Page 427 of Light Leech

“I doubt they’ll win the election again after all of this guk, but I’ll utilize my company assets as best I can, you plug?”

“One hundred percent. Also, don’t feel like you need to run everything you do past me. I’m not the leader–”

“But you kind of are…”

I shook my head. “Sure, I can act like the adult in the group when the younger ones need direction, but you understand half of the world that I don’t. Do what you need. Act as you think best. Just let me know what you need from me. Ralia… she led her own jobs. I guess she still will… I don’t know. We’ll figure it out. What I mean is–”

“I plug. We’ll work and keep in touch.” He held his hand out to me. I took it and we shook.

We took the next few minutes to stare out into the rain again. Relaxation still felt like a feat, but for a few short minutes, my thoughts were empty.

“Why waste your time with me?” he asked.

“Waste? Nah. This was much needed.”

“Guy time? Why not go to Boyband.”

I shrugged. “I’ll talk to him later.”

“You didn’t come to me because I looked lonely, right?”

I shrugged again.

“Well, I appreciate it.”

“I’m glad.”

“But you really should go to her.”

I smirked but kept my eyes forward.

“I’ll get to her soon.”

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Oh, not at all.”

“Has Zhou been bothering her?”

“The homunculus? Ha, we’ll chat about that thing later. It’s full of… fun. Sure, that’s the word.”

“Yeah, I’ll utilize the chance I have to relax.”

“So again, why waste your time with me?”

“Because he has some irrational worry bothering him,” Naoma said, “like always. Right, Pet?”

I looked over my shoulder. She was standing in the doorway.

She shared my smile.

“What, did you think I would blame you for what happened or whatever?”

I shook my head. “How long have you been listening?”

She shrugged. “A few minutes. I like to hear you talk.”

Abbas leaned forward, but I stood before he could. “No, you stay, we’ll leave you alone.”