Page 295 of Light Leech

“He’s jealous of love,” Abbas said.

“Yeah,” Kuni added. “He wants to kiss Akna but she thinks he’s gross.”

Boyband gave Kuni a familiar “piss off.”

Ralia smirked. “He’s just lucky Akna’s too busy helping Naoma to hear that.”

Boyband rolled his eyes. “Why are they taking so zegging long?”

“I’m just a du trying to blend in.” I adjusted the tight jacket I wore. At least the middle was open to a breathable shirt because I already felt hot. “She’s got a reputation to hold up.”

“Are we sure she still has one after abandoning her fans to put on some whack mindshow in Arabasia?”

I shrugged. “If they were ever loyal, they will be still.”

“Loyal or brainwashed worshippers?”

The door down the hall opened. Akna led the way with a little more makeup on than usual after helping Naoma, but it was nothing compared to the glamor of the Neon Idol herself.

I had gotten used to her natural look after spending so much time with her in her normal life, that I had almost forgotten the front she had to hold up. Of course I was drawn to her natural look, but I couldn’t deny my affection for the image of the star who had made me into one of her “brainwashed fans.”

She smiled, keeping those pink lips tame as I tried to remain relaxed while still showing that I was impressed. She wore a tight jumper with a skirt bottom and high boots. Everything she wore was a chromatic white, besides the violet light in her eyeliner, stripes on her chromatic nails, and bright on her earrings. She did not wear as much violet as before, but there was no hiding the luxury in her style. It was bold enough to say that she could reserve herself from a complete violet outfit while still maintaining the highest luxury.

Despite the highlights, she wouldn’t match the violet-covered Reef artists.

This wasn’t mere style, it was brilliance. She was showing that she could stand without Reef and maintained the power she had before. If there had been a drop in her popularity since her departure, I had no doubt that she could take it up again with more influence than ever. Perhaps she was the first pop idol in years to be her own person and not a corporate creation.

How would 3Rochi take that? She had set our meeting up with them but hadn’t said anything regarding their enthusiasm.

“You’re not going with her, so why are you all done up?” Boyband scoffed at Akna.

“Why do you look like guk?” she bit back.

“What is your problem?”

“Maybe I cared about putting myself together more before I got caught up in this. You probably had a better haircut, right?”

Naoma and I locked eyes while they argued. We couldn’t help but laugh, though we knew there was more to the situation.

“You look… really nice.” My words stumbled as they came out.

She smiled and bowed her head. “You, too. You clean up well.”

“Thanks to you. If you hadn’t given us directions, I would have been left to the mercy of Boyband’s lack of style.”

“Shut the zeg up, Pet. I’m arguing here,” Boyband said.

“Against yourself,” Akna added. “And losing.”

“Should we get going?” I asked Naoma.

She nodded. “Might as well. Are you ready?”

“I guess? Are you?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I dunno, meeting back with Reef and your old colleagues.”