31. Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Aran is piiiiiiiiiiiised. Like the most pissed off I've ever seen someone be. He gives me a massive scolding about how dumb I am for letting Chai get in danger, and then fucks off to sort out the mess we have caused. I'm positive Chai could've done it himself, but we are requested back in Nagoya pronto, along with Goro and the asshole minister.

The flight this time is bumpier since we are using the private jet Aran hired. He somehow manages to make it to the plane just as we are about to leave, but his prominent scowl prevents me from asking him how he got things taken care of so expeditiously. I reckon I'll get another chance to find out later, so I don't dwell on it.

The moment we enter the Akiyama Headquarters, I know my second encounter with Chai's father will be far from pleasant. Tension is palpable in the air as we head up, but I try not to let it get to me. The way we went about exposing the mole was far from ideal, but we saved the Akiyama Group a lot of trouble down the line. And that's gotta count for something .

Right?

The conference suite we are taken to is similar to the one at the Keikai Estate, all modern interior and neutral colors. I wonder as I am instructed to sit on the chair next to Chai if there is an underground Arena here too and whether I might end up fighting again. I'm a little tired from the flight and not really having slept for over twenty-four hours, and if I am being honest, I'd much prefer to go home with Chai, cuddle in bed and binge watch that show about the sentient demonic hound looking for its lost mate.

Aran sits on Chai's other side, and a short young man with bleached gray hair styled in that same K-pop idol way that Chai sometimes has his takes the next chair. He's in his early twenties, so my age, and has a ring piercing in his right nostril, the poutiest lips I have seen, and some kind of a tattoo I can't fully see peeking out from under his oversized ‘#Nr1ZombieHacker: Need more brains, where is my lasagna?' hoodie. I barely suppress a snort. What's with the caption? It's so random and dumb. The hoodie looks cute on the guy though, especially with the too-long sleeves hanging off his hands.

As I study the man, I decide he's definitely a twink. His size is just so compact, and he's sort of cute and delicate with his pretty face and elegant wrists. Since I realized I fancied Chai, I've done some research about everything relating to liking a man, and things like bears and silver foxes and twinks and twunks and a bunch of other terms keep popping up. I'm more of a twunk myself, I think, but don't quote me on it.

My stomach churns quietly as I move on from those thoughts. I'm hungry as hell, but I don't think now is an appropriate time to dig into the bento I got on the way here, so I place the plastic bag on the floor, by the table's leg. I'll eat after the briefing is over. Hopefully.

The young man's very light brown eyes smile when he catches me staring, and he even waves at me before producing a laptop from his backpack. It's riddled with stickers of men in extremely explicit and compromising positions and as he loads up whatever he's loading up, I just can't tear my eyes away from them. I mean, holy fuck , that one where a guy is standing and holding the other one upside down while they are sucking each other's dicks looks like something only certified athletes should be allowed to try. No one else seems fazed by the X-rated stickers on the dude's laptop, not even Chai's father. Whoever he is, they must be used to him, which then leads me to believe they probably know him well.

A couple more people enter the room. I recognize a few from the introduction meeting, but unlike then, their scowls are perceptibly less hostile.

Nice . I must be doing something right then.

Laptop Guy yawns loudly and stretches as the rest take their seats. Aran aims a pointed glare his way, probably an unspoken warning to behave appropriately, but instead of apologizing or shrinking in his seat, the guy flashes him a shit-eating grin, wiggles his eyebrows and says something in Thai that makes Chai's ex-bodyguard roll his eyes and struggle to maintain his usual sternness.

I blink. Oh my god. I've never seen Aran so flustered, not even when Chai and I are being total dumbasses.

The young man props his elbows on the table and places his chin in his hands, batting his eyelashes. Whatever he says next has Aran shaking his head and reprimanding him in an exasperated tone that seems to fall on deaf ears if the amused chuckle he gets in response is anything to go by.

"Yo, what's with that guy? Who is he?" I nudge Chai with my leg under the table, keeping our thighs pressed because it feels nice.

Chai rests his hand on my hip, the touch firm and possessive. "You mean Hex?"

" Hex ?"

Nodding his chin as Aran lets out a frustrated sigh and rubs his temples while this Hex drones on about something excitedly, Chai chuckles. "Yes. He goes by ‘Sudo Hex' technically, but we all call him Hex. He is… Aran's contact and one of the best hackers in Japan. He doesn't work for anyone, but…" He smiles, dark eyes bouncing between his friend and Hex. "I don't think he's ever turned down a job if Aran's the one asking."

Before I can ask if Hex is the reason Chai knew about my background, Daichi Akiyama clears his throat. The room goes silent immediately. Aran's expression transforms back to his usual half-glare and Chai tenses up next to me. I become overly aware of the crack across my upper lip when Daichi's hard gaze cuts to me. It's intense in a threatening way, but I try not to flinch away from it as not to appear intimidated or weak. The physical contact with Chai helps me achieve that, his body solid and anchoring.

"Kwanchai. Care to explain what happened in Bangkok?" the Akiyama Group's head demands, shifting that authority to his son.

Discreetly, I find Chai's hand and squeeze it, hoping my touch will be as grounding as his is for me. He entangles our fingers and takes a deep breath, a subtle curve to his lips preceding the confidence that displaces the worry from his beautiful eyes .

"I saw an opportunity to resolve our mole problem and decided to act," he starts, giving a rundown of everything we've learned about Goro. "So, the earlier hits on our warehouses were no coincidence, as I suspected. He handed the stolen goods to the Americans."

Daichi hums, lacing his hands together. It's hard to say if he's proud or disappointed, but if I had to take a guess, it's both. His son has proven not only how capable he is by making the conference a success, but also how smart and resourceful he can be. Chai will be a good leader when he takes over. At the same time though, Daichi's trust has been betrayed by a man he thought loyal, so that has to sting.

"What will you do with Goro and Minister Kesam?" Chai asks when the room slips back into silence.

Daichi's eyebrows slant, his mouth stretching in a smirk that gives me the shivers. "They are being held at the outhouse. We will interrogate them and find out exactly what they were planning to do."

"I don't think they will be willing to talk," Aran jumps in, still flipping through the folder Hex handed him at the start of the meeting. "We might need to call in Tanaka."

"Easy there, trigger fingers," Hex tosses, typing on his laptop. "Can we wait with that for a few hours? I'm still going through Minister Kesam's personal files. You might want to keep him around in case I find anything."

I glance at Chai, whose eyes flick to me as if he can sense I'm looking.

" Tanaka ?" I mouth, raising one eyebrow in question.

" You don't want to know ," he mouths back with a slight scrunch of his nose, giving my leg a squeeze .

I most definitely want to know now. I can surmise that this Tanaka must be an interrogations expert. The slightly apprehensive expressions of those in attendance, along with the livid fury burning in Daichi's eyes, clues me in that he's probably one of those very passionate types that you most definitely don't want questioning you if you are a fan of having all your fingers intact.

The realization only makes me want to see him ‘interrogate' that asshole Goro more. Shit . Does that make me a bad person?

"Leon Caruso," Daichi's stern voice snaps me out of my torture fantasies.

I startle, barely managing not to jump off the chair. But Chai's hand is there, reminding me he's here with me, and that somehow gives me the confidence that everything will be fine. I don't know how or why, but I can just feel that he won't let anything permanent happen to me.

"Yes?" I say, my voice stilted even to my own ears.

"My son tells me it was your plan that allowed you to capture the traitor and his accomplice?"

Well, it was technically a mutual effort. I can see what Chai is trying to accomplish by letting me take all the credit, but it's kind of unfair. I just don't roll that way. "That is incorrect. Sir. It was a team effort. He's the one that made sure Goro and that minister didn't escape."

I almost let slip that I used him as bait, but catch myself in time. He doesn't need that particular detail.

"And how exactly did he do that?" Daichi presses.

Well, shit. I didn't think he might probe.

Flashing Chai's father a smile that I regret a heartbeat later as his eyes narrow even further, I clear my throat. "With his, uh, extremely effective communication skills. Sir. He's, uh, very good at talking. They were so engrossed they didn't see me coming." I raise my hands, using my index fingers to mimic two guns firing. "Pew, pew."

Chai snorts next to me, belatedly masking it as a cough.

Daichi aims a scowl his way. "Do you have something to add, Kwanchai?"

"No. It happened exactly as Leo said."

"Leon Caruso. While I do not approve of your so-called teamwork, your and Chai's failure to follow orders has led to the resolution of a problem within the Akiyama Group that I wasn't even aware of. I will overlook your questionable actions this time, but any further lack of professionalism won't be tolerated."

God help me. He still doesn't know I want to deflower his son. Or that I'm already dating him.

"Of course, sir. Only strict professionalism from now on. I promise."

A nerve twitches in Daichi's jaw, but he lets my very unprofessional reply slide. With a wave of his hand, he dismisses us, instructing Aran and Chai to handle the announcement that a lieutenant has stepped down. Since I'm not needed for that, I decide to chill in the lounge and give Naomi a call. She texted me yesterday, but I didn't get around to replying because of the shitshow that went down in Bangkok.

A bunch of guys with drinks crowd the two arcades, watching the bartender compete against one of the chefs from the Akiyama Group-owned restaurant across the street. It's just past two in the afternoon, so she must be on her break.

I settle into one of the plush armchairs and absentmindedly flick through the channels on the mounted TV as I dial Naomi's number .

"Jesus Christ, Leo. How hard is it to reply to a fucking message?" she apprehends me, but a hint of relief worms its way into her stern voice.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. It's just… Some stuff happened."

She sighs. "Let me guess. You can't tell me what it is?"

I can't. But maybe I could soon. I've been flirting with the idea of suggesting to Chai that they could use a new addition to the Group's marketing department. Naomi's portfolio is solid even though she's only been taking on projects for a year. Plus, working here in Japan would mean she's got one hell of a good excuse to turn down that dumb arranged marriage her folks are trying to force her into. Like seriously, she's not even into dudes and they want her marrying some random man and having his babies just so she can get over her ‘confused' sexuality? Give me a break.

"I'm sorry. But I can tell you about me and Chai. I, uh, something happened and I kind of need to talk to someone about it?"

"Oh boy, lemme get some snacks. This is gonna be soooooo good." I hear rustling and clanking, then a door shutting closed. "Okay. I'm ready for you, babe. Gimme all the juicy details."

By the time I finish talking to Naomi and agree to go out for dinner with her and Chris, my stomach won't stop whining for food. I realize I forgot my bento in the conference room, so I head there, shooting Chai a text to call me when he's done. I've decided I want to talk to him about Naomi, so I don't see any point in waiting to do it. The quicker I ask him, the quicker I'll know if I can be the bestest friend ever and save her from a life that's so obviously not for her.

If I'm being honest, I don't quite understand why she can't just refuse her family, but then again, I barely remember what having one is like. She was brought up catholic and her parents are very devout and involved with Church stuff, so she's always had problems with them because of her atheist views.

I reach the conference suite and walk right in, not bothering to knock or announce myself since everyone would've left by now. I find my bento where I left it, next to the table's leg. Picking it up, I'm about to sit down and enjoy it when I hear footsteps approaching and Daichi's booming voice.

Oh, shit. Is he coming here?

I don't know why, but I kind of panic. I really don't want to be alone with him. The briefing went fine, but he was staring daggers at me almost the entire time. With no one around, what's stopping him from dragging me to some deathmatch where I'll be forced to fight ten men at the same time? Thanks, but no thanks.

Pulse pounding in my ears, I dash over to the wall partition where the computer and the projector are, crouching down so he won't see me. He enters, completely oblivious that he's not alone, and locks the door, grumbling something on his phone.

Fuck, he sounds pissed. I can't let him find me hiding here, as if I'm spying on him, or I'm a dead man.

I stay low in my hiding spot, eyes and ears strained as he sits at the head of the table. That puts him with his back to me, but it's not like I can slip past him when the door is across from me and right in his line of sight .

Daichi spends another five minutes barking at someone, then sighs deeply, tossing his phone in the slim briefcase he's brought with him. He takes out something else. It's a pinkish red-white object and my brain needs a few moments to figure out it's a second phone in a very, and I mean very , obnoxious Hello Kitty phone case.

I can't believe my eyes as I watch him lean back in his chair and play with the floppy ears, mumbling endearments in a high-pitched voice to it as if it's alive.

But my shock doesn't end there. No, no. Daichi Akiyama, the Kumicho of one of the most powerful yakuza organizations in the entirety of Japan also has a Hello Kitty bento box. And a Hello Kitty tablecloth that goes under it. And did I mention the Hello Kitty napkin that he places around his neck so the Hello Kitty T-shirt he wears hidden under his shirt doesn't get dirty? And don't get me started on the small pink spoon with a Hello Kitty face at its end or the freaking Hello Kitty themed portable radio playing the Hello Kitty song.

It's a catchy tune, by the way. But I am shaken. Mind-blown. Poof. I can't believe what I am witnessing. This man, this deadly, intimidating mafia boss that is feared and respected by so many people, is a full-on Hello Kitty fanboy.

This is scandalous.

In a rush of pure genius and impressive forward thinking, I take out my phone and snap a dozen pictures and even record a cute short video in which he hums along the theme song and eats his Hello Kitty-shaped tiny sausages and rice balls.

Does Chai even know about this? I bet no one does. This looks like the kind of thing you want to keep a secret. I mean, why else would he lock the door ?

Oh my god, I can't wait to tell Chai.

I remain quietly in my corner, waiting and doing my best not to burst out laughing as Daichi continues to whisper sweet things to his phone in a soft voice. He takes his time enjoying his lunch and by the time he's got all the incriminating Hello Kitty paraphernalia back in his briefcase, my legs are cramping badly. Fortunately, he's out of the room shortly after, so I finally get up and stretch, groaning as my muscles protest the long time I spent folded in that small corner.

I also urgently need to take a piss.

Swinging by the restroom, I take care of that business and return to the lounge with my bento box. I'm about to call Chai and tell him all about his dad's secret obsession with the cute anime cat, when an Akiyama ‘brother', as they call themselves between each other, walks over to where I'm sitting on one of the bar stools and gives me a hard glare.

"The Kumicho wants to see you," he says, making it obvious I have no choice but to go.

I swallow hard, prickles peppering my arms. Shit, did Daichi actually know I was there?

With a stiff nod, I place my bento on the counter and follow the man to the Head's office on the top floor. He knocks and announces me with a bow, holding the door open.

Smiling nervously, I clasp my hands behind me and enter. Daichi's office spans two floors, with windows comprising two entire sides. Wooden stairs lead to the upper area, though I can't see what's there. The first floor has his desk and chair in one corner, while the other one sports a couch, a glass coffee table and a small indoor golf course .

"You, uh, wanted to see me?" I say, wincing inwardly when he aims his signature frown my way.

Daichi stands, dropping the file he was flicking through on his desk. It's not very thick, but the ominous thwack sound it makes reverberates through me. "Come."

I really don't like this, but I amble over as told, keeping my expression schooled.

"Open it." He points at the folder.

I pick it up. My stomach twists and flips upside down the moment my eyes register what's on the first picture inside it. It's me and Chai kissing in the lounge where we busted Goro and the Minister. Whichever bastard took the sneaky photo has done an impressively good job capturing my good side just as I'm shoving my tongue in Chai's mouth. My and his semis are also very prominent.

Well, fuck.

I quickly flick through the rest of the files in the folder, finding a collection of more sneaky shots of us doing very unprofessional things on the way back to Japan. There's even one of me with my hand disappearing down Chai's pants.

Oopsie. I might've gotten a bit horny on the plane ride and tried something, and he might've let me feel him up a bit when we were grabbing some water.

"Leon Caruso," Daichi says, his voice deceptively even as his angry eyes drain the fake smile I plastered on my face when I walked in. "What's the meaning of these? Explain the exact nature of your relationship with my son."

He's vibrating. I can feel just how much he wants to end my life right now. I've heard that the older Japanese generations are extremely conservative even if young people here are opening up more and more to non- hetero-normative stuff, so this on top of the fact that I'm Chai's bodyguard must be quite the shock.

"Well, uh." Sorry, Chai. I knew you planned to talk to your dad after we figured out how to break the news to him, but he kind of caught us. "Chai and I are dating."

Daichi's nostrils flare. He's not a fan of my confession. "You are… dating my son?"

"It's a recent development. And we were totally going to tell you once we figured out how," I blurt out, offering my cutest, most innocent smile.

It has no effect on him. "My son has suitors lined up. Women from good backgrounds I've personally hand-picked. This"—he grabs the folder from me, shoving it on the desk—" nonsense must stop immediately."

"Yeah, about that." I try another smile, my heart racing as adrenaline floods my blood. Like hell I'm stopping. Chai is my person and no furious mafia dads are going to take him away from me. "Chai's not really into women anymore. If you catch my drift."

I must really mess up my wording, because Daichi looks about to explode. "What?"

"He likes me?" I point at myself. "And I like him. And together, we really, and I mean really , like each other."

"Unacceptable!" Daichi bangs his fists on the desk, making me jump. My heart lurches in my throat, turning my breathing shallow and agitated. Man, why the hell is he being so fucking dramatic? Sure, we messed up getting together considering I'm his bodyguard, but what century does he live in?

"I assure you, it's very acceptable and very mutual."

He circles his desk, causing me to take a few steps back so I can put some distance between us. "You no longer work here. You will not have any further contact with my son and will leave Japan immediately."

Oi, oi, oi. Hold your horses, old man. This is not how this is going to play out. "Respectfully, no."

He picks up the folder and throws it at my feet. "You will do as I say."

I cross my arms. "No. I ko-to-wa-ru . Big time."

"You will listen and do as to—"

"No." I grin at him, which only makes his eyebrows pinch together even more. "You will listen to me, or I'm going to expose your obsession with Hello Kitty. Bet that's not gonna sit well with your underlings and business partners. I mean, Daichi Akiyama, the Kumicho, singing along the cutesy theme song while having his Hello Kitty bento and wearing his Hello Kitty T-shirt?"

I play the video. The raw shock flooding his face is priceless.

"Whoa. Seriously, Daichi? I think you've taken your hobby a bit far. Also, you are a bit tone-deaf. But anyway. Since you've decided to be an ass and want to get between me and Chai, whom, by the way, I have exactly zero intention of leaving because he's completely and utterly changed my whole fucking world, I'm not going to hold back."

"Are you threatening me?" he hisses, face taut and his eyes blazing.

"Hell yes I am, old man. So if you don't want your little and very embarrassing secret out, you are going to get off your conservative bullshit horse and let me be with your son, okay?" He takes a threatening step my way, but I hold my ground. "Oh, and don't think about retaliating. I've sent a copy to my friend and instructed her to release all the evidence if she doesn't hear from me in the next three hours."

Daichi makes a dismissive sound, his shoulders sagging. "You've lost your mind."

"Yeah well, your son does seem to have that effect on me. I wasn't even into dudes before I met him."

He hums, folding his arms. I swear some of the annoyance and anger leave him, but it could also be a trick to get me to let my guard down so he can snatch my phone. I was totally bluffing about sending the video to anyone, but I think I gave a very convincing performance.

"And what makes you think you won't change your mind again?"

He has a point, I suppose. But then again, I think my attraction to men was always there, just kind of dormant. "Because it's not just the sex that's amazing. Chai's fun and goofy and so easy to be around. He makes me feel safe and wanted. He also talks to me about all kinds of stuff, even things I don't really understand. But I'm learning, because I want to support him in any way I can." I chuckle, remembering when he mentioned his mom. It came up when I was telling him about losing both my parents. I didn't press him for the details, but I'm sure he will tell me when he feels ready. "Anyway, what I'm saying is that as wild as it might seem or sound, Chai is my person. So I don't care if you approve or not, I'm not handing him over."

I'm panting by the end of my unintended confession to Chai's dad, clutching my phone as I wait to see him blow up at me.

He barks out a loud, guttural laugh that rings across the entire office. "Leon Caruso. You, a nobody troublemaker, dare come to my office and threaten me, the Head of a yakuza organization? "

Oh shit, I don't think my Hello Kitty dirty move worked. I roll up my sleeves, toss the phone in my pocket and take on a fighting stance. Ah, fuck it. If I have to beat the shit out of this old man to make him understand how serious I am, I'll freaking do it.

He laughs again, and this time I can tell I'm not imagining it. The frown and the annoyance simply vanish from his face, and in their stead an amused smile appears. "It seems like Chai has found his match, then. Always knew he had a thing for the crazy ones, but I never expected it would be someone as crazy as you, Leon Caruso. You are resourceful. You play dirty. You don't back down. You aren't afraid to stand your ground for what you want. You are loyal to my son, even if I threaten your life. You believed him when I refused to and helped him prove he will be a good leader. You truly surpass even my biggest expectations."

Wait. Hold on a minute. I am not computing. What crazy nonsense is this old man spouting? Did he just… approve of us?

Daichi walks back to his chair, plopping into it. He watches me while I still try to comprehend what just happened, tapping away on his Hello Kitty phone.

"Go off then. We have nothing more to discuss," he says a little distractedly.

"Um. So about me and Chai and your Hello Kitty obsession… I'm a little confused what happens now," I string together, revisiting the last part of our conversation.

"You and Chai can do as you wish. I trust you are both mature enough to make it work. We will announce your relationship to the rest of the Group next week. I do ask that until then you keep things… discrete, as to not cause unnecessary rumors." He lifts his gaze from his phone, raising an eyebrow at me. "I'd appreciate it if you don't mention my side hobby to anyone. It's in your interest, given that it would make Chai happy if the two of us got along." He winks at me and it carries that impish playfulness that Chai's smiles sometimes do. "Eventually."

Oh. Oh shit.

"Holy shit. Did you just say you are fine with me and Chai dating…?"

He glances up at me, trying and failing to appear stern. "Would you like it in writing?"

I gawk at him, speechless.

He waves me off. "Go off now. Chai and Aran should be done with the announcement anytime now. Don't make my son wait or I won't hear the end of it."

I dip my head, turn around and open the door. But then I pause, glancing at Daichi over my shoulder. "Can I tell him? About this?"

"As if I can prevent you, even if I ordered you not to."

I grin and slip into the hall, already dialing Chai. Daichi is right. He's sooo right. I just defeated the last boss and there is no way Chai won't be the first to find out.

"Hey, boyfriend, where are you? I just had the wildest encounter with your dad."

"My dad?" Chai's voice pitches higher. "Leo, are you okay? I'm on my way up to the lounge."

I veer left and backtrack my steps to the fancy bar just in time as the elevator doors slide open and my amazing mafia heir steps out. He looks like he's seen a ghost, his eyebrows slanting even more as I charge at him and almost crash us into a fancy looking vase-art thingy.

"Leo! Did he do something to you?" He grasps my hand, nostrils flaring. "I don't care about his dumb traditions, he will either accept you or I will disown him. "

I'm pretty sure disowning doesn't work this way, but that's semantics. I appreciate the sentiment all the same.

"There is no need." I squeeze his arm discreetly, letting the contact linger. "I spoke to him. He knows about us and…" I take a dramatic pause, gazing into Chai's dark eyes as a million emotions flick in their mesmerizing brown depths. "He okayed it."

Chai's entire body sags, tension leaving him. "He did?"

I grin, giddiness making my chest feel tingly and tight. "Yes. And you are not going to believe how it happened," I rush out, guiding him toward the first empty office so I can tell him all about my attempt to blackmail a mafia boss.