Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 83: A mutual agreement

Aster and Demitris peer in from the door, barely seeing the main hall, but clearly noticing the capos dancing in their extravagant attire. "Shouldn't you two be focusing on your job?", interrupted Leon. Both males were exceptionally embarrassed, "Oh, did I interrupt anything?", asked the green haired soldier. "No, not at all...", Aster replied awkwardly, turning red at the prospect of Leon being so nosey. "We...were just planning what to do on the second night...", Demitris mumbled, trying to hide his flustered face.

"I see, just remember to focus on the task at hand, I'll be headed to the other side of the mansion to guard over there.", Leon left in stride, leaving Aster and Demitris to wallow in their own self-consciousness. "You're looking for Rou, aren't you?", Aster enquired to take his mind off of being interrupted. "What? N-no...", answered the auburn haired boy in shock. "I promise I won't tease you about it. To be honest, I too was looking for someone.

"I see...and who might that be?", Demitris asked as he calmed down slightly. "I-I think I might be starting to have feelings for Fleur...", Aster responded, blushing more than Demitris could comprehend. "The two of you do seem a bit closer than when you were at each other's throats when you first got here, but love? She must've done something big for you to feel that way.".

"I don't know, it seems like she's finally being herself after years of simply being obedient to the core.", Aster explained. Demitris retreated to fetal position and solemnly elaborated his view to Aster, "I wish I could say the same about Rou and I, but I've been reluctant to go near him these past 2 weeks, learning my past, I needed some time alone to process it all. What I thought was desperation caused by love was actually so much more than that...".

"I suppose yesterday was the first flair of optimism in a while then...", Aster states, understanding their issue. Demitris continued, "Yes, I believe it was. His embrace, him showing that he cares, it made me realise that my feelings for him could make me stronger in some ways, but all the waiting around today made me conflicted, being alone with my thoughts. If Rou condoned erasing my past, does he really care about me, or is he simply dragging me around for profit?".

"I see where you're going with that, I can't be sure whether Fleur even sees me as a friend, let alone a lover.", Aster exclaimed. He continued, getting more heated as he spoke, "It's just how organisations like this work, it was the same in my old world, you think you're forming a legitimate bond and then they leave you in the dust!". Demitris held him back, "Aster, calm down!", he yelled. Some of the guests looked on at the two teenage boys due to their volume, but they promptly dismissed them.

After taking a breath, Demitris gave Aster some advice, "Your feelings are completely valid, but it's just something you have to live with. I know there are genuine relationships within this syndicate, look at the two of us for example, we're open about each other's problems, no matter how unstable we are.". Despite his fellow soldier's efforts, Aster remained angry, "How do I know you won't leave me in the dust?", he asked, confused by Demitris's kindness.

Demitris took Aster's shoulder and declared his opinion, "Because I don't care about how many schurrs I earn here, I just want to find a place I belong. Even if this syndicate is burned to the ground, I'd still be your friend, hopefully Rou and Fleur feel the same, if not more.". Aster snapped out of his anger and smiled at Demitris, "Rou is genuine, I can assure you. When you were unconscious 2 weeks ago, he refused to leave your side until he knew you were okay. You're an amazing person Demitris, and I'm glad to call you my friend, same to Rou, he cares for you, you just need to have faith in him.".

"And you need to have faith in Fleur, as you said earlier, she's being herself, and therefore more likely to do things that aren't simply driven by the syndicate.", Demitris added. "I'll try.", Aster responded. The two boys were glad they found solidarity, their trust seemingly unrivalled by any business relationship. Leon returned to their post, but the news didn't seem good.

"Come quickly, I think I might have spotted one of the anti-crime group hiding near the mansion.", he whispered to Aster, who then relayed the information to Demitris. Both males were very surprised by such an early appearance, and they definitely had questions. "We need to find out if they're going to attack, we can't let the people in that hall get hurt, the bidding is about to start.", Aster declared.