Chapter 346 - 338. Mundane Life
"He’s making the investigation team," Radia told Zein during a guiding session. "There will be an emergency shareholder meeting in four days, so let’s move the funds in two."
"Senan should arrive here this afternoon, so we can proceed with it whenever you want," the guide nodded, staring at the hand he was holding with deep concern in his eyes.
The summoner was lying down on the couch, looking more and more like someone whose soul was being stretched thin. Even if his speech and demeanor looked as firm as ever, Zein saw the marsh in the man’s core getting murkier and murkier. At least though, Radia let go of his pretense during a guiding session, perhaps because Zein could see his mental state through the process anyway.
"I’ll call Logan then," Radia brought his commlink up, tapping on it lethargically.
Seeing him like that, Zein wondered if there was someone Radia could actually confide in. As their ’big brother’, it was Bassena and Han Shin who usually sought consul with him, and since he was the kind of person who had to look strong and fine on the outside, Zein couldn’t imagine the man being vulnerable and pouring out his emotions. Even the other day, Radia simply told him in a tired tone, as if trying to be dismissive about his own feelings.
"Hey,"
"What?"
"Your birthday," Zein said carefully, watching any kind of changes inside the man’s system, "would it be okay to celebrate it, or should we just leave you alone?"
Fortunately, there was no obvious fluctuation inside the mana core. But Radia did stare at the ceiling wordlessly for a while. "Depends on what kind of news I’ll receive before that day," Radia muttered. "But I do prefer to be left alone; thanks for asking."
"Won’t your parents come home that day?"
Radia turned his head to look at Zein for the first time since the guiding started; a subtle smile played on his lips. "Why?"