limousine pulled up, Akihito readied his camera and nearly dropped it when a familiar handsome face reflected in his viewfinder. He looked up to see Asami smirking in his direction, ignoring the flashing lights. The blond was so entranced by his dazzling husband-to-be that he almost missed his shot.

An hour later, after all the celebrities have entered the hotel, the paparazzi dispersed. Akihito went back to the black sedan with a blank look on his face. Asami had been wearing his earring and the thought of it made Akihito go beetroot.

"Sir, where would you like to go next?" Ishida asked. Akihito thought for a while. He had to edit the photos before submitting them to his editor but it wouldn't take too long. Instead, Akihito wanted to surprise Asami and what better time to do so when he was occupied with the gala event?

"Kabukicho."

Ishida did a double take. "Sir?"

Akihito was embarrassed but insisted on going to Tokyo's most famous red light district. Ishida was at a loss about what to do and agreed with great reluctance. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Ishida quickly texted Kirishima and Suoh about Akihito's next destination. None of the guards could understand what was going through the blond's mind but it wasn't their place to question it.

Kirishima and Suoh didn't know if they should let their boss know about his lover's destination or wait till the gala was over. Eventually, they decided to withhold the information for now and tighten the security around the oblivious blond.

The two assistants shared a look. If Asami ever found out that Akihito was going to one of the most dangerous places in Tokyo, he wouldn't hesitate to use force to stop the blond. However, according to Ishida, Akihito looked like he wanted to prepare a surprise for Asami so they couldn't stop him.

"Just don't let anything happen to Takaba-sama..." Suoh prayed. Kirishima didn't say anything but he shared the same sentiments.

***

-In Kabukicho-

Akihito grinned as he walked around the streets. The last time he came here was with Kou and Takato to check out the famous hostess clubs. However, this would be the first time Akihito was visiting the area for something else. Sure, there were other adult stores located in less shady places. However, Akihito wanted only the kinkiest goods and Kabukicho had the best shop for that.

Smiling to himself and skipping on the pavement, Takaba Akihito was in high spirits. Unaware of his bodyguards' plight and mental struggle, he ran from alley to alley in order to get to where he wanted to be.

After ten minutes of dodging cars and avoiding trouble, one Takaba Akihito made it safely to the most notorious adult store in Tokyo. Behind him, the guards sighed in relief. The blond hesitated for two seconds before entering it confidently. If he wanted to surprise Asami, he couldn't wuss out on this.

Those two seconds were enough for a certain blond club manager to catch sight of him. Sudo tensed in the car parked on the opposite side of the street. Beside him, a certain informant raised an eyebrow. He saw the blond kid who looked extremely out of place hop into the kinkiest adult store in Tokyo. What he didn't quite understand was his date's reaction.

"What's wrong?"

Sudo's eye narrowed with hate but he didn't explain himself. Sakazaki didn't need to know. Takaba Akihito was his target and he will personally see that the blond dies in the most horrible way possible after he saved Asami from that minx's grasp.

"Nothing. Let's get over it quickly."

The greasy man only smiled and offered his hand to the club manager once he got out of the car. Sudo slapped it aside and glared at the grinning informant. This was simply another business transaction, nothing more. He wasn't going to play boyfriend to someone who was only after his body.

Sakazaki didn't seem to mind and followed after Sudo into a love hotel. He knew he was going to enjoy himself tonight immensely.

***

When Akihito came creeping back to the penthouse, he sensed that something was off. The hair on his arms stood and the photographer's danger senses were firing off rapidly. He looked around to see the lights on. Asami must be home. Why was his alpha emitting such a strong pheromone of anger? It was almost suffocating!

"A-asami?"

The crime lord didn't answer. Akihito swallowed and placed his shoes neatly by the doorway. He crept in slowly and saw the older man on the veranda adding another cigarette butt to the mountain on the ashtray. The smell of smoke was very strong and Akihito winced. Asami was downright pissed about something, there was no doubt about it.

"Asami?"

"Takaba Akihito," the man said his name in a fashion that sent shivers up the photographer's spine. He felt like a little boy who was caught red-handed being mischievous. Takato's mom usually called his full name whenever she was angry. Akihito was briefly reminded about the time Takato's mom found out that he'd been taking on a part-time job to buy food instead of using the pocket money they gave him. He'd never seen her that angry and disappointed before. It scared him so badly that he swore never to anger her ever again.

Akihito wanted to run but that golden gaze wouldn't allow him. As Asami approached, Akihito felt as if his executioner was drawing closer.

"L-look, whatever it is we can talk it out..."

Asami didn't compromise. He trapped Akihito between a wall and his hard body. "I heard that you visited a red-light district this afternoon. Care to explain?"

Akihito felt his heart trying to break his ribcage from the furious thumping. The embarrassment he felt was enough to kill him. Unable to meet those golden eyes any longer, Akihito looked away and tried to hide the bag of goodies behind him. Unfortunately, Asami caught sight of it and snatched it from Akihito before the blond could comprehend what happened.

"Oho? I didn't think you had such hobbies. What a naughty kitten. You should be punished, don't you think?"

That smirk and burning stare was bad news. Akihito paled. He meant it as a surprise to please his alpha for trying so hard but he was beginning to regret his decision now.

With no room to escape, Akihito closed his eyes as his alpha approached. The blond whimpered when Asami leaned in close enough so that he could smell the tobacco on him.

Instead of getting manhandled like he thought he would, Akihito found himself being kissed to an inch of his life. He swore that Asami was trying to suck his soul out of his mouth with that forbidden kissing technique. The omega knew for sure that he lost his brains somewhere while fighting to get some air into his lungs. Asami was like a possessed beast who wouldn't stop.

"A-asami! Not now... I have photos to submit by midnight!"

The crime lord paused and looked straight into Akihito's blue eyes. "Midnight? Do you mean it's alright to continue after midnight?"

Akihito flushed scarlet. Timidly, he nodded. He wanted to try going all the way tonight. A part of him was excited to finally become proper mates. He wanted Asami to mark him so much but another part of Akihito was still afraid. What if he couldn't live up to being a good mate? He was nothing but trouble and after bonding, their lives will be shared as one. What if someone used him to get to Asami? Akihito didn't want to become that sort of burden to the alpha who had been nothing but kind to him.

"Akihito?"

The blond snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. His smile did nothing to fool the alpha who'd seen the insecurities from his eyes. Asami didn't say much and allowed Akihito to make a random excuse to escape his hold.

The crime lord sighed tiredly and looked up into Tokyo's starless night sky. "What am I doing?" he asked aloud to nobody in particular.