'You only need to do small thing in return of my mercy.'

Ichiru's mind keep replying that specific sentence inside, looping in a slow motion as if trying to emphasis the importance of it. He wants to resist, but he knows he can't. Yet giving up and do the impossible bargain is also not a safe option, he knows.

Whichever he ended up chose, it will cost him his most precious.

Sound of running water calls him back to the earth, glance to the side and found Sagara washes his dirty hands. Seeing him at this kind of condition hurts Ichiru a little, but this topic is something that Ichiru needs to solve alone. He loves his current life, and nothing can snatch it from his hands. Not even his former owner.

"How's work?"

Ichiru asks, trying to act casual. Sagara removed his mask and put it aside, waves at him gesturing 'nothing unusual' and went to sit on the sofa. Ichiru follows, bring a cup of hot tea which he handed to him, and sit on the arm of the sofa, glance down as Sagara sip his cup.

"You'll come with me tomorrow."

"Oh? Where?"

"Same club."

Ichiru halt a little. A mere second, but enough to make Sagara avert his attention from the cup to him.

"Uh, sure. What do you want me to do this time? I got paid, right?"

"Same as usual." Sagara put down the cup and glance at him, "Are you okay?"

"....Yeah? What's with the question?"

"Nothing. Good night."

Sagara went upstairs to his own room, leaving Ichiru alone in the spacious living room. He glance down at the cup. In the mere minutes the two of them had a small chit chat, Sagara managed to drink up the whole drink, means he's more spent than he let out. No wonder he didn't press Ichiru even though he noticed there's something off. Ichiru honestly feels a little relieved because of it.

'At least i don't need to make unbelievable excuses.' He thought, brought the empty cup to the sink before heading to his own bedroom, fiddling with his phone as he sit on his bed, switching between apps and do nothing in particular because his mind has wander somewhere else.

It happened a few days before, where he visited one of a night club around South-East district under Sagara's order. Meeting up with a client beforehand is not something new, he more or less understand what he needs to do without earning a complaint from them, getting used to see Sagara working. Even though he doesn't particularly fond of this certain place, he has no specific reason to avoid it either, thus he accept without much thoughts, thinking it's just another day of extra work with more chips in his pocket. When he's done with the job, maybe he can have a glass or two, or have a little fun with some rich perverts in the VIP room.

Meeting his ex-owner is not included in his list.

Finding out he knows about Sagara is like a hellish trap.

Not only his ex-owner, a middle aged guy called Mr. Bushi, knows about Sagara, Mr. Bushi also had a deep grudge against him. Ichiru isn't actually surprised to know someone is after Sagara's head, but he wonder why Sagara didn't make Mr. Bushi forget about him. If there's a reason why Sagara let him to be remembered, it's either because Sagara still found him useful, or he did out of his own amusement. Eitherway, both are highly possible.

"You hear me, dog? You haven't paid me for those things i provided despite your uselessness. A good dog should be at least know his place."

'You gave me tons of shit, yeah.' Ichiru grumbles inwardly but says nothing in return. Talking back to this unreasonable idiot will only put him in tighter spot.

"I know you won't be able to pay me, so i won't charge you so much. I'm generous, ain't I?" Mr. Bushi laughs at his own joke, blow the smoke of his cigar to Ichiru's face mockingly. "In return, i want you to do something for me. Easy job, even a useless dog like you will have no problem see it done."

".....What do you want?"

Mr. Bushi stared at him.

".....Sir."

"Nothing much. Just help me spit on him a little."

"......Pardon me?"

"I said," He blows the smoke again, "help me spit on him a little. I heard a rumour that he's awfully possessive, completely despise to know anyone find out about his precious possession. I dunno what kind of trash he has, though. Do you have any idea?"

'His wife, huh.'

Ichiru shook his head.

"There's no such thing at his house. Maybe he hid it somewhere else."

"Tsk, useless trash. Anyway, since you are kind of.... His at the moment, i kindly lend an idiot dog like you to him, he must be quite fond of you. I dunno, maybe he is? Is he fond of you?"

Ichiru frowns a little. Since long ago, the way this old dude speaks is always hard to understand.

"It has nothing to do with this whatsoever."

Mr. Bushi glares at Ichiru, he knows it's risky, but he doesn't want to have this ugly idiot exploit him in any way. Even so, Ichiru still feeling intimidated by the way his eyes judging over him from head to toe. It feels like those bad days he had been through under Mr. Bushi's abusive treatment surfaced, forcing him to return to his submissive self.

"I let you off for a second, and you already dare to barks alot."

Ichiru feels a little pang in his chest. Sagara often says the same thing, that he barks alot like a hungry dog. But the way Sagara say it never makes him feels humiliated. Unlike this ugly pervert, Sagara doesn't speak in degrading manner. Sure, his joke and amusement is a little too dark sometimes, but he never look down at Ichiru no matter how much Ichiru annoys him or made him mad.

Sagara did many bad things, but this ugly fat old man doesn't deserve to be in the same ground as Sagara.

Seeing Ichiru doesn't seems to plan on to retort, Mr. Bushi blow the smoke again. He lift a finger, and a young boy, looks like still in early teen but no younger than thirteen, rushed to his side and pour him a glass of wine. Ichiru feels a genuine pity on the boy, because the boy is obviously had to take Ichiru's place to be a slave, seeing the bruises around his pale skin and the gold lash around his neck connect to the chain hold by one of the bodyguard. Ichiru was in his position, knows exactly the pain that boy has to go through for who knows how long.

"Pretty, isn't it?" Mr. Bushi yank the chain roughly and the boy stumble, almost spill the wine but he managed not to, "This one is smarter than you, and prettier too. He knows his place and a grateful little toy."

Ichiru holding back his puke seeing Mr. Bushi licked the boy's cheek, treating him as if he's a mere replaceable toy and lower than trash. The poor boy himself just stand still, eyes look so dead like a porcelain doll with no soul.

"If you have no other business with me, i better leave. I still have another work i have to finished."

Ichiru stands without further ado, can't hold back the twisted sensation in his stomach seeing the sickening scene his ex-owner purposely showing. The guards quick on blocking his path, not letting him leave the place.

"I'm not done yet, dog."

Mr. Bushi's voice sounds menacing, halt Ichiru on his spot, not even dare to turn around to face him. The guards had their hands on their pocket. Wrong move and one of them will certainly slit his throat. Or beat him up into pulp, if he's lucky. The young boy from before come to him, hold his hand and gently brought him back to his previous spot.

"That guy, how much he paid you?" Mr. Bushi asks.

"....Depends. More work he made me do, more check he gives me."

"So he's been hiding his shit."

Mr. Bushi eyeing Ichiru again, visibly annoyed because Ichiru's appearance is much more better after he lives with Sagara. As Ichiru got busy being uncomfortable from the intense stare, the boy suddenly put on a thin bangle around Ichiru's wrist, locked and tightly fit it's impossible to break open.

"Wait--Hey!"

The boy ran back to Mr. Bushi's side as the guards hold Ichi down. Mr. Bushi let out a nasty grin, happy to found Ichiru fell under his dirty method just like what he used to do back then. Ichiru feel his adrenaline rushed up from fear and anxiety, cold sweat starts to roll down from his temple even though the small cabin is cold from the air conditioner.

"Calm down, i won't do something nasty. Not now."

"The hell you want?! You're not my master anymore!"

"Ckck. I don't like noisy dog."

One of the guard holding Ichiru hit his stomach hard until he crouches on the floor from the pain. Mr. Bushi, who has his foot not far from Ichiru's face, uses the tip of his shoes to lift Ichiru's chin.

"You know what's inside that bangle, right? One drop, and you'll lose your mind just like this trash." Mr. Bushi gestures to the emotionless boy, "If you want to take it off, you gotta work for me. There's no other way."

".....What do you want?"

"A dog should never forget it's master."

Ichiru feel his stomach twisted again. He knows what this pervert wants now, and Mr. Bushi let out a creepy grin when he sees the face Ichiru is making.

"You only need to do small thing in return of my mercy."

------

Ichiru absent-mindedly rubbing the metal bangle around his wrist. Judging from the size, the drug contained inside is not too much, but still strong enough to made him overdosed if he took every single drop. Mr. Bushi might or might not being serious, the chance are fifty-fifty, and whether it's an empty threat or not, Ichiru has no intention to sit still and let himself drugged to death.

'Yet again, the fuck should i do...'

Tricking Sagara is not an easy task. Ichiru can threaten him using the most horrible threat Ichiru can spit out, and Sagara won't even bat an eyelash. In all honesty, he doesn't even know what Mr. Bushi wants him to do to help with this stupid 'revenge'.

'Did he really think that guy will get affected by his stupidity? That's stupid, stupidest idea i've ever heard.'

Ichiru groans in frustration then jump onto the bed, cowering under the blanket.

------

In the next few days Ichiru tag along with Sagara in his job, Mr. Bushi keep appearing as if he owns the place. Ichiru follows Mr. Bushi's stupid order and cling onto him like a puppy, feels extremely humiliated to be in such position again, even more so because Sagara just give him a raised eyebrow in response, not even say something nor acting awkward thanks to Sagara's lined up clients. Mr. Bushi, seeing no response from Sagara even if he blatantly taunting him, ended up getting awfully annoyed. He gets even more upset because he can do nothing to bother Sagara, the impression of 'don't disturb' Sagara let out made it impossible for others to come close.

Ichiru wonders which is even more embarrassing.

And on the 5th day, Ichiru finally snapped.

"Aaarrrggghhh, i had enough with this! Look, he doesn't care about you! What's the point in you using me??"

Mr. Bushi, with his face fifty shade of red from humiliation adds with Ichiru's defiance which makes him even uglier, glares at Ichiru in total exasperation.

"Watch out." Mr. Bushi threatens, "Or i'll kill you."

"You're not my master anymore. Whatever I do is no longer your business. Heck, i don't even need to listen to your shit."

Mr. Bushi snapped his fingers. The second later, Ichiru feels intense heat around his wrist surges up to his system. Mixture of the uncomfortable sensation it causes forced Ichiru to be on the ground, groans and writhing, holding his trembling hand which had his vein popping, almost bursting out.

"That's twice you have it. I wonder which burned out faster, your loud barks or the drug. Useless dog." Mr. Bushi blows the smoke in annoyance, "I thought you're better than this, but seems your new master is the same as me."

"The fuck-- He's different from you!"

"Oh, yeah?"

"You're nowhere near his ground, you stink pervert!"

The guard give him a hard kick on the stomach.

"Hahahah! You seems to think of that fucker so highly, huh? What did he do to you, hm? Seducing you? Feeding you through a gold platter?"

"He treats me better than a certain old pig."

"Oh, you think?"

Mr. Bushi snorts, leans forward as the guard drag Ichiru closer.

"If he's as good as you said, then why did he neglected you?"

".....What?"

"He's not blind, he can see what your dirty ass did, clinging onto this 'old pig' shamelessly, yet he did nothing."

"You forced me to, dammit!"

"And he did nothing, nonetheless."

"The fuck you wanna say, huh?!"

Mr. Bushi blows the smoke to Ichiru's face again, hard.

"I said, he doesn't give a fuck about a useless dog like you. If he did, he would at least twitched. But we both knows. He didn't."

Ichiru faintly feels his heart sink.

"....It's because he's busy with work!"

"Haaa, so you stand lower than his job. Pathetic."

"What's so wrong with taking a job seriously?! Even i too never do half-assed work!"

"Will you, if you heard someone trying to snatch him from your grip?"

Ichiru fell silent.

"You claims that he treat you better, yet i don't see it that way. You sure it's not your pathetic delusion over 'perfect master'?"

Ichiru turned his head away.

"Guy like him bound to nothing. Maybe he seems like he's a good guy and all, but no one in this world is kind. He's just as bad as the rest of us."

Ichiru doesn't even need to look to know what kind of face Mr. Bushi put on.

"You're no better than trash. Soon he'll get rid of you."

"FUCK YOU!!"

The guards quick on their feet and hold Ichiru on the ground, beat him senseless without another word even though they obviously leaving his face out of touch.

"He's not a fucker like you!!"

Hearing that, Mr. Bushi just grinned.

------

A week passed, and there's no sign of Sagara paying any mind to Ichiru and Mr. Bushi. Mr. Bushi himself has turn his attention from Sagara to Ichiru, purposely playing around with Ichiru's wavered feelings. He still spat out a few insults, but Sagara doesn't even to look their way, indirectly push Ichiru's uncertainty into a believable reality. Sagara didn't bother to ask Ichiru what happened either when they go home, went straight to the bedroom and only comes out when it's time to go to work.

"Eh, just leave him. He won't even noticed."

Mr. Bushi's taunts is starting to impossible to ignore. Every effort he made to justify Sagara's action only proved Mr. Bushi's words true. In the end, he loses his will to retort, no longer reacts when the drug shot through the bangle. He just sit there, eyes slowly lost its light like the young boy in Mr. Bushi's possession.

'Maybe it's true,' Ichiru thoughts, 'If i'm gone, he won't even noticed.'

He glanced at his bluish wrist. The drug must be shot through more than half of its amount as he could feel his limbs getting numb. If he return to Mr. Bushi's side, he's going to die anyway. There's no difference being killed by the guards or overdosed from the drug. Sagara's ignorance already killed him from inside.

"You! Since when you're here?!"

Ichiru lift his head, brought face to face with Mr. Bushi's pale feature. Following his line of sight, Ichiru stunned to see Sagara is squatting down less than a meter from his spot.

"What do i have here? I've been busy with work, and my little dog now has his tail around other man."

Ichiru lose his words. Sagara's appearance is not something he thought will ever happened.

"How the fuck did you get inside?!"

Mr. Bushi's voice is trembling, a mix of fury and fright, crushed the cigar in his grip while taking steps back away from Sagara. The guards obviously confused with his presence yet visibly has a difficulty to act independently.

"Oh, excuse me. Those two watching the door seems upset, so i told them not to mind me." Sagara let out an enticing smile, one which send shivers up to Ichiru's spine. He can't see the face Sagara is putting on, thanks to the mask, thought it doesn't stop him, or anyone in this cubicle, to feel the impact of Sagara's ringin voice. "Why don't we all calm down first and have some talk? I mean, isn't that what you've been wanting to do since couple weeks ago?"

"You--!"

The guards, including the soulless boy and Ichiru, feels the tense in their system lifted. They sit obediently, watching Sagara close yet have strange shackles which prevents them from moving nor feeling the danger. Ichiru who has been the target of Sagara's ability for who knows how long, can feel how strong the impact he put on from mere words alone.

If this going on, all of them will be killed without Sagara put on any effort.

"Let's see..." Sagara sit on the coffee table in front of Mr. Bushi, his smile hasn't disappeared at all even when he removed his mask, "Now that i'm here, the business can go on, can't it?"

Mr. Bushi is slightly shaken. He's completely under Sagara's order now.

"Y-you--"

"Before that, may i know the reason why you seems like you're being a little too close to my pet?"

"H-huh?"

Ichiru's eyes slowly got its light from Sagara's words. It's nothing different from what usually Mr. Bushi says, yet he feels the ray of hope which was nowhere to be found before.

"I asked," Sagara leans forward, "May i know the reason why you seems like you're being a little too close to my pet?"

"Your....pet...?"

"Yes, mine. Does it confuses you? What i mean is that one." Sagara pointed at Ichiru, "That is, mine for the time being. He was yours, no? Does it hurt your pride to see your dog running away and found better home?"

"Ugh-- I--"

"That must be it, eh? I understand your frustration, really." Sagara's chuckles sounds a little eery, "Unfortunately, your time was up the moment he left you. If you were lucky, you might have the chance to... make it right? But that's not it, no? Make his life better is not you intention."

Sagara lift his hand towards Ichiru. As if under a spell, Ichiru crawls from his spot and holds Sagara's hand, sit on the floor and leans onto Sagara's lap like his usually do. Mr. Bushi had his eyes widened in humiliation because Ichiru never come close on his own accord.

"This, you see..." Sagara caresses Ichiru's cheek, "Is a natural phenomenon which will happen if you train your pet right."

"You fucker!"

Mr. Bushi grab the gun from the guard and pointed it right on Sagara's forehead. His hand is trembling as he tries to pull the trigger, prevents him from killing Sagara right away.

"Calm down."

One word, and the gun slipped from Mr. Bushi's hand.

"Y-you're just a sick joker! Pretending to be a good guy doesn't make you clean! You're a sickening bastard like the rest of us!"

"Good guy? Me?"

Sagara let out an amused laughs.

"I'm not a good guy, i never am. I am a sickening bastard, exactly like you exclaimed. What's differentiate us, however, is only one thing. I know how to treat my tools properly, to bring them to their full potential which comes to my bargain."

"You didn't even care about him!"

"Oh, i do. I do care about my property. It was unfortunate because my client always comes first. After i'm done, then i will come to retrieve my possession."

"You might be late, you know."

Ichiru who has been silent has opened his mouth, looking at Sagara directly to his grey eyes. The light might lit, but Ichiru's gaze is still dull.

"I will not late." Sagara replies, "My calculation never wrong."

Sagara hold Ichiru's chin, thumb gently rubbing his chapped lips. The shivers which was there is now coming back to Ichiru, forced him to involuntary stand on his knees and and moves even closer, had his arms circling around Sagara's neck as if he's been conditioned to. Sagara himself only smiles, one hand pull Ichiru into a hug and whispers directly into Ichiru's ear as his eyes on Mr. Bushi.

"Thank you for your hard work. Your reward has been prepared."

The air Sagara let out is chokingly arousing.

Mr. Bushi's expression is total wreck by now.

"Y-you'll regret it! That trash is even lower than trash!"

"Sssh.... Please, have a seat."

Mr. Bushi dropped his body on the sofa right away.

"As you said, this trash might lower than trash. However." Sagara's voice suddenly turn an octave lower, a haunting and taunting tone ringing into everyone's brain, "If by chance there's even one person here thinks you're less than this trash, disposing you might not be a big deal."

Sagara stands, brought Ichiru out of the cubicle with him. As the 'click' sound from the closed door cued the guards--including the boy--to stand, Mr. Bushi's horrific screams faintly heard.

------

The bluish mark around Ichiru's wrist slowly dissipated as the drug left in his body fully extracted. Sagara took a moment to look for the antidote, thus made him arrived a little late than he intended to. Of course, he never mentioned it in front of Ichiru.

The doctor says it will take a whole week for Ichiru to regain his sense, and will recovered faster depends on his will to live. Sagara managed to assure the Doctor to leave early after with excuse of letting Ichiru to rest, and it's honestly confuses Ichiru a little because Sagara seems a little hasty.

"Do you have another work?"

"Hmm? No, i don't. Why?"

"You seems to be a little restless."

"Ah... yes, i have another job. A big one."

Once again, Ichiru feels his heart sink.

"Then... go on. No need to stay with me."

"Are you sure?"

Ichiru nods. Sagara look at him for a moment before mumbling something incoherent. Ichiru has no time to ask, thanks to Sagara's lips on his, putting him in a breathless shock.

The kiss doesn't lasts long, Ichiru's dumbfounded face met with Sagara's clear eyes, staring down at him with glint of annoyance. Sagara bumped their forehead lightly, not too light thanks to Ichiru's condition, and pull away.

"Go to sleep."

Sagara ordered, and Ichiru follows in the next second, washed away his confusion about Sagara's strange gesture. His blurred vision barely see Sagara sit on the edge of the bed with sad eyes. And Ichiru is sure his mind is playing trick on him when he heard Sagara speak lowly to himself before Ichiru went to the dreamland.

"Do you even have any idea what i want to do to you, seeing all of it?"

________________________________________