Another Stupid Isekai

I slowly came closer, to hug her. Does this ment I forgave her? No. It actually meant the opposite.

– If you want to prove to me, that your feelings are genuine, then you will allow me to use you in exchange – I whispered to her ear.

She looked slightly up, straight into my face. Her eyes covered but salty tears were sparkly because of the light coming from the side of partially opened doors. There was a brief moment of pause between us. It could look from the side like a romantic moment of two lovebirds, but as I mentioned before, it wasn’t.

She nodded slightly. That was all I needed from her.

– What does Aisha think of your relationship? – I asked her, taking my time to speak each word with a calm, but cold voice.

– She thinks I’m working to get close to you, so you would tell me everything you don’t tell her.

After answering she proceeded to wipe off her face with the sleeves of her blouse. It was cute, but within my emotional state, I saw it as pathetic.

– Is that all she thinks? Are you sure? Because the time for lies has passed, and now you have to speak only the truth if you want me to forgive you.

– I think so. I didn’t tell her much.

– Good. Now you are gonna get out of this place together with me, then we will split. You will proceed with whatever you were doing before we met, pretending nothing happened. Then, as soon as possible, you will come to pay Will a visit in his room. Do you know where it is?

– I do.

– Good. We are gonna talk there. Remember, pretend as nothing happened.

She nodded.

– Now collect yourself.

There is really a thin line between love and hate. Right then I felt was the second one. I really wanted to punch something, that’s how angry I was.

She spend a moment putting herself together. Her eyes still red from crying betrayed her efforts at hiding the emotional aftermath of our conversation.

A bit of time later, we went outside, almost all the way to the device, said our goodbyes with smiles, and continued in different directions. She to stand in line to eventually do some shopping, and I to talk with Will.

He was still standing on that piece of rubble, still tormenting the poor piece of bread.

– Good show she did. Who was the guy?

I shrugged.

– Just some asshole.

– That I do not doubt. Nadia wouldn’t beat the shit out of somebody who didn’t deserve it.

– I didn’t realize you know so much about her.

– I’m pretty decent with my observations.

– I wouldn’t say so.

– Alway with those little taunts of yours – he said with a  smile.

I was not taunting, but rather completely serious, but Will couldn’t see through my blank face.

– It’s kinda chilly here, so how about we go indoors, grab a beer in your room?

In fact, it was the usual hot, nice weather, and he noticed. Frowned a bit.

– Ok. Let’s go.

I swung by the device and grabbed the alcohol. Maybe this whole conspiracy was completely over the top, but I didn’t want to risk anybody giving Aisha even the slightest reason indicating we knew about her betrayal.

Then we both went to Will’s room and closed the door behind.

– What the heck is going on? – he asked straight ahead.

– I talked with Nadia.

This clearly piqued his interest.

– You mean about Aisha and Blue?

– Yes.

– And?

– It’s a mess. She will come over soon. I hope she will. Or maybe she already told Aisha everything.

– Wait, what? So she knew…

– It’s even worse than that. I don’t know the details. I just know she faked our whole relationship.

I dropped down on the couch, without the strength to even put beer on the table.

– Well… At least the beginning of it, as she claims. She gave me this whole fucking crying performance, and part of me wants to believe her, you know? – I smiled hopelessly.

– That’s… That’s… – he clearly couldn’t find good enough words to say. – That’s bad. For you I mean. Sorry man. But… If she was lying, then maybe we both are on the same boat.

– Yeah. Don’t get me wrong here, but you aren’t really together with Vesa.

– Well… We are a work in progres.

– Maybe not anymore.

Will sighed and sat on his bed.

– Give me that beer. I needed it – he said extending his arms.

I was not gonna throw it to him anyway. I just put both bottles on the table. Maybe alcohol could ease my pain, but I just didn’t feel like drinking. I wanted to go, and destroy something, or beat somebody up.

Will grabbed the beer and sat back again at his spot. Then quickly opened the bottle.

– At least we have each other. You know, bros before hoes.

His words gave me this sudden urge to stand up, and punch him. Nadia was not a hoe. That was my first thought, and I caught myself on it. I still had feelings for her, and just couldn’t stop thinking that I’m stupid because of that.

– Shut up Will. There is still a chance to fix it – I said in the end.

– Damn. I hope you are right – he sighed and took a big swig from the bottle. – I’m tired of this place, and the constant trouble. We have a murderer walking on the streets in plain daylight. On top of that, the guy might be potentially targeting us, waiting for the opportunity to strike. Some of our friends for some fucked up reason are supporting him. Then there is this whole story involving aliens, and who the hell knows what’s also lurking in the shadows? I just want to rest…

– Me too… Unfortunately, you can’t always have what you want. We need to deal with our problems, and then maybe there will be time for rest.

– What are you talking about, Peter? You had a whole month of fucking around.

– Yeah… I did, but it feels kinda like I didn’t.

– Oh shut up – he said, shaking his head slowly with disbelief. – If only that fucker Hatta wouldn’t insist on this stupid trial. All the problems would be gone. I mean, can’t he fucking see it? I get it, he wants to stay civilized, but there is a murderer out there…

– Yeah. There is some truth to your words.

[0)ᴠʟ I used to feel bad even by talking about killing somebody, but now, it didn’t bother me at all. I was changing. Slowly. Into a monster.

A knocking on the door interrupted my thoughts.

– It’s me – said Nadia.

– Coke in – was Will’s answer.

She entered the room, closing the door behind carefully, and then stood awkwardly in the middle.

– Sit down – Will proposed, pointing at the spot on the couch, next to me.

She hesitated for a moment but ultimately ended there.

– So… – he continued, switching his focus from me to her, back and forth.

– Tell us what happened between Blue and Aisha. Everything you know – I said with a cold voice, not looking at her.

She took a big breath.

– After Aisha learned about you having those secrets involving powers, she kinda went… crazy. We had this big discussion about you Peter and decided to be wary of you. Aisha kept telling us, that maybe you are slowly turning into… Into something bad. She kept using Mark as an example.

Will just snorted while shaking his head in disbelief.

– So we did. But then there was this whole situation with Blue. This hunt to get him was getting more and more intense. When you came to her and asked for help. She decided to use it against you guys. She kept saying that we should strive for a balance in power, and right now he might be our only chance. She had this plan, of balancing the power in the city between you two. And while you are occupied with each other, the rest had a chance to rise to the same level. There was a lot of sense in what she told us.

– So you all knew about Blue? – Will asked suddenly.

His face turned serious. I was sure the reason was Vesa’s potential involvement in this scheme.

– About Blue? No. Three of us only knew about this.

– Three?

– Yes. Aisha, me, and Zoë. Later another girl joined. She had a client who saw one of the Hatta’s men contacting few guys that used to be a part of Blood Brothers. We call her Judith because it’s easier to pronounce, but her real name is Judyta.

– Do you know the name of the guy who was spying for Blue? – I asked.

– Yes. That’s… Williams. He is one of the lieutenants…

– We know who he is – I interrupted her.

This information was a big slap in the face. Everything that I suspected, just confirmed.. There were some traitors in the ranks of Wuxia, but I actually never thought it runs so damn deep.