Chapter 4 - Ange, My Angel

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

Encounter (4)

The Mantegna Family was the mafia that ruled Eastschist. Even Ange, who knew little of the world, had heard of them.

 

"I didn't know I had to pay…"

 

"Well, tough luck, kid. 'Didn't know' isn't gonna cut it."

 

"But… I don't even have any money…"

 

Still held by the arm, Ange instinctively backed away, trying to put distance between himself and the man.

 

He knew he needed to escape this dangerous situation, but before he could act, the man pulled him sharply by the arm. A large hand grabbed Ange's chin roughly, tilting his head up, and the man's face drew closer, his lips curling into a twisted grin.

 

"Don't worry. You're quite the looker. You'll make money in no time."

 

"…What?"

 

Ange blinked in confusion, his pale blue eyes wide.

 

"I'm saying, if you come to Mantegna's office, I'll introduce you to some good clients. Rich ones. Even after deducting my cut, you'll still make enough to eat. How about it? It's not a bad deal, is it?"

 

For Ange, who was desperately trying to find work, the man's offer seemed to have no drawbacks. Paying territory fees and wandering the streets aimlessly seemed far worse than being introduced to wealthy customers.

 

Ange nodded slowly.

 

"Good, it's settled. Let's go."

 

The man pulled Ange closer by his shoulder, prompting him to take a step forward.

 

—Just then…

 

"Wait a minute!"

 

A sudden voice called out from behind.

 

Turning around, Ange saw a young man with sleek black hair, tall and lean, standing a short distance away. He seemed slightly out of breath, as though he had been running, and there was an anxious air about him that made him look younger, possibly a bit younger than Ange himself.

 

But those amber eyes—mature and enticing—stood out. The moment their eyes met, Ange's heart started to pound wildly.

 

—What is this feeling?

 

He couldn't look away. His gaze was locked on those amber eyes, as though something invisible was binding them together.

 

"Who's this now? Oh, if it isn't the young master from the Tikaani family," the man next to Ange muttered, his voice fading into the background as Ange felt the world shrink, leaving only him and the young man with the amber eyes. Everything around them felt distant, as if nothing else existed but the two of them, and his chest tightened with an odd mixture of warmth and longing.

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter