On Monday, after dealing with the Port Mafia's affairs, Asou Akiya dumped every last bit of work onto Nishida Shibashi in one go. Taking advantage of his relationship with Hirotsu Ryurou, he headed over to the Black Lizard unit to watch their hand-to-hand combat training.
Nishida Shibashi: "???"
I'm your superior, not your hired laborer, alright?!
Asou Akiya watched his beloved mingle among the group, training in close combat alongside the others. His expression remained calm, though his heart ached for him. At the same time, he had no desire to interfere with the other's growth.
Randou was an independent person, not an accessory attached to him. Every effort he was making now was for the brilliance that awaited him in the future.
Under Akiya's gaze, the force behind Randou's attacks unconsciously increased. He wanted to secure a clean, decisive victory. As a result, he struck one of the squad leaders hard enough to leave the man's arm throbbing with pain.
One of the Battalion Leaders, Ii Masabu, sucked in a breath and rubbed his arm before complaining,
"Randou, aren't we supposed to be practicing combat techniques? Why are you suddenly using so much force? You're being surprisingly fierce today!"
Shifting his footing, Randou avoided the arm Ii Masabu tried to sling around his shoulders.
"Sorry. I wanted to win."
Ii Masabu was no fool. Looking to the side, he quickly spotted someone who clearly did not belong to the Black Lizard unit. The man was chatting with Hirotsu Ryurou, yet his gaze drifted toward them from time to time.
The black-haired young man possessed remarkably handsome features. Unlike the other executives, who wore their black coats draped casually over their shoulders, he wore his properly, buttoned all the way up to the second button beneath the collar. The mafia-styled black attire accentuated the fairness of his skin, and a dark crimson tie could be seen at his collar, perfectly befitting the status of a Port Mafia Sub-Executive.
Ii Masabe clicked his tongue.
"So it's the newly appointed prospective executive."
Randou replied,
"Mm."
Randou's voice was quiet. After adjusting his earmuffs and smoothing the hair that had fallen loosely over his shoulders so that it no longer looked quite so disheveled, he walked over and joined the conversation.
"Mr. Hirotsu. Akiya-san."
Standing behind them, Ii Masabu watched the scene unfold. His hair was cropped short in a military-style cut, and he usually carried himself with vigorous energy, but a trace of displeasure flashed across his face.
He was one of Black Lizard's veteran members, whereas Randou was a newcomer who had only joined the unit this year. Originally, Randou should have been under his guidance, yet Hirotsu Ryurou—whose seniority surpassed even his own—had insisted on getting involved and had taken over most of the responsibility for mentoring him.
If it had merely been a matter of losing a promising recruit, Ii Masabu might have let it go. The problem was that he was bisexual, and the moment he first laid eyes on this rare French beauty, he had been captivated.
Randou's habit of dressing heavily was no secret. Every colleague who had worked with him knew that he was particularly sensitive to the cold. Anyone considerate enough would try to spare him unnecessary trips outdoors in harsh weather.
Ii Masabu, however, was different.
Whenever he saw Randou shivering from the cold, it struck directly at his particular tastes. As a result, he became especially enthusiastic about teaming up with Randou whenever field assignments arose. In private, he had fantasized about him countless times, imagining himself pulling the trembling Randou into an embrace and melting away that chill with his own body heat.
As far as he knew, Randou rarely interacted with the female members of the organization. He was solitary, low-key, never caused trouble, and never revealed his home address. He was nothing like the Frenchmen rumored to be open and uninhibited when it came to their sex lives.
While discreetly gathering information about Randou, Ii Masabu had also helped him deal with a number of minor troubles. Over time, they had become fairly familiar with each other, all without exposing his ulterior motives. Aside from Hirotsu Ryurou, no one in Black Lizard knew his sexual orientation. At most, they assumed he simply got along particularly well with Randou.
Next time I go drinking with Hirotsu, I need to tell him to stop interfering, Ii Masabu thought irritably.
There was no reason for the Mafia to stand in the way of someone's love life, was there?
Muttering to himself, Ii Masabu shifted his gaze toward Asou Akiya.
There was nothing particularly novel about seeing him. The brat had often been seen hanging around Hirotsu Ryurou in the past. In a sense, he was one of the children they had watched grow up.
Ii Masabu admired his courage and ambition, admired the way he dared to charge forward and stake everything on success, but he felt no particular awe or reverence toward him.
"Mr. Hirotsu, how has Randou been performing in Black Lizard?" Asou Akiya asked Hirotsu Ryurou in the manner of a mentor checking on his protégé. His expression was gentle, without the slightest hint of scrutiny or calculation.
"Randou-kun is exceptionally capable..." Hirotsu Ryurou said, instinctively glancing toward Randou.
At that moment, the reclusive Black Lizard member was standing beside Asou Akiya. The melancholy that usually lingered around him had faded considerably, and he was watching the two men with a faint smile. Randou was slightly taller than Akiya, but the way he dressed softened his presence, preventing his height from feeling imposing or oppressive.
Hirotsu Ryurou continued,
"He has excellent physical abilities and sharp combat instincts. Although he has the bad habit of disliking firearms, when no abilities are involved, there are only a handful of people in Black Lizard who can defeat him in a fight."
A look of surprise crossed Akiya's face.
"But he hasn't been in the Mafia for very long."
Hirotsu Ryurou was not particularly astonished by that fact. He replied calmly,
"This is what ordinary people call talent."
There was simply no competing with it.
Some people could train for years and only become capable of protecting themselves. Others could already carve a bloody path through their enemies.
That was the message Hirotsu Ryurou conveyed with a single look.
Naturally, Akiya understood it all too well. He himself was hardly proficient in hand-to-hand combat, and lately he had been so busy that he barely had time to train. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he almost blushed.
Pretending not to care, Akiya casually placed a hand on Randou's shoulder.
"Keep up the good work."
"Akiya-san, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit me at Black Lizard," Randou replied.
Maintaining the professional relationship they normally displayed at work, his eyelashes trembled slightly. A faint smile played at his lips as he swiftly concealed the trace of grievance that should not have appeared in front of Hirotsu Ryurou.
"I hope I haven't disappointed you."
Ii Masabu instantly felt sour.
Randou disliked physical contact. He avoided both men and women alike. Ii Masabu himself had never managed to touch even a gloved hand of his.
And yet this brat, Asou Akiya—a junior he had always regarded as one of the younger generation—was allowed to treat Randou with such casual intimacy.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ii Masabu walked over and greeted him.
"Akiya."
Akiya noticed him immediately.
"Uncle Ii."
The corner of Ii Masabu's mouth twitched.
The kid was asking for a beating.
"I'm only in my thirties," he said. "I'm younger than Hirotsu. I'm not old enough to be in your uncle's generation, am I?"
Hearing that, Hirotsu Ryurou suddenly felt his age. He lifted a hand to adjust his monocle and said,
"I'd like to argue with that, but the truth is that I really am from the same generation as his parents."
Asou Akiya had always treated the people who had looked after him in the past with kindness and respect. His manner was warm and approachable, making it easy for him to close the distance between himself and others.
Of course, his current status also played a role.
No one would reject the goodwill of a sub-executive who was widely expected to become a full executive in the future.
Randou silently observed Akiya's social circle.
Akiya had grown up within the Port Mafia's world since childhood, yet he had not grown twisted or crooked because of it.
That was wonderful.
Thinking of the information he had secretly gathered, Randou rubbed his chin lightly against his scarf, his satisfaction deepening.
Akiya conducted himself with remarkable self-restraint. He had never dated anyone else.
Randou was his one and only lover.
"That reminds me... Akiya," Ii Masabu asked, unable to hold back his curiosity, "how did you meet Randou? Was it related to that girlfriend of yours?"
"Yes."
Akiya admitted it readily.
"The person I'm dating is connected to him."
Randou narrowed his eyes.
Calmly, he stroked the soft fur hidden beneath his scarf.
Connected to him? Isn't your partner me?
After hearing that a junior already had a girlfriend he had been seeing for several years, Hirotsu Ryurou exclaimed in admiration,
"Not bad, Akiya. Judging from Randou-kun's appearance and character, it isn't difficult to imagine what his family must be like."
With a teasing grin, Ii Masabu added,
"Got a photo? Let us see this French girl."
Without the slightest change in expression, Akiya replied, "I'll bring one for you to see next time."
Noticing how concerned Ii Masabu seemed to be about Randou, Akiya paid him a little more attention. His smile contained more genuine gratitude than the polite, professional smile he usually wore.
Yet beneath that gratitude lurked an additional trace of vigilance.
Asou Akiya: [That's my wife. Why are you so concerned about him?]
Randou: "..."
Where exactly are you planning to get a photograph of a French girl?!
Before even an hour had passed, Asou Akiya was summoned back by the Port Mafia Boss through a messenger sent with unmistakably malicious intent.
"Mr. Asou, the Boss has summoned you."
"...Understood."
The title of Chief Commander of the Port Mafia FFF Inquisition* was definitely not an empty one.
*{Note: The FFF Inquisition is a reference to a group from another series called "Baka to Test to Shoukanjo". It is a group who punishes those who receive attention and/or affection from girls. They seek to create retribution for such potential romantic connections in order to prevent anyone from receiving the happiness they themselves have been denied.}
Akiya could only give up on continuing the conversation. His gaze met Randou's for three seconds before he said helplessly,
"I have to go see the Boss. I can't stay and chat with you all any longer."
Before leaving, Akiya added,
"Mr. Hirotsu, Mr. Ii, could I trouble you to make some arrangements? Don't let him work overtime today. I happen to have something I need to discuss with Randou."
Then he turned to Randou and gave him one more instruction.
"Wait for me in the parking lot after work."
Randou nodded.
It seemed Akiya had something planned for the evening.
Once Akiya left, Randou returned to his regular hand-to-hand combat training, sparring against another member. After the session ended, he stopped to wipe away the sweat and went to retrieve his phone from the personal storage locker.
A text message had been waiting for quite some time.
[How has Uncle Ii been treating you?]
The corners of Randou's lips curved upward.
He replied to Akiya:
[He likes me quite a lot.]
A statement with more than one meaning.
After work—
Randou finally had a legitimate excuse to decline Black Lizard's gathering.
The combat-oriented members of the unit loved drinking and chatting. Places such as bars, karaoke parlors, and izakayas were among their favorite haunts.
Ii Masabu's gaze clung stubbornly to Randou's retreating figure as he prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a colleague slapped him on the shoulder.
"What are you staring at Randou-kun for? Aren't you coming out for drinks?"
Startled, Ii Masabe waved a hand dismissively.
"Not this time."
His colleague looked surprised.
"Aren't you single? If you're not drinking with us after work, where else could you possibly be going?"
Ii Masabe rolled his eyes.
"It's because I drink with you idiots every day that I'm still single! My last girlfriend finally reached the end of her patience with the smell of alcohol on me and kicked me to the curb."
His colleague burst out laughing and wandered off.
Ii Masabe rubbed his face.
He was clean-shaven, which helped him look younger than his age. Once he put on a pair of the latest designer sunglasses and got behind the wheel of his sports car, he instantly transformed into the kind of mature, handsome man who could attract attention wherever he went.
Among the Port Mafia's upper ranks, there were no ugly people!
His car was also parked in the Port Mafia's underground parking garage.
Come to think of it, he had probably been the first person within the Port Mafia to notice that Randou was constantly hitching rides in Asou Akiya's car.
At first, he had never suspected anything.
He simply assumed the two were close friends who met frequently. The information on file also showed that their former residences had been located relatively close to one another.
However, recalling how Akiya had specifically told Randou to wait for him in the parking lot earlier that day, Ii Masabe unconsciously changed direction and headed toward the Sub-Executive parking area.
Suppressing the sound of his footsteps, he approached quietly, hoping to learn a little more about Randou.
Although he knew this behavior was somewhat intrusive, he justified it to himself.
His relationship with Akiya was fairly good, after all. Showing a little extra "concern" could simply be attributed to curiosity.
Asou Akiya's new vehicle was a black bulletproof executive van.
The same as always.
The model itself was not particularly eye-catching. It had four seats, and its exterior appearance was understated, but the interior was far more spacious and comfortable than that of an ordinary business vehicle. Anyone who wasn't knowledgeable about cars would never guess its price range, yet every aspect of its configuration was unquestionably top-of-the-line.
A luxury car had been assigned to him, yet he doesn't use it?
The thought flashed through Ii Masabe's mind.
He found himself admiring Akiya a little more.
Asou Akiya was the sort of person who possessed considerable wealth yet never felt the need to flaunt it.
Mafia vehicles were customarily fitted with one-way window film. People outside could not see inside, and once Randou got into the car, the executive van's excellent soundproofing ensured that no one could possibly overhear the conversation within.
Going any closer would be crossing a line.
Swinging his car keys in one hand, Ii Masabe reluctantly prepared to leave.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something strange and abruptly turned around.
The van's headlights had not come on. Quiet and low-profile, it remained parked where it was. Ordinary Port Mafia members would not dare approach it.
At that moment, a faint sound came from the vehicle.
It was subtle, rhythmic, as though someone inside were engaged in a repetitive motion.
Ii Masabe stared in shock.
That was definitely the sort of sound only an experienced driver would recognize.
N-No way...
That brat Akiya had a girlfriend he'd been dating for years!
Unless—
Wait—
Wasn't that girlfriend supposed to be a French lover?
Randou was actually Akiya's person all along!
Damn it!!!
After waiting for half an hour, Ii Masabe stared at the vehicle in utter despair. Looking as though his soul had left his body, he finally turned and walked away.
Inside the vehicle, the heater was running warmly.
Randou lay stretched across the leather seat. A rosy flush colored his cheeks, brought on by exertion and warmth. A bead of sweat fell from the forehead of the man above him, landing on his neck before slowly trailing down toward his collarbone.
Clearly, they had been engaged in something that required a considerable amount of energy.
The fragrance of the car's air freshener lingered in the enclosed space, masking another scent.
With a teasing smile, Asou Akiya asked,
"I've been doing pretty well, haven't I?"
Randou wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's neck. Supported by the hand at his waist, he lifted himself slightly. Waves of tingling sensation spread through his nerves, one after another, sending his already-tense heart racing.
"Akiya's unusually enthusiastic today, isn't he?"
"The more the Boss tries to keep us apart, the more I want to see you."
Having already stolen some time to be affectionate with his lover ahead of schedule, Asou Akiya leaned close and nipped lightly at Randou's ear before revealing the other reason he had wanted to meet him.
"Tonight, I'm going to formally take on a master. Randou, be my witness."
Randou smiled, happiness shining in his eyes.
"Of course."
His fingertips brushed across Akiya's delighted features.
The man before him was young and handsome, his gaze blazing with the fire of someone willing to throw everything he had into pursuing what he wanted. With each passing day, that fire burned more fiercely, as though he intended to melt this block of ice that carried a perpetual chill into his embrace.
He was so vibrant, so full of life.
The pressures of life had never worn away his edges or dulled his spirit.
Compared to most people in the world, he surpassed ninety-nine percent of them.
"There are still several hours until tonight," Randou said. "Stay with me a little longer."
Showing affection in a place like this...
Well, it was undeniably thrilling.
After being embraced by a man like this, how could he possibly find himself interested in those half-hearted, fickle people?
"Randou, are you still cold?"
"...Not anymore."
____________
Love was, above all else, a contest that required one heart to answer another.
On the other side of the underground parking garage, Nishida Shibashi leaned against the door of his car and lit a cigarette.
As he glanced over, he spotted a Black Lizard member stumbling away with unsteady steps, looking every bit like a man who had just suffered a crushing heartbreak.
Taking a deep drag from his cigarette, Nishida Shibashi slowly exhaled the smoke.
A cold smile tugged at his lips.
Lucky for you, he thought.
His strange state of being neither fully alive nor fully dead had left him feeling somewhat irritable lately.
Still, when he looked at his collection of fine liquor and luxury cars, he felt that life was just barely tolerable.
Human beings were simply that pathetic.