🍵🌸

(Still working on that other fic, but I swear it’ll happen)

Kaoru glared at the paper in front of him. In one hand he held a calligraphy brush, in the other a pen that he twirled between his fingers. Was this the first time he stalled on a project until the last minute? No, absolutely not. Now, this was the first time he waited for so long and never got an idea. He wasn’t even sure what he needed to be doing, but the client happened to be a close friend of his.

“You’re pushing yourself too far again, Kaoru.”

“Shut up Kojiro, I’m trying to think.”

“That’s what you told me almost an hour ago. You still haven’t eaten and I know it’s been two days since you last slept.”

“I just need to finish this.”

“Kaoru.” Kojiro’s tone was firm and commanding. “It’s not that important.”

Kaoru set the brush down and raised the pen up to his mouth, biting the cap in thought.

“I know that look.” Kojiro sighed and crossed his arms over the chair he was sitting backwards in.

Kaoru ignored him, retreating into his head. Client may have been the wrong word to use, it’s not like he was getting paid for this project. On any other day, he would sit down, finish anything he’d need to and by the time he was finished it would be time to lay in bed with his racing thoughts and nothing to distract himself until the sun finally filtered into the room to announce that it was time for the process to start over. But today was special. He’d told himself he wasn’t going to do any work today, and technically he wasn’t. But he still spent the entire day sitting at his desk and staring at the page.

“I just don’t think you understand how important this is to me.” Kaoru finally looked over to Kojiro. A small blossom of pride bloomed in his chest when he saw the small silver band on his finger.

“Okay then, try to explain it to me.” Kojiro leaned on his arms to better look at Kaoru.

“I doubt your gorilla brain could understand the sentiment, but I can certainly try. Have you looked at a calendar recently?”

Kojiro looked up to the ceiling for a second, obviously thinking. “Now that I think about it, no. I haven’t.”

Kaoru made a sound of annoyance and shook his head. “Of course you haven’t.”

“Hey, I asked for an explanation. Not a lecture.”

“Calm down, you big oaf.” Kaoru rolled his eyes. “Today’s date is March 14th. Does that mean anything to you?”

Kojiro nodded slowly, a dopey smile forming on his face. “It’s the day that you accidentally confessed to me.”

“It wasn’t an accident, dumbass! I was fully aware of what I was doing.”

“So you’re trying to do something for our little anniversary?”

Kaoru scoffed and put a hand to his chest, appearing to be offended. “Are you saying I shouldn’t care about our relationship?”

Kojiro laughed softly and moved to sit next to Kaoru, pulling him closer by his shoulder. “I’m saying that you don’t have to do anything special. Please don’t stress yourself out for me.”

Kaoru leaned against Kojiro’s chest and rested his head on his shoulder.

“You tired?”

Kaoru simply hummed in acknowledgment and closed his eyes.

Soft moonlight filtered through the window, gently framing Kaoru’s face with a pale blue glow. Kojiro tapped his fingers against his arm as he watched over his friend. It was all he could do not to break down, start sobbing. But he has to stay strong. It’s always been what Kaoru looked up to him for. He never said it expressly but Kojiro knew. He knew that he was supposed to be the one that Kaoru could depend on to never crack. He was supposed to be the one who Kaoru went to when he needed stability. The one to fill Kaoru’s heart with joy and warmth. So why did he feel so cold? Like his very soul had been ripped from his body and all that was left was the bitter shell of someone who’s supposed to be the brightest.

“I’m so sorry, Kaoru.” Kojiro held his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking. “Everything that happened to you. I should’ve done something. I should’ve been the one to take that hit, not you.”

Silence enveloped the room once again, broken only by the soft beeping of various machines. He wasn’t sure when it started, but Kojiro found himself furiously wiping away his tears. Everything hurt. Why did everything hurt so much? Why was it so hard for Kojiro to breathe?

Stiff sheets rustled loudly and an ever so slight whisper drifted across the room. “Kojiro? Oh, honey, please don’t cry because of me.”

Kojiro’s head snapped up immediately. Beautiful gold eyes stared back at him, full of worry. And he broke. The tiny fractures that he tried desperately to cover up and fix before anyone saw split his heart and he broke. He broke because Kaoru, the man who always held his head high and stood firm in his decisions, who always seemed so untouchable, was so broken. He looked fragile. Like he could collapse at any moment. And that made Kojiro’s world shatter.

“Kaoru.”

“I’m fine, Kojiro.” Kaoru winced and grabbed his shoulder.

Suddenly Kojiro was back at S, moments before the collision. He watched in agony as the twisted form of the monster he used to know as his friend lifted his board above his head and swung with terrifying accuracy. The only thing Kojiro could hear was the resounding crack as the board collided with Kaoru’s head. He hit the ground and wasn’t moving. Oh god why wasn’t he moving. Kojiro sprinted towards the track, Kaoru still wasn’t moving. Kojiro shouted something at him, he couldn’t remember what it was. Kaoru didn’t respond. Adam spoke to him, he couldn’t remember what he said. Kaoru still didn’t move.

A soft hand gently pulled him back to the present. “Kojiro, my love. Where’d you go?” His smile looked so broken.

“I should’ve done something.”

“No, darling. It was something I had to see for myself. I wouldn’t have listened to you no matter how much you begged me to stop.” Kaoru messed with Kojiro’s hair.

“You could’ve died, Kaoru.” Kojiro turned just enough to put Kaoru’s hand on his cheek.

Kaoru simply ran his thumb across Kojiro’s cheek, wiping away the stray tears that fell. “But I didn’t. It’s a miracle I made it out with just these minor scratches, considering what could’ve happened.”

Kojiro leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Kaoru’s cheek.

“How about after this whole tournament thing is over, we go back to Europe? Just take some time for us.”

Kojiro gently helped Kaoru lay back down, seeing the fatigue in his eyes. “That sounds great, Princess. Just make sure you’re fully healed by then, okay?”

“No no, this is a horrible idea.” Kojiro stepped back, hands raised. He was perfectly fine with the thought of a piercing when Kaoru first brought it up, but he was becoming less and less okay with it. Seeing the needle in his pale hands was enough to shake his determination.

“Are you sure? I mean, I’ve done it quite a few times.” Kaoru motioned to the four piercings stuck through his ear.

“Yes. Yes, I’m okay with not committing to this like you did.”

Kaoru sighed and slipped the needle back into the repurposed contact case that now held various items required for giving oneself any kind of piercing.

“How are you able to bring yourself to stab through your skin like that?” Kojiro shivers at the memory of when he tried to talk Kaoru out of the first ear piercing. There was a lot of crying and swearing. Kaoru kept saying that Kojiro passed out, but the latter refuses to admit to anything.

“After enough practice, it’s really nothing.” Something in that statement set Kojiro’s nerves on end.

“And that means?”

“I’ve had practice. Simple as that.” Kaoru tucked the lens case into his pocket and leaned his elbows against the rail. The sun was starting to set over the ocean. The gentle waves glittered a dark turquoise and reflected light shone off the bottom of the overpass.

“Hey, this may seem random but,” Kojiro wrung his hands together nervously for a second before dropping them to his side and taking a deep breath. “Have you ever thought about your future? Like, getting married and starting a family or something?”

Kaoru noticeably tensed at the mention. Sure it’s something he may have thought about at one time, before his parents decided that he needed to focus more on continuing the family business and they’ll take care of everything else. Including his love life. He sighed and finally looked at his friend again. The warm glow of the setting sun outlined his face beautifully, framing it in an ethereal glow. Those eyes, a soft red that held nothing back and always displayed the raw emotions Kojiro had difficulty expressing physically. The messy mop of green hair that, try as he might, Kaoru could never get fully untangled.

“Yeah.” Kaoru’s voice broke slightly. “Yeah, I’ve thought about it.” He pulled his hair back behind his ear so he could see Kojiro fully. Not once in the history he’s had with Kojiro has Kaoru seen him change expressions so quickly. He finally settled with an almost pitying look. “But it’s fine. After all, the only thing I need to focus on is my calligraphy.”

“But you’re not happy.” Kojiro spoke softly. Sadly.

Kaoru thought for a moment. He wanted nothing more than to run off with Kojiro, like all the American romance movies he’d seen. Run from his family, his responsibilities. Every day would be a new adventure and he’d get to spend it with Kojiro. The next day, the next week, next year. With Kojiro. His friend since grade school, his crush since high school. For a moment he allowed himself to bask in that fantasy.

“We could run away.” His own voice startled him, pulling him from his thoughts. But now that the idea was out there, he couldn’t just stop here. “Just us, drifting from place to place. We wouldn’t have to worry about anything but where we’re going next.” Kaoru knew by the way he was moving his hands and speaking quickly that his eyes sparkled.

“Kaoru.” Kojiro picked a spot on the ocean just over Kaoru’s shoulder. He didn’t want to acknowledge what he was about to say. “You’re engaged, aren’t you.”

Everything crashed down on him at once. The thin grasp of hope he had slipped out of his reach. Kaoru stuttered for words. Yet another thing that never seemed to happen around Kojiro. He’d always felt confident in what he had to say with his friend there to back him up. “I never had a choice. I don’t even like her, let alone love her. I haven’t had the courage to tell them that I’m in love with someone else.” The words started pouring from his lips. “Someone I’ve known for a long time that, if I could, I’d give the whole world to. Whenever I’m with him I feel like anything is possible. No no, that’s not it. I know that anything is possible. His confidence is intoxicating and I can’t get enough of it. It feels impossible that there’s ever a dark thought in his mind, and yet I know because he’s told me. There’s no way in hell I could stop loving him and-” Kaoru shook his head, but the smile on his face never faded. Not when he thought about Kojiro.

“I’ll tell them.”

“Wait what? Tell who? What’re you planning?”

“Your parents. If you’re too afraid to, I’ll tell them.” Kojiro had a blazing determination in his eyes.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I’m positive. Come on, I’m not letting you live another day like this.”

Kaoru carefully traced the edges of Kojiro’s tattoo as if he was inking it all over again. It was funny how little memories like that can slip through the cracks and yet show up so unexpectedly at the slightest prod.

“You were so scared of a needle piercing your ear and yet you trusted me enough to give you a tattoo?” Kaoru teased, his eyes shifting from the inky black sun to Kojiro’s eyes.

“After the absolute shitstorm I caused you? I had to at least let you do something.”

“You always were a people pleaser.”

“Did you hear? Apparently Joe challenged Cherry Blossom!”

“Wait. The Cherry Blossom?”

“Yes! Can you believe we’re going to see them skate again since the tournament!”

“Is Cherry Blossom going to be okay? I mean, he did get straight up slapped by Adam last time he raced here.”

Kojiro glanced at Kaoru as they passed the group of people. So far, he didn’t seem to be reacting to the reference of his betrayal. “Hey, Kaoru-“

“What have I told you about that, Joe?”

“My apologies, Lord Cherry.” Kojiro rolled his eyes and smiled. “I was just going to ask if you’re okay.”

Kaoru stared ahead of him for a moment before answering. “You don’t have to worry about me, you know.”

“Last time you said that you ended up in the hospital.”

“You say that like I did it on purpose.”

“I told you to be careful and not get yourself killed!”

“And I wasn’t expecting him to get all pissy and attack me like that!”

Kojiro couldn’t help but laugh at their bickering. “Glad to see you haven’t changed much.”

“Yeah yeah, I love you too.” Kaoru scoffed.

“Pffft, with your new soft attitude I’m gonna win for sure.” Kojiro gave Kaoru a quick peck on the cheek and skated ahead.

“You ass! Get back here, and don’t be so cocky!” Kaoru took off after Kojiro, a smile hidden beneath the mask.

Off to the side, Miya rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue. ”If he cares so much about his reputation, then why is he openly flirting with Joe? They both have a strong fanbase who can easily turn on them if they have a change of heart. An idol being gay will cause a riot here, I can guaruntee you that much.”

Reki slowly turned to face Miya with a concerned look. “What?” He whispered mostly to himself.

“I think he was commenting on Cherry’s recklessness the past few days.” Langa leaned over Reki’s shoulder to also look at Miya.

“He’s always taken special care to keep his personal life out of skating, but ever since his beef with Adam he’s been careless about letting comments like that slip. All I’m doing is noticing a trend and pointing it out.” Miya sighed. “I just hope this is less violent and by association more interesting than the last beef Cherry’s had.”

“Jesus Christ what is wrong with you.” Reki shook his head and turned his attention back to the large screen that featured the race. It’s completely true to say that Reki has never seen Cherry’s skating when he’s serious. The blaring horns that cut through the noise signified that the long awaited match between two of the founding members of ‘S’ was about to start.

“I’ll see you there.” Kojiro winked as the countdown began.

“You wish. The only thing you’ll be seeing is my back when I cross the finish before you.”

So anyway, here’s today’s one shot. There is a minor warning for sharp objects and injury, but I can’t get a cut/break so apologies for that

“Hey uhh, Kojiro?” Kaoru poked his head around the corner of the kitchen. “I don’t think I’m making this right.”

“You just started boiling water, how are you not doing that right?”

“I don’t know, I don’t usually cook and I don’t know what I’m doing!”

Kojiro leapt up and ran to Kaoru’s side. “Hey hey, I don’t want to make you feel bad or anxious. I’m sorry, that was not the best time for a comment like that.” He gently pulled him into a hug and rubbed his shoulder. “Do you want me to help?”

Kaoru just gave him a small nod. Kojiro smiled softly and led Kaoru back to the kitchen. The pot on the stove was almost boiling over. Immediately he got to work on preventing the water from bubbling out of the pot, taking the lid off it and turning down the heat and even moving the pot itself. Koaru just watched as he worked, mesmerized by his careful and methodical movements that contrasted sharply with what he seemed to act like normally.

“Okay, come here.” Kojiro waved Kaoru over to the counter where he’d gotten out a few ingredients. Carefully he handed Kaoru a knife and set a block of cheese in front of him on a cutting board. “Do you at least know how to handle a knife properly?”

Kaoru shook his head slowly. He didn’t exactly enjoy admitting his weaknesses, worried that people would start looking down on him and treating him like someone who couldn’t possibly care for himself on his own. Kojiro simply smiled softly and took Kaoru’s hands in his own and adjusted his grip. Koaru seriously didn’t want to admit how much he enjoyed the feeling of his friend’s hands on his, or his back being pressed against Kojiro’s chest.

“The best thing you want to do when handling a knife is keep in mind where your hands are. Depending on what you’re cutting, you may want or need more leverage. The closer to blade you get, the more control and strength you get but it’s a lot easier to accidentally cut yourself.” Slowly and carefully, Kojiro moved their hands. The knife cut effortlessly through the block of cheese. Kaoru glanced over at Kojiro with a proud smile. He returned the smile and stepped back. “This is all the cheese we’ll need, so if you want you can start cutting up the garlic and tomatoes?”

Kaoru nodded as Kojiro picked up the rather thick slice of cheese they’d cut earlier. Filled with a new determination, Kaoru set the knife down and pulled back his hair and set to work. Everything went smoothly in relative silence, aside from Kojiro’s soft humming that seemed to work wonders for Kaoru’s nerves. He was so lost in his own mind that he wasn’t watching quite what he was doing. This is, until the searing pain in his finger registered. “Fuck!” Kaoru dropped the knife with a loud clatter and cradled his hand. “God fucking shit, this hurts.”

“Kaoru! What did I tell you about paying attention- oh shit that is pretty bad.”

“Yeah, no shit.” Kaoru hissed. Tears pricked at the edge of his vision, but he refused to let them spill. He wasn’t about to let his weakness get the best of him. Muttering a string of curses under his breath, Kaoru made his way to the bag of first aid supplies he made sure to bring with them. Skaters get all kinds of injuries, and it was best to be prepared for that kind of thing.

While Kaoru was patching himself up he heard Kojiro’s deep sigh as he continued what he was doing. It made him feel bad that he couldn’t help his friend with even the simplest of tasks. He found his mind wandering. Kojiro would make a nice husband one day, if he would ever settle down. Kaoru chuckled at the image of Kojiro running around, trying to keep kids on track. Cooking for his wife and kids. Waking up next to a beautiful woman every day. Something clicked in Kaoru’s mind and the tears started to fall. Nowhere in that image was him. He’d seen it time and time again now, their friends growing up, getting married, having kids. Suddenly there’s less time for the things they used to love. Less time for them. He didn’t think much when he stood up and hugged Kojiro around the waist from behind.

“Ah, Kaoru! Careful!”

“Sorry.” Despite his mumbled apology, Kaoru didn’t let Kojiro go.

“What’s wrong?” His voice was soft and soothing.

“You aren’t going to leave me. Are you?”

Kojiro was growing increasingly concerned. Kaoru never sounded this broken, let alone show this level of fear. He smiled softly and lightly kissed the top of his head. “Of course not. I promise that I won’t leave your side, as long as you don’t leave mine.”

Kojiro glanced at Kaoru with a questioning look. All day his friend had been avoiding him for some reason and it was starting to worry him. Kaoru just shook his head and smiled. Nothing seemed particularly off about him except for the thick metal bracelet around his right wrist. Occasionally it’d glow pink and he’d talk to it, call it Carla. It was common knowledge that Kaoru was messing with A.I. so it was likely that Carla was a test of his skill. Kojiro sighed and stood up. “Kaoru-”

“Master, your heart rate has increased significantly within the past 10 seconds.”

Kaoru’s eyes widened as he stared at Carla. “Will you quit that? I know all this already! I really need to work on that.”

“Why are you so flustered about this?” Kojiro crossed his arms and sat on the desk next to Kaoru. “I think it’s really impressive that you’ve got something this functional already. Though I do find it a little weird that you named it ‘Carla.’ Don’t you think it’s creepy to give it a girl’s name?”

“Well, I mean…” Kaoru rubbed the back of his head and stared down at his feet.

“A significant increase in norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin have been detected.”

“Carla!” Kaoru huffed and tore off the bracelet.

“And that’ll do what exactly? It doesn’t look like it has an off switch.” Kojiro gave a small laugh.

“Yeah yeah, I know. She’s still a work in progress.” Kaoru slipped Carla into his bag.

“But what was with all that chemical shit?”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m not entirely sure myself.”

Kojiro gave Kaoru a disappointed look. “One of your favorite things to study is chemistry, don’t even pretend you don’t know.” He didn’t notice it at first, but looking closer there was a significant red tinge to Kaoru’s cheeks. “Hey, are you feeling alright? Your face is a little flushed.”

“Huh?” Kaoru shook his head and waved Kojiro off. “No no, it’s nothing!”

“And you’ve been avoiding me all day. At first I thought it was the whole Carla thing, which is still really weird if you ask me, but now I’m starting to wonder if you’re sick.”

“I’m fine, really. I guess I just haven’t been eating enough or getting sleep, but that’s it. And it’s because I’ve been working on Carla and not because I’m hopelessly lovesick or anything! Definitely not in love with you, why would you ask that? That’s such a weird thing to ask. Are you sure that you aren’t the one who’s got something wrong? I’m sorry I missed it, but I’m sure I can help now that I know.”

“Kaoru.” Kojiro gently grabbed his friend’s wrist. “Something is definitely wrong, and I’m not going to let you stay here and get worse. Come on.” He pulled Kaoru out of his chair, grabbed his bag and led him out of the classroom.

“Kojiro, really I’m fine.”

“Doesn’t matter at this point, I’m taking you home and making sure you’re okay.”

Kaoru could do nothing but watch the back of Kojiro’s head as he led him through the halls and out the door. Suddenly Kojiro stopped. “Wait, did you just tell me you were in love with me?” He whipped around to face Kaoru, letting go of his arm.

Kaoru put up his hands in defense and took a step back. “I swear it wasn’t, it wasn’t anything. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“No, no.” Kojiro inhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not upset, I’m sorry I reacted like that. I just never expected it to be you.”

“What does that mean.” Kaoru took another step back, his heel catching on the curb. He let out a yelp of surprise and stumbled back.

Kojiro immediately moved to catch him, wrapping an arm around his waist and grabbing his wrist again. “Be careful, please. I don’t want you busting your head in because of my stupid gorilla brain not reacting properly.”

Kaoru stared up at Kojiro, never having seen his face this close before. The light that caught his eyes made them appear to glow a soft crimson and he couldn’t bring himself to look away. There was something behind his soft expression. A kind of warm and loving look. Kaoru’s breath caught and his heart beat faster in his chest. If there was ever an opportunity, it was now. He took a quick breath, grabbed Kojiro’s face and pulled him into a kiss.

It was unexpected, to say the least. Kojiro stood frozen for a few seconds before moving a hand to Kaoru’s back and returning the kiss. At first the sharp metallic tang of his lip ring was off putting, but the longer Kojiro held Kaoru’s lips in his own the sweeter it seemed to become. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against Kaoru’s. “You know, you suck at this.”

Kaoru’s eyes shot open and he smacked Kojiro. “Actual asshole. Are you okay?”

They looked at each in silence for a second before laughing.

“Do you even know how to respond when someone kisses you like that?” Kaoru doubled over and held his stomach. He pretended to wipe a tear from his eye.

“I got nervous! And what was with your slapping me?” Kojiro propped himself against a wall to support his weight.

Kaoru wheezed. No coherent sentences were exchanged for the next few minutes while they collected their breath and composure. Once completely calmed down, Kojiro offered his hand. Kaoru gave him a skeptical look but took it, intertwining their fingers.

Kaoru rested his chin in his hand and tapped his fingers idly on the counter. He stopped holding onto the stupid hope that Adam would even care.

“Kaoru!” Kojiro snapped in front of his friend’s face. “Everything alright in that pretty little head of yours?”

“Ugh, I told you not to say stupid things like that.” Kaoru lifted his head. Despite his annoyed tone he had a touch of a smile on his face.

“And you know me. Ever the flirt.”

“It’s not going to work, Kojiro. You and me? If it didn’t work out 3 years ago, it won’t now.” Kaoru sighed and looked down at his hands. “It was hard enough moving on then, I don’t think I could do it again.”

“Come on, Kaoru. You know that’s not what I was going for.” Kojiro sighed and leaned on the counter. “I know something’s wrong with you. You’re quieter than usual, spacing out. So, I’m right here. What’s going on?”

Kaoru pulled the tie out of his hair and threw it behind him. “Just thinking.”

“You’re always thinking, don’t try to play this off like it’s nothing.”

“Fine. It’s Adam again.”

“Seriously, Kaoru?” Kojiro put a hand over Kaoru’s. “You’ve got to let him go. It’s obvious he’s already done that with us.”

“I know, dammit! You think I don’t understand that he’s changed into a monster?!” Kaoru shoved Kojiro’s hand off his and slammed his fists down on the table. “I’m fully aware that he’s gone, Kojiro! But some stupid side of my head still holds onto the hope that maybe, by some fucking miracle, he’ll come back to us!”

“Are you saying you’re still…” Kojiro folded his arms on the counter and hung his head. “Kaoru, I care about you. Really, I do. I can’t just stand by and watch you throw yourself away like this. This is tearing you apart. Please,” Kojiro lifted his head just enough to meet Kaoru’s eyes and gave him a pleading look. “Don’t get yourself hurt by him again.”

Without much thought, Kaoru raised his hand up to where Adam’s board collided with his face. “I promise you, Kojiro. The next time I see him I’ll be careful.”

“That’s all I could ask of you.”

“Master,” The soft robotic voice of Kaoru’s A.I. echoed dully around the room. “There seems to be some people here to see you.”

“Thank you, Carla. I appreciate the notice.” Kaoru sighed and stood up, brushing the dirt off himself. “What other information can you give me?”

“Of course. They appear to be members of the Okinawa Police.” Carla spoke with an unbothered voice. As if the situation didn’t just change from curiosity to mild panic.

“Why would they be here?” Kaoru mumbled to himself as he moved to answer the door.

On the other side, waiting patiently, were three officers. The foremost one lowered a raised that was poised to knock. “Mr. Sakurayashiki. I apologize if we inconvenienced you.”

“Not at all. Is there something I can help you with?”

The officer nodded. “We’ve gotten an anonymous tip that you were involved with an illegal organization of skateboarders known as ‘S’. We thought it too far fetched when they said you founded and ran it. Would you be willing to come in and answer some questions about this organization.”

“Of course, yes. Carla!” Kaoru turned back to the inside of the house. “Please inform Kojiro that I have some business and won’t be able to make our date this afternoon.”

“Of course, Master. Should I also inform him of the situation?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure he’s well aware.” Kaoru turned back to the officers.

Kojiro’s screen lit up and immediately he snatched it up. The contact flashed across the screen. ‘Mon Cheri 🌸‘. A light panic settled in his mind. “Weird. He never calls me first.” He answered the call.

“Master Kaoru wanted me to inform you that he has business to attend to and regrets to inform you that he will be unavailable this afternoon for your date.”

“Ah, great. He couldn’t even bother to tell me himself so he sent his robot to cancel on me.” Kojiro pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “If he didn’t like me he could’ve just said so.”

“The authorities have taken him in for questioning, sir. This was not his choice.”

“The police?! Why didn’t you start with that, Carla?!”

“He specifically requested I not tell you. However I made a decision I thought best for your mental stability.”

Kojiro slammed his fist down on the table. “What for?”

“They allegedly received a tip that he was the founder and leader of ‘S’.”

“Are you telling me that Adam snitched on his own members to save his hide?” Kojiro always knew the man was a snake, but to go as far as sending his friend to questioning by authorities. Then it clicked. “He didn’t rat us all out, did he? Was sending Kaoru to the hospital not enough for him? Is he really petty enough to get him arrested for trying to get closure?” Kojiro sighed deeply and shook his head. “I’m going to see him.”

“That is not recommended.”