Make You Mine /// Nineteenth Lie: Missing Piece
Title: Make You Mine
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: The first impression counts and Kazuya's first impression of Jin is not the best. However, Jin is determined to get to know Kazuya - and Kazuya makes up a few lies, which suddenly become huge... And then, the tide is turning.
A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I lived in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.
I am sorry for having not yet replied to any comments to the last chap. I am a loser! But I appreciate every single word you guys leave me and I hope you all know that!
So... this chap finally gives some answers and probably some fluff (although, I might have promised a bit too much ^^;;;..) ♥
Enjoy it! ♥
Previous Chapters:
First Lie: Who am I?
Second Lie: Find Me
Third Lie: Exposed
Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Fifth Lie: More of You
Sixth Lie: Not My Fault
Seventh Lie: Out of Reach
Eighth Lie: Leaving You
Ninth Lie: Hold On
Tenth Lie: Secret
Eleventh Lie: Broken Lovers
Twelfth Lie: Worry About You
Thirteenth Lie: I Won't
Fourteenth Lie: Only My Illursion
Fifteenth Lie: Heavy Damage
Sixteenth Lie: Too Close
Seventeenth Lie: Cutting Ties
Eighteenth Lie: Torn
Nineteenth Lie: Missing Piece
Jin was unreasonable. Irresponsible.
Kazuya looked at his mobile phone and Jin’s name, with his number beneath, before he put it away and rolled over in his bed.
It was Sunday morning, two weeks had passed and Kazuya’s plan of cutting all ties with Jin had worked pretty well so far.
However, there was one thing Jin should have contacted Kazuya about - his letter of resignation.
Jin needed to sign the papers for Kazuya to officially quit the position, but Jin had not sent them back. Until then, Kazuya couldn’t do anything, but work on.
He sighed, as he stared up to the ceiling.
Jin really was unreasonable.
He made it worse for both of them; worse and harder and more difficult.
Kazuya could have disappeared from Jin’s life completely by now. Instead, he was still here, working for Jin, at Jin’s hotel.
His mobile started ringing and Kazuya wanted to turn and ignore it - it was not even seven in the morning, anyway. But then, he reached out for it and checked the ID. Upon reading Jin’s name, he quickly answered it.
“You have some nerves to actually call”, Kazuya said enraged. “I’m serious about quitting, so just get the papers signed and…”
“Kazuya.”
He fell silent and sat up slowly. Jin’s voice was thin and low. “What’s wrong?”
Jin took a deep, shaky breath. “Tell me, you were just too angry to call me and that she’s with you.”
Kazuya frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I have no idea where she is. She is gone”, Jin whispered and fear was apparent in his voice. “She has to be with you.”
Kazuya’s heartbeat sped up. Natsuki - Jin talked about Natsuki. “I’m in Osaka, Jin. There is no way she could be with me.”
“I’m going insane”, Jin said. “Her bed is empty, she is not here.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said. “Did you search the house? Everywhere?”
“Do you think I am stupid”, Jin snapped at him. “Of course I did. She is not here. She is gone. She is gone, Kazuya.”
“I’m…” Kazuya swallowed thickly and he was out of bed in seconds, gripping a few clothes. “I’m coming.”
“No”, Jin said immediately. “You mustn’t.”
“Jin, if Natsuki disappeared, I am not going to sit here and…”
“You mustn’t”, Jin repeated. “I’ll find her myself.”
Kazuya stopped his motions and bit his lip. “She probably just went outside to play”, he murmured then. "Or she’s… playing some game with Mi-chan, visiting a friend, or…” He ran out of possibilities.
“Yeah”, Jin answered, his voice toneless, as they both knew Natsuki wasn’t the type of child that would get ideas like that. “Maybe.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said again. “I could be there in a few hours.”
“You can’t”, Jin answered. “I’ll find her.”
Kazuya blankly stared at the floor, as Jin cut the connection.
He had been in panic, when he had called. Jin must have had searched for Natsuki for a while already, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been in panic already.
Kazuya closed his eyes and tilted his head back, trying to think.
Why would Natsuki disappear like that? She wouldn’t ever run away - after all, she loved Jin and she knew that Jin would do anything for her.
There was no reason for her to run from Jin.
The only possibility… Kazuya swallowed thickly and tried to steady his breathing. The only possibility was that someone had taken her.
Kazuya shuddered and thought about whether he should just go to Tokyo. But, he would give Jin just even more reasons to worry, if he did.
Sighing, he got up again and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower, before he got dressed, fed Vanilla and left his flat then to get to the hotel.
Work was the best distraction - and distraction was what Kazuya needed now.
The hotel was rather quiet, as he arrived. A few guests were already having breakfast and Kazuya checked back on the kitchen, taking lists with grocery orders from the chefs and having some small talk with the kitchen staff.
In his office, his look always flew back to the phone, his mobile was always close by and whenever he went out, he told the receptionist to tell him immediately should Jin call.
However, Jin didn’t call and Kazuya’s anxiousness just rose with every minutes passing.
As it was almost five, he couldn’t hold back anymore and dialled in Jin’s number.
“What?”
Jin’s tone already revealed it, but Kazuya still asked. “Could you find her?”
“No, I’ve been through every part of the city. She’s nowhere to be found.”
Kazuya swallowed. “Did anyone… call?”
Jin didn’t answer for a moment and Kazuya knew Jin was aware of what Kazuya thought. “No one contacted me.”
“Jin, she’s been missing for half a day now. I can’t stay here without doing anything.”
“There’s nothing you could do”, Jin answered.
“I’m worried sick.”
“I know that.” Jin’s voice got a little softer. “I know you are.”
“Let me help you”, Kazuya offered again.
“Kazuya”, Jin said quietly, but serious. “I can’t take that right now. I can’t worry about that at the moment. Not now.”
Kazuya fell silent.
“I… I’m afraid something might has happened to her. It’s my fault if anything happened.”
“Jin…”
“I can’t do this right now; I need to find Natsuki”, Jin just said. “I just have to find her.”
Kazuya didn’t say anymore and Jin cut the connection again.
This was just ridiculous, Kazuya thought and got up. There was no way in hell that he would stay here now. He just had to go to Tokyo.
Kazuya just couldn't sit here and wait for Jin to call him - he had to go and help him find Natsuki.
Leaving the office, he dialled in Koki's number. "Koki", he said, as he reached him. "You need to come to the hotel."
"What?" Koki sounded confused. It was his day off, after all.
“I have to go to Tokyo right now”, Kazuya answered. “Natsuki disappeared. I have to go.”
“I’ll be there in twenty”, Koki just answered and Kazuya hung up.
He rushed to the lift and pressed the button, before he turned, as someone gripped his arm.
Ryo gave him a curious look.
Kazuya had almost forgotten he was still here. It had been two weeks already and Kazuya had assumed at first that Ryo would stay just about a few days.
“Did I just hear that right?”
Kazuya nodded and swallowed thickly.
Ryo stared at him for a moment. “You can’t go to Tokyo, Kamenashi”, he said then.
“I don’t think you can estimate that.”
Ryo nodded. “Yes, I can. I won’t let you go to Tokyo.”
Kazuya frowned, as the doors to the lift opened behind him. “You have nothing to tell me, actually.”
“I’m saying you’re not going”, Ryo repeated harshly and gripped Kazuya’s arm tighter.
Kazuya was about to answer and snap back, as he saw a police officer come through the main entrance and a second one followed - Natsuki on his arms.
“Natsuki”, Kazuya gasped and dashed off.
As he reached the two men, Natsuki struggled from the officer’s grip and Kazuya pulled her into his arms, pressing her close to his chest. “Natsuki”, he repeated against her hair.
“We assume she’s your daughter”, one of the officer’s asked.
Kazuya stared at them, while Natsuki nuzzled against him.
“We found her at the train station in Umeda, where she boarded a train to Tokyo”, the police man explained. “She told us her father is working for Redline.”
Kazuya took a deep breath. “Well…”
“Why didn’t you file a missing person’s report?”
“That one has most likely been filed in Tokyo”, Kazuya answered. “She’s not my daughter. Her father is the owner of Redline Hotels, Akansihi Jin. He’s living in Tokyo.”
The police officer frowned. “In Tokyo? Are you telling me she came all the way from Tokyo?”
Kazuya nodded and soothingly ran his thumb over Natsuki’s nape.
“However, we checked all missing reports nationwide and she didn’t fit any profile. She wasn’t reported missing”, the man said. “We have to take her back to the police station, until a relative comes to pick her up.”
Natsuki whined and wound her arms around Kazuya’s neck, holding on tighter.
“Shhh”, Kazuya murmured and stroke her back. “It’s alright, baby. I’ll come with you.”
“I’m sorry”, the officer said. “But we can’t allow that. We need to put the girl’s safety first.”
“I’ll…” Kazuya got out his mobile phone. “I’ll call her father.”
The officer nodded.
Kazuya put the phone to his ear and adjusted Natsuki on his other arm, as he waited for Jin to pick up.
“Seriously, Kazuya”, Jin answered the phone. “Stop calling me every ten minutes; I’m going insane.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said calmly.
“I haven’t found her. I can’t find her”, Jin just kept on talking. “He’s probably got her and I won’t have a chance of saving her. She’s only six, damn it, Kazuya. How am I supposed to…”
“Jin”, Kazuya repeated; firmer and urgent.
Jin fell silent.
“She’s here. She’s with me”, Kazuya went on. “I have her.”
“I’m on my way”, Jin just answered.
“Jin, listen”, Kazuya said, still in the urgent tone he had used before. “The police are here and they are taking her back to the station. So, you need to tell them it’s okay for me…” He hesitated. “For me or Koki to accompany them, or else they take her alone.”
“Let me talk to them”, Jin said and Kazuya handed over the phone.
He watched the officer, while he talked to Jin and kept stroking Natsuki’s back the whole time, holding her close.
“I’m sorry”, she murmured against Kazuya’s neck and he closed his eyes for a moment.
“Your Papa is going to be so angry with you”, Kazuya said. “How could you run away?”
Natsuki curled her fingers into the fabric of Kazuya’s jacket. “I wanted to be with Kazu-nii.”
“He wants to talk to you”, the officer said suddenly and handed the phone back to Kazuya. He saw Koki come into the lobby in that moment.
“Jin?”
“I talked to them”, Jin said, his voice still troubled. “As she’s obviously familiar with you, I could get them to agree that she can stay with you. However, you have to take her to your flat and stay with her, until I come to pick her up. I’ll report back to the police, once I’m in Osaka.”
Koki stopped next to them and threw a look from Natsuki to the officers.
“Okay”, Kazuya said. “Fine. I’ll take her home.”
“I’m practically on my way”, Jin answered.
“Jin.” Kazuya quickly glanced up at the people around them, but then, decided that he didn’t care. “She is safe now. I’m with her. So, be careful. You don’t need to rush unnecessarily.”
“I’ll be there as soon as possible”, Jin just answered and Kazuya hung up.
“We’ll accompany you to your flat”, the officer said. “Just to make sure.”
Kazuya nodded, before he turned to Koki. “I’m sorry”, he said. “I’ll pay back the favour sometime soon.”
Koki shook his head. “I don’t mind. I’m happy nothing has happened to her.”
Nodding again, Kazuya turned back to the police officers. “I have to get my wallet and keys.” He smiled at Natsuki then. “Could you stay with Koki for a moment? I’ll be back in a minute.”
She nodded and Kazuya put her to her feet, before he went off to get his things. He spotted Ryo still standing at the lift, observing them. As Kazuya came back from his office, he was gone and for a moment, Kazuya wondered what that had been about.
Why would Ryo not let him go to Tokyo?
He forgot the thought, however, when he approached the policemen again and took Natsuki’s hand, following them outside.
When he reached his flat, she had almost fallen asleep next to him in his car.
He showed the officer that had followed them up to his flat and as bid him goodbye politely, thanked him, apologised for the trouble.
Natsuki sat on his sofa and looked at him, her posture tired.
“Hey, love”, Kazuya said, as sat next to her. “Are you hungry?”
She nodded and looked at him with round eyes.
“Come on, we’ll check the kitchen for what I could make you, okay?”
Natsuki followed him and he sat her on one of the chairs at the table, before he got some ingredients together for an omelette.
“Is Papa going to yell at me?”
“You can bet he will”, Kazuya answered and turned to her, while he stirred the eggs in bowl.
She bit her lip and lowered her head.
“Natsuki”, Kazuya said and put the bowl down, walking over to her. “He’s going to be angry. But, only because he’s been very, very worried for you.”
She sniffled. “Papa said I can’t meet Kazu-nii anymore. So, I… I… I just wanted…”
Kazuya patted her head. “It’s fine. I understand” He smiled at her, as he put a finger under her chin and raised her face. “I understand, Natsuki. And Papa will understand it, too. He loves you and he’s worried, when you disappear like that. You’re his most precious daughter.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Come on now, don’t cry anymore”, Kazuya said and gently stroked a tear from her cheek. “I’ll make you an omelette and then, Papa will be here soon to pick you up.”
She nodded and ran a hand over her eyes.
Kazuya got back to beat the eggs and kept talking to Natsuki to calm her down. He watched her, while she ate and was glad to see her come back to her usual self, as she started to talk to him and tell him about what she had done during the past weeks.
Later, Kazuya took her to the living room and they watched a children’s programme on TV. Kazuya let her cuddle up to him and held her in his arms, gently caressed her hair and back, until he noticed she had fallen asleep.
The doorbell rang, when Kazuya had just put her to bed. He took a deep breath, before he hurried over and opened it.
Jin was soaked, his hair was dripping and clutched to his face. He looked at Kazuya and was a little out of breath.
“Where is she?”
Kazuya stepped aside and let Jin walk in. “She’s just fallen asleep.”
Jin got out of his shoes and didn’t even look at Kazuya once more, before he dashed inside and to the bedroom.
Kazuya bit his lip, as he closed the door and hesitated to follow Jin. As he came to the bedroom, he saw Natsuki sit up in the bed and stare at Jin with round eyes. She wore one of Kazuya’s t-shirts and looked so tiny and lost.
Jin leaned in and took her shoulders, shaking her slightly. “Are you out of your mind?” He looked into her face and Kazuya couldn’t see Jin’s expression, but it had to be very angry, as Natsuki looked scared. “Do you even have an idea how much I worried? Do you know what you did?”
Natsuki’s bottom lip started to tremble and she nodded slightly. Jin sighed heavily and framed her face.
“Don’t ever do that again”, he just said and pulled her in, holding her close.
“Papa, you’re cold and wet”, Natsuki murmured, but held on to him.
Kazuya got a towel from the bathroom and as he came back, he saw Jin kissing Natsuki’s forehead. Kazuya spread the towel over Jin’s shoulders and made him turn with that.
“You should take a shower and change”, Kazuya said.
Jin looked back at Natsuki and took the towel to dry off her face and hair. Then, he got up. “I’ll talk to Kazuya for a moment, okay?”
She nodded and lay back down, watching them leave the room.
In the living room, Jin dried off his hair and looked at Kazuya then. “I’ll take her to the hotel.”
Kazuya looked down. “I don’t mind you staying. She’s in bed already, anyways.”
Jin gave him a long look.
“Listen”, Kazuya said slowly. “You’ll take a shower now, change into some dry clothes and then, you can join her. I’ll take the couch. It’s really not a problem.”
Nodding, Jin fidgeted the towel in his hands. “Fine.”
Kazuya turned and got a t-shirt and shorts from his bedroom, handing them to Jin. “I can make you something to eat, too.”
Jin shook his head, as he gripped the clothes. “It’s fine. Thanks.”
Nodding, Kazuya showed Jin to the bathroom and gave him a second towel, a new toothbrush and left then.
He heard Jin come back out of the bathroom, when he prepared the couch for himself and looked up. When Jin didn’t come into the living room, Kazuya went over to the bedroom and saw Jin standing a few feet from the bed, watching Natsuki sleep.
His posture looked so broken and tired, so Kazuya went over and stopped right behind Jin.
He smelled of Kazuya’s shampoo and his skin still glimmered wet.
“What makes a child run away from home?” Jin’s voice was quiet.
Kazuya bit his lip. “She didn’t run away. She never wanted to get away from you, Jin.”
Jin lowered his head and shook it slightly.
Taking the last few steps, Kazuya stopped behind Jin and put his head to the back of Jin’s shoulder. Jin gripped Kazuya’s hand and laced their fingers, while he kept watching Natsuki.
Kazuya wanted to ask so many questions; he had so much on his mind. Why had Jin not reported Natsuki missing and whom had he been talking about on the phone? Who had he thought had taken Natsuki away from him?
But, he also knew that this was not the moment to ask them.
He drew back and looked at Jin. “Good night, Jin.”
Jin turned to him and gave him a tired look. “Thanks.” He let go of Kazuya’s hand.
“Good night.”
Jin lay awake and caressed Natsuki’s cheek. He kept watching her sleep, as he just wouldn’t find peace to fall asleep, too.
About an hour ago, he had heard Kazuya going to bed, too, and the thought that he lay on that couch just in the next room, made Jin even uneasier.
He held it for a bit longer, but then, Jin just got up and quietly left the room, throwing looks back at Natsuki and leaving the door open, so he would hear her, should she wake up.
Kazuya peacefully slept on the couch, curled up beneath a light blanket. He had his hair tied back in a messy knot and Jin touched it lightly, as he sat down on the edge of the couch.
Running a finger down Kazuya’s temple, Jin smiled and rested it over Kazuya’s neck, on his vein.
“You’re awake, aren’t you?”
Kazuya slowly opened his eyes and looked at Jin, found his eyes immediately. Jin’s finger resumed moving downwards and he circled it over Kazuya’s collarbone. Kazuya’s lips parted and he licked them, before Jin leaned in and caught them in a slow, sloppy kiss.
Kazuya returned it at first, but then, pushed Jin's shoulder lightly, until he drew back. “This is the last thing we should do.”
Jin pressed his lips together, just inches from Kazuya’s and he shrugged, leaning in again.
Kazuya held him back, finding Jin’s look. "Don't", he murmured.
"Just until I've calmed down", Jin answered and adjusted himself next to Kazuya. "Just for a bit."
Kazuya didn't answer, only kept looking at Jin with keen eyes. But, as Jin leaned in again, he didn't fight it, didn't protest and let Jin kiss him again.
It was slow and soothing and while they were kissing, they kept up eye contact. Jin's hand slid into Kazuya's hair and he opened the knot, running his fingers through the brunette strands, while he propped himself on his other arm to change the angle of their kiss.
Kazuya shifted to his back and made more space for Jin, let him sprawl over Kazuya. He moaned slightly, as the kiss got more heated up and deeper.
Jin shivered, as Kazuya's hands ran down his sides and gripped his hips. He looked into Kazuya's eyes again and found them dark and shadowed. Slowly, his hand slid between them and beneath the waistline of Kazuya's shorts.
Kazuya gasped and buried his fingers in the skin of Jin's sides, beneath his shirt. He murmured Jin's name and bit his chin lightly, before Jin's mouth found his again.
Jin felt Kazuya growing harder in his hand and he licked his bottom lip, before he rose to strip off his shirt. Dropping it to the floor, he looked down at Kazuya and ran his fingertips over Kazuya’s chest to his stomach, coaxing light moans from him. Jin smiled and licked his lips, before he leaned in again and---
"Papa."
Jin froze and felt all blood rushing from his loins to his head. He turned his face to look over the backrest of the couch and saw Natsuki standing in the door frame, her eyes half-lidded.
"Natsuki", he choked out and swallowed, as he slid off of Kazuya. He had probably never been turned off this quickly, Jin thought and hurried over to her. Not even an ice-cold shower could have had the effect his daughter had just made. "Did you have a bad dream?"
She shook her head and looked over to the couch. "Is Kazu-nii sick?"
Jin managed a small laugh. "No, of course not."
"I heard it", she said and moved past Jin. "Kazu-nii sounded like he was in pain."
Heard? Jin went pale. She had heard all of this? "Baby..."
She stopped next to the couch and looked at Kazuya who had sat up and had covered himself with the blanket. "Kazu-nii", she said and looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Kazuya looked as much in distress as Jin, but he managed to smile. "I am alright. I just..." He threw a look at Jin and back to Natsuki. "I need to use the bathroom", he murmured and got up, hurrying out of the room.
Jin looked after him and closed his eyes, supressing an annoyed sigh. Natsuki came back to him and put a hand to his cheek. “Papa has a fever.”
Jin shook his head and took her hand. “I’m fine. Shouldn’t we go back to bed?”
Natsuki threw a look to the door, where Kazuya had disappeared. “Is Kazu-nii okay?”
Jin doubted that, but at the moment, he couldn’t help Kazuya out - as much as he wanted, he really couldn’t. “He’s okay. Don’t worry. Come”, he said then and lifted her up, carrying her back to the bedroom.
The sheets had Kazuya’s scent and Jin thought for a moment that this time, he would really go insane, but instead, he concentrated on Natsuki’s breathing and tried to push the images and feelings from before aside.
He heard Kazuya coming back from the bathroom and bit his lip, held his breath for a moment to hear every noise.
Natsuki drifted back into sleep and Jin kept staring at the ceiling, wondering if Kazuya just did the same.
Jin woke up, as he smelled fresh coffee.
He wanted to close his eyes again and just drift back into sleep, as it had been way too short. But, as he opened his eyes, he remembered where exactly he was.
Natsuki was still sleeping and a look at the alarm clock told Jin it was merely six in the morning.
He sat up and quietly rolled out of bed, leaving the room on his toes to not wake his daughter.
In the kitchen, he saw Kazuya standing at the working desk, filling a mug with coffee. Jin watched him for a moment, as Kazuya wore nothing but shorts and a shirt - and all memories of the last night came back in an instant.
Unfortunately, he wouldn’t have a choice to end what they had started.
Kazuya turned and froze, as he saw Jin in the doorframe. He stared at him for a moment, before he went to a cupboard and got out a second mug.
“Morning”, he said and handed a mug to Jin.
Jin nodded and took it, remaining standing in the doorframe.
Kazuya sat down at the table.
For a few minutes, silence stretched between them, as they both nipped their coffees and avoided looking at each other.
“I am sorry”, Jin said then. “For… about, about last night.”
Kazuya looked up. “It was my fault for even just giving in”, he murmured.
Jin bit his lip and shuffled over to sit across from Kazuya.
“Just how much…” God, this was awkward, Kazuya thought and looked at his mug. “Did she see it all?”
Jin shrugged. “I have no idea just how much of it she actually saw.” He swallowed and took another sip of his coffee. “She said she heard it - that you were in pain.” Closing his eyes, Jin palmed his face. “But, I have no idea just how much she really heard, saw or actually grasped.”
Kazuya raised his look to Jin and bit his lip, before he couldn’t hold it anymore and started to laugh.
Jin gave him an indignant look.
“Just…” Kazuya tried to say something, but he still laughed uncontrollably. “She doesn’t even have an idea, just how painful it was exactly.”
Jin raised a brow. “I don’t think this is funny.”
Kazuya giggled and shook his head. “It shouldn’t be.”
“Well, you won’t have to answer her questions”, Jin mumbled.
“Luckily, that’s your part”, Kazuya agreed. He got up then and brought his mug to the sink. “You can stay as long as you like. I’ll meet Ueda at eight and can bring some fresh clothes for Natsuki, if you want me to. I’d be back at about…”
“Don’t go”, Jin interrupted him. He hadn’t looked up from the table and his words were quiet.
Kazuya frowned slightly. “It’s about business. He suggested doing something like those Christmas parties in Tokyo for Osaka, too.”
Jin looked up now. “It’s your day off, isn’t it? You shouldn’t go meet him on business matters.”
Kazuya tilted his head and looked at Jin for a long moment. “How do you know it is my day off?”
Jin shrugged. “I…”
“Jin”, Kazuya said and crossed his arms. “How do you know?”
“I had Koki report a few things to me”, Jin mumbled. “I just wanted to make sure you’re fine.”
Kazuya walked back over to the table. “You had Koki observe me?”
Shaking his head, Jin got up, too. “I just told him to watch out for you a little, as I obviously couldn’t?”
Kazuya took a deep breath, before he turned and walked out of the room.
“Kazuya, listen”, Jin said, as he followed him. “I just wanted to be sure nothing would happen to you. I didn’t mean to…”
Kazuya turned, as they stood in his home office and handed Jin a sheet of paper. “You’ll sign this now. I seriously had enough.”
Jin stared at the resignation form and shook his head. “I can’t let you resign.”
“And I can’t let you control my life. I had enough of being watched and stalked and I really don’t need you to protect me from anything, Jin.” He gripped a pen and shoved it into Jin’s hand. “Sign the damn form now.”
Jin looked up at Kazuya and his look got cold, as he tore the paper.
Calmly, Kazuya gave Jin a cold stare, before he rounded the table and started his laptop. “I can print it a million times.”
“I won’t sign it”, Jin said and approached Kazuya. “I am not letting you go.”
“You did, Jin”, Kazuya corrected him. “You were the one to send me away, if you please remember.”
Jin fell silent and remained standing in his spot, staring at Kazuya.
“I need to get ready”, Kazuya murmured and pushed past Jin.
“Don’t”, Jin said and gripped Kazuya’s wrist. “Don’t meet Ueda.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said calmly. “I am not afraid of that guy anymore. He can’t do anything to me; he’s been bluffing all along.” He pulled his wrist from Jin’s grip. “And I am not as stupid as to meet him alone. Kensaku will be coming, too.”
Jin looked up and took Kazuya’s shoulders. “That doesn’t really make me feel relaxed about it. Don’t meet them, Kazuya.”
Kazuya gripped Jin’s wrists to pull his hands from Kazuya’s shoulders, but Jin just held on tighter. “I don’t have feelings for Kensaku anymore, Jin”, he murmured. “I’m not meeting him to get over you.”
Jin shook his head and looked at Kazuya’s face. “Don’t meet him”, he repeated slowly and serious.
Kazuya was about to answer, but then, he noticed Jin’s look and his heart dropped, his hands got cold, his lips numb and he tightened his fingers around Jin’s wrists.
“It’s him”, Kazuya realised and he licked his lips, as they had suddenly gone dry. “It’s Kensaku.”
Jin stared back into Kazuya’s eyes and he knew he couldn’t turn back anymore - he had to tell the truth now. Every part of it.
He had to tell the whole truth and, he had to accept what that meant. Kazuya would get what he wanted. If Jin told him the truth now, he would have to sign that paper, too and let Kazuya go for good.
And never see him again.
----------------------------------------------
.... I think there are still a million questions. What exactly is going on between Kensaku and Jin then and why was Kensaku with Kazuya before and exactly what made Jin obey to Kensaku? And what about Ryo's strange behaviour?
It'll all come next chap... Promise :)
Thank you so much for reading! ♥
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: The first impression counts and Kazuya's first impression of Jin is not the best. However, Jin is determined to get to know Kazuya - and Kazuya makes up a few lies, which suddenly become huge... And then, the tide is turning.
A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I lived in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.
I am sorry for having not yet replied to any comments to the last chap. I am a loser! But I appreciate every single word you guys leave me and I hope you all know that!
So... this chap finally gives some answers and probably some fluff (although, I might have promised a bit too much ^^;;;..) ♥
Enjoy it! ♥
Previous Chapters:
First Lie: Who am I?
Second Lie: Find Me
Third Lie: Exposed
Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Fifth Lie: More of You
Sixth Lie: Not My Fault
Seventh Lie: Out of Reach
Eighth Lie: Leaving You
Ninth Lie: Hold On
Tenth Lie: Secret
Eleventh Lie: Broken Lovers
Twelfth Lie: Worry About You
Thirteenth Lie: I Won't
Fourteenth Lie: Only My Illursion
Fifteenth Lie: Heavy Damage
Sixteenth Lie: Too Close
Seventeenth Lie: Cutting Ties
Eighteenth Lie: Torn
Nineteenth Lie: Missing Piece
Jin was unreasonable. Irresponsible.
Kazuya looked at his mobile phone and Jin’s name, with his number beneath, before he put it away and rolled over in his bed.
It was Sunday morning, two weeks had passed and Kazuya’s plan of cutting all ties with Jin had worked pretty well so far.
However, there was one thing Jin should have contacted Kazuya about - his letter of resignation.
Jin needed to sign the papers for Kazuya to officially quit the position, but Jin had not sent them back. Until then, Kazuya couldn’t do anything, but work on.
He sighed, as he stared up to the ceiling.
Jin really was unreasonable.
He made it worse for both of them; worse and harder and more difficult.
Kazuya could have disappeared from Jin’s life completely by now. Instead, he was still here, working for Jin, at Jin’s hotel.
His mobile started ringing and Kazuya wanted to turn and ignore it - it was not even seven in the morning, anyway. But then, he reached out for it and checked the ID. Upon reading Jin’s name, he quickly answered it.
“You have some nerves to actually call”, Kazuya said enraged. “I’m serious about quitting, so just get the papers signed and…”
“Kazuya.”
He fell silent and sat up slowly. Jin’s voice was thin and low. “What’s wrong?”
Jin took a deep, shaky breath. “Tell me, you were just too angry to call me and that she’s with you.”
Kazuya frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I have no idea where she is. She is gone”, Jin whispered and fear was apparent in his voice. “She has to be with you.”
Kazuya’s heartbeat sped up. Natsuki - Jin talked about Natsuki. “I’m in Osaka, Jin. There is no way she could be with me.”
“I’m going insane”, Jin said. “Her bed is empty, she is not here.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said. “Did you search the house? Everywhere?”
“Do you think I am stupid”, Jin snapped at him. “Of course I did. She is not here. She is gone. She is gone, Kazuya.”
“I’m…” Kazuya swallowed thickly and he was out of bed in seconds, gripping a few clothes. “I’m coming.”
“No”, Jin said immediately. “You mustn’t.”
“Jin, if Natsuki disappeared, I am not going to sit here and…”
“You mustn’t”, Jin repeated. “I’ll find her myself.”
Kazuya stopped his motions and bit his lip. “She probably just went outside to play”, he murmured then. "Or she’s… playing some game with Mi-chan, visiting a friend, or…” He ran out of possibilities.
“Yeah”, Jin answered, his voice toneless, as they both knew Natsuki wasn’t the type of child that would get ideas like that. “Maybe.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said again. “I could be there in a few hours.”
“You can’t”, Jin answered. “I’ll find her.”
Kazuya blankly stared at the floor, as Jin cut the connection.
He had been in panic, when he had called. Jin must have had searched for Natsuki for a while already, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been in panic already.
Kazuya closed his eyes and tilted his head back, trying to think.
Why would Natsuki disappear like that? She wouldn’t ever run away - after all, she loved Jin and she knew that Jin would do anything for her.
There was no reason for her to run from Jin.
The only possibility… Kazuya swallowed thickly and tried to steady his breathing. The only possibility was that someone had taken her.
Kazuya shuddered and thought about whether he should just go to Tokyo. But, he would give Jin just even more reasons to worry, if he did.
Sighing, he got up again and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower, before he got dressed, fed Vanilla and left his flat then to get to the hotel.
Work was the best distraction - and distraction was what Kazuya needed now.
The hotel was rather quiet, as he arrived. A few guests were already having breakfast and Kazuya checked back on the kitchen, taking lists with grocery orders from the chefs and having some small talk with the kitchen staff.
In his office, his look always flew back to the phone, his mobile was always close by and whenever he went out, he told the receptionist to tell him immediately should Jin call.
However, Jin didn’t call and Kazuya’s anxiousness just rose with every minutes passing.
As it was almost five, he couldn’t hold back anymore and dialled in Jin’s number.
“What?”
Jin’s tone already revealed it, but Kazuya still asked. “Could you find her?”
“No, I’ve been through every part of the city. She’s nowhere to be found.”
Kazuya swallowed. “Did anyone… call?”
Jin didn’t answer for a moment and Kazuya knew Jin was aware of what Kazuya thought. “No one contacted me.”
“Jin, she’s been missing for half a day now. I can’t stay here without doing anything.”
“There’s nothing you could do”, Jin answered.
“I’m worried sick.”
“I know that.” Jin’s voice got a little softer. “I know you are.”
“Let me help you”, Kazuya offered again.
“Kazuya”, Jin said quietly, but serious. “I can’t take that right now. I can’t worry about that at the moment. Not now.”
Kazuya fell silent.
“I… I’m afraid something might has happened to her. It’s my fault if anything happened.”
“Jin…”
“I can’t do this right now; I need to find Natsuki”, Jin just said. “I just have to find her.”
Kazuya didn’t say anymore and Jin cut the connection again.
This was just ridiculous, Kazuya thought and got up. There was no way in hell that he would stay here now. He just had to go to Tokyo.
Kazuya just couldn't sit here and wait for Jin to call him - he had to go and help him find Natsuki.
Leaving the office, he dialled in Koki's number. "Koki", he said, as he reached him. "You need to come to the hotel."
"What?" Koki sounded confused. It was his day off, after all.
“I have to go to Tokyo right now”, Kazuya answered. “Natsuki disappeared. I have to go.”
“I’ll be there in twenty”, Koki just answered and Kazuya hung up.
He rushed to the lift and pressed the button, before he turned, as someone gripped his arm.
Ryo gave him a curious look.
Kazuya had almost forgotten he was still here. It had been two weeks already and Kazuya had assumed at first that Ryo would stay just about a few days.
“Did I just hear that right?”
Kazuya nodded and swallowed thickly.
Ryo stared at him for a moment. “You can’t go to Tokyo, Kamenashi”, he said then.
“I don’t think you can estimate that.”
Ryo nodded. “Yes, I can. I won’t let you go to Tokyo.”
Kazuya frowned, as the doors to the lift opened behind him. “You have nothing to tell me, actually.”
“I’m saying you’re not going”, Ryo repeated harshly and gripped Kazuya’s arm tighter.
Kazuya was about to answer and snap back, as he saw a police officer come through the main entrance and a second one followed - Natsuki on his arms.
“Natsuki”, Kazuya gasped and dashed off.
As he reached the two men, Natsuki struggled from the officer’s grip and Kazuya pulled her into his arms, pressing her close to his chest. “Natsuki”, he repeated against her hair.
“We assume she’s your daughter”, one of the officer’s asked.
Kazuya stared at them, while Natsuki nuzzled against him.
“We found her at the train station in Umeda, where she boarded a train to Tokyo”, the police man explained. “She told us her father is working for Redline.”
Kazuya took a deep breath. “Well…”
“Why didn’t you file a missing person’s report?”
“That one has most likely been filed in Tokyo”, Kazuya answered. “She’s not my daughter. Her father is the owner of Redline Hotels, Akansihi Jin. He’s living in Tokyo.”
The police officer frowned. “In Tokyo? Are you telling me she came all the way from Tokyo?”
Kazuya nodded and soothingly ran his thumb over Natsuki’s nape.
“However, we checked all missing reports nationwide and she didn’t fit any profile. She wasn’t reported missing”, the man said. “We have to take her back to the police station, until a relative comes to pick her up.”
Natsuki whined and wound her arms around Kazuya’s neck, holding on tighter.
“Shhh”, Kazuya murmured and stroke her back. “It’s alright, baby. I’ll come with you.”
“I’m sorry”, the officer said. “But we can’t allow that. We need to put the girl’s safety first.”
“I’ll…” Kazuya got out his mobile phone. “I’ll call her father.”
The officer nodded.
Kazuya put the phone to his ear and adjusted Natsuki on his other arm, as he waited for Jin to pick up.
“Seriously, Kazuya”, Jin answered the phone. “Stop calling me every ten minutes; I’m going insane.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said calmly.
“I haven’t found her. I can’t find her”, Jin just kept on talking. “He’s probably got her and I won’t have a chance of saving her. She’s only six, damn it, Kazuya. How am I supposed to…”
“Jin”, Kazuya repeated; firmer and urgent.
Jin fell silent.
“She’s here. She’s with me”, Kazuya went on. “I have her.”
“I’m on my way”, Jin just answered.
“Jin, listen”, Kazuya said, still in the urgent tone he had used before. “The police are here and they are taking her back to the station. So, you need to tell them it’s okay for me…” He hesitated. “For me or Koki to accompany them, or else they take her alone.”
“Let me talk to them”, Jin said and Kazuya handed over the phone.
He watched the officer, while he talked to Jin and kept stroking Natsuki’s back the whole time, holding her close.
“I’m sorry”, she murmured against Kazuya’s neck and he closed his eyes for a moment.
“Your Papa is going to be so angry with you”, Kazuya said. “How could you run away?”
Natsuki curled her fingers into the fabric of Kazuya’s jacket. “I wanted to be with Kazu-nii.”
“He wants to talk to you”, the officer said suddenly and handed the phone back to Kazuya. He saw Koki come into the lobby in that moment.
“Jin?”
“I talked to them”, Jin said, his voice still troubled. “As she’s obviously familiar with you, I could get them to agree that she can stay with you. However, you have to take her to your flat and stay with her, until I come to pick her up. I’ll report back to the police, once I’m in Osaka.”
Koki stopped next to them and threw a look from Natsuki to the officers.
“Okay”, Kazuya said. “Fine. I’ll take her home.”
“I’m practically on my way”, Jin answered.
“Jin.” Kazuya quickly glanced up at the people around them, but then, decided that he didn’t care. “She is safe now. I’m with her. So, be careful. You don’t need to rush unnecessarily.”
“I’ll be there as soon as possible”, Jin just answered and Kazuya hung up.
“We’ll accompany you to your flat”, the officer said. “Just to make sure.”
Kazuya nodded, before he turned to Koki. “I’m sorry”, he said. “I’ll pay back the favour sometime soon.”
Koki shook his head. “I don’t mind. I’m happy nothing has happened to her.”
Nodding again, Kazuya turned back to the police officers. “I have to get my wallet and keys.” He smiled at Natsuki then. “Could you stay with Koki for a moment? I’ll be back in a minute.”
She nodded and Kazuya put her to her feet, before he went off to get his things. He spotted Ryo still standing at the lift, observing them. As Kazuya came back from his office, he was gone and for a moment, Kazuya wondered what that had been about.
Why would Ryo not let him go to Tokyo?
He forgot the thought, however, when he approached the policemen again and took Natsuki’s hand, following them outside.
When he reached his flat, she had almost fallen asleep next to him in his car.
He showed the officer that had followed them up to his flat and as bid him goodbye politely, thanked him, apologised for the trouble.
Natsuki sat on his sofa and looked at him, her posture tired.
“Hey, love”, Kazuya said, as sat next to her. “Are you hungry?”
She nodded and looked at him with round eyes.
“Come on, we’ll check the kitchen for what I could make you, okay?”
Natsuki followed him and he sat her on one of the chairs at the table, before he got some ingredients together for an omelette.
“Is Papa going to yell at me?”
“You can bet he will”, Kazuya answered and turned to her, while he stirred the eggs in bowl.
She bit her lip and lowered her head.
“Natsuki”, Kazuya said and put the bowl down, walking over to her. “He’s going to be angry. But, only because he’s been very, very worried for you.”
She sniffled. “Papa said I can’t meet Kazu-nii anymore. So, I… I… I just wanted…”
Kazuya patted her head. “It’s fine. I understand” He smiled at her, as he put a finger under her chin and raised her face. “I understand, Natsuki. And Papa will understand it, too. He loves you and he’s worried, when you disappear like that. You’re his most precious daughter.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Come on now, don’t cry anymore”, Kazuya said and gently stroked a tear from her cheek. “I’ll make you an omelette and then, Papa will be here soon to pick you up.”
She nodded and ran a hand over her eyes.
Kazuya got back to beat the eggs and kept talking to Natsuki to calm her down. He watched her, while she ate and was glad to see her come back to her usual self, as she started to talk to him and tell him about what she had done during the past weeks.
Later, Kazuya took her to the living room and they watched a children’s programme on TV. Kazuya let her cuddle up to him and held her in his arms, gently caressed her hair and back, until he noticed she had fallen asleep.
The doorbell rang, when Kazuya had just put her to bed. He took a deep breath, before he hurried over and opened it.
Jin was soaked, his hair was dripping and clutched to his face. He looked at Kazuya and was a little out of breath.
“Where is she?”
Kazuya stepped aside and let Jin walk in. “She’s just fallen asleep.”
Jin got out of his shoes and didn’t even look at Kazuya once more, before he dashed inside and to the bedroom.
Kazuya bit his lip, as he closed the door and hesitated to follow Jin. As he came to the bedroom, he saw Natsuki sit up in the bed and stare at Jin with round eyes. She wore one of Kazuya’s t-shirts and looked so tiny and lost.
Jin leaned in and took her shoulders, shaking her slightly. “Are you out of your mind?” He looked into her face and Kazuya couldn’t see Jin’s expression, but it had to be very angry, as Natsuki looked scared. “Do you even have an idea how much I worried? Do you know what you did?”
Natsuki’s bottom lip started to tremble and she nodded slightly. Jin sighed heavily and framed her face.
“Don’t ever do that again”, he just said and pulled her in, holding her close.
“Papa, you’re cold and wet”, Natsuki murmured, but held on to him.
Kazuya got a towel from the bathroom and as he came back, he saw Jin kissing Natsuki’s forehead. Kazuya spread the towel over Jin’s shoulders and made him turn with that.
“You should take a shower and change”, Kazuya said.
Jin looked back at Natsuki and took the towel to dry off her face and hair. Then, he got up. “I’ll talk to Kazuya for a moment, okay?”
She nodded and lay back down, watching them leave the room.
In the living room, Jin dried off his hair and looked at Kazuya then. “I’ll take her to the hotel.”
Kazuya looked down. “I don’t mind you staying. She’s in bed already, anyways.”
Jin gave him a long look.
“Listen”, Kazuya said slowly. “You’ll take a shower now, change into some dry clothes and then, you can join her. I’ll take the couch. It’s really not a problem.”
Nodding, Jin fidgeted the towel in his hands. “Fine.”
Kazuya turned and got a t-shirt and shorts from his bedroom, handing them to Jin. “I can make you something to eat, too.”
Jin shook his head, as he gripped the clothes. “It’s fine. Thanks.”
Nodding, Kazuya showed Jin to the bathroom and gave him a second towel, a new toothbrush and left then.
He heard Jin come back out of the bathroom, when he prepared the couch for himself and looked up. When Jin didn’t come into the living room, Kazuya went over to the bedroom and saw Jin standing a few feet from the bed, watching Natsuki sleep.
His posture looked so broken and tired, so Kazuya went over and stopped right behind Jin.
He smelled of Kazuya’s shampoo and his skin still glimmered wet.
“What makes a child run away from home?” Jin’s voice was quiet.
Kazuya bit his lip. “She didn’t run away. She never wanted to get away from you, Jin.”
Jin lowered his head and shook it slightly.
Taking the last few steps, Kazuya stopped behind Jin and put his head to the back of Jin’s shoulder. Jin gripped Kazuya’s hand and laced their fingers, while he kept watching Natsuki.
Kazuya wanted to ask so many questions; he had so much on his mind. Why had Jin not reported Natsuki missing and whom had he been talking about on the phone? Who had he thought had taken Natsuki away from him?
But, he also knew that this was not the moment to ask them.
He drew back and looked at Jin. “Good night, Jin.”
Jin turned to him and gave him a tired look. “Thanks.” He let go of Kazuya’s hand.
“Good night.”
Jin lay awake and caressed Natsuki’s cheek. He kept watching her sleep, as he just wouldn’t find peace to fall asleep, too.
About an hour ago, he had heard Kazuya going to bed, too, and the thought that he lay on that couch just in the next room, made Jin even uneasier.
He held it for a bit longer, but then, Jin just got up and quietly left the room, throwing looks back at Natsuki and leaving the door open, so he would hear her, should she wake up.
Kazuya peacefully slept on the couch, curled up beneath a light blanket. He had his hair tied back in a messy knot and Jin touched it lightly, as he sat down on the edge of the couch.
Running a finger down Kazuya’s temple, Jin smiled and rested it over Kazuya’s neck, on his vein.
“You’re awake, aren’t you?”
Kazuya slowly opened his eyes and looked at Jin, found his eyes immediately. Jin’s finger resumed moving downwards and he circled it over Kazuya’s collarbone. Kazuya’s lips parted and he licked them, before Jin leaned in and caught them in a slow, sloppy kiss.
Kazuya returned it at first, but then, pushed Jin's shoulder lightly, until he drew back. “This is the last thing we should do.”
Jin pressed his lips together, just inches from Kazuya’s and he shrugged, leaning in again.
Kazuya held him back, finding Jin’s look. "Don't", he murmured.
"Just until I've calmed down", Jin answered and adjusted himself next to Kazuya. "Just for a bit."
Kazuya didn't answer, only kept looking at Jin with keen eyes. But, as Jin leaned in again, he didn't fight it, didn't protest and let Jin kiss him again.
It was slow and soothing and while they were kissing, they kept up eye contact. Jin's hand slid into Kazuya's hair and he opened the knot, running his fingers through the brunette strands, while he propped himself on his other arm to change the angle of their kiss.
Kazuya shifted to his back and made more space for Jin, let him sprawl over Kazuya. He moaned slightly, as the kiss got more heated up and deeper.
Jin shivered, as Kazuya's hands ran down his sides and gripped his hips. He looked into Kazuya's eyes again and found them dark and shadowed. Slowly, his hand slid between them and beneath the waistline of Kazuya's shorts.
Kazuya gasped and buried his fingers in the skin of Jin's sides, beneath his shirt. He murmured Jin's name and bit his chin lightly, before Jin's mouth found his again.
Jin felt Kazuya growing harder in his hand and he licked his bottom lip, before he rose to strip off his shirt. Dropping it to the floor, he looked down at Kazuya and ran his fingertips over Kazuya’s chest to his stomach, coaxing light moans from him. Jin smiled and licked his lips, before he leaned in again and---
"Papa."
Jin froze and felt all blood rushing from his loins to his head. He turned his face to look over the backrest of the couch and saw Natsuki standing in the door frame, her eyes half-lidded.
"Natsuki", he choked out and swallowed, as he slid off of Kazuya. He had probably never been turned off this quickly, Jin thought and hurried over to her. Not even an ice-cold shower could have had the effect his daughter had just made. "Did you have a bad dream?"
She shook her head and looked over to the couch. "Is Kazu-nii sick?"
Jin managed a small laugh. "No, of course not."
"I heard it", she said and moved past Jin. "Kazu-nii sounded like he was in pain."
Heard? Jin went pale. She had heard all of this? "Baby..."
She stopped next to the couch and looked at Kazuya who had sat up and had covered himself with the blanket. "Kazu-nii", she said and looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Kazuya looked as much in distress as Jin, but he managed to smile. "I am alright. I just..." He threw a look at Jin and back to Natsuki. "I need to use the bathroom", he murmured and got up, hurrying out of the room.
Jin looked after him and closed his eyes, supressing an annoyed sigh. Natsuki came back to him and put a hand to his cheek. “Papa has a fever.”
Jin shook his head and took her hand. “I’m fine. Shouldn’t we go back to bed?”
Natsuki threw a look to the door, where Kazuya had disappeared. “Is Kazu-nii okay?”
Jin doubted that, but at the moment, he couldn’t help Kazuya out - as much as he wanted, he really couldn’t. “He’s okay. Don’t worry. Come”, he said then and lifted her up, carrying her back to the bedroom.
The sheets had Kazuya’s scent and Jin thought for a moment that this time, he would really go insane, but instead, he concentrated on Natsuki’s breathing and tried to push the images and feelings from before aside.
He heard Kazuya coming back from the bathroom and bit his lip, held his breath for a moment to hear every noise.
Natsuki drifted back into sleep and Jin kept staring at the ceiling, wondering if Kazuya just did the same.
Jin woke up, as he smelled fresh coffee.
He wanted to close his eyes again and just drift back into sleep, as it had been way too short. But, as he opened his eyes, he remembered where exactly he was.
Natsuki was still sleeping and a look at the alarm clock told Jin it was merely six in the morning.
He sat up and quietly rolled out of bed, leaving the room on his toes to not wake his daughter.
In the kitchen, he saw Kazuya standing at the working desk, filling a mug with coffee. Jin watched him for a moment, as Kazuya wore nothing but shorts and a shirt - and all memories of the last night came back in an instant.
Unfortunately, he wouldn’t have a choice to end what they had started.
Kazuya turned and froze, as he saw Jin in the doorframe. He stared at him for a moment, before he went to a cupboard and got out a second mug.
“Morning”, he said and handed a mug to Jin.
Jin nodded and took it, remaining standing in the doorframe.
Kazuya sat down at the table.
For a few minutes, silence stretched between them, as they both nipped their coffees and avoided looking at each other.
“I am sorry”, Jin said then. “For… about, about last night.”
Kazuya looked up. “It was my fault for even just giving in”, he murmured.
Jin bit his lip and shuffled over to sit across from Kazuya.
“Just how much…” God, this was awkward, Kazuya thought and looked at his mug. “Did she see it all?”
Jin shrugged. “I have no idea just how much of it she actually saw.” He swallowed and took another sip of his coffee. “She said she heard it - that you were in pain.” Closing his eyes, Jin palmed his face. “But, I have no idea just how much she really heard, saw or actually grasped.”
Kazuya raised his look to Jin and bit his lip, before he couldn’t hold it anymore and started to laugh.
Jin gave him an indignant look.
“Just…” Kazuya tried to say something, but he still laughed uncontrollably. “She doesn’t even have an idea, just how painful it was exactly.”
Jin raised a brow. “I don’t think this is funny.”
Kazuya giggled and shook his head. “It shouldn’t be.”
“Well, you won’t have to answer her questions”, Jin mumbled.
“Luckily, that’s your part”, Kazuya agreed. He got up then and brought his mug to the sink. “You can stay as long as you like. I’ll meet Ueda at eight and can bring some fresh clothes for Natsuki, if you want me to. I’d be back at about…”
“Don’t go”, Jin interrupted him. He hadn’t looked up from the table and his words were quiet.
Kazuya frowned slightly. “It’s about business. He suggested doing something like those Christmas parties in Tokyo for Osaka, too.”
Jin looked up now. “It’s your day off, isn’t it? You shouldn’t go meet him on business matters.”
Kazuya tilted his head and looked at Jin for a long moment. “How do you know it is my day off?”
Jin shrugged. “I…”
“Jin”, Kazuya said and crossed his arms. “How do you know?”
“I had Koki report a few things to me”, Jin mumbled. “I just wanted to make sure you’re fine.”
Kazuya walked back over to the table. “You had Koki observe me?”
Shaking his head, Jin got up, too. “I just told him to watch out for you a little, as I obviously couldn’t?”
Kazuya took a deep breath, before he turned and walked out of the room.
“Kazuya, listen”, Jin said, as he followed him. “I just wanted to be sure nothing would happen to you. I didn’t mean to…”
Kazuya turned, as they stood in his home office and handed Jin a sheet of paper. “You’ll sign this now. I seriously had enough.”
Jin stared at the resignation form and shook his head. “I can’t let you resign.”
“And I can’t let you control my life. I had enough of being watched and stalked and I really don’t need you to protect me from anything, Jin.” He gripped a pen and shoved it into Jin’s hand. “Sign the damn form now.”
Jin looked up at Kazuya and his look got cold, as he tore the paper.
Calmly, Kazuya gave Jin a cold stare, before he rounded the table and started his laptop. “I can print it a million times.”
“I won’t sign it”, Jin said and approached Kazuya. “I am not letting you go.”
“You did, Jin”, Kazuya corrected him. “You were the one to send me away, if you please remember.”
Jin fell silent and remained standing in his spot, staring at Kazuya.
“I need to get ready”, Kazuya murmured and pushed past Jin.
“Don’t”, Jin said and gripped Kazuya’s wrist. “Don’t meet Ueda.”
“Jin”, Kazuya said calmly. “I am not afraid of that guy anymore. He can’t do anything to me; he’s been bluffing all along.” He pulled his wrist from Jin’s grip. “And I am not as stupid as to meet him alone. Kensaku will be coming, too.”
Jin looked up and took Kazuya’s shoulders. “That doesn’t really make me feel relaxed about it. Don’t meet them, Kazuya.”
Kazuya gripped Jin’s wrists to pull his hands from Kazuya’s shoulders, but Jin just held on tighter. “I don’t have feelings for Kensaku anymore, Jin”, he murmured. “I’m not meeting him to get over you.”
Jin shook his head and looked at Kazuya’s face. “Don’t meet him”, he repeated slowly and serious.
Kazuya was about to answer, but then, he noticed Jin’s look and his heart dropped, his hands got cold, his lips numb and he tightened his fingers around Jin’s wrists.
“It’s him”, Kazuya realised and he licked his lips, as they had suddenly gone dry. “It’s Kensaku.”
Jin stared back into Kazuya’s eyes and he knew he couldn’t turn back anymore - he had to tell the truth now. Every part of it.
He had to tell the whole truth and, he had to accept what that meant. Kazuya would get what he wanted. If Jin told him the truth now, he would have to sign that paper, too and let Kazuya go for good.
And never see him again.
----------------------------------------------
.... I think there are still a million questions. What exactly is going on between Kensaku and Jin then and why was Kensaku with Kazuya before and exactly what made Jin obey to Kensaku? And what about Ryo's strange behaviour?
It'll all come next chap... Promise :)
Thank you so much for reading! ♥