Sweet Tooth

Chapter 53: Spurious

Aynai could recount the many times she had stared at Byakuran and wondered whether his words were genuine or not. She observed him speaking to his subordinates during their meetings and could hardly believe the things that he said. The words dripped from his lips with false sincerity and it was moments like that which reminded her to tread carefully when dealing with the spurious Millefiore Boss.

She gazed around at the members of the Black and White Spell, staring up at Byakuran resolutely. The Black Spell never fell for Byakuran's facade of benevolence, one could tell from their eyes.

To be completely honest, neither did the White Spell.

The difference was that the White Spell enjoyed Byakuran's ministrations or were present due to a selfish ambition of power, whereas the Black Spell were aggravated and revolted. Aynai couldn't help but feel sympathetic to the Black Spell, though she always knew better than to reveal that to Byakuran. If he was aware of her feelings in regards to the defeated Family, he would surely reprimand her - and that was something she always had a hard time stomaching.

Byakuran shot her a look from his stage. It was knowing and stoic all at once like he could sense her internal conflict. He knew her personality better than anyone, maybe even Shoichi, so it came to no surprise that he could guess what she was thinking, even though her face gave nothing away.

It was knowing and stoic all at once like he could sense her internal conflict. He knew her personality better than anyone, maybe even Shoichi, so it came to no surprise that he could guess what she was thinking, even though her face gave nothing away.

She tore her eyes from his gaze, searching the large room in an attempt to take her mind off of him. Her gaze fell to Yuni, the young leader of the Black Spell - though certainly against her will. Aynai wasn't privy to what had transpired between the Black Spell and White Spell prior to their unification, but the look in Yuni's eyes made her uncomfortable.

Aynai wasn't privy to what had transpired between the Black Spell and White Spell prior to their unification, but the look in Yuni's eyes made her uncomfortable.

Byakuran was fake at face value and usually with a dominant purpose.

Yuni's expression was neither genuine or authentic, and Aynai had a strange suspicion that it was also against her will.

It was in that moment when Aynai continued to scan the faces of the many Black and White Spell members, that it felt like she was the only person who didn't mind being there.

Spurious [spu·ri·ous] adj. Not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit. Not being what it purports to be; false or fake.