Page 95 of Light Leech

“So you did a little soul searching?” Kyo lifted her glass to her lips, then paused before taking a drink. “Wait, where are you from, again?”

“It’s kind of private.”

“Kind of?”

“I’d rather not talk about it, but yes, I wanted to see what life was like without this being the center of it. I got pulled into the Nichley job because of an agent that I have since parted ways with.”

“So you’re just out doing your own thing now?” Kao asked.

“Independent artists are failures,” Koro said.

Naoma shook her head. “I used to think so, but I couldn’t agree less.”

“How so?”

I watched Naoma with interest in her answer. It shouldn’t have surprised me that she had invested so much thought into this besides what we had discussed. Everything was natural and not an obvious lie. Most of it was the truth, despite the involvement of Crimson Phantom. I found my muscles relaxing and my grip on her hand softening. I no longer had to work to trust her. It came with the trust she gave me.

“Certain subcultures are aligning with the anti-capitolocratic parties in entertainment as well as with political stances. People want media produced by anyone other than companies. Yes, it’s rare, but it’s gaining more mainstream popularity. Independent artists don’t have to hold to the Haven Health ads and the other Pharma collabs Reef forced upon us. Sure, Finians have their up on the production side, but a lot of the independent producers have taken Finian implants to up their skill. What independent agents lack, dedication compensates.”

“And you’ve found one of these freelance producers with a Finian implant?” Kao asked.

“I’m working on it.”

What did that mean for Boyband? Would we have to add yet another modification to his body?

Koro shook her head. “Who is funding you? Who is advertising? Who–”

“I’m not going into this blind. I’ve had plenty of time to assess my options and I’ve got the help I need to get things moving.”

“So is your boy help or passion?”

“Can’t I be both?” I finished the last sip of my milk.

“Mixing love and business isn’t always a good idea,” Koro said.

“You think I haven’t heard that before?” Naoma said. “My career isn’t your problem.”

“Then why did you come?”

“Because I still need to network. You three are my friends, business aside, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want your help working my way back into the social circles I once belonged to. From this experience alone you can see that my return to society–even though my holiday was brief–brought a lot of questions. People might not be as willing to work with me, but I want a way in. Headfirst into the heat of the elite.”

Koro held her glass up, inviting the waiter to return for a refill. “Why not do it yourself? You’re the zegging Neon Idol. I don’t think your reputation is as tainted as you might think. We’re here for you, shouldn’t that show you that people are willing to listen?”

“You know how Anton treated me.”

“His precious songbird,” Kao said.

“One he wouldn’t dare taint. Sure, I have some connections, but he forbade me from the circle I’m trying to reach. I don’t want the surface level business connections, I want it all.”

When their eyes failed to show recognition, Naoma elaborated. “You know what Anton forbade me, right?”

None of them offered an answer, giving her only determined attention as she prepared her reveal.

“I’m sure there were plenty of indulgences Anton and the other Fins kept away from me because they didn’t want to taint their prized idol, but I’m talking about Zhou.”

“The Dynasty?” Kao asked.

Koro huffed a laugh. “So you want to get into partying now that the Fins aren’t holding you back?”