Chapter 6: His Room

Syra

"Have you ever.. tried recording your music?" Eiya asked.

I shook my head and replied, "Not professionally. I just record them into my phone. I don't have any equipment back at home for that."

"Well.. actually, I have a little home studio. It's nothing fancy but it does the job. If you want, you could come to my place and I could help you record your songs," he said as he played with his hair between his fingers.

"Really? You'd.. do that for me?" I said.

He glanced at me then looked away and nodded.

"Why?" I asked.

"I just wanna help a singer I like. Is that.. okay?" he said as he looked into my eyes.

I could sense his vulnerability in his request. He mustered up the courage to share his idea. I felt cupid shooting an arrow into my heart. Looking at me with those eyes is so unfair. Wait, colored hair, piercings, and blue eyes. That sounded so familiar to the description I gave Faena. 

This might be my imagination but he isn't like my soulmate, is he? No way. It's just a coincidence we met at the bench. Unless, this game really is a dating simulator then that makes sense. There's always these types of scenarios that unlock storylines.

"Um.. is it?" Eiya softly spoke, still looking at me with those gorgeous eyes.

"O-oh, yes!" I suddenly said. Oops. I must have been caught in thought. I hope he doesn't think I'm being hesitant because I don't like him. I didn't hurt him with my silence, did I? I could feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

"I'd like that… to work with you on my songs. I've just never done this with anyone before so I feel a little nervous but also excited," I said.

I was curious about his intentions but looking at his face, all I could see and hear was his sincerity. I feel a little wary about his offer, but I couldn't help feeling pulled into his pace.

"What about right now?" he asked enthusiastically.

"Tonight?" I blinked, surprised by his spontaneous offer.

He nodded his head excitedly.

"Yeah." He grinned, a little sheepish but clearly serious. "No pressure, though. I just think it'd be fun. And honestly, you've already inspired me tonight. I kind of want to keep that energy going."

I hesitated. Spending time with a stranger I'd just met in the middle of the night wasn't exactly something I'd planned. But his enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't deny I was curious—and excited—about the idea.

"Well…" I smiled nervously. "Why not? You've already heard me sing, so I guess the hard part's over."

His face lit up, and he stood, carefully placing his guitar back into its case. "You won't regret it, I promise. My studio's just a short walk from here."

"Okay, lead the way," I said, following him. A part of me was still cautious, but another part—one I hadn't felt in a long time—was eager to see where this night might take me.

We arrived at his apartment. It was a ten story white building, figured in a "V" shape towards the lake. I looked around the quiet lobby. We were welcomed by walls of water. It had holographic AI sitting at the front desks and touch screen vending machines. Even the plants and fish were holographic. I followed Eiya into a glass elevator and watched the digital colorful fish swimming through the crystal walls of water.

We stopped at the tenth floor and headed to the room at the end of the hall. As Eiya walked closer to the door, rainbow lights of hexagons echoed and flashed on the door like ripples. He opened the door and gestured to me to come inside.

"What? You leave your door unlocked?" I asked.

"Haha, no, the door automatically unlocks because of my key," he laughed a little.

"What key?" I asked. I didn't see him pull out anything to open the door. Maybe I'm overreacting. This is a game world after all. Maybe this is just how it works.

"The key from the app in my phone," he said.

"You can do that?" I asked, shocked.

He nodded.

"I remember you said this is your first time being here. Is this kind of technology different from where you're from?" he asked.

"Yeah, we still use tags as keys. We don't have anything like app keys," I said.

"Wait, really? How do tags work?" he asked.

"You just place a metal plate anywhere against the door or the wall next to the door and the door or wall act like a scanner for the code on the tag," I said.

"That sounds like old technology, haha." he laughed a little.

Was our technology really that old? I don't really think so. If we were able to create this game, I think our technology is pretty advanced.

He took off his shoes and placed them on a rack. I took my shoes off and put mine next to his.

"Let's have some snacks and drinks. I'm getting a little hungry. How about you?" he asked me.

"Is that really okay?" I asked.

"Sure, why not? I'd feel bad if I left you feeling hungry or thirsty while I stuff my face," he said.

"Then, thanks. Yes, I would love some please," I said.

"Is it okay if I use the restroom?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's on the far right," he said.

I looked around his studio as he prepared us something in the kitchen. It was not as small as he made it sound. It was a very spacious room with a full kitchen and living room. But I suppose there was no wall to separate his bed from the kitchen and living room. It's still much bigger than the studios back at home.

His walls were decorated with posters and albums of music artists. There was a black piano and a set of guitars sitting at the wall in front of his bed next to his desk.

His bed was padded in black pillows and blankets and his walls were covered in neon lights that dimly lit the rooms. He must be a rich boy.

I walked into the bathroom and washed my hands. I stared into the mirror. Oh wow, I guess the game can register what I look like in real life.