Page 230 of Light Leech

“Zeg, no. I won’t allow that to repeat.”

“But the world has to be missing you, right?” Ralia asked.

Naoma scoffed. “The public is quick to move onto their next fix. Most people’s attention spans died with their ancestors in the Virtual Era. I’m sure I still have some loyal followers out there, but making a public appearance right now will put a dolphin-shaped target on my head.”

I looked at her, “Is that why that thing attacked you?”

“What?” Ralia gasped.

Naoma waved it off. “It’s a problem for later, and no.”

“Then who is Reef’s new tool?” Boyband asked. “If they’re shooting for the presidency, they’ve got to have a big name like you, right?”

“3Rochi.”

“That bubbly trio of girls?” Abbas asked.

“Oh my Light, I love them!” Ralia said.

Boyband scoffed. “You can’t anymore.”

Ralia smirked. “Your neurospace shows that you were enjoying Nichley mindshows on the way back to the Republic. You can enjoy an enemy and I can’t?”

“Mine are nostalgic! It’s different.”

“So memtabs are fine, too?”

“Enough,” Abbas groaned. “It’s all propaganda.”

“Sorry, Nay,” Ralia said. “I still think you’re better.”

“Who is 3Rochi?” Kuni asked. His voice was quiet but more confident than it had been.

Naoma’s tested patience became sincere as she looked at Kuni. The only child among us, his innocence was sure to expire. “A trio of girls from far-east Arabasia who worked under me when I was at Reef. They’re vile, like a hydra… literally. They are three girls, but they speak and act as one, despite their distinct personalities. Something isn’t right with them, but it doesn’t matter. If we steer clear, we’ll be fine.”

“We can’t just ignore them,” Boyband said. “You said they’re running for zegging presidency!”

“The presidency isn’t our focus anymore,” Abbas said. “Yes, we need our hand in power somewhere, but that doesn’t mean winning the election is our priority. You’re not working for Osteolyte anymore. Yeah, sure, they’re still a threat, but something we need to stay away from while we focus on the bigger problem. If that wins, there won’t be a Republic to worry about.”

“Which brings us back to the education system!” Denji said with a smile and outstretched arms, though I could tell he had been waiting for a long while to make himself relevant again.

“Hold up,” Boyband said with a hand facing Denji but his attention on Naoma. “You were attacked?

Naoma glanced at Denji, eyebrows tented.

“Just get on with it,” the monk said.

She nodded. “A continuous war in the east, continuous political strife here, continuous propaganda forcing the world against us, we have a lot to deal with. We all know that the Gongtide is our main focus. This probably has something to do with that, too. What I mean to say is sorry. We’re a lot to deal with–”

“Speak for yourself,” Boyband said.

Naoma pointed at him. “That one most of all. We’ll give you the floor, but we all needed some time to get everything out of our system.”

“I thought a week apart would have been good,” I said, “but it looks like we might just have to stick with each other and push through until the end.”

Denji sighed. “I understand.”

“Do you?” Boyband asked. “I don’t see anyone around.”