Page 93 of Light Leech

Kyo smiled. “You picked a man of taste, Naoma.”

Taste had nothing to do with it.

My knowledge of what real milk was like was nothing more than a collection of rumors. The taste didn’t matter, only one of the facts I knew to be true. It wasn’t teeth and I hated the liquid bones Abbas had given us, but I was willing to try anything for the promise of calcium if it meant a relief of my growing hunger.

“Speaking of him–”

Kao cut off Kyo. “Did you want anything, Naoma?”

“Matcha would be great.”

The mechanical band across the top of the Finian’s head lit up as he spoke. “Wonderful, I’ll be back with them soon.”

Kyo faced Kao with wide eyes. “Now?”

Kao nodded.

Kyo giggled. “So who is this, Naoma?”

“This is Petya, my boyfriend.”

Kyo squealed.

Koro nodded.

I wanted to be happy to hear her say it but wondered if it was safe to give my name. Looking around at the security pods on the ceiling and the recognition software 3Rochi was bound to have for security, I figured anyone here could have looked at my real name if they wanted. Without Ralia covering our tracks, they could have learned enough to ruin any chance we had with 3Rochi. I didn’t know the extent of Ralia’s work but figured she hadn’t made my history anything that would prompt questions.

“Okay…” Kyo rolled her wrist. “How long has this been a thing?”

Naoma smiled, keeping her composure, but that did little to mask her blushing. Despite the show we were putting on, I knew that we both felt the reality of our bond taking root. We were two adults from opposite ends of the world’s social order, yet here we were, on the edge of giggling like teenagers.

“I met him when things ended with Reef.”

Koro punched Kyo’s arm. “That is what we want to hear about.”

“But Naoma is our friend. Why do we have to make everything about business?”

Koro pointed at me. “Is he more than business to you?”

“Yes, of course.” She sighed. “And I’m not only with him because I no longer have a contract that forbids anything like this.”

Kao glared. “We’re not leaving Reef, either, if that is what you were here to suggest.”

“No, I–” She stopped as the waiter approached, then passed out our drinks.

“Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with.”

Kyo raised her drink and took a sip. She hummed her satisfaction then lifted her glass out toward mine. They clinked together and I drank.

It was sweeter than I expected and creamier than any of the milk replacements I had grown up drinking. It was hard to explain the taste besides these two factors, but it tasted pure, like the real beef Boyband had fed us. I took another sip, drinking like an infant to his mother’s milk. It did nothing to soothe my hunger for teeth but left me feeling like I could bear the hunger longer.

“Loving it, huh?” Kyo set down her glass.

“I guess I was just a little thirsty,” I replied.

“Milk boy. You know what that means, Naoma?”

“What? No, I’m afraid I don’t.”