Arukōru (Alcohol) Bar (BL)

Rikiya (part 5/7)

Luckily his siblings didn't hate me despite Rikiya bad mouthing me while I was in the room with them. Sassa seemed to get attached while the other two were friendly and smiled when they saw me. Anzai was quiet most of the time but they seemed to feel alright with him as well.

I was playing with them on my day off while Rikiya made dinner. I could tell he was annoyed at how often I came over.

"You're not getting any dinner," he said from the kitchen. "You don't live here."

"I understand!" I replied. I beamed at Sassa as I threw her in the air. She giggled uncontrollably. Anzai had an appointment and couldn't come with me but I usually entertained the kids by myself.

Rinji scooted closer to me as I knelt on the floor. "This is my favorite car..." He held up a toy car limousine.

"A limousine?! Did you know I have a friend who owns one of those?"

He brightened. "Really?"

"Yeah! I rode in it once. I'm sure one day we can ask him to let you ride in it as well."

"I want to ride in it."

"Dinner's ready," Rikiya called. The kids scattered to the kitchen.

After watching them eat, I figured it was time for me to go. Rikiya walked me out like he was impatient for me to leave, which he probably was. As he made sure I called a cab, we saw someone approaching. Not just someone, a man, with two other men with him. Rikiya froze at their approach.

"Good evening, Rikiya Kanagaki," the man smiled.

"...what are you doing here?" Rikiya clenched his fists.

"I was just a bit curious. You've been consistently paying us back and not asking for anymore money. I was wondering what was up so I had someone keep an eye on you. I've seen that you've found other people to mooch off of. I'm a bit disappointed that you've decided to take your business elsewhere. Haven't we been working together for years now?"

These men... They had to be...loan sharks... Why were they tailing Rikiya and showing up at his house? Couldn't the police get involved because of this behavior?

Rikiya stepped in front of me. "They're not like you. They're just helping out."

"Really? They're willingly giving you money without asking to be paid back? I guess they aren't like us. But that's no way to run a business."

"I'll ask you again, why are you even here?"

"I just wanted to make sure we didn't have any competition. I see that we don't. Please keep paying and remember the rate will rise next month. Goodbye then." He met my eyes, staring at me for longer than I was comfortable. "See you later." The men walked away.

I shivered. "That's...the danger?"

"Why do you say it like that? But sure, yeah, that's the danger."

"I don't like him..."

"Obviously. He and all his men are creeps. Go home already. I need to get back to my siblings."

My cab was pulling up right on time. I waved goodbye as I sat down inside. Rikiya didn't return the wave and just went back into his house.

I was terrified when the loan sharks showed up at my bar after hours. It was just me and Anzai cleaning up. I froze as they threw the door open before we had time to lock it yet.

"We meet again," he grinned at me.

"...we're closed," I said.

"The door didn't seem to be locked though? Do you have time for a chat?"