Chapter 4 : Silent unraveling

A Walk Down Memory Lane

The cold night breeze swept through the empty streets, rustling Eden's messy hair as he walked with his hands stuffed into his pockets. His footsteps echoed softly on the pavement.

"This, jerk… where he is?" Eden muttered under his breath. "It's been five years… I haven't seen him."

His mind was clouded with memories of his brother—the strong presence he once admired, the teasing, the arguments, the laughter… and then—his sudden disappearance.

"Tch. Not like I care or anything." He scoffed, kicking a small rock on the road, but deep down, he knew it was a lie.

The streetlights flickered, casting long shadows on the sidewalk. It was the kind of night where everything felt off—too quiet, too eerie. But Eden wasn't one to be scared.

Or so he thought.

"AAAHHHHHH!"

A bloodcurdling scream pierced the silence.

Eden's body froze for a split second before his instincts kicked in. He sprinted toward the source of the sound.

His heart pounded as he turned into a dimly lit alley. His sharp gaze locked onto the scene ahead—

Three men surrounding a girl.

She stood her ground, her fists clenched in a fighting stance. But it was clear—she was cornered.

"Hey! Let her go!" Eden barked.

The thugs turned toward him. One of them, a tall guy with a scar, smirked. "Oh? A hero, huh?"

Eden clenched his jaw. "I said… let her go."

The tallest thug chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "Or what? You gonna fight us all?"

Eden took a deep breath, stepping forward. His aura darkened. Then, with a dead-serious tone, he growled—

"Let her go, or I'll kill you guys."

The alley fell silent.

Even the girl looked at Eden, slightly surprised.

And then—

SLAP!

Eden's head jerked to the side as the girl smacked him across the face. Hard.

His brain lagged.

"YOU JERK! YOU RUINED OUR SHOOTING!" the girl shouted, her fists clenched in frustration.

Eden blinked. "Wait… what?"

The "thugs" groaned, rubbing their heads. "Damn it, CUT! CUT! Scene's ruined!"

Eden turned around in horror. Behind him, a whole film crew stood—cameras, lights, boom mics. The "thugs" pulled off their fake tattoos, revealing that they were actors.

Eden's face turned pale.

"Oh… oh, crap."

The girl pointed at him aggressively. "DO YOU EVEN REALIZE HOW HARD IT IS TO GET A PERFECT SHOT?!"

Eden gulped. "Uh… my bad?"

"BAD?! BAD?! YOU'VE RUINED OUR PRODUCTION!"

Eden took a cautious step back. "I—I was just trying to help! You disrespected my kindness! I'll never forgive you!"

And then—he ran.

"COME BACK HERE, YOU IDIOT!"

The girl chased after him at full speed, her eyes burning with rage.

The director sighed. "Forget it. Let's reshoot the scene."

And just like that, Eden barely escaped with his life.

---

Next Morning: Butler's Unexpected Visit

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Eden groaned as his alarm blared. His face still stung from last night's slap.

He stretched his arms, rubbing his head. "What a nightmare…"

Suddenly—

"BANG!"

His bedroom door swung open violently.

"GOOD MORNING!!"

Eden's body jerked up. His blanket fell off, revealing that he was barely dressed. His eyes widened in shock.

"WHAT THE HELL, BUTLER?! GET OUT!!"

Butler, standing at the doorway, grinned. "Oh, don't be shy, it's not like I haven't seen—"

Eden threw a pillow at his face. "SHUT UP! WHO LET YOU IN?!"

Butler casually dodged the pillow and smirked. "Your door was unlocked."

"NO, IT WASN'T!"

Butler shrugged. "I have a key."

Eden's eye twitched. "WHY DO YOU HAVE A KEY?!"

"I made one."

Eden took a deep breath, running a hand through his messy hair. "Butler, if you don't get out in three seconds—"

Butler smirked. "You'll what? Fight me in your underwear?"

Eden grabbed a book from his table and launched it at him. Butler dodged, laughing.

After five minutes of chaos, Eden finally got dressed, sitting on the couch with a deep frown.

"So? What do you want?"

Butler leaned forward, looking at him seriously. "Eden… do you miss your brother?"

Eden's expression stiffened. He looked away. "Listen… I don't wanna talk about it."

Butler didn't push, but his voice softened. "I know. But you miss him, right?"

Eden exhaled. "Of course, I miss him. But what can I do? I don't even know where he is."

Butler leaned back. "Maybe… we can find him."

Eden glanced at him. "How?"

Butler smirked. "I'll talk to my brother. He might have clues."

Eden raised an eyebrow. "Your brother? You mean—"

Butler nodded. "Yeah. Thomas."

Eden frowned. "Wait. You mean the Thomas who used to be rude as hell? The one who punched a teacher once?"

Butler chuckled. "The very same."

Eden scoffed. "And now you're telling me he's… peaceful?"

Butler smirked. "Oh, just wait till you see him."

---

Meeting Thomas

That evening, Eden and Butler walked toward a small tea shop.

As they stepped inside, the warm scent of tea filled the air.

At the corner, sitting by himself, was Thomas.

Eden's eyes widened. He barely recognized him.

His hair had grown long like a girl's, yet his physique was solid—like a real man. His posture was relaxed, his eyes half-closed, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Butler grinned. "Hey, bro!"

Thomas slowly turned his head toward them. His voice was calm. "Who's that?"

Butler chuckled. "He's Ethan's little bro."

For a second, Thomas's face darkened.

Eden noticed it. The moment Thomas heard Ethan's name—something changed.

Then, suddenly—Thomas smiled.

"Well… how are you? You've grown."

Eden swallowed. He could feel it.

Thomas knew something about Ethan.

And that meant—his search for his brother had only just begun.

---

End of chapter 4