He was surprised when Nishioka turned up at his doorstep one morning. A large envelope tucked under his arm.
"We need to talk." Edgy and tense.
Takumi shrugged and let him in.
Nishioka stalked to the couch. Hands clasped tightly once he sat.
Interesting.
Takumi took the seat opposite him and waited.
There was an uneasy grimace on Nishioka's face.
Something must be wrong. Now he was curious.
"Do you want to terminate my contract?" he asked with an easy smile.
"That would've been easier," Nishioka muttered.
Something was very, very wrong. Takumi raised an eyebrow but kept quiet.
"The recent photos," Nishioka began.
Boring, as far as Takumi was concerned. Although he had to compensate Akira for the inconveniences caused. The man was completely unbothered by the fuss, which amused Takumi.
"I did a background check on your friend," Nishioka admitted.
Takumi's smile cooled. But he held it.
Nishioka noticed and protested, "It's for your own good! I know that being a student is a novelty, but you should be careful who you hang out with."
"He's a fellow student," Takumi said testily. "Hardly dangerous."
Nishioka pursed his lips before placing the envelope on the coffee table. "See for yourself."
Takumi almost didn't want to. He reached for it slowly. Nishioka was silent as he lifted the sleeve to inspect the documents inside.
A sheet charting Akira's history. Newspaper clippings. Photographs which were not available to the public.
Deaths. Blood. A child.
Takumi's hands shook.
He froze his expression in one of mild curiosity. He would not reveal the shattering inside.
Suddenly, a lot of things about Akira made sense.
And many more didn't.
"Fascinating," he murmured finally.
Nishioka exploded. "That's it?! That's all you have to say?"
"His life story could be a TV drama." Takumi slid the papers back into the envelope carefully and leaned back into the couch.
"He could be dangerous! With that background, god knows if he's unstable," Nishioka exclaimed angrily.
Takumi was surprised by Nishioka's agitation. He said quietly, "If he had wanted to hurt me, he could have. You know that."
"Okay, you're right," Nishioka conceded but added quickly. "Still, you'd never know. And if the media goes digging deeper…"
Of course. It was always about protecting the asset against damaging publicity.
"Just create a distraction," Takumi cut him off.
"What?"
"Anyone of them would do. Who was it last month? Kirishima?" Takumi named a popular internet influencer. "I'll set up a drink with him. Make sure the paparazzi is around."
Kirishima was a slimeball after his ass, under the cheery image he portrayed to the world. But that made it a perfect cover.
Nishioka shook his head. "You're crazy."
"Am I?"
"Yes, damn it…but that's actually a good idea."
Takumi smiled.
Nishioka gave him a hard look. "Still, you need to be careful with that person. What's up with you anyway?"
"Maybe you're right. Novelty? I don't know."
Takumi didn't care to explain. His tone also informed Nishioka that he didn't want to discuss it further.
NIshioka sighed deeply and reached out to pick up the envelope. "Fine. I'll get going. This conversation is not finished."
Takumi snatched it away from him.
"I'll keep this. A reminder."
The older man stared at him and stood up in frustration. "Suit yourself."
Takumi stood up to show him to the door.
Before he left, Nishioka reminded him sternly, "Don't let this interfere with your work. We have a couple of great things lined up."
"Promise," Takumi said solemnly.
"Don't know why I bother," Nishioka muttered and stormed off.
Once the door closed and he was alone again, Takumi took the envelope and went over to his dining table. He laid out the contents and stood back. The full cast of horrors stared back at him.
His head whirled. His insides clenched.
He could pretend that he didn't know.
Yet Takumi wanted to know more. He never wanted to know about someone so much.
What was wrong with him?
Everything, a voice inside whispered.
He made a call.