Page 329 of Light Leech

Kyo scoffed. “Cute but not going to work. You’re going to answer.”

“Why?” I tried to ease the situation with a nervous laugh.

3Rochi gazed at me with cold stares, except for Kyo’s smirk as she said, “Because I want to get to know you.”

I bit the inside of my lip. “I’d rather not.”

“Then we’re turning back and rescinding your invitation,” Kyo said.

Naoma sighed. “Just answer her, Pet.”

“I–”

Naoma glared at me. “She’s serious about turning back.”

“Oh, yes I am,” Kyo said.

My skin crawled and did all it could to escape, but I was stuck.

There would be no escape. Even Naoma didn’t fight for my right to refuse. Was she understanding something I didn’t? Was there a purpose to this game more than making me cringe?

I forced myself to look at the girls and read them individually. It wasn’t difficult–they were Arabasian-descended idols like Naoma with factual beauty–but meeting their eyes told them I was complying. Their faces and style were nearly identical, leading me to conclude that they had to be triplets, despite never confirming it. That, or they had been modified to mirror each other to sell the act of this three-headed pop idol.

Koro was stern. The muscle of the group in spirit. Should danger present itself, I had no doubt she would be the greatest power among the three.

Kyo was the frivolous, charismatic seductress as I had said. Despite her playful attitude, she was not as air-headed as she let on. Her tight gaze was not trying to make me uncomfortable, rather it was calculating.

Kao took the wisdom of Kyo to the next level. She didn’t speak of it or force it to be seen. She was delicate yet commanding. While Kyo was the most outspoken, she still obeyed Kao’s commands.

I spoke, hoping I understood the challenge, if there was one in the first place. “Kao.”

I expected some display of jealousy from Kyo–not because I thought so highly of myself–but her face was still besides the raising of her eyebrow. Koro’s stare turned into a glare.

Kao smiled. “Good taste.”

I looked at Naoma as if to apologize, but she didn’t seem bothered. She seemed confident.

“Let’s talk about politics,” Koro said.

Any hope for small talk–though I loathed it in other circumstances–vanished.

“Taxes and any other economic topics are out of the question,” Koro said.

“Then?”

“Imagine the next election. Let’s say Haven Health eats it and they’re out of the election. Who should take the presidency?”

“Who do you think?”

“No. We’re not letting you leave on neutral ground. The end of this short ride is coming, as you probably are hoping, but that doesn’t mean you can get out of this.”

“I don’t see any desirable outcome with Neocapitolocracy.”

Kao scoffed. “You liked Arabasia that much huh?”

“Well he can’t like Medislavia if he ran away from there,” said Kyo.

Kao shook her head. “I expected more from you. Joining all the other social net-driven kids who see the glamor and culture of east Arabasia and decide that it is where destiny wants them.”