Divinity | MxM

Chapter 18

"Oh Raiden, you made it!" Hiroshi says with an excited voice as soon as he spots the male nearing table 17. Raiden is surprised with how friendly this guy is, considering they have only met once before. 

But it's not like Raiden is complaining, he's glad he doesn't have to sit with complete strangers.

The two girls who were accompanying Hiroshi at the bar last time are sitting at the table as well. Raiden didn't manage to catch their names, or at least he doesn't remember. So, as soon as he has sat down and received a few greetings, he questions them about it.

"I'm Naomi, Kenta's endear," says one of the girls, who has long brown hair and a stunning face covered in make-up. She's extremely beautiful, and her smile is beaming whenever she interacts with someone. She explains, that Kenta is an anticipated top 10, but rarely makes it inside the range. Last time, he ended at the 15th place - but he's still invited, considering there's a change he might have gone up in rank. Nevertheless, Naomi is still grateful they get to participate in the event.

"And I'm Emiko, endear of Mika," says the other girl, who compared to Naomi has jawline-length black hair. She's more into makeup with sharp eyeliner and it has a bit more of a masculine vibe to it. Her arms are covered in tattoos, leading Raiden to believe that she's an admirable individual. 

Her supreme, Mika, apparently ranked 9th last ranking month. But she's anticipated to rank higher this time because she won a challenge against the supreme lastly ranked 5th. Meaning, she must have improved one way or another. 

"Nice to meet you," Raiden is quick to say, "I'm glad you wanted to sit with me. I don't really... know anyone in this community..."

Rather, he has been intentionally avoiding supremes and endears for the main part of his life. Or the other way around, it's not like endears have ever really paid attention to him or his human status. But he has been meeting some endears now who are nice and treat him well, which he is grateful for.

But he also knows that there are people here who do not enjoy his attendant to this party. Raiden made it all the way down here without trouble, but it's not like he didn't take note of the many stares he got on his way. 

"No biggie," Emiko says and takes a sip of her drink, "We rarely hang with the other endears here. All of us are just people with normal backgrounds who happened to fall in love with supremes. Those over there made it their life to find a strong supreme and bond with them because of all the privileges that follow. I honestly don't think love was ever a requirement for them."

Emiko points towards one of the tables further towards the giant stairway leading up to the mezzanine and changing rooms. This is also where the supremes will have their grand showcases when they receive their ranks. Raiden can recognize it from past television shows Misaki has forced him to watch bits and pieces of. 

There's a lot of round tables along the sides intended for the endears, where the tables for the supremes are in the middle, with the long square table for the top 10 close to the stairway.

Raiden spots the table Emiko is describing, where a few people around their age is also sitting. It's a mix between females and males, but Raiden immediately feels himself shiver as his eyes meet with one of the woman's gazes.

Her sharp and intimidating eyes were already on him, which immediately gives him a sour taste in his mouth. She looks as far from kind as they come. 

"The girl with the nasty stare is Reina... I can assure you she has been anticipating your arrival," Hiroshi adds informingly, but his voice is filled with spite. It's clear that he isn't exactly fond of this woman, which Raiden can already sense might be the case for him too. Especially when the woman tilts her head back a little as if she's looking 'down' at him, and a smirk settles on her lip-gloss painted lips.