Cynical thoughts

Next evening.

The bar administrator sighed.

"Yes, the musical competition sounds like something amazing, but you don't have any official leave days yet, Gemello. If I just give you a leave from nowhere, Mr. Pierce will have my hide. He's strict about it. But I will ask him for you."

That was kind, considering how creepy Pierce could be. Tristan smiled gratefully.

"Thank you."

"Now, since I'm helping you out, don't you want to help me out with closing the bar, Gemello?"

The man gestured at the bar counter around him, with dirty glasses standing in a small sink, a washing rag thrown to the side, and other junk left after an evening shift in the bar.

Tristan knew that kindness didn't come from nowhere. It never did. People were just using each other for their own gain. Even when they acted "altruistically" it was just to make themselves feel good.

Despite his cynical thoughts, Tristan kept smiling.

"Well, since you were so kind. But next time I will just ask Mr. Pierce myself," he said, picking up the washing rag. "Where to clean?"

***

Next evening.

"Mr. Pierce actually agreed to give you a leave, Gemello. But damn, I should've asked you to help me close the shifts for the next week for how much he made me sweat!"

Tristan chuckled. Next time, the administrator will think twice about the terms of his deals. 

Either way, now he only had to get a leave for his second identity.

***

Next morning.

Luckily for Tristan, Pierce had invited him to the office for another mission briefing.

Now they both leaned over the folder Pierce spread on the table. There were three pictures of small businesses at the edge of the gang's territory.

"You've been a model soldier of our organization so far, Hayes, and I think you can shoulder more responsibility. Recognize these places?"

Tristan nodded.

"You have sent me to convince their owners that they need our gang's protection."

"That's right. And since you were so good at it, I want you to monitor them after now, and pick money from. You decide on the exact schedule, as long as the organization gets the necessary amount monthly."

Tristan's eyes lit up. That was a step up in the food chain of the gang, definitely! It meant that he could even ask the business owners for a bit more to get some money into his own pocket.

Although from the knowing gleam in Pierce's eyes, Tristan knew it was a trick.

Doing so was almost the same as stealing from the gang. Tristan knew Pierce calculated protection money carefully, to take as much money as he could without bleeding the businesses entirely dry.

If a place closed because of him, Pierce won't be happy.

This was another test.

"Thank you, Mr. Pierce. I finally feel like a respected man," Tristan said in a joking tone.

Pierce smiled.

"You still need to work to earn actual respect… but you seem to be determined to get there, Hayes. Either way, don't think that you will be lazing around, doing something only a few days a month. I have another mission for you as well."

"Of course? What is it?"

They discussed the details of Tristan's new assignments for a bit. Tristan had to beat a guy who thought he could pickpocket around King Lion's haunts without paying a fee to the gang.

The usual stuff.

Just before he'd be dismissed, Tristan spoke up.

"Mr. Pierce, may I ask for a free day? So I won't have to be on call on that day?"

Pierce narrowed his eyes.

"Why? I give you enough rest already, Hayes."

Normally, Tristan Hayes had a devil-may-care, self-assured attitude. He wore it like armor, although giving Pierce appropriate respect.

However, now Tristan schooled his face in an expression of most seriousness, and his eyes shone with pride.

"My cousin is going to compete at a large musical contest. He actually passed the preliminary round! I have to support him out there, so I want a free day to watch the competition."

Pierce looked slightly taken aback at that change of attitude, but quickly regained his calm.

"Oh, that's right. You know, Hayes, I've never found out how the two of you are related. And I've searched around."

Inwardly, Tristan scowled at Pierce's suspiciousness, but outwardly he acted like he didn't care at all.

Good thing that he expected questions like these since he came up with the plan to just ask Pierce about leave directly!

Of course Piece would check backgrounds of both Hayes and Gemello. But only Hayes actually had a background. Gemello's identity appeared out of thin air.

"We aren't actually related, Mr. Pierce, but that's easier to explain to people. Me and my cousin are more like… sworn brothers? But with our surnames it'd be even weirder if we called each other brothers!" Tristan chuckled. "I know it's weird, Mr. Pierce. And considering what I'm doing for a living, I'd rather not show my association with my cousin much. But he asked me to be on the competition site."

"Must be a fascinating tale. Alright, Hayes, you can have that day. Would be nice to say that our bar raised a future pop-star."

Pierce waved his hand in dismissal, and Tristan left the room, inwardly smirking.

People looked only at the face, never letting their suspicions go deeper.

***

Eleven days later.

It was a competition day, but Tristan began preparing himself since he came home yesterday.

He checked once again everything he prepared for his performance, rehearsed his dance movements for the last time, and packed all he could need for the contest.

Now, with a few hours to spare on preparation on the spot, Tristan went out of his apartment. He had a large backpack on his back and a guitar case slung over his shoulder.

In the parking lot, he found his moped, put on a helmet, strapped all his things to the small vehicle, and mounted it himself.

'I want a normal car…'

Tristan started the engine and drove off toward the competition.

He will just have to win first spot and use the cash prise to get himself that car!