S C A N D A L

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Shichiro was standing outside of the private room where Naoki met with his young wife Atsuko when he noticed a familiar face eavesdropping by the door. It didn't surprise him at all since this was something they already expected. They knew Atsuko would ask for advice from her partner-in-crime Kei, and that guy wouldn't let the chance pass without getting anything out of it.

This stranger was one of Kei's cohorts and was a paparazzi but also wrote for tabloids, exposing celebrities and well-known people. As soon as their path met, Shichiro jerked his head to one of the guards and apprehended the man.

"Hey, this is against the law!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Shichiro approached while the man struggled under the hold of the two huge guards. He took the time to frisk the person and took his camera, his recorder, and his cell phone. Shichiro played the end of the recorder briefly and smirked, "How are you going to write about this? Everything in this record paints Atsuko as a bad person. Is your master trying to screw his partner?"

The man cackled. "A few words can be turned into something else with the power of the pen."

Shichiro chuckled. "Oh yeah, I agree. Your master has a habit of twisting the facts in his favor. I'll be taking this..."

"Hey---"

"If you still want a career as a journalist or...as a stalker, I don't care. But you leave the Matsumoto family alone. Or you won't find employment anywhere for a very, very long time."

"I'll take this to the court! This is blackmailing---"

As the man exclaimed, Shichiro took the broach pinned on the right side of his breast pocket. It was a hidden camera. He smiled, "Nice try. You may take us to the court if that is what you wish. Let's see how long your money could last as we'll be slapping you with lawsuits after lawsuits for your stalking behavior. Get him out of my sight!"

The guards dragged the wailing man out of the building and Shichiro watched him with amusement. It was in this situation that Masaru approached him. "You look pleased."

"I am pleased," the bodyguard answered and turned to the secretary. "Did Kurou call?"

Masaru nodded. "He wanted to make sure that Atsuko arrived and Naoki was comfortable. I never felt so overworked!"

"Because we don't do these things. Kurou hated playing dirty but it's about time we fight back, don't you agree?"

"Yes, I agree. I think we will win this one."

"Same here."

Masaru was surprised. "Really? I always thought you'd have something to say. You're always so pessimistic."

"Hey! I was only trying to prepare myself for something worse. It's troublesome to have a master that is too nice, isn't it? Kurou should've done this a long time ago!"

"But back then our young master thought he could never love someone as much as he loved Kei," Masaru told him. "Until Shiro came..."

"Yeah, until Shiro came."

"Thank the gods for Shiro."

Shichiro turned to look at the man beside him and smiled. "Yeah, thank the gods for Shiro-sama. I get to know you better and work with you longer."

Masaru stared back. "Are you flirting with me?"

"Is it working?"

"No!" Masaru rolled his eyes and walked away.

"Oi, Masa! You're so rude. No wonder you're single..."

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