CHAPTER 12 NIGHT OF PARTY AND REVELATIONS

The hall was packed, gathering people from every imaginable class in the known universe. There was not room for a pin; the party was magnificent. Among the crowd were Kyran and the male relatives of the Whittaker family, since it was an exclusively male event. Everyone was enjoying the moment, although the host had not yet made an appearance, and Kyran was eagerly awaiting his friend's arrival to congratulate him on his achievement. 

—When will your friend arrive at this table? — Dennis asked Kyran. 

—I don't know yet, but as you can see, the hall is packed. He's probably greeting a lot of people to get to us, — Kyran replied. Just then, Hiro Tanaka, Kyran's friend, came over and stood next to him. Seeing him, Kyran beamed at him, then stood up to hug him and shake his hand. 

— Buddy, how have you been? — Hiro asked. 

—Well—Kyran replied—I'll introduce you to my family, although you already know my grandfather. 

—Yes, — Hiro replied with respect and a hint of fear. —I hope, sir, that my previous invitation did not bother you. The last time we met was not the best moment, — he said while shaking Francisco Javier's hand with some fear. 

—I remember that day well, boy, — Francisco Javier replied with a malicious smile. —You were trying to get out of my grip when I discovered you trying to hack the mainframe. 

—I wasn't actually hacking—Hiro tried to excuse himself. —I was trying to fix it because of a virus. 

—I hope you didn't end up with the kid in prison or something, — Terry said, worried. 

—Oh, don't worry, — Hiro assured. —He just kicked me out, though not on good terms. ¿What's the name of that tech place, Kyran? 

— Zenith—Kyran replied, smiling. 

—¿Wait, you tried to hack Zenith? — Safiro asked, alarmed. 

—Actually, we were under attack that day. Zenith had a serious computer virus and nothing was working, — Kyran explained. —Our enemies had us cornered and I had to bring my computer friend to save us. Since everyone was a bit crazy and stressed, I decided not to tell them anything. But then my grandfather arrived and, without letting Hiro explain, he ejected him into space in an escape ship, forbidding him to return to Zenith. 

—¡Grandpa! — Claudius exclaimed. — ¿How could you do that? 

—Wait, let's go back— Darius interrupted. —¿That was five years ago, during that terrible attack? If so, we have this boy to thank for saving us. And you, ¿did you launch him into space? 

—I thought I was the culprit, — Francisco Javier admitted, shrugging. 

—Let 's leave it at that— Darius said. —You are brave, but sometimes you lack judgment. I didn't know about this until now, so I apologize. If I had been there, I wouldn't have allowed you to touch him. 

—Grandpa, you should apologize. After all, he saved us—Sapphire insisted. 

—Okay, I take it back. I'm so sorry for throwing you off the ship— he apologized. 

—Thanks, — Hiro said. —But it's forgotten now. Besides, it helped me get accepted into the Galactic University of Innovation and Advanced Technology (UGITA). 

—And how did you prove what you did at Zenith? — Claudius asked. 

—That's where I came in—Kyran intervened. —I wrote a recommendation that our father signed. 

—¿When did I sign that? — Terry asked, curious. 

— When I needed your signature, you signed a blank sheet of paper. I filled in the rest. It was my way of thanking my friend for saving us. If not, Zenith would have fallen with all of us inside. 

—Yes, thank you very much – said all the Whittaker men. 

—You're welcome, I just hope you enjoy yourselves— Hiro said. —Anything you eat and drink is on the house, so don't worry. 

—I want to talk to you in private, — Kyran requested, taking him aside. —I need to know how you did it, I want all the details. 

—Okay, let's go to my office to talk in more privacy, — Hiro agreed, leading Kyran through a gallery to a large room. From their position on the top floor, they had a panoramic view of the event through large windows. The place, decorated in a sober manner, had a small bar where Hiro prepared two whiskeys, one for each of them. 

—It's impressive, — Kyran observed, admiring the place. —I'm glad you were able to make your dream come true. You always wanted to have a pub exclusively for men.

— That's always been my dream, and you know it — Hiro confirmed, taking a sip of his drink. — It wasn't easy, but I finally made it. 

—What did you have to do to get it? —Kyran asked, aware of the difficulties in obtaining patents there. 

—They don't just give them to anyone, you have to know who to turn to. I helped an influential man to get this. Don't worry, I didn't do anything wrong, — Hiro explained. 

—I'm glad you were able to leave that mercenary life behind and find a better path, — Kyran commented. 

—Yes, but you know that kind of life always follows you. I'm always on the lookout for anyone from the past who decides to show up to settle scores. But the important thing is this— said Hiro, getting up from the couch and walking over to the window to show Kyran the magnitude of his achievement. —This is my life now. 

—I'm very glad you've achieved your goal, — Kyran told him, sharing his friend's satisfaction. 

—Still, I owe it all to you— Hiro told his friend with gratitude. 

— ¿How is that? — Kyran asked, surprised. 

—You gave me another chance at life. Thanks to the fact that I managed to enter the UGITA, I was able to change my destiny for the better. And that's why I invited you, to thank you and tell you that you will always have my support and company, whenever you need it. I'm willing to risk my life for you, because you changed mine in a way, I never thought possible— Hiro expressed sincerely. 

—Come on, buddy, — Kyran said, giving him a hug. —I'm glad to see you're feeling much better and to know that you've been able to change your fate. I'm very pleased to see that you're okay now and I don't have to worry about whether you're alive or not. 

—I know, buddy, — Hiro replied. —You've always cared about me. I remember those days when you'd call me just to see if I was okay. You've always been there for me, and it's only fitting that I do the same for you. I'll never leave you. 

—I know, — Kyran said, comforted by his friend's words.

— I invited Alexei, he should come too. He knows how bad it will be if he doesn't— Hiro said, laughing. 

— Here they are, the ones you were crying for! — Alexei announced, emerging from a transport portal and opening his arms to embrace his friends. 

—Now yes, the three of us are together again— Kyran said, smiling. 

—But we're the three musketeers, — Alexei exclaimed. —Don't you remember? We were always saving someone. 

—Oh, yes, I remember, — Hiro said. —Those were memorable days. We were always getting into trouble for helping strangers. 

—¡Yes! — the three of them exclaimed, laughing and toasting the friendship that united them and the past and future adventures they shared. 

After several hours of laughter, music and dancing, the three friends found themselves relaxing on a sofa, staring out the window overlooking the dance floor. In the distance, a few couples were still moving to the slow rhythm that the DJ had chosen to mark the imminent closing of the club.

— Well, friends, I have to say goodbye to my guests — announced one of them, standing up with a determined gesture. — You stay here; I'll be back in a few minutes. Better not try to get up; I doubt you'll be able to do so — he added with a smile, pointing out the evidence of his merry consumption and provoking knowing laughter. 

—Friend, — Alexei stammered, trying unsuccessfully to get up. After a brief effort, he resigned himself to his drunken state and sank back onto the couch. —You're right, it's better if you go alone this time; I'm not in a condition to accompany you, — he admitted with friendly laughter. 

—I don't think so, — Kyran said, patting him on the shoulder in support. —We're both in the same boat, buddy, so don't even try.

 —You, ¿bad? — he questioned incredulously, remembering their past exploits. —Out of the three of us, you were always the one who drank the most, and it seems the tradition continues. You outdrink us both, — he said, pointing alternately at Hiro and himself. —And yet, whenever trouble arose, you were the only one capable of jumping on tables, running around and throwing punches like you were completely sober, dispatching the troublemakers before turning to us to ask, —¿Are you guys, okay? — and then collapsing from the alcohol.

— Oh, yeah, that was something worth remembering, — Hiro chimed in with a laugh full of nostalgia. — You always protected us from those who wanted to bother us or rob us at the clubs, and then we had to drag your unconscious back to our dorm room. 

In that moment of camaraderie and shared memories, the bonds of friendship were strengthened even further, sealing with laughter and anecdotes another night to remember. 

—So, you see, my endurance still surpasses yours, — Kyran replied between laughs. 

—Hey, — Alexei interrupted, —come on, Hiro, let's show that we're not weaklings. — The two of them then pounced on Kyran, tickling him as he tried to defend himself. 

—¡Two against one isn't fair! — Kyran protested, still laughing. 

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Hiro, not losing heart, exclaimed, —¡Come in! — In came Hiro's secretary, a stout man dressed in a dark suit and a black turtleneck, holding an electronic tablet. With a serious expression, he announced: —The guests are leaving, boss. It's time to see them off. 

—I'll be right there, — Hiro replied, then turned to Kyran with a decisive question: —What do I tell your family? ¿Are you coming with them or staying here? 

—Are you kidding? You know I have to go down. Unless you want my father or grandfather to come and get me personally. They won't tolerate me sending you to tell them I'm not going with them. You know that well. — Kyran barely managed to voice his concern when Hiro interrupted him. 

—I know your family rule well: —We arrive together, we leave together. — So, hurry up, friend, unless you want them to come looking for you. 

—Right away, — Kyran said, struggling to stand up. As he did, he felt a dizziness that forced Hiro to support him. 

— ¿Are you sure you can walk? — Alexei asked from the couch, still entertained by the scene. 

— Yeah, let's go—Kyran said, motioning for Hiro to help him down the stairs. 

This exchange, marked by concern and mutual support, demonstrated the deep friendship that united the group, capable of balancing fun with responsibility at key moments. 

—I'll walk you to your table, — Hiro offered in a conspiratorial tone. —Afterwards, Alexei and I plan to continue the celebration somewhere else. I'm mentioning this to you in case you'd rather let your family know you're coming with us. 

—¿Where are you planning to go? — Kyran asked, intrigued. 

—Space Man Boulevard, — Hiro replied, sparking an immediate reaction. 

—That's not done! — Kyran exclaimed, half indignant and half amused. —I haven't been there for years, and now you're going without me? Besides, you had to tell me right now. — Hiro just shrugged his shoulders with an innocent smile, while Kyran, feigning anger, took his face in his hands. —I'm going to kill you if you go without me. You're not going to do this to me. 

— Whatever you say, buddy— Hiro said, leading him over to his table. As he approached, Kyran noticed the absence of some of his relatives and the presence of his father, Terry, and his brother, Sapphire. 

—¿How was your day, son? — Terry asked. 

—Well, Father. But I have something to tell you, — Kyran began, before being interrupted by Safiro with a wry smile. — ¿You won't tell us you're getting married, will you? 

—I could tell you the same thing, bro— Kyran replied with a smile, and then, in a mocking tone, he added: —Oh, but of course, you're already married... to science. I had forgotten— The joke made everyone at the table laugh, including Hiro, Terry, and Marcus. 

—Enough, Sapphire, — Kyran challenged, under his brother's annoyed gaze. 

—Come on, guys, don't argue, — Terry intervened, ending the tension. —What did you mean, Kyran? 

—I won't be able to go back with you. ¿Can I stay with my friends? — Kyran requested. 

—Of course, son. Just be careful—Terry conceded. 

—Don't worry, sir. I'll take care of Kyran, — Hiro assured. 

—Try to stop him from drinking any more. He's already exceeded his limit—Sapphire warned. 

—¿Envy? — Kyran replied, teasing his brother with a wry smile. 

—Enough of the arguments, — Terry cut in. —You look like kids fighting over who's better. 

—He started it, — Kyran complained, still annoyed. 

—It doesn't matter who started it. It ends here— Terry concluded. 

With a gesture of resignation, Kyran announced his departure. —I'm leaving, — he said, getting up from the table. 

—Take care, boy, — Marcus wished him affectionately. 

This exchange reveals a family dynamic full of mischief and affection, as well as Kyran's independence and adventurous spirit, always supported by the love and understanding of his family and friends. 

—Okay, thanks, — Kyran said, turning first to Marcus and then to his father with a grateful look. However, his tone changed completely when he turned to Sapphire. —Fuck you, bro, — he blurted out, before grabbing Hiro by the arm and running away from the scene. Terry stood up, ready to reprimand Kyran for his behavior, but Marcus stopped him with a gesture, shaking his head. 

—They're boys, let them be. They're young and it's natural for sibling arguments to arise from time to time, — Marcus reasoned. 

—Okay, but I hope you don't think about revenge, Sapphire, — Terry warned, anticipating his son's possible impulses. 

—And when have I ever done something like that? — Safiro asked, trying to look innocent. 

— I know them both very well — Terry stated, pointing out the constant rivalry between Safiro and Kyran. — They have always been competing and getting revenge on each other. Sometimes I wonder where they got those genes from — Before Safiro could argue with scientific terms, his father interrupted him, clearly indicating that he was not in the mood to listen to genetic explanations. 

At that moment, Claudius and Dennis joined the group, sensing the tension in the air. 

—What happened? — Dennis asked, sensing that something had happened. 

—Nothing, — Marcus dismissed, briefly explaining the argument between Kyran and Sapphire. 

Claudius, folding his arms and looking at Sapphire reproachfully, intervened: —Sapphire, you are always bothering our brother. ¿Will there ever be a day when you will leave him alone? 

—That's none of your business, — Safiro replied, visibly annoyed, before asking her father if it was time to leave. 

— Yes, we'll be leaving soon. We're just waiting for the others— Terry confirmed. 

Meanwhile, Kyran and his friends were preparing for their next adventure on Space Man Boulevard. Alexei took the opportunity to wash his face in the bathroom, while Kyran waited patiently in Hiro's office, sitting on the couch. Just as Alexei was exiting the bathroom, Hiro walked through the front door, ready to join the night of fun that awaited them. 

—¿Are we ready, folks? — Hiro asked, glancing at his watch as he walked toward them with a determined stride. 

—We were waiting for you, — Alexei replied, approaching the couch as he dried his face with a towel. His tone was light, marked by the anticipation of the night ahead. The energy between the friends was palpable, each ready to dive into the adventures that Space Man Boulevard promised. With everyone gathered and preparations in place, they were about to embark on a night that would undoubtedly be filled with unforgettable memories. 

With a mix of ceremony and anticipation, Hiro asked Kyran to grant them the honor of beginning their adventure. —Do us the honor, Kyran, — he said in a tone that bordered on solemnity. —Open the portal to paradise for us. 

Accepting the challenge with a smile, Kyran performed a series of movements with his hands, from which a dazzling glow emanated. Before the astonished eyes of his friends, a transport portal materialized, promising to take them to a dream destination. 

—Come on, — Alexei urged, being the first to cross the threshold. The three friends instantly found themselves in the Space Man Boulevard Spa, a place that was overflowing with sensuality, with attractive women, pools of various sizes, and an endless variety of drinks. The sight before them was so impressive that Alexei couldn't help but comment, —This is paradise. When I die, I want to be buried here. 

Kyran, with a friendly laugh, put his arm around Alexei's neck. —I don't think they'll allow that, — he joked, before adding enthusiastically, —Come on, guys. Amazing adventures await us in this place. His brotherly gesture towards Alexei underlined the camaraderie they shared. 

Hiro, determined to take the reins, announced, —Now it's my turn to choose. — However, Alexei, remembering past experiences, replied, —Oh no! Last time it was you. Now it's my turn. 

To avoid any dispute, Kyran intervened: —So that they don't fight, I'll choose this time. 

The proposal was not well received, and both Hiro and Alexei expressed their disagreement in unison: —It's not fair. 

This moment reflects the chemistry and dynamic between the friends, a mix of competitiveness and complicity that defines their relationship. As they argue and debate over who should make the next decision, it becomes clear that regardless of who they choose, they are destined to enjoy a memorable night together in the paradise they have found.