[ 56 ]
"How can I help you, young man?" Came the maturer voice on the other end of the phone. Hisaya smiled, the man immediately sounding accommodating even though he hadn't spoken yet.
"How are you doing Mr. Sadayoshi?"
"Kensei, please. I'm as well as any other man my age, but I don't think you'd be interested in me harbouring on about my slightly-arthritic knee, so what can I do for you?"
Hisaya sighed, "Then excuse me for being blunt, I know you're military-based, but I hoped you'd have some intel on other things."
"Such as?"
"The Underground," Hisaya prompted but Kensei didn't immediately respond, which he took as the other man waiting for him to elaborate. So he went on to explain that it was a club.
"No need to explain, I know it." The wise man's voice noticeably became sterner. "Though I would never step foot in such a vulgar place, I know very well what's going on behind those doors. It's an escort club, or as it's referred to in lighter terms, a host club."
Hisaya felt sick to his stomach. He had gone silent, unable to form a proper reply to the other man's information, which Kensei picked up on and spoke to fill the silence. "I had it looked into as soon as I heard about it way back when. As soon as one of Hiromasa's associates slipped me an invite to it. I had some of my own people have a look, and from what they gathered there's no sexual favours happening. But they were able to see how disconcerting it was for the children, who were suddenly dressed in ridiculously skimpy outfits and plonked beside alphas over twice their age."
"How come you haven't taken them down?" Hisaya blurted, his rage fuelling his words.
But the man accepted the attitude, he sighed down the phone, "I can't really make an excuse for myself. Disgustingly, in this day and age, establishments like The Underground are discretely common. And when we found out that the children aren't doing anything sexual, it was a relief. The thing is, Hisaya, we've all learnt how to turn a blind eye to those in need and only care about our own families, and for that I apologise. If it's within my power, I'll do anything to help you out."
Hisaya understood, he did. It was hard to sympathise with people struggling when you yourself were not. It was easy to just think 'ah well, someone else can deal with it.' And he understood all the more because of Kensei's omega son. He wanted to protect him, shield him away from the reality of how Omega's were treated.
So he didn't blame him, "Did your men happen to get any pictures of the club from inside of it? Pictures showing the children and such?"
"Yes, though we don't have a clear one of Hiromasa himself, there's plenty showing his closest associates, including the glasses-wearing advisor whose always plastered to his side."
"Perfect! Do you think you could send them to me? That may be the final element to the large portfolio of evidence we've got against Hiromasa."
"You'll have them within the hour. But I have to ask, will you be taking the evidence to court?"
"Where he could potentially use hush money?" Hisaya retorted, "No, I intend to broadcast it very publicly. So I recommend that if you have any stock in the man's empire, you withdraw them quickly because it's going to come tumbling down."
Kensei's laugh made Hisaya smile. "You have a way with words, kid, but I trust you. I'll get you those photographs and any other related evidence to bring the bastard down."
"I appreciate it, when this is all over I'll treat you and your sons to dinner."
"Sounds good to me. Take care Hisaya."
"Mm. You too, thanks again."
After hanging up, Hisaya got out of his chair for the first time in a long while. He stretched, arching his back so it clicked slightly. Looking at the time, he determined it was just about late enough to warrant going to bed. But before he did, a message on his phone drew his attention.
Ryōichi. Hisaya began reading it as he made his way to the kitchen, prepared to sneak one sweetie in before bed. But he paused mid-step down the hallway. A large sigh could be heard as Hisaya reread the text.
Fucking Hiromasa. Hisaya grumbled, and it then made sense the little hints that the alpha had been giving him the few times they met. So the man really did have a backup plan, but at least they were forcing him to use it now, so he was left vulnerable when they responded with their very attractive file containing all of Hiromasa's dirty secrets.
The timing wasn't ideal, and knowing how public Hisaya had been recently, the man's article was going to go straight to the top in terms of most-read. But as it was Ryōichi who had told him, the man undoubtedly had something already in motion to protect him- or he wouldn't be his lover.
He responded, "Not ideal, but I can make it work. Just worried about Asahi finding out through anyone but us."
Which was swiftly responded with, "From what I know, Asahi doesn't read anything beyond the level of 'the hungry caterpillar', but don't worry, we'll be the first to tell him and in our own time."
Ω
Hisaya resisted looking at the article as soon as he woke up. He didn't want to sour his mood immediately, so instead he slowly got dressed and went to see Red. The kid had invaded his library, selecting various books and lounging on the sofa reading them- ultimately living the life that Hisaya craved.
Seeing that Red didn't need him, he made his way to work. And he had to praise the media for their quick reactions to news, because cameras loitered outside of the apartment building, flashing as the car drove past. Only with free time to spare, Hisaya finally decided to have a look on the internet. Ad he didn't have to search for very long because it was headline news.
And it was definitely an eye-catching, and bold statement: 'Hisaya Reo claims to care, all while abandoning his own newborn.' The fact that they had used 'newborn' instead of baby was a nice touch, it made him out like some monster. And as he read, it was definitely what the article was implying.
There was a picture as well, one that showed a little boy in his nursery outfit. Thankfully the face was slightly blurred, but the blond hair was very clear. The censorship was legally binding, to Hisaya's relief, but the name of the nursery was clear to see. And judging by the angle, it was taken by someone who had hidden themselves to capture the image.
Beside the photograph was one of Hisaya himself, one of the recent ones where his blond hair was clear to see. And side by side the colour was identical, and the thickness, but nothing else because of the blurred details of Asahi's face.
'Hospital asked to cover-up the birth by 'misplacing' certification'.
'Hisaya Reo company built on lies?!'
Hisaya groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Hiromasa was probably cackling away as he read all the ridiculous headlines popping up left, right and centre. Whilst he flicked through, his phone kept buzzing as he received text messages and emails from all sorts of people. One came in from the Pantheon, who were surprisingly calm given their biggest client was currently in the headlines everywhere they turned.
"Sir, there's quite a few.." the driver spoke up as they approached the company building, and Hisaya quickly spotted what he meant. A sea of people eagerly waiting for a snapshot, to shout questions and allegations at him. Even the public, who were casually walking by had come to a stop so they could get a front-seat of the current gossip.
"Take us around the back." He instructed calmly as he slumped back in his seat. It didn't matter how inconspicuous they tried to be, their blacked-out car was spotted and all cameras panned their way. But before they could even get a single picture in, the driver skilfully manoeuvred them down the narrow street which circled around the building to the private car-park.
It was pin-code entrance only, so no cameramen could slip through and get any pictures. But he'd decided he'd much rather deal with the press than the people in the office, who are probably all staring at the headlines with wide eyes. Begrudgingly, he thanked the driver and got out, slipping into the building unseen.
And it was a long lift ride up to the office. He'd debated using the stairs- but he wasn't insane. So when he arrived and stepped out, all head swivelled in his direction. The television was on, and the live report from outside of the building was ongoing. So that's how they knew I was here, he mumbled to himself.
"I suspected you'd be late, so I got you a coffee." Yoshiaki emerged with said coffee cup in his hand. Hisaya found it was strange seeing the beta in the office, since he had been spending most of his time doing his actual work alongside Ryōichi.
But with the eyes of all the team on him, he appreciated Yoshiaki's presence more than ever. "Thanks" he replied quietly, and they both made their way to the office.
Hisaya didn't see the look that Yoshiaki gave the team, but it wasn't one scolding them, because the team that had worked tirelessly with their young-boss knew what he was like, and were smart enough to see who it was that had formulated this little plan. The look that Yoshiaki sent them was asking them to be patient, just for a little while whilst he spoke to their boss.
Once Hisaya took a seat, he sipped on his drink, one he guessed he was going to need a lot of to get through the day. "Have you come to help me prep a statement?" He asked as Yoshiaki took a seat. But the man shook his head,
"Nope, the opposite. Another story will be hitting the headlines shortly, so it's better you stay out of it for now."
"You want me.. to stay out of a situation that's all about me?"
Yoshiaki took a mouthful of his own drink, "I know, I need a pay rise. But this second article will blow the current one out of the water, and only then would be the right time to do your harsh, sweet-talking statement."
"Harsh sweet talking?" Hisaya raised a brow.
"Yes. That's what you've been doing recently isn't it? That's how you've successfully turned everyone's opinion about you into a positive one. People are easily influenced by the media, but the public will still like you to a degree, they will just be shocked by the recent news, all you need to do is set them right. Give a few facts and flash a smile." Yoshiaki shrugged.
"You have read the article right? All of it is true, I did abandon Asahi- yet you're fine about it?"
Yoshiaki looked at him, the man's stare always had been harsher and not as forgiving as Ryōichi's, but the strict man's expression softened ever so slightly. "Of course I wasn't fine about it, I reacted the same way many are out there, appalled that you could do such a thing. But what good would it be putting all the blame on you? It takes two to tango, and I know for a fact that the big boss felt just as guilty as you do now. And I also know, that you've changed. I don't know what happened, or how it happened, if it truly was due to the accident, but it seems like something's clicked in your head and you have such a brighter perspective of the world around you. You have your flaws, as we all do, but you were young when you had Asahi, Hisaya, we can't blame you for being scared. And from what I've seen, the effort you've put in to make the kid happy, it well and truly makes up for it. So now, all I want, which is seemingly what both you and the big boss want although you're skipping around each other, is for you to be the family your ridiculously-cute son deserves."
Hisaya let the man's words soak in. And he sniffed, stopping himself from crying because Yoshiaki would likely tell him off.
"What's that?" The man instead asked, looking at the brown envelope that Hisaya had brought with him to work.
Instead of telling him, he slid it across the table and watched as Yoshiaki took various things out of it. There were quite a few photographs, and his eyes widened when he saw what was on them. Hisaya didn't doubt for a moment that Yoshiaki was unaware of 'The Underground' and what went on there. He was one of many, which Hisaya held a remnant of bitterness about, but at least it was being dealt with now.
There were more pictures, ones that Hisaya had printed from the camera Red had given him. It was within Hiromasa's 'Fresh Start' charity, along with the recordings to go with it. Another recording Hisaya later found, before talking to Kensei the night before, was of the 'therapist' that worked on behalf of the charity. The specialist was supposed to be easing the minds of the wounded omegas and making sure they felt valued, but this woman was doing the opposite.
She was filling their minds with statements with underlining meaning. Reducing their wills to run away, and to instead stay at the charity and let them take care of them. This meant that they could then turn a profit by having them work as escorts at the club. Her silver-tongue was disgusting, and Hisaya promised to have it stopped for good.
"Hisaya.."
"So what do you think, will this be enough to take him down?" The young boss asked, his worries thwarted by his assistants dumbfounded expression. When the older man looked to him, he blinked a few times, looking at the material in front of him before nodding.
"Definitely."
Yoshiaki probed him for answers, ones that he was finally happy to give. The man was surprised by Hisaya's sneaky moves, more impressed that he was able to do this all behind both his and Ryōichi's back.
By the time they had both finished their coffees, a knock on the door came. The whole team were standing outside, ad before Hisaya could speak, one did for him. "We support you, sir!"
"Yes! We know there's a two sides to every story, and we know this has likely been backed by Hiromasa."
"We know you may not trust us but-"
"Not trust you?" Hisaya stopped them in their tracks, his expression a little furrowed. "Of course I trust you. We couldn't have gotten this far if I hadn't have had faith in you and your individual talents. You're right, this is Hiromasa's doing but the article isn't a lie. I do have a son." He explained and their expressions were that of shock. They were likely trying to convince themselves that he wasn't as bad of a person as the article depicted.
Hisaya stepped out of the office, followed closely by Yoshiaki who was just nosey. "I had him when I was young, but I can't use that excuse anymore. No matter your age you should be responsible for your own actions, but I was undoubtedly lost. I didn't have that parental love that I could give to my child, so I panicked. My baby's name is Asahi, and it's only really since my accident that I've had that clarity, that 'what the fuck are you doing' sort of clarity. And since meeting him, and his other parent who still had bountiful amounts of hope for us, they're now my world." Hisaya smiled, the original's sorrows mixing into his speech.
"I would have told you soon enough, but I know it's a slow process. Asahi still doesn't know I'm his parent yet, and I thought at the time that that was ok, because I was being mindful of the toddler, but with this article it makes me all the more determined to tell him. So I'm sorry that this has suddenly appeared and taken you all off guard."
He looked at his team members, and was surprised to see a few with watery eyes. "You don't need to apologise, sir!"
"Yes, please don't! We just didn't want you to be disheartened by it."
The team nodded their heads with what their colleagues were saying. And it was a cute moment in Hisaya's opinion, but Yoshiaki's voice sliced through it. "Stop blubbering, the boss has found some crucial evidence which'll prove to be the cherry on the top for our case."
After that, the topic quickly changed. Though a few did mention bringing Asahi into the office to meet them in the future, which Hisaya promised to do. He went on to explain the details of the evidence he'd found and the light expressions of his workers quickly darkened once again when they heard about the charity practically being a shell-company for the real one which was the escort club.
They expressed their disgust with the alpha, which proved very beneficial for when they got to work composing the digital file with all the information on it pertaining to Hiromasa and his associates. Everything was on there, right down to the uncovered backgrounds of his eight spies that were sent to work for Hisaya. Illegally covering up their criminal records, which also put into question the rest of the people who worked for the man. So all around, it formed one heck of a case.
After the team had finished their part, they sent it through to their boss, who went through it with the ever-critical Yoshiaki who was definitely helpful when sifting through the bulk-load. And after some time, when it had all been compacted into one huge file, filled to the brim with incriminating evidence, evidence that even Hiromasa would struggle to deny, the whole team looked to Hisaya.
He picked up the phone and called the big boss of the Pantheon. The man was always ready to accept his calls, and after some light chatter, Hisaya got right down to business. He forewarned the man, and thus the rest of the man's team, that they were going to be busy. They were already dealing with another certain article, finishing off the final touches, but the big boss was more than happy to hear about this bigger story.
"Take your time and perfect it to your usual high-standards, we don't mind waiting a few days." Hisaya chuckled, they had been patient for so long, stitching together stray pieces of patchy evidence but they had finally cracked it.
"I appreciate that, I've notified the team and they're ready when you are." The Pantheon boss responded. And then, Hisaya pressed 'send'.
After a few tense moments of silence, the man confirmed they'd received it. So when they put the phones down, everyone in the office looked at each other. All their work up till then had been completed, so they were understandably a bit shellshocked. Hisaya grinned, "I could eat?" He suggested and everyone reflected his expression.
Now they just had to wait.
[ TBC ]
[ Hope you enjoyed reading! If you're eager to read-on then go and check out my Patreon page where chapters Fifty-Seven & Fifty-Eight are up! The link is in my bio <3 ]