24 Exposed

(Three months later)

It was the end of summer in Thailand, but it was still a steamy day. The sun slowly descended, casting a golden hue that glowed against the darkening horizon. Rays of light beam through the clouds, reflecting off the sea and painting the sky in a beautiful array of colors.

Natsuo strolled along the shore of their private resort. He stopped to take it all in, feeling the heat of the sun on his skin and the cooling breeze of the sea.

Jiro's figure walked back and forth on the terrace, talking to someone on the phone. Natsuo walked toward him, but he finished the call just as Natsuo stepped onto the porch.

"Who was that?"

It had been months since they had used their phones, except for Jiro, who spoke with Yoshio occasionally. They were still under his protection and he was making sure they were safe.