Pandora Box 2

I ended up going with him in this suspicious black along with some scary-looking suit fellas sitting at the back. What happened precisely is that I tried to kill this bastard myself. After the bullshit he spouts in his mouth, telling me to forget everything, my ass! I could never forget what he has done! He ended up reading my diary, breaking my fucking window, scaring almost everyone in the coffee shop, and obliterating every object in the street. I swear to god, this maniac is a walking disaster! A psycho who commits property damage everywhere he goes!

The scary suit men tried to calm me down while Pete sat on the corner, drinking the gallon of milk from the duffel bag as he watched me go ape shit. After I managed to calm down when that sicko claimed that he'd pay for the window fee and money to compensate for my trauma. But then ended up threatening me to go to this suspicious black van. I had no choice as I sat in the middle with Pete on the left and Shion on the right. It's almost forbidden that I injured his pretty face, but he does deserve it.

"So where exactly are we going? You aren't going to sell our organs, right?" I looked at Shion and the men behind him suspiciously.

"Nah, I'm not into that shit." He said and lit another cancer stick. "We're going to an internet cafe." He then exhaled the tube, contaminating the van with burned tobacco. I heard Pete coughing next to me. I gently stroke his back.

I frowned at Shion and pointed at the nicotine injections like it was his last dessert. "Can you do that somewhere else? I have a kid here with me." Shion then glanced at Pete.

"You're that kid who hit me on the head?"

"That's me."

"What the fuck? Like how old are you? Five?"

"I'm thirteen."

"Ugh." Shion groaned and flicked out the cigarette from a car window. I could swear I heard him mumbling, 'I hate kids.' He must be one of those people causing forest fire in the city.

"So..." I glanced at Shion, who was looking at the window with a pissed look written on his face. "Why are you taking us to an internet cafe? We aren't exactly going to be all buddies and playing games together, right?"

"Nope. We're going to meet a nerd and his friends." He leaned his chin against his knuckle.

"...What exactly are we doing there?"

"I have no fucking idea, dude. I mean, I also want to know, too, Ryan~" His flippant tone and sardonic smile are starting to piss me off. I guess this bastard isn't going to tell me anything until we reach there.

I got home after getting milk, and then I was suddenly attacked by a guy named Shion. That same guy was also chasing me in the street and almost killed me, but a phone ring saved me by someone named Rin. Apparently, Anthony told Rin to call Shion? And now I'm stuck in a suspicious van with the person who tried to kill me. Now that I think about it, Anthony didn't lie when he said he'd protect me.

I glanced at Shion, trying not to attract his attention as I observed him. He must have known Anthony. So this guy is part of the mafia, right? Helios sure likes to hire absurd good-looking guys. Anthony is cool, but Shion and Winter are probably in the same breed of craziness and homicidal.

After minutes of a car ride, we finally reached the place. A dark black building with purple neons sign around. I looked above the building and saw a picture of the lucky cat in neon with the store's name on it. "Cat City" has some relaxed party-ish vibe that's been going on.

This location just screamed loud. It's more like a club than an actual internet cafe. Everyone got out of the van as Pete, and I nervously looked around our surroundings. People around us wear this colorful neon outfit while holding a bright red party cup in their hands. You can hear the loud music outside the building. Now it more looked like a rave party than a club. I definitely don't want Pete to go there.

"Pete, why don't you just sit in the van and talk to Buttercup," I suggested and peer at the scary man next to Pete. I attempted to talk to the intimidating suit guys at the back. They didn't even bother telling us anything, not even their name! So Pete and I decided to name them (More like I called them while Pete watched). Buttercup seems to like his! He was staring at me with h̶i̶d̶e̶o̶u̶s̶ gratitude look on his face. He must be very thankful and was very shy!

Me, as a responsible adult. I always gave Pete necessary advice to him despite him calling it ridiculous. I'm still his guardian and his father! I can't help but worry about my cute son sometimes!

"Pete, you already knew what to do when someone touches your p--"

"Mr. Ryan, please stop talking. Also, Can I borrow your phone? I wanna play Battle of Retribution with Buttercup." Like it's part of our routine, I lent my phone to Pete as I watched him get inside the van along with Buttercup and his friends, Cuddles and Candy. Cuddles and Candy do look alike. I wonder if they're both brothers? Maybe I should ask them later...Unless I survive today.

"Finally, no kids zone." I peer at Shion, who was lighting a cigarette. "Ah...The smell of heavenly goods."

"Pete will be safe, right? If they try to touch Pete, I will make you force-feed your ba--"

"Your dumb kid is going to be safe. My men are quite friendly despite their looks." As he inhales the cigarette, he shifts his gaze at me. "Aren't you quite young to be a father?"

"...Pete is not my actual son, More like he-"

"Ah, so you adopted him?"

"Can you stop interrupting me?"

As we were about to enter the building, Shion turned around at me and mockingly stuck his tongue before going inside. I unconsciously clench my fist, thinking how to beat that bastard's smug face before following him inside.

The building was full of cosplayers and partygoers dancing. Posters of video game characters all over the wall as when the DJ played another track, people started going crazy and cheering. The disco lights started flashing around the darkroom like rainbows, making me dizzy and confused. Everyone seemed to be affected by a happy virus as they were having a good time. I'm so glad I made the decision not to bring Pete here. This is definitely not family-friendly.

On the other hand, the second floor is relatively isolated and few people around. It must be one of those affluent people areas. I can also see computers stationing and an arcade area at it. That place is pretty high-tech. I even saw those computers that looked even more expensive than my entire salary for a month. There's also a bar area with a very elegant-looking old man as a bartender! This is something I definitely wanted on my bucket list!

I followed Shion as we headed upstairs, I looked around, and everyone looked at us with interest. A man in a suit suddenly comes up to us.

"Sir Envy! It must be a while since you visited!" A man welcomed Shion with a polite smile. More like he's sucking up to Shion, and why does he call him Envy instead of his name?

The man in a suit then turned to look at me. "You must be the man that Sir Lust has been waiting for."

"Sir Lust? What are you talking about? I don't know that guy." I said in a curious tone.

Shion rolled his eyes at him as he grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me towards an expensive-looking door, leaving the suit guy alone. The man didn't seem to care. He just waved at us as nothing had happened.

We entered the room and were greeted by red walls with plastered posters of anime girls. Glass cabinets full of figurines of girls in a skimpy outfits. Some of them are in a suggestive pose. The owner of this room must be a huge pervert. There's also this colossal computer setup that looks like it came out from a sci-fi movie and even an enormous black screen tv along with an expensive-looking leather couch. A fluffy white carpet covers the polished wooden floor, and there's also a bookshelf full of comic books and novels.

I saw Anthony talking to a female cosplayer on the couch. Obviously, Anthony is more interested in doing a private talk with her while Winter is watching some cooking shows on the TV with a disinterested look on his face.

I noticed an unfamiliar man sitting in one of those gaming chairs. He wore black square frame glasses that showed a pair of anxious ruby eyes that reminded me of pigeon's blood. His shoulder-length jet-black hair was clumsy and untamed, making him easy to accuse of a purse snatcher.

His choice of clothing was a black hoodie, and underneath it was a bright red tracksuit. Despite his scrawny frame, he is pretty tall, maybe the same height as Shion, but if he tried to fix his hair and posture, I think some girls would start chasing after him, but I was pretty happy that this person is not good-looking as the others, it makes me feel like we would be great friends!

"..Shion, you should have...told me that you would...come here." The depressed-looking man was the first one to notice us. He seems to be nervous or maybe a bit scared. He has this aura that he doesn't want to be here. I failed to notice that he was wearing black leather gloves.

Anthony was more shocked to see me. He immediately ditched his conversation partner and gave me a tight bear hug. I saw Winter pursing his lips and his face twisted into a scowl.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" That was the first thing that asshole spouted after seeing me. Winter then glowered at the female cosplayer, who was seemed uncomfortable with the situation. "Get out." The girl runs off with her heels making me feel sorry about her. Talk about attitude problems.

"Ryan, are you okay? Did Shion make you do something?" Anthony prodded while looking at my body for any signs of injury. Shion snort at the comment before lazily sitting on the couch and continuing inhaling those cancer sticks.

"Yeah...I'm still alive, aren't I? I was just hoping you could explain the situation to me, Antony." I said in a perpetually tired voice. Everything happens so suddenly, hoping to hear some explanation, but I was disappointed when Anthony turned away. It's like he didn't even bother telling me anything and keeping me in the dark.

"What the fuck did you bring him here, Shion!"

Shion looked at Winter like he's some kind of dim-witted bimbo. "How the fuck should I know? You should have asked Anthony instead of barking like a dog." Uh-oh. I sense bad blood between them.

"Maybe I should teach you how to show respect to someone older than you, kid," Winter snarled as vein pulsing in his neck, china-blue eyes darken like a storm brewing.

"Oooh? What's this? Is big brother disciplining me? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘺." Shion jeered.

"..Don't fight..." The glasses man mumbled, but the two cats and dogs ignored him as the two continued to exchange a few hateful words at each other.

"Oh...I'm Rin, by the way..." Rin extended his leather-covered hands at me as he gave me a firm handshake. Okay, I definitely didn't expect that. He must be more robust than he looks. His voice is also deeper than I thought! Wow. I'm not jealous at all!

"I want to apologize for what Shion did and also for the things that he damaged...I hope you accept my apologies" This guy is just too precious! Why should he apologize for his friend's mistake? That bastard should be groveling his knees at me, not him! He's even blushing while he's talking!

"See, Rin already likes you~" Anthony teased as he jabbed Rin in the ribs. For a moment, I thought I heard Rin mumbling, 'Stay away from me.' at Anthony. I must be hearing things wrong, aren't I?

Anthony suddenly throws a pouch at me. I managed to catch it and peek inside. Since counterfeits became so common last year, the mafia monarch decided to implement a new currency, Sol's monetary unit. They are coins that the Helios symbol has engraved. The character of the sun and moon collide. They were all categorized from gold, silver, and bronze. The pouch is full of silver coins and even a few gold coins.

"..Anthony? What is this for?" Anthony gave me a broad smile and gently caressed my head. His eyes remind me of a night sky that made me feel warm and safe.

I definitely have no idea what Anthony is planning. If a stranger had given me money tons of money, I would have celebrated it like it's the fourth of July, but my gut feeling is telling me that something is not right.

"Shall we have a walk, sir?" He grinned as he grabbed me by the hand and dragged me outside.

- -

Rin watched as Anthony and Ryan walked away. Rin sighed in relief. Nothing terrible happened, aside from the property damage that his fellow member committed. He should beat himself for being a coward. He wanted to be friends with Ryan and lose his chance because of that playboy Anthony! Rin always hates normies, especially a famous guy like Anthony.

"Shion, shouldn't you at least apologize for trying to kill Ryan?" Rin's vermilion eyes darted at Shion, who lazily sat on the couch like a sloth. Despite being in the same age group, he could never imagine hanging out with Shion. Maybe because he reminds him of one of those high school bullies, he saw in the movies. Rin was glad he was home-schooled. He didn't want to meet a guy like Shion.

"Why should I?" Shion laughed and ground the cigarette into the ashtray. "It was just an accident. For fuck sake, I was fucking high! It's not my fault your forcing me to haunt a rat while I have a hangover!"

"Besides," Shion peeked at a certain red-haired man who was leaning against the wall. "Isn't it unusual when you and Anthony tried to save this one guy? The anxious tone of Anthony when I tried to kill Ryan is kinda amusing" Despite wearing his sunglasses, everyone in the room noticed his ashen eyes glint into joy.

"..Will two stop fighting..." Rin tried to stop Shion from aggravating Winter. He knows that putting two homicidal maniacs in the same room is like mixing vinegar and hot sauce in the cake. But Rin can't help but think that Shion has some points. Ryan was just some random stranger. Why did Anthony have to go all way here to save a guy?

Winter let out a chuckle. Him caring for someone? It's almost laughable to imagine. He couldn't care less if that guy died. It's not like his death is going to change anything. Winter didn't have any idea why Anthony tried to save Ryan. He was jeopardizing his position in the group. He might even get killed for keeping this information and be called a traitor. Winter knows that Anthony is always loyal to the mafia monarch. If all of us knew that Ryan is the killer that the boss has been looking for, it wouldn't be a surprise that there would be an argument that's about to happen.

"I hardly know that guy," Winter responded as Shion felt dissatisfied. He thought he could get a speck of dirt or weakness from this guy. Oh well, it's not like it's his business anyway.

"Um...Shion?"

"What is it, techie? Can't you see I'm busy here?"

"Brother, just message me...He told me that you should see him in the office.." Rin spoke as he tugged his earlobes out of habit.

Shion felt the world would end when the word 'Brother' just came out. Rin's older brother was the mafia monarch here in the city. He always feared his boss. He can describe his boss as the Demon King sent from Earth to give Shion additional work while underpaying. He immediately grabbed his stuff and walked away from the room.

"So...Winter do you wanna play--"

"Not interested," Winter answered as his icy stare glared at the flat-screen TV.

Rin needs more friends.