A spark of hope (Yama)
Title: A spark of hope
Pairing: Yama, side: Matsumiya, Aiba.
Rating: PG-15 to R (I would rather lean towards R)
Beta: ivenclaire
One-shot
Genre: AU, suspense, crime, romance, bit angst
Summary: Living in a city, ruled by corruption and the police headquarter, Ohno - as a lawyer - has to set every of his steps carefully. But then the chief of the police gets killed and the main suspect is a young man called Sakurai Sho. It takes Ohno only one look at him to know that it wasn't him. With the help of his spies within the police, Nino and Jun, he tries to uncover the truth and gets drawn deeper and deeper into the horrible reality behind this incident.
Warnings: Mentions of sex and some dark topics.
Note: Requested b nekochan_lia. I hope this is what you wanted! I wasn't all that sure if this is how you pictured everything, so I really hope you'll like it <3
Ohno had almost forgotten it. How it feels to fall in love with someone. He has even forgotten how it is to be attracted to someone, to feel sympathy, to feel pity.
Love is so far away for him that he doesn’t even dare to think about it. That it actually doesn’t come to his mind.
The more it surprised him that it took him only one look into Sho’s eyes to make his heart beat faster. It happened so unexpectedly that it startled him. He felt sick.
He is a guy who has never loved. And never been loved. So, why is it him, out of all, to fall for such a messed up guy?
~~~
If anything, you could describe Matsumoto Jun as shady, but dedicated to his work and his incredible high sense of justice. Ohno has no idea how this guy could be both, at his side and at the same time pretend to be at the police' side.
And there is Nino too. It is strange how they always stick together, pretending to be the weird and nerdy police pair, while in reality, they are able to solve more cases than their colleagues. Just that they wouldn’t always tell them.
If they needed to find something out for Ohno, they would.
Maybe he could call them his spies, but they aren’t his. And frankly speaking, they are also not spies, they just do what they think is right.
He knew that Nino became a police officer because his parents were killed and he wanted to get some justice.
And Jun grew up as an orphan, in an orphanage where children were treated in a horrible way. It was his sense of justice that made him choose this job.
That’s why they work together so well. Both of them ve the same goal: They want to do what they think is right.
Justice…
~~~
The first time Ohno saw Sho was on TV, when they showed his picture next to the headline: Police found the murderer of Yamamoto Keisuke, the police headquarter chief!
But it took Ohno only one look into this man’s eyes to know that he didn’t do it.
~~~
“Tsk,” Jun’s expression was one of deepest despise. “It’s not like anyone even misses Yamamoto. He was a disgusting guy, molesting every female secretary and also some of the male ones. Corrupt. Bribing people when they don’t want to do what he wants them to do.”
“Yep.” Nino leaned back, tugging at his cigarette. The way the smoke circled his and Jun’s frame made them look almost mysterious. “If it was really this Sakurai-guy, I should actually visit him and thank him.”
“It wasn’t him.” Ohno said all of a sudden. He had listened to his two friends - or whatever they were to him, partners in fate maybe - but now he needed them to listen.
“How do you know?”
“I know.” Ohno answered calmly, his eyes looking at them firmly, a dark and dangerous spark in them.
There was silence between them, before Jun smirked, “Well, he will need a lawyer.”
“They won’t let him choose one by himself.” Ohno argued. “I can’t just head there and ask to defend him. These disgusting bastards are taking every right from him.”
“They might already know that it wasn’t him…” Jun mused and there was clear anger in his voice, if not even hate.
“Why are you even so interested?” Nino wanted to know, slight suspicion in his voice.
Ohno smiled without actually laughing. It was a dangerous and disgusted expression he was wearing. “Maybe I’ve had my share of this Yamamoto-san too. Even if Sakurai is the culprit - which he is not - I would want to get him out of this. I just need them to choose me for his defence.”
“Let that be our problem.” Nino answered dryly, leaning back in his seat. He took another cigarette, a smug look in his eyes. “Coincidentally, I know that Kitamura, who’s part of the headquarters, or rather one of the main judges, has a very certain interest in a very certain guy…”
“A very certain guy?”
“Yes.” Jun furrowed his brows dangerously. “I’ll be very eager to offer him my services.”
Ohno knew that he shouldn’t ask this from Jun or Nino. That it was wrong. But he couldn’t say no. He wants to see these guys around Yamamoto fall no matter what. And judging by the look in Jun’s and Nino’s eyes, he knew they want the same.
~~~
Jun didn’t only feel slightly disgusted when Kitamura did these things to him, a lot. It’s not like he isn’t used to it. He could lock all the feelings like hate and disgust, pain and anger deep into his heart and only show these men a seductive smile, pretending like he actually enjoyed what they were doing to him.
Instead of yelling at them, he moaned. Instead of hitting them, he dropped down on his knees, sucking them off. Instead of crying and telling them to stop, he said more.
At the end of the day, Jun mostly had forgotten who he was disgusted with, these guys for being so easily seduced, for their sick minds and the things they did to him, because they couldn’t do it in their real life (It’s never soft and pleasant sex). Or disgusted with himself for playing along with this game.
But it doesn’t matter. He made sure that he dropped Ohno’s name several times so that he caught Kitamura’s interest. Jun had played his cards well, saying how Ohno was siding with the police most of the time and would most likely not be a good defence for Sakurai. Considering that these guys wanted Sakurai Sho to be announced guilty, it is better to make them believe that Ohno wouldn’t defend him well.
He was sure that it worked out for them. These guys are so easy to manipulate…
Kitamura fell asleep soon after he had finished off and Jun crawled out of the bed. He didn’t need much time to find what he was searching for. It was a piece of cake to find the required documents. The rest he would leave to Nino…
~~~
Ohno looked at the papers thoroughly, deep furrows on his forehead. A few hours ago Jun had dropped by and handed him these. Apparently, he had done some extra work, not only trying to get him chosen as Sakurai’s defence, but also gathered some more information about Sakurai, this whole incident, Yamamoto, and where he went to regularly. But there are some gaps in these documents which Ohno was suspicious of immediately. Yamamoto was killed on his way home, no witnesses, nothing. But since when did the police chief walk home all alone instead of taking a taxi? Or call his chauffeur?
But it isn’t only the place he was found, there are other bits and pieces, about Sakurai and the circumstances why and how he was caught in this. A guy who was working as a teacher…what was he doing in the middle of the night and at such a place? Isn’t it all very shady? What reasons did he have to kill Yamamoto?
Again, Ohno had the highest doubts that it really was Sakurai. So, if it wasn’t him, did they purposely use him and made him the culprit? But why? What did a normal teacher have to do with the police headquarters?
And if it wasn’t the police’ doing, but Sakurai himself, who was he covering up for?
Yamamoto’s daily routine written down in these documents is almost ridiculous. A pervy disgusting man like Yamamoto for sure wasn’t dedicating his life to his family.
Ohno shook his head. Where did this guy go to regularly? He was well known as someone who liked to buy women and men for sex and to force himself and his wishes on them, even when they didn’t want to.
Ohno leaned back, folding his hands for a moment, his fingertips tapping against each other. He needed to find an answer to all these questions.
And he needed to see Sakurai to make sure if he was guilty or not. It would help him in finding out the truth.
~~~
“Hey,” Nino sat down at the edge of the bathtub in their apartment. “Don’t you think it’s about time to get out of the water? You’ve been sitting there for hours.”
“I need to get rid of the dirt.”
Nino blinked at that, it always makes him feel nervous when Jun says things like that. He is so tough on the outside, but he was way too soft on the inside sometimes. He wonders if he is really fine with the way they were leading their lives together. “You should have let me sleep with him…”
"Nope, you’re not his type.” Jun leaned back, letting the water run over his arms. “Too bony.”
“Yeah, bony?” Nino frowned. “I’ll give you bony!” With that he dropped into the bathtub too, not caring if he was wearing clothes or not. Jun laughed slightly.
It was easy for Nino to make Jun smile. At least he had that going for him.
~~~
"It was me.” Sho bowed deeply. “Sorry for making you go through this trouble.”
Ohno frowned, leaning back to check the other man thoroughly. “What happened to your face? There, next to your eyebrow, there is a cut. And your cheek is bruised.”
“I fell.”
“Yes, of course you did.” Ohno stood up, pointing at the door. “Let’s go.”
“Go?” Sho was surprised. “I’m still in jail. I can’t leave.”
“Yes, you can, because you got me as your defence.” Ohno opened the door, leading the other outside. “You don’t even know who I am, right?”
“No…”
“Good.” Ohno nodded his head. “Maybe it’s better like that. I’ll get you out of this, Sakurai-san.”
Sho paused in his step, eyeing Ohno warily, then he chuckled. “Yes, sure.”
“It’s just natural that you don’t trust me, after all the nice treatment that was given to you here.” Ohno looked around carefully. “They believe that I’m tricking you. That I’ll beat a confession out of you. We have to pretend to play their game. You understand?”
“What?” Sho looked at Ohno carefully. “Are you seriously saying…”
“Later.” Ohno mumbled. “I don’t need someone listening to us. First we have get you to someone who can clean your wounds, then we’ll think of a proper plan.”
~~~
Sho flinched when Nino pressed a cotton pad with a painfully burning liquid against his eyebrow. But he didn’t say anything nor did he complain.
“Sorry.” Jun shrugged helplessly. “We are the best Ohno-kun can afford at the moment. Everyone else would blab. We don’t know which doctor we can trust.”
“Of course. It doesn’t matter. I’m really thankful for your help.” Sho looked at Jun insistently. He had already felt like he knew Nino when he saw him, but Jun’s features were even more specific. He was 100% positive that he had seen him somewhere. “You were one of the police officers.” Sho’s throat felt dry all of a sudden. So, it was a trap? “You were there when they started to beat me up.”
“Yep.” Jun smirked. “I was the one who caused the emergency siren to go off so that everyone had to leave on the spot.”
Sho’s eyes widened in surprise. “So, you aren’t a spy on their side but-”
“We are on Ohno’s side.” Nino ended his sentence, standing up again and linked arms with Jun. “Right, Jun-baby? Better not underestimate us.”
“He is right.” Ohno sighed. “If you underestimate him, he might become a pain in the butt.”
“Uh,” Nino mimicked Ohno’s voice, pretending to be seriously shocked. “Want me to become one? I didn’t know you me like that, Oh-chan~”
“However,” Jun freed his arm from Nino. Much to Sho’s surprise, he was almost looking angry. “We should concentrate on our work.”
“Now he is mad.” Nino grumbled towards Ohno. “What if he punishes me by not sleeping with me tonight!? You shouldn’t have teased him like that.”
“I shouldn’t have teased him.” Ohno sighed slightly. “Right. Of course it’s my fault and not yours.” He smirked devilish. “Have fun tonight, without sex.”
~~~
“I can really stay at your place?” Sho was sincerely surprised. “Why?”
“Because if I let you return, they might not let you go again. And…” Ohno handed Sho some sheets for his futon. “It’s easier for me to keep you under surveillance when you are close to me.”
"So you think I did it?” Sho sounded almost relieved. It was just a tiny tinge in his voice but Ohno didn’t miss it, another sign for him that Sho wasn’t the murderer.
“No.” Ohno answered dryly. “But you might contact someone or do something similar stupid, something that will bring you, me and maybe even someone else in danger.”
Sho paused, looking at Ohno in shock. “You think it’ll bring someone else into a bad situation when I…”
He didn’t finish his sentence but Ohno knew what he wanted to say anyways. This guy is protecting someone. Or something. Just what? Or who? “Yes, don’t do anything reckless now. This is a very difficult case. Only one step into the wrong direction might kill you and those you love.”
~~~
“So you are mad.” Nino analysed when they were lying on their bed. “You don’t want to have sex.”
“Hm,” Jun sighed. “I think I’ve had my share this week.”
“I’ll make you forget about it.” Nino crooned, but to his displeasure, Jun just shrugged him off. “Fine.” he huffed. “Then forget about it.” He turned around and away from Jun. When he suddenly felt two warm arms wrapped around his hips, he smiled contently. “You’re such a softie, Jun.”
“Shut up.”
~~~
Ohno sighed silently. He had been doing this for days now, sitting together with Sho in his living room and discussing with him. He wanted him to spill the truth already, but Sho kept clinging to his stupid story, about how he was on his way back home and met this guy. And because Yamamoto was drunk, he had started to molest and threaten him until Sho had defended himself and pushed him away. It was an accident.
When Ohno asked him why he was still outside so late despite working as a teacher, Sho would always say I went for a drink after school.
“You are seriously saying that a guy like you, correct, responsible, hard-working, was going for a drink into such a shady area?” Ohno leaned back. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
“No.” Sho looked away from Ohno and outside the window. “I don’t think you are stupid.”
“Then why do you keep on telling me this baseless story?” Ohno stood up, walking around the table until he was standing right next to Sho’s chair. He put a hand on his shoulder. “Our time will be running away if you keep on doing that for longer and hold back the truth.”
“But,” for a moment Sho wavered. Obviously, something inside his eyes is flickering, but then he had his stoic expression back. “It was me.”
Sho gasped in shock and slight pain when Ohno suddenly grabbed his collar, pulled him up from his chair and pushed him against the wall. He was surprised that Ohno was actually so strong, his hands holding Sho’s shoulders in a firm grip. “Don’t mess around with me.” Ohno hissed, his eyes sparkling dangerously. He bent forward until his mouth was next to Sho’s ears. “Don’t forget who your friends are. Not telling me the truth won’t save whoever you are protecting. They will get rid of anyone who is connected to you. Don’t underestimate Yamamoto’s men.”
“My, my,” Ohno blinked for a moment when someone patted his shoulder. “You can let go of him now.”
“Jun?”
“Yep.” Jun smirked. “If he doesn’t spill the news, we’ll tell you.”
“What!?” Sho’s eyes widened in shock, but Ohno didn’t take notice of him.
“What did you find out?”
“Well, there is the word going around,” Nino appeared from a dark corner, his eyes gleaming. “That apparently, a young man wanted to see Sakurai-san desperately. He was crying, it seems.”
“It’s only natural that we were interested in him.” Jun added.
“Naturally, we were.” Nino agreed.
“What are you?” Sho grumbled. “The twin-spies.”
Nino put a hand on his chest theatrically. “Twins in our souls. And our sexual preferences. Other than that, we just do our job properly.”
“So, what did you find out?”
“Well,” Jun shrugged. “I could tell you of course.”
Ohno let out a sigh of frustration. He’s never been a fan of this game Jun and Nino liked to play, but he had no other choice but to play along. “So, please tell me.”
“I said I could.” Jun mused.
“But?”
“But why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“He is here!?” Ohno called out in surprise.
Nino snickered when he saw Ohno’s surprised face. “Yes.”
“NO!” Sho called out. “He’s not!!”
Ohno let go of the other man, padding Jun’s arm. “That’s why I love you Jun.”
“Hey!” Nino huffed. “Hands off.”
The other merely smirked. “It’s okay, Nino, he’s all yours. I’m way more interested in the guy you brought along.”
“Good.” Nino nodded his head contently. “You can come in now, Aiba-san.”
Ohno felt how his nerves were so tensed that it almost hurt while he was watching the door expectantly, how it opened slightly and a young man slipped in. His features were pretty, but also very soft. He was a bit taller than the rest of them. Ohno frowned. This guy looked like he couldn’t even kill a fly. What was his connection to this case?
Aiba shifted around nervously, before he turned to face Sho. “I’m sorry, Aniki, I couldn’t stay away.”
“Aniki?” Ohno pulled an eyebrow up when he saw how Jun and Nino were nodding proudly. “Well, so that’s your connection to this case, my boy.”
~~~
"So, lay it on us.” Ohno leaned back, a glass of whisky in his hands. Jun and Nino had joined him, while Aiba preferred a cup of tea. Sho had refused everything, still very angry at the new situation.
“It was me.” Aiba stuttered.
“No it wasn’t!” Sho huffed.
Ohno sighed slightly. “We’ve already figured by now that it was him. So, what happened that night?”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.” Aiba looked at the others in panic. “I mean, it was self-defense. It…”
“Masaki-kun,” Ohno smiled slightly. “Don’t panic. We won’t tell on you. But we need to know what happened to get your brother out of this.”
“What?” Sho looked at him in confusion. “You won’t tell the police what really happened?”
“First of all,” Nino sneered. “the police doesn’t care who it was. They are happy with a scapegoat, which would be you. Second, if they know that you have a brother, he is in danger anyway, because he might know too much.”
“That’s why Ohno-kun wanted you to spill your secret.” Jun patted Ohno’s shoulder. “He’s just not very good with words and emotions, which is why he didn’t tell you his reasons.”
“Besides, Yamamoto was a despicable being, we are not missing him.” Nino shrugged. “Jun and I are fighting against the police for years, especially against their corruption and other dirty stuff. And against Yamamoto’s team. This case might finally solve it all.”
Ohno nodded his head. “They are right, that’s how it is. So from now on, work with us and tell us what happened.”
“How do I know that this isn’t a trap?” Sho wanted to know.
Ohno sighed. “There is no guarantee for you. We can’t prove it. You have to go with your instincts.”
For a moment Sho stayed quiet. He was looking rather pale, the last weeks had gotten down to him. For Ohno, it was quite obvious why he didn’t want his younger brother to be in his position. Aiba might have crumbled under this situation. “You are our last hope.” Sho finally answered. “I’ve no other choice than to believe in you.”
"Good.” Ohno nodded his head contently. “Now tell us, Masaki-kun. What happened?”
“Aniki always picks me up when I was working really late,” Aiba started to explain. “I don’t work every day, so normally he picks me up.
“What’s your job?”
Ohno was surprised when Aiba blushed slightly, but he was even more surprised by the answer he got:
“I’m a host.”
“You’ve to be kidding,” Nino breathed out. “A host?”
“Yes, at Kabukicho.” Aiba explained. “Aniki doesn’t like my work, but I think it’s fun. We are a quite noble and expensive club, so the guests are normally…well, they are not making any problems. But then,” Aiba paused, not sure how to continue.
“But then, one day, you had a new client.” Ohno concluded. “Yamamoto, the head of the police. And let me guess, he was a disgusting, despicable man.”
“Yes.” Aiba agreed almost silently. “But since he was such a dangerous man in a high position, we were told to hang in there and not to upset him. He was horrible… groping and touching and doing stuff we didn’t want to.”
“That’s the time when I started to pick Masaki up regularly.” Sho added tiredly. “He was following him around.”
“Wait a moment.” Ohno sat up in his chair. “He molested also you when you left the Club?”
“Yes, he was always around me, whenever I went home.” Aiba shivered slightly. “I started to be afraid. That’s when Aniki found out."
“And then? What happened later?”
“I told our chief about it, but he was too scared of Yamamoto. I thought of quitting, but this guy knew my address, so I decided to hang in there until he would lose his interest in me.”
“But he didn’t lose his interest.” Sho said bitterly.
“So this specific day, when it happened, Aniki wanted to pick me up, but he was late.”
Ohno glanced towards Sho, seeing how guilt was sparkling in his eyes. “You didn’t make it in time?” he asked carefully.
“No.” Sho lowered his head. “We had a surprise conference at school and I couldn’t leave early. I hoped that Masaki would wait for me, but apparently, the circumstances forced him to leave without me.”
“Yes.” Aiba agreed. “I was afraid that Yamamoto would show up. Now, of course, it sounds stupid, because there were plenty of people around me. It would have been a lot safer to wait there, but I panicked and decided to go home and meet Sho on the way.”
It was silent for a while. Ohno could see how Aiba was tensing, his hands, the skin over his knuckles almost turning white. “He followed you, am I right?”
A nod.
“And he caught up with you?”
“Yes.”
“And this time,” Jun mumbled. “It didn’t stay with the groping or touching, he wanted more. No one was around, it was just the both of you.”
“I didn’t see him at first,” Aiba explained. “Then suddenly someone hit me from behind and I got too dizzy to realize what was happening. The next thing I knew, I was in an empty factory building, all alone with him.”
“He wanted to rape you?”
“He almost did.” Aiba shifted around nervously, grimacing in disgust. “I couldn’t bear it. I wanted to let it happen at first, because I was afraid and I…am not really strong. But I couldn’t.”
“Of course, you couldn’t. It’s only natural to fight.” Nino mumbled.
“So I pushed him away, but he was back immediately, hitting me over and over again. He ripped off my clothes. He even had a knife. And then, he was suddenly half naked and he almost…” Aiba swallowed nervously “…did it. When he was about to… take me… my mind went blank and I just grabbed anything I could reach and threw it at him. I didn’t know that I had hit him with a brick… Then there was blood around me. The next thing I know, Aniki suddenly found me.”
“I was searching for Masaki.” Sho explained. “I hurried home and didn’t find him there. So I went to look for him… And I heard someone screaming when I passed by the factory building. So…”
For a while it was silent around them, no one daring to say anything. Then Ohno cleared his throat. “Are you feeling alright, Masaki-kun?”
“Yes…”
“But you didn’t consult a doctor, did you?” Ohno pushed the topic further.
“No, I couldn’t. After all the fuss, everything happened so fast. When it happened, Sho made me go home immediately and told me that no matter what, I shouldn’t say anything. He would deal with it. Next thing I knew, I saw his picture on TV… as the culprit.”
It was quiet again before Jun looked at Sho and Aiba piercingly. “Did you say that Yamamoto was naked?”
“Well, almost. He was missing his trousers and pants.” Sho nodded his head.
“Right.” Jun sighed. “When they brought his corpse back, he was wearing clothes, his awful red trousers. Not one word about what he did. Of course not.”
“I hate this.” Nino huffed.
“Wait a moment,” Aiba frowned. “He wasn’t wearing red trousers when he was following me.”
“Eh… what?”
“Well, I didn’t pay attention to the details, but he was wearing black clothes.” Aiba sat up all of a sudden. “Wait… I think I might have taken them with me, accidentally, when I took my stuff and hurried home.”
Ohno jumped up when he heard Aiba’s words. “That’s important, Masaki-kun.” He pointed at Nino. “Go with him and pick up the clothes in your apartment. And take everything you need. Once they find out that Sakurai-kun has a brother and that you were Yamamoto’s favourite host, you can’t return there anymore. Make a list so that you don’t forget anything. Personal memories, pictures, clothes, everything you need and like. You won't be able to return there anymore. Meanwhile,” he tilted his head. “I’ll check on the factory building.”
“Good.” Jun turned around to look at Aiba. “Do they have surveillance cameras in your host club?”
“Yes, but I don’t think there will be anything left.”
“I know.” Jun frowned. “The police took everything. Do you have other regulars from Yamamoto’s team?”
“Yes.” Aiba nodded his head. “I can make a list.”
“I’m sure one of them has the tapes, we just need to get the right one.” Jun shifted his head. “Say, Masaki-kun… to work in this Host Club…”
“No.” Nino interrupted him. “You won’t go there. I’ll do it. And you go with Masaki-kun.”
“I’m sorry, Ninomiya-san.” Aiba looked at him warily. “But you are not tall enough.”
“Pardon me?”
“Guys working in my club need to meet the height requirement.”
“Great.” Nino huffed.
“Don’t worry.” Jun patted Nino’s shoulder. “I can pull this off.”
“I know.” Nino sounded almost sad. “That’s not what I’m worried about…”
~~~
“Do you know how it feels when you can’t even protect your family?”
“Oh.” Ohno snorted. “Not at all. In fact, the reason I became who I am now is because of my incredible sense of justice. Not because of incidents in the past.”
“You like being sarcastic when you avoid a topic, am I right?” Sho analysed, smiling warily.
“Maybe.” Ohno admitted, handing Sho a drink. This time the other didn’t refuse. “I’m not a good person or anything even close to good, but I hate these people and I don’t want them to ruin my life or to ruin my friends’ lives. I’m not doing this out of a sense of humanity, but because it almost makes me throw up with anger when I think about what kind of things they do and how they treat other people.”
“So, in a way, you still have a huge sense of justice.” Sho smiled slightly. “I don’t think you need to be a good person to have that.” He paused. “I can’t forgive myself for what happened. It’s all my fault that Masaki got hurt.”
“No, it’s not.” Ohno sighed, patting Sho’s arm. “It wasn’t your fault that you were late. It wasn’t Masaki-kun’s fault for not waiting for you. It was entirely Yamamoto’s fault.”
“You know,” Sho bit down on his lips, not sure how to say what was lying on his shoulders, but then he decided to give it a shot. “Masaki-”
“Hm? What’s with him?”
“He said Yamamoto almost raped him, but I think he did. Not only almost. And it was only in the middle of it that Masaki found a way to push this guy away.” Sho clenched his fingers into his trousers until he almost didn’t feel them anymore. He was surprised when he could feel how Ohno was stroking his back soothingly.
“Yes.” the latter agreed silently. “I think the same.”
~~~
“We are back.” Nino closed the door loudly, letting two king-sized bags drop to the floor. Right next to him, Aiba was pulling along two suitcases. Sho chuckled when he saw them. “Oh dear, little brother, did you bring along all our stuff?”
“Well,” Aiba blushed. “I didn’t want to leave anything behind that we liked. Nino-kun also cleaned up the apartment and removed all the signs of who we are, where we are from, who are connected to us. And stuff like that.”
“Yes, I’m a genius.” Nino grinned smugly. “By the way, Masaki-kun needs to stay at your place. It’s way too dangerous for him to stay with me and Jun.”
“Of course.” Ohno nodded his head. “Dump him here.”
Nino looked around curiously. “Where’s Jun? Still not back?”
“No.” Ohno shrugged. “He called and told me he would be a bit late. Apparently, it was a piece of cake for him to get the job at the host club.”
“Of course.” Nino grumbled. He had actually wanted to voice a lot more complaints, but he got interrupted by Jun walking in on them.
“Yo.” Jun greeted them, chuckling when all four of them looked at him with wide eyes.
“Your hair…” Nino whispered.
“Yep.” Jun brushed through his hair with all five fingers of his right hand, smiling seductively. “Like it?”
“It’s,” Nino swallowed hard. “Okay.”
“Wow.” Aiba breathed out. “You look stunning.”
“Yes, I know.” Jun chuckled. “Your boss wanted me to cut it, because it gives me a taller, more sophisticated look.” He shrugged. “Besides, I look more intimidating with it. Might scare some guys away, at least a bit.”
“Oh, it scares away some guys. Did I say okay?” Nino nodded his head. “In that case, I love it!”
Jun smiled slightly. “Besides, I’m also undercover with it. Hopefully, the others won’t recognize me like this.”
“But what will you do when you are at work?” Ohno wanted to know.
“That’s what I brought this along for.” Jun grinned, angling for a wig and putting it on. It looked almost identical to his former hair, the shoulder-length, slightly curly hair. “Besides, I’ll stick to a sportive look during work. And wear flashy clothes at night.”
“Very well thought.” Ohno nodded in approval.
“Yes,” Nino grumbled. “what a smart guy.”
“Being a bit cranky, aren’t we?” Jun teased, grinning when Nino just ignored him.
~~~
Unlike Jun and Nino, Ohno preferred to work alone. He didn’t want any company when he went to the old factory building. It is better to be alone in such a situation. If something happens, no one else would be pulled into it. And if he needs to make up an excuse or pretend to be someone else, someone who was not snooping around, he is also better off alone.
However, once he came there and checked everything, he had to admit to himself that the police did a proper job in covering up. No signs of a fight. No clothes. No blood. No sperm. No…anything. Actually, there wasn’t even dirt lying around. Someone had cleaned up really properly.
Ohno sighed, walking around the building to see if someone was living close to it. Maybe someone heard Aiba scream for help. Or saw Yamamoto entering the building.
But of course no one was living there, Ohno was pretty sure that Yamamoto had planned this out for a long time, only waiting for a moment to meet Aiba alone. He was also pretty sure that if Sho had continued accompanying Aiba, he would have been killed or gotten rid of in another way.
Ohno was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he almost missed it, a young woman leaning against the fence of the little bridge, looking down into the water.
“Excuse me.” Ohno smiled as warmly as he could when he approached her. “Please don’t be scared, I’m from the police and I’m investigating a case.” Ohno angled for his fake documents, showing it to her. He was glad that it was so dark that she couldn’t see his face properly. Apparently, she didn’t doubt him and just nodded her head. “You are investigating the case about the guy who got raped, right? And who killed the culprit?”
Ohno almost felt how his breath was going to get stuck in his throat, but he needed to stay cool. “Exactly.”
“I’ve told everything to the police.” the young woman smiled slightly, before she frowned in disgust. “That guy was horrible. He pulled this other young guy into the building. I went to check in on them and called the police. I didn’t dare to intervene…”
Ohno nodded his head. “I think it’s right that you didn’t, it might have cost you your life, if you did. Calling the police was the right thing to do.” Yeah, except that the Yamamoto-team was covering for him way too well. Hence, she could have also called the deaf old guy, living down the street. He would have been more of a help.
“I even took photos.” she explained randomly.
“What?” Ohno breathed out, before he put on a warm smile again to not scare her.
“Yes, but my parents sold it to a newspaper company before I could give it to the police. But they told me that they would take care of it.”
“Newspaper company?” Ohno took a deep breath. He is pretty sure that the police did take care of it and got a grip of those photos. However, he is also pretty sure that a well-established or profit-oriented newspaper company wouldn’t let go of such a rare chance and at least hold back a few photos, secretly of course.
~~~
“No way!” Sho breathed out in disbelief. “PHOTOS!?”
“Yes.” Ohno smiled while he patted Sho’s shoulders. “If I’m not completely wrong, the newspaper company still has some photos. Yamamoto’s guys think that with threatening people they get everything… but this one is a very big paper, I bet they played along and gave them most of the photos but kept some of them to themselves. Just in case. They are reporters after all.”
“Of course.” Sho nodded his head eagerly. “That perfectly makes sense.” He glanced towards his brother who was sleeping on the sofa right now. “Just, maybe we should…”
“It’s okay.” Ohno smiled encouragingly. “I won’t tell him. We don’t need to make him remember those events. Come on.” he put his arm around Sho’s shoulder soothingly. “Let’s have a drink together.”
It was surprisingly relaxing to have a drink with Sho. Now that he wasn’t hiding anything anymore, he was more loose and not that stoic. It was interesting for Ohno to see his emotions and his fears and pain.
There is something about Sho that touched his heart. Not because Sho is particularly good or humble or sweet, but because it felt like he is looking into a mirror. Sho resembles him so much. And it made Ohno feel less lonely. He didn’t even know that he felt lonely before, just now that he thought about it that he realized it.
So he didn’t push Sho away once he dozed off, his head dropping against Ohno’s shoulder. Sho’s face was so beautiful, the look in his eyes so strong and deep. For a moment, Ohno almost wished they would be two normal guys, meeting in a random situation.
But they weren’t. None of them was normal. And the situation they were in was the worst.
~~~
“You know,” Aiba looked at Nino tiredly. “What’s the worst?”
“No, what?” The latter lay down next to the young guy, facing the ceiling. He was watching out for Sho and Aiba at the moment, while Jun and Ohno were following the plan they had set up. Hopefully, Ohno would be back soon, then Nino could at least follow Jun secretly.
“To sit here and wait, while you know that others are putting their lives into danger for you and are getting hurt. Like my brother did.”
“I know.” Nino answered silently. “It’s something Jun and I feel all the time.”
“And… while Yamamoto was doing…this thing, I just couldn’t help but think of Sho and how worried and hurt he would be if he knew.” Aiba bit down on his tongue, realizing that he was giving away too much here. “Please don’t tell him.”
“He knows.”
“EH!?
Nino chuckled slightly. “I’m 100% certain that he knows. And he just keeps it a secret so that you wouldn’t feel hurt. He doesn't want you to remember, he wants you to cling to this relieving thought of yours that he doesn't know. Humans are like that, hiding the truth about their feelings just to not hurt someone else.” For a moment, Nino stayed silent before his eyes widened in shock. “Right, they would rather hide their pain instead of showing it to those they love, because they’d think it might hurt the other person. They look at the ones they love with a smile, covering all the pain and fear they are feeling.”
Aiba frowned. “Are we still talking about the same thing?”
Nino blushed slightly. “Yeah…” He patted Aiba’s shoulder. “Maybe you should talk to your brother honestly and tell him how you feel? What use is it to hide everything, especially since you are both hiding it out of the same reason?”
~~~
Kageyama was the head of the newspaper. Ohno had been able to get that information pretty fast. He was also the one who had given the photos to the police. If Ohno knows one thing, it is that if he wants to get this tape, there would be no use in threatening this guy. It might only get him, and hence also Sho in danger. Also bribing him is useless. He needs to approach him in a different way.
“You’re new here?”
Ohno had given his all to stick out. He was wearing a black tight tank top, showing off his muscles. His hair styled properly, dyed black to make him look more edgy. He was surprised that it really seemed to work.
Nino was right, it was really a piece of cake to seduce someone.
“Yes.” Ohno smiled seductively. “I don’t know anyone. Just moved to this district.” He leaned back, playing with his ring to show off his long slender fingers. Kageyama’s eyes were following him, going even further by scanning his whole body. He particularly seemed to like his black long boots. He had borrowed them from Nino, not believing that they would be such an attraction.
It happened rather fast. A hand on his knee all of a sudden, a thumb stroking his leg, almost like it was a coincidence.
Kageyama was suddenly a lot closer to him, bending forward when he said something, whispering it into his ear.
Ohno didn’t particularly like it, but since this was work, he was able to switch his mind off and just follow this guy into his apartment. At least Kageyama was rather pleasant to look at and he wasn’t particularly rough, so he was still lucky, somehow.
Though, sleeping with strangers isn’t his thing. And it took him all his strength and his will to stay focused and pull this through until the end, until the man next to him fell asleep. Ohno waited for a few more minutes to make sure that he was really asleep, then he crawled out of the bed, putting on his clothes again… and proceeding to his work.
~~~
“Found it?”
Ohno was surprised that Sho was still awake when he returned home. He smiled warily, nodding his head. “Yes, but better don’t look at it.”
“Alright…”
Ohno put the little envelope into his safe before he angled for some fresh clothes. “I need to take a shower. I can still smell this guy all around me…”
“Eh?” Sho blinked. “What do you mean?”
Ohno chuckled slightly. “Sakurai-kun, in this world, you can get information through different ways. There are more than one possibility. And you need to choose wisely to get what you want.”
“You mean, you slept with this guy?” Sho’s eyes widened for a moment, then they were looking angry all of a sudden. “Why?”
The other man blinked in surprise. “Are you seriously asking?”
“That’s not what I wanted.” Sho argued. “I don’t want someone to sell his body for me!”
“Oh.” Ohno bit out. “Don’t worry about me. This is a dirty world, Sho-kun. Better wake up!”
Ohno felt refreshed when he stepped out of the bathroom again. Refreshed, but still confused about Sho’s strange behaviour from before. He looked around for a moment, checking his apartment, but Sho was nowhere around. For a moment Ohno feared that he had left, but then he saw that the door to the balcony was open.
So, Sho was outside.
“Getting some fresh air?”
“Hm,” Sho looked up at the sky. “I haven’t seen the night sky since forever. I wonder how long I’ll need to hide.” When Ohno didn’t answer, he turned around to look at him. “I know that this world is dirty. I just don’t want it to get any dirtier because of me.”
“I know.” Ohno put his hand on Sho’s shoulder. “But what I do is my decision. You are not forcing me into dirty work. I decided to help you the moment I saw you for the first time.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you choose to help me?” Sho wanted to know, his eyes scanning Ohno insistently. “Why me?”
“You touched something inside me.” Ohno answered warily. “Something I thought I had lost long ago.”
“Ah,” Sho sighed. “I don’t understand. But I guess you don’t want me to understand.”
“Yes, I guess I don’t.”
There was silence around them, before Sho walked closer towards Ohno. “What would you say if I touch you?”
“Touch me?” Ohno chuckled. “Sakurai-kun, you need to be more precise if you want a proper answer.”
“Before you called me Sho-kun.”
“I was upset.” Ohno argued.
Sho chuckled slightly. “Who would have thought that the almighty Ohno Satoshi, who isn’t afraid of anything, gets nervous in such a simple situation.”
“Nervous?” Ohno pulled an eyebrow up. “I’m not nervous.”
“So, it’s okay for me to touch you?”
“Fine, yes it is.”
Sho smiled slightly, reaching out his hand to touch Ohno’s shoulder. His fingers felt cold, making Ohno’s skin tingle slightly while they wandered to his neck, down to his chest. Sho spent his time feeling his abs, but when they wandered downwards, Ohno grabbed Sho’s hand to hold him back. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked calmly.
“Touching you. You said it was okay.”
It was strangely difficult to read this guy’s mind. But Ohno figured that it was also difficult for Sho to read his.
“Come.” he grabbed Sho’s arm and pulled him into the apartment again, closing the balcony door properly before he led Sho to his workroom. He closed the door swiftly before he turned around and grabbed Sho’s shoulders, pushing him against his desk until the latter sat down there. Ohno smirked. “I like doing things my way.”
“That’s fine with me.”
It has been so long since Ohno had sex with someone he actually liked, mainly because he had never fallen for someone. But with Sho, it’s different. His straight-forward, stoic honesty and at the same time his clumsy, hot-tempered outbursts, his pained expression when he is talking about Masaki - all this had touched something deep inside Ohno.
Sho had wrapped his legs around Ohno’s hips, trying to keep the noise down. None of them wanted to attract any attention. Sho held back his moans, sweat forming on his forehead while Ohno pressed his lips against Sho’s shoulder, concentrating on moving his hips, on how tight Sho felt around him and how good it actually was to have sex with someone because he wanted to.
“Well,” they had stayed quiet for a while after they had both come down form their orgasms. Sho jumped down from the desk now, pulling his trousers back up. “Now you need a shower again.”
Ohno actually wanted to oppose him because of the smug look in Sho’s eyes, but somehow, he liked the way he was looking.
~~~
“Such a pretty boy.” the man crooned, looking at Jun with a smug look in his eyes. It was Akita, one of Yamamoto's closest friends and co-workers. If anyone has to know where the tapes are, it has to be him.
Jun hates it to be called pretty. He hates old pervy men, who boss around their families during the day and come here at night to live out their sexual preferences.
And he hates it to be called boy.
He is not a toy.
That’s what he kept telling himself over and over again, while he sat down next to the guy, an alluring smile on his lips. He is not a toy. The man is. He is playing with this guy, not the other way round.
However, it was a lot more difficult to really believe in this. He still felt like a toy.
When Jun followed this guy into one of the rooms, he told himself over and over again that it’s work, that it’s for Masaki. And Sho. Two innocent people who are carrying this whole war on their shoulders.
Selling his body to a stranger for some information is only a little thing he could do to help these people. It’s nothing in comparison to what these two went through.
Somehow Jun felt angry that it’s always the guys that came to him who liked to do it rough, without using much lube or any other preparation. They want to be the boss, want to feel strong and unbreakable. And at the same time, Jun needs to give them the image that what they are doing to him is oh-so-amazing.
He was about to close his eyes, fighting back the tears stinging in his eyes and trying to drift into his own world again, where everything was warm and clean and no disgusting guy fucking him. But suddenly the guy stopped, dropping down on top of Jun, not moving anymore.
“What… hey…” Jun sat up a bit, tugging at the guy’s shoulder. When he raised his eyes, he froze in shock. “What… are you doing here!?”
Nino looked away for a moment, letting the baseball bat drop down. “Stopping the nightmare.” he mumbled silently. “I don’t want the person I love to sacrifice his emotions for me. Can’t we just… go home?”
~~~
“You took long.” Ohno jumped up in relief when Nino and Jun returned. It was already early in the morning, both of them looking rather tired.
“Sorry.” Jun bowed slightly. “We had something to discuss.”
“Yes.” Nino handed Ohno a tape. “I stole this from the host club, so you might need to pay them some money for them to keep quiet about it.”
“Alright.” Ohno looked at them warily. “You stole it?”
“Yes, they still had a copy around. Apparently, Masaki-kun's chief felt too guilty to sell everything to the police. And there is something else,” Nino looked at Ohno firmly. “We’ll still be at your side from now on, but we won’t do everything anymore. There are things we can’t do…”
“I’m sorry.” Jun bowed slightly. “We sound so pathetic.”
“No, actually that’s fine.” Ohno smiled reassuringly. “I never was really happy with you guys selling your bodies to get information.”
“Yes.” Nino nodded his head earnestly. “Next time we’ll give them something to drink so that they lose their conscience or think of another plan, but nothing like this anymore or we’ll go insane.”
“That would be bad.” Ohno chuckled. “I have no use for you when you are insane.”
Jun smiled slightly. “Yes, we better keep our senses together.”
“What now?” Aiba interrupted them. “What are you going to do with the tape?”
“First of all,” Ohno smirked devilish. “I thought of a good way to apologize to Kageyama - after all, he is innocent and he was brave enough to keep the photos - and broadcast a nice little video, the photos together with the tape Nino and Jun just brought us - something everyone will watch and no one will miss, something his newspaper will gain lots of attention with. He is not a bad guy, he deserves some help. After all, I really tricked him.”
“Yes.” Jun mused. “How about playing this tape with the well-respected Yamamoto, chasing down a host, at all stations, showing it on the huge screen at Tokyo Tower?”
“And these photos will go to every possible place.”
Sho looked at the three guys in slight hope, but also worry. “What about you, Jun and Nino? Won’t this put your position into danger?”
“Oh.” Nino smirked. “We’ve never told you, but now seems to be the right time…”
“Time for what?”
“We are not only working for Yamamoto’s guys, but also for the national intelligence service. They wanted some information from Yamamoto too. And they’ll cover for us.” He grinned when he saw Ohno’s stunned expression. “Surprise. You didn’t guess it, did you?”
“No way.” Ohno rasped out.
“Yes.” Jun chuckled. “We are good in keeping our secrets. But don’t worry, Ohno-kun, we’ll always be your men.”
“In a platonic way.” Nino intervened, making Sho chuckle slightly.
“Of course.” Ohno smiled. “I need to think about our next move properly. However, this will create a huge fuss, so Masaki and Sho, you two better hide for a while, until we can provide you with new identities…and lives.”
“You can’t work as a host anymore, though.”
Aiba frowned slightly. “But why? I liked my job.”
“No way.” Sho glared. “I won’t allow it. We’ll search for something else for you. Until then,” he bowed a bit towards the others. “We still need to rely on you.”
“That’s alright.” Ohno sighed slightly. “I’ve gotten used to you being around… could as well keep you here. After all, you are jobless and you need something to do.”
“Uh,” Nino pretended to be shocked. “The loner is opening his doors to other people. Quelle surprise.”
“Please,” Ohno sighed. “Spare me.”
~~~
“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Sho put some of the folders into the shelf, helping Ohno to get an order into his documents. They changed their location. Ohno’s small apartment was getting too crowded, and besides, they all felt safer with a new place. Jun and Nino had done their best to cover for them, providing them with new identities and made sure they were safe. Still, the feeling of being hunted and watched never really left Sho, nor did it leave Aiba.
Ohno sighed slightly. “I know this is hard for you, Sho-kun. You need to give it some time. It has only been a few months since we showed the tapes to the public and the fuss is still unbelievable. Jun and Nino have made sure that the word goes around that you are under the witness-protection program right now. Your name is clean again.”
“Well, at least Masaki is doing better now.” Sho peeked into the living room where Aiba was preparing the dishes. “When this is over, I want him to take some time off and go on a vacation to relax.”
“He is a strong guy, Sho.” Ohno sounded unusually soft. “He is a lot stronger than we think he is. And he loves you. He even loves his new tasks. He just needs a purpose in his life. As long as he has it, he’ll do well.”
“Hm,” Sho smiled. “If his purpose continues to be cooking, then you’ll gain even more weight…”
“Me?” Ohno pulled an eyebrow up. “You are the one who is getting chubby.”
“Last night you said that you liked my butt chubby and plush.” Sho answered dryly, smirking when he saw Ohno’s surprised glance. “I was listening very well, as you can see.”
“Such a pity that there is no time for doing something dirty.” Ohno mused. “Jun and Nino are dropping by any time to provide us with new information.”
“Hm,” Sho hummed. “You can still save your not-so-innocent plans for later.”
“Oh,” Ohno nodded his head. “I will.”
Ohno had almost forgotten it. How it feels to fall in love with someone. He had even forgotten how it is to be attracted to someone, to feel sympathy, to feel pity.
Now, he remembered it again. He is still a human being, feeling pride and anger and pain and fear and joy and love. It was a relief for him to know that he still has these emotions inside him.
Pairing: Yama, side: Matsumiya, Aiba.
Rating: PG-15 to R (I would rather lean towards R)
Beta: ivenclaire
One-shot
Genre: AU, suspense, crime, romance, bit angst
Summary: Living in a city, ruled by corruption and the police headquarter, Ohno - as a lawyer - has to set every of his steps carefully. But then the chief of the police gets killed and the main suspect is a young man called Sakurai Sho. It takes Ohno only one look at him to know that it wasn't him. With the help of his spies within the police, Nino and Jun, he tries to uncover the truth and gets drawn deeper and deeper into the horrible reality behind this incident.
Warnings: Mentions of sex and some dark topics.
Note: Requested b nekochan_lia. I hope this is what you wanted! I wasn't all that sure if this is how you pictured everything, so I really hope you'll like it <3
Ohno had almost forgotten it. How it feels to fall in love with someone. He has even forgotten how it is to be attracted to someone, to feel sympathy, to feel pity.
Love is so far away for him that he doesn’t even dare to think about it. That it actually doesn’t come to his mind.
The more it surprised him that it took him only one look into Sho’s eyes to make his heart beat faster. It happened so unexpectedly that it startled him. He felt sick.
He is a guy who has never loved. And never been loved. So, why is it him, out of all, to fall for such a messed up guy?
~~~
If anything, you could describe Matsumoto Jun as shady, but dedicated to his work and his incredible high sense of justice. Ohno has no idea how this guy could be both, at his side and at the same time pretend to be at the police' side.
And there is Nino too. It is strange how they always stick together, pretending to be the weird and nerdy police pair, while in reality, they are able to solve more cases than their colleagues. Just that they wouldn’t always tell them.
If they needed to find something out for Ohno, they would.
Maybe he could call them his spies, but they aren’t his. And frankly speaking, they are also not spies, they just do what they think is right.
He knew that Nino became a police officer because his parents were killed and he wanted to get some justice.
And Jun grew up as an orphan, in an orphanage where children were treated in a horrible way. It was his sense of justice that made him choose this job.
That’s why they work together so well. Both of them ve the same goal: They want to do what they think is right.
Justice…
~~~
The first time Ohno saw Sho was on TV, when they showed his picture next to the headline: Police found the murderer of Yamamoto Keisuke, the police headquarter chief!
But it took Ohno only one look into this man’s eyes to know that he didn’t do it.
~~~
“Tsk,” Jun’s expression was one of deepest despise. “It’s not like anyone even misses Yamamoto. He was a disgusting guy, molesting every female secretary and also some of the male ones. Corrupt. Bribing people when they don’t want to do what he wants them to do.”
“Yep.” Nino leaned back, tugging at his cigarette. The way the smoke circled his and Jun’s frame made them look almost mysterious. “If it was really this Sakurai-guy, I should actually visit him and thank him.”
“It wasn’t him.” Ohno said all of a sudden. He had listened to his two friends - or whatever they were to him, partners in fate maybe - but now he needed them to listen.
“How do you know?”
“I know.” Ohno answered calmly, his eyes looking at them firmly, a dark and dangerous spark in them.
There was silence between them, before Jun smirked, “Well, he will need a lawyer.”
“They won’t let him choose one by himself.” Ohno argued. “I can’t just head there and ask to defend him. These disgusting bastards are taking every right from him.”
“They might already know that it wasn’t him…” Jun mused and there was clear anger in his voice, if not even hate.
“Why are you even so interested?” Nino wanted to know, slight suspicion in his voice.
Ohno smiled without actually laughing. It was a dangerous and disgusted expression he was wearing. “Maybe I’ve had my share of this Yamamoto-san too. Even if Sakurai is the culprit - which he is not - I would want to get him out of this. I just need them to choose me for his defence.”
“Let that be our problem.” Nino answered dryly, leaning back in his seat. He took another cigarette, a smug look in his eyes. “Coincidentally, I know that Kitamura, who’s part of the headquarters, or rather one of the main judges, has a very certain interest in a very certain guy…”
“A very certain guy?”
“Yes.” Jun furrowed his brows dangerously. “I’ll be very eager to offer him my services.”
Ohno knew that he shouldn’t ask this from Jun or Nino. That it was wrong. But he couldn’t say no. He wants to see these guys around Yamamoto fall no matter what. And judging by the look in Jun’s and Nino’s eyes, he knew they want the same.
~~~
Jun didn’t only feel slightly disgusted when Kitamura did these things to him, a lot. It’s not like he isn’t used to it. He could lock all the feelings like hate and disgust, pain and anger deep into his heart and only show these men a seductive smile, pretending like he actually enjoyed what they were doing to him.
Instead of yelling at them, he moaned. Instead of hitting them, he dropped down on his knees, sucking them off. Instead of crying and telling them to stop, he said more.
At the end of the day, Jun mostly had forgotten who he was disgusted with, these guys for being so easily seduced, for their sick minds and the things they did to him, because they couldn’t do it in their real life (It’s never soft and pleasant sex). Or disgusted with himself for playing along with this game.
But it doesn’t matter. He made sure that he dropped Ohno’s name several times so that he caught Kitamura’s interest. Jun had played his cards well, saying how Ohno was siding with the police most of the time and would most likely not be a good defence for Sakurai. Considering that these guys wanted Sakurai Sho to be announced guilty, it is better to make them believe that Ohno wouldn’t defend him well.
He was sure that it worked out for them. These guys are so easy to manipulate…
Kitamura fell asleep soon after he had finished off and Jun crawled out of the bed. He didn’t need much time to find what he was searching for. It was a piece of cake to find the required documents. The rest he would leave to Nino…
~~~
Ohno looked at the papers thoroughly, deep furrows on his forehead. A few hours ago Jun had dropped by and handed him these. Apparently, he had done some extra work, not only trying to get him chosen as Sakurai’s defence, but also gathered some more information about Sakurai, this whole incident, Yamamoto, and where he went to regularly. But there are some gaps in these documents which Ohno was suspicious of immediately. Yamamoto was killed on his way home, no witnesses, nothing. But since when did the police chief walk home all alone instead of taking a taxi? Or call his chauffeur?
But it isn’t only the place he was found, there are other bits and pieces, about Sakurai and the circumstances why and how he was caught in this. A guy who was working as a teacher…what was he doing in the middle of the night and at such a place? Isn’t it all very shady? What reasons did he have to kill Yamamoto?
Again, Ohno had the highest doubts that it really was Sakurai. So, if it wasn’t him, did they purposely use him and made him the culprit? But why? What did a normal teacher have to do with the police headquarters?
And if it wasn’t the police’ doing, but Sakurai himself, who was he covering up for?
Yamamoto’s daily routine written down in these documents is almost ridiculous. A pervy disgusting man like Yamamoto for sure wasn’t dedicating his life to his family.
Ohno shook his head. Where did this guy go to regularly? He was well known as someone who liked to buy women and men for sex and to force himself and his wishes on them, even when they didn’t want to.
Ohno leaned back, folding his hands for a moment, his fingertips tapping against each other. He needed to find an answer to all these questions.
And he needed to see Sakurai to make sure if he was guilty or not. It would help him in finding out the truth.
~~~
“Hey,” Nino sat down at the edge of the bathtub in their apartment. “Don’t you think it’s about time to get out of the water? You’ve been sitting there for hours.”
“I need to get rid of the dirt.”
Nino blinked at that, it always makes him feel nervous when Jun says things like that. He is so tough on the outside, but he was way too soft on the inside sometimes. He wonders if he is really fine with the way they were leading their lives together. “You should have let me sleep with him…”
"Nope, you’re not his type.” Jun leaned back, letting the water run over his arms. “Too bony.”
“Yeah, bony?” Nino frowned. “I’ll give you bony!” With that he dropped into the bathtub too, not caring if he was wearing clothes or not. Jun laughed slightly.
It was easy for Nino to make Jun smile. At least he had that going for him.
~~~
"It was me.” Sho bowed deeply. “Sorry for making you go through this trouble.”
Ohno frowned, leaning back to check the other man thoroughly. “What happened to your face? There, next to your eyebrow, there is a cut. And your cheek is bruised.”
“I fell.”
“Yes, of course you did.” Ohno stood up, pointing at the door. “Let’s go.”
“Go?” Sho was surprised. “I’m still in jail. I can’t leave.”
“Yes, you can, because you got me as your defence.” Ohno opened the door, leading the other outside. “You don’t even know who I am, right?”
“No…”
“Good.” Ohno nodded his head. “Maybe it’s better like that. I’ll get you out of this, Sakurai-san.”
Sho paused in his step, eyeing Ohno warily, then he chuckled. “Yes, sure.”
“It’s just natural that you don’t trust me, after all the nice treatment that was given to you here.” Ohno looked around carefully. “They believe that I’m tricking you. That I’ll beat a confession out of you. We have to pretend to play their game. You understand?”
“What?” Sho looked at Ohno carefully. “Are you seriously saying…”
“Later.” Ohno mumbled. “I don’t need someone listening to us. First we have get you to someone who can clean your wounds, then we’ll think of a proper plan.”
~~~
Sho flinched when Nino pressed a cotton pad with a painfully burning liquid against his eyebrow. But he didn’t say anything nor did he complain.
“Sorry.” Jun shrugged helplessly. “We are the best Ohno-kun can afford at the moment. Everyone else would blab. We don’t know which doctor we can trust.”
“Of course. It doesn’t matter. I’m really thankful for your help.” Sho looked at Jun insistently. He had already felt like he knew Nino when he saw him, but Jun’s features were even more specific. He was 100% positive that he had seen him somewhere. “You were one of the police officers.” Sho’s throat felt dry all of a sudden. So, it was a trap? “You were there when they started to beat me up.”
“Yep.” Jun smirked. “I was the one who caused the emergency siren to go off so that everyone had to leave on the spot.”
Sho’s eyes widened in surprise. “So, you aren’t a spy on their side but-”
“We are on Ohno’s side.” Nino ended his sentence, standing up again and linked arms with Jun. “Right, Jun-baby? Better not underestimate us.”
“He is right.” Ohno sighed. “If you underestimate him, he might become a pain in the butt.”
“Uh,” Nino mimicked Ohno’s voice, pretending to be seriously shocked. “Want me to become one? I didn’t know you me like that, Oh-chan~”
“However,” Jun freed his arm from Nino. Much to Sho’s surprise, he was almost looking angry. “We should concentrate on our work.”
“Now he is mad.” Nino grumbled towards Ohno. “What if he punishes me by not sleeping with me tonight!? You shouldn’t have teased him like that.”
“I shouldn’t have teased him.” Ohno sighed slightly. “Right. Of course it’s my fault and not yours.” He smirked devilish. “Have fun tonight, without sex.”
~~~
“I can really stay at your place?” Sho was sincerely surprised. “Why?”
“Because if I let you return, they might not let you go again. And…” Ohno handed Sho some sheets for his futon. “It’s easier for me to keep you under surveillance when you are close to me.”
"So you think I did it?” Sho sounded almost relieved. It was just a tiny tinge in his voice but Ohno didn’t miss it, another sign for him that Sho wasn’t the murderer.
“No.” Ohno answered dryly. “But you might contact someone or do something similar stupid, something that will bring you, me and maybe even someone else in danger.”
Sho paused, looking at Ohno in shock. “You think it’ll bring someone else into a bad situation when I…”
He didn’t finish his sentence but Ohno knew what he wanted to say anyways. This guy is protecting someone. Or something. Just what? Or who? “Yes, don’t do anything reckless now. This is a very difficult case. Only one step into the wrong direction might kill you and those you love.”
~~~
“So you are mad.” Nino analysed when they were lying on their bed. “You don’t want to have sex.”
“Hm,” Jun sighed. “I think I’ve had my share this week.”
“I’ll make you forget about it.” Nino crooned, but to his displeasure, Jun just shrugged him off. “Fine.” he huffed. “Then forget about it.” He turned around and away from Jun. When he suddenly felt two warm arms wrapped around his hips, he smiled contently. “You’re such a softie, Jun.”
“Shut up.”
~~~
Ohno sighed silently. He had been doing this for days now, sitting together with Sho in his living room and discussing with him. He wanted him to spill the truth already, but Sho kept clinging to his stupid story, about how he was on his way back home and met this guy. And because Yamamoto was drunk, he had started to molest and threaten him until Sho had defended himself and pushed him away. It was an accident.
When Ohno asked him why he was still outside so late despite working as a teacher, Sho would always say I went for a drink after school.
“You are seriously saying that a guy like you, correct, responsible, hard-working, was going for a drink into such a shady area?” Ohno leaned back. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
“No.” Sho looked away from Ohno and outside the window. “I don’t think you are stupid.”
“Then why do you keep on telling me this baseless story?” Ohno stood up, walking around the table until he was standing right next to Sho’s chair. He put a hand on his shoulder. “Our time will be running away if you keep on doing that for longer and hold back the truth.”
“But,” for a moment Sho wavered. Obviously, something inside his eyes is flickering, but then he had his stoic expression back. “It was me.”
Sho gasped in shock and slight pain when Ohno suddenly grabbed his collar, pulled him up from his chair and pushed him against the wall. He was surprised that Ohno was actually so strong, his hands holding Sho’s shoulders in a firm grip. “Don’t mess around with me.” Ohno hissed, his eyes sparkling dangerously. He bent forward until his mouth was next to Sho’s ears. “Don’t forget who your friends are. Not telling me the truth won’t save whoever you are protecting. They will get rid of anyone who is connected to you. Don’t underestimate Yamamoto’s men.”
“My, my,” Ohno blinked for a moment when someone patted his shoulder. “You can let go of him now.”
“Jun?”
“Yep.” Jun smirked. “If he doesn’t spill the news, we’ll tell you.”
“What!?” Sho’s eyes widened in shock, but Ohno didn’t take notice of him.
“What did you find out?”
“Well, there is the word going around,” Nino appeared from a dark corner, his eyes gleaming. “That apparently, a young man wanted to see Sakurai-san desperately. He was crying, it seems.”
“It’s only natural that we were interested in him.” Jun added.
“Naturally, we were.” Nino agreed.
“What are you?” Sho grumbled. “The twin-spies.”
Nino put a hand on his chest theatrically. “Twins in our souls. And our sexual preferences. Other than that, we just do our job properly.”
“So, what did you find out?”
“Well,” Jun shrugged. “I could tell you of course.”
Ohno let out a sigh of frustration. He’s never been a fan of this game Jun and Nino liked to play, but he had no other choice but to play along. “So, please tell me.”
“I said I could.” Jun mused.
“But?”
“But why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“He is here!?” Ohno called out in surprise.
Nino snickered when he saw Ohno’s surprised face. “Yes.”
“NO!” Sho called out. “He’s not!!”
Ohno let go of the other man, padding Jun’s arm. “That’s why I love you Jun.”
“Hey!” Nino huffed. “Hands off.”
The other merely smirked. “It’s okay, Nino, he’s all yours. I’m way more interested in the guy you brought along.”
“Good.” Nino nodded his head contently. “You can come in now, Aiba-san.”
Ohno felt how his nerves were so tensed that it almost hurt while he was watching the door expectantly, how it opened slightly and a young man slipped in. His features were pretty, but also very soft. He was a bit taller than the rest of them. Ohno frowned. This guy looked like he couldn’t even kill a fly. What was his connection to this case?
Aiba shifted around nervously, before he turned to face Sho. “I’m sorry, Aniki, I couldn’t stay away.”
“Aniki?” Ohno pulled an eyebrow up when he saw how Jun and Nino were nodding proudly. “Well, so that’s your connection to this case, my boy.”
~~~
"So, lay it on us.” Ohno leaned back, a glass of whisky in his hands. Jun and Nino had joined him, while Aiba preferred a cup of tea. Sho had refused everything, still very angry at the new situation.
“It was me.” Aiba stuttered.
“No it wasn’t!” Sho huffed.
Ohno sighed slightly. “We’ve already figured by now that it was him. So, what happened that night?”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.” Aiba looked at the others in panic. “I mean, it was self-defense. It…”
“Masaki-kun,” Ohno smiled slightly. “Don’t panic. We won’t tell on you. But we need to know what happened to get your brother out of this.”
“What?” Sho looked at him in confusion. “You won’t tell the police what really happened?”
“First of all,” Nino sneered. “the police doesn’t care who it was. They are happy with a scapegoat, which would be you. Second, if they know that you have a brother, he is in danger anyway, because he might know too much.”
“That’s why Ohno-kun wanted you to spill your secret.” Jun patted Ohno’s shoulder. “He’s just not very good with words and emotions, which is why he didn’t tell you his reasons.”
“Besides, Yamamoto was a despicable being, we are not missing him.” Nino shrugged. “Jun and I are fighting against the police for years, especially against their corruption and other dirty stuff. And against Yamamoto’s team. This case might finally solve it all.”
Ohno nodded his head. “They are right, that’s how it is. So from now on, work with us and tell us what happened.”
“How do I know that this isn’t a trap?” Sho wanted to know.
Ohno sighed. “There is no guarantee for you. We can’t prove it. You have to go with your instincts.”
For a moment Sho stayed quiet. He was looking rather pale, the last weeks had gotten down to him. For Ohno, it was quite obvious why he didn’t want his younger brother to be in his position. Aiba might have crumbled under this situation. “You are our last hope.” Sho finally answered. “I’ve no other choice than to believe in you.”
"Good.” Ohno nodded his head contently. “Now tell us, Masaki-kun. What happened?”
“Aniki always picks me up when I was working really late,” Aiba started to explain. “I don’t work every day, so normally he picks me up.
“What’s your job?”
Ohno was surprised when Aiba blushed slightly, but he was even more surprised by the answer he got:
“I’m a host.”
“You’ve to be kidding,” Nino breathed out. “A host?”
“Yes, at Kabukicho.” Aiba explained. “Aniki doesn’t like my work, but I think it’s fun. We are a quite noble and expensive club, so the guests are normally…well, they are not making any problems. But then,” Aiba paused, not sure how to continue.
“But then, one day, you had a new client.” Ohno concluded. “Yamamoto, the head of the police. And let me guess, he was a disgusting, despicable man.”
“Yes.” Aiba agreed almost silently. “But since he was such a dangerous man in a high position, we were told to hang in there and not to upset him. He was horrible… groping and touching and doing stuff we didn’t want to.”
“That’s the time when I started to pick Masaki up regularly.” Sho added tiredly. “He was following him around.”
“Wait a moment.” Ohno sat up in his chair. “He molested also you when you left the Club?”
“Yes, he was always around me, whenever I went home.” Aiba shivered slightly. “I started to be afraid. That’s when Aniki found out."
“And then? What happened later?”
“I told our chief about it, but he was too scared of Yamamoto. I thought of quitting, but this guy knew my address, so I decided to hang in there until he would lose his interest in me.”
“But he didn’t lose his interest.” Sho said bitterly.
“So this specific day, when it happened, Aniki wanted to pick me up, but he was late.”
Ohno glanced towards Sho, seeing how guilt was sparkling in his eyes. “You didn’t make it in time?” he asked carefully.
“No.” Sho lowered his head. “We had a surprise conference at school and I couldn’t leave early. I hoped that Masaki would wait for me, but apparently, the circumstances forced him to leave without me.”
“Yes.” Aiba agreed. “I was afraid that Yamamoto would show up. Now, of course, it sounds stupid, because there were plenty of people around me. It would have been a lot safer to wait there, but I panicked and decided to go home and meet Sho on the way.”
It was silent for a while. Ohno could see how Aiba was tensing, his hands, the skin over his knuckles almost turning white. “He followed you, am I right?”
A nod.
“And he caught up with you?”
“Yes.”
“And this time,” Jun mumbled. “It didn’t stay with the groping or touching, he wanted more. No one was around, it was just the both of you.”
“I didn’t see him at first,” Aiba explained. “Then suddenly someone hit me from behind and I got too dizzy to realize what was happening. The next thing I knew, I was in an empty factory building, all alone with him.”
“He wanted to rape you?”
“He almost did.” Aiba shifted around nervously, grimacing in disgust. “I couldn’t bear it. I wanted to let it happen at first, because I was afraid and I…am not really strong. But I couldn’t.”
“Of course, you couldn’t. It’s only natural to fight.” Nino mumbled.
“So I pushed him away, but he was back immediately, hitting me over and over again. He ripped off my clothes. He even had a knife. And then, he was suddenly half naked and he almost…” Aiba swallowed nervously “…did it. When he was about to… take me… my mind went blank and I just grabbed anything I could reach and threw it at him. I didn’t know that I had hit him with a brick… Then there was blood around me. The next thing I know, Aniki suddenly found me.”
“I was searching for Masaki.” Sho explained. “I hurried home and didn’t find him there. So I went to look for him… And I heard someone screaming when I passed by the factory building. So…”
For a while it was silent around them, no one daring to say anything. Then Ohno cleared his throat. “Are you feeling alright, Masaki-kun?”
“Yes…”
“But you didn’t consult a doctor, did you?” Ohno pushed the topic further.
“No, I couldn’t. After all the fuss, everything happened so fast. When it happened, Sho made me go home immediately and told me that no matter what, I shouldn’t say anything. He would deal with it. Next thing I knew, I saw his picture on TV… as the culprit.”
It was quiet again before Jun looked at Sho and Aiba piercingly. “Did you say that Yamamoto was naked?”
“Well, almost. He was missing his trousers and pants.” Sho nodded his head.
“Right.” Jun sighed. “When they brought his corpse back, he was wearing clothes, his awful red trousers. Not one word about what he did. Of course not.”
“I hate this.” Nino huffed.
“Wait a moment,” Aiba frowned. “He wasn’t wearing red trousers when he was following me.”
“Eh… what?”
“Well, I didn’t pay attention to the details, but he was wearing black clothes.” Aiba sat up all of a sudden. “Wait… I think I might have taken them with me, accidentally, when I took my stuff and hurried home.”
Ohno jumped up when he heard Aiba’s words. “That’s important, Masaki-kun.” He pointed at Nino. “Go with him and pick up the clothes in your apartment. And take everything you need. Once they find out that Sakurai-kun has a brother and that you were Yamamoto’s favourite host, you can’t return there anymore. Make a list so that you don’t forget anything. Personal memories, pictures, clothes, everything you need and like. You won't be able to return there anymore. Meanwhile,” he tilted his head. “I’ll check on the factory building.”
“Good.” Jun turned around to look at Aiba. “Do they have surveillance cameras in your host club?”
“Yes, but I don’t think there will be anything left.”
“I know.” Jun frowned. “The police took everything. Do you have other regulars from Yamamoto’s team?”
“Yes.” Aiba nodded his head. “I can make a list.”
“I’m sure one of them has the tapes, we just need to get the right one.” Jun shifted his head. “Say, Masaki-kun… to work in this Host Club…”
“No.” Nino interrupted him. “You won’t go there. I’ll do it. And you go with Masaki-kun.”
“I’m sorry, Ninomiya-san.” Aiba looked at him warily. “But you are not tall enough.”
“Pardon me?”
“Guys working in my club need to meet the height requirement.”
“Great.” Nino huffed.
“Don’t worry.” Jun patted Nino’s shoulder. “I can pull this off.”
“I know.” Nino sounded almost sad. “That’s not what I’m worried about…”
~~~
“Do you know how it feels when you can’t even protect your family?”
“Oh.” Ohno snorted. “Not at all. In fact, the reason I became who I am now is because of my incredible sense of justice. Not because of incidents in the past.”
“You like being sarcastic when you avoid a topic, am I right?” Sho analysed, smiling warily.
“Maybe.” Ohno admitted, handing Sho a drink. This time the other didn’t refuse. “I’m not a good person or anything even close to good, but I hate these people and I don’t want them to ruin my life or to ruin my friends’ lives. I’m not doing this out of a sense of humanity, but because it almost makes me throw up with anger when I think about what kind of things they do and how they treat other people.”
“So, in a way, you still have a huge sense of justice.” Sho smiled slightly. “I don’t think you need to be a good person to have that.” He paused. “I can’t forgive myself for what happened. It’s all my fault that Masaki got hurt.”
“No, it’s not.” Ohno sighed, patting Sho’s arm. “It wasn’t your fault that you were late. It wasn’t Masaki-kun’s fault for not waiting for you. It was entirely Yamamoto’s fault.”
“You know,” Sho bit down on his lips, not sure how to say what was lying on his shoulders, but then he decided to give it a shot. “Masaki-”
“Hm? What’s with him?”
“He said Yamamoto almost raped him, but I think he did. Not only almost. And it was only in the middle of it that Masaki found a way to push this guy away.” Sho clenched his fingers into his trousers until he almost didn’t feel them anymore. He was surprised when he could feel how Ohno was stroking his back soothingly.
“Yes.” the latter agreed silently. “I think the same.”
~~~
“We are back.” Nino closed the door loudly, letting two king-sized bags drop to the floor. Right next to him, Aiba was pulling along two suitcases. Sho chuckled when he saw them. “Oh dear, little brother, did you bring along all our stuff?”
“Well,” Aiba blushed. “I didn’t want to leave anything behind that we liked. Nino-kun also cleaned up the apartment and removed all the signs of who we are, where we are from, who are connected to us. And stuff like that.”
“Yes, I’m a genius.” Nino grinned smugly. “By the way, Masaki-kun needs to stay at your place. It’s way too dangerous for him to stay with me and Jun.”
“Of course.” Ohno nodded his head. “Dump him here.”
Nino looked around curiously. “Where’s Jun? Still not back?”
“No.” Ohno shrugged. “He called and told me he would be a bit late. Apparently, it was a piece of cake for him to get the job at the host club.”
“Of course.” Nino grumbled. He had actually wanted to voice a lot more complaints, but he got interrupted by Jun walking in on them.
“Yo.” Jun greeted them, chuckling when all four of them looked at him with wide eyes.
“Your hair…” Nino whispered.
“Yep.” Jun brushed through his hair with all five fingers of his right hand, smiling seductively. “Like it?”
“It’s,” Nino swallowed hard. “Okay.”
“Wow.” Aiba breathed out. “You look stunning.”
“Yes, I know.” Jun chuckled. “Your boss wanted me to cut it, because it gives me a taller, more sophisticated look.” He shrugged. “Besides, I look more intimidating with it. Might scare some guys away, at least a bit.”
“Oh, it scares away some guys. Did I say okay?” Nino nodded his head. “In that case, I love it!”
Jun smiled slightly. “Besides, I’m also undercover with it. Hopefully, the others won’t recognize me like this.”
“But what will you do when you are at work?” Ohno wanted to know.
“That’s what I brought this along for.” Jun grinned, angling for a wig and putting it on. It looked almost identical to his former hair, the shoulder-length, slightly curly hair. “Besides, I’ll stick to a sportive look during work. And wear flashy clothes at night.”
“Very well thought.” Ohno nodded in approval.
“Yes,” Nino grumbled. “what a smart guy.”
“Being a bit cranky, aren’t we?” Jun teased, grinning when Nino just ignored him.
~~~
Unlike Jun and Nino, Ohno preferred to work alone. He didn’t want any company when he went to the old factory building. It is better to be alone in such a situation. If something happens, no one else would be pulled into it. And if he needs to make up an excuse or pretend to be someone else, someone who was not snooping around, he is also better off alone.
However, once he came there and checked everything, he had to admit to himself that the police did a proper job in covering up. No signs of a fight. No clothes. No blood. No sperm. No…anything. Actually, there wasn’t even dirt lying around. Someone had cleaned up really properly.
Ohno sighed, walking around the building to see if someone was living close to it. Maybe someone heard Aiba scream for help. Or saw Yamamoto entering the building.
But of course no one was living there, Ohno was pretty sure that Yamamoto had planned this out for a long time, only waiting for a moment to meet Aiba alone. He was also pretty sure that if Sho had continued accompanying Aiba, he would have been killed or gotten rid of in another way.
Ohno was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he almost missed it, a young woman leaning against the fence of the little bridge, looking down into the water.
“Excuse me.” Ohno smiled as warmly as he could when he approached her. “Please don’t be scared, I’m from the police and I’m investigating a case.” Ohno angled for his fake documents, showing it to her. He was glad that it was so dark that she couldn’t see his face properly. Apparently, she didn’t doubt him and just nodded her head. “You are investigating the case about the guy who got raped, right? And who killed the culprit?”
Ohno almost felt how his breath was going to get stuck in his throat, but he needed to stay cool. “Exactly.”
“I’ve told everything to the police.” the young woman smiled slightly, before she frowned in disgust. “That guy was horrible. He pulled this other young guy into the building. I went to check in on them and called the police. I didn’t dare to intervene…”
Ohno nodded his head. “I think it’s right that you didn’t, it might have cost you your life, if you did. Calling the police was the right thing to do.” Yeah, except that the Yamamoto-team was covering for him way too well. Hence, she could have also called the deaf old guy, living down the street. He would have been more of a help.
“I even took photos.” she explained randomly.
“What?” Ohno breathed out, before he put on a warm smile again to not scare her.
“Yes, but my parents sold it to a newspaper company before I could give it to the police. But they told me that they would take care of it.”
“Newspaper company?” Ohno took a deep breath. He is pretty sure that the police did take care of it and got a grip of those photos. However, he is also pretty sure that a well-established or profit-oriented newspaper company wouldn’t let go of such a rare chance and at least hold back a few photos, secretly of course.
~~~
“No way!” Sho breathed out in disbelief. “PHOTOS!?”
“Yes.” Ohno smiled while he patted Sho’s shoulders. “If I’m not completely wrong, the newspaper company still has some photos. Yamamoto’s guys think that with threatening people they get everything… but this one is a very big paper, I bet they played along and gave them most of the photos but kept some of them to themselves. Just in case. They are reporters after all.”
“Of course.” Sho nodded his head eagerly. “That perfectly makes sense.” He glanced towards his brother who was sleeping on the sofa right now. “Just, maybe we should…”
“It’s okay.” Ohno smiled encouragingly. “I won’t tell him. We don’t need to make him remember those events. Come on.” he put his arm around Sho’s shoulder soothingly. “Let’s have a drink together.”
It was surprisingly relaxing to have a drink with Sho. Now that he wasn’t hiding anything anymore, he was more loose and not that stoic. It was interesting for Ohno to see his emotions and his fears and pain.
There is something about Sho that touched his heart. Not because Sho is particularly good or humble or sweet, but because it felt like he is looking into a mirror. Sho resembles him so much. And it made Ohno feel less lonely. He didn’t even know that he felt lonely before, just now that he thought about it that he realized it.
So he didn’t push Sho away once he dozed off, his head dropping against Ohno’s shoulder. Sho’s face was so beautiful, the look in his eyes so strong and deep. For a moment, Ohno almost wished they would be two normal guys, meeting in a random situation.
But they weren’t. None of them was normal. And the situation they were in was the worst.
~~~
“You know,” Aiba looked at Nino tiredly. “What’s the worst?”
“No, what?” The latter lay down next to the young guy, facing the ceiling. He was watching out for Sho and Aiba at the moment, while Jun and Ohno were following the plan they had set up. Hopefully, Ohno would be back soon, then Nino could at least follow Jun secretly.
“To sit here and wait, while you know that others are putting their lives into danger for you and are getting hurt. Like my brother did.”
“I know.” Nino answered silently. “It’s something Jun and I feel all the time.”
“And… while Yamamoto was doing…this thing, I just couldn’t help but think of Sho and how worried and hurt he would be if he knew.” Aiba bit down on his tongue, realizing that he was giving away too much here. “Please don’t tell him.”
“He knows.”
“EH!?
Nino chuckled slightly. “I’m 100% certain that he knows. And he just keeps it a secret so that you wouldn’t feel hurt. He doesn't want you to remember, he wants you to cling to this relieving thought of yours that he doesn't know. Humans are like that, hiding the truth about their feelings just to not hurt someone else.” For a moment, Nino stayed silent before his eyes widened in shock. “Right, they would rather hide their pain instead of showing it to those they love, because they’d think it might hurt the other person. They look at the ones they love with a smile, covering all the pain and fear they are feeling.”
Aiba frowned. “Are we still talking about the same thing?”
Nino blushed slightly. “Yeah…” He patted Aiba’s shoulder. “Maybe you should talk to your brother honestly and tell him how you feel? What use is it to hide everything, especially since you are both hiding it out of the same reason?”
~~~
Kageyama was the head of the newspaper. Ohno had been able to get that information pretty fast. He was also the one who had given the photos to the police. If Ohno knows one thing, it is that if he wants to get this tape, there would be no use in threatening this guy. It might only get him, and hence also Sho in danger. Also bribing him is useless. He needs to approach him in a different way.
“You’re new here?”
Ohno had given his all to stick out. He was wearing a black tight tank top, showing off his muscles. His hair styled properly, dyed black to make him look more edgy. He was surprised that it really seemed to work.
Nino was right, it was really a piece of cake to seduce someone.
“Yes.” Ohno smiled seductively. “I don’t know anyone. Just moved to this district.” He leaned back, playing with his ring to show off his long slender fingers. Kageyama’s eyes were following him, going even further by scanning his whole body. He particularly seemed to like his black long boots. He had borrowed them from Nino, not believing that they would be such an attraction.
It happened rather fast. A hand on his knee all of a sudden, a thumb stroking his leg, almost like it was a coincidence.
Kageyama was suddenly a lot closer to him, bending forward when he said something, whispering it into his ear.
Ohno didn’t particularly like it, but since this was work, he was able to switch his mind off and just follow this guy into his apartment. At least Kageyama was rather pleasant to look at and he wasn’t particularly rough, so he was still lucky, somehow.
Though, sleeping with strangers isn’t his thing. And it took him all his strength and his will to stay focused and pull this through until the end, until the man next to him fell asleep. Ohno waited for a few more minutes to make sure that he was really asleep, then he crawled out of the bed, putting on his clothes again… and proceeding to his work.
~~~
“Found it?”
Ohno was surprised that Sho was still awake when he returned home. He smiled warily, nodding his head. “Yes, but better don’t look at it.”
“Alright…”
Ohno put the little envelope into his safe before he angled for some fresh clothes. “I need to take a shower. I can still smell this guy all around me…”
“Eh?” Sho blinked. “What do you mean?”
Ohno chuckled slightly. “Sakurai-kun, in this world, you can get information through different ways. There are more than one possibility. And you need to choose wisely to get what you want.”
“You mean, you slept with this guy?” Sho’s eyes widened for a moment, then they were looking angry all of a sudden. “Why?”
The other man blinked in surprise. “Are you seriously asking?”
“That’s not what I wanted.” Sho argued. “I don’t want someone to sell his body for me!”
“Oh.” Ohno bit out. “Don’t worry about me. This is a dirty world, Sho-kun. Better wake up!”
Ohno felt refreshed when he stepped out of the bathroom again. Refreshed, but still confused about Sho’s strange behaviour from before. He looked around for a moment, checking his apartment, but Sho was nowhere around. For a moment Ohno feared that he had left, but then he saw that the door to the balcony was open.
So, Sho was outside.
“Getting some fresh air?”
“Hm,” Sho looked up at the sky. “I haven’t seen the night sky since forever. I wonder how long I’ll need to hide.” When Ohno didn’t answer, he turned around to look at him. “I know that this world is dirty. I just don’t want it to get any dirtier because of me.”
“I know.” Ohno put his hand on Sho’s shoulder. “But what I do is my decision. You are not forcing me into dirty work. I decided to help you the moment I saw you for the first time.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you choose to help me?” Sho wanted to know, his eyes scanning Ohno insistently. “Why me?”
“You touched something inside me.” Ohno answered warily. “Something I thought I had lost long ago.”
“Ah,” Sho sighed. “I don’t understand. But I guess you don’t want me to understand.”
“Yes, I guess I don’t.”
There was silence around them, before Sho walked closer towards Ohno. “What would you say if I touch you?”
“Touch me?” Ohno chuckled. “Sakurai-kun, you need to be more precise if you want a proper answer.”
“Before you called me Sho-kun.”
“I was upset.” Ohno argued.
Sho chuckled slightly. “Who would have thought that the almighty Ohno Satoshi, who isn’t afraid of anything, gets nervous in such a simple situation.”
“Nervous?” Ohno pulled an eyebrow up. “I’m not nervous.”
“So, it’s okay for me to touch you?”
“Fine, yes it is.”
Sho smiled slightly, reaching out his hand to touch Ohno’s shoulder. His fingers felt cold, making Ohno’s skin tingle slightly while they wandered to his neck, down to his chest. Sho spent his time feeling his abs, but when they wandered downwards, Ohno grabbed Sho’s hand to hold him back. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked calmly.
“Touching you. You said it was okay.”
It was strangely difficult to read this guy’s mind. But Ohno figured that it was also difficult for Sho to read his.
“Come.” he grabbed Sho’s arm and pulled him into the apartment again, closing the balcony door properly before he led Sho to his workroom. He closed the door swiftly before he turned around and grabbed Sho’s shoulders, pushing him against his desk until the latter sat down there. Ohno smirked. “I like doing things my way.”
“That’s fine with me.”
It has been so long since Ohno had sex with someone he actually liked, mainly because he had never fallen for someone. But with Sho, it’s different. His straight-forward, stoic honesty and at the same time his clumsy, hot-tempered outbursts, his pained expression when he is talking about Masaki - all this had touched something deep inside Ohno.
Sho had wrapped his legs around Ohno’s hips, trying to keep the noise down. None of them wanted to attract any attention. Sho held back his moans, sweat forming on his forehead while Ohno pressed his lips against Sho’s shoulder, concentrating on moving his hips, on how tight Sho felt around him and how good it actually was to have sex with someone because he wanted to.
“Well,” they had stayed quiet for a while after they had both come down form their orgasms. Sho jumped down from the desk now, pulling his trousers back up. “Now you need a shower again.”
Ohno actually wanted to oppose him because of the smug look in Sho’s eyes, but somehow, he liked the way he was looking.
~~~
“Such a pretty boy.” the man crooned, looking at Jun with a smug look in his eyes. It was Akita, one of Yamamoto's closest friends and co-workers. If anyone has to know where the tapes are, it has to be him.
Jun hates it to be called pretty. He hates old pervy men, who boss around their families during the day and come here at night to live out their sexual preferences.
And he hates it to be called boy.
He is not a toy.
That’s what he kept telling himself over and over again, while he sat down next to the guy, an alluring smile on his lips. He is not a toy. The man is. He is playing with this guy, not the other way round.
However, it was a lot more difficult to really believe in this. He still felt like a toy.
When Jun followed this guy into one of the rooms, he told himself over and over again that it’s work, that it’s for Masaki. And Sho. Two innocent people who are carrying this whole war on their shoulders.
Selling his body to a stranger for some information is only a little thing he could do to help these people. It’s nothing in comparison to what these two went through.
Somehow Jun felt angry that it’s always the guys that came to him who liked to do it rough, without using much lube or any other preparation. They want to be the boss, want to feel strong and unbreakable. And at the same time, Jun needs to give them the image that what they are doing to him is oh-so-amazing.
He was about to close his eyes, fighting back the tears stinging in his eyes and trying to drift into his own world again, where everything was warm and clean and no disgusting guy fucking him. But suddenly the guy stopped, dropping down on top of Jun, not moving anymore.
“What… hey…” Jun sat up a bit, tugging at the guy’s shoulder. When he raised his eyes, he froze in shock. “What… are you doing here!?”
Nino looked away for a moment, letting the baseball bat drop down. “Stopping the nightmare.” he mumbled silently. “I don’t want the person I love to sacrifice his emotions for me. Can’t we just… go home?”
~~~
“You took long.” Ohno jumped up in relief when Nino and Jun returned. It was already early in the morning, both of them looking rather tired.
“Sorry.” Jun bowed slightly. “We had something to discuss.”
“Yes.” Nino handed Ohno a tape. “I stole this from the host club, so you might need to pay them some money for them to keep quiet about it.”
“Alright.” Ohno looked at them warily. “You stole it?”
“Yes, they still had a copy around. Apparently, Masaki-kun's chief felt too guilty to sell everything to the police. And there is something else,” Nino looked at Ohno firmly. “We’ll still be at your side from now on, but we won’t do everything anymore. There are things we can’t do…”
“I’m sorry.” Jun bowed slightly. “We sound so pathetic.”
“No, actually that’s fine.” Ohno smiled reassuringly. “I never was really happy with you guys selling your bodies to get information.”
“Yes.” Nino nodded his head earnestly. “Next time we’ll give them something to drink so that they lose their conscience or think of another plan, but nothing like this anymore or we’ll go insane.”
“That would be bad.” Ohno chuckled. “I have no use for you when you are insane.”
Jun smiled slightly. “Yes, we better keep our senses together.”
“What now?” Aiba interrupted them. “What are you going to do with the tape?”
“First of all,” Ohno smirked devilish. “I thought of a good way to apologize to Kageyama - after all, he is innocent and he was brave enough to keep the photos - and broadcast a nice little video, the photos together with the tape Nino and Jun just brought us - something everyone will watch and no one will miss, something his newspaper will gain lots of attention with. He is not a bad guy, he deserves some help. After all, I really tricked him.”
“Yes.” Jun mused. “How about playing this tape with the well-respected Yamamoto, chasing down a host, at all stations, showing it on the huge screen at Tokyo Tower?”
“And these photos will go to every possible place.”
Sho looked at the three guys in slight hope, but also worry. “What about you, Jun and Nino? Won’t this put your position into danger?”
“Oh.” Nino smirked. “We’ve never told you, but now seems to be the right time…”
“Time for what?”
“We are not only working for Yamamoto’s guys, but also for the national intelligence service. They wanted some information from Yamamoto too. And they’ll cover for us.” He grinned when he saw Ohno’s stunned expression. “Surprise. You didn’t guess it, did you?”
“No way.” Ohno rasped out.
“Yes.” Jun chuckled. “We are good in keeping our secrets. But don’t worry, Ohno-kun, we’ll always be your men.”
“In a platonic way.” Nino intervened, making Sho chuckle slightly.
“Of course.” Ohno smiled. “I need to think about our next move properly. However, this will create a huge fuss, so Masaki and Sho, you two better hide for a while, until we can provide you with new identities…and lives.”
“You can’t work as a host anymore, though.”
Aiba frowned slightly. “But why? I liked my job.”
“No way.” Sho glared. “I won’t allow it. We’ll search for something else for you. Until then,” he bowed a bit towards the others. “We still need to rely on you.”
“That’s alright.” Ohno sighed slightly. “I’ve gotten used to you being around… could as well keep you here. After all, you are jobless and you need something to do.”
“Uh,” Nino pretended to be shocked. “The loner is opening his doors to other people. Quelle surprise.”
“Please,” Ohno sighed. “Spare me.”
~~~
“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Sho put some of the folders into the shelf, helping Ohno to get an order into his documents. They changed their location. Ohno’s small apartment was getting too crowded, and besides, they all felt safer with a new place. Jun and Nino had done their best to cover for them, providing them with new identities and made sure they were safe. Still, the feeling of being hunted and watched never really left Sho, nor did it leave Aiba.
Ohno sighed slightly. “I know this is hard for you, Sho-kun. You need to give it some time. It has only been a few months since we showed the tapes to the public and the fuss is still unbelievable. Jun and Nino have made sure that the word goes around that you are under the witness-protection program right now. Your name is clean again.”
“Well, at least Masaki is doing better now.” Sho peeked into the living room where Aiba was preparing the dishes. “When this is over, I want him to take some time off and go on a vacation to relax.”
“He is a strong guy, Sho.” Ohno sounded unusually soft. “He is a lot stronger than we think he is. And he loves you. He even loves his new tasks. He just needs a purpose in his life. As long as he has it, he’ll do well.”
“Hm,” Sho smiled. “If his purpose continues to be cooking, then you’ll gain even more weight…”
“Me?” Ohno pulled an eyebrow up. “You are the one who is getting chubby.”
“Last night you said that you liked my butt chubby and plush.” Sho answered dryly, smirking when he saw Ohno’s surprised glance. “I was listening very well, as you can see.”
“Such a pity that there is no time for doing something dirty.” Ohno mused. “Jun and Nino are dropping by any time to provide us with new information.”
“Hm,” Sho hummed. “You can still save your not-so-innocent plans for later.”
“Oh,” Ohno nodded his head. “I will.”
Ohno had almost forgotten it. How it feels to fall in love with someone. He had even forgotten how it is to be attracted to someone, to feel sympathy, to feel pity.
Now, he remembered it again. He is still a human being, feeling pride and anger and pain and fear and joy and love. It was a relief for him to know that he still has these emotions inside him.