To Eternity and Back

Chapter 4

"You were amazing, Akira!" a violinist exclaimed as she patted me on the back with a laugh.

I blushed slightly and returned the compliment with a smile. "Thank you, you were great as well."

She started dismissing my words with an embarrassed grin as the other musicians started to surround us and started to congratulate each other as well.

Despite being in an after party with people I don't know, I felt at ease because I had my fellow musicians with me. I may not know them well to consider them good friends, but it's enough for me to just consider them as companions. Why? Because at least with them, my emotions are real.

As the conversation started to stray away from the topic of the concert and to their daily life, like how their week is going and what they plan to do later on, I caught a glimpse of my mother gleefully talking to a group of women several feet away. I couldn't hear what they were saying but it seemed like they were having a good time because they're now laughing. On the other side of the ballroom, my father was quietly listening to a man who I think was talking about politics with him. It's most likely, because he seems like he wants to walk away from the conversation; I've seen that face enough times to know when he's annoyed or bored. One thing I absolutely know about my father, he despises politics. He thinks it brings unnecessary drama and conflict and as long as it doesn't interfere with his business, the world could go to war for all he cares.

Sometimes, people ask me if he's really my father because of how different we act, but I can assure everyone he is. We just... grew up differently.

He grew up to be a stoic, coercive man who belongs on top of the social and economic pyramid.

While I grew up to be an imperfect man who doesn't know where exactly he belongs and hides it all behind a mask.

See? Different.

"Hey Akira, are you alright? You seem spaced out."

The same violinist from earlier got in front of me and looked at me with concern. I must've blanked out earlier without realizing and worried her.

I softly smiled and replied like nothing was wrong. "Yes, I'm fine. Truly."

She gave me a suspicious look and just as she was about to say something, a percussionist interrupted her before she got the chance.

"Then try this and liven up a little!"

He shoved a glass champagne into my hands and I was thinking of protesting but he quickly left, joining the nearby group of people toasting.

I fiddled with the glass cup and after much debate, I brought the edge of the cup to my lips, allowing a small portion of the champagne to go down my throat and into my stomach.

Though I've never really been a fan of alcohol, I guess it's not bad.

Even so, I didn't feel like drinking it all. However, seeing how almost the whole crowd of people are drinking champagne in my honor, wouldn't it be weird if I just threw it away? Wouldn't people think that I'm being rude for that? Even if it wasn't, I believe they'll somehow make it seem so. Elite society can be dangerous and terrifying after all.

I hesitantly drank a sip again and despite the bad aftertaste, I finished it and grabbed another one.

After my third glass, I started feeling lightheaded and the bustling voices around me started to dull. Slight heat flushed my cheeks and my vision blurred bit by bit. Is this what people go through when they're drunk? It feels horrible and I never want to feel this again. I placed the half empty glass at a nearby table and rubbed my forehead from a sudden headache.