Chapter Text
Akutsu groaned as light hit his eyes. He could feel things in him; small needles poking into his arms. Most people would think someone as big and hard as Akutsu couldn’t feel most things, but the man was surprisingly sensitive. He felt those bullets when he’d gotten shot, thought he was a goner for sure. He remembered his whole world turning dark.
“Hey,” Akutsu turned, eyes bleary and barely able to remain open. He saw Yagami sitting on a chair, a book in his lap. Kaito stood right behind the chair, arms crossed over his chest and eyes planted firmly on Akutsu. “You’re awake, Akutsu-san.”
“Thought I died,” Akutsu muttered, coughing. He knew too much and had outlived his usefulness to Soma despite the time, effort, and energy put into doing whatever the older man had asked of him. He did everything for Soma and in return he received nothing but gunshots.
Too bad he was tougher than that.
He opened his eyes more as he adjusted. The tiled ceiling and sterile white told him he was in the hospital, and the IVs that he was attached to confirmed it.
“We thought just as much,” Yagami said. He got up, moving closer to the bed. Kaito remained where he was, eyes glued on Akutsu in case he tried something. “You lost a lot of blood, slipped into a coma. But you’re up now, and you should be able to recover without too much issue. Do you remember your name?”
“Yeah,” Akutsu felt like he remembered too much. He’d been loyal to Soma, did whatever the man asked of him, didn’t complain when he even was made to do basic shit because Soma was too important and delicate to do it himself. He also remembered he was close to killing Yagami, who was speaking too kindly to the man despite everything he’d done. “You guys get that sniffly bastard?”
“Ta-bou got him, we all had a blast fighting your guys,” Kaito grinned. “Bastard’s in jail, hopefully sniffing up that dirty cell and getting his allergies fucked with.”
The doctor checked in with Akutsu, explained to him everything that had gone on in the couple of months since he’d been out. Akutsu barely took it in, just nodded and hummed so the doctor knew he was still up.
Yagami and Kaito visited nearly every day as Akutsu recovered, probably to make sure he was doing okay, but part of Akutsu felt like it was to make sure he didn’t wreak havoc on the poor, underpaid staff. They filled the man in on everything that had happened while he was down. Akutsu felt like some abandoned dog; he was loyal to his master and had nowhere to go, didn’t even know what to do with himself.
He thought he’d live and die in the RK.
When he got out of the hospital two weeks later, Sugiura and Yagami waited in front of the younger man’s white van. Akutsu was shocked but got in the back seat. Sugiura stared for a minute, unsure of what to even think of this man. He’d attempted to kill Yagami, so it didn’t place Akutsu high in his book, but Yagami told him it was in the past and Akutsu was no longer a threat.
Akutsu was a fucking monster and didn’t seem like he cared for anyone’s well being, even enjoyed torturing people, but Sugiura digressed. People could change.
“No smoking in the van,” he said as he started driving. Akutsu laughed.
They got to Charles quickly. Higashi was behind the counter, eyes glued to his phone because the place was dead. He froze the second he saw Akutsu trailing behind Sugiura.
“For the love of… why are you here?” Higashi asked. He glared at Yagami, who shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Sugiura joined Higashi behind the counter. “Why are we all gathered here? We’re done with the investigation.”
Higashi was happy to help Yagami when Kaito’s life had been put on the line; when he heard the details about the case, he was ready to kick ass and get revenge for Kaito. He knew enough about Akutsu, was unfortunate enough to witness him get shot and assumed him dead, but now the man who had nearly murdered Yagami was standing free in the arcade looking just as confused as Higashi was.
“You have openings for sad, jobless ex-criminals, right?” Sugiura asked, laughing. He looked at the man and smirked, gave a sly wink.
“No!” Higashi exclaimed. “Do I look like I run a charity? It’s me and Suzuki most days, we’re enough. You hire him.”
Akutsu walked to the counter, grinned at Sugiura. He first saw him when he and Kaito busted in to to save Yagami, though he wore a mask at the time. Sugiura reminded him of Soma; good looks and lithe frame, but Sugiura wasn’t as devious and self-important as Soma, and he actually seemed loyal to people. He seemed so small to Akutsu, who towered over him and was pure muscle. He had to admit that also much like Soma, Sugiura was a feast for the eyes and Akutsu felt pure physical attraction.
He and Soma had fucked around when Soma was bored and Akutsu knew it had no meaning to the older man, but it was nice to blow off steam. He knew they hated each other and Soma didn’t even seem to have much faith in Akutsu most of the time; perhaps that’s what made the sex so good. He wondered how Sugiura was in bed.
“Don’t fucking look at him,” Higashi growled.
“Higashi-san, he’s not gonna do anything,” Yagami said, putting a hand up. Higashi was like a dog when it came to those he cared about and he had a good sense when it came to people’s intentions. Higashi was not enjoying the way Akutsu looked at Sugiura.
“You don’t get it because you’re a good guy,” Higashi hissed, glancing at the detective. He was sure Akutsu wouldn’t do anything because he’d have to take on all of them and the brute had already gotten rinsed by Yagami multiple times, but he wouldn’t take his chances. “Go literally anywhere else with this asshole. I only take on my own men.”
“He helped us out,” Yagami said, as if that would really change the other man’s mind.
“And he tried to kill you,” Higashi argued.
“And I’m standing right here, so you both can act like it,” Akutsu chimed in. Sugiura watched quietly, excited over this back and forth. He was always amused by how much Higashi acted like he didn’t like Yagami, but he knew the man was actually nice and just too stubborn to admit he cared and would always help the detective. “I don’t need your pity, Yagami. I can do better than some shitty arcade.”
“Oh, I’m sure recruiters will be knocking at your door with such a great resume,” Higashi said. “That is if you still even have a door for them to knock on.”
“And what do you have other than some shitty arcade?” Akutsu asked.
“More than you,” Higashi argued. He instinctively put an arm around Sugiura and Akutsu couldn’t help but think he was showing off. Higashi had a sad shitty arcade and a cute little detective. So what? Higashi turned to Yagami. “If it’s so important to you that this guy finds work, you hire him.”
“You know we can’t afford him. I’m lucky Kaito-san still stays with me,” Yagami explained.
“He stays because he’s loyal even though you kind of suck and can barely pay your own rent, let alone his,” Higashi was on a roll, but Yagami laughed anyway. He was used to Higashi’s sharp tongue, even kind of liked it in a weird way.
“I thought the plan was for me to hire him,” Sugiura said. Higashi and Akutsu looked at him. “I need to talk it over with Tsukumo-kun, and you’ll have a huge probationary period, but we have a lot of stuff coming in and we can’t do everything in a timely manner. It’d be nice to have another person helping out.”
“Damn, your little detective likes me,” Akutsu smirked at Higashi, like he’d won something.
“He’s not something to be owned,” Higashi stated. Unlike Akutsu, Higashi didn’t claim people. He and Sugiura had a good thing going, had been quiet about it for the past eight months even though it’s not like anyone was paying attention, but he would never do something like put ownership on the man. He trusted his place with Sugiura.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re a shitty person who thinks too highly of himself and likes violence and hurting people too much, and Yokohama 99 is too good for you,” Sugiura smiled at Akutsu, perhaps a little cocky because he knew Higashi would turn on Akutsu in a second if things got bad. “But I also think people can change and you’re feeling lost and betrayed by someone you looked up to.”
“I didn’t look up to that fuck,” Akutsu spat out.
“And yet you never questioned him, nor did you fight for control when he made it clear he ran the show,” Sugiura responded. He looked Akutsu up and down. “I’m sure even when you two were sleeping together, he always had say over everything down to how you dicked him around.”
“Sugiura!” Yagami snapped. Even Higashi was blushing. Sugiura didn’t feel bad and the glare he received from the former RK member told him that he had hit a sensitive topic. He really couldn’t care less; he was being nice because Yagami asked him to consider taking Akutsu in if his first plan of asking Higashi to help didn’t pan out.
“What, do you want me to be nice about it? Like he was so nice when he was recording what was nearly your murder?” Sugiura’s tongue was surprisingly sharp today, even Higashi was shocked. Though to be honest, it did rub him the wrong way how nice and nonchalant Yagami was acting about everything. “You can’t just tell us you want to help this guy out and expect us to just act like we’re all friends. You can’t be friends with everyone, and you can’t save everyone either.”
Akutsu let out a hearty laugh. Sugiura and Higashi were so biting that it was refreshing. Yagami had a deep heart and Akutsu respected it because he knew he could never be so soft, but the men that the detective associated with had no problem calling him out and Akutsu had mad respect for it as well. Truthfully, Akutsu hated that despite his confidence and prowess, he never felt big enough to question his leader. Though perhaps if he had, he wouldn’t have been so lucky to just fall into a coma.
“I’m down to try some detective work,” Akutsu finally said. It was something new and Akutsu had to admit that maybe it would be nice to not feel like he was constantly under scrutiny. “What’s the leader’s name? Tsukumo? I’ll charm the pants off of him.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Sugiura stated. He looked at Higashi, whose eyebrows were furrowed. “Higashi-san, don’t be so mad. You even told me to hire him.”
“I didn’t think you’d do it. You never listen to me,” Higashi replied.
“I always listen to you. It doesn’t mean I follow through with whatever you talk about,” Sugiura smiled. Higashi was a confident and strong man, but Sugiura knew that sometimes, all it took was one smile and the man was weak. He tried not to use it against him too much. “Yagami-san and I talked about it anyway. He figured you wouldn’t wanna hire him and that perhaps Yokohama 99 could use an extra hand and lots of strength.”
“Well, I’m going in for the job interview then,” Higashi said. Akutsu glared at him. “You think I’m leaving Sugiura alone with the likes of you? Please.”
“You think he needs a bodyguard?” Akutsu asked. He didn’t blame Higashi; Akutsu could barely be trusted when he got someone in his sights. Truthfully, he just liked getting under Higashi’s skin. He knew about the man, knew he was usually cool and level-headed. Sugiura and Kaito were clearly his two weaknesses, and Akutsu would keep that information in the back of his head.
“Of course not, you seen him in a fight?” Higashi smirked. “But I don’t always listen to him either and I always make sure I have his back even when he tells me he’s fine.”
“Guess it’s settled then,” Yagami shrugged his shoulders. He expected more fight from Higashi, less roughness from Sugiura. He supposed his past with Akutsu was a bad one, and Sugiura would have no reason to be friendly with the man even when Yagami told him it was fine and Akutsu was no longer a threat.
Truthfully, Yagami had no idea if Akutsu was truly onboard, but at the very least, the man had said he had no reason to even bother hurting Yagami. Only time would tell how everything would go.
As it turned out, Akutsu did not like Sugiura and Higashi all that much. They practically ignored him during the whole drive to Ijincho in favor of catching up with each other. Higashi had plans for another shitty arcade and Sugiura was thinking of getting an ice cream maker. For the kinds of people they were, they seemed so boring and vanilla.
They finally pulled up to Yokohama 99 and Akutsu nearly jumped out of the van. He barely had time to properly assess Ijincho when he’d been around before; he was excited to see what this humdrum little city had to offer.
“Let’s go!” Sugiura exclaimed, smiling. He led the men into the elevator, hitting a button. The three stood in silence, Sugiura checking his phone. “Oh, shoot. Tsukumo sent me some messages while I drove.”
“Well, you do need to be safe,” Higashi said. Sugiura smiled as he read through the messages. He snickered and glanced at Akutsu before his fingers shot a reply lightning fast.
Akutsu didn’t know this guy he’d be meeting; barely knew much about Yokohama 99 itself, but he had high hopes. Akutsu could say he was good looking, charming, and could get a job done well. His choice in company was questionable, but you just needed to spice things up sometimes.
His hopes were dashed when they got into the office. Akutsu didn’t know what he expected of Tsukumo. Maybe someone like Yagami; spoke his mind, trusting yet jaded, and fucking hot with fighting moves to match. Tsukumo was… definitely not that.
His hair was messy, his sense of fashion was atrocious, and his glasses looked really fucking stupid. Disappointment was an understatement. Sugiura was practically a model, so Akutsu just assumed Tsukumo would be similarly good looking, or at least have something going on. Yagami and Kaito were entirely different looks-wise, but both still looked delectable if you asked Akutsu, though he couldn’t say Kaito was his type.
He wouldn’t say no though. If it came to it, he’d wrestle Kaito for dominance.
Sugiura elbowed Akutsu when he stared a little too long. When they’d gotten in, Tsukumo had gotten up from his desk and bowed to the taller man, though the look on his face said he was intimidated. Tsukumo was on the shorter side; Akutsu already thought Sugiura was small, and he had inches on Tsukumo. He kind of reminded Akutsu of a sloth.
“So I’d like a job?” Akutsu didn’t mean for it to come out so casually, but he was too busy assessing Tsukumo to put words together.
“We’re not really looking to hire right now,” Tsukumo said as he rubbed his hands together. He was nervous. This man looked intimidating in a way Kaito never did. Akutsu stared at Tsukumo's hands, noticed stiffness in his left hand.
“Break a finger or something?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Tsukumo said. He looked at his hand. His pinky didn’t actively hurt as much, but it kept a dull ache. He didn’t bandage it as much; tried to give it room to breathe. “Some men broke in and broke my pinky during the case a few months ago.”
“Oh,” Akutsu stared at Tsukumo. He just seemed so plain, but he was nice enough. Akutsu couldn’t see anyone wanting to hurt someone like Tsukumo; he seemed so sweet and harmless. “Well, if you hire me, I can keep you safe.”
“Well thanks,” Sugiura commented.
“I mean, you didn’t stop his pinky from being broken. Poor babe suffered badly,” Akutsu winked at Tsukumo. He was laying it on thick because even though his impressions were soured, he could have some fun busting heads in Ijincho if given the chance.
“You know, Sugiura wasn’t exactly in a place to do much. He got blind-sided and didn’t exactly come out of it fine,” Higashi said. Sugiura tapped his arm.
“Forget it,” he muttered. He sighed and looked at Tsukumo. “I know it’s out of the blue Tsukumo-kun, but I also know how many people have been asking us to help them out lately. Another set of hands can’t hurt. We can give him a few weeks, see how it goes. We can have Higashi-san and Kaito-san come get him if he’s really being bad.”
Tsukumo looked at Sugiura, then at Akutsu. Yagami filled him in on the details when he was over to retrieve Sugiura, but Tsukumo was unsure about the plan even then. The extra help couldn’t hurt and Tsukumo had to admit that sometimes he felt nervous sending Sugiura out alone on riskier cases. He trusted his partner, knew he had skill and experience, but he also saw how big some of the nastier guys in Ijincho were. Speed didn’t matter if Sugiura was caught by surprise by some hulking mass.
“Don’t be rude, follow our protocols, and we can get you up to speed,” Tsukumo said. Akutsu smiled. No malice, no deviousness, a true smile. Despite his harsh words and quickness to judge, having a normal boss that didn’t feel like he thought less of him would be nice.
And he had to admit, Tsukumo was the most normal person Akutsu felt like he’d ever met. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad having some new blood and a new environment to poke at.