Title: Pretense or Love?

 

Part 5

It was six o’clock in the morning but Satoshi wasn’t sleeping. He was sitting on his small wooden stool, his right hand holding a brush that kept moving on the white canvas. Other strokes were rougher and other softer to create the desired shadows. The picture was being created slowly but Satoshi loved this process… it was as if, gradually, the canvas in front of him became alive. For a moment, he stopped and look at the eyes he loved so much. Of course, they had neither the color, nor the warmth he could find when the person himself was looking back at him, but he could still see their shape…

 

In the past couple of weeks, Satoshi didn’t have the chance to meet with Nino much. On one hand, it was the organization of the annual gala that took a lot of time. As the CEO, he was the one to determine the guests, which could also be translated as the source of money for the corporation. Along with his two executive assistants and directors of marketing, he had to spend added several evenings, filled with meetings and extra hours at work, to figure out the best option. Such a schedule, though, didn’t leave him time enough to meet with Nino before the latter went to the host club but that wasn’t the only problem. On the other hand, Nino would text him good night but in his messages, there was no mention to meet him. Satoshi had tried to convince himself that nothing was going on and that it was just a coincidence but he was afraid.

 

Somehow, they had become a little distant. It was painful when he thought about it but couldn’t deny it. The last time they met, during the past few weeks, was ten days ago and that was only for a quick coffee close to Satoshi’s work. Satoshi had tried to hold a conversation but it was obvious that the other was absent-minded; neither was he listening to him as usual, nor was he holding his hand like he always did whenever they were outside. After that, Nino continued to distance himself. He would text him back, laconically, but never got the initiative like he used to.

 

Satoshi had questioned himself whether he had said or done something that may have caused such a behavior, even unintentionally, but nothing could reach his mind. After giving it a clearer thought, he concluded that it must be related to whatever problem Nino was dealing with. He had heard him talking on the phone a couple of times. The first time he had heard him, he was angry; the second, afraid… Satoshi couldn’t help but feel worried. Something must have happened.

 

The previous night, he decided to go to the host club despite knowing that his lover didn’t want him to. He didn’t want to be there, either, but his will to see him was stronger than his logic. It wasn’t his fault. The time he spent together with the host, gave him strength to continue; to face the difficulties. When he had first chosen to leave the family mansion and live in his own apartment, he hoped for quieter nights. He had them but now, he could realize how lonely they were; lonely and empty. It was Nino’s laughter, Nino’s voice, Nino’s presence, in general, that made his apartment a place he looked forward to going to. Now, that he knew how it was with him, without him, it felt even worse. He had the chance to see the better option and he couldn’t agree with anything less than that.

 

He told his driver to park the car near the back entrance not wanting to make his presence noticeable. He just wanted to make sure Nino was alright. It was some minutes later that Satoshi saw two of Nino’s colleagues standing a few meters away to smoke. The windows of his car were tinted so they couldn’t take notice of him.

 

“I’d never expect to see Nino putting Yasuda to a taxi! Who would believe that the little whore would turn into a saint because of that sleepy-looking richie!”

 

There was something sarcastic and ironic in his tone that made Satoshi’s hands clench at his sides into a fist. How did he dare to call his lover a whore?

 

“Maybe the sleepy-looking richie, as you say, turns into someone demanding who asks for exclusivity when they’re alone and exactly because he’s such a whore, he’d never turn him down! What is he?! An idiot?!”

 

“Of course, not… but he used to have that triumphant smirk whenever he came at work after he had spent the night with some stupid grandpa who would gladly empty his pockets just because he had been able to shove it to a such willing hole like his! C’mon! You remember!”

 

“I do but as you said, they were all grandpas. I’m sure he got off at the thought of the pack of banknotes that would make his wallet look thick. Now, with him it’s different. He’s young…”

 

The other must have found it very funny since loud breathy laughs reached Satoshi’s ears who was still sitting at his seat with no intention to go out. If he did, he would start punching them and that could lead only to trouble for both him and Nino and he didn’t want that; for him, he didn’t give a damn but he cared for his boyfriend. He knew that as a host, having a boyfriend was a fine line and since Nino needed to continue working as one, he had to respect it and try to control himself.

 

“I guess he just needed a good fuck to shut up and stop behaving as if he was the number one host in the club. I bet he cries and mewls like a kitten!”

 

More laughs could be heard, making Satoshi’s heart beat even more painfully in his chest.

 

“What? Interested in seeing how it’d be to fuck him?”

 

“No! As much as the idea of making him shut up for once is quite a turn-on, I smell trouble… which is the worst turn-off. Don’t you see how lost in his thoughts he looks lately? He always checks his phone and let alone the calls he receives during work. I just need to have a good time in my life; never was a fan of complicated things!”

 

The host let out soft giggles. “On this we agree.” The door opened, revealing one of the helpers. Their time-off was already up. The same man cursed under his breath and threw the half-smoked cigarette on the pavement. “Fuck. Already?”

 

“C’mon. Let’s go! Tonight, you might get the chance to steal more clients from your beloved Ni-no!”

 

“Can’t wait! At least, I get to fuck him like this!”

 

They both burst into laughs as they entered inside and closed the door behind them. Satoshi didn’t know what to think, how to react. At first, he had wanted to beat them, full of anger, as he was, but now, he had frozen. What had happened to Nino? He knew something was off; he could tell that he was avoiding him but why? He had seen Nino using his phone secretly; he had caught him speaking in a low voice when he had come out of the bathroom the last time, Nino had stayed with him but even at work and they were allowing it? Whoever this was must have been someone with power; money and Nino was in trouble.

 

Satoshi got nervous when he realized that it was about time for Nino to come out of the club. He had spent there waiting almost one whole hour but still didn’t know whether he should appear in front of him or not. He told his driver to turn to the right so that he could look at the main entrance at least from afar. Ten minutes later, he saw the slim figure of his boyfriend coming out. He was wearing the same clothes, as the first time he had seen him in the club, but nothing reminded him of that alluring presence. From the way he was walking, slowly, and with his head lowered, Satoshi could tell that Nino wasn’t ok.

 

He took his phone into his hands and quickly typed a text. His eyes were locked on his lover who stopped his steps and looked at his phone screen. Seconds later, he heard his phone vibrating.

 

From: Nino

I’m sorry but I’m really

tired… We talk tomorrow.

Ok? Good night, Satoshi

 

Satoshi lowered his head. The other wanted to be alone, so he decided to respect his wish, even if it hurt him.

 

To: Nino

Ok. Have a good rest and

know that I’m there for you.

Love you!

 

He meant every single word. He didn’t know if he should do it but he was hoping for an answer; a simple one was enough. ‘I love you, too’ would be enough. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Nino’s feelings for him. He did… but he was also human. He needed to see it written… he needed to hear it coming from the other’s mouth. He had fallen in love, deeply, more than he had ever thought he would in his life, and that was something new. He was feeling confused… even if he didn’t doubt it, he still wanted to know that the other loved him, wanted only him; needed him the way Satoshi needed Nino. The answer, though, never came and Satoshi couldn’t help but sigh, lowering his head.

 

When he looked out of the window again, he noticed that the other had stopped and was rubbing his temples with his hands. Above all, Satoshi wanted to protect him and make sure he’s ok. “Wait…” were the only words that left his mouth before he opened the door of his car and stepped out. The other was away enough not to take notice of him. He found himself following his lover till a small park that was located a few meters away. Nino had sat on a bench with his feet brought up to his chest, while staring at the dark sky. Satoshi was close to enough to see that his lover was at the verge of crying.

 

He knew that Nino wanted to be alone but a part of him wanted to just reach his hand and take him into his arms.  Something was wrong. He had seen him angry; he had seen him absent-minded and now, he was seeing him sad… What is your problem, my love? Tell me…

 

Suddenly, he heard a phone ringing and Nino starting cursing before he replied without seeing who was calling.

 

“WHAT?” he said angrily but immediately jumped up from the bench. “Why are you still awake at this hour? It’s pretty late!” Satoshi frowned. Who was Nino talking to? “I’m coming home… I met with some friends for a drink and didn’t realize that it was already this late. You should sleep! We’ll talk in the morning!”

 

Satoshi frowned again. Was Nino living together with someone else? It seemed so… If he judged correctly from Nino’s words, they did. But who was this person? And how could they not know about Nino’s job as a host? One thing was clear; Nino seemed to really care about them; whoever this someone was.

 

Sighing, he turned around and started walking back to his car. He was reminded one more time how little he knew about the other and that was driving him crazy. His lover’s life seemed like a puzzle, a maze of which he knew neither the entrance, nor the exit. Walking mechanically, he reached his car. During all the way back, Satoshi was trying to find some answers, even if that was impossible because all he could do is to make theories. Whoever lived with him wouldn’t they know about his job? Could it be that they are someone important to him? Nino’s lover perhaps? Satoshi shook his head. No… Nino was his lover… Nino had accepted him. No… He isn’t such a person... Satoshi’s heart was beating fast, almost painfully, in his chest. He sounded as if he was scolding them, in a loving way of course, but still scolding them for being awake at this hour… Whoever may have been on the phone, must be someone younger… Maybe they’re family…

 

He had almost reached at his apartment when he heard his phone vibrating. His eyes bulged when he saw Nino’s name on the screen.

 

From: Nino

Just wanted to tell you

that I love you…

 

This didn’t seem to be related to his latest message. Satoshi’s fingers found the screen, as if he could touch the words, the other had sent him. A shy smile appeared on his face. “I love you, too, my love… I love you so much…” his voice was weak, trembling.

 

That night was restless. Satoshi didn’t manage to sleep and there he was a few minutes after dawn sitting in front of the still-in-progress portrait of Nino.

 

“I hope you eventually trust me, Kazu… I hope you tell me the truth… because no matter what your truth might be, I will accept it… simply because it’s yours…”

 

***

 

Satoshi couldn’t concentrate on his work the following day. He had been mocked by his brother several times but like always, had ignored him. He had managed to rush back home earlier than usual that afternoon. He had called the meeting off. He couldn’t concentrate; all he could think of was him. He wanted to put his thoughts in order. He had just got out of the bathroom, his hair still dripping, when he heard the doorbell ringing. He didn’t expect anyone at this hour and doubted it was Hideshi, wanting to continue on his bitter comments and mocking sarcasm. Hastily, he put on a pair of sweatpants and a small towel around his naked shoulders and went to open the door.

 

He hadn’t managed to open it completely, when he felt a pair of hot lips claiming his eagerly while he was pushed backwards. It was only when his back hit violently against the wall that the other stopped. A couple of minutes later, the intruder broke the kiss and looked deep into his eyes. Satoshi gulped. He could see his boyfriend in front of him panting heavily, as he was trying to catch up his breath but there was also something else; his eyes were asking him for help. Satoshi’s heart clenched as he reached to caress the soft cheek. Feeling the other leaning against his touch, as if he needed to feel him more, made Satoshi grab him and pull him into a tight hug. To his surprise, Nino clang onto him even more, his small fingers holding on the towel around his nape.

 

“I missed you… I missed you so much…”

 

Satoshi wanted to ask him what had happened and he was there instead of the club but at that moment, he said nothing. The other needed him and he had sworn he’d be there for him however Nino wanted and needed him.

 

“I missed you, too…” he whispered, his hot breath landing on Nino’s hair.

 

“Satoshi…” Nino moved back a bit so that he could look at him. His eyes moved slowly from Satoshi’s eyes to his lips. Satoshi felt his throat turning dry at the look of the raw lust he could see reflected in them. “I want to feel you inside of me…” two light pecks landed on the corner of Satoshi’s lips. “I need to feel you…” the kisses moved south, on the crook of his neck. “Fuck me, Satoshi… I nee-”

 

“I won’t fuck you.” Satoshi said in a firm tone, looking at the other with narrowed eyes. The confusion was more than obvious on Nino’s face. In one fast move, he grabbed Nino by his thighs, lifting him up to the air. “I will make love to you. You want it faster? Rougher? I’ll give it to you… but no matter how it is, it’s not a fuck. With you it could never be a fuck.” his tone came out harsher than he wished. Perhaps, it was because of the conversation he had heard of those two colleagues of Nino… perhaps it was the questions that kept raising in his chest… but he was angry… “Understood?”

 

Nino didn’t reply. He just crushed their lips together, while his hands found Satoshi’s nape, his fingers getting lost into the soft hair. Satoshi didn’t lose another minute. He moved to his bedroom without breaking the kiss. He threw Nino on the bed and in one move, got rid of his sweatpants and boxers. He could see how desperately Nino was trying to get rid of his own clothes. He helped him take his shirt and trousers off, throwing them unceremoniously on the floor. Nino tried to kiss him but Satoshi pushed him on his back, his hands securing Nino’s on top of his head.

 

“This is about you…” Satoshi said huskily before he started trailing from the cheek towards the neck, sucking, licking and kissing, slowly. He loved feeling the skin, underneath his mouth, tremble at his touch. The small whines that reached his ears as his left hand came to tease his lover’s nipple made him want to try harder. His mouth was now occupied with the right one, teasing it with the tip of his tongue, making sure he followed Nino’s reactions. He could feel his lover turning completely aroused underneath him and that made him instinctively press his body more on him.

 

Soon, Nino was moaning and whining with need, trapped, as he was between the sheets and Satoshi’s body. Satoshi knew it was about time to stop teasing him and give him the pleasure he so desperately had asked him for. He opened Nino’s legs, holding them by the ankles and buried his head between the think thighs. He engulfed the whole length knowing that he wouldn’t last much. The tight grips on his hair and the thrust upwards that made the erection in his mouth hit the back of his throat were telling him as much. Without losing another minute, he worked on his lover with fast moves, his head bobbing up and down while his one hand came to caress the area from his balls to his perineum and lower to the small hole that twitched as his index came to trace it feather-like.

 

“Satoshiiiii Sa- AH!”

 

Satoshi felt the hot bitterness filling up his mouth but didn’t stop till he felt it was the last drop. He looked up to his lover who was staring at him with glossed, half-closed eyes while his chest moving up and down as he tried to breathe.

 

“I should-”

 

Satoshi hushed him, as he moved so that their eyes were at the same level.

 

“Shhh… Just feel…” he whispered into Nino’s ear, gaining a small moan from the other.

 

After another round of needy, messy kisses, Satoshi moved a bit so that he could reach the drawer. He cursed under his breath when he realized that the small bottle of lube wasn’t there. It was left at the bathroom from the last time, Nino had passed the night in his apartment and had wanted to tease him while he had a shower. He was about to climb off the bed when he felt his lover stopping him. He frowned at first but could only gasp when he saw him taking his hand and shoving it into his mouth to cover his fingers with saliva.

 

“Hurry… I want you…” Satoshi could see it… feel it… since the moment Nino had entered into his apartment, though, he hesitated. He didn’t want to hurt him. Nino growled, desperate, and led the hand himself towards his lower back, giving Satoshi the sign that he could prepare him like this. “Satoshiiii… please…”

 

Satoshi took a deep breath but nevertheless started preparing his lover, his eyes never leaving the other’s face. He was ready to stop the moment he’d catch a trace of displeasure or pain but that never came. Soon, Nino was moving his hips against his fingers sending them deeper in him. Satoshi couldn’t help but moan at the sight. He also wanted to feel him… No… needed to feel him. In one fast move, he took them out and pushed slowly till he was all in. The heat around his member was wonderful, making him eager to feel more.

 

He quickly built up a rhythm, his hips thrusting inside of his lover in sharp, fast moves. His hands were tracing everywhere he could reach, his breathing had turned swallow, fast. He could feel sweat running down his temples as his body was lost in pleasure. He never took his eyes away from his lover, though. He wanted Nino to know how much he loved him… how true and how deep his love for him was.

 

“Kiss me…”

 

Satoshi didn’t need to hear him twice to lock their lips together. He could feel the moans that were leaving from Nino’s throat, getting muffled because of him and that only made him move even faster. Their fingers were intertwined, fitting perfectly one another, the same way their bodies were fitting perfectly one another. Satoshi could feel it and he could see that Nino could feel it, as well. His beautiful eyes couldn’t lie to him.

 

They kept moving in unison, as they both tried to reach their orgasm. Satoshi wrapped his hand around Nino’s erection, pumping it at the same rhythm of his hips and moaned when he felt his lover cumming hard; his body trembling, a loud scream echoing in the room. The sight underneath him and the clenching muscles around his member were enough to send Satoshi beyond the edge as well, following his lover only a few seconds later.

 

Breathless, he fell on top of Nino who immediately locked his arms around his waist, not allowing him to move out.

 

“I love you so much, Satoshi…” the words were spoken like a whisper but they were enough to make Satoshi move a bit so that he look at Nino.

 

“I love you, too” he whispered back and pecked the tip of Nino’s nose. “Shower?”

 

Nino only groaned but let him pull him up. Twenty minutes later, they were sitting back on the bed, with Nino curled up in Satoshi’s arms. The latter wanted to ask him why he hadn’t come all these days, why he had been avoiding him but chose to remain silent. He was hoping that the other would speak to him… would trust him.

 

“You may not believe me but I missed you, Satoshi…” Satoshi gulped not knowing what to say to this. He could feel Nino’s finger tracing random lines on his torso as he spoke. “The times I wanted to call you were many but I had many things to think about… and I had this…” Nino hesitated for a while, as if he was trying to find the right answer. “… problem at home…”

 

“Don’t you live alone?” the words had slipped out of Satoshi’s mouth before he could stop himself.

 

“I… N- no… with my brother…” So, he was talking to his brother at the park… “He’s a high-school student and wanted me to help him for his exams… That’s why I didn’t have much time… I didn’t mean to-”

 

“He’s much younger…” Satoshi cut him off. He saw the surprise in his boyfriend’s eyes and he could understand it. Nino must have been waiting to insist more… to find out the truth and Satoshi would be lying if he said he didn’t want to but he could feel that it wasn’t the time. Obviously, Nino had been upset. He had come to him because he needed to forget and Satoshi intended to grant this wish of his.

 

“Yes… Jun was born when I was twelve years old.” Nino replied in a small voice and Satoshi was sure there was a shy smile on his lover’s face, even if he couldn’t see it from that angle. He knew that Nino was telling him ‘thank you’.

 

“He’s one lucky young man, then. I’m sure he must be happy having a brother that loves him so much…”

 

 

 

 

Nino sighed. “I don’t know about that…” every word was spoken as a whisper.

 

Satoshi pecked Nino’s head. “I’m sure of it…”

 

“How can you always say such things?” Nino moved a bit so that he could look Satoshi in the eyes. “How can you see the best in me?”

 

“Because it’s the truth…” Satoshi replied with a fond smile on his face, as his eyes stared back at Nino’s.

 

“And what if I’m the reason for having brought him misery in his life?”

 

Satoshi frowned. Nino had frozen in his arms. Sighing, he held him even tighter. “I’m sure, even if something like that has happened, it wasn’t done on purpose...”

 

“I don’t deserve y-” Nino tried to speak but Satoshi never gave him the chance.

 

“As I told you in the past… you deserve me. If you didn’t, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you, Kazu…”

 

Satoshi saw the other opening and closing his mouth several times; though, no sound ever came out. He smiled when he felt his lover clinging on him, as if his life was depending on it.

 

Satoshi only pecked the top of Nino’s hair once more and said nothing else. They were enwrapped by a comfortable silence that neither seemed to want to break. Nino had told him something… He felt his heartbeat raising. He felt hope… His lover had opened up. Even if it was a tiny bit, for him it was a start. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the smell of his shampoo on Nino’s hair. To others, it may be stupid but it made him smile.

 

~.~.~

 

Nino had insisted on making dinner, since he had taken the day off from the club, as Satoshi was informed once they had finished with the shower. Satoshi chose to wear a pair of trousers and a loose shirt on top and was about to go to the kitchen, where Nino was, to find him when a vibrating sound reached his ears. It must be that person… it must be him that Nino was speaking secretly…

 

Satoshi had tried to stay away from Nino’s problem. He had tried several times to convince himself that he should not do anything when his boyfriend clearly wanted him out of it but in the same time, he couldn’t stand seeing his lover this troubled… He had to help him; he had to make him happy. The image of Nino sitting on the bench filled his mind; his hands could still feel the desperate hold on him; he had to know; he had to do something. Those thoughts were the only ones that made him justify his sudden decision to answer himself the phone. Satoshi hated what he was doing at the moment but his worry was more than he could handle. He found the phone in Nino’s pocket. With a racing heartbeat, he made sure the door was firmly closed and looked at the screen. The caller’s ID was hidden. Satoshi gulped but slid his hand on the screen to reply.

 

“Hello?”

 

He frowned. Not only hadn’t the caller replied but also hung up as soon as they heard his voice. It was obvious that, whoever the caller was, didn’t want to talk to anyone but Nino himself or got panicked because he heard another voice. Who the hell are you and what do you want from him?

 

Satoshi was ready to throw the phone away from anger when he realized that the Bluetooth on the phone was on. He didn’t have the vastest knowledge when it came to technology but there was a chance, he could get at least a trace; something. It took him some minutes but he managed to find it. There were three devices detected. The one that he knew as Nino’s phone, his and another one. It may have been irrelevant but at least it was a start. The weirdest of everything, though, was that there was no phone number in the memory. The phone, he was holding in his hands, was completely empty, making everything look more alarming in his eyes.

 

He had just managed to put it back to Nino’s pocket when the door behind him opened.

 

“Satoshi?” he heard Nino behind his back. “What are you doing here with the door closed?”

 

“I had a phone call… Hideshi. My brother…” Satoshi lied hating himself even more. He had tried to stay away from it but he couldn’t stand seeing his lover this troubled… He had to help him; he had to make him happy. That thought was the only one that made him justify that decision of his. To his surprise he saw Nino getting paler.

 

“Your… brother?”

 

“Yes.” Satoshi replied in a low voice. “Why? Is something wrong?”

 

“Eh?!” Satoshi saw panic flashing through Nino’s eyes for a second before a fake smile appeared on his face. “No! I just found it weird…”

 

Satoshi smiled and hugged his boyfriend from the waist. “Since you’ve met my brother in person and also know how he is at work, you shouldn’t be this surprised! It was expected from him! He’s the best when it comes to infuriate you!” To that, Nino laughed genuinely and made Satoshi laugh, as well. “But I don’t intend to spend another minute talking about Hideshi. Is the food ready?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“Let’s go! I’m already hungry!”

 

Satoshi looked at the direction of Nino’s phone one last time before he got out of the room. He frowned as he turned to look at his boyfriend’s back in front of him. Why did you flinch at the mention of my brother? Could it be that Hideshi has something to do with Nino’s problem? Could he be Nino’s problem? It was him the one who had chosen the club in the first place. The anger was building up. If I discover anything, I swear to God, you’ll learn what your stupid, as you call him, brother, is capable of…

 

~.~.~

 

Satoshi looked at the sleeping figure next to him and tried to climb off the bed without waking him up. He went to the room that he used as his office, because it was located the furthest from the bedroom, and dialed quickly a number.

 

“Yes? Sho? It’s me, Satoshi. Look... I need your help…”

 

***

 

“What happened, brother? You plan to stay overnight? Never thought you could be a workaholic…”

 

Satoshi didn’t care to reply. He took off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves as he sat back on his chair.

 

“Isn’t that what you all have been asking me? Focus on work?”

 

Hideshi smirked as he leaned against the closed door of Satoshi’s office. “Oh… c’mon… I know you, brother. It’s him, isn’t it? Your little bitch… is he working till late, tonight?”

 

Satoshi had enough. He hit the desk with both his hands before going to his brother, entrapping him between him and the door. “Listen to me clearly, brother…” his eyes were narrowed dangerously. “Don’t ever call him like that because honestly I don’t know what I’ll do!” he hissed with anger.

 

Hideshi though didn’t seem to care about his brother’s words. “What could you do?!”

 

Satoshi grabbed his brother’s shirt collar and pulled him closer so that their faces were only a few inches apart. “A lot of things…! Don’t you know that the more someone doesn’t react, the more anger they will release? Don’t provoke me, brother… I’m warning you…”

 

“You have no idea what you’re saying!” Hideshi said in a cold voice as he pushed Satoshi away.

 

“Believe me… I do… very well! I can assure you of that!”

 

The other muffled a laugh, as he turned around to grab the doorknob. “Allow me to doubt it, brother!”

 

“As long as you don’t catch Nino in your mouth, I won’t do anything, but if you do it again, then you’ll get what you deserve. Am I clear?”

 

“Fully, dear brother…” the door opened. “But let me give you a piece of advice. Smile a little bit… they say it gives you years of life...”

 

Satoshi didn’t reply to that. He wasn’t in the mood for any more chit-chat with Hideshi. He knew the other was doing it on purpose… it was his task to make him feel bad… was it the work? Was it something personal? The other would do it… every single day. He wished he could speak but till then, he had learnt to remain silent. It had been his way out; lately, though he felt as if he was suffocating. He wanted to open his mouth and speak… say everything he felt inside. He knew that his family was thinking of him as someone who wasn’t able to see things as they were… as if he was in his own world. The truth was though that he chose to be in his own world because he could see more things than he wished. There was a difference, now. He wasn’t alone; he had Nino and he was determined to stand up and fight; not only for his boyfriend, but also for everything he had come to care, like the hundreds of families that were working in Ohno Group. They wanted him to be the CEO and he had finally decided to act like one, even if that wasn’t likeable to some parts of his family.

 

His hand was clenched into a fist that landed with force on the desk. “There’s another saying, brother…” he whispered. “Whoever laughs last, laughs better...”

 

Outside it was already dark. Satoshi looked up at the sky, his heart clenching. It was around this time that Nino was getting ready for the club. He wished he didn’t think about it or at least, whenever he did, it wouldn’t affect him so much but it did… That day they hadn’t met for lunch. It was Satoshi’s decision. He needed to keep a clear mind… at least clearer than if he had met with his boyfriend earlier.

 

It was several minutes later that he heard a knock on the door.

 

“Yes?” Satoshi said without turning around.

 

“Ohno-san, do you need anything else?” it was the high-pitched voice of his secretary.

 

“No, Kimura-san. You can leave.”

 

“Have a nice evening, Ohno-san.” The secretary answered politely and let him alone.

 

Satoshi sighed. “That… we’ll see…”

 

~.~.~

 

One hour later, he was sitting on the leather sofa in his office with a glass of scotch. For some reason, the sound of the alarm clock on the wall sounded louder than usual. His eyes were stuck at some random spot on the floor. His heart was beating faster. He could feel the minutes passing by and yet, no knock, no steps.

 

“Where is he?” Satoshi mumbled under his breath as he brought the glass to his lips to sip some of his drink. It was then that he heard the telephone on his desk ringing. Sighing, he stood up to answer it. “Yes?” It was from the security guard in the main hall. “Let him enter. He has an appointment.” This person was the reason why he had stayed till late.

 

The knock on his door, almost five minutes later, made him jump.

 

“Enter.”

 

“Ohno-san.” The voice was distant but polite.

 

“Yakishira Keiichiro-san?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Satoshi looked at the other from head to toe. If Satoshi was right, the other couldn’t be more than 45 years old but his eyes were showing a determination and professionalism that made him somehow look older. “You already know what I want.”

 

“Of course, Sakurai-san informed me and I did everything I could.”

 

“And?” Satoshi asked without being able to hide his agony.

 

“There’s one serious problem, Ohno-san.”

 

Satoshi frowned. Problem?! “I asked you to investigate my brother’s underground deals.”

 

“I did and I can assure you many interesting names came across… The thing is that I never came across a deal with someone named Ninomiya Kazunari…”

 

“What?! But I’m sure that it’s Hideshi the one who contacts him.”

 

“I say that your brother has never contacted Ninomiya Kazunari because there’s no Ninomiya Kazunari in the first place. Your brother has contacted Matsumoto Kazunari; a very clever choice, if I may say.”

 

So, Nino had hidden his real name from him… his name was Matsumoto… Why was that name familiar? “Matsumoto? You mean the ones whose colossus like company in Singapore went bankrupt six years ago and followed by Matsumoto Shinichi’s suicide?”

 

The older man nodded positively. “Precisely.”

 

“But hadn’t they managed to overcome a part of it?” Satoshi was lost. “I remember clearly my father talking about their case…”

 

“I’m sure he did and I’m sure that’s the reason why Hideshi approached him. I’m not sure whether you remember or not but in the media, it was never mentioned who was supposed to be behind this bankruptcy.”

 

“Kazu…”

 

“Matsumoto Kazunari. I assume that he was sent to Singapore because the family wanted to focus on the younger son. Matsumoto Jun was the one who would take his father’s position.”

 

Satoshi frowned. “Isn’t he a lot younger?”

 

Yakishira nodded. “Indeed. Twelve years younger. He’s a student at the second year of high-school at the moment.”

 

Satoshi knew, now, that Nino had indeed “Then? I don’t understand…”

 

“Matsumoto Kazunari is the son of Matsumoto Shinichi and Ninomiya Kazuko, one of the maids in the mansion. He was recognized as a son because I think they had suspicions Matsumoto Aiko couldn’t bear children. I don’t know details but I think that Matsumoto Kazunari was quite… the rebel… if I could use this term… From what I have managed to gather, he’s someone who liked to have fun and spend money without particular reason… From what I have found, he was well known among the parties that took place in the high-class clubs.”

 

Satoshi frowned at this. He understood perfectly what the other was trying to imply. Was that the reason why he chose to work as a host? But he had seen it… he was disgusted…  I have to calm down… Even if he used to be like that, it belongs to the past… My Kazu is different…I know it… People change… I’ve changed…

 

“After the incident with the bankruptcy and the suicide and for reasons of protecting the name Matsumoto,” the older man continued speaking “Matsumoto Aiko wanted to act herself and inexperienced as she was, she trusted the wrong people. I’m positive that now, the weight lies on Matsumoto Kazunari...”

 

“And his mother?”

 

“A year later, she married to a European millionaire and left Japan.”

 

“So, it’s only Kazu and his brother.”

 

“Ohno-san…” Yakishira’s voice sounded more reluctant this time.

 

“What?” Satoshi didn’t like it.

 

“As I told you, I need to make further research, and for that we must be really attentive because we don’t know, who might be behind everything but there’s something you should know concerning your brother and Matsumoto Kazunari’s contacts.”

 

“It’s about money…” Satoshi said and finished his scotch in one go. “I have already figured it out. He wants to have the chance to earn whatever he can from the Mastumotos.”

 

“I don’t doubt that but there’s also something else, Ohno-san. I found this. Here.”

 

Satoshi took the envelop that was left in front of him. He opened it and started reading until the words slowly turned blurry. There should be an explanation…, right? Satoshi couldn’t accept that Nino had lied to him like that; hidden things from him, yes… but lied? What for and above all, why?

 

Kazu… Why?

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

  

 

A.N. Sooo minna (finally) here’s part 5!! I tried to reveal some things so that you start to understand better what is going on with Nino. Why he was so troubled is sth you’ll find out in the next part but I think you can all understand that it has to do with Hideshi. Despite having kept himself away for some time, he decided to go to Satoshi. I added some smexy Ohmiya things because I think it was needed for Nino to relax a bit and be able to open up a bit (and for all you as a small compensation). Satoshi, on the other hand, as many of you said, had his suspicions and decided to act and find things out on his own. I believe some questions have been answered but probably, it’s where the problems start? We’ll see what will happen to Ohmiya, now! xP
This part is the longest – more than 6.500 words – and I’m once again suuuuper late but rl seems to always change my plans… *sigh* I’m deeply sorry! *bows* I cross my fingers that many of you are still here and follow this story! :)

I really hope you enjoyed it and as always, your comments are <333!!!

See you (hopefully xP) this Sunday!

Kisses,
Andy ^_^