Dec 2022 - Side Story (Patreon)

Hey guys 👋 I hope you have an awesome New Year 🎉 I'm here with the side story for December. I don't really have any good title for this story, so I just ended up leaving it with no title 😅 

As was voted last time, the winner of December 2022's side story idea is the one where Rin and Ash are talking about who's best for MC. The side story ended up getting a bit beyond that at the end because I can't just resist writing the camaraderie and interactions between Rin, Ash, and MC 😁 Hope you guys enjoy it!

* * * * *

Rin sighs inwardly as the young man in front of them drones on and on about the startup tech company that he’s planning—and of course, his dad will give him the money he needs to do it. Rin is pretty sure he is trying to convince them to invest too, but honestly, Rin has spaced out around seven minutes into the talk.

Suddenly, Rin’s attention is snagged by Ash stomping towards the bar area like a storm, all the other guests steer away from them. Interesting… They’re usually almost inseparable from Sasha. Something must’ve happened… or is happening.

Deciding that they’ve had enough, Rin cuts the young man off, “Well, it’s been nice talking to you, but I see my father calling for me there.” Rin doesn’t even wait for his response and immediately sets off.

Arriving at their destination, they notice that the bar is pleasantly empty except for Ash and another guest who’s sitting as far from Ash as possible. Unaffected by Ash’s thunderous aura, Rin slips onto the stool beside them.

Ash takes a quick peek out of the corner of their eyes to see who’s brave enough to even get within a five-meter range from them. Oh, of course, it’s gotta be goddamn Rin. “I’m not in the mood for one of your teasings,” they growl warningly, fingers gripping the bottle of whiskey in their hands even tighter.

“I know. I can see that,” Rin sighs as they make a quick motion with their hand to get the bartender over. After ordering a mocktail for themself, Rin interlaces their fingers on the bar’s surface and glances at Ash subtly. “So… What’s wrong?” 99% sure it’s gotta do with Sasha… Rin thinks and they’re tempted to say it out loud, but then stop, remembering what Ash said previously about teasing.

“Nothing…” Ash mutters before taking a swig from the bottle.

Rin just stares at them with a raised eyebrow. Ash fidgets under their nonplussed gaze. After a few more seconds, they swivel to throw Rin an annoyed look. “What?! It’s none of your business!” they snap irritatedly.

Rin pouts. “But still… I’d like to think we know each other long enough for you to be comfortable to let me know what’s bothering you so much.” Both of them are not exactly friends, funnily enough, despite knowing each other and getting along well enough ever since they were younger. There’s something barring them from actually becoming close friends. It’s something that’s left unsaid, something that they both don’t want to admit to themselves or the other. Something that’s gotta do with Sasha.

Ash’s face softens as their snarl shifts into a frown instead. “Didn’t you see them when you walked here?”

“…No. I tried my best not to look anywhere else but my destination. I didn’t want to get pulled into another conversation just because I accidentally made eye contact with one of these… vultures.”

Ash sighs, “Fair enough. Let’s turn around then.”

Ash swivels on the stool they’re sitting on to face the rest of the party, and Rin follows their lead. Immediately, they see what Ash must’ve talked about. Mayor Moore and his wife are talking with Luka, Sasha, and their father. “Oh…” they breathe out. “I suppose they are talking about…” Ash grunts before they can finish the sentence.

Rin and Ash continue their observation from afar. A few feet around the group are the groups of guests who are obviously trying to listen in without being obvious. Suddenly, the group turns around and starts walking in the direction of the bar, where Rin and Ash are sitting.

Ash tenses up. “Shit, shit!” they curse under their breath.

“Don’t turn back around,” Rin advises Ash. “It’ll be too obvious. Just play it cool. And stop glaring.”

“I’m not glaring! I’m just looking!” Ash hisses.

“Yeah, you’re looking at the Moores as if you’re about to jump on them as soon as they get into your reach. It’s called glaring.”

Rin steels themself to get brought into the conversation and Ash just looks miserable and would rather be anywhere but here. Thankfully, they stop around two meters away from them.

“I was serious, Mr. Morozov. I think… Sasha here should meet our kid, Skylar,” Mayor Moore says eagerly and Rin can see Luka’s eyes squint a bit at the overfamiliar way the Mayor is calling his nephew/niece/nibling.

“Oh, yes! Maybe during Skylar’s birthday next year?” the Mayor’s wife trills happily. “Our Skylar is so sweet and charming, I think both of them will get along really well!” She claps her hands softly once and she looks almost like an excited and giggling schoolgirl.

Luka’s face stays as unamused as it often is while Rin can see that their father’s smile has a different glint in it now that makes it more strained and annoyed than before, granted that it’s not really noticeable to those who are not familiar with him or those who are not perceptive enough. Sasha, in the meantime, is just standing there, fidgeting nervously, and just gives a tight-lipped smile in response to what Mrs. Moore just said.

Rin glances at Ash from the corner of their eye and sees them gritting their teeth and a thunderous expression on their face. Rin elbows them gently and almost jolts in surprise from how warm their body is, even through the clothes. It’s almost a miracle that the whiskey in their hand is not boiling by now. Ash growls and Rin just sends them a stern look. Slowly, they relax a bit—forcefully—before scoffing and turning back around to face the bar.

Rin does so too—more gracefully than Ash—and is met with a pleasant surprise as the mocktail they ordered is already sitting there. Both Rin and Ash sip sullenly on their drinks.

Rin knows their own father often tries to ‘subtly’ matchmake them with Sasha. Sure it can get pretty annoying, but if they’re being honest, the prospect of one day marrying Sasha doesn’t sound so bad now, especially compared to marrying some rich stranger. At least they have known Sasha—and Sasha them—ever since they were both kids. Plus, Sasha is a friendly, funny, patient, and considerate person too. “Just like their father,” Rin’s dad told them once.

They hear Mrs. Moore continues singing praises about her child in the background. Rin pouts as they feel their heart beat a bit faster and a nauseous feeling begins to brew in their stomach. Urgh… They hate her shrill voice; it has started to give them a headache. They need a distraction from overhearing the conversation happening behind them.

“Ash, do you think this Skylar person is a good match for Sasha?” Rin asks quietly so as not to get overheard.

“Oh, hell nah,” Ash scoffs before taking another swig. That’s a fast answer, not even a hint of hesitation. But that’s the expected one.

Still, Rin decides to push. “Why? The Moores are the richest family in the city… after both of ours of course. And with Mayor Moore currently in term, they have a pretty solid influence.”

Ash turns to them, eyebrow raised in annoyance. “Can you think outside of the whole business side? Sasha doesn’t know jack-shit about this Skylar person—and neither do we. We can’t trust this person to have the best interest of Sasha and our families.”

Rin hums, “Of course, Sasha doesn’t know them now. But once they’ve met, they’ll get to know each other more…”

Ash fidgets in their seat and taps the bottle in their hand in agitation. Fucking Rin… Ash knows their logic is far from flawless but they’re not really in the mood for it to be openly deconstructed. “But still, this Skylar person doesn’t truly know Sasha—” Not like I do… Ash almost says but thankfully, manages to stop themself before the words slip out. “They don’t know how Sasha prefers broken egg yolk in their fried egg, how they love to bombard you with all the interesting things they’ve learnt, how they adorably stick out their tongue when they’re focused…” Ash says softly, almost dreamily.

Rin would be lying if they say they are not even a bit jealous. To have someone who knows you so well… Plus, it’s not fair. Rin is sure that they’ll also notice these things if they spend so many hours hanging out with Sasha.

“Sasha deserves someone who will always be by their side no matter what and who will always prioritize them,” Ash continues. That’s easy for Ash to say, considering they’re already considered a core member of the Morozov Family…

“So, you?” Rin can’t help but blurt out.

Ash chokes on the whiskey they are drinking. They reach over for a napkin to wipe the mess while still coughing out the alcohol from their windpipe. After a minute or so, Ash decides to shift the conversation. “How about you? How would your ideal partner be?” Ash asks hoarsely. “Bet they gotta be rich and influential enough to benefit your family.”

“True. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have preferences,” Rin mutters quietly. “I know an arranged marriage would most likely be what I have in the future and I’ll be willing to do it if it’s really in my family’s best interest. But still, if I can marry someone I actually have known for a long time—someone I can trust and consider a friend—while still benefiting my family… That’d be perfect…” Rin’s mind wanders back to Sasha again involuntarily, and it seems Ash also infers the same conclusion because they’re frowning at Rin with a troubled and conflicted look in their green eyes before quickly looking away when their eyes meet.

Rin wonders if Ash hates them for it. “Do you hate me, Ash?”

“What for?”

“You know… How my father always tries to…” Rin trails off. No way Ash doesn’t get what they’re talking about. They’re just asking to buy them some more time to find the fitting answer to what they just asked. “Do you think I’ll be a bad match for Sasha?”

A few more seconds pass before Ash finally sighs, “No. I don’t hate you. And while you are not the most perfect match for them, in my opinion… I also don’t think you’re a bad match,” they admit, voice so tight it almost sounds as if Rin is strangling them while demanding the answers. “You’re really smart and you’re a natural leader, plus, you’ve known Sasha for a long time… I think… you and Sasha…” Ash can’t finish the sentence and Rin feels bad for them.

“Thank you for the compliments, Ash,” Rin begins. “Being smart can only get you so far at times, though. Someone with your capabilities, loyalty, and hardiness is important. And you’re undoubtedly one of the Morozov’s greatest assets.”

Ash blinks in surprise at Rin’s kind words before mumbling a quiet thanks. The both of them drink their drinks in silence for a minute or so and a thought pops up in Ash’s mind. “Hey, Rin… Have you ever… tried to see who you’re going to marry in the future using your precog?”

Rin scoffs, “No. It’s kinda useless because it’s so far into the future and the only information I have right now is limited, which makes the predictions even worse.” The most probable outcome they’ll maybe see is the one that their father wants, them ending up with Sasha. But Rin doesn’t say it out loud to Ash. “My precog doesn’t work like fortune-telling or some kind of those old prophecies, alright?”

But before Ash can respond or ask more, Sasha suddenly appears in between them, circling their arms around both of their shoulders. Sasha is beaming at the two of them, their smile is easygoing and genuine, unlike the one they wore during the conversation with the Moores.

“So… What are you two talking about? You both look so gloomy and down. What’s up with that?” Sasha asks, eyes colored with a hint of concern.

Ash’s face reddens quickly and their mouth flops open and closed as they search for an acceptable answer, gone is the stormy mood. Rin facepalms inside. They’re so helpless… Rin sighs. “Well, just talking about the future and stuff. You know how it can get deep and give people existential crisis and dread.” Rin shrugs.

Sasha’s face scrunches at the thought. “Urgh… I know the future is kinda your thing, Rin… But for today, I’d like to spend the rest of it just living in the now,” they groan.

Both Ash and Rin share the sentiment as they raise their drinks in a cheer. “I’ll drink to that,” Ash mutters.

Sasha taps their chin in thought before perking up. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s sneak out of this dreadful party and go eat somewhere around here. I’m starving…” Sasha pouts and rubs their stomach. “The hors d’oeuvres were good but they were soo small! They were not enough to make me full…”

“Duh… They’re called hors d’oeuvres for a reason. You could have taken more or asked one of the waiters to bring you more, you know that right?” Rin says.

“But that’d be so embarrassing though! People would think that I’m a glutton or something,” Sasha whines.

“Wait, did someone say that? Who?!” Ash growls, slamming the bottle they’re holding onto the bar counter.

“No, no! I was just saying that would be what I thought people would think,” Sasha quickly reassures Ash, patting their back calmingly and Ash quickly reverts back to their shy and blushing self.

Rin has had enough of the party. They just want to get out of here and hang out with Sasha and Ash. Finishing the mocktail they ordered, they ask Sasha, “Well, where do you want to go? Have anywhere specific in mind?”

“Hmm… I think there’s a WacDonald’s not far from here,” Sasha says before glancing around the room. It seems like most of the guests are milling around talking with each other and the Moores themselves are absorbed by a group of sycophants singing praises about them. Uncle Luka and Rin’s father are nowhere to be seen; most likely having a private talk somewhere. Perfect… “We gotta go now though, before Uncle Luka and your dad return, Rin.”

“Good. Let’s not waste more time then,” Rin says as they get off the stool.

Ash also does the same but they look at Rin and frown. “Wait, but this is your birthday party, though, Rin. Are you sure you wanna ditch it?”

Rin looks unamusedly at Ash. “Sure my father throws this party for my birthday, but for these guests, it’s nothing more but another opportunity to make connections. They don’t care about my birthday. I’d rather celebrate it with you guys.”

“Hell yeah!” Sasha pumps their fist. “But maybe we should go somewhere fancier than WacDonald’s?”

“No. That’s okay. I kinda wanna try their ‘Big Wac’.”

“What?! You haven’t tried it before?” Sasha shakes their head and tuts. “I’ll buy you ten of those as a birthday present for me. You should also try the chicken nuggets!”

Rin groans quietly, “Please, no… Do you want to make me puke in public on my birthday?”

“Would be one hell of a birthday though,” Ash snickers. “Bet you wouldn’t forget it ever.”

Rin sends them a playful glare before pushing them towards the exit gently. “C’mon, be a dear and help us get to the front door without anyone stopping us to talk. Give them one of your classic glowering looks and they should mostly steer away.”

Ash opens their mouth to complain, but Sasha interjects, “Oh! Nice thinking, Rin. Help us, Ash!” They quickly duck behind Ash, trying to hide as best as they could. Ash immediately shut their mouth and nods determinedly, starting to walk. Rin trails behind them, trying to surreptitiously let Ash and Sasha cover them too, but still keeping up their elegant strut.

Rin’s plan works and the three of them step out of the party room. Rin smiles softly as they see Sasha and Ash exhale in relief. They step into the elevator and already, Sasha begins talking about some random stuff they read on the Internet and drags both Rin and Ash into the discussion. Rin already knows that they won’t regret their decision to ditch their own birthday party in the slightest.