Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart Chapter 154 - 153

Raiden’s fingers curled into a fist against his thigh. What was he supposed to tell Hiro now? He had promised him that he would find a way to let him et his parents. He didn’t want to break his baby’s heart.

“It’ll take ti, Mr Yamato, but I assure you that I’ll find them.” Mr Takeda said confidently. There wasn’t a single case he hadn’t solved since he left the force. That was the main reason he was referred to as the best PI in Tokyo.

Raiden nodded slowly. “Please, do whatever you can to find out where they are, Mr. Takeda.”

“I will. Don’t worry, Mr. Yamato. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” The investigator stood up and gave a small bow then left.

Raiden stared at the docunts one more ti, his mind already racing.

What kind of parents abandoned their children to rot in poverty while going into hiding? Where exactly were the Watanabes and why were they hiding? Why did they allow their kids to suffer for four years?

Raiden knew that this wasn’t an ordinary case any longer and for Hiro’s sake, he had to get to the bottom of it.

********

The sun was dipping low when Raiden pulled up in front of the hospital. The sleek black car ca to a slow stop at the curb, its engine purring softly before going silent.

From the hospital’s wide glass window, Hiro spotted it imdiately and his face lit up. The second Raiden had called him and told him he was on his way to pick him up, he bid his sister goodbye and rushed to the ground floor to wait for Raiden.

Squealing with excitent, he rushed outside, practically bursting through the door and the mont Raiden stepped out of the car, Hiro launched himself at him—arms flung around Raiden’s neck, legs instinctively wrapping around his waist.

“Woah—!” Raiden caught him, laughing, surprised but more than pleased as Hiro nuzzled into his cheek.

“I missed you,” Hiro murmured breathlessly, pecking a soft kiss to his jaw. He really really did. Although he enjoyed his sister’s company, not being around Raiden was like not having enough air to breathe. He found that he wanted to be with Raiden all the ti.

Raiden’s eyes darkened slightly with affection and hunger. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he spun Hiro and pinned him gently against the car door. His hands cradled Hiro’s face, and then his lips crashed into his—claiming, deep, and possessive. He kissed Hiro like their lives depended on it, not giving a damn about the nurous eyes on them and when he finally pulled back, Hiro was breathless, dazed, and flushed.

Raiden smirked. “Now that,” he said with a wink, brushing his thumb over Hiro’s kiss-swollen lips, “is a proper kiss.”

Hiro giggled, hiding his face in Raiden’s chest.

“Ready to go ho?” Raiden asked and Hiro whispered a small; “Yes.”

Raiden made sure Hiro was seated and strapped comfortably in the passenger seat before getting into the car and driving them ho.

********

The room was dimly lit by the soft flicker of candles placed along the marble ledge of the tub and the nearby counter. The scent of cedar hung gently in the air, balanced by a faint citrus note of lemon that danced just beneath it. Rose petals floated on the surface of the warm bathwater, catching soft glints of candlelight.

Hiro sat nestled between Raiden’s legs, his back resting against Raiden’s chest. His smooth skin glowed in the golden light, droplets clinging to his collarbone and shoulders. Raiden’s arms were wrapped loosely around his waist, fingers brushing lovingly over Hiro’s stomach as he listened to him talk, his voice full of excitent.

“...and then she rolled a double six. Again. Can you believe it? I even gave her my saddest look so she would let win but when it cos to gas, big sister is immune to whatever kind of face I pull.” Hiro said with a huff, squirming lightly as he recounted the story.

Raiden chuckled, his lips brushing the shell of Hiro’s ear as he leaned in, amused. “She really didn’t let you win a single ga?”

“Not a single one!” Hiro grumbled, sinking lower into the water with a dramatic sigh. “She wiped the floor with —and then, she had the audacity to eat all the chicken nuggets you bought . Ugh, I was so annoyed.”

Raiden laughed again, low and warm. He loved listening to Hiro talk about his siblings and the things they did. It always made him wonder if that was how he would have been with his own siblings had his mother not died after giving birth to him. His step-siblings only showed him helll and sotis treated him like air. He never knew what it felt like to have a genuine sibling connection but he was happy that he had Hiro now and if Hiro ever agrees to have a family wirh him, he would want them to have lots of kids so none of them would ever know what it feels like to be alone.

His hands moved up to gently knead Hiro’s shoulders, his thumbs working circles into the knots there with slow care.

“You should’ve told ,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Hiro’s shoulder. “I would’ve bought you more nuggets. A whole mountain of them.”

Hiro giggled, tilting his head to the side so Raiden could kiss more of his skin. “It’s okay. The most important thing is that I had fun. She’s smiling again. I can’t rember the last ti she looked that alive and it’s all thanks to you, Raiden. If you hadn’t helped us, big sis would not be here today. Thank you.”

Raiden’s heart swelled with happiness. He rested his chin on Hiro’s shoulder, watching his face with a quiet, adoring expression. “You don’t need to thank baby. I’ll do anything for you. Anything at all.” And he really ant it.

Hiro just smiled and said; “I’ve told you all about my day. Now tell about yours. I want to know every single detail.”

Raiden hesitated for a mont, thinking over everything that happened to him during the day. “It was... full,” he said simply. “Went through a series of boring etings as usual. I literally couldn’t wait for them to end so I could see you again.”

Hiro giggled, leaning back into him again. “I also couldn’t wait to see you again. But wait, that’s all about your day? Nothing else?”

Raiden thought back to the bad news he heard about Hiro’s parents but he just sighed. “Nothing else.”