~Time skip: 2 weeks~

Kyoya directed Mei as the desk and chair had arrived. Kyoya frowned at the thought of Senku being anywhere near him, especially with Akito on his heels. He disliked Akito more than Senku if he were to be honest. The desk was now in place, far from where he, Mei and the double doors were. Knowing Senku, he was probably off living life, unaware of the fact Akito's men were probably trailing him at this point.

If Akito ended up deciding to end his life, he'd be more than glad. No more living in fear that the papers would be released to the world. He himself had thought about committing murder, but cared more about his reputation. Kyoya placed a name plate on the desk then gestured for Mei to go back to work. He'd watch from the sidelines how Senku dealt with Akito.

"Sir, Akito's assistant just called. He said there's a meeting you both need to sit in on. Father's orders." said Mei after getting off the phone.

"Time? Place?" Kyoya asked as he walked back over to his desk.

"He said to just be ready by 6 tonight." replied Mei. "Should I go with you?"

"Yes. I may need you to do things since I won't be able to." said Kyoya as he typed away on his desktop.

The door opened, revealing Senku. Kyoya ignored his presence. He was going to bring trouble with him.

"Hey, Ootori. Play with me." said Senku as he stood in front of his desk.

Kyoya kept silent. He had better things to do than indulge a failing scientist. Senku frowned as he was being colder than usual. Should he threaten him? He poked and prodded at him, but yielded no results. Was he actually pretty busy? Senku moved away then spotted the desk at the far end of the room. They were kind enough to give him a nameplate and a lamp.

"I'm going to do experiments in here sometimes. Is that okay with you?" Senku asked as he took some things out.

"Absolutely not. Go home if you're going to do that. I'm busy unlike a certain someone." Kyoya complained.

"Who spat in your coffee?" Senku asked with a disapproving look.

"You did. All of this anger I'm feeling is because of you. Every day you feel the need to pester me and my employees and for what? To get under my skin? I don't care anymore. You're not my problem anymore." said Kyoya, finally snapping.

"Do you hear yourself? How am I not your problem anymore?" asked Senku in confusion.

The double doors swung open and a familiar face entered the room. Kyoya kept him at arms length.

"Why are you here? Did you sneak away?" Kyoya asked as Akito stopped his pursuit.

"If that includes jumping out of a car and making a dash for it then yes, I did sneak away." said Akito. He looked around then spotted him. "Ah, there you are little Ishigami Senku..."

Senku looked at him wide eyed. How did he know? He opened his mouth to ask, but Akito continued.

"Standing 5'7, twenty one years old and living in a shabby condo." said Akito as he started to circle his desk. "A wannabe scientist who quit his jobs because he 'struck it rich'. Doesn't have many friends either."

Kyoya kept his eyes on the screen before him. He didn't care what happened to Senku, he only hoped there wouldn't be bloodshed on his floor, walls and ceiling.

"How do you know all of that? How do you know any of it is true?" asked Senku, a bit frightened.

"It's amazing what people will do for extra pocket change." said Akito as he sat himself on the desk, smack in the middle.

"You bought people off? Just how shady can you be?" Senku asked, wondering if his friends and neighbors sold out.

"I do what's necessary to get what I want and need. Even if it means buying people off for info. I'd say it was worth, seeing as how you're currently shaking. I can see it." said Akito as he leaned closer. "I don't like people like you, thinking they're the shit when you're just literal shit. Successful scientist my ass. Look around you. Do you think any of the future generation will care about your little gadgets? Do yourself a favor and help develop medicine. Maybe you'll go down in the books then. Maybe."

Akito rose to his feet and walked away. Kyoya had to admit what Akito said was harsh, but he wasn't in any position to say anything. He knew how hard it was to become successful in the field you love. He had to face reality and so did Senku. People only cared for things that made life easier, erased pains and aches, and lined their pockets with cash.

"So this is how you get your way? Researching them then crushing the things they held dear like a dream?" asked Senku as he sat back in his seat. "Pretty crafty. Unfortunately for you, I have nerves of steel. I'm not gonna cave like those other low lives you've done this too. I know I'll be successful and by then you'll be wishing you were nicer to me."

Kyoya finally tore his eyes away from his screen. He's never seen anyone talk back after Akito's belittlement. His eyes rested on Senku who wore confidence.

"I figured as much. But do try to convince me better next time when you're not shaking like a leaf." said Akito as he glanced down towards Senku's feet. "Bye Kyo~!"

The double doors opened and closed. Kyoya was still looking at Senku. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Senku slowly beginning to shake. He found his body moving on its own then handed him a tissue.

"The hell is this for?" asked Senku as tears unwillingly came out of his tear ducts.

Kyoya put the tissue in his hand and went back to his desk. He may hate the man who sat in that very room for blackmailing him, but he couldn't forget he was human too. He felt things. He could put up fronts to hide his insecurities and flaws.

⋆ ↬ ⋆

Kyoya quietly packed up and looked at Mei who started to pack up as well. He looked to the side and saw Senku had left. He was that absorbed in his work that he didn't notice. Where could he have gone? He didn't get any complaints from those downstairs, meaning there was only one answer. He went home.

Kyoya couldn't blame him. After hearing someone talk down to you like that, most people would want to be alone somewhere and let out their emotions.

"Mei, how long ago did Ishigami leave?" he asked as he walked over to her desk.

"Over an hour ago. Do you need me to bring him back?" she asked.

"No. Just remind me to drop by his place after the meeting." said Kyoya as he left the room.

Mei wordlessly nodded and wondered if Kyoya was going to take advantage of his weakened state. After working with him for three years, she knew how much like Akito he could be at times. But it wasn't often he visited people his brother had talked down to. If anything, he preferred not to.

⋆ ↬ ⋆

Kyoya yawned behind his hand as the meeting was running longer than expected. Akito looked at him then rubbed his back. Just a few more minutes.

"Any questions, concerns, suggestions?" they finally asked.

No one spoke up.

"All right then. Meeting's over." they said then left.

"Hey, you're not busy tonight, right? Let's have dinner together." said Akito with a smile.

"Akito-" Kyoya started, but was dragged away by him anyway.

"Come on. It's been forever since we cooked dinner together! Unless..." said Akito as he looked at Kyoya. "You have a hot date?"

"Yes. Yes I do. I was just about to stop by tonight." lied Kyoya as he really didn't want to be with him any longer.

"Oh? Then let's go see your partner together." Akito suggested.

"No! They're... very shy. Showing up unexpected isn't a good idea. How-" Kyoya said but was cut off by Akito.

"Then tomorrow evening! I'll bring reporters too! Ah, glorious day! My little Kyoya is finally in a relationship! Everyone must know!" Akito said in a giddy mood.

"You're going to bring reporters just for something small like this? Did you not hear what I said about them being shy!?" Kyoya fussed but ended up being ignored.

Mei spotted the Ootori brothers and had Kyoya handed off to her.

"Make sure he remembers to invite his lover to the company tomorrow, 'kay?" Akito said before heading off.

"Sir, what's this about a lover...?" Mei asked worriedly.

"I didn't want to spend the night with Akito so I lied... I didn't think he would bring reporters. I'm screwed..." muttered Kyoya.

"Do you still want to visit Senku? I have his address..." she asked quietly.

⋆ ↬ ⋆

Senku slowly sat up at the sound of his doorbell being rung. It was probably one of his neighbors asking to borrow something. He was reluctant to leave his bed. but did so anyway. He opened the door and closed it just as quick.

"Hey, open up asshole." Kyoya said angrily.

"No. I have nothing to discuss with you. I'm sick of you Ootoris. I don't want to see you until collection day."

"Now you suddenly want to comply? Just open up. We won't be here long." said Kyoya as he looked at Mei.

"'We'? Who's with you?" Senku asked.

"Open the door and find out." Kyoya said.

Senku hesitated before opening the door. There stood Kyoya and Mei. He moved to close the door again but Kyoya had kept him from doing so and forced his way inside with Mei. Senku frowned heavily as he couldn't stand him.

"What's that in your hand...?" asked Senku as he noticed Kyoya holding a small bag.

"You'll find out. Come, sit." said Kyoya as he and Mei day down.

Senku sat with them and waited for Kyoya to reveal whatever it was from inside the bag. Kyoya pulled out a box then handed it to him.

"It's food. I apologize in advance if I got anything you're allergic to." said Kyoya. "That's all I came over for. We'll be leaving."

"Wait." said Senku as he kept him seated. He noticed Mei looked worried. "What's up with Mei? You know she's not good at hiding her emotions like you."

"It's family problems. We'll be leav-" said Kyoya until Mei spoke up.

"Akito's bringing reporters along tomorrow to see Kyoya's lover." Mei blurted out. "I know it doesn't have anything to do with you but..."

Kyoya sighed heavily. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Senku looked at them and had a brilliant idea.

"I'll be your boyfriend." said Senku with a grin.

Both of them looked at him in confusion.

"You aren't into men. How would we fake it? Akito doesn't even like you." said Kyoya, stating facts.

"What time should I be there? Actually, scratch that. I'll be there early tomorrow." said Senku before chuckling. "This is going to be fun."

"Sir, I'm sorry..." whispered Mei as guilt started to eat at her.

"It's not a problem. It's just for a day." said Kyoya, hoping everything would go well the next day.