The glowing blue lights from the underground ocean reflected across the glass tunnel walls while giant virtual sea creatures swam overhead.
Thankfully nobody nearby seemed to notice.
Adrian however looked completely entertained.
Adrian didn't move away immediately.
He just looked at Felix over his hand.
Then slowly lifted his own hand, gently removing Felix's grip from his face.
Felix stepped back a little.
Adrian's voice stayed calm.
"You weren't the one at a disadvantage," he said softly. "So why are you the one acting uncomfortable?"
A pause.
Then, almost like remembering something amusing—
"You were very excited in middle school to be around me though."
Felix's eyes widened instantly.
"Stop it. I already explained that. It was a stupid dare."
Adrian stared at him for a second longer.
Then tapped his own cheek lightly with his index finger.
"I don't like your attitude makes me feel disliked." he said quietly. "You know what I can do when I'm bored."
Felix went still.
His voice drifted back without looking.
"I might just tell everyone what you fear most."Then walked into the building casually sipping it like it belonged to him in the first place.
Felix expression changed instantly."...You wouldn't you promise."
Adrian smiled."did I promise I don't remember and even if I do why can't I break my promises hmm"
Felix immediately grabbed Adrian sleeve slightly. "Adrian."
"Hm?"
"Don't."
Adrian looked down at the hand holding him before his gaze slowly lifted back toward Felix face.
Adrian reached out and casually took the chilled sugarcane drink from Felix's hand.
Like it was his.
Then turned and started walking into the ocean attraction area, drinking it calmly as if nothing happened.
The glowing ocean lights reflected across his figure while giant virtual sea creatures swam above the transparent tunnel ceiling.
Meanwhile Felix stood there staring at his now empty hand in disbelief.
This bastard—
Actually stole his drink.
Adrian however looked completely satisfied now.
Especially after Felix fake polite smile finally disappeared.
The strange itch of irritation he had been feeling earlier vanished instantly.
Felix narrowed his eyes dangerously while watching Adrian walk away happily with his drink.
"Unbelievable," Felix muttered under his breath before following after him anyway.
After exploring the underground water museum tour, they finally left the virtual fun house building and entered the cruiser again as it smoothly drove toward the third section.
The city lights outside stretched endlessly beneath the night sky.
Silver Arc District really did not feel like a normal district anymore.
It felt like an entire futuristic city hidden inside another city.
Different layers of elevated roads crossed above glowing rivers while floating advertisement screens reflected against silver buildings and glass towers.
"So what movie are we watching?" Kai asked while leaning lazily against the seat.
"Something light," Big V replied. "Then dinner after that and everybody can go their separate ways."
Everyone agreed immediately.
The atmosphere inside the cruiser stayed relaxed while cool night breeze drifted through the slightly opened windows.
Felix looked outside again before muttering quietly, "How big is this Silver Arc District?
This place is literally a city inside a city."
Rick stretched lazily. "Oh right…" He suddenly looked up. "What is Adrian even doing here?"
Jay glanced at him.
Rick continued, "These Silver Districts have commercial zones, industrial buildings, research facilities and residential areas but normal visitors rarely come here just to hang out."
He pointed outside casually.
"And even entering requires status. We only got access because of Matthew to other districts cause Matthew."
Matthew remained silent beside Ava.
Rick continued talking anyway. "Since Matthew is a resident of the highest district, visitors connected to him can enter the first, second and third sections."
He shrugged. "A normal visitor at most can only enter the first district."
"Cause he stays here," Ava suddenly said while sipping from Matthew's drink naturally.
Matthew glanced at her once but said nothing.
Everyone looked toward Ava.
"What?" Ava blinked. "He does?"
Jay frowned slightly. "I thought the Wright family lived in another neighborhood."
"They do," Ava replied casually. "But his mother stays here."
Felix looked confused instantly. "Isn't Adrian's mother dead?"
Derek looked equally shocked. "Wait. Adrian's mother is dead is she alive?"
Ava finally looked up at them slowly before tilting her head.
"His mother isn't dead."
The cruiser grew quieter.
Ava crossed one leg calmly. "She's mentally unstable." She sipped the drink again. "Sometimes she falls into comas."
Rick blinked.
Ava continued casually like she was discussing weather. "She probably entered another coma again."
Her eyes lazily drifted toward the window lights outside.
"If not, Adrian wouldn't be wandering around some virtual fun house acting half normal instead of causing problems at underground fight clubs it club ."
Felix unconsciously stiffened slightly.
"And we didn't exchange much word sigh no fight ," Ava added thoughtfully.
Then suddenly she stopped talking midway.
A slow smile appeared on her face.
Her eyes shifted directly toward Felix.
"...So yes," Ava said softly while still smiling, "his mother definitely fell into another coma and that is why he went to have fun he is trying very hard not to act psychopathic like before"
She stopped deliberately.
The silence inside the cruiser instantly became strange.
"Thinking about it…" Ava suddenly said while resting her chin against her hand lazily. "Very few people know Adrian's real mother is dead even though she is alife."
Her smile widened slightly.
"Most people think his stepmother is his actual mother."
Then her gaze landed directly on Felix again.
"Yet you are one of the few people who knows the real one is dead even if still Alife."
Ava tilted her head innocently. "Interesting isn't it?"
Felix immediately looked out the window.
The glowing city lights reflected across his face making his expression harder to read.
"I just guessed," Felix replied calmly. "He never really talks about his family so assume."
"Hm."
Ava stared at him for two seconds longer.
Then suddenly smiled brightly.
"Don't worry." Her voice filled with amusement instantly. "I'll just ask him myself later."
Felix froze.
Actually froze.
Meanwhile everyone else except Matthew immediately looked toward Ava in shock.
Because she had just casually dropped horrifying family gossip into the cruiser like a grenade.
Kai blinked slowly. "...I'm confused on so many levels right now."
Rick leaned forward instantly interested. "I know Adrian is technically the Wright family's stepson but he is also adopted by the Moore family few know"
Jay nodded slightly. "I heard that too."
Then he frowned.
"But I never heard anything about the Wright family heir having another wife before."
A pause.
"People only said Adrian was illegitimate."
The atmosphere inside the cruiser became strangely quiet again.
Only Ava looked completely entertained.
Matthew meanwhile sat beside her calmly like none of this was his bussiness.
Ava smiled lazily.
"Who told you everything you hear is the truth?"
She crossed her legs comfortably while the city lights flashed across the cruiser windows.
"It is true." She shrugged. "But only half true."
Rick immediately leaned forward again.
Ava continued casually, "You people keep saying Adrian is the illegitimate child of the Wright family but…" her lips curved slightly, "out of the three sons of the Wright family founder which one actually came out publicly and said Adrian is his son?"
Silence.
Nobody answered.
Ava laughed softly. "None."
She pointed lazily at them. "The media and netizens simply picked one randomly and accepted it as fact."
Then slowly—
Her eyes shifted toward Felix again.
"And yet…" Ava smiled sweetly. "Your friend Felix here seems to know something ."
Felix who had been staring outside the window the entire time immediately froze slightly.
But his expression stayed calm.
"I really don't know anything," Felix replied without turning around.
"Sure. Sure."
Ava looked completely unconvinced.
"If I see Adrian somewhere later I'll just ask him directly." Her tone turned bright instantly. "Or maybe do him a few favors to get answers Or blackmail him."
Kai choked slightly.
"Or use his family problems against him." Ava smiled happily. "Either way the truth always comes out eventually."
Felix finally turned around slowly. "...You are terrifying."
"Thank you."
Matthew who had been silent the whole time finally spoke calmly.
"It seems you're close to Adrian."
Ava blinked before laughing softly.
"Hm… close and not close."
She leaned back against the seat lazily.
"You can say we are more like passersby in each other's lives."
Then after a pause she added casually, "He used to stay around the same neighborhood where my grandparents lived we use used prank each other."
Ava however looked completely serious.
"But we aren't really close." She waved her hand lightly. "Two people with the same personality usually can't coexist peacefully."
Then her face twisted slightly in annoyance.
"And also because he wants Sophia."
Her voice stayed calm.
"I don't like that cousin."
Matthew said nothing after hearing that.
He simply closed his eyes calmly against the seat.
Ava immediately looked at him.
Then poked his cheek once.
Matthew did not react as if he is asleep.
Ava poked him again. "Hey."
No reaction.
Ava narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "...Are you jealous?"
Matthew half-opened one eye lazily to glance at her.
"Jealous of what?"
Ava instantly leaned closer smiling brightly. "Don't be jealous." Her voice turned coaxing immediately. "My favorite is always you and will always be you."
Matthew ignored her completely and closed his eyes again.
Ava pouted.
Big V finally drove into the third district properly before parking near the massive building where they had rented the cruiser earlier.
The group slowly got out of the vehicle one after another.
Bright silver lights reflected across the towering buildings around them while giant holographic advertisements floated high above the streets.
People moved in and out of luxury stores and elevated walkways while soft music echoed faintly through the district.
The entire place looked expensive enough to burn money just by breathing there.
Meanwhile Ava still followed beside Matthew nonstop trying to coax him while Matthew calmly treated her like air itself.
They went to the cinema afterward, V paying for all the tickets while the others carried their snacks inside.
The movie room itself was located on another level entirely.
The moment they entered, everyone subconsciously paused.
The entire theater looked nothing like a normal cinema.
Huge curved walls surrounded the room while glowing silver lines ran across the dark ceiling like stars. The seats were wide soft couches instead of normal chairs, arranged on floating platforms at different heights.
Transparent screens stretched across the massive room instead of one single projector.
Once the movie started—
The entire space changed instantly.
The lights dimmed completely as the floor beneath them slowly transformed into a reflective ocean surface.
Cold wind brushed past everyone's skin.
The scent of rain suddenly filled the room.
The movie city appeared around them in full projection as if they were physically standing inside the scene itself.
Buildings rose beside the couches. Neon signs flickered overhead. Cars rushed past in the distance.
When explosions happened during action scenes, the floor vibrated lightly beneath their feet.
When the characters entered snowy mountains, cold air spread through the theater.
At one point glowing butterflies from the movie even flew across the room before dissolving into particles near the audience.
Meanwhile Ava had absolutely no interest in the movie anymore.
Especially once the kissing scene started.
The female lead grabbed the male lead's collar passionately on screen while soft music played throughout the theater.
Ava slowly turned her head.
Her eyes landed directly on Matthew's lips.
Matthew however remained completely focused on the movie like a monk training against worldly desires.
Ava narrowed her eyes slightly.
Then slowly leaned closer trying to kiss him.
Without even looking at her matthew calmly stuffed popcorn straight into her mouth.
Ava froze.
Matthew continued watching the film peacefully.
Ava glared at him while chewing aggressively.
"Why can't I kiss you?" Ava asked unhappily.
Matthew didn't even look away from the screen. "Why should you kiss me?"
Ava looked offended.
"Don't you know boundaries?"
"Boundaries?" Ava repeated dramatically. "What boundaries?"
She pointed at him seriously. "How can you still expect boundaries after we already kissed? I touched your abs. I broke into your house too."
Matthew finally turned slowly toward her.
"Just because you do insane things regularly doesn't make them normal, Ava."
His tone stayed calm. "That's called crossing boundaries."
"I never set them before," he continued lazily. "That's why I'm setting them now."
Ava immediately frowned. "It isn't crossing boundaries. It's called helping your partner get used to affection."
She nodded confidently. "It's our talking stage."
Matthew rolled his eyes so hard he almost looked spiritually exhausted.
"You're a young girl," he muttered. "Why is your brain filled with nothing but filth?"
Ava answered instantly with a completely calm face.
"Because I'm sexually active when I'm around you."
Matthew choked violently on air.
Kai nearly dropped his drink nearby.
Rick folded into Jay laughing silently.
Even Derek looked impressed.
Matthew covered his face immediately while taking a deep breath trying to recover mentally.
"You are so social it has turned to a point you are now awkwardly social "he said slowly. "Why the fuck do you even know how to say things like that?"
Ava blinked innocently.
Matthew immediately gave up halfway. "You know what? Forget it."
He pointed at her tiredly. "You're not normal at all."
Then he turned back toward the movie like a man who had accepted fate.
Ava pouted beside him before quietly stealing popcorn from his bucket anyway.
"So have you agreed to being friends yet?" Ava asked while stealing more popcorn from Matthew's bucket.
Matthew didn't even glance at her. "Don't you already have enough friends?"
Ava gasped softly like he had wounded her deeply. "Come on. I won't bite."
Then she looked him up and down shamelessly.
"You're the man here so why are you acting like some shy young lady?"
Matthew's eyebrow twitched.
Ava continued calmly like she wasn't saying outrageous things in public.
"I already told you why I like you." She counted lazily on her fingers. "You're hot. Your ass is soft. You're super cute."
Matthew slowly turned toward her.
Ava however looked completely serious.
"I just want to eat you up," she finished honestly. "And I want our relationship to grow."
Matthew stared at her silently.
Especially when she kept going without shame.
"I find your personality interesting," Ava admitted while leaning against the couch lazily. "I want to see the real you."
Her eyes curved slightly.
"So what better way is there than becoming friends first and understanding you properly?"
Matthew looked at her for a few seconds before snorting softly.
"Not interested."
Ava immediately narrowed her eyes.
"You're just searching for excuses to act shameless," Matthew added calmly.
Unexpectedly—
Ava actually blushed slightly.
"Okay fine." She crossed her arms dramatically. "Maybe I am."
Then she leaned closer again. "So what? Don't you enjoy it too?"
Matthew finally glanced at her lazily. "Go do it with your friends instead."
Ava immediately looked horrified. "Are you trying to gross me out?"
She started counting immediately.
"Jane and Jordan are dating. Jordan literally only has eyes for Jane and Jane would skin me alive if I touched him."
Matthew stayed quiet while listening.
"And Luna?" Ava made a face. "She's straighter than the alphabet."
Kai nearly choked hearing that from nearby.
Ava continued seriously, " though she act suspicious sometimes because she's obsessed with beautiful things regardless of gender but no. Completely straight."
Then she paused slightly.
"As for Jake—"
Ava suddenly stopped talking mid-sentence like she remembered something.
Matthew's eyes shifted toward her slowly.
Then suddenly
"Have you kissed Jake before?"
Ava blinked in surprise. "...Where did that question come from?"
Matthew looked at her with a lazy smile that looked way too charming under the blue movie lights.
"It was a simple question."
His voice stayed calm. "And it's pretty obvious you're closer to Jake than you other friends."
Matthew rested his chin against one hand while looking at her.
"So." His smile deepened slightly. "Have you kissed Jake before?"
Ava narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Matthew's tone turned softer almost coaxing.
"Answer honestly, shorty."
His gaze stayed on her calmly.
"Don't start relationships with lies."
Ava stared at him for a few seconds.
Then shrugged innocently.
"Well me and Jake are close."
She pointed calmly between herself and the air dramatically. "Like two halves of one brain unfortunately."
Rick immediately snorted nearby.
"We don't even like each other like we just naturally close. We just somehow ended up attached."
Matthew stayed silent listening.
"So yes," Ava admitted casually. "We kissed before in elementary school and middle school."
Matthew's smile remained unchanged.
Ava however looked completely unbothered.
"We used to pretend we were dating sometimes to scare away my ex."
She paused thoughtfully.
"And sometimes because of dares."
Then she looked back at Matthew honestly.
"If it makes you feel better," Ava added casually, "I've kissed some of my other friends before too."
Matthew finally went quiet for a second.
Ava blinked innocently. She genuinely didn't think it was a big deal.
Why would she lie anyway?