Page 97 of Light Leech

Naoma nodded.

A call rang in my neurospace. In the second I took to check who it was, Koro noticed. “Need a break from us? I get it. You two hang tight. We’ll step out to reach out to one of Shou’s Eunuchs to get you an invitation.”

Naoma looked at me, then thanked 3Rochi as they stood to leave.

I spoke as soon as they left. “Kuni’s calling for a vidchat.”

She laughed. “He called me first and must have tried you when I didn’t answer.”

“Want to join me?”

She checked the girls, making sure they had truly departed, then moved closer to me. I thought I would have grown used to her close proximity, but the now familiar warmth that radiated from her filled me as she continued to hold my hand, despite the show being put on pause.

Despite my fears, this was real.

I prayed it would last.

“Might as well,” she said. “He was trying to call me in the first place.”

I laughed. “The kid probably doesn’t even want to talk to me.”

“Who would?”

I smiled and shook my head. “I’ll open the chat in my neurospace then send you the link invite.”

“Pulse.”

I answered the call then saw Kuni and Akna. My neurospace searched for the nearest camera to link into, then joined the hub in the center of the table, just as most cafes had. Had it not been there, I doubted we would have to move far. In a world lacking privacy, there were still some benefits.

“Hihow du!” Naoma waved.

Kuni responded with exponential enthusiasm.

Akna glared, then scoffed. “Still putting on the show, huh? Are the other girls still with you?”

“What show?” Naoma asked.

Akna made air kisses.

Naoma and I looked at each other, then laughed like rosy-eyed kids. I knew the initial bliss would wear off, but I savored it while it lasted.

“Whatever,” Akna said.

“What’d you call for?” I asked.

“Naoma!” Kuni exclaimed.

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“We saw you all over the news! Denji was projecting it on the kitchen walls and all of the channels were talking about you!”

“Not quite all, Akna said.”

“Zeg you!”

“Language, Kun.”

“Don’t blame that on me!” Boyband shouted from the background.