Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

[Mia: I have been with Anno for four years, and I still firmly believe that no one loves him more than I do.] Alcohol and lights were the perfect catalysts for desire. Anno, still somewhat inexperienced in this realm, was unaware that Rufeite knew precisely how to navigate it.

In that moment, Anno felt the atmosphere envelop him, the pulse of the music syncing with the rhythm of his heart. He surrendered to the kiss, unconcerned about Rufeite's motives. To Anno, who approached love with a certain innocence, questions didn't matter; he simply kissed back, enjoying the warmth of the moment.

As the music in the bar gradually swelled, the lights flickered back on, and the crowd resumed dancing with renewed energy.

Rufeite released Anno, taking a deep breath as a smile spread across his face. "That felt good."

Anno playfully pushed him away. "You can get up now, Tianjiao!"

Rufeite stood, extending a hand to pull Anno up alongside him. However, just as Anno regained his footing, a strange consciousness began to creep up from the ground, tracing along the path of his feet. He hesitated as his own sea of consciousness swelled to envelop it.

While Anno's consciousness was broad and accepting, this new one felt cautious, enticing, and-was that incredulous?

Why did it evoke such a response?

This gentle consciousness emanated from a shadowy corner of the bar, devoid of any desire for dominance or hostility. It seemed merely to be testing the waters, humble and unassuming.

Who could it be? Whose sea of consciousness was this? A fellow practitioner of faith?

Adjusting his double-breasted jacket, Anno was startled when Rufeite suddenly extended his willpower like sharp claws toward the humble consciousness lurking in the bar's corner.

Rufeite pulled Anno closer, his expression shifting to one of concern as he scanned the crowd. "Stand here and wait for me," he instructed before pushing through the throng toward the shadowed corner. After taking a few steps, he turned back, eyes wide.

Anno blinked, confusion clouding his thoughts.

Rufeite, awkwardly brushing his fingers through his hair, added, "You should come with me. I'm afraid that cat girl might come over again."

"Are you shy?" Anno teased, incredulous at the notion.

Rufeite paused for a moment, then firmly grasped Anno's arm, leading him into the bustling crowd.

In a dim corner of the bar, a cat girl lounged against a man's shoulder, sipping red wine. Her tail flicked playfully in the air, and her thoughts remained a mystery.

The man beside her had wine-red hair and an Asian face, his sharp eyebrows framing gentle eyes. A teardrop mole adorned the corner of his eye, and his thin lips curved in a soft smile. He bowed his head slightly, eyes fluttering closed.

The cat girl cast a quick glance at the crowd, her expression pouting and worried, before returning her gaze to the man.

He opened his eyes, rubbed them, then turned to her with a warm smile. "I know," he reassured her, patting her hand gently.

Still silent, the cat girl appeared troubled, shifting uneasily before departing with her glass of wine.

At that moment, the V-shaped brooch on Anno's chest began to glow with a soft white light.

Rufeite guided Anno toward the bar's far corner, which was secluded by a piece of black glass and a large potted plant. The noise of the Gothic bar felt distant here, isolated from the lively atmosphere. A man sat quietly on a black leather sofa, a serene smile gracing his lips.