Chapter 13: Sound Engineer

Chapter 13: Sound Engineer

"Bro, what were you even thinking?" Hugie asked in a voice laced with irritation. Anyone would easily deem Eden's actions as downright idiotic.

Drinking in the dorm? Chasing a naked man? The naked man is also drunk? The naked man originally ran from your room? If this wasn't abuse, then what was it?

Hugie couldn't help but facepalm again. He had just returned from the studio room of the Academy, only to find this so-called friend of his running behind Theo. Moreover, he had found two cans of beer in their room.

"Argh..." Hugie felt a massive wave of headache coming towards him. This really wasn't okay. There was no way he could tolerate such behavior, he couldn't merely sum it up to Eden's childish behavior and call it adorable. It would just encourage him to do it more.

"Eden, this really wasn't okay..."

"Alright, alright. Stop nagging me..." Eden said casually as he tried to look away, but Hugie grabbed his shoulders.

"Behave." The seriousness and passive anger in his eyes made Eden freeze on his spot.

'Indeed, that book was legit.'

"Eden, it really wasn't okay. Think of your mom who's back in the city working so that you can have a decent education. Man, why are you ruining your life like this? Don't you wanna put a smile on your little sister's face?"

The atmosphere grew dark as Hugie continued. "All of them are nothing but unhealthy ways to get rid of this stress. Are you sure you wanna waste your life like this, choosing it over your family?"

"The Eden I knew before... Wasn't like this man, he wasn't... Haa..." Hugie massaged his forehead as he fell onto the couch.

Finally, looking at his friend, he sighed before saying, "It's never too late to change, my friend. Every second counts..."

"Haa..." Eden strangely felt energized.

"Alright, today you can take a day off from studying, man. Just make sure to not repeat what happened yesterday."

"Sure thing."

"And."

"And?"

"Hand them over?" Hugie turned around and stretched his hand.

???

"The secret stash of beer. I'll buy them from you."

"What?"

"Yeah, now do that before I report you to the principal once again for hiding alcohol."

"Alright." Eden sheepishly walked towards his bed and grabbed the bag of beer.

"600$"

"I sent it."

"Alright."

"From today onwards, no drinking, is that understood?" Hugie asked in an intimidating voice.

"Errmmm..."

"Is that understood?!"

"Yes sir!" Eden exclaimed before he dashed out of the room.

Hugie couldn't help but sigh. Enemies were better than such friends.

Walking towards the sink, he popped the cans, pouring the beer in the sink, except one.

Looking at the moon, his mind was suddenly and abruptly put in peace. Popping the last can of beer, he placed his lips on the opening and chugged the drink.

This was an extra-large can of beer containing 600 ml of beer.

He managed to restrain himself after chugging the entire can, and then jumped on the bed, covering himself with the blanket. His shoes were still on...

***

"Sigh, today's day was exhausting." Eden complained. As darkness enveloped the world, the artificial light illuminated the streets.

It was during the nighttime that the city looked more beautiful than during the day.

Eden quietly walked, exhaling a frosty breath. Quickly, he whipped out his pack of cigarettes, igniting one of them.

"Fuuu..."

"Man, smoking is the best," he said in satisfaction. As he did so, his gaze was fixated on the moon hung in the sky. It was silver, a bit brighter...

As he was looking around, Eden noticed the commotion going on but chose to ignore it. The next second, he whipped out his phone in a similar fashion.

=You: Where are you?=

=Amon: In front of the café=

=You: Ah, I see you!=

It was then that Eden spotted Theo, hiding in one of the corners. He... Somehow managed to perfectly hide himself in the shadows.

'Assassin lurking in the shadows?' Eden chuckled inwardly as he looked at the poor lad. Indeed, he was extremely scared of such crowded spaces. He instantly approached him. Looking at Eden, Theodore gave a subtle nod acknowledging his presence.

"Where is your person?"

Theo looked around. Finally, his gaze fixated in a single direction. It looked more like a brawl.

"Is one of those dudes the person you were talking about? The sound engineer?"

Theodore didn't reply, his gaze still fixated on the area. The brawl was indeed strange...

At least four men had attacked the hooded figure. But nonetheless, it was as though it didn't affect the figure as one of the attackers was instantly knocked down.

The figure was actually quite swift. It was as though a fighting scene from within the novel had been weaved into reality. In real instances, things often happened swiftly. It wasn't like a movie, where things would slow down.

Everything happened in split milliseconds, and it was only a second or two later that one would realize what had happened.

In real life, battles weren't that enjoyable to watch. After all, everything mostly appeared blurry due to the crowd, and on top of that, real-life battles were too brutal. The sound of fists coming into contact with flesh, breaking bones... The fists themselves getting injured...

It was only when a person looked at such brawls that they'd realize fighting wasn't supposed to be enjoyed.

In movies and novels, such scenes were glorified for entertainment purpose.

It was only when a person looked at such brutality that they'd understand that fighting wasn't a flex, it was a dangerous scenario that put both parties at risk...

Ermm...

Ahem...

This is getting awkward...

Eden and Theo continued to spectate the scene, without talking to each other or going inside the café. It was really getting awkward.

The moment all four of the guys were knocked out, the hooded figure trailed off in the crowd.

"Errmm, don't you think we should—"

"There you are!" Before Eden could finish his sentence, he was cut off in the middle.

Turning around, he suddenly froze as he saw the similar hooded figure removing the face mask.

The figure's voice was quite feminine...