Chapter 271: Ch 271: Talk in progression - Part 2

Kaiden had no need to agree to those terms. He could have easily said no here and walked away.

But he decided to let these people save some face and accepted their terms.

"Fine. We have ourselves a deal. But only for three months."

Kaiden remembered, and Yuri nodded. Once the deal was signed, both sides got up and started to walk away. But the one who made a request first was Secretary Ann.

"Before we head back, I would like to see Shuu and Rin. I want to make sure they are alright and are staying here out of their own will."

Secretary Ann’s eyes told Kaiden that he was worried about Shuu and Rin. And although it irked him, he decided that it was alright for the secretary to see Shuu before he went away.

"Fine. I will allow you to talk to Shuu right now. But only if he’s awake."

Kaiden promised before he messaged Shuu about coming over. Shuu was awake and replied back within seconds that he would bring tea and some snacks as well.

It took Shuu only a few minutes to arrive. That made Kaiden certain that Shuu had been ready to head over and was just waiting for Kaiden to call for him. He was also not alone.

Both Rin and Caelis had decided to tag along and were poking their heads from behind him.

Secretary Ann noticed them first, and his expression softened a little as he looked at Shuu’s face. He reached out to grab that face and turn it around to check on Shuu.

"Are you truly alright? These people did not force you to come here and be held as hostages, right? We can get you out if that’s what you want. Fuck the consequences."

Shuu was shocked by this sudden change in attitude from the A-class guide. And he could tell he was not the only one.

Even Yuri looked taken aback.

But Kaiden looked mad, and he quickly placed himself between the pair to separate them. His attempt was not even subtle, and his grip on Secretary Ann’s hand was tight.

"Shuu is fine. You don’t have to worry about him at all."

"You are not the one I am asking. I am asking Shuu-"

"I am alright. Please don’t worry so much about me and look after yourself. Kaiden, let Secretary Ann go. His arm is turning red now."

Shuu finally moved and looked at the now-red arm in front of him with a guilty expression. He glared at Kaiden, which made the man turn his head away with a frown on his face.

"This is not my fault. He should not have tried to touch you like that-"

Shuu sighed, and his disappointment made Kaiden frown and pull back. But Shuu ignored him and decided to talk to him later. For now, he turned toward the pair in front of him and decided to clear the air.

First, he bowed, and it shocked everyone.

"I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. You pulled me back to safety when I was lost, and you are the reason I am alive right now. So thank you so much. I will make sure I repay you in the next three months."

Shuu promised, and the pair in front of him finally sighed and realized that Shuu was not lying about being alright. He was truly fine.

Kaiden grumbled behind him, but Shuu ignored him and paid attention to the pair in front of him.

Rin also joined him and gave the other side a small bow of gratitude.

Finally, Secretary Ann sighed and stepped forward.

"I am sure you must have your reasons for coming to us in your desperate times and not to Esper Kaiden. But whatever the reason was, it does not change the fact that you are a member of our team for now. And as such, we would like to welcome you back."

It lifted a heavy burden from Shuu’s mind, and he was able to show a smile toward the two.

Thankfully, no more questions were asked and no more misunderstandings were created. Shuu also decided to stay with the survivor’s guild for now to not create more problems for both sides.

"I will come back tomorrow. Once again, I want to show my gratitude toward you."

Secretary Ann looked back at Shuu with a flushed face before he mumbled under his breath and walked away. Yuri followed him, but he kept looking back as well.

Now that Shuu was feeling better and healthier, his guiding was also stronger. It was no longer being hidden behind his shield.

He was not actively guiding someone, but as an esper, Yuri could likely sense it rolling off of him.

Kaiden decided to wrap his arm around Shuu’s middle and pull him closer. It was his way of showing that Shuu was his and anyone else should take their hands off him.

His open show of possession made Yuri a little worried, but he did not say anything.

Shuu pushed Kaiden’s arm off him once they were alone, and he gave the older one a slight glare.

"Did you have to do something like that? I felt like my face was melting due to embarrassment."

Shuu asked as his face turned red. But Kaiden made a confused face, almost as if he could not understand what Shuu was saying to him.

"Embarrassed? What is there to be embarrassed about? I simply decided to show that you were mine to the other people. Is that so wrong of me?"

Kaiden asked, and Shuu felt like he had no answer to that question.

Even if he did manage to explain what he meant by these words to Kaiden, he had a feeling that Kaiden would only take it the wrong way. In such a situation, it was just better to pretend he did not notice anything.

Three months of awkwardness and embarrassment was better than whatever bullshit Kaiden would sprout next anyway.