Whoa.
Shade barely holds back the urge to let out an awe of admiration after seeing the fancy looking restaurant which was supposed to be their meeting place.
To him, such places had only existed in cinema and fictions just a few minutes ago.
His family wasn't poor or anything but he would have to literally empty their bank accounts just to get a meal at such a place.
Subconsciously he looks down at his clothes.
The blue shirt he always wore when going out casually and the black jeans that he had.
I don't fit this place.
He lowers his head thinking about the contrast of his dull clothes and the elegant place.
Beside him however.
Standing upright and gazing ahead seriously while wearing similarly simple white clothes and still somehow completely fitting the place.
Shade looks at Irina with the expression of disbelief.
Since leaving the house, she has acted more colder than usual.
Even though he believed it wasn't his fault, Shade couldn't help but feel guilty for this awkward atmosphere between them.
"Wow the place is so crowded, the meal they serve must be quite affordable right."
He lets out a hollow laugh while gazing ahead at the sight of the empty restaurant.
"He bought this restaurant for our meeting spot. Impulsive, brash and childish, be ready because that's the kind of person we are about to meet."
The unsatisfied second place.
That is the only reason he could think of why she would actually be so hostile against him.
"Mr. John."
That's what they called him.
His original name or any form of identity were completely unknown to others, thus they addressed him with the alias 'Mr. John'.
He was known to have countless connections and control information among the Relic Users.
A leader who operated while sitting in his home when all the work happens around the world without even him leaving his house.
Shade felt fear and excitement just imagining scenarios of meeting him in person.
As they entered the restaurant they were greeted by waiters and staff members of the restaurant who guided them to the upper floor.
The empty tables at the side guided their way on the crimson carpet and at the center were few people who were waiting for them.
At the meeting spot there were a dozen guards in suits standing in a line like machines.
In the middle of them were two very tall and beautiful women and a man wearing gold jewellery and expensive accessories while wearing a comfortable looking oversized shirt and pants, sitting on comfortable looking chairs.
As soon as he saw Irina, he tapped on one of the women's shoulders and stood up as the women started clearing the way for him.
"Irina! It's been so long since we last met, you look more and more amazing every time I see you without a mask." His deep voice could be heard clearly throughout the room.
Irina still looked at him with a stern expression.
Meanwhile all of Shade's expectations went straight inside a dark abyss and fell to their pitiful demise when he saw the man who called out to Irina.
Unlike the image the surroundings were trying to create.
The man who said that was a fat middle aged man with facial hair growing improperly.
"Yes it has been a long time since we last met alone, Mr. John." Irina glanced at me for a second as she said his name.
So you really mean that this clown looking guy was supposed to be the Leader of Freedom and master at controlling information.
Give me back my imagination…!
"Hunh! And you brought a man with you when talking with me?! Do you seriously want to talk to me or not?!"
He made a weird offended sound when he spotted Shade standing beside Irina.
"This person is Shade Lucifer, he is the friend that Author had mentioned and the first User of Relic of Fate."
"Wha- A- Hah?! Are you telling me that Chandler's friend wasn't a cute girl but this guy?"
Shade visibly frowned observing this ridiculous conversation taking place in front of him.
"He is assisting me with solving this case as well so I brought him along since he would learn about it anyway."
"No! Never! Stupid and ugly men are only dead weights for my team."
So is he implying that he is a dead weight in his own team?
As soon as Shade was about to voice out his thoughts, he suddenly received a few unexpected words from Irina.
"Shade, can you please step aside for a little? Please."
What?! Are you seriously telling me to wait outside for this middle aged man's tantrum?
"Ok…"
"Please wait at the seat kid, the food here is my recent favourite one so you can just order anything, in return let me borrow your girl for a bit."
Without any physical resistance, he sat at the nearest table.
Crossing his legs while his hands were still inside his pocket he saw the retreating figure of Irina with the man named 'Mr. John' without exchanging a single word more after telling him to sit.
Trading Irina for a mere meal, are you kidding me? Of course I'll take the food! Not to mention this place should be damn expensive.
Despite his lack of outward reaction, inside his tough poker face he was exploding because of the utter disrespect he faced.
And more than that he felt a disgustingly uncanny feeling as he imagined Irina leaving.
It was no longer whether he trusted her or not.
He was now just genuinely worried about what was going on inside.
As much as he could remember, this was the first time she genuinely requested him. Was it his fault that Irina was acting more passive than usual?
He was indeed angry at her but he didn't blurt out anything rude for her to sulk.
"Let me borrow your girl for a bit." Just remembering the man's condescending expression as he said that sentence sent chills down Shade's spine.
Soon a waiter came to ask Shade if he would like to order something.
To which Shade just simply stared at the waiter coldly making him retreat without even saying another word.
Looking around the place, Shade waited for their private meeting to end.
The place was still filled with people after all.
Two women from earlier who wore extremely skin-revealing outfits. Who for some reason didn't look much appealing to Shade now.
Perhaps because of how distracted his mind was he couldn't care less about his surroundings.
Or so he thought until he saw a man wailing on the ground behind the dozen of guards.
He was so excited at first and so disturbed later that he somehow hadn't even noticed that man since entering the floor.
The man didn't look much older, perhaps in his early 20's. A bit older than Shade.
Is he like a trespasser? A prisoner? Maybe some guy they kidnapped for some reason?
That man completely stole his attention away.
Looking so fascinating on the outside while ruled by absolute scums made the place even more sinister for Shade.
This place is disgusting, I'm wasting my time here alone doing nothing and I want to go back to my home!
Thinking back, it is quite similar to visiting my relatives after all…
Just after he was getting emotionally settled Irina immediately came out fuming after some time.
She was visibly shaking with anger which was rare because even a hint of her poker face was gone.
"Hey are you alright? There's even-"
"We're leaving."
"a.. guy.. who.. is.. crying.."
He was left behind as she walked past him after delivering her words.
Standing up, he tried to rush after her.
But while leaving he turned his head back one last time towards the room where Irina marched off of.
During which he took a glance at the reason for her reaction, waving goodbye to Irina as both the corners of his mouth were completely raised forming a malicious grin.
Even though he knew that the man had clearly ignored and disrespected him, Shade somehow felt that the man was waving him goodbye.
He did not say a word, his mouth didn't allowed him to speak. Ignoring the man, Shade turned back quickly and followed after Irina.