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Chapter Text

 It was a casual Thursday for Ayato sitting at the table practicing calligraphy as a way to calm himself to prepare for the next big storm. He was about to end all the uncertainty not only in his life but also for Ayaka’s future. As the heir of the Kamisato clan – one of the 3 largest yakuza organizations in Inazuma, Ayato faces enormous pressure from all sides of the gang after his father's sudden passing. It is now his duty to bring the gang back to its grace, but deep inside, Ayato knows he doesn’t do all this because of duty. He recalled his long passing mother: “protect the family, protect your sister”.

But there is a certain someone that prevents him from doing it.

This man whom he calls “uncle”. The line on paper is suddenly disrupted. Ayato used so much pressure that the word “peace” he wrote seems out of shape. Ayato slightly frowned. He changed to a new paper and threw away the old one.

This supposed uncle is not related to him or Ayaka by blood. They “dearly” call him uncle because his father treated this man as one. The man who was supposed to be his father’s blood brother, swore to be family and to protect the family and the gang till the day he dies.

Funny how the gang and the family are separated. Now it seems it was all about the gang.

A smirk was present in the Kamisato leader’s face.

Everything's in place ... Now is the time to start reeling them in.

He will not allow anyone to bring harm to his family and will do anything to cut off the danger, even if what it takes is to work with the shogunate’s – Inazuma’s security forces. Ayato knows it’s a risky business and if ever the information broke out, it will leave a bad taste in the other two gang leaders’ mouths. But it is what a person does when in a room of 10 people, 7 want to make him disappear from the face of the earth.

Ayato took a sip of tea and rested from the long concentration. The meeting of the 10 Kamisato’s branches will be held tonight at the Kamisato Estate. After settling the deal between him and the shogunate, all he needs to do is to wait.

But it was not in his anticipation that the shogunate would invite him to their local police station, right before the meeting tonight. It was also for a very absurd reason: one of his gang members was caught “luring” children on the street in broad daylight. They agreed to not make a scene before the plan got in place. Ayato trusts his people to follow his order by every means. Not to mention, “luring children” is not something his people usually do.

After getting informed by Thoma – his loyal assistant, Ayato quickly arrived to the police station just to witness such unspeakable scene: A red horns Oni sitting behind cell screaming at the police officer: “trust me bro, I have nothing to do with those yakuza thingy you mentioned, I don’t have the means to afford getting arrested : ((( I didn’t do anything to the kids, I just want to do beetles fight with them.”

In front of the cell were three men nodding to the Oni’s words.

“Yeah, chief, the three of us combined don’t even have enough money to bail him out! Do we look like that type of people?” – Said the big one out of the three friends.

They did live up to their words as they did not look like that “type”. At least the three of them all looked like ordinary citizens with a simple-mind type of aura. But the Oni though, his appearance sure will catch anyone’s attention by just walking freely on the street, not just because of his Oni’s origin. Apart from the two pointy red horns poking out of his head, the Oni’s height nearly matched the ceiling of the cell he was in. His messy long silver hair hugged around his muscular figure where his two arms were covered by tattoos. His strong brows along with his big red eyes make him look even more intimidated. He did wear a spike necklace and a black band-Tee resembling the type of brat who always looks for trouble. The Oni’s present was as impressive as it can be.

It's a rare occasion to see an Oni in the modern days. They were once living among humans until humans overpopulated them which led to discrimination and the shrinking of the Oni’s bloodline. Nowaday, the Onis still face many stigmas of being aggressive and hot-headed. That’s how they always describe the Oni in folklore and fairy tales. Ayato read some when he was young and knew about the existence of Oni but he had never seen one in real life. Time is brutal and there is not much Oni left.

As for why Ayato was summoned, it didn’t take him more than two glances to take the hint. The Oni had a big eye-catching Camellia flower tattoo on his neck. It is well-known that Camellia is the Kamisato clan’s symbol. Ayato sighed, but this one was not the design his clan uses.

“He’s not my gang member”. Ayato told the officer. “You can let him go”.

As he was about to leave, Ayato got interrupted by the huge figure Oni. The Oni said while catching up with him after getting free from the cell:
“Heyyy, aniki, wait up!”. The Oni approached Ayato. At this distance, it’s further their differences in size, Ayato only reaches the Oni’s nose. “Wow, how can you do that! One word and they let me go immediately! Well, just come to say thanks! Oh oh... wait!”. The Oni remembered something and took out a card from his pocket and gave it to Ayato. “Here, for you, aniki! Oh, my name is Itto, I’m the tattoo shop owner over there. This is our discount card as a way to repay your help!”. Itto said as he grinned brightly, taking away the intimidated impression.

This was not the response Ayato received every day, the smile on Itto’s face caught him off guard. Thought tattoo is an important part of a yakuza, each gang have their own tattoo artist that work solely for the gang and is the only one who is allowed to tattoo the gang’s symbol. Which mean, the discount card was basically worthless in the hand of someone like Ayato. But without further the conversation, Ayato politely received card then said something along the line of him being in a hurry and quickly leaved the scene while the Oni and his friend waving toward him.
It was indeed a strange occurrence.  

But nothing can compare to the meeting of the 10 branches tonight. Walking into the room full of his enemies, Ayato then walked out trying to suppress his anger. As soon as the 10 branches leader left his sight. Ayato let out his blood thirst gaze, he wished he could dilute his anger by breaking things but it’s not how his mother taught him.

His uncle came closer and closer to Ayato’s breaking point. First mentioning Ayaka coming of age with the intention of arranging his sister’s marriage, treating her like an object to bribe others in return for power. Ayato clenched his fist. There is still a year before Ayaka turns 18, at that point, his plan would have already taken place. Ayaka will have the freedom to be whoever she wants to be by then. That is something he can control in the future. Ayato assures himself. He takes a deep breath.

Still, all of the plan and agreement cannot prevent the next thing from happening to him.

“Fuck”. Ayato pushed out that one word.

His uncle had decided on the tattoo for the ceremony celebrating Ayato’s taking over the gang. His uncle’s, not Ayato’s decision.

Apart from the clan’s symbol, the clan leader has to get his or her own signature tattoo that presents his or her era when gaining control of the clan. It’s often an animal or an object. The former leader – his father chose to tattoo a crane on his back. Ayato wanted to do the same to honor his father but things got out of his control when his uncle brought up the fortune teller’s “recommendation” to tattoo a tiger for “luck”.

Things got ugly when six of the ten branch leaders supported his uncle. “It’s for the clan”, they said. Ayato can’t have the same symbol as his father since his father passed early thus bring bad luck, they said. As if his uncle didn’t pay the fortune teller to spill those bullshit. As if Ayato didn’t know his uncle “complimented” his father by comparing him to the tiger while saying his father is a pussycat behind his back. This man always finds a way to get his hands on Ayato’s business. With six other leaders that his uncle bribed the shit out of, they shoved “for the clan” in his mouth every time to make him do things he didn’t want to. He got to end this.

Ayato reminded himself to be patient. Damn. He has lost control of a lot of things after his father’s death. He missed the day he walked under the broad daylight, merging with the ordinary citizen on the street of Inazuma. The day he was just someone’s son and someone’s brother.

Itto yawned as he stretched, putting his two-tattoo covered arms across the sky. He checked again and again and... again for any appointment on his shop’s website. Nope, not a single one. Itto rolled his eyes and started laying on the table again.

“C’mon, boss. Maybe tomorrow will be different” – Shinobu, his employee, and also his childhood friends, cheered him up.

Itto nodded as a response. It’s been more than a month since they opened their tattoo shop. Even though he knows well that it takes time to gain more clients, Itto was still not used to this slow pace. As someone who used to work at a super busy tattoo shop at day, as a construction worker at night and as delivery man on the side, sitting here doing nothing was a brand-new experience for Itto. He let out a long sigh.

Who knows achieving your goal would be like this. He had worked so hard for so long to open his own tattoo shop. Please, someone out there come and witness Arataki numero uno Itto’s coolest tattoo shop ever!

Doing nothing got Itto into overthinking mode. He started to think maybe the shop won’t be successful, he actually hadn’t achieved his life goal aka become an independent and successful man to take care of his (adoptive) granny. Maybe he’s the problem, why would anyone want to get a tattoo by an intimidated 2 meters high Oni. Maybe that is why he got brought up to the police station for just a friendly interaction with some kids. Itto is always proud of his Oni heritage, but one an Oni, always an Oni and people don’t like Oni.

The door suddenly opened cutting all the negative thoughts surrounding Itto. The door opened ... Client!

Itto got his spirit up and to his surprise, the client was no one but the MAN, his savior, the one who had saved him out of the police station a month ago. He thought the man would never come. In the end, who would want to associate with an Oni, not to mention getting a tattoo at a random shop from a stranger. But he’s here, the blue-haired man with an elegant breeze.

“Heyyyy! It’s you, man, I thought you would never come! Come in, aniki! The discount is still valid. Welcome to the Arataki shop!”. Itto greeted the man and his blonde buddy with enthusiasm.

The feeling was mutual. Ayato would never, in a million years, think he would come to a place like this. A month had passed by, and a lot of things happened. Looking back at what had happened brought a breeze of red to his foggy mind. Let’s just say things have gone as planned and the Kamisato clan leader was in the mood for doing something obnoxious that day! And while tidying up his office, the discount card popped out. It gave him an idea and brought him to the strange tattoo shop of the strange person.

“Do you have any idea of the tattoo you want?”. The green-haired girl asked him. And the answer is no. The thought popped out of nowhere and as a yakuza gang leader, Ayato would never have to go out seeking for a tattoo artist. Oh well, he does now, after what happened last month...

They sat down for a bit discussing what kind of tattoo Ayato wanted to take. It was enough time for Ayato to take a glance around the little shop. As he just described, the shop is small to the point that taking two clients at once would make the shop run out of its capacity. It’s small but new and fascinating as Ayato would describe. The shop’s color theme is mainly black, red and some dark blue here and there. Catching Ayato’s attention was the two ferocious red and blue Oni masks which were neatly decorated alongside the shop’s name on the black wall.

“The blue Oni mask, was it supposed to symbolize your brother or family member?”. Ayato asked.

This put Itto on a motto to finally have someone ask him the RIGHT question. Itto started telling Ayato about his favorite story from childhood about the blue and the crimson Oni. It pumped his enthusiasm even more seeing how concentrated Ayato was while listening to him telling the story. It ended with Ayato’s foggy eyes getting lost in his thoughts, leaving the room with utmost silence for a few seconds.

Before letting Itto get back to his overthinking status, Ayato broke the atmosphere by announcing his choice of tattoo. He wanted to have the crimson Oni mask on his back.

Itto was caught off guard by Ayato’s decision. Who would have thought just after a fairy tale, a grown man would choose to have this tattoo on his body for the rest of his life.

Ayato chuckled. He was as surprised as Itto. Something sparked inside his head while deciding to get the crimson Oni symbol on his back. He can only guess that having such baggage that you can never deny or change resembled a lot to his situation. He can do anything but it won’t change who he is. Despite that, Ayato still wants to stand proudly like the Oni in the story.

Ayato started undressing to prepare for the tattoo session. He put his whole naked upper body in front of Itto who is now glancing at all the drawings on Ayato’s body. Camellia flourishes all over Ayato’s skin, complimenting the dancing water. Different shades of blue carved on his body leaving just the hands and the neck part. Taking a large portion of Ayato’s back is an aggressive looking tiger. Even though the tiger looks out of tune with the rest of Ayato’s tattoo, Itto recognizes how sophisticated the lining and the pigment of the tiger were. It had to be done by a true master who has immense experience in this art.

“I would like to have the mask cover up every single part of the tiger”. Ayato said.

“Are you sure?”. Itto starts doubting. “This tiger is a piece of art. Whoever did it has so much more skill than I do.”

“Oh?”. Ayato put out a smirk. “Where is all your mighty crimson Oni’s pride? How can this pussycat compare to that!”. Ayato glanced at Itto cheekily.

At this point, Itto can’t decide if Ayato’s words were sarcastic or not. But it did pump up his spirit. That makes sense, of course the mighty crimson Oni is so much better than a boring tiger!

Itto stopped talking and started sanitizing the skin area on Ayato’s back. Kuki was on the front of the store, taking a look at their paperwork. Thoma the assistant left doing something by Ayato’s order. So, there were only him and Ayato in the room. Silence covered the atmosphere as Itto started. This put a different perspective on the usually loud and bright Oni. A breeze of seriousness presented on Itto’s face as he had his whole concentration on Ayato’s back.

Laying on the leather mattress, Ayato calmly went through the activity he had done countless times, as expected from a yakuza. However, it’s a brand-new experience this time getting a tattoo from a stranger he just met on a random summer day. Now he just glances over every detail of the shop in waiting. But again, it’s a small tattoo shop, Ayato quickly run out of things to look at. It boiled down to the mirror in front of him where he can see everything going on behind his back.

Taking a huge portion of the reflection in the mirror was Mr. Almighty crimson Oni who was focusing on every detail of the pieces he was about to carve on Ayato’s skin. Itto tied his long silver hair loosely behind, some of the front hair left off wavering on his tan cheeks. His eyelashes having the same colours as his hair was glowing under the light.

The music got Ayato’s sight hazy. He was asked by the Oni if he wanted to play any music while waiting for his tattoo to be done. Ayato didn’t have any preference so he told Itto to play whatever the Oni wanted to. Itto then put on a slow tempo and relaxing song* that didn’t match his appearance. Nevertheless, Ayato was content with the choice of music.

Tribal-like tattoo danced around the arms which are now running through Ayato’s skin. The drawing looked heated and lively under Itto’s bronze background as if it contained some secret meaning only the Oni could know. His arms were all covered up by tattoos like Ayato but the shoulder and his upper body seemed untouched. Connected between the neck and the chest was a camellia flower flourished in crimson colour.

Down below the camellia, the entirety of the Oni’s pec nearly got exposed under his oversized tank top as he lowered his torso to get a closer look of the detail. The light painted on and off the exposing part a warm honey colour. This put Itto’s curvy chest on highlight, sucking Ayato’s attention. Somewhere between Itto’s ribs and his lower chest line that the light couldn’t reach, Ayato caught a small undefined drawing which made him wonder what it was.

Ayato took his whole session glancing all over someone's torso without realizing the tingling feeling it gave him. It was when the sculpted chest left his sight that Ayato startled and started reflexing what he did.

After the long hour of waiting, the piece was done. Some sweat presented on Itto’s forehead as he awoke from the session. He breathed in deeply then looked dearly at his creation. Gotta say he was out-done himself. Don’t know what the client gonna think but Itto was super contented by what he made. The red pigment sunk nicely on Ayato’s back without getting out of line with the rest of his tattoo. The ferocious Oni mask blended in perfectly with the dancing water that Itto implemented around it.

He gave Ayato a sign asking for approval. The blue hair man looked lost a couple seconds ago now got back to his feet examining his newly carved tattoo. He must say he was as content as Itto showed to be.

Thought that he got off the unspeakable acts he had just done during the whole session, Ayato turned around and received the brightest smile ever of a grown man who now looked like a puppy that wants to be praised. He got lost again in the white long fangs on Itto’s smile with his eyes shut loosely to the shape of crescent moon.

Ayato quickly gained back his consciousness and expressed his content of the drawing to the Oni. He successfully convinced the Oni to take his payment and fat tips despite having a discount. Thoma got back from his job and was waiting outside to bring his boss back home.

Now that he was in his car and the Oni was out of sight, Ayato could really have the time to make up his mind. He didn’t know what had gone through his head. Maybe it has been a while since he last received any intimacy from others. He recalled every detail of Itto’s body in mind. The crimson camellia, the undefined tattoo, the Oni’s curvy pec. This brought back the heat.

Didn’t think much of it, Ayato let the thought go without knowing he’ll be back to that shop countless times with the intention of having a new tattoo or not.

Chapter Text

The leader of the Kamisato clan was not always like that. He is, in the end, the head of a powerful organization. Even under his uncle’s control, finding a partner or just a bedmate was never a problem. His parents, when they were still alive, weren't really involved in this aspect..

One thing that Ayato knows for sure is: He is gay.

The man knows what makes him “excited”. His parents didn’t treat his sexuality as something related to his duty to the clan, as long as he fulfills all the qualifications as an heir, who he is messing with is not a concern.

Though, at some point, the continuation of the Kamisato’s bloodline had been brought up among the branches, which, again, gave them the excuse to bring ‘arrange marriage’ into the conversation. His father was not fond of that idea.

He sometimes wonders if Ayaka also swings that way, he once thought it could be a problem to keep the bloodline going. But then he remembers that they’re rich, they can probably hire someone to carry their child.

But being rich can’t solve the problem he’s facing right now! It was 3am and the leader of the Kamisato clan just woke up from the wildest wet dream that he hadn’t had since high school. Not just a normal wet dream but a dream of grabbing those sharp red horns of the Oni and making him do the unspeakable! The Kamisato clan leader could still envision the Oni’s expression in his dream, how vividly the red colour on Itto’s camellia tattoo was. This is unusual! And absurd! It’s been a week since his last visit to the Arataki shop. Recognizing his needs, Ayato had called some of his regular acquaintances (basically fwb) for matters like these just a few days ago. What made him become like this?

After his father passed away, Ayato was buried in the clan’s business. It was a tough time for him. Ayato had to work twice to get to this point and to protect his family. Which means all the sexual matter had been pushed aside for a while. It’s not like he hadn’t experienced anything like that before. At the end of a period like that, he did fine. Now that his uncle is gone, Ayato got to enjoy himself a bit and he did but it’s still not enough. It’s still not the red Oni of that damn shop.

Ayato rubbed his face and took a deep breath. 

Ayato admitted, he has always been interested in all things new*. The Oni happens to be the newest and most distinguishable event in Ayato’s life right now. Despite being born to a very progressive family, the dynamic between his parents in their marriage was fairly traditional. It gave Ayato’s the impression that it was how he should be too. Thus, his choice of partner was also fairly traditional. In the past, Ayato often dated or hooked up with guys that were on the feminine side, or at least appearances wise were soft and were not bigger than him. It was not even about being on top or bottom, Ayato wouldn’t mind whichever the position if that was the one he loves. To be honest, he has never found muscular men (like Itto) unattractive, he just hasn’t got the chance to meet one that he actually attracts. Well, he is now.

(*Ayato’s character story: Yumemiru Pen Case)

Laying there looking at the ceiling, the clan’s leader told himself maybe the feeling would go away in a couple days. Either he grows out of it or he’ll have to devour the Oni in whole.

The first option sounds unrealistic. Because to let go of such experience would be a real challenge, especially when the piece Itto crafted will stay on his back forever. Ayato didn’t have any plan to remove that tattoo in the near future. He was very much content with the piece. It was as if the piece covered some mysterious power that fueled him up in the morning, looking at it in the mirror while getting dressed. The red Oni mask was supposed to symbolize his era but it also marked the day he gained back control of his life. So no matter what, the Oni had already made an important mark on Ayato’s existence. 

But will letting the Oni stay in his life be a risky business? He hasn’t made any new relationships since the moment his father fell ill. Every interaction Ayato made was just on a surface level. Being the successor of the Kamisato clan, he knew no matter how nice people act, they can use it as a cover-up for their true intentions. He wouldn’t assume Itto to be someone like that but rather anyone who became a part of Ayato’s life would get themselves into hot water at some point. He’s been walking on a tightrope carrying his family on his shoulder for years. He was worried he couldn’t even protect Ayaka more than once in the last few years.

Funny how the relationship didn’t even exist yet but Ayato had all this worry. He hadn’t gotten rid of all the opponents from his uncle’s side which made him feel uneasy ever since. But it was time to let things aside and rest.  

After getting himself to calm down a bit, Ayato went back to sleep.

Luckily, the next few days, he was flooded with work. Cutting off his uncle and his people did provide them more security, however their branches were without a leader and they owned a quite significant amount of the clan’s property. Ayato would have to carry some of the work from their branches before finding someone to replace their seats. It worked well as a distraction from the absurdity last night.

Ayato rested in between the hours. Other than drinking tea and adding a new mission to Thoma, he scrolled through his phone to kill time. Somehow, he stumbled across an ad for a tattoo shop. The Arataki tattoo shop... This got Ayato frozen for a bit. He knows big corps steal people’s information to sell ads but not to this extent. Was this app specifically targeting him or was he being paranoid?

Still, the clan leader could not scroll past the ad but clicked on it. It was just a regular ad with Itto posing alongside the tattoo he made. Ayato’s one was on it too, he can recall Itto’s excitement that day when asking him to take a picture of his back. Itto grinned bright and proudly on that picture, he even put on a V sign. This brought a smile to Ayato’s face without him noticing. Itto sure has a vibrant aura that can easily affect people around him.

As time went by and Ayato reached his capacity, he left the desk in the late afternoon and decided to check on some of the clan’s property. It matched the time Ayaka finished school as Ayato got out seeing her bringing her friend – Yoimiya back home. They greeted each other politely, then Ayaka quickly led Yoimiya to her room.

Ayaka had informed the visitation of her friend beforehand, which pleased her brother. Ayato loves to see Ayaka live a normal life and has friends. Even though she has to inform Ayato each time for an occasion like this, not that he’s a controlling brother but by knowing in advance, he could demand his men to stay away from the estate to avoid freaking Ayaka’s friend out. Which saddens Ayato since his sister will never have the freedom to enjoy her youth like her peers. Now that Ayaka is the only blood-related sibling he has, he wants to make sure she has her best life. Of course that means Ayato didn’t want his sister to be involved in yakuza’s business.

The sky turned dark as the clan leader finished his business and was about to get back home for dinner. But look who he bumped into: The red Oni who was carrying two big bags but somehow found a way to wave toward him.

“Heyyy, aniki! We met again! How’s it going?”. Itto came near him smiling as usual. He greeted Ayato with a very warm welcome. How could he treat his savior differently! Plus, Ayato’s tips from the last session were plenty. The guy made all the good impressions on the Arataki shop owner.

“Fancy meeting you here, Itto. You closed the shop early today?”. Ayato acted as if he forgot everything happened in his sleep. However, he couldn’t help but glance at the crimson camellia on Itto’s neck. Ayato had a sense of relief that the Oni didn’t wear revealing clothes today. Aside from his eye-catching camellia tattoo, Itto had a simple blue zip hoodie and track pants.

“Oh, Shinobu is taking care of the shop now, I went out to buy this!”. Itto said as he pulled up the two bags which contained some sort of beverage. “Here, one for you and your friend.” He gave the drinks to Ayato and Thoma who assisted Ayato during his visits to the property this afternoon.

Ayato tried it as soon as it got on his hand, so did Thoma. They went for hours without drinking anything and the beverage looked refreshing. There were some sort of chewy black pearls in the drink and Ayato was loving it.

“Ooh, this came from the Maki shop over there, right? I haven’t tried this flavor yet!”. Thoma said.

“What is this drink?”. Ayato asked.

“It’s boba tea, sir. It’s getting popular in Inazuma lately!”. Thoma answered.

“Well, it’s quite good, I imagine Ayaka would love it. Ayaka is my sister.” He explained to Itto.

“Oh, then take one more for her too!”. Itto said as he gave them another cup of boba. Ayato can’t say that he didn’t like free stuff, especially when it was this good, he also loves to share with his close ones. It put the clan leader in a lighter mood.  

“But why did you buy this much boba tea, Itto? It’s a lot!”. Ayato asked.

“There have not been a lot of clients lately, I was thinking of giving the clients some beverages as free service to improve their experience. I hope to attract more clients this way. Hehe!”. The Oni told them brightly with his vibrant smile, the same smile on the ad Ayato saw not long ago. Though the thought is naïve from a business standpoint, Ayato found it cute.

“But you already gave us three. We are not your clients, aren’t we?” 

“You visited our shop last time, I hope that you are satisfied with our services and will come back. Please come to the Arataki shop next time and I’ll give you another cup of boba, aniki!”. Itto started speaking formally, he even bowed a bit then glanced at them with his ingratiate smile. It made Ayato giggle to see this giant acted in this way. There is always something very attractive about the differences between people’s appearance and their personality.

They exchanged a few more words for a short time. Ayato can see that the shop struggled a bit during its opening period. They both wished Itto good luck then came back to the estate. By now, Yoimiya had already gone home. 

The three of them: Ayato, Thoma and Ayaka had dinner together. Thoma is his assistant but also his childhood friend. He is an orphan of an acquaintance that Ayato’s father took under his hand. Thoma has shown to be trustworthy and loyal from his years of serving Ayato’s family. Ayato’s parents treated Thoma like their own kid. So He must say Thoma is part of his family too.

Ayaka loved the boba tea they brought back and asked for the name of the shop to try it next time with her friends. 

Teenage girls are easily pleased – Ayato thought.

Funny how Ayato projected himself into his sister because soon, it was the clan leader who drank at least 1 cup of boba per day. Boba tea had become his new obsession. Speaking of being easily pleased, that same night, Ayato told Thoma to spread his order to the other yakuza of their clan: only go to the Arataki shop to get a tattoo.

Upon hearing that, Thoma had to suppress doing “side eye” to his boss. This was not the first time he saw his boss acting this way. Just how fast the nights change. First Ayato was in that river in Egypt, now it looks like he was settling for the 2^nd option. He couldn’t turn away from the shiny new things, just like he couldn’t help but to try every single flavor on the boba menu each day. 

Thoma, as a standard straight man, didn't know how his boss could be so confident about someone’s sexuality. He had a good impression of the Oni, the guy looked like he was kind and nice. But they hadn’t interacted that much. Thoma saw no clues!

Well, as an experienced gay man, Ayato refused to believe Itto was not one of his people. He just knows.

The clan leader didn’t have a specific plan nor did he look for a serious relationship. Ayato just wanted to know what this could lead him to. He started going to the shop regularly and having a peek into Itto’s life.

He learned a lot of things: like how the Oni wakes up every morning to exercise using public equipment in the park nearby; how the Oni loves his breakfast to be warm milk tea with meat steamed buns but it has to be the buns from an old grandma store at the corner of the street; the Oni is allergic to bean; The Oni has a cow pet name Ushi that he brought to the shop sometimes;The Oni loves bug fighting; the Oni loveees playing TCG though is very bad at it, but what makes Ayato like him more is that just after a few words of encouragement, Itto will get back to his feet no matter how many match he had lost. Ayato likes that spirit.

At first, he made an excuse to visit the shop by booking an appointment to get a new tattoo. He got Itto to craft small figures here and there. Then the step of choosing a tattoo got longer as the clan leader got Itto to spill more about himself. Ayato slowly became a regular guest of the shop. He would stop by not to get a new tattoo but to say hi or to play board games or to bring gifts (mostly snacks or new games) . His eyes were fixing on the shop owner each time they got closer. But nothing had happened yet, the Oni wouldn’t take the hint.

Despite not wanting to rush, Ayato kept getting weird dreams and his desire was left unfulfilled ever since. Hooking up with other people wouldn’t help, there was no cure but the Arataki shop owner. 

However, Ayato couldn’t bring himself to just get Itto to bed, it’s very rude and indecent. Ayato is a gentleman even for a one time thing. He believes both parties should want the same thing and enjoy the occasion equally. So in the end, he got himself stuck in this frustration. 

One of the obstacles Ayato was facing was Itto's best friend - Kuki Shinobu. The green-haired girl has been very cautious of him. Ayato already got his men to investigate the people around Itto. He now knows Kuki is a freelancer who used to work in all kinds of positions: at a law office, as a journalist, at a bank, etc. She had quite an impressive resumé. With this much intellect, Kuki must have figured out something about his identity. But he digresses, her friend didn’t show to hate his presence either. 

Regardless of Ayato's help, the Arataki shop still needs more prominent clients as Ayato’s gang members do not need this service all the time. Itto can’t rely totally on the clan leader, he needs to build a name for himself to secure the shop’s future and to quickly pay back the loan he borrowed from the bank. His savings from working multiple jobs can only cover so much. 

At first, Ayato was really surprised that Itto could successfully get a loan from the bank considering the nature of his career. Ayato wouldn't have thought Itto would be qualified for that. He knew Itto started working from a very young age. He just couldn’t imagine the simple mind-Oni would save money from then and made a long-term plan to open the shop. Kuki must have had a hand in that too. Despite not being his favorite person, Kuki sure is someone Ayato’s glad that Itto has on his side. 

Itto didn’t borrow a great amount, in fact, the clan leader would be able to pay all of it in whole. However, it was not in his position to do that at the time. He could only provide some minor aide. That was why Ayato was going to inform Itto about the tattoo convention which would be organized next month. With Ayato’s connection, Itto could easily get a spot. No one could deny that it's a great opportunity to promote the shop. 

Ayato couldn’t wait to tell Itto, but to his surprise, the Oni was nowhere to be found. The Oni should have been at the shop at this hour. Unless he was in a hurry, Itto would never leave the shop before its closing hour. Right now, there were only Kuki and Genta - another friend/worker at the shop. 

Ayato greeted them then ask for Itto.

Genta didn’t know while Kuki knitted her brows. She was silent for a minute then gave the clan leader the most shocking news:
“He went to his boyfriend’s place.”

Wtf!?

Kuki’s voice was very cold and unfriendly when saying that phrase.

Her response was beyond the clan leader’s understanding. He admitted he had investigated Itto before, not to the deepest level since Ayato wanted Itto to at least have some privacy. But Itto hadn’t shown any sign that he had a boyfriend, not a single one! Itto was not the kind to lie about not having one. Neither Kuki or anyone around Itto had ever mentioned it. 

The only explanation would be that they were not close enough for Ayato to know about the boyfriend’s existence. The clan leader started feeling like a fool for having assumed a lot of things. Regardless, He asked Kuki when Itto would come back as the convention’s spot was still there to offer. But Kuki didn’t know either. 

The clan leader got back to his car sitting next to a silent but wanting to say something Thoma. He was the one that looked even more shocked than Ayato when they got the news. He wanted to say some words of comfort but this is the clan leader that we’re talking about. Thoma knew Ayato had been through worse but he also knew his friend cared so much for the Oni. In the end, it was Ayato who told Thoma not to worry too much.

They sat down silently eating dinner that night. Poor Ayaka just got home from school and ate her dinner in this awkward silence without knowing anything. Thoma only told her that her brother needed space. Ayaka went to her room as soon as she finished her meal. 

The clan leader got caught sitting dumbfounded in his office. Ayato was at his desk gazing absolutely nowhere. He texted Itto asking if they could meet. He just couldn’t believe it, maybe he needed the things to come out of Itto’s own mouth to have closure. But Itto didn’t text back. 

After a few minutes without any response, Ayato didn’t know what had gotten into his head. He stood up and drove himself to the shop without Thoma’s assistance at a time that the shop would have been closed for an hour already. But when Ayato arrived there, he saw lights inside the shop so he approached the location. 

Right before Ayato entered, he heard the sound of someone’s sobbing. From the outside, he saw the Oni sitting in the corner with his eyes all red.

Chapter Text

Itto wasn’t born “the one and Oni” or “the almighty Arataki” or “Arataki numero uno Itto” or any name he gave himself. At the start of his life, he was just this little boy trying to reach his mother's hand, she was so tall and she was the coolest. His father would come back from work every afternoon then hunt beetles and play beetle-fight with him. Before sleeping, he would tell lil Itto about the tale of the crimson Oni and the blue Oni - his favorite story, patch Itto on the head and call Itto his “lil champ”. The family lived happily in a small village among human, in the countryside of Inazuma. 

But war happened, resources were limited, more and more people came. There was no “place” for them. Daddy started staying at home more, lil Itto loved to spend time with his dad. But daddy would go out once in a while and come back with bruises and wounds and they ate “fancier” that day. Until one day, he didn’t come back*. Itto asked for his daddy but mommy said he had gone to work very far away and he would come back if Itto acted good. 

Itto got hungrier and hungrier day by day. Mom said he was growing so he felt like he needed more food. Mommy didn’t look as bright as before but lil Itto was still very happy she was with him. And then another day, mom didn’t wake up. No matter how loud he called, how hard he pushed her, mommy didn’t respond.

Lil Itto didn’t know what to do, he was so worried. Maybe daddy could wake mommy up, so he went out to find daddy. But he didn’t know where daddy was. Mommy said Daddy worked far far away so Itto ran as far as possible. He ran without resting, he fell many times on the way but he stood up quickly because he was a lil champ. So Itto ran and ran until the sky got dark and daddy was nowhere to be found. In the middle of the street, there were so many people, they all looked at him in a weird way. There were also kids his age but nobody looked like him, they didn’t have his beautiful red horns. Itto ran around asking everyone about his dad, no one answered, they shooed him away, all of them looked mad. The kids started to rally around him and yelled loudly:

“Oni, look, there is an Oni”. 

Itto didn’t understand why they did that, he is an Oni, but why everybody kept screaming “Oni, Oni, bad Oni!”. 

Itto was terrified. He couldn’t find daddy anywhere. He couldn’t find the way home to mommy either. Everyday, the kids called him “bad Oni” then hit Itto so bad. There were days, he was so tired he couldn’t stay up looking for daddy but laid in the corner of the street. Then the kids said daddy was dead, “bad Oni will be defeated by heroes to save the land”. Itto screamed liars and fought back every time with every breath he had. The kids were plenty so he always ended up laying for another day. 

Until one day, the Oni finally came to the conclusion that the kids may be right, his father will never come back, nor will his mother. Itto is now “the Oni”. 

He is born being his parents’ lil champ, but becomes “the Oni”.

The Oni wandered on the street day by day without purpose. He got hungrier but unlike his mother said, he didn’t grow. He was starving. 

One day, Itto thought he couldn’t wake up like mommy, but granny brought him home, feed him the greatest porridge in the world. Lil Itto didn’t know why the granny saved him, wasn’t he an Oni who should have been gotten rid of. Shouldn’t she fear him? Humans don’t like Oni. But Itto couldn’t resist the porridge right before him. And that is how he found his home.  

It was then, Itto became Granny Oni’s lil boy. Itto started growing again! He went to school with the human childs.  

He had friends too: Shinobu, Mamoru, Genta, Akira and Ushi, they made a pack. Still, no matter where he went, the two pointy horns would always poke out grabbing everybody’s attention, the hate, the scream. He came home with bruises from fighting with the kids at school, even though he tried not to bring trouble to granny who had already been called Granny Oni. Itto hated to be a burden and dreamed of one day he can protect granny the way she protected him.

Itto didn’t want to be “the Oni” anymore, he didn’t want to be that pitiful being on the street. So he branded himself the almighty Arataki or any name in the books. The pack played along with him. It all started as a child play and now they call themselves “the Arataki gang”. 

But years gone by and the horns are still there, no matter how many persona Itto created, one an Oni, always an Oni. There will be nobody looking like him, having two horns like him, being an Oni like him. One slip and he’s “the Oni” again. 

One time, The Oni found a book in the school's library, the most important book, the book about Oni. Itto learned about their history: how back then they lived in a village full of people with horns, how they tattooed the strongest and the coolest Oni, how the tattooed Oni were the village’s warriors who protected everyone from all kinds of danger. They were absolutely the coolest. 

Itto was young at the time so he couldn’t get a tattoo, but still he dreamed of the day he could be the warrior Oni who was not afraid of anything. And his dream would come true! It was when he met this special man.

Genta’s cousin used to hang out with them, the girl was a year older than the gang and she had a friend who happened to be a tattoo artist. Itto was so hype for that and asking her to introduce them to the man all the time. Until they actually met him - the man with a warm smile, the one who made Itto’s dream come true and also the man who changed his life forever, who took his first kiss, who was the first of everything.

Not only is Itto an Oni, he is also gay. That was how he found out. 

The man taught Itto a lot. He drew a warrior on Itto’s scar and made Itto his own. He taught Itto to make a mark on his skin too. The man was everything. 

Then on this very evening, he told Itto that he was going to Inazuma’s capital. It had everything there, it had a future, it was where people like them live. The man would like Itto to come with him. 

Without finishing high school, Itto kissed goodbye to his granny, told her he would work hard and come back bringing her to the fanciest place with what he gained. Just like that, Itto came to the man and from that moment, they would stick together. 

They found their own place, they opened their own shop, they started from 0 with just the two of them. Every night, the man cooked the most delicious food Itto ever had. They drank beers together after a hard working day. Itto could never take his eye off the man when he sat next to their big window smoking. The street light sneaked in and glowed his stylist wavy hair, stubble beard poked out of his chin and neck, his eyes catching Itto staring at him then smirked. Itto didn’t like the smell of cigarettes but he loved looking at the man when he smoked. There was something so cool about it. And by day, the man protected Itto from the rude customers. 

“He was so nice, you know…” Itto told the Kamisato clan leader. “Was…”

The man took Itto to places, and met a bunch of cool people. They had art on their skin, they all looked like a freak and they were proud of it. For the first time in Itto’s life, Itto thought he had met his people. 

The business started booming, they got a lot of customers. They recruited new people to their squad, and the shop also got bigger. But that was not the only thing that got bigger. Itto grew taller and bigger alongside the store, he started becoming what he had read in the book: a big strong Oni in his prime. 

But as Itto grew taller, the man grew colder. From time to time, he even agreed to some rude client who kept commenting on Itto’s Oni heritage. The man also commented on Itto’s body more and more. It was as if there would never not be something that wasn’t wrong about his body. The man started meeting new people frequently, without Itto on his side. The Oni stayed alone in their apartment eating cold food left last night. 

They argued and they fought. While recalling it, Itto thought this was the moment everything had gone in the wrong direction. 

They broke up once, met other people, and lived separately. It was the first time in a decade that Itto was on his own again. He remembers crying and screaming both to the man and himself. Everything Itto had belonged to the man, he got out of their apartment in the middle of the night with just a handful of clothes. Itto stayed at a friend’s house for a couple nights until he found a new place. Days after the break-up, he thought he would be ok, but sitting in an empty apartment without light on, no trace of the man but somehow, everything reminded Itto of the man. The smell of smoke, the street light through the window, the tattoos he left of Itto. So he broke down and cried. The man made Itto a warrior, but now all he saw was “the Oni”.

They eventually got back together, but not long after that they fought again and took a break without breaking up and it became frequent. It is hard to get rid of someone whom you see everyday at work, see how his soulless eyes staring at you. They were together but Itto was lonely. The life without the man was hell, but the life with him was lifeless.

“I wanted to leave, but then he said ‘who would want not only a giant and intimidated man but also an Oni to be a bottom?’.” Itto chuckled dryly. 

Ayato wished he could answer: “Well, me.” But he let Itto continue. 

The man was always capable of kindness, but the kindness didn’t go to Itto, not anymore. Everyday he would be warm and passionate, caring and kind. It was toward the people that didn’t look like Itto, the one who was small and delicate and didn’t have two horns poked out of his head. Toward the pictures he liked on his phone, the dms sound he got at night, the blond customer who had a pleasant smell passed by on the weekend. Toward all the people that Itto couldn’t stop the man from looking at.  

The last time they took a break, Itto was working with a difficult client to whom the existence of the Oni was an inconvenience. All Itto had done was to defend himself, but somehow the chair that client had broken, the way this client had stormed out angrily and terrified everyone was Itto’s fault. So the man started calling names. He said all Itto had brought to him was trouble, Itto was too clingy, Itto slowed him down, Itto made him look bad, his friends laughed at his face for dating an Oni, Itto was so much of a burden to the man. 

At that moment, Itto snapped. Calmly walked out of the man’s apartment, this time, Itto walked out without tears. He realized that he had always been on his own… but had nothing to his own. That was when his journey began and they took the longest break. 

With every penny he had saved, every job he could take, Itto disappeared from the man’s shop and tried to open his own. He did what Shinobu told him to do, worked from sunrise to sunset, reconnected with the long lost gang. And here they are, the Arataki gang and their coolest tattoo shop ever. They again made a pack and Itto took Ushi from the countryside to the city with him. Granny was still so warm and caring the last time he visited and carried Ushi. She always encouraged Itto to do what made him happy. This time, Itto had to show the man that he was not a burden anymore and Itto was leaving him. 

“I have known him for nearly a decade and had been with him for 7 years of my life. He made me the person I am today”. Itto said as he stared into nowhere. 

Tonight, He was finally ready. Itto took all his courage, every pride of the Oni, the strength of the almighty Arataki. He came to meet the man to end their relationship. But as he knocked the door and the door opened, it wasn’t his boyfriend but the delicate customer in his boyfriend’s shirt. The guy was pretty and smelled pleasantly as always. It would be a lie if Itto said he had never catched this smell in his boyfriend’s apartment before, even when they were still together. It broke him to face this pain all over again, to face the fact that everything was over, that this time, the man would be out of his life forever. The memories they made, the things they’d been through will be swept away by the flow of time. And even in the last moment, Itto wasn’t a burden but was nothing to the man with whom he had spent 7 years of his life.

It was there Itto stopped talking, and let the tears hanging around his eyes since the beginning of their conversation ran down without holding back. Him and Ayato were sitting at the park near his shop. Ayato helped Itto close his shop and asked if Itto wanted to talk. So they were here.

The moon above them went through the trees highlighting Itto’s two crimson horns. Itto was just next to the clan leader, but it looked to him that Itto was lost somewhere in his memories over the years. 

“I couldn’t look Shinobu and Genta in the eyes.” Itto’s voice became hoarse as he continued. “People around told me to leave countless times. But no matter how many times, I would come back to him like a fool! I thought no one could ever love me but him, but even he wouldn’t love me.” 

“You don’t deserve someone who treated you like that Itto”. Ayato spoke after a long period of silence while listening to Itto’s story. 

“Yeah, that’s why, this time, I left.”

“And you did the right thing!” Ayato said as he grabbed the Oni’s hand, held it tightly and looked Itto in the eyes. “There is no need to be ashamed about that. As a friend and on behalf of all the other friends, we are proud of the almighty Arataki, the one and Oni, mr. Arataki numero uno Itto. You are important to us, and you’re loved, Itto.”  

More tears came out of Itto, he couldn’t hold them back. But then he stood up and took a deep breath. 

“You are right, Aniki. Who am I? Arataki The Undefeated Itto. How can I let such things ruin me!”. Itto spoke passionately even though his face was still soaking wet. “I’ll show him who’s the boss. I can do everything without him now!”

Ayato smiled. He knew the Oni was suppressing all his pain inside of him, but no matter what the situation, Itto would choose to be positive, to not give up and to rise again. This is what makes the clan leader fall for the Oni. 

They ended up hugging then went separate ways to their own place. The night was still young but Ayato felt like it just began. He wouldn’t have thought such an opportunity would come this fast and easy. What a stupid little ex-boyfriend Itto had. His anger issues could never. 

The way Itto described this man got Ayato disgusted. He couldn’t tolerate someone with such a fragile ego. Itto was so kind to stick with this man for the entire time. He could recognize the power dynamic between the two. The way this man treated Itto showed narcissistic behavior. This man was definitely someone who had a superior complex, who couldn’t fathom the fact that his lover who used to be this small and obedient could be more of a man than he was. So this man started tearing Itto down, gaslighting Itto into thinking that he was not enough and didn’t deserve love, that this man was the only one who could give Itto what he needed so that Itto would rely on him and couldn’t leave him. Pathetic!

That was the exact opposite direction of the Kamisato clan leader. To be fair, Ayato was able to provide and take care of his lover for life. He’s reliable and protective toward his loved one. It doesn’t mean that Ayato will take away the potential for his lover to have his own life. He hopes whoever loves him will walk out of the relationship without any complication and can get back to his feet as soon as possible. He wants the lover to flourish, to be the best version of himself with or without Ayato. He wants his lover to be happy. He would want the same for Itto. 

Still, Ayato was glad that they had broken up, great timing. The existence of this man had gotten Ayato worried for a second. However, even if they were still together, Ayato would have a way to separate the two. He was hoping that he wouldn’t have to go to this end and luck was on mr.Kamisato’s side. 

Now that the biggest obstacles was out of the picture, Ayato couldn't wait to have Itto all for himself! The Oni wouldn’t have any reason to avoid his sign, this time. 

*Just want to make things clear: Itto’s father didn’t leave his family, he got accused of stealing and got killed by the villagers.

Chapter Text

Itto couldn’t help feeling empty in the middle of the night. Everything was going so fast. It was only last night that he had told himself to work harder for another day to achieve his goal and to prove that he was not a burden. Even though the shop was far from being called successful, it had reached a certain number of clients and Itto wanted to end it all so he had taken all his courage to go to his now ex’s apartment.

On his bed, looking at the ceiling, he couldn’t believe the love he had nurtured the last 7 years just died like that, without even meeting the other party. In a sense, it gave Itto a relief that it was finally over, he had been working very hard the whole year just for this. But it also hurted him so bad knowing how better he is right now without his ex boyfriend. The love he had held on to this whole time, hoping it would lift him up like it used to, was actually the thing that dragged Itto into the dark place. Now that the relationship had ended, he felt a little bit lost, it left a big hole in him. It was as if Itto’s whole existence only revolved around his ex for 7 years. 

Itto wanted to be freed from that life so he had prepared for the breakup for months without having any intimacy with others since they hadn’t broken up yet. They had promised to stay faithful because taking a break doesn’t mean they break up. Itto respected that and lived up to his words but his ex didn’t. The man disappointed Itto to the last moment. 

He sighed.

Itto turned his body on the side and catched a look at his left hand. For a second, he recalled the warmness of Ayato’s hand while holding it along with the blue-haired man’s soft spoken voice. It would be a lie to say Itto didn’t feel anything. Those years with his ex, all Itto had experienced was that he should expect people outside of close one to not treat him nicely because of his Oni heritage, because he was big and intimidating. And then there was this guy who would always listen carefully to what he said, encourage him and tell Itto that he was loved. He didn’t have to be constantly allerted around Ayato. 

Itto could only wish his lover to be half as nice.      

Not once did Itto ever think mr.Kamisato as an option for that position, the guy was wayyy out of his lane. Itto rarely saw anyone as beautiful as Ayato outside of movies. Ayato’s blue hair is always on point, it’s soft and shaped perfectly around his face in a way that complements all of the guy’s features, which are already flawless. The mole under his lips only highlights his beauty even more, making Ayato’s smile mesmerizing. The guy was nice, caring and generous. Not a single session Ayato leaving without big fat tips. The guy definitely gave Itto all the positive feeling , plus he is that attractive. 

But the last relationship sucked everything out of Itto, he didn’t want to chase after anyone anymore. A guy like Ayato is way above Itto’s level. Every relationship he ever had, Itto had to be the one who ran after his partner begging for love like a fool. But the fool now wants to lay down and take a breath. 

Cutting Itto’s thought was Ushi who was having a vivid dream and rolling around Itto’s bed. He smiled and petted Ushi and hugged the cow closer to him. For a moment, he felt happy that Ushi could be here, that Shinobu and the gang and Ayato were there with him. They made Itto happy and that mattered the most. 

Itto placed a kiss on Ushi’s forehead. He promised himself to work harder and be happier tomorrow then went back to sleep.

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The Kamisato clan leader hadn’t been well recently. He had checked up on the Arataki shop owner and saw that the lovely Oni was as cheerful as usual. The only problem was that Mr.Arataki wasn’t cheerful in his hand, on his bed! 

FUUUUUUUCK!

In his life, Ayato hadn’t been chasing after someone for this long, speaking from a man who had pretty privilege. Somehow this time, his privilege wasn’t working! 

After that night when he comforted the heartbroken Oni, he thought he had furthered his impression in Itto. So he expected not long from then, the Oni would consider him the best candidate to replace that nasty ex boyfriend. But time after time when he asked the Oni out, there would always be something coming in his way: either Kuki reminded Itto of some business he had to do, or the Oni straight up said it would be fun to go with the whole Arataki gang. Not once did Ayato successfully ask Itto out with just the two of them. He thought the Oni had avoided his hint before because Itto hadn’t broken up with his ex yet, now Ayato’s not so sure. 

Ayato understood that Itto needed time to get over his ex, he respected that. But he was just not in a patient phase, especially when the fruitful Oni was a touchy person. Itto would always hug when greeting, sit close right next to Ayato, shoulder to shoulder, while playing cards or when they and the gang had a picnic… Ayato could feel how bouncy Itto’s biceps and pecs were through his clothes, if only he could touch them by hand… Fuck, he sound like a pervert! 

Too frustrated, so here he was, in the middle of the night, completely unsatisfied with his stubborn decision of calling in an acquaintance even though he knew damn well it wouldn’t resolve his problem. They finished quickly. In the end, the guy even asked him if Ayato was ok…

“I– don’t know who you was thinking of when we fucked but I hope that you would be able to do the same thing with that person, Ayato… Good luck!”

Ayato :O 

Ayato couldn’t believe his ears. Him- the renounce clan leader would get that pitiful encouragement from others. The humiliation! 

That’s it, Ayato decided to make it clear after the convention. He believed giving Itto’s a slot in this convention was a big enough bonus point to get the Oni and the right point to make his last move!

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As someone who had “I am a rich man” tattoo on her back, Shinobu had been nothing but a supportive sister to her friend since he decided to part away from his boyfriend and open his own shop. She preached about being strong, being independent, she did what a friend could to help Itto. Shinobu and the gang care about Itto very much. They have known each other since they couldn’t reach the cookie jar placed on the highest shelf in Granny Oni’s house. They know how people can be cruel and what kind of treatment someone different like Itto can get. So they love and also want to protect their friend. 

But one day Itto had come and told the gang he would go to the big city with his then boyfriend to open a tattoo shop, and the friend group got separated. They kept in contact but the time between each call or chat got longer as years went by. There had been a point when they hadn’t heard from Itto for months. He did respond to their worries but he just said stuff like “I’m fine, don’t worry” but didn’t tell them what happened in his life. Until Itto broke up with his boyfriend for the first time and Shinobu went to the city for her study. They met and catched up on each other's life but soon Shinobu had to pursue her study in Liyue so it was Itto all alone again and he eventually got back to that damn man despite the gang’s advice. 

Shinobu was hurt seeing her friend get lower everyday, she was not there but she could feel Itto’s spirit in their dms during the time she studied in Liyue. So when he finally told her he would break up with that man this time, she was super happy and supportive. She had just finished her study and came back to Inazuma and Genta, Mamoru and Akira all went to the city to find jobs. Somehow the gang got back together just like the old day, and they were there for Itto. 

The break up didn’t happen immediately, Itto wanted to rebuild his own life and get used to being independent from his then boyfriend who had been involved in everything for 7 years. Shinobu understood that it was a hard decision and Itto would need time to be mentally ready to end such a relationship. So for a year, she and the gang had been helping Itto to open his own shop and be prepared. Shinobu got to know what kind of men Itto had met during his first break up so she was even more protective. 

However, recently, there was this shady man that made Shinobu very much concerned. Him and his people who all have the same camellia tattoo on their bodies. Not any but one type of camellia symbol only. 

She had collabed with a law office before and had connections with a guy who works in criminal investigation. It was her gut feeling that made Shinobu investigate the particular camellia symbol. The result gave Shinobu a huge headache… The tattoo was related to a yakuza organization belonging to the well-known Kamisato clan.

Itto had preached to the gang about how they should not judge people by their looks and how people with tattoos have always faced the stigma of being yakuza; so they should not assume anything about anyone. It did lower Shinobu’s guard even though her first instinct when these people walked in was “all of them look like Yakuza”. They started coming to the shop after that blue-haired man appeared. According to the detective guy Shinobu knows, that was unusual for yakuza since every gang already has its exclusive tattoo artist. To make matters worse, Ayato’s surname is Kamisato! It’s the name of the clan itself so he must come from the main branch of the organization, which made Ayato even more shady and dangerous. 

The shop was also in its opening stage, each client was precious to the shop’s income and to pay back Itto’s loan. Which was why Shinobu hadn't had the chance to voice her concern. 

At first Shinobu was troubled by not knowing the reason the yakuza targeted Itto’s shop. But they hadn’t made any trouble but behaved like a regular client. Then, it was obvious to the naked eye that this man named Ayato was hitting on her friend! 

Shinobu had to applaud Itto’s ability to attract shady men. Either they’re an asshole or they’re very shady!

The blue-haired man keeps coming to the shop without even getting a tattoo. He brought gifts, complimented Itto and played board games or cards with the Arataki gang. And none of the idiots in her friend group were alarmed by this man or knew that their friend was the target. They had no bitches in their life, of course they didn’t notice!

The yakuza had become a regular of the shop and played an important role in their monthly income. Needless to say, Shinobu hates the idea of Itto depending on Ayato’s “help”. Other than Ayato being shady, she’s afraid it was all just manipulation tactics. First he lovebomb, then he abuses Itto like other men did. 

Few days ago, Ayato told them about the tattoo convention which would be held next month. Shinobu and Itto did their own research about it and were disappointed that the booking for the venue in this convention had long been closed. Ayato passed by again today and “conveniently” he knew someone who works in the convention and could secure them a slot. 

Shinobu was about to intervene but seeing Itto’s sparkling eyes, how his spirit went up after Ayato brought the news, she knew she couldn’t bear the thought of taking away that excitement from Itto. She just couldn’t help from having seen Itto with his red soggy eyes the morning after he broke up with his boyfriend. Itto had been smiling as usual but Shinobu knew he did it so that the gang wouldn’t be worried. But as a friend, she could recognize that his smile was a little off. Now that the convention was brought up, Shinobu got to see Itto smile and excited truthfully. 

To the convention it is!

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Sullen as the days went by repetitively, Itto finally found his next destination. It was a period like this that Itto needed something to refresh himself. And that was when the info about a tattoo convention came to him from the very amazing Ayato. Thought that he would have to go back to the gloomy state because the application for venue had been closed, the pretty aniki came telling them he found a way to let them in. Itto believed heaven had sent Ayato to be his savior. Itto could even see the halo on Ayato’s head. 

Itto’s head was now full of excitement. 

The convention was held on the weekend and lasted for 2 days. Every shop or tattoo artist had their own venue which they could decorate to their liking. This was Itto’s favorite part, he would absolutely bring his Oni masks. As a kid, little Itto had always admired other kids' house decorations. Granny wasn’t rich but she did what she could to raise Itto, their house was simple but cozy. Itto had lived his life rarely buying anything out of necessity. His toys or card games were used until they were worn out. Decoration in other words was absolutely something luxurious in the Oni's book. But now Itto finally has the means to do it, he felt excited like a lil child. Having nice decor would also help grabbing people’s attention to his counter. He brought Ushi as his lucky animal to the convention too. Cute animals always attract people, of course his boy is the cutest.

Itto, Genta, Shinobu and Ushi went to the location early to set up the shop’s venue. It was a sunny Saturday and summer was near so the weather was getting warmer. People were out on the street after a long week of rain. It seemed like Itto was not the only one excited.

Itto and his team got off the train and walked for a couple minutes to the convention location. They were getting closer to the city center. The street was already filled with people even though it was still early in the morning. All sorts of restaurants popped up near the shopping mall that they passed by on the way. Itto took this chance to buy snacks. 

They quickly got to the place and started decorating their venue with the same theme as their store with black, blue and red. They even wear the same black t-shirt with oni mask logo in it. Itto tied his long silver hair neatly high to prepare for work. Ushi was placed right in front of the venue, he had his own stage aka a little baby table right next to their counter. Itto had persuaded Shinobu to make it happen. Shinobu was worried that when they got busy, no one could take care of Ushi. But Ushi had shown to be a good boy and was ok on his own. 

The little cow was energetic and excited, he jumped around his area and moo to encourage Itto. The shop owner was also as excited as the pet. 

“How ya thinking, beefcake? Cool, isn’t it!

“Moo~”. Ushi waved his tail. 

The other tattoo artists also had come and all of them were friendly and approachable despite their looks. They greeted each other and exchanged some words. Noticing that it was Itto’s first time joining the convention, a kind red-haired lady with tattoos from head to toe gave Itto’s team some tips. She even complimented Itto’s horns which boosted his confidence. The lady said that red was her favorite colour so she liked Itto’s horns very much. They wished each other good luck then got back to their venue.  

At the open hour and people started to get in, frankly, even with the two horns on his head, Itto’s team looked kinda “normal” out of everyone in the convention. Piercing and spike accessories were common, Itto had them too but the people here take them to the next level. Their hairstyle and clothes were also very extra. There were normal looking citizens in the mix too but people seemed not to care about how different each other looked or staring at others. 

Itto hadn’t gone to a lot of conventions before but he had gone to crowd places like fair or marketplace but none can compare to this. Here, Itto was not a freak nor an outcast, nor did he catched any bad attention. Everybody just minded their own business and enjoyed their time. Everyone looked unique in their own way and Itto was just a regular person in this scene. No one stared or attacked his looks or tried to touch his horns without permission. Needless to say, it was the first time in Itto’s life, he felt like blending in with the crowd. 

Itto felt like he belonged there. 

Itto admitted that there had been some negative thoughts in his head before coming to the convention. It was just his mental exercise to prepare for every event in his life. But they all had gone away once he got there. 

The clients started coming in and they were more interested in Ushi - the little cow jumping and mooing at them than the fact that this venue was run by an Oni. The clients acted politely and all commented on how cute Ushi was and how Itto’s horns were very cool. They laughed, joked and took pictures with Ushi and the tattoo they just got. To hype things up, Itto put on the playlist of fast tempo songs that he had prepared last night just for this occasion. Ushi enjoyed the music very much and started dancing to it and attracted even more people. Itto knew Ushi was his lucky charm!

The three of them got busier as more and more people approached their venue. Shinobu did the talking and assisted the customer with their payment or booking for an appointment. Itto was the main tattoo artist and Genta assisted him.

Itto tried to calm himself from this excitement flow. He was getting emotional from how he got treated as “normal”. He also felt grateful that he had the chance to be here today. This opportunity not only allowed him to promote his shop but also filled the empty space in his heart after the breakup. Itto didn’t know what he did to deserve it but he knew he would give Ayato all his appreciation. Mr.Savior is the best!

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It was quite unfortunate that Ayato missed the lovely Oni’s opening hour. The moment the clan leader opened his eyes, he was flooded with his clan’s business. Again!

He got stuck for the whole morning without leaving his table. In the afternoon, Ayato went to another location to get rid of his uncle’s former assistance and some minor threats. Nevertheless, it still took him quite some time to track down all these small-fries. 

What a great way to ruin his saturday! 

That was what Ayato thought before making them pay. That was the fastest step. In the end, the clan leader still managed to clean himself, change his clothes and put on cologne to hide the smell of blood, before heading to where Itto was. Thinking of the Oni changed Ayato’s mood quickly. 

By the time Ayato got there, it was not long before the closing hour of the convention. He assumed there wouldn’t be too much people in the convention hall but as Ayato got closer to Itto’s venue, presented before his eyes was a whole crowd. The loud music also seemed to come from Itto’s venue direction. This piqued Ayato’s curiosity so he quickly approached the location. 

At first, Ayato had been worried that something had happened to Itto. But to his surprise, he came to see the crowd with phones on their hands filming Ushi - the little cow twerking to the music… 

Ah…

It was Itto who noticed the clan leader’s appearance and called him out from the crowd. 

“Oh, anikiiii! Over here!”. Itto waved his hand. 

Ayato followed Itto inside his venue. Itto had just finished with one of the customers. All three of Itto's team members were bright and cheerful. With a crowd like this, Ayato could see that the business was booming and he was pleased. He congratulated Itto on the Oni’s success and said Ushi was a real secret weapon. The attention was unexpected but it worked out very well. 

Itto on hearing his aniki’s compliment, responded with the biggest grin. None of this was ever his plan. One blink and the whole crowd gathered to see and film Ushi. From that, a wave of clients came in and the Arataki shop had worked hard the whole day. Shinobu lost count of their profit today. The clients also filled out the shop’s schedule with appointments for the next three weeks. At this rate, Itto believed he would be able to pay back the loan soon and have some extra money to buy his granny nice thing. 

Right in front of Itto was the man that allowed all this amazing experience to happen. The blue-haired gentleman was as beautiful as always. Ayato smiled softly. The calm and collected manner with his white blazer made Ayato stand out from the crowd. The clan leader wore the simplest and the most effortless and somehow still stole Itto’s attention despite the scene in front of his venue. 

The sky turned dark and the closing hour was near. People started heading home while the tattoo artists cleaned up their venue. Shinobu got stuck with some clients who wanted to book an appointment but their laptop crashed so she had to start over the process. The same time, a staff member of the convention came to ask for Itto. They found a conflict between the address from Itto’s filling form and the address registered in their system. Ayato found his chance to be alone with Itto so he quickly said he would come to the convention office to help with the paper since Shinobu couldn’t go right now. 

In the end, it was just a spelling mistake from the staff and they simply corrected the Arataki shop’s address. It would take a couple more minutes to get back to the convention hall and there was not much to do other than tidy up their venue then head home. So Itto and Ayato walked slowly side by side on the way back. 

Right before they approach the hall, Ayato took his chance:

“I wonder if you’re interested in the history of Yokai, Itto? There will be an exhibition on the historical heritage of Yokai in which the Oni will also be included! It will be held next weekend”.

“What!? That sounds super cool, aniki! I don’t know an exhibition like that exists! I can’t wait to tell the ga-”.

Not letting Itto finished, Ayato said:
“The exhibition will not be opened to the general public. The tickets are limited and half of them were secured for investors or researchers. Well, I happen to have two of them”. Ayato smiled. “I would like to go with you, Itto! Just the two of us. Would it bother you that there’s just me?”  

“Oh!”. That wasn’t what Itto expected, he caught up in his thoughts for a few seconds. He has never hung out with anyone else but his gang or his ex, especially with just two people like this. But from what Ayato had done to him, Itto wouldn’t mind spending a day with this man. The guy was his savior and had become Itto’s close friend. Itto felt comfortable enough around Ayato so he agreed to the offer.

“Great! We can go out for dinner after the exhibition. I know this amazing  restaurant that is famous for their okonomiyaki, I would love you to try that out too! My treat, of course!”

“Wow, that’s very kind of you, aniki! You’ve done so much for me that I don’t know how to give back the favors”. 

“Don’t mention it! You being there with me next Saturday will be enough. So we’ll have a date then. See you next Saturday, Itto!”. 

Ayato said while smiling brightly. He finally could ask Itto out on a date. This time, he would have the Oni all for himself. There would be no Kuki, Genta or any Arataki gang member to ruin his moment. 

The clan leader could feel his victory coming closer. He had to take this chance to make Itto his own once and for all!

Chapter Text

The sun rose high and shined through the window of Kamisato estate, bringing life to the static scene of the office room. The wooden ceiling got touched by the light and reflected a tawny colour which the white shoji absorbed and glowed warmer. Sitting on his desk, the calm clan leader was, as always, busy surfing through the pile of papers that filled up his chabudai. Smoke from his morning tea hung around, spreading its aroma. It’s still early in the morning, especially on weekends when people take a rest and sleep a bit more. But there is no day off for the yakuza. They say the devil works hard!

The clan leader took a sip of tea and frowned. Going through all these documents gave him a headache. 

As much as Ayato wanted to automate everything and transform every document to digital form, a large portion of the Kamisato branches still stuck to the old habits of using papers and … fax. It lengthened the work process and doubled the amount of effort he had to put in. Some extra steps are understandable for security reasons, with the technology nowadays, some info may potentially be leaked out. Not the best idea for the yakuza's shady business. But not every asset belonging to Ayato is shady, thus it should have been a zip file that he could send straight to his employees to deal with. Without wasting time at this table, he could have had the whole day to spend with the lovely Oni.This linked to Ayato’s main concern on why he hadn’t wanted a serious relationship at first. With a tense schedule, he could not take care of his lover. Well, that was if Itto accepted to be with him, he’ll soon know tonight. After everything, the clan leader realized he was into Itto more than he had ever anticipated so it was not about being serious or not anymore. Ayato wanted Itto to belong to him. 

After a while, Ayato stood up leaving his tea cup empty and changed his clothes. When heading out, he found Thoma doing the dishes in the kitchen.  

“Thoma! I’ll drive by myself today. You stay and eat dinner with Ayaka tonight!” - Ayato announced while putting on his shoes.

“We plan to go to the cinema with Yoimiya and eat there actually. You’ll eat at the place I told you about?”

“Yeah, too much of a fancy restaurant won’t fit Itto. I don’t want him to be too overwhelmed or get uncomfortable in a formal place. But the place you recommended is perfect! It’s bougie in Itto’s way but also casual enough for him to act like himself.” - The corner of Ayato’s lips went up a bit when he was thinking of Itto. He could already foresee what expression Itto would make at the dinner table. Ayato loves how enthusiastic Itto was responding to everything positive. 

“Well, that was very considerate of you, sir! I’m sure Itto will love it. But he’ll love you more, ehe!” - Thoma winked.

Ayato rolled his eyes. Thoma has been teasing him non-stop since the day he told his man to get a tattoo at Itto’s shop. Other than being a good assistance, Thoma would frequently play the role of that sibling who is very interested in your relationship.

The clan leader responded with a glare before heading out. He then reached his car key and drove to get Itto. 

On the way to Itto’s shop, Ayato was thinking of how he was glad he just had to resolve the non-shady part of his life. A large portion of it was to deal with malicious deceptions, enemies, enemies disguised as friends. It put Ayato in this cut-throat attitude, cold and distant manner. There is no mercy in the underworld, just non-stop plotting and scheming and staying alert. The pressure puts so much weight on people's minds that it’s common for the yakuza to find release in alcohol, drugs, violence and sex with all of that combined. But Ayato didn’t want to abuse those things just to blind himself from the open wound without treating it. He knows exactly what he wants, he doesn't have to be any of that. He already found his peace in the lovely Oni. 

Ayato recalled the time they had a picnic with the gang during spring. It was when the sakura trees were blooming. The blanket Itto brought was so small that all of them huddled together closely. Itto sat right next to him, shoulder to shoulder. They ate lunch together under the sakura sky above their heads and played tcg. Ayato remembered thinking one of Itto’s moves was to trick him but turned out Itto had put the wrong card. Itto managed to lose every match but came out smiling at the end. At that moment, Ayato lost all his attempts to win, not because he was defeated but because he realized it didn’t matter. He didn’t have to win at all cost, he didn’t have to be prepared for the judging eyes from his failure. Ayato just had to be himself. 

With no effort, he still won all the matches, but they all came out laughing and giggling. No one put you down or pretended to hype you up for the wrong reason. They were all just there to enjoy themselves. He wished that moment could last forever.

The more he thought of it, the more he was into Itto. He cherished every second they spent together. Ayato wanted more of it for him and him alone. 

All he needed was the Oni to give him a nod. 

----------------------------

Itto had been having his best week, both in terms of mental and financial. The shop owner had been really busy. After the convention, the shop’s popularity went up to the hill. The biggest factor was Ushi went viral on tiktok. Beefcake twerking to a song of this A-list celebrity and got the artist to reply back. It was so unreal, the public was so interested in Ushi that some of them came to his shop just to pet Ushi and eventually were talked into getting a tattoo and gave Itto the “ka-ching”. What a lovely sound! Hehe.

Itto was supposed to be as busy today but Genta managed to replace him this afternoon. So he would be free after the morning appointment and have time to visit the Yokai exhibition with Ayato. Itto rarely went out on weekends, it’s usually the time a tattoo shop is most busy, since people have their day off to get an appointment, and the shop’s closed on week day instead of weekend. 

It’s cool to take a day off once in a while. Itto felt he deserved it because he had worked very hard last week. He had also told his team about the exhibition and how eager he was for it. Information about the Yokai was not always available to the public eye. There were folktales but not real history. Itto had read about his Oni heritage countless times but to witness ancient artifacts of the Oni in real life is rare. He had only seen wax statues of the Oni in the museum, it was still not the real deal. This would be a great opportunity to connect with his heritage. 

The gang was happy hearing about that but when Itto mentioned his companion was Ayato, Shinobu gave him a funny look. She got silent for a few seconds but that didn’t bother Itto much. 

It wasn’t far from their meeting time so Itto quickly finished his coffee and changed. From the sound of it, the exhibition seemed like a formal place, so Itto avoided wearing his usual accessories and chose clothes that can cover his tattoo. He tried to be clean and simple today. Itto put on a black turtleneck shirt. On top of that, he wore a white tweed gilet with gray stripe lines. For the bottom, Itto got his light brown trousers and his sneakers ready. The shop owner wanted to be formal but well, comfort still came first so the sneakers stayed.

He patted Ushi’s head, promised his Beefcake he would be back to get the little cow tonight. He left the shop to Shinobu and Genta then quickly got outside to the blue-haired man already waiting. 

“Damn, you’re here already? Have you waited for long? Sorry, aniki, I was busy with the customer!”. Itto explained while approaching Ayato. 

“No, you’re on time, Itto. I got here earlier than I anticipated, I don’t mind waiting tho!”. The clan leader who was leaning on his car replied back. He was effortless with his outfit as usual but somehow still looked charming. Beige t-shirt paired with a pale teal blazer and white trouser. On his feet was a pair of dark brown loafers that Itto knows he can’t afford. Ayato put on his soft spoken voice and a light grin for this occasion and continued: 

“Ok, enough with the chit chat, get in the car! Let’s see what this exhibition is about!”

“Yes, sir!”. Itto said as he followed his companion into his car. 

Spring was about to end and summer came near,  the days became longer and warmer. The trees undergo a rapid burst of growth, and their leaves become fuller and greener on the way to the Yokai exhibition. 

It didn’t take long to get to the location and there was no traffic since it was still early in the afternoon. Just as Itto predicted, the exhibition was “extravagant”. Ok, he may have exaggerated but all the people here looked so serious. 

Noticing a change in attitude from the Oni, Ayato grinned a bit but went back to comfort his companion that there was no need to be tense about this place. 

The exhibition was held in a rather modern building which was shaped in a weird way from the outside in Itto’s opinion. To make it short, it looked like a burnt bird nest if Itto was nice, but if he was being honest, the one who designed this building was out of ideas and just shit on the paper. He told his aniki that and the man couldn’t say otherwise but giggled. Inside of the building is another experience, everything was minimalistic. They walked on a shiny white/gray porcelain floor. The ceiling was high through glass windows that helped natural light flood the space, illuminating every corner and casting a warm glow on the walls. 

As soon as the pair got past the exhibition door, the atmosphere suddenly changed. It was as if they had stepped into another space, all the light had been used for the hallway and left just a small amount for the exhibition room. Ayato kindly explained to Itto that it was for the purpose of conserving the historical artifacts, which can be greatly damaged by light sources like UV. Along with the lights setting, they also put the room at a lower temperature. Now Itto knew that all the museums he had gone to were just fake artifacts because the lighting there was bright as hell.

The staff checked their tickets aka invitation to this exhibition. She then assisted them inside and briefly introduced each section to which part of the building, how to get there and asked if they needed a guide following them. Itto declined as he still felt a bit tense with strangers around him. The staff was a petite woman with an all black uniform. She was very professional guiding them but in a monotone voice. The staff in Itto’s perspective was cold and sounded like someone who would judge Itto for having two horns on his head. Even though the women didn’t show any of it and Itto knew he could just be paranoid. He sometimes hates that he couldn’t hide his two big horns unlike his tattoo. He was still proud of it but he didn’t want any bad attention or in this case make someone who is as nice as Ayato look bad for hanging out with people like him. Itto underestimated how serious this exhibition was and Ayato seems like someone who had a high status. 

The feeling faded as the staff went off their sight and left the pair to explore the first floor on their own. They were in the section of Tengu heritage, a type of yokai that is very famous and rare, with few members remaining in modern society today. The floor was wide but quiet and lacked attendants. There were only 7 people on this floor including Itto and Ayato. Which was very ideal for a paranoid Oni. 

Being freed from the cold staff, Itto got to be excited for this occasion again. They ran a quick tour on each floor then went straight to the Oni heritage section. That was when Itto walked around keeping an eye on everything in his sight, reading every description and history around the artifacts. It was not far from what Itto had read but now he got to feel that it was real, that the history of the Oni was out there and plenty, that he was not the only Oni on this earth.

In the Oni heritage floor, there were all sorts of things from clothes, jewelry, black and white pictures from the past to weapons which filled up Itto’s imagination of a vivid picture depicting how cool the Oni warrior looked in it. It took Itto the whole afternoon to take picture with every single thing in this floor and of course his companion Ayato had helped him with it. A normal person would be annoyed at this rate but the clan leader was there smiling and hyping to see Itto happy and excited. Until Itto stumbled upon a pair of horns. 

In a glass box, laid a pair of worn-out crimson horns. The horns were fragile and nearly crumbled. Its crimson colour now had faded and left only a gray brick red colour. It looked dry, small and very much… dead in contrast to the other artifacts placed in the room. 

Ayato glanced over the Oni’s face which seemed very focused on this pair of horns. His companion's sudden change in spirit did raise some concern in the clan leader. Itto was so quiet. 

Ayato then read the description placed next to the horns: it told the history of Oni being hunted by humans and their horns got chopped up as a trophy. He now got why his companion had a hard time processing this information. Knowing Itto’s past from their prior conversation, Ayato understood Itto would be related to every single word in that description.

The clan leader put his hand on Itto’s which was as cold as the room temperature. They shared a few seconds looking at each other as Ayato gave his companion an “are you ok” sign. Itto slightly nodded as a response to that gesture. They stood there for a while until Ayato’s warmth went to Itto’s hand. 

The Oni finally looked the other way to find something else to focus on. He regained his bubbly outlook and went on to other artifacts further away from the horns. Ayato catched up with him and helped Itto take a picture like they did before. 

In the end, they found a pair of masks that resembled the logo of Itto’s shop. The colors had worn out but they could still pick up the red and blue pigment from it. Itto was pumped over the mask and glad to read its description. It was about how back then, the Oni sold toys and masks of themselves to humans during festival duration. So there had been a period when Oni lived peacefully among humans. 

Itto was totally captivated by the pair of masks, his eyes were filled with passion as he looked at them. Ayato’s heart got softer next to the Oni who had stars sparkling in his eyes. The clan leader was glad they ended the visits with a good note. 

Itto seemed lost in his fantasy upon leaving the building. He didn’t talk much but the smile remained on his face the whole time from the exhibition to the restaurant. It was not until the smell of sizzling okonomiyaki touched his senses that the Oni realized the presence of his hunger. 

It was not the first time Itto ate this dish, but knowing mr.Kamisato, Itto found “sussy” items in the menu such as: lobster, king crab, abalone,etc plus the price of them... He was super grateful that Ayato had invited him to this utmost unique exhibition, so Itto had been thinking that he should pay for this meal to express his appreciation. He may have to reconsider that decision. 

Nothing out of order, the clan leader convinced his companion to order all the “sussy” dishes on assuring he would pay for everything. To make Itto feel better, Ayato added that he loved Itto’s spirit, that attending the exhibition alongside Itto had saved him from the boredom of being totally alone in this journey. That was why Ayato wanted to pay. 

Itto trusted his aniki’s words wholeheartedly so he stopped holding back and had the best meal ever. The ability to devour huge amounts of food never ceased to impress the clan leader. It must be necessary to nurture the juicy muscle that Ayato hadn’t had the chance to touch yet. 

Now that Ayato had provided Itto the best experience, he believed this should be a suitable time to pull his last string. The clan leader proposed that they walked alongside the lake nearby to digest their dinner, to which Itto agreed.

Ayato drove them there and bought two cups of boba on the way. It didn’t sound like something that would help with their digestion but there is always a place for another cup of boba.  

The pair walked for a couple of minutes and gradually drank their boba. The drinks were cold and refreshing. The street lights turned on as the sky became dark. Less people showed up as the number of trees grew and the tall buildings left their sight. They stopped at a point where, in front of them, was the whole city sparkling on the other side of the lake. It was as lively as days in contrast to where the pair stood. On this side of the lake, the only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves as the wind passed through the trees. 

The Oni looked at the blue-haired man next to him with a soft grin. He opened up first:

“It's been so nice spending the whole day with you, aniki! I’m not very good with words but I would say that I appreciated this opportunity. It means so much to me. Thank you for taking me out today!”

“Thank you too, Itto! For being my companion today. I’m glad that I can experience it with you.” - Ayato replied back with a smile. He took a deep breath. “I’m glad it was you but no one else!”. The clan leader said as he put his hand on Itto’s one. He looked straight into his companion’s eyes above which were the brows that were slightly raising. 

“There is something I want to tell you, Itto. I've been waiting to tell you this". He held Itto’s hand tight. 

“I like you”. 

Itto’s heart tinkling. He was confused. So Ayato quickly added as if he could read what was in Itto’s mind:
“Not as a friend. Not in that sense!” 

“But in a sense that I want us to hold hands”. Ayato said as he raised their hand. 

“To kiss.”

“To make love.”

“I-- want the whole of you, Itto”. The clan leader closed his eyes and took another breath. “I want to be special to you”. He said while looking deep into the lost Oni’s eyes. 

Itto was still processing all that information. What he had experienced today could be described as a roller coaster. He went from a surprise to another one bigger. This last one seemed to take all the thought out of Itto’s head. He was frozen for a few seconds then he went back to life but looked down at his feet. He responded weakly in small pieces as if he was whispering a secret to the blue-haired man:

“But– I’m not soft… or delicate!”. Itto bit his lips. 

“I’m so tall– and big… I’m not so bright either…”

“And I like that about you”. Ayato affirmed. He placed his hand on Itto’s cheek and caressed it. 

“You don’t need to think much, Itto! Just tell me if you hate it or not!”.The clan leader said as he put his lips on Itto’s. This was when he needed to be bold so he took all his courage to kiss the Oni tenderly. Not too long but not too fast. Just the simplest way in this state of their relationship. 

Ayato went off the kiss to face a more overwhelmed Oni. Itto didn’t look like he was there at the moment but not long after, his whole face became as red as his horns. He couldn’t keep his mouth shut. The tenderness of Ayato’s still lingered and it was the first time Itto could witness such beauty like Ayato this close. Every single silky eyelash. Ayato’s well-shaped brows. The warmth of his lips. It drowned Itto in this wave of feeling and his heart was about to burst. 

The clan leader was content with Itto’s expression. He continue:
“Give me a chance, Itto! You don’t have to like me back right now, just let me be with you! Can I?”

Itto couldn’t say a word. The impact Ayato got on him was out of his control. In the end, the Oni nodded then faced a sudden hug from the source of all this feeling. Ayato hugged his Oni tightly, he said one last thing:
“I can’t promise anything but I’ll do everything I can to make you happy and to treat you right!”

Itto didn’t know what to expect from this new relationship. He knew he couldn’t reject Ayato, not in a way of him being forced to agree but Itto was letting his gut decide.

The night went on and Ayato drove his Oni back home. They got back to the city but brought back the new relationship from the other side of the lake. They shared another kiss, this time, it was deeper and longer before parting away. The clueless Oni stood there watching Ayato’s car until it disappeared. He then slowly walked back to his apartment.

That night, The clan leader had his best sleep in a looong while!

Chapter Text

Itto didn’t know what he had gotten into his mind. He was having a wonderful day, connecting with his heritage, and enjoying good food. He didn’t expect Ayato’s face to come to him this close. Not long after, his lips felt warm in the cool breeze. Soon, the sensation went all over his body. His mind flooded with the gentle color of Ayato's hair and eyes - the silver blue that almost matched the moon shining above. All this beauty was presented before him. Itto was too weak to say no.

Not until the car disappeared did Itto realize what he had gotten himself into. He was startled and afraid. He couldn't help but recall every single failed relationship he had had. But when it came to Ayato, from the bottom of his heart, he felt safe. Itto was at ease around this man. But every man started out nice until they weren't. Itto wondered if he was the problem, if it was him who brought out the bad in those men he dated. But he reminded himself that it didn't matter. Self-blaming was not a good habit.

The shop owner took a deep breath. He assured himself he was different now. The present Itto could walk away and let go. He shouldn't be afraid. He was the numero uno Itto, and the last relationships were just a trial. He would be in charge this time! This hottie wanted him, so he must be something, right? He would see how it goes and think for himself.

And just like that, the pace of undefined relationships passed swiftly. Itto didn't know from when Ayato had become a prominent part of his life. The blue-haired man didn't let Itto have time to think. He came by every day, embraced his Oni, kissed him, asked about Itto's day, and quietly listened to everything. He talked straight about how the relationship wouldn't be official if Itto didn't agree; how they could be openly affectionate or just in private was Itto's decision. Ayato would only do things if Itto allowed it.

The Oni decided to take it slow this time and not to tell his friends about it until they were official. Itto wanted to avoid wasting his time on an undeserving man. They both agreed to not be too affectionate in front of everyone. Not once did Ayato break their terms. In the end, it was Itto who broke it first. Step by step, Itto fell deeper into the clan leader's embrace.

The warm sun casted a golden glow on the shop’s glass door. The street was calm and peaceful during working hours. Mr. Arataki was then resting on his couch after finishing a long session. He noticed his “secret” lover hadn’t shown up lately. Just after the thought popped up in his head that he saw Ayato waving to him from the outside of the shop. The clan leader didn’t get in but left right afterward. It seemed like Ayato happened to pass by the shop on his way to his business. So he stopped to say hi but didn’t have time to get in. Without any thought, Itto ran straight out of the shop and chased his lover. Ayato was only three steps away from the shop, so Shinobu and Genta could still witness everything clearly. The Oni then pulled his lover hand, he had so much to say but only a few words came out of his mouth:
“Hey–, Aniki! It’s been a while.” - Itto smiled awkwardly, he came to realize what he had done.
“Hello, Itto! Yeah, I’ve been busy lately. How’re you doing? Oh, wait!” How convenient it was, a leaf fell onto Itto’s hair. The clan leader simply helped his “friend” to get the leaf off. But his Oni over here got his heart all flustered. Itto thought Ayato was gonna stroke his cheek as he had often done. He couldn’t deny he was longing for it. 

They couldn’t talk for long as Ayato had to get back to his business. The clan leader was about to leave but his Oni still didn’t let go of his hand. In the end, Itto got closer and quickly put a kiss on Ayato’s cheek. 

“See you soon”. His Oni said while returning to the shop. 

The clan leader touched where his Oni just kissed and smiled. That's how Itto spilled everything in front of his team. 

To avoid further questioning, he straight up told them he and Ayato were dating and since then, Shinobu had been acting weirdly. 

For that being said, Ayato can now be openly intimate with his lover. No one can hold him back anymore. 

The two lovers went to the honeymoon phase smoothly. But there was one thing they hadn’t done yet: they hadn’t made love. Although, recently, they’d been making out intensely, just not going to the last step. This happened to be the first time Itto waited this long. In his past relationships, sex came pretty early. His ex usually proposed to do it on their first date. Except for Itto's first time, he was the one who proposed because Itto was young and curious. 

He was still young now, a young and horny Oni. 

Itto wasn't aware of himself until Ayato went to his apartment one night. It wasn’t planned ahead, the blue-haired man suddenly texted him that he would arrive in one hour. Ayato, of course, asked first if it was ok for him to pass by. Itto didn’t have any reason to decline. Panicking Itto had just finished his meal and quickly tidied up his place. He had no time to prepare, especially “down there”. Why would anyone come to your place at night if it was not for “that”! 

Ushi was blinking in confusion while watching his owner, all of a sudden, stood up and rearranged the surroundings.

Finally, the clan leader arrived at a better version of the one and Oni’s apartment. At first glance, Ayato would describe the place as maximalism. The apartment was decorated with the idea of “more is more” in mind. The colours were vibrant. It fitted Itto’s personality very much. 

Opposite to the shop’s theme, Itto’s apartment consisted of green, brown and orange. The living room was painted with sheen green. On its wall  was a collection of yokai masks, paintings and photos. 

Ayato sat waiting for his Oni to make something to drink. It only took Itto a few minutes to bring out two cups of instant milk tea. The clan leader chuckled. He could never expect Itto to serve anything formal like a regular set of teapot and teacup. Instead, they were drinking from two pokemon mugs. His was Pikachu and Itto’s was Snorlax. The blue-haired man, however, found it cute.

Ayato was quick to explain why he was here tonight: he went to buy some snacks for Ayaka. It was for her school trip tomorrow. The convenience store was near Itto’s place so Ayato came for a visit. He shared some of the snacks with Itto.
“Oh, there is something I want to give you.” The clan leader pulled out a leather dog collar from his bag and handed it to Itto. It was then that Itto’s imagination went wild. The collar looked about the same size as the choker Itto usually wears. It was decorated with spikes that resembled Itto’s daily accessories. He didn’t know that Ayato was into these “types of things”. Ayato seemed so gentle but this was scandalous!

“It’s for Ushi, dear!” - The blue-haired man broke the silence.

“Oh!”

Itto’s face was about to turn red but he quickly corrected himself with: 

“Hahaha, of course, the pet of the almighty Arataki deserves such a cool collar like this. Come, Beefcake! Ayato has a gift for you”. The Oni tried to look the other way by coming to Ushi and petting the cow. But nothing can elude the clan leader’s gaze. 

Ayato approached his Oni from behind and slid his hand to his lover’s waist. Just a hair's breadth away from Itto’s ear, he whispered:

“If you want one, I can buy it for you!”

Air from Ayato’s mouth got Itto’s ear heated. The Oni immediately pushed his lover away in fluster. He yelled:
“Aniki!”

The blue-haired man saw right through his head and Itto couldn’t do anything but avoid the man’s gaze. It made Ayato laugh hard. He didn’t let go of Itto but catched his Oni and held him tight.     

Resting on Itto’s shoulder, Ayato glanced at the embarrassed Oni. He got closer and started kissing Itto’s ear, neck then lips. Itto responded passionately. Their hands clung tight to each other's body as the kiss went deeper. 

Itto didn’t know how long they had kissed but when he opened his eyes, he was already on top of Ayato. He turned red again and avoided looking at the blue-haired man. 

Seeing his lover acting strangely, Ayato asked Itto directly if anything was wrong. At first, Itto didn’t want to answer but then he was mumbling something:

“I– I can’t do it today…” 

“Hum?” - Ayato couldn’t clearly hear what Itto said. 

“I’ve just eaten… I haven’t cleaned down there… I can’t do it!” - Finally the Oni spoke with his natural volume. 

“Clean? Do it … !? Wait–, you mean se– OMG, Itto! Bahahahah!”. 

Laying on the ground, the clan leader’s body shook with uncontrollable laughter. It didn’t help his Oni to be less embarrassed. Itto finally realized he was the only one who thought of doing the nasty here. Ayato stroked his lover cheek and said:
“Itto, if I want… sex, I would tell you early on! It’s been… what? an hour after I texted you. It’s not enough. I know it takes time to clean and prepare down there… I want it too, but… not like this haha”- He still couldn’t stop chuckling a bit. 

Itto after hearing that, laid to the ground and covered his face with two hands. He was mumbling in awkward again:

“What was I thinking? Oh gosh !!!I should have known. I mean, I guess people like you wouldn’t want to have sex in a place like this.”
Ayato was intrigued so he asked:
“Huh? Where do people like me want to do it then?”

"Isn't that what rich people do in movies, in penthouse suites where there's, like, a really big bathtub?" 

“Well, tell me the date and I’ll take you to that place!”

“Wait, WHAT!?”

Upon hearing what Ayato just said, Itto got shook. He didn’t think his lover would take it seriously. Ayato then asked him for more detail and if there is anything Itto wanted to add, a pool, a hot tub? This sounded like it came straight out of a romance novel.

Itto couldn’t believe that, he could only reply with “I’ll think about it”. The clan leader could tell that his Oni was excited about the idea from Itto’s hidden smile. 

They chatted and made out more until Ayato decided to go home before it was too late. He needed to bring Ayaka her snack before sleep. Right before leaving, Ayato teased:

“You should open the window while cooking Itto. I knew you’d just eaten the moment I arrived. Your whole apartment smells like curry!”

Being reminded of his “dark past”, Itto enraged:
“GET OUT, SIR! Get out of my property!!!” 

Itto gave his man some light slap in the shoulder then pushed Ayato out and locked the door. The two of them both laughed on their own. They had had a memorable night and were about to make another.

---------------------------------------

That would be a bold face lie if Ayato said he didn’t want to fuck Itto the first night they dated. In fact, he wanted to devour every single part of the Oni in front of him. The moment Itto nodded, the clan leader immediately wanted to take this Oni to bed. He had reached his limits but his last piece of dignity held him on the moral ground. The clan leader understood he had to make Itto get used to his presence as a lover first. He knew from the start Itto only saw him as a friend. So he hoped their feelings would be mutual after the relationship became official. Ayato wanted Itto to desire him as much as he did. He may have achieved his goal. 

Not long ago, he received Itto’s message stating the day his Oni was free. The clan leader couldn’t help but smirk. His Oni didn’t say it out loud but what Itto truly meant was “free for penthouse suites night”. The following text had only one word: hot tub. 

Ayato was glad that Itto now asked for things. Knowing how his Oni had been treated in the past, he wanted to spoil Itto. He hopes Itto can get used to demanding and enjoying being served. 

Ayato couldn’t wait till the day his dick revives. 

So d-day arrived (no pun intended). Came to take his Oni out on a date, Ayato made sure he had his pettiest smile on his face, in front of Shinobu. She couldn’t pretend what she did before wasn’t on purpose. 

Day ended, Itto closed his shop and followed Ayato to his car. Night fell as they arrived at the hotel. Because summer had begun, the sunset came later.

The hotel was as Itto expected. It was a glass palace from the outside and inside decorated with lavish chandeliers. Their room even got a specific button in the elevator just for it. That could mean the suit takes the whole floor. 

The moment the door closed, the blue-haired man immediately grabbed his Oni and kissed passionately. It didn’t last long because Itto stopped Ayato saying he wanted to take a shower first. The clan leader let go of his Oni involuntarily. Ayato didn’t believe Itto hadn’t taken a shower while cleaning down there. His mind told him that due to the summer heat, people tend to sweat a lot. Therefore, Itto wanted to feel refreshed by taking another shower. But his burning thirst told him this was a way to torture his patience. 

The blue-haired man sat quietly in bed. He gazed intensely at the bathroom’s door as he sunk in every sound of water. Ayato then slowly undressed to distract himself. Once he got everything off, the bathroom’s door finally opened. 

His Oni walked out wearing a white bathrobe. Steam escaped from the bathroom hung around Itto. Water dropped on his neck, passing through the burning colour of the camellia tattoo. No lights in the bedroom were switched on, leaving only the bathroom as the light source. On one side of the room, the wall was made of glass. Viewed from the highest place of the city, everything below them was just a dot of light. The city was still alive and the street bustling with people and activities. But here in this room, there was only silence. 

The bathroom’s door closed and the light went off but the blue-haired man looked at Itto as if he was the brightest in this room. Ayato walked slowly and calmly toward his lover. The first thing he did was stroking Itto’s cheek gently. Their lips met. At the same time, the clan leader slid his hand into the bathrobe. Itto’s left chest was in his hand. Ayato could feel below his Oni’s skin, his heart was beating at an unbelievable speed. The kiss went deeper until it got disrupted again as Ayato’s hand met an unfamiliar object.

Just after one slight push, the bathrobe fell off Itto's shoulder revealing his bare chest. Steam went down from Itto’s neck, arching as a nice oval shape when they met his pecs. Among the whole scene, the area that totally captivated Ayato’s attention appeared to have a deep cherry colour. Moonlight shed silver on the strange object in that place. Just as the clan leader thought the night couldn’t get crazier, he saw piercings on Itto’s left nipple. 

Ayato raised his brows. The presence of the piercing got him heated. Running his finger toward the place, Ayato teased Itto’s nipple and pushed the piercing up and down. He looked straight into Itto’s eyes, smirking as if he was asking for an explanation. His Oni stuttered:
“I– well… um, I have a habit of … getting pierced after a breakup… I got it recently!”

“That’s very cute!”

The blue-haired man then fondled Itto’s lips, felt the softness of his lover’s mouth before exploring the inside. All left in the room was silence and the lovers' full attention to each other. Itto’s tongue was warm and wet. Ayato lovingly teased it until drools started dripping from Itto’s mouth. The clan leader put his lips on his lover’s one tenderly. Their heats met each other and became one. 

The hand then moved down Itto’s chest where the silver piercing was. Itto’s chest was full and bouncy. Warm liquid touching his nipple gave Itto chill throughout his body. Ayato’s finger drew a circle around that place. He pressed the tip of Itto’s nipple then pulled it using the piercing. Itto got more arousal after each wave of sensation, he went closer and closer to his lover demanding more affection. Ayato’s other hand wasn’t free but held and massaged Itto’s waist. All of it was done while they gave each other the longest kiss. 

Taking Itto to bed, Ayato then let his Oni lie down. He put a nice little pillow under Itto’s hips and started the lubrication process. 

Itto usually does it on his own but Ayato insisted on doing it this time. Covering his finger with lube, the blue-haired man glided around Itto’s rim. Cold lube touched Itto’s burning skin, bringing him a peculiar sensation. 

Itto gasped as Ayato’s fingers went inside. His hole had already been widened a bit while Itto cleaned it. But he was not sure he could handle anything bigger since it had been a while he didn’t have sex. 

Ayato’s fingers were long. The clan leader had cut his nails neatly for this occasion. He drew a circle inside the little cave and watched his lover’s breath disrupted. He knew where to touch but kept teasing Itto by only going around that area. Finally, Ayato reached Itto’s prostate. Precum leaked from Itto’s cock which was held by Ayato’s other hand. They were both rock hard but Ayato wanted to make sure his lover’s hole was ready. 

Couldn’t hold his moan anymore, Itto begged his lover to get in. He spread his legs widely welcoming Ayato. The clan leader’s eyes darken. After all this time, the scene did not ease his thirst but putting gasoline on fire. His pettiness held him from getting in. Instead, Ayato went closer to kiss and bite from the neck down to Itto’s nipple making his Oni moan louder from both the waiting and the teasing. Only then Ayato thrust in slowly. 

After getting rid of the emptiness inside, Itto’s hole sucked on Ayato’s cock dearly. The fingers couldn’t be compared to this. Itto’s rim was spread to its peak but thanks to the prep, he didn’t feel any pain, only pleasure. 

As soon as Itto get used to the size, Ayato sped up. Each thrust moved Itto’s whole body. His lover was fast and strong. At some point, Itto’s horns even slammed into the bed headboard. Noticing what happened, the clan leader dragged Itto closer to him and further away from the headboard. 

From that flow, Itto clung to the blue-haired man’s body with both of his hands and legs. His hand grasped Ayato’s back where Itto put a mark on him. Itto caressed the tattoo he made, his art and also the back of the man who belonged to him. 

Ayato attacked his Oni’s prostate non-stop. Each thrust made Itto’s body rumbling. Overtime, Itto’s groans became distorted. He thought he was sent out to another part of the universe but each time Ayato would take Itto back into his arms. He would kiss his Oni and look deep into Itto’s eyes. 

In that moment, Itto saw lust and desire but also adoration - something he wouldn’t expect to see in anyone’s eyes during sex. Ayato looked at him so lovingly, as if Itto was the only thing that matters in this world. 

Itto didn’t think he ever experienced anything like that. From the start, he only ever received lust. Itto thought he understood sex. 

He was wrong.      

The atmosphere, the heat and the smacking sound stimulated every single sensation in Ayato. He thought that was the peak of it, Itto served him one last move by climbing on to Ayato and started driving his cock in reverse cowgirl position. Needless to say, it drove the clan leader crazy. Ayato couldn’t believe in his own eyes. He felt like the luckiest man to be able to witness such a beautiful view. 

They sucked the life out of each other until nothing left. Two men acted like feral beasts on this burning summer night. Two bodies glued to each other inseparably on the highest place of Inazuma capital city. 

Chapter Text

After flushing all the “life” he had saved for months, Ayato took a quick nap on Itto’s chest - the best kind of pillow ever. The role was reversed as now, it was the clan leader who clung to Itto like a koala. The Oni’s body was warm in contrast to Ayato's. His chest and body were firm but not ripped so it was bouncy and soft where it needed to. Ayato didn’t have the habit of sleeping with a body pillow nor did he find sleeping next to his ex or fwb any particularly amusing. But Itto here was like a big teddy bear. And it was the Itto he had long been dreaming of that we were talking about.

It was only 11 pm when the clan leader woke up. Ayato noticed his partner’s sleep got disturbed from him leaving his body as Itto frowned. He smirked then went down to kiss and tease Itto until his lover finally opened his eyes. 

“Come on! You gotta clean down there! You don’t wanna get stomach ache, right?” - Ayato reminded the sleepy still Oni. 

Itto grunted, but then followed his aniki to the bathroom being half-asleep. In the end, it was his own fault. Ayato had used condom in the first place to avoid a situation like this. But later, inpatient Itto jumped on right away before Ayato could change to another one. Well, he had brought it on himself. 

After having finished their intense physical activity , Itto was very tired and he wanted to get back to bed as soon as possible. He usually sleeps till morning and takes the semen out afterward, on his own of course. But this gentleman right here had carried him to the bathroom and didn’t let him lift a finger. The whole time, Itto was just leaning on Ayato and letting the man do everything. He didn’t expect Ayato to be so thorough and actually did a great job taking care of his bottom. It seemed like he had done it before. Itto had never been treated so nicely.

In between the motion, Ayato kissed his Oni’s on the cheeks. Itto would respond back right away and they moved quickly from cleaning to making out. Then, Itto was fully awake. 

Afterwards, the Oni didn’t think much and walked out of the bathroom . But as he was about to jump back into bed, his belly made a really big growling sound. Itto couldn’t help feeling embarrassed as Ayato giggled from it. 

“If you’re hungry we can call room service!” - The clan leader patched Itto on the head. 

“Ugrr… It’s ok if we just sleep and eat in the morning. I don’t mind. Besides, it’s quite late now!” - Itto landed himself in bed, intending to go back to sleep.

“Room service is available 24/24. Itto, I didn’t pay for you to be hungry the whole night. Plus, I’m hungry too! I didn’t have dinner.”

“You didn’t?” - Itto raised his head in surprise.

“No and neither did you, innit! I wait so that we can eat together afterward! Come on, sit up and tell me what you want to eat!” - Ayato said while reaching for the menu. 

At that moment, Itto’s heart melted a little bit. The man in front of him is caring and considerate in every little thing, whether it’s big or small. The way he pays attention to what Itto said, his way of helping Itto clean after sex and now skipping dinner for Itto. He didn’t have to do it. In fact, None of the men in Itto’s life did. They were often only nice at first but stop trying after getting their cock satisfied. 

Ayato actually was honest with him that he was only sexually attracted to Itto at first. 

“But then I guess, I think of you… a normal amount!” - Itto recalled what Ayato said to him that day. The blue-haired man had a genuine smile on his face while saying the phrase. Ayato was beautiful as always. 

With such experience, Itto could not avoid being skeptical of Ayato. He had expected the man’s attitude to shift after the sex. It did but not in the way he anticipated. The kindness of this man captured Itto’s heart fully. 

“Anikiiiii!” -  Itto hugged his lover from behind and rubbed his face on Ayato’s shoulder.

“Hm? So what do you want to eat?” 

“Udon, let’s eat Udon!” - The Oni replied with excitement. 

------------ 

They stay in the hotel for another day. Last night, the pair were so into each other that they didn’t pay any attention to their surroundings. Now that the sun rised high and bright, everything was clear to the Oni’s eyes. The place just blew Itto’s mind. There was a private pool on the roof, a sauna, a hot tub, a small private gym, a bar section... He didn’t want to guess the price. Just how rich is Ayato???  

“Well, I can afford it but it’s not like I go here everyday! But yeah, I went to a place like this once or twice for special occasions!” - Ayato explained while having his morning tea. 

Once or twice? Itto’s life savings couldn’t afford anything near this! Everytime he thought he had underestimated Ayato’s wealth, he couldn’t be further from the truth. It didn’t help that Ayato dressed very simply and effortlessly. He blended in perfectly with regular citizens. If you didn’t stop and really take a look, you wouldn’t notice how delicate the texture of Ayato’s clothes is. Not to mention his shoes! 

Itto had never seen Ayato wear anything with a visible brand name. His wealth is just not presented like a slap to people's faces. 

But this man was over there wearing only a bathrobe scratching through Itto’s hair and horns. Not a single part of him could blend in with the other man in Itto’s life at this moment. Ayato looked like he owned all of this lavish decoration and this penthouse suite. He got everything in the world. And Itto got him!

Dunking his whole body on the hot tub he had specifically asked for, Itto gave his full attention to the man that just left his side. Ayato undressed, leaving the bathrobe on the floor and joined his lover. The hot water touched Ayato’s pale skin and turned it red. The tone and delicate body of the clan leader presented clear and bright before Itto’s eyes. His chest was wide and his abs were well-defined. His skin provided the best canvas for every single camellia flower carved on his body. 

Ayato told Itto to not be bothered and just enjoy the experience. It didn’t take too much effort to throw everything out of Itto’s head. In short, he had a lot of fun.

Acne was cleared, depression gone. 

Itto didn’t know the last missing piece to fulfill his life was a rich boyfriend.

Everything was perfect! Their honeymoon phase was consistent. Ayato stayed as sweet as he first presented himself. Maybe for the first time, Itto met someone without a redflag . He wished they could stay this way forever!

They, however, hadn’t gone to a place like a penthouse suite ever since. Itto wasn’t fond of the lavish lifestyle nor was he materialistic. So they often went from casual to decently nice places if Ayato didn’t suggest any high-end place. The Arataki gang leader prefers a place where his friends can also afford. They can all go there together. Itto is the kind of person who, when he has something nice, he would want to share it with all of his loved ones. 

Ayato was in love with that part of Itto. He’s now a part of the one whom Itto called to share love. They found love in each other. The clan leader also wanted them to stay that way as long as possible. 

---------------

The days went by, time passed and the lovers were inseparable. Everything went well in both of their lives. The day Itto cleared his loan was not far away. The Kamisato gang were fully integrated with their new leader. Ayato now can leave the gang running smoothly on its own without his instruction for some minor task. 

For that being said, he had more time so the clan leader decided to pay a visit to the Arataki shop. He didn’t tell Itto because he wanted to surprise his Oni. 

However, he came to the shop with only Shinobu present. She explained to Ayato that the shop ran out of some material so Itto went out to restock. It’s been a while since Itto left so he might come back soon. 

The clan leader sat and waited. 

The only two people in this room, were in complete silence. Shinobu has never been so warm to Ayato. They had an underlying beef with each other when Ayato was pursuing Itto's heart. He understood that she might be over-protective after the last relationship of Itto. Shinobu had been his biggest obstacle on that journey. But when he and Itto finally dated, she stopped. Still, Shinobu wasn’t Ayato’s biggest fan. 

“How’re things going on with you and Itto?” - Shinobu surprisingly opened up first. 

“We’re good. We love each other very much”. - Ayato replied. 

Shinobu was silent for a few seconds, sighed then said:
“Itto told me you’re an investor! You invest in multiple businesses to gain wealth!?”

“Oh, yeah, I do!” - Ayato didn’t elaborate further. He didn’t know why Shinobu suddenly asked about his business. But she gave him the answer right afterward.

“When will you tell him about the truth then?”

“Hum?”

Shinobu took a deep breath:
“The truth about the camelia symbol on your bodies!”

Ah… It wasn’t a surprise for the clan leader when this question came out of Shinobu’s mouth. Ayato had long suspected that Shinobu knew about his identity. If any of Itto’s friends is capable of gaining this information, it has to be Shinobu. It explained why she had been so cold to him the whole time. 

“Ah… I was wondering why you suddenly asked about my business. Turns out it was for this!”

“I don’t want Itto to get hurt! If you hide your own identity to him, what other thing could you hide from him?Are you playing with him or are you serious?” - She looked straight into Ayato’s eyes without any fear. The petite woman was facing a high profile criminal who could do unimaginable harm. But her eyes showed full determination to protect her childhood friend. 

“Miss Kuki, I admit I didn’t plan this relationship to go this far, but I am serious about dating Itto. I assure you I'll be the last person to hurt him. Just like you, Miss Kuki, all I want is for Itto to be happy.” - The clan leader answered in his calmest voice. “About my identity, I has always planned to tell Itto. It will be revealed when the time is suitable.”

“Good! That’s what I want to hear.” - There wasn’t anything else she wanted to say so Shinobu was back to the computer screen in front of her. But the clan leader didn’t stop there. He continued the conversation:
“What if I didn’t do what I said, Shinobu? What’re you gonna do then? Trying to intervene and get Itto to break up with me?”

The green-haired woman stared at Ayato. She responded calmly:
“That isn’t necessary. I would just tell Itto the truth. He’s a full-grown man. I believe he can make his own decision. And I know for a fact he will walk away when it is needed. It wasn’t me who would break you two up, Ayato! Itto could end the relationship anytime he wants. So treat him right!”
That was when the conversation ended. It sucked all the words out of Ayato’s mouth. He couldn’t argue with that. He knew Shinobu was right. He couldn’t hide it from Itto forever. Itto could leave him for lying. 

The truth of who he was not only will it affect their relationship, it could harm Itto and put his life in danger. Ayato had enemies. Some of his uncle’s people still slipped out of his hand.
Yakuza won’t harm each other’s family members but it’s a different thing for lovers. The last thing Ayato wanted was for his enemies to find out about Itto. He also knew that he did bad thing and he couldn’t tell if Itto would be ok with it. 

Ayato only hoped to keep Itto away from his mess and tell his Oni the truth when he had taken full control of the situation. 

Itto came back a few minutes after the conversation ended. Things went as usual. They kissed, cuddled and invited each other to another date night. 

-----------

Itto had been experiencing the best period of his life. He had a hot boyfriend who was also caring, kind and… generous . His business was booming. After the convention, new customers kept coming and many of them had become regular to his shop. Some of the old ones from his last working place also found out about the shop and came to support his business. 

The shop’s revenue had been growing the last few months. Itto is now proud to call himself a grown adult with stable income. That sounds so serious and cool. He of course wouldn’t forget Ushi who had been the key success to the shop’s growth. He bought his Beefcake fancy food to reward the baby cow. He could also afford new machinery and redecorate his shop to make the place more pleasant to work in. Itto took the whole gang out on dinner to celebrate and sent his Granny some of the medication for her knee’s problem. 

Granny, when receiving the medication, immediately called back to thank Itto and wished him well with his business. She was proud of Itto and promised to cook him good food in return the next time he visited her. Itto upon hearing that was very excited. He missed Granny Oni very much and of course her food counted. 

It’s been a while since he last visited Granny. The last few years he had been focusing on opening his own shop so he didn’t have time to travel back to his hometown.

Itto couldn’t wait to meet his Granny this year. He had already told her about Ayato and hoped to introduce the two to each other. This would be the first time he introduced a boyfriend to Granny. He knew Granny would love someone polite and caring like Ayato. At the same time, Ayato had asked Itto to meet his sister - Ayaka. They would become a bigger part of each other’s life. 

It would be Itto’s first time meeting his boyfriend’s family member too. None of his exes had introduced him to their family. Itto was thrilled and nervous at the same time. 

Cutting Itto off the sensation was an unexpected call… from his ex. 

Itto wasn’t comfortable with this call. He felt like their relationship ended ages ago. He had nothing to do with this man anymore. But curiosity killed the cat. Itto picked up his phone.

“Hey, Itto! How ya doin’? It’s been a while!” - The other side answered a familiar voice. 

“H-hi, I’m good!” - Itto replied then stayed silent waiting for the man to explain his reason for calling Itto. 

“Oh c’mon! Don’t be so cold! Won’t you ask me back if I’m doing ok too?” 

“Just cut the bullshit and tell me what you want!” - Itto immediately lost his patience. 

“Aww, have you changed? You were always so sweet. But I know you by heart, Itto. I know you’re a nice kid and you care about people a lot!”

Itto rolled his eyes. The man kept going:
“Well, I heard that you have opened your own shop, right? Is it successful?”

 “It is.” - Itto responded coldly.

“Well then it needs to stop because it’s not your success, Itto!”

Itto raised his brow. What kind of bullshit was that?

“You know what Itto. Some of the customers, MY customers, have been going to your shop instead of mine. The customer that I have worked so hard over the years to gain!”
“Wtf are you talking about? It’s their choice to go to my shop, I can’t control anyone to do that?”
“Well, that could have been our customers if you could just close your shop and come back working for meee! You have contributed a lot to the shop over the years, you know! We missed our hard working Oni. Besides, my shop is so much bigger and better equipped. Wouldn’t you rather work with me than the little hole you stuck in right now?”

“You are talking nonsense. If it was all that you wanted to tell me then I would have to end the conversation right here!”

This was it!!! First this moron told him to close his shop which was absolutely impossible. Then he called the shop Itto had been working so hard to open a “hole”. How could this man expect this to convince anyone???

Itto heard the man sighed then he continued to speak in a malicious manner:

“ I wouldn’t want to do it to you but you forced me to, Itto! Your action affected me and my shop a lot. I’m hurt. But it would hurt you further if the whole internet know the Arataki shop is ran by a fag, right?” 

Itto froze. This motherfucker!

Chapter Text

“So ridiculous!” - Genta exclaimed. 

“Um hum!” - His boss nodded to what he said.

“The fucking audacity of this man. Not only that, he threatened to out you??? What a traitor!!!”

Itto couldn’t agree more. He wanted to respect his ex as the one who had played a big role in his adulthood. He was still grateful that this man taught him to be a tattoo artist and gave him a career. This man had done many awful things but Itto hoped he could have left it as that and they could be on separate ways. The image of this ex couldn’t get uglier, especially when compared to his new boyfriend. Of all the traits, this man chose to be the ultimate asshole. 

Itto understood why his ex would use it to threaten him though. He recalled being gaslighted into thinking that any intimacy in public was a death sentence. The irony was that this man convinced Itto to come to Inazuma city with him because he said the people here were more progressive and more accepting of the gay. Then he wouldn’t allow Itto to act like a boyfriend in front of anyone because “it’s bad for the business”. Turned out, it was just a convenient way for this asshole to flirt with clients. 

This man expected Itto to still believe in his bullshit now! Itto had kissed his new boyfriend on the street on more than one occasion. He couldn’t say that everyone was open-minded but they wouldn’t give more than two shits to intervene. They could still lose some clients but the Arataki shop was at a point where it had built a certain amount of loyal customers. Some of them knew about Itto’s sexuality or some of them must have gotten the hint! His manners should say it all.

Itto felt so stupid for ever dating this man but he couldn’t reach this level of stupidity!

“We’ll gotta do something about that!” - Shinobu proposed. “I know you don’t mind about being out, many of our clients know too. But we can’t let it slide. Gotta give this asshole a clear message or else he’ll try to mess with us for another time! Just coming out on your own account would sound like being forced to do so.” 

She was reasonable and Itto only thought about making a post on his private account. He didn’t think of any other solution.

“Then don’t do it on your account!” - The blue-haired man finally spoke up after listening to the whole conversation. “Do it on the shop’s account. Make it special! Isn’t pride month coming soon? Pride discount it is! To think about it, what a time to out people! Your ex would get stoned by the whole community if he did so!”

That was exactly what Itto did. It was a brilliant idea. Itto even painted his horn with the pride flag colors. They created a pride program, made pride merch, donation to support lgbtq+ youth, ads,etc.  

Most of the customers supported the program, some were queer themselve. They received a lot of attention and nice comments. The business was booming again. Itto wished he could see the face of this man when stumping upon their pride program ads. 

Speaking of pride month, Itto’s birthday happened to be in the same month too. His birthday was the first day of June and also children's day. Couldn’t fit him better. 

Unfortunately, because of their pride program, Itto couldn’t wrap his head around and plan for his birthday. The program took quite some time to prepare. But how could mr.Kamisato as his boyfriend let Itto not have a proper birthday party. So on June 1st, right when the shop was closed, a strange limousine approached near its door. 

Still clueless about what was happening, Itto stared at the car in confusion. Until Ayato stepped out in white suit looking so princely, Itto was in awe:
“W–What is it???” - Itto’s jaw dropped. 

“You said you wanted to know what it was like to be in a limousine!” - Ayato gave his boyfriend a warm smile. 

“No, I mean this…” - Itto looked at the blue-haired prince from head to toe. “You– you look so fine!” 

“Come in, boss!” - Mamoru popped his head out from the car’s window. To Itto’s surprise, in the car, there were Mamoru, Akira and Ushi! With Shinobu and Genta, they made the whole Arataki gang! All of them were here today for his birthday.

Itto was moved by the presence of his gang members today. They were all grown-up and had their own career. It was a Tuesday night when most people would be tired after a busy working day, but the gang took their time to be here for him. It was heartwarming. 

They went to Itto’s favorite restaurant, eating and cheering for Itto’s new program. They wished Itto the best with his business. They sang him happy birthday, cutting the cake, calling Granny to inform her about the party. 

The old woman was so happy seeing Itto enjoy his birthday around his friends. She didn’t forget to tell Itto and Ayato to visit her. Granny really wanted to see the man who put smiles on her Oni’s face. 

Itto was overwhelmed with joy. He smiled the whole night until his cheeks hurt. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been this happy. The life he had with his ex seemed so far away. They had stopped celebrating his birthday 3 or 4 years ago. The ex said it was unnecessary because adults didn’t need a birthday party. It disappointed Itto but he couldn’t go against this man. Until last year, they had a break but Itto had been busy working to open his shop. Back then, Itto could only sneakingly buy a cupcake and a small candle to “celebrate” on his own. 

Now those were just far-away memories. His current life couldn’t be better. 

The party ended before midnight since they had work tomorrow. They hugged each other tightly before going home. Except for Itto, Ayato took him to his house. Itto had been a frequent visitor to this place. He had his clothes, toothbrush, skincare, etc everything he needed there. 

They made out in the bathroom and the Oni rewarded his lover with the most affectionate kisses. Before they could continue what they did in the bathroom, Ayato stopped his lover and said he had a gift for Itto. 

The man brought out this big and heavy rectangle gift box. The box was covered by the shop’s merch - Ushi wrapping paper. Ayato must have purchased it to support his Oni. 

Before unwrapping the gift, Itto looked at Ayato’s eyes with appreciation and sweetness. 

“You don’t have to do this!” - Itto shook his head. Preparing for his birthday was enough, Itto couldn’t ask for more. He didn’t mind that Ayato was the only one who didn’t bring a gift to his birthday’s party. Technically, planning for the whole party, inviting everyone, picking them up, and paying for everything were too much already. 

But upon opening the box, the Oni gasped. His eyes were totally captivated by what he saw: 

“The pair of masks!” - Itto whispered. It was the crimson Oni and blue Oni mask from the Yokai exhibition. All the way from their first date, when Ayato confessed his feelings to him. 

“Isn’t it a pity if something made by the Oni didn’t belong to an Oni?” - Ayato said while stroking Itto’s hair. “You were looking so happy that day in front of these masks. I figured it would be a perfect gift!”

It was quite a long time ago but Ayato remembered and saved it all this time to surprise him. 

Itto’s vision was blurred by tears. He couldn’t put his gratitude into words. The pair of masks mean a lot to Itto. It was his identity, a proof to the history of the Oni. Moreover, it was gifted to him by this beautiful human. He had always wondered why Ayato was so perfect . He went to hug the man and kissed Ayato all over his face.

It was just the start of a magnificent night. 

Itto wanted to reward his lovely boyfriend but Ayato said he should be the one who did it for the birthday boy. The man then suggested Itto sitting on his face . However, the Oni declined… in a very strange manner. 

Itto was noticeably excited about the suggestion at first but he quickly changed his mind. 

Ayato didn’t know what stopped his Oni from it. He made sure Itto understood that he had no problem doing that. However, Ayato didn’t say any further since it would sound like force. So in the end, he went down on Itto for a different thing . 

The blue-haired man ran his finger on lil Itto before licking it. He licked Itto’s cock moist and wet and made it spill out loads of precum. His other fingers were busy exploring the cave underneath. They prepped it well in the bathroom so the inside was soft and warm and calling. He then started to suck Itto’s cock, and put it deep down his throat.

At that point, Itto couldn’t hold his voice and started moaning. Ayato, of course, was pleased. The image of Itto spreading his legs moaning got him aroused. Even though Ayato missed the chance to get Itto sitting on his face, they had had a wonderful night. Itto’s reaction still buckled his mind but Ayato knew he shouldn’t just blatantly ask. 

Ayato stuffed his mouth full. Itto’s cock size was quite respectable. He got why people mistook Itto for a top. This was probably the biggest one Ayato had ever sucked in his life. 

Starlight fell on the roof where under, the two lovers gave each other their all. 

--------------------------

Things went down nicely. It seemed like there were no major changes to the business of the Arataki shop. Except that they had hit their record revenue during the pride month. There was also no news from the ex. 

Itto was surprised that it ended rather quickly. No more threat from this scumbag did make him sleep a bit better at night. Itto hoped that this would be that man’s last attempt to intimidate Itto. This should be a clear message that Itto had changed and was not afraid of this ex anymore. 

On the other hand, there was one person who was not surprised. In fact, the current situation was exactly what he planned it to be. Though the pride program was a success, Ayato admitted that it would not be effective enough to eliminate the threat. The idea was more like a baby step to support what he was about to do.

The Kamisato clan leader made sure the ex would never be a threat ever again. 

Itto was too kind to make the people who harmed him suffer the same way he did. But Ayato as a gang leader was not. There was only one philosophy for the yakuza: you scratch my face and I’ll break your limb. He had tried not to punish Itto’s ex for breaking his Oni's heart. But threatening and blackmailing surpassed Ayato’s boundary a mile away. The scumbag deserved a good scare.

Ayato rarely agreed with Shinobu, but she was right this time: couldn’t let it slide!

That was why Ayato took his gang members to the ex’s apartment that night. He was disgusted seeing how pathetic that man looked. 

“W-what… wtf, man???” - The man was panicking over 5 strangers barging in his place unannounced. They all looked intimidating. To be exact, they looked like yakuza. They were yakuza!!! - “Yo… listen, man! I–I don’t know what I had done …b–but we can talk things out! No need to work up like– this!” - The man stammered while being held by two gang members. 

“Oda shop owner, right? Heard there was an Oni working for you before?” - Ayato smiled and casually asked.

“O–Oni!? Oh fuck it, what did that bitch did to anger you? M–man, I swear, I had nothing to do with that filthy thing! I–...”

Before the man could finish the sentence, Ayato slapped him without holding back. The smile left the Kamisato clan leader’s face. His eyes turned cold. Ayato warned:
“Don’t! You! Dare! Talking like that about him!”

Too shocked about what just happened, the man was in total silence. He didn’t dare to turn his face straight to avoid the blue-haired man’s gaze. 

“Let’s make it fast! Blackmailing and threatening my man! The audacity of that! C’mon boy!” - Ayato waved to his men - “The gentleman here was brave! He dares to challenge us! Let’s give him some nice cuts as a reward for his braveness!”

The yakuza took out their knife and got the man shambled. He tried to break out from the two scary men holding him but it was no use. In quivers, the man tried to kick them but accidentally shook his table nearby where his PC was placed. 

The room was dark with minimum light sources. Suddenly, The PC lit up and shed light to every eye in this room. On its screen displaying a video of two individuals. They were both naked in bed. One of them was eerily familiar, familiar with the two red horns poked out. 

The room started to become colder than it should be. Moaning and panting sounds slipped out of the PC. Everybody was utterly silent. All their eyes focused on what was displaying on the PC’s screen. 

The colors left the ex’s face and also Ayato’s eyes. He approached the table, took a look at it, shut down the clip and glanced at multiple other clips of the same content. That was when Ayato realized there were many other people in this file.

The clan leader clenched his fist:
“I assume none of the people in those know about the existence of these clips!” - He said it so calmly which intimidated the man even more. Because his eyes didn’t say the same. The man could only see death in those freezing blue eyes. 

“I–...”

That was the last thing the man saw before his vision was covered by red. Coming to him in an incredible speed, Ayato’s fist landed on the man’s face. Sicken by the act, he had nothing on his mind but to kill this man. He hit the man with all his strength he gained over the years. The clan leader was disgusted and enraged. Every single detail of how Itto said this man had mistreated him played in Ayato’s head like a movie. It was more vivid now than ever. 

The clan leader thought he was in a fever. He could feel the heat invade his body from head to toes. His burning fist kept thumbing on this disgusting being and it wouldn't be satisfied if the face didn’t end up in shambles.

The things this scumbag did was more than just pettiness. It was a crime. A crime that even a high profile criminal like Ayato couldn’t tolerate. The worst of all was seeing his loved one as one of the victims. Now he knew why this scumbag could confidently tell Itto to close his business. Imagine what this kind of person could do with this file. The horror, the chaos, the trauma that it could create. 

Blackmailing, kidnapping, rape, torture, etc are things that can happen in Yakuza world. In the end, it’s a world where only power matters. The three biggest organizations however have their own set of rules. They want to retain their dignity so they won’t go for family members. Rape isn’t allowed. Torture only when it’s necessary. That is what the prestigious clan follows. But, it happened nonetheless. Humans can do unimaginable things for power, money and revenge. 

Raised in dignity, Ayato was still taught that power was the priority. Rules were there to protect people but if you are not strong enough, that is what could happen to your mother, brother and sister,... That was something Ayato could never imagine. He wouldn’t even let anyone dare to have vile thoughts about Ayaka. He will protect his loved one at every cost. 

But that day in the foreign room, Ayato saw the privacy of his dearest get invaded. It was totally out of his control that it happened. It blew over his boundary. 

The Kamisato clan leader had only planned to scare this man without actually physically harming him. Ayato knew his lover had a strong sense of justice and wouldn't appreciate violence. But peace was not an option anymore.

Maybe in his whole life, the man had never experienced anything this frightful. Hit after hit, the vision left his eyes. His nose lost its shape and function. Blood obturated his nostrils preventing him from breathing. He felt like he could die by suffocating before his face got flattened to paste. This blue-haired man right here was killing him and the most horrifying thing was: none of the 4 other men cared to stop it. They all just stood there watching the life exited his body. 

In that moment, a hint of regret sparked in this man's head. He was ready to do the thing that would send him to hell but not ready for going to hell to be judged. He cried and prayed for any god to save him. He deserved to be punished but the things this guy was doing were wrong too…
But that was when the man found a way to save himself. 

“I–Itto…”

The blue-haired man kept punching.

“I–Itto hate…”

And that stopped the fist. The man tried to finish his sentence:

“I-Itto w–will hate y–ou if you k–kill me…”

Ayato couldn’t argue with that. Itto was kind. Fuck! Itto would leave him seeing what he was doing… 

The clan leader stood up from the ex’s body. The beige blazer, his white shoes, his fists… They were all ruined by blood, meat crumbs and sweat. The metallic scent rushed to Ayato’s nostril, defeating the best perfume he could wear. 

At that moment, he was but a feral monster.

How could Itto accept him?

He still had to tell Itto the truth…

Without a word, the yakuza left the apartment. Outside or in the car, in the bathroom, in his room after bath, the tangy smell of blood refused to escape Ayato’s body. This is who he is. 

--------------------------

At 2 am in the morning, Itto was sleeping well after a full day at work. He suddenly received a call.

Quite upset because his sleep was disturbed, Itto didn’t forget to curse any person who called at this hour. 

“Hello…” - Itto said in his sleepy voice.

“Oh, you were sleeping? I’m sorry, did I disturb you?” - It was his supper sweet boyfriend - Ayato.

“Aniki? Uhm, it’s ok… if it’s you! Why do you call at this hour? Did something happen?” - The Oni changed from being annoyed to worried. It was late and Ayato sounded tired. 

“No… It’s nothing! Sorry again! Anyway, go back to sleep, Itto. I love you.” 

“I love you too. Good night!”

“Good night, Itto!”

Chapter Text

Sweat drenched Ayato’s back as he woke up in the middle of the night. The heat, the nausea and the cold air of November invaded his mind before he could remember what this nightmare was. He hadn't had one since his mother’s funeral. But he didn’t bother to know how this nightmare came about. Ayato wasn’t someone who had much interest in the dreamland. The real world had taken all of his attention. Unlike Itto who always has vivid dreams, always tries to remember them and always excitedly tells Ayato about every detail. It put a smile on Ayato’s face.

He turned his head to the man lying next to him, the source of his comfort, the beings keeping his heart beating. 

Eyes closed under the silver hair falling on his face, chest heaving to the rhythm of his breath, Itto was having a peaceful sleep. It soothed the Kamisato leader by just looking at his lover. 

Removing the hair on Itto’s face, Ayato carefully put a kiss on the Oni’s forehead. He looked at Itto tenderly, remembering every detail to heart: How his lover often sniffles in his sleep, how his horns tangle with his silver hair, the warmth of Itto’s skin,...

Ayato took a deep breath. He lied back to bed and slept convincing himself everything would be ok; everything was at the right place; his loved one was on his side. 

-----------

Life had been particularly kind to Itto lately. Everything was well and his business was stable. He was able to buy some new bougie tools (with Shinobu’s assistance of course) and renovate the shop. New clients came back regularly, the weather was nice. What more could Itto ask for! Well maybe for Ayato’s business to finish early so that his boyfriend could visit him more often… 

Mr.boyfriend had been veeeery busy! Ayato’s workload seemed to be at its peak. He wasn’t even free on weekends, leaving the poor Oni on his cold bed all alone. Itto had been kicking and turning under his blanket ,thinking: it would be sooo NICE if a princely beautiful blue-haired man spooned him right NOW. The weather was getting chilly as December approached…

Yet again, his life was in perfect condition and Ayato’s absence was just a minor inconvenience. Itto rolled his eyes.

It was not like Ayato left him without a word. The man dropped by whenever he could. Despite his tight schedule, Ayato went by just to give Itto some hugs and kisses then hastily got back to business. 

Itto treasured their little moment at a time like this…But more of it would be nice!

Day ended quickly when you were busy. Itto handled all the appointments today like a champ despite working alone. The other two were busy with their personal business. Genta’s mom got sick so he had to take care of her. Shinobu went to get her certificate of god-knows-what-she-was-into lately.  

As lovely as the day was, it was time to close the shop and get back to his cold apartment. Just as he finished gathering his board outside the shop, Itto spotted a familiar face from afar…

-----------

Ayaka walked back home while humming the song that Yoimiya had sent her during their lunch break. Wind flew through her school uniform leaving a pleasure sensation. The girl inhaled the smells of yakitori from the street vendors. She was not that hungry but they sure made her tummy rumbling. But Ayaka only wanted to get home as fast as possible. She was excited to continue the game’s progression from the night before, after finishing her homeworks of course.

Ayato had brought her a ps5 last week. Her brother had been weirdly generous recently. She could not pinpoint on what had influenced Mr.Kamisato to do so. It was a bit out of character for him and her birthday had long passed. Ayaka didn’t do anything to gain this reward either.

Growing up, money has never been a problem. Ayaka has always been conscious about their wealth and privilege. But Ayato and she were raised with discipline. If they want something, they have to earn it. Being well-behaved was the bare-minimum so they gotta have good grades, winning a competition, etc. It remained the same after her parents passed. Ayato then played the role of their parents. 

Though, he was easier to persuade if Ayaka begged enough. As Ayaka was the only sibling Ayato had left, he wanted to spoil his little sister sometimes. Fortunately, Ayaka didn’t act like a spoiled brat. She very much understood her brother’s situation and the heavy responsibility he bore. 

Talking about responsibility, her brother hadn’t eaten home for weeks. The workload was piling up or so she guessed. She wished she could help her brother more. She knew the life they had right now was what Ayato had sacrificed his youth for. 

To Ayaka’s surprise, she saw her brother’s shoes at the entryway. She hoped Thoma had cooked something nice tonight since they hadn’t had dinner together for days now. 

“I’m homeeee” - Ayaka announced her appearance as she stepped in. 

“You’re home already? Go on, your brother is waiting for you!” - Thoma peeked out from the kitchen. 

Ayaka wondered what she was summoned for. She recalled the last school report. Could it be?

She headed upstairs and knocked on Ayato’s office door:

“Heeey! I’m here! Finally, off the hook hah, oni-sama? What do you need me for?” 

Head buried in papers and computer screen, Ayato turned to notice his sister. 

“Come in! Sit! How was school today?” - He smiled, welcoming the little girl. She was about to graduate highschool but she’ll always be his baby sister. 

They exchanged shortly about their day and he went straight to the point.

“I received your major preference today. Very detailed, very specific! I’m quite impressed! It seems like you have everything figured out.”

“Yeah, so, I first prioritize finance major-”

“What do you think about studying in Fontaine, Ayaka?” - Ayato interrupted her before she could finish explaining. He said it in a nonchalant manner. 

“Huh?” - Ayaka was confused. 

“We were there the last time. You seemed to be enjoying Fontaine! Why not study there! You can eat mille-feuille everyday…” - Ayato continued to draw a pleasant picture. With the same casual tone, he laid out a detailed plan of how Ayaka’s life would be in a whole nother country. As if everything was decided. 

When he finished, Ayaka finally looked him in the eyes and said:

“You…You’re gonna send me away!?” 

Ayato wished, in that moment, he could call her expression a grimace. But he knew that look, he knew on Ayaka’s face was deep disappointment. They had never been separated since the passing of their parents. No matter how long the business trip was, he would always go home to Ayaka.

There was a time that this matter had been brought up. Ayaka fought hard every time. But that day, it wasn’t laid out as a suggestion. It was merely a decision that Ayaka had no say in. 

It wasn’t an easy decision for Ayato. He had watched Ayaka growing up everyday. It hurt her feelings as it equally hurt him. 

“I know what you have sacrificed to maintain this…this business. I know the burden of a young heir. I-I see in my own eyes, everyday… Oni-sama, I have always told you this… I want to help!I want to stay!” - Her big purple eyes kept pressing Ayato. 

“It’s different this time Ayaka! My top priority is for you to be safe-”

“You know it would only take 1 to 2 years till I could work at our office and then I could-”

“LISTEN, AYAKA! I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE YOU!” 

That was when Ayato broke his calm. A towering silence stood between them. He could feel the heat coming from his face, but somehow the palm of his hands were ice cold. He saw the light fade from Ayaka’s eyes before she reluctantly left the office. 

Ayato sighed. 

“Catch up with her!” - He ordered his subordinates upon hearing the front door shut. 

Safe. At least, I can keep her safe. 

He whispered to himself. 

-----------------

Ayaka didn’t have a destination. She was wandering around the neighborhood. Her heart was thumping so loud even after she had stopped running. 

It was childish!

Running away like that!

She understood. She saw burdens in her brother’s eyes. She saw fear. Even after that, she burdened him more with her temper. She didn’t hate him. She hated herself for being useless!

She wanted to chalk it up as teenage hormone but it only reminded her of how young and incompetent she was. She wanted to help. She wanted to make the important persons in her life happy as they did to her. 

The girl kicked her anger into a rock that was, in no way, an obstacle. She had no consciousness of her surrounding until she heard someone calling out her name:
“Ayaka? It’s really you! What are you doing out here in this hour?” - The tall Oni recognized her from step away. That was when she realized she had walked all the way from her house to Itto’s shop.

Ah! Her brother’s boyfriend, the first ever he had taken home to introduce to her, the Oni with distinctive eye-catching red horns.  What a coincidence! 

“Hello, Itto-nii!” - Ayaka approached the man and greeted him. 

Seeing her belated reaction and lack of energy, Itto asked concernedly:
“Are you alright? Shouldn’t you be at home by now?” 

She didn’t answer. She didn’t know how. Ayaka only looked down on her feet and sighed.

“Hey, get inside first! We’ll talk about it if you want to! It’s getting cold outside.” - Itto suggested.

So, she nodded and followed the Oni inside. She quickly made herself cozy on the shop’s leather sofa, sipping on warm milk tea which Itto prepared. The warmth softened her chest. She didn’t realize how cold it was until receiving this cup of tea. 

“Fought with your brother?” - Itto was the one to break the silence. 

Feeling comfortable enough, she nodded. Itto gave her a benevolent smile. 

“I know your brother can be stubborn sometimes!” - He laid out a middle ground for Ayaka to know he will be on her side. 

She swiftly summarized the fights, expressing her reluctance to study abroad. She dodged the family business as a habit. She could not be sure how honest Ayato was to his boyfriend. It was not her place to expose her brother. At the same time, whatever Ayato’s decision was, she hoped that it wouldn't ruin this relationship. She knew her brother had been happier than ever and this man, right in front of her, was the source of it. 

Suddenly, the shop’s door opening interrupted their conversation. It was pitch black outside and all the light went off. Curious, that this person whom they thought to be a client still found a way to get in. 

“Hey, we’re already closed!” - Itto stood up signaling the guy. 

It was too dark for Itto to fully make out this person’s expression. The street lights didn’t help. He could still recognize that it was a man. 

Light flashed from a cold metal surface. 

As if the world slowed down at that moment. A sharp bang invaded their ears. Itto felt like his heart stopped beating when Ayaka yanked him from behind. 

As he tumbled down the stairs, Itto realized Ayaka had just saved him from a gunshot. 

It was a combination of both adrenaline and protective instinct that Itto then grabbed Ayaka’s hand and dragged her to their storage room. Despite the gun kept shouting, they ran and ran with all their might.

It was until Itto slammed the door shut that he could feel their hearts were about to jump out of their chest. 

Everything happened so fast. 

He checked for Ayaka’s injuries and it was a miracle that they both had none. 

The gun kept going on until a sign of restraint disrupted the man while they both sat silently listening. After it felt like a milenia, finally, familiar voice called for them:
“Little miss Ayaka! It is safe to come out now!”  

It was the voice of her bodyguard. At that point, she wagered he had been following her all the way here. 

Itto was hesitant since he didn’t know this voice. So, Ayaka stood up and opened the storage room door. Itto followed her outside while still in shambles. Before his eyes were piles of ruins made from his own shop. The chairs went upside down, table turned and glasses everywhere… and blood…

Nothing good could come out of a situationship like this. 

His stomach churned as he saw how the whole shop was nearly destroyed. He didn’t know how long he had stood watching. Time freezed in that moment and Itto’s head was totally blank. Itto didn’t know Ayaka had called him multiple times. But then this very familiar, very dearing voice woke him up:  

“Itto…!”

Standing in front of the Oni was a princely blue-haired man. His sister with her worrisome eyes clutched his shirt. She now got the answer to her brother’s honesty. 

“Itto, there is something I need to tell you…” - His voice was dry and weak.