Chapter Text
“The shipment of magnolia trees is already on its way to Hong Kong.” One of his men had confirmed inside the office and Heeseung dismissed him shortly after. Nobody other than them stayed there longer than necessary.
And to be honest, at first, it seemed peculiar, not to say stupid, that the drugs were named after the flowers and trees that were transported with them. But it was subtle and had some poetic profanity in it.
The language of the flowers that they used was very different from the one used in the flower shop. For example, there was something about magnolia trees. How everyone seemed to want to own them. They were fashionable, expensive, and dangerous. And it was something new on the market. They were totally desired, but the name of the drug wasn’t given because of its resemblance to a flower, the consequences could be serious. Heeseung had no problem trying anyway, take the risk, so they were doing it.
The business changed as time went by. In his grandparents' time, weapons were sought after, shortly after drugs took the lead. And there they stayed.
It didn't matter what it was, Heeseung had it. His family had taken Korea, Jongseong's the States, and soon they would have Japan. They just had to wait.
“How many boxes?”
“I set a limit of fifty.” If they distribute it poorly, it won't go down well. “If they do it well, we send more.”
They had a lot of new clients, but they were all going through a trial stage. Neither Heeseung, nor any of them wanted to be surrounded by faint-hearted people. They weren't worth the time invested.
“What happened to Japan?” Jongseong asked.
When thinking about faint-hearted people, they’re the first ones that came to mind. He had to admit that they were a bit perverse with them. Maybe they weren't exactly weak, but they’re still hanging by a thread, and Heeseung never re-weaved it or broke it.
He just always left them on edge.
“The Nishimuras requested the same boarding as the previous month.” Heeseung answered without having to look at a list or receipt. He just knew.
“They’re screwed. I think they know what's going to happen.” Sunghoon said.
Of course they had to know.
Nishimura, their Nishimura, had been sent home early, because Jaeyun didn't want to be alone. But they would have talked about it in front of him anyway, he had to know.
Heeseung looked at his computer screen. He wasn't a friend of technology, he never had been. And although he had been raised in the old way he knew that technology had to be part of it if he wanted to dominate the main markets.
“I need Jaeyun to tell me how much the charge of everything will be.”
Jaeyun couldn't be a part. But they still needed the brainiac. He literally made colossal numbers from selling plants. Of course, he knew that they weren't just plants, but he also didn't know specifically what was being exported. And his name didn't appear anywhere, which was the most important thing.
Heeseung didn't trust almost anyone. Even if they had their own accountants, everything went through Jaeyun every month without anyone knowing.
Just in case.
Jaeyun had always been the treasure of the Lee house. That's what was said when Jongseong joined them. However, it hadn't been because of the numbers. Jaeyun was all warmth and smiles, and everyone wanted him around, just to brighten their day. And although Jaeyun was a genius with mathematics, he was also very trusting and friendly, so he was truly the one to protect in the flower shop.
“You can finish the paperwork tomorrow, we won't make the next shipment until next week.” Heeseung told him, slumping his body into his chair.
Jongseong just hummed.
Jungwon had laughed heartily when Jongseong told him he had specialized in international law and finances, he was basically a lawyer for them. He didn't know why he found it so funny. That was what he had studied after all. For all that, he did whatever was needed in the organization: numbers, transactions, market, visits... a little bit of everything, not just the legal part.
“Will you go out with Jungwon?”
“He went to the university in the morning and loaded the trucks in the afternoon. Jungwon must be sleeping by now.”
It was usual for Jongseong to stay late at the office. It was usual for Heeseung or Sunghoon to be there as well. It was unusual to have a boyfriend. Have someone wait for him at home.
Jungwon was too cute when he slept. Jongseong could spend entire minutes staring at him. Which he tried not to do because he didn't want to look like a psychopath but sometimes it was really hard not to.
Sunghoon was thoughtful for a few seconds.
“This is so weird. Because he does know that you slept with your entire university, right? You're like a whore but in reverse.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“On the weekend there will be rounds in the seventh circle of hell. I want Jungwon to go with us.” Sunghoon said changing the subject.
The seventh circle of hell was a nomadic and illegal place of clandestine fights. Something Sunghoon and Nishimura knew a lot about. Jongseong had had good times there, but when he was younger. And Heeseung was banned from entering.
“Why do you want Jungwon to go there?”
“He is a born fighter, he has good movements.”
“He stopped fighting when he was about twelve years old.”
“That's not what I remember.”
“My answer is no.”
“Thank goodness I didn't ask you. The invitation is only for Jungwon. I'm just letting you know.”
Jongseong knew that Jungwon was volatile sometimes, but only when he felt in danger. He wasn't stupid. Even so, getting into a cage to fight... it could get his attention, he was too curious for his own good. But Sunghoon wouldn't let him do anything risky either.
There were days when Jungwon worked late and didn't go to Jongseong’s house and sometimes he tried to wait up for him, which Jongseong had advised him not to do. And although Jungwon turned a deaf ear, sleep often won over him. He once found him asleep on the kitchen counter.
When he got home he knew that Jungwon was awake... or had fallen asleep because the lights were on.
"Jungwon?"
"I'm upstairs!"
Jungwon had confessed that he didn't want to spend a lot of time in his house so as not to get used to the smell… his smell, and be amazed by it every time he set foot there. Jungwon was obsessed with his cologne and Jongseong loved that.
If he had to buy bottles and bottles of the same perfume, he would do it. As long as he has Jungwon behind him and on top of him smelling his scent.
Maybe that's why he was lying on his bed hugging his pillow.
“You shouldn't be awake. It's late.” Jongseong said as he approached Jungwon to give him a tender kiss.
“It’s not that late.”
“How was work today?”
“Good. Sunghoon wants to take you to an underground fight site.”
“Well. That sounds very Sunghoon of him. But why?”
“The allowance that his husbands give him isn't enough.”
“Can I go?”
Jungwon knew he didn't have to ask permission. But it made Jongseong glad that he showed a little self-preservation.
“I'll think about it. But first, how was your day?”
“It wasn't so good. I was distracted and I did some things wrong.”
That was unusual of him.
“Do you want to tell me about what's bothering you?”
“Yes. I want to fuck you.”
Jongseong froze. Jungwon hadn't forgotten.
Jungwon's problem was hormonal, he was too horny for his boyfriend. Had he thought about fucking him all day? In his lectures? Helping the neighborhood ladies carry their pots? That was hot.
They both had serious problems.
“You want to…? Now?”
“Only if you're okay with it.”
“I mean... yes. Yes, I want it. But first, there is something I want to tell you, it’s not a big deal but–”
“Does this have to do with certain stress problems and what you did to relieve yourself?”
“It was Sunghoon, right? That fucking traitor.”
Jungwon and Jongseong had only been dating for a few months, and yet it seemed like there was no unrevealed information.
“It wasn't Sunghoon… But, that doesn't change anything for me. I already knew it before, long before .”
The rumor had gone much further than Jongseong thought and it wasn't just a rumor after all, but it had been years of that and it wasn't his fault that he was surrounded by prudes. But if Jungwon was okay with that... he didn't care what anyone else said.
“I don't know what you know. It wasn't that bad. But what I want to say is… I have no experience?”
“I didn't have any experience either.”
“But you also have no experience in what we are going to do…”
“And what do you mean with that?”
“You’re a little impatient and rough. And you want to fuck me.”
Jungwon raised his eyebrows trying to guess the riddle. Jongseong knew he wasn't being direct but he didn't know how to be.
Then Jungwon seemed to understand.
“Are you afraid that I’ll hurt you? Because I won't. I just thought… just forget it.”
“No, I don't want to forget it. I don't think you're going to do it on purpose, but could there be an accident?” And Jungwon seemed heartbroken. Of course he would be, from what he deduced Jongseong was telling him that he was a brute.
Jongseong would do anything to make Jungwon feel good, so he finished unbuttoning his shirt in record time, even tearing off some buttons. “Jungwon, I want to do it. Just listen to me. I'm also made of flesh and blood. Just at the beginning, I need you to control yourself. Can you do that?”
“I don't need instructions but I’ll do everything you tell me. I'll make you feel good, I promise.”
Jongseong was crazy about Jungwon. He never let anyone even get a glimpse of his bed. And not only did Jungwon spend his leisure time there, but he also wanted to fuck him there and the only thing Jongseong could do was say: yes, please.
Jongseong held his cheek gently, caressing his dimple with his thumb. Jungwon was a work of art, he couldn't get tired of just staring at him.
He leaned in to kiss him and Jungwon responded instantly. It was a soft and delicate kiss.
Surrender to someone had never crossed Jongseong's mind but there, with Jungwon, it seemed like the right time.
“Jungwon? I love you. I love you a lot. Forgive me, sometimes I forget how to speak when you’re in front of me. I’m a brute,”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, but I love you too,”
“I wasn’t that nice with you like two seconds ago. And I'm sorry if this isn't going as you imagined. I'm not nervous but–”
“I know. Now, shut up and take off your clothes.”
Jongseong knew that would be the end of him. Jungwon wouldn't have any mercy. “Won't you also take off your clothes?”
“No.”
It was karma, Jongseong knew it. Jungwon was wicked.
Jungwon just watched as he undressed. He didn't look nervous. He was stalking him like a predator and Jongseong didn't know how to respond, because things were always the other way around.
But it was definitely hot.
When he finished, he brought his hand to his member, which was already half erect, and began to slowly caress himself. Jungwon didn't say anything about it.
“How do you want us to start?”
“I think that's fine. You always ask me to touch myself to look at me so I want to know what it feels like.”
Jungwon was really attentive to Jongseong's movements, he seemed a little in a trance. And his erection was growing inch by inch, for Jungwon, all for him.
“We’re very different.” Jungwon announced by surprise. “You seem to truly enjoy the process. I only jerk off quickly, I don't have that patience.”
Maybe it was the way he had said it, nonchalantly, as if Jongseong wasn't completely naked in front of him that made him really turned on.
“I do. I enjoy the process.”
Then without any preamble, Jungwon lay down on his stomach, remaining centimeters from his cock. Jongseong almost lost his temper when he felt Jungwon's breathing so close.
“You usually don't let me explore too much here. Does it tickle you?”
“No, but–”
Jungwon took the base and ran his flat tongue along the length, until he reached the opening where he sharpened his tongue.
“Fuck!”
“Don’t move!”
He repeated the movement a couple of times, only in his opening, down and up. He was exploring and savoring him.
Jongseong fought the urge to move his hips or kick his feet.
“Can you bend your knees?”
“Jungwon…” Jongseong warned him.
“I won't touch you there... yet.”
Jongseong trusted him and bent his knees. He was too focused on Jungwon to feel as exposed as he was. But all Jungwon did was kiss his balls.
He had kissed them.
“You can... apply more pressure, if you want me to really feel something, but don't overdo it.”
Jungwon seemed really excited to be able to do all that. He inspected it with his fingers and he returned his attention to Jongseong's cock, wrapping his lips around it.
Jungwon wasn't in a rush nor was he doing anything that would lead him directly to climax but he actually was. Jongseong had been absorbed with his words and his movements and his desire to explore and he came.
Jungwon raised his face and holy gods, he had cum on his face. Maybe it would have been worse in his mouth, without warning.
“Shit, shit Jungwon. I'm sorry. I should have–”
Jongseong wasn't ticklish. Just the thought of Jungwon touching him turned him on too much.
“It's okay, I mean, it's normal,” Jungwon grabbed his white dress shirt from the floor where Jongseong had discarded it and wiped his face before Jongseong could do it for him.
Fuck. He was going to drive him completely mad.
“Where do you have the lube?”
“In the drawers. The first one.” Jungwon walked and swept his gaze over the other things there, like condoms, but he didn't choose any, he took the lube and went back to bed.
He took off the gray sweater he was wearing and was left with a light blue short-sleeved t-shirt. He also took off his pants, leaving him only in boxers.
Jongseong couldn't take his eyes off him, he was too bright, too cute, he was perfect.
There was no way an angel dressed in light blue would do something so indecent to him.
“If it hurts you have to tell me, don't kick me!”
Jongseong smiled. “I won't.”
Jungwon squeezed the small bottle against his hand and the liquid came out in large quantities making a mess on the sheets.
“You’re dirtying my sheets.”
Jungwon smiled mischievously. That was the last of his worries that night.
When it seemed that Jungwon stopped playing and looked down, Jongseong bent one of his knees.
He began to caress his entrance with the tips of his fingers, not trying to go further.
When Jongseong looked up Jungwon was looking at him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes, just take me.”
Jungwon leaned forward to kiss him.
“I don't want to hurt you,” Jongseong wanted to beat himself to death, if he hadn't opened his big mouth… but Jungwon didn't want to hurt him, at least they were on the same page.
“I know. You won’t.”
Jongseong assured him for the tenth time, Jungwon nodded and lay back on his stomach. He circled his entrance again and returned his mouth to his cock.
Jongseong felt the moment when Jungwon's index finger began to open him. He couldn't help but tense at the intrusion, but he tried to relax his muscles quickly, because he didn't want Jungwon to think that he was doing things wrong.
But Jungwon didn't continue prodding, he left his finger inserted up to the first knuckle and then continued with the rest.
Jongseong was fine. It didn't hurt. He wasn't uncomfortable, but it was just a finger, and it was motionless.
Jongseong was already too busy worrying about not coming in Jungwon's mouth but he did feel it when he started to move his finger again.
“I think I can handle another one,”
Jungwon didn't wait to add his middle finger. And after massaging his walls a little, he began with a subtle movement to truly... prepare him. He took his mouth off of his member and he looked beautiful, his lips red and shiny, his eyelashes long. Jongseong wanted to devour him. Then Jungwon inserted the third finger, without any care.
“Jungwon!”
He began to move them with a little more vigor, and Jongseong began to move seeking to feel.
Jungwon snapped his fingers out and began to take off his remaining clothes. Jongseong didn't want to wait because he had left him on the cusp of something big.
Jongseong took the opportunity to devour Jungwon's body with his gaze. With his baggy, youthful clothes, no one knew what he was hiding underneath. His body was lean, firm and well defined, manly and strong and it was Jongseong's.
“I want to do it like this... if you're comfortable.”
It would be strange anyway. But Jongseong wasn't physically or mentally prepared to get on all fours. Turn sideways? Not being able to see Jungwon wasn't an option.
“Should I put a pillow under you? That's what you do.”
Jongseong was tamed. Nothing turned him on more than Jungwon calmly, talking about everything as if it were doing laundry. He was probably doing it because Jongseong had scared him. But at the same time he wanted to make him feel good, and if he did the same things that Jongseong did with him it meant that he liked it and that he was comfortable and wanted the same for him.
Jungwon gave Jongseong room to lie down completely and helped him put the pillow under his pelvis. Then he crawled on his knees until he was between Jongseong's legs.
He put more lube on his hands and not only put some back at his entrance but also started jerking his own cock.
Then Jongseong realized that he had never touched him, he had just been stiff.
“Wait, I still haven't done anything.”
“You don’t have to. I want today to be just for you.”
Jongseong took a deep breath and nodded, returning to his position a little more relaxed.
Jungwon was still exploring with his hands, his torso, his hips, his thighs.
“I would like to do this more often.”
“Touch me?”
“Yeah, it’s nice. Open your legs more,” Jongseong did so and Jungwon finished closing the gap. “I don't know what else to do so…”
Jonseong stretched out his arm so he could grab the back of his neck and connect their lips in an impetuous kiss.
“Do it.”
Jungwon nodded and wasted no time in starting to introduce himself. And when he managed to stay all the way in, sunked, he waited a few seconds for Jongseong to get used to the stretch.
Jongseong could only let out low, rough grunts when Jungwon started to move.
“Is this okay? It hurts?”
“I'm fine, you're doing well.” His voice was hoarse but the sensation was too experimental to say the least.
Even when he was the one on the bottom he felt like he had to give the words of support. Jungwon took it as a sign that he could let loose more and fuck . He could move his hips in an extravagant way if he wanted to.
Jongseong tried not to growl anymore, because he wanted to hear the soft sounds Jungwon was making too, his shattering breath and hissing.
Jungwon changed his starting position covering him with his body and Jongseong lowered his legs, decompressing the upper part of his body, it was something more intimate. Then, Jungwon managed to hit a point that made him tremble with craving.
He couldn't stop pressing him against his body, Jongseong had the way clear to run his hands over his back and couldn't wait to claim his lips again. But the kiss wasn't superficial, it was voracious and it burned.
But Jungwon broke the kiss.
“I know you are bigger than me and you want to take me, because it’s your nature. But if you manhandle me, I’ll fight. And I won't be nice.” He threatened Jongseong, struggling to breathe.
Maybe Jongseong was too lost and dazzled to understand what Jungwon was telling him but wrestling in bed sounded like something he would like to try.
“Don't hold back, I'm not going to break.”
Jongseong didn't want to push him but Jungwon understood and managed to manhandle him around effortlessly. Jongseong left it easy for him. He was damned, he had literally given everything of himself.
“You asked for it.”
“I–”
Jungwon bent one of his knees and began to thrust into him hard. Because as he had already said, he had no patience.
Jongseong was a mess and he didn't want to imagine what Jungwon looked like behind him, it would be an image that would haunt him forever.
“Have you always thought about doing this to me?” He asked, broken.
“I don't know, kinda. I didn't think you'd let me– do it.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“What do you think?”
Then he continued snapping his hips into Jongseong. He had too much strength in his legs to continue at that pace.
Jongseong was starting to break down, he didn't want his own knees to give way, it was too much for his manhood.
“I need to come Jungwon, I can't go on,”
He said as he took his cock in his hand and began to jerk, he had tried to last long enough without touching himself, even though Jungwon hadn't even asked him to. Jungwon listened to his words and didn't make him suffer.
He accelerated his movements with frenzy and then, buried himself with one last thrust and a sharp groan and Jongseong felt his cock throb inside him, hot liquid filling him. That was enough for Jongseong to cum too.
He belonged to Jungwon. Jungwon had marked him forever.
“You told me that you had fallen in love with me as soon as you saw me.”
Jungwon mentioned when they had already showered and changed the sheets.
Jongseong smiled. “That's how it went,”
“But why?”
Jongseong turned around and wrapped his arms around him.
“There is no why. I walked in thinking I would find a tough guy, all tattooed and armed, and in his place there was you. All wet and pink and not understanding what was happening and then you asked me my name.”
“What was so special about that?”
“I was the tough guy with tattoos and a gun. And you weren't even that intimidated.”
“You don't have tattoos.”
“But you didn't know it then. I thought I was crazy, but I really wasn't because as I got to know you... you fit in in a way that no one else ever could, so I'm glad you liked me too.”
During the problems at the beginning of their relationship, Jongseong had been afraid of waking up and not feeling anything anymore, which was what usually happened to him or, what was worse, the fear that one day Jungwon would confess that he didn't have enough feelings for him to continue. But Jungwon showed him that those fears were unfounded. He was always there, day after day.
“When did you fall in love with me?”
“Well, it wasn't that day. I'm sorry.” Jungwon laughed. “It wasn't in one day, not one thing. You added kind gestures, were nice to me and well, you're handsome and one day you were just there in my mind.”
“Am I? Handsome?”
“And smell good.”
Jungwon was all effort and hardwork and love and friends and family. It was easy to lean on him, he was so strong.
It had been extremely difficult for Jongseong to figure out Jungwon at the beginning. But as time went by... Jungwon didn't expect grand gestures or material things. He also didn't complain too much if Jongseong had to travel or take care of business. But he had made him understand that he felt good with him. Jungwon was the happiest with the simplest things: going for a walk, having dinner together, just hanging out doing nothing. Jungwon wasn't simple, Jungwon was complex and Jongseong felt lucky that he had been given a chance after what he had put him through at the beginning.
Jungwon had assured him that he understood what had happened. And he had been scared, yes, but it wasn't a big deal, it was the past. However, every now and then the guilt chased him and although Jongseong knew that he couldn't turn back time, he could give him his best, for the rest of the time that Jungwon decided to be by his side, and Jongseong ached hoping that that time would be everlasting.
“And about tonight. It's okay if you don't want to do it anymore, I just wanted to try because you never let me... touch you a lot, you always want to be in control.”
“I still don't know if it's my favorite thing ever but... it was just a first time. I'm still not used to... any of this. But I think it can be repeated if you want.”
“It's okay, I don't care how it is, as long as it's with you.” Jungwon said sleepily.
When Sunoo had been invited to the seventh circle of hell he had thought that he had misinterpreted Jungwon's words.
But no, he had heard correctly.
“Why do you want to go there?” He said as he rearranged the new pillows they had bought online for the new couch in the living room.
Sunoo had moved all the things from the floor where he lived with Jaeyun to the floor above the flower shop and some changes didn't hurt.
“I was also invited and... I want, I want to go at least once.”
“And why me?”
Sunoo wasn't stupid, he had heard the rumors. Everybody knew.
“I think Jongseong will be calmer if you are there.”
It wasn't like Sunoo could do anything if they were attacked, but Jungwon wouldn't do anything to endanger him. It made sense.
“Who invited you?”
“Sunghoon.”
“Jungwon…”
The truth was that Sunoo knew danger when he saw it and danger had Sunghoon's face. That everyone treated him like an angel wouldn’t change his vision or the desire to keep him away.
“You don't have to talk to him.”
Sunoo sighed, it was a complicated situation.
Things hadn't been so drastic. They maintained a respectful relationship, as always, for Jaeyun's sake. It was a peace pact. And he didn't want to play hard to get either. He also wanted to see what that was all about... he trusted Sunghoon's abilities to protect them if something went wrong.
He was dangerous, but not for them.
“I’ll go. Only if Jaeyun agrees.”
It was obvious that Jaeyun was the most protected, maybe if he begged they would let him go but... he was sure it would be difficult because Sunghoon would have to keep an eye on him all the time and Sunoo didn't blame him. Jaeyun could be clueless sometimes. But if leaving him out of the fun made him sad... then Sunoo wouldn't go. It was simple.
“And one more thing... Nishimura will also be there. It's him we're actually going for.” Well, that wasn't surprising, but it changed things a little. “He'll be busy kicking ass, he won't be looking out for you.”
Jaeyun said that the plan didn't bother him and then, the only barrier that could make him stop going had collapsed.
“What should I wear?” He asked his roommate. He knew what to wear on other occasions, but not that one.
Jungwon lent him clothes. His usual clothes. Because Sunoo casual clothes were a definite no.
He looked like he was going to play basketball in an urban court or that he was ready to lift the heaviest bags of soil, or build a computer from scratch for hours. Because it was Jungwon's clothes and he associated him with that.
It was okay, at least it was comfortable.
Sunghoon picked them up and when they got into the car Nishimura was the co-driver.
Yes, it was awkward, but the whole situation was. So, he didn't want to be rude. “Hello”
“Sunoo,” Sunghoon greeted him and Nishimura only nodded, it was a greeting too, but he continued looking out the window without giving him much importance. Sunoo was grateful.
It was very strange to be around them. He knew that Jungwon was very close to them but Sunoo wasn't and began to wonder if he had done the right thing by accepting the invitation.
“It's far?” Sunoo asked.
“Arguably.” Sunghoon answered him.
What the hell did that mean?
The truth was that they had taken longer than Sunoo had imagined. It had been about an hour of travel. An hour! Where the others had talked about many topics that Sunoo probably didn't have to hear but he wouldn't make a drama about it.
Nishimura was also selecting the songs to play. Mostly Japanese rock. Sunghoon scolded him on a few occasions to lower the volume but, in fact, Riki was terribly spoiled by him.
When they arrived the place wasn't an abandoned factory in the middle of nowhere or a dead end in a seedy city. In reality, it was a city with colorful streets because of the signs and an active nightlife.
“If someone offers you something, you say no and if you want to drink something, you let me know.” Sunghoon gave instructions to the three of them.
Sunoo wasn't stupid, he knew of the dangers there would be but he still couldn't get angry at Sunghoon for wanting to take care of them, especially him, if only to save his own neck.
There was a line to get in but they did it through another door.
They followed dark hallways until they reached the main place and there were indeed fighting cages. More than one. There was also a bar and there were a lot of people on the ground floor, but they went up until they were on the second floor.
There things were much calmer and not so packed.
Nishimura disappeared not long after, probably having gone to get ready, but Sunoo discovered that he wasn't very calm.
He had never seen him fight or do anything dangerous.
Sunghoon walked away to get drinks and Jungwon was interested in a fight inside one of the cages.
Sunoo watched as Nishimura appeared below near one of the cages and looked up, where he saw Sunoo. He waved shyly and Sunoo waved back.
Maybe he was nervous and Sunoo didn't want to make anything worse. Waving back to him was the least he could do.
“Do you want to bet?” Said a voice very close to him. Sunoo turned around and found a guy who was bare-chested and maybe a little oiled. Ugh.
“For whom?”
“For me, for example.”
“Would you get into one of those?”
“Why not?”
“No, I think I'd rather bet on him.” Sunoo answered, pointing at Nishimura who was watching the exchange. “Do you know who he is?”
The guy wrinkled his face and left without saying anything.
“Who was that?” Jungwon asked.
“A guy who wanted me to bet on him.”
“What did you say to him to make him leave so quickly?”
“That I knew someone better.”
After a couple of hours Jungwon had dared to enter one of the cages and Sunghoon was with him. Of course he had also won. Sunoo was smiling from ear to ear, his friend was the best.
As for Nishimura… Nishimura was a lethal machine.
Many times they had to stop him but he didn't resist because he knew what he was doing.
He had won fight after fight and didn't seem to get tired.
“He'll have to stop or they won't let him in anymore.” Sunghoon mentioned.
Was winning many times bad?
Sunoo was alone and another man approached him. At first, Sunoo didn't give the person any importance, applauding and encouraging Jungwon who was emerging victoriously from his cage. He wasn't interested in gambling or drinking or having extra company but the man was getting closer, he seemed almost afraid so Sunoo looked him directly in the eyes. The man averted his gaze and once again looked at the surroundings, he approached unexpectedly and Sunoo got jumpy but he only gave him a piece of paper.
“Only for Nishimura.” The man said with a thick accent.
Sunoo watched as the man walked away quickly and when he lost sight of him in the crowd, he looked at the paper in his hands. It was hard to read, the lights were too dim, the place was rather dark but Sunoo discovered that he couldn't read what the paper said at all because it was in Japanese.
Something didn't seem right and Sunoo started to descend the stairs without thinking twice.
Riki was no longer in the cage and Sunoo headed to the hallway where the fighters entered after the fight ended. He had to dodge injured people, mostly in the face. Split lips and eyebrows, swollen eyes or a broken nose. There were also bathrooms and showers and Sunoo decided to wait at the door.
Ten minutes later Nishimura came out with wet hair and was surprised to see Sunoo there.
“What?” It hadn't been sharp, it was just the way he spoke.
Sunoo didn't say anything and just handed him the unfolded paper.
Riki didn't seem to understand but he took the paper and read it and his face wasn't good. He was angry.
“Who?”
“A man approached me and told me it was just for you. Then he left.”
Nishimura took his hand and returned to the stairs, Sunoo didn't complain at all and allowed himself to be guided. Jungwon hadn't yet gone through the shower and his and Sunghoon's faces relaxed when they saw that he was returning to his place safely.
“Where were you?”
But he couldn't answer because Nishimura spoke in his ear and Sunghoon's expression also hardened.
Seriously, something bad was happening.
Jungwon noticed it too and turned to him but Sunoo didn't know what to say.
They didn't give Jungwon time to shower and abruptly looked for the exit. When they were about to leave, the oiled man grabbed Sunoo’s arm, making him stop dead.
Nishimura didn't like it one bit and was about to confront the man when he saw how he pulled out a wad of cash and put it in Sunoo's hand.
“You earned it, lucky bastard.”
Sunoo smiled merry even with chaos around him and continued on his way.
Already in the car, Sunghoon took off onto the highway and while driving at the speed of light, he took out his phone to make a call.
“Heeseung,” he said, “Akira is dead.”
There weren't many dots to connect.
That was bad.
Sunoo knew something about the history of Riki's brothers.
A war was coming.
They didn't let him and Jungwon stay at the flower shop.
Sunoo complained. He had work to do. What did the flower shop have to do with the yakuza?
But Jaeyun explained the situation to him. For some reason, no one had notified Heeseung, the boss, of the death of one of his greatest allies. It was a plot and they didn't know what Hayama, now Riki's only half-brother alive, was planning.
Nobody gave a fuck for the flower shop if it meant he could be in danger.
“But I don't understand why I'm in danger. I have nothing to do with this.”
“Someone looked for you to deliver the note. Someone does know something. At least the people who were there. Someone may recognize you.”
Sunoo was sure that they saw them arrive together or at least knew that he had bet on him in all his fights. But was that so decisive? Sunoo didn't want to make things worse.
Jungwon stayed at his boyfriend's house, but Sunoo had nowhere to go. So Jaeyun took him to his house. They were the only ones that had rooms for guests.
Sunoo didn't want to be in the mansion but it was either that or an uncertain fate.
They hadn't given him time to pack. He wanted his things nearby but he didn't even have his pajamas or his clothes, considering that he was still wearing Jungwon's.
Someone knocked on his door. Sunoo couldn't sleep.
“Come in.” It was Riki. Who opened the door only enough to be able to show half of his body. “What?” And there was no malice in his question either, it was just a mocking imitation.
“Can't sleep.” He couldn't sleep either if he knew that his only brother was plotting against him. “Can I ask? A question?”
“Yes.”
“The money... you bet. Who?”
“I bet on Jungwon... and on you, in all your fights.” There was no need to lie.
“You made a lot of money.”
“You’re good.”
Riki smiled with a bit of grandeur, he was proud of himself, and began to withdraw.
Sunoo wanted to throw a pillow at him and then choke him. Why had he made things so difficult between them?
“Wait. Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes.”
“What will happen now?”
“I already claimed my position a while ago. Now I have to prove to my brother that I'm not going anywhere else.”
Riki said it with complete confidence. It sounded easy but Sunoo knew it couldn’t be.
“I don't want anything bad to happen to you.” He wanted to choke him a little... but it was Riki. And he had already suffered too much.
“I always win. I’m fireproof. Don't you know?”
Nobody really had as much self-esteem as him.
“I know.”
“Will you wait for me?”
“I can't.”
“I'll come back for you.”
“You won't.”
“I promise. You'll be mine.”
The next morning Sunoo finds a silent and empty mansion. He unconsciously passes through Riki's room, the door is ajar and Sunoo peeks out. The room is messy, dark, vicious, and lonely without its owner. Everyone is gone except Jaeyun. Eventually, everyone returns except Riki.