ALPHABET

E-M

Evolution

The gala room is teeming with excitement, but for once Asami is not the center of attention.

He chances a quick look to his side, catching a glimpse of his lover of 7 years, as he fidgets with the collar of his tuxedo for the hundredth time in the course of that hour.

Asami tries not to smile, thinking how Akihito must feel like a fish out of water in that awards ceremony, even though he is among his peers.

His attention is momentarily sidetracked to the front of the stage though, where the presenter announces to the audience the name of the year's best photo-journalist.

A wave of cheers erupts thru the room as everyone turns to their table to felicitate Akihito over his win.

Asami suddenly feels his hand being squeezed under it, squeezing Akihito's hand back in return, before the younger man leaves the table to go collect his award.

He watches the 30-year-old give a confident speech from the stage, thanking the audience for their warm wishes and can't help his mind from flashing back to the bratty, irresponsible, wannabe photographer he had met long ago, who kept getting himself in trouble all the time.

Asami figures sooner or later everyone evolves, but as his eyes lock with Akihito's thru the crowd, he finds himself hoping that the younger man realizes just how proud he is of how far he's come.

Feud

Feilong stared defiantly across the table at the man sitting in front of him, already aware that half of the restaurant was listening in on their conversation.

"Your arguments are completely unreasonable." He said. "You just can't admit that I'm better than you."

The remark caused Asami to snicker back at him almost instantly. "You are such a sore loser it's pathetic. It's obvious I'm the better one."

"Don't be ridiculous. You are just pissed off that my techniques are clearly superior to yours."

"Sure... Keep dreaming."

"This feud is preposterous." Feilong eventually replied. "I suggest we ask the source's feedback, and get this over and done with once and for all."

"Fine by me." Asami retorted confidently, as they continued to shoot daggers at each other thru their eyes.

"Fine then! Akihito..." Feilong called out, as they both turned to the young man sitting beside them at the table, whose face looked as red as the lobster in his plate.

"Akihito, be honest now. Who do you consider to be the best sex partner? Me or Asami?" He asked out loud, causing more than a few surprised gasps from the nearby tables.

...They never did manage to hear the answer though, because Akihito sprinted out of the place in no time, yelling at the top of his lungs he would never again accept a dinner invitation from the two of them.

Guns

Asami stares blankly at the TV screen in front of him, not really comprehending what has just happened.

He can hear Akihito's triumphant cries, clearly indicating that something to the youngster's liking has just occurred, and has a feeling that it might have something to do with the fact that a few seconds before the words "Game Over" popped up on his half of the TV screen.

"Boy, you really suck at this game Asami." He hears Akihito say, while he looks down at the PS4 controller in his hands. Maybe the controller is defective...