After dinner, Jay and Derek cleared the table as the group got ready to head out.
They left Matthew's apartment via the elevator, then strolled to a nearby building to rent a luxury nine-seater golf cart—sleek and spacious, with tinted windows that let them see out but kept prying eyes away, plus a stocked interior for the ride.
Big V slid behind the steering wheel, with Derek and Kai riding shotgun up front. Jay, Rick, and Philip claimed the middle seats, facing backward toward Matthew, Ava, and Felix at the very back.
A central table anchored the space, surrounded by corner amenities: a mini-fridge stocked with chilled drinks, snack trays of chips and chocolates, wireless charging ports, adjustable ambient lights, foldable cup holders, and a hidden speaker system.
The front seats connected seamlessly to the back, letting Big V, Derek, or Kai slip rearward without touching the rear door.
Big V cranked up the music, filling the cart with upbeat vibes. Felix fired off selfies, posting them to the group chat with cheeky captions.
Kai nestled his head on Derek's shoulder, both peering at funny videos scrolling on Derek's phone. Philip flipped through a glossy beauty magazine, while Rick and Jay hunched over a heated card game, trash-talking each move.
Matthew closed his eyes, feigning sleep, as Ava pouted beside him—squeezing his hand to compare their sizes, snapping cute photos of their intertwined fingers.
Felix's selfies weren't the only posts flying
Ava fired one off to her family group chat, captioned: "Even his hand is sexy 😍 Jealous, aren't you?" with a close-up of her fingers laced through Matthew's.
Mom Emily: My baby finally got herself a man! Is this the crush you've been gushing about? 💕
Dad Nathan: From dodging you to holding hands—good work, baby girl. Proud dad moment.
Stinky Bro: Sure you didn't Photoshop that? 😂
Ava: It's REAL, not Photoshop. Stop hating—which I could say about your mushroom hair, loser.
Stinky Bro: I wish you a no-success relationship. 🙃
Mom Emily: Stop fighting, you two!
Dad Nathan: If you put half that energy into arguing with your sister into finding a place to get lost...
Stinky Bro: Dad, I'm 17. I'm that one leech you can't drive off.
Dad Nathan: Told you to take Plan B, Emily.
Mom Emily: Don't blame me—he's just like you! 😏
Ava: Tsk tsk tsk. Should've just aborted it—your mistake. Next time!
Stinky Bro: Oh shut up, Ava. I overheard Dad in his office—sneaked in and heard him say having kids wasn't the plan. We're ALL mistakes!
Dad Nathan: You sneaked into my office?!
Stinky Bro: Dad, remember the Halloween incident? 😈
Dad Nathan: Blackmailing now? Indeed my son.
Mom Emily: Wait—the Halloween incident? Is it what I'm thinking? Ava, answer me! You two idiots won't spill.
[Dad Nathan left the group. Stinky Bro left the group. Ava left the group.]
Mom Emily added Dad Nathan to the group.
Mom Emily added Stinky Bro to the group.
Mom Emily added Ava to the group.
Mom Emily: Don't you DARE avoid my question. ANSWER ME NOW.
Ava smirked, powered off her phone—out of sight, out of mind let her Dad and brother carry their cross themselves and went back to playfully tracing Matthew's hand as the luxury cart pulled into the first district.
Outside, the luxury cruiser finally entered the glowing streets of the First District, neon lights flashing across the tinted windows as crowds, arcades, restaurants, and nightlife filled the roads ahead.
The game club towered over the street like a futuristic palace built for rich teenagers with too much energy and money. Giant LED screens wrapped around the glass exterior, flashing colorful game trailers, tournament rankings, and animated mascots that moved across the walls.
Music thumped faintly from inside even through the thick glass doors.
Groups of youngsters flooded the entrance. Some rushed out laughing loudly while holding shopping bags filled with plushies and arcade prizes.
Others entered while arguing over scores and dragging friends toward the elevators. Cosplayers, couples, rich students, streamers with cameras, and gamers carrying customized keyboards filled the area with noise and excitement.
The moment Big V's car stopped, attention shifted.
Heads turned one after another.
Even people halfway through conversations paused.
Because the group stepping out looked less like students and more like celebrities arriving for an event.
Each of them had a different aura that stood out naturally, but Ava especially caught attention instantly.
She was the only girl among them.
And honestly… she looked unreal.
A tight midriff halter cropped top in a rich chocolate brown hugged her slim frame perfectly, exposing just enough pale skin to make it unfair.
Her matching pleated high-waisted mini skirt moved lightly with every step while fluffy white fur leg warmers wrapped around her calves above brown boots that added extra height to her naturally elegant figure.
Her waist-length red wavy hair flowed behind her like burning silk under the neon lights. Combined with her pale white skin and soft pink lips, she looked almost fantasy-like.
Some people genuinely thought she was mixed or some kind of hybrid model.
At five-six with the boots—five-five without them—she walked with lazy confidence beside Matthew.
And Matthew himself looked equally ridiculous.
Standing at six-one, he had the kind of appearance that made people stare twice without realizing it.
If someone said Apollo himself had stepped out of Greek mythology and modernized his wardrobe, people would probably believe it.
His black cat-like eyes looked sharp yet lazy beneath dark Korean leaf-cut hair. The fringe stopped right at eyebrow level, naturally pulling attention toward his eyes.
The slightly messy texture curved around his cheekbones before arching back, emphasizing a sharp jawline that looked sculpted on purpose.
The oversized brown knit sweater resting over a fitted white inner shirt made him look effortlessly expensive. Cream-colored cargo pants hung loosely against his long legs while a thin silver chain glimmered faintly near his collarbone.
And right now, Ava stood in front of him poking his chest repeatedly just to get his attention while he looked down at her with that half-awake expression that somehow made girls nearby almost lose their minds.
"Damn…" someone whispered near the entrance. "Who are they?"
"Idols?"
"Don't think so"
Completely ignoring the growing attention, the group entered the massive lobby.
Inside, the place was even crazier.
Huge holographic game characters floated near the ceiling while bright arcade lights reflected against polished marble floors.
The lobby split into multiple sections—VR gaming zones, bowling lanes, rhythm games, racing simulators, claw machines, escape rooms, and even a luxury café upstairs overlooking the city.
The noise of laughter, shouting, game effects, and music blended together into chaotic energy.
Big V stretched his arms lazily. "So which game do we want to play first?"
"We should play at least three games since we're nine," Philip said thoughtfully. "So let's form three groups. Each group picks one game."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Kai, Philip, and Big V together."
"Derek, Rick, and Matthew."
"Ava, Jay, and Felix."
"Rock paper scissors decides who chooses first," Kai announced.
The others agreed immediately.
Meanwhile nearby strangers kept sneaking glances at them, phones already secretly coming out under tables.
Because honestly… the group was too eye-catching not to stare at.
The rest of the guys didn't need to speak much for people to notice them. The guy with pink hair (Rick) bouncing slightly as he moved—had that cute , sweet, playful, mischievous charm that made him look like trouble wrapped in candy.
He looked like the type you couldn't stay mad at for long. One second you'd want to scold him, the next you'd want to kiss him the next to coax him without even realizing it.
Beside him was a guy holding his hand loosely like it was the most natural thing in the world( Jay) . Jay had brown hair and look hot and sexy at the same time, he had that Nobel cool air around that does not made him cold nor approachable at the same time.
Then another cute guy (Kai )He had that warm, gentle look—like sunlight after a long winter. Nothing loud about him, nothing aggressive. Just a quiet charm that made people feel comfortable without knowing why.
The type who smiled softly and made it feel more meaningful than any loud laughter but give the vibe of someone sassy and would not be gentle if you cross his boundaries.
Then there was the rebel-looking one ( Derek)low haircut, sharp edges, and an attitude that screamed trouble at first glance. He looked like the kind of guy parents would warn their kids about… until he smiled.
Because the moment he did, that dangerous impression vanished into something oddly magnetic, like even authority figures would suddenly start defending him without knowing why.
Then one in the middle without getting close he was giving the vibe like the heart and life of the group (Felix) stood out in a completely different way.
He had that androgynous, almost unreal beauty that made people pause for a second too long. His features were so balanced, so striking, that he could easily be mistaken for either gender at first glance—and somehow still look flawless either way. Confident, cool, and effortlessly captivating, like he didn't even try and still won attention.
Philip carried a softer academic vibe. Clean, composed, and slightly artistic in appearance. The classic dream-boy look girls wrote in notebooks and boys secretly copied hairstyles from. He had that intelligent scholar vibe mixed with rich-boy polish, like he belonged in romance movies filmed during autumn.
And then Big V rounded them all out with a strong, dominant presence. He had that classic bad-boy energy—laid-back posture, sharp eyes, and a confidence that didn't need validation. Not loud, not flashy, just naturally commanding attention when he entered a space.
Together, they didn't look like a normal group of students.
Standing together, the group looked less like highschool students and more like a cast chosen unfairly by some obsessed director.
No wonder the lobby had practically slowed down around them.
Kai, Philip, and Big V gathered first for rock-paper-scissors.
"Rock."
"Paper."
"Scissors."
Philip won instantly.
Big V stared at his hand in disgust. "This game is rigged."
Kai chuckled softly beside him. "You just lost."
Meanwhile Derek, Rick, and Matthew started theirs.
Rick somehow won two rounds in a row and immediately jumped up celebrating dramatically.
Then it was Ava, Jay, and Felix.
Ava crushed both of them without mercy.
Felix dropped to his knees. "no I wanted to win so badly "
"So Philip," Felix asked while dusting himself off dramatically, "which game do you want first?"
Everyone turned toward Philip.
Philip pushed his glasses slightly before answering with suspicious seriousness.
"I want an escape room."
Rick groaned immediately.
"Not the boring smart-people games."
"No," Philip corrected calmly. "One of the new dangerous-level escape rooms."
Kai narrowed his eyes knowingly. "You just want to show off how smart you are."
Philip smiled peacefully. "And if I am?"
"That's lame," Big V replied.
Philip looked offended. "Intelligence is attractive."
"where the fuck did that glass come from."mattew asked as Philip acted deaf .
" Rick choose a good game be serious"jay said
Rick rubbed his chin dramatically. "Let me think."
The group waited.
Rick suddenly snapped his fingers, cute dimples appearing as he grinned.
"Team game those one were you pair and have to compete doing task ."
Matthew already looked tired.
"Another game involving running sounds stressful," he muttered while rubbing his temple.
Ava raised her hand instantly. "Girls first. So we're playing my game first which is laser tag."
Nobody argued.
"So who's registering?" Jay asked.
"I'll go."
"Me too."
Felix and Philip headed toward the reception area together while the others waited near the glowing lobby entrance.
Around them, people still kept sneaking glances at the group. Some whispered among themselves while others openly stared before pretending not to when noticed.
A group of girls near the drink machines were already arguing over who looked best.
After a few minutes, Felix and Philip returned with a staff member.
"Follow me please."the staff said
The group followed the receptionist upstairs to the first floor where the laser-tag arena was located.
The entrance alone looked intense.
Dark walls lined with neon lights, glowing arrows across the floor, giant digital scoreboards, fog effects leaking faintly from inside the arena doors.
The staff stopped in front of them.
"So," she explained professionally, "the nine of you will form the Red Team."
Everyone nodded.
"You'll be competing against Blue Team, Yellow Team, Pink Team, and Purple Team." She pointed toward the glowing scoreboard. "Each team has nine members. The last team standing wins."
Big V cracked his neck lazily. "Easy."
The staff handed them laser vests and guns one by one.
Felix examined his dramatically. "Damn. It's been so long since I played this."
Philip looked confused while adjusting his vest. "I've actually never played laser tag before."
The entire group paused.
Then Jay look up as he fixed Rick vest "That's not shocking. Your childhood fun was probably watching weather broadcasts."
Rick nearly collapsed laughing.
Philip rolled his eyes. "Funny. Very funny."
They continued walking toward the arena entrance while finishing adjusting their gear.
The deeper they went, the darker the hallway became. Neon lights reflected across their faces while electronic music pulsed faintly through the walls.
Ava casually grabbed Matthew's hand while walking.
"I'm so scared," she said sweetly while blinking up at him. "You'll protect me right?"
Matthew looked down at her with as if searching which level of craziness she is on right now .
His lips twitched slightly.
"…Cute girl behavior doesn't fit you."
"How rude."
"And after this," he added quietly while leaning closer, "you still owe me an explanation about how you got into my apartment."
Ava looked genuinely amazed.
"You're still thinking about that?"
"Yes because normal people don't break into houses."
"Boring people don't break into houses."
Matthew sighed sometimes " I'm wondering who I should call police or mental asylum".
Ava smiled brightly before tightening her hold on his hand.
"Anyway," she said proudly, dragging him toward the arena entrance, "since you won't protect me, I'll protect you instead."
" Then this princess would put his safety in his knight hands " Matthew said with a curtsy as Ava bows before holding his handaa they entered the arena.
The arena doors shut behind them with a heavy metallic sound.
Then neon lights flickered alive across the massive battlefield.
The arena looked like a futuristic abandoned city — glowing barriers, narrow pathways, broken walls, metal staircases, hidden corners, and elevated platforms surrounded by dim blue and red lighting.
Fog drifted lightly near the floor while laser beams flashed across distant sections of the arena every few seconds.
The moment the countdown started, all five teams scattered instantly.
"Move move move—" Big V whispered loudly while dragging Kai and Philip toward the left side.
Meanwhile Ava's group disappeared deeper into the maze-like structure while Rick's group found a decent hiding area near the middle zone.
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One…"
GAME START.
Laser shots immediately exploded across the arena.
People screamed.
Someone yelled betrayal.
Another person shouted for cover dramatically.
Philip crouched behind a glowing wall with Rick and Jay, gripping his laser gun tightly.
"Wow," Philip whispered nervously, "this is actually nerve-wracking."
"Shut up," Rick muttered lazily.
Unlike Philip, Rick looked completely relaxed sitting on the ground with his back resting against Jay's chest like they were casually hanging out instead of being hunted in a laser war.
Jay tilted his head slightly, quietly listening to the chaos happening nearby.
From the sounds alone—
Two teams had already found each other.
The Yellow Team and Blue Team were firing nonstop somewhere close to their hiding area.
Laser lights flashed through the cracks in the walls while footsteps echoed around them.
"Left side!"
"Shoot them!"
"Cover cover cover—!"
Philip flinched every time a laser hit nearby.
"This is stressful."
Rick peeked around the wall briefly.
Yellow Team was losing badly.
One member got eliminated almost immediately while another ran straight into enemy fire trying to escape.
Within minutes—
Yellow Team only had three members left.
Blue Team still had five.
But the remaining Yellow players had scattered into hiding spots difficult to track.
Jay's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened carefully.
"…Blue Team is advancing this way."
Philip stiffened instantly.
"What?"
Rick chuckled taking a photo of Philip face.
" You like those first person to die in horror films Philip "
"Shut up "
Footsteps started approaching closer.
Slow.
Careful.
The Blue Team was sweeping through the area methodically after winning the earlier fight.
Laser guns raised.
Searching.
And unfortunately
Heading directly toward their hiding spot.