𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐲𝐧

c h a p. 4

౨ৎ

The music was deafening, each bass drop sending a shockwave through Arsyne's body. The mansion was alive with the throbbing beat of the latest hits, and every room seemed packed with students dancing, shouting, and generally letting loose.

The noise was a cacophony that made her ears ring, a wince worthy sensation left behind.

Arsyne's steps faltered as they entered the crowd, her breathing quickening with every shove and brush of unfamiliar bodies. Familiar tingles shot up through her arm at the fingers that interlaced with her own to lead her through the crowd.

Gosh, they all smell like sweat. She thought to herself, her face scrunched up in disgust.

Akira's hand tightened around hers, grounding her amidst the chaos. She glanced up at his towering figure, his stare focused on getting them out of the crowd and closer to where his friends and sister texted they'd be.

A strange sense of calm washed over her with his touch, a tether keeping her from drifting away in a sea of discomfort. She liked it.

They pushed through the throng of students, Akira's presence parting the crowd like a ship cutting through water. Arsyne clung to his hand, her eyes darting around nervously, making eye contact with a few people who nodded in greeting, showing that they knew her.

They were stopped abruptly by a girl who seemed to radiate confidence and charm. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and her doe eyes looked up at Akira with a soft, loving gaze. The brown leather mini dress she wore hugged her figure perfectly.

"Akira," the girl greeted, her voice sugary sweet yet dripping with a hidden edge. Her eyes flicked down to their joined hands, a false smile spreading across her face. "I see you're with someone new."

The man looked up to the sky in defeat, wishing for the woman in front of him to disappear from his sight. Arsyne felt herself wanting to shrink under the girl's harsh gaze but kept her confident façade and bowed her head in greeting making the girl bow back respectfully. "Hey, I'm Zervas Ar-" she started, her voice smoothly being carried by the bass in the background.

"Kimura Mei," the girl interrupted, her tone still sickly sweet. "I'm well aware of who you are. Akira and I are quite close."

"Used to be." He said deeply with disinterest, his eyes scanning the crowd for any of his friends or his little sister.

Mei's eyes darted back to Akira, her smile faltering slightly at his words. "We've been together for a while, so of course, I have to know who's been taking his attention."

Arsyne's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Oh, I didn't realise," she instinctively let go of Akira's hand, not wanting to cause any trouble with the 'couple'.

Akira sighed, stepping between the two girls. "Mei, we've been over this. We were never together, so there's no need for you to keep tabs on me. It's weird and delusional."

Mei's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you seriously saying this over someone like her?" she echoed, her tone dripping with contempt. "Akira, you can do so much better. I'm sure your parents would agree. You know how they get with foreigners-"

"I was born here..." Arsyne's heart sank at Mei's words, the sting of her tone cutting deep.

Akira, however, was quick to respond. "Mei, that's enough. I ended things for a reason."

"What reason?" The girl hissed, her eyes set in a glare, not believing that anyone could treat her like this.

"You're a narcissistic sociopath who cares for nobody but herself and her image, you're a horrible person, and I genuinely think you should get checked out. Just... move on."

Mei's face contorted with anger and hurt; her eyes glossing over. "You're making a mistake, Akira," she almost snarled, her voice barely audible, over the music.

Akira ignored her, taking Arsyne's hand again. "Let's go," he said firmly, pulling her away from the seething girl.

Arsyne's mind was reeling from the encounter. "What did she mean by 'someone like me'?" she asked, her voice small and unsure. She was used to the treatment she received, the stares, the whispers. It just never got easier as time passed, especially when people would say things like that.

"Don't listen to her," Akira replied, his grip on her hand reassuring, his thumb rubbing against her knuckles softly. "She's just jealous and trying to cause trouble."

They finally made it to the kitchen, a sanctuary from the overwhelming noise and crowds. Akira began mixing drinks, his movements practiced and precise. Arsyne watched him, her mind still replaying Mei's harsh words. "I need a shot. Strong."

Akira smiled, amused at her words, "I thought you were more of a sweet drink type of girl, Zervas."

She crossed her arms across her chest. Not willing to admit she'd never had alcohol before, as the thought of disappointing her parents was much stronger than the urge to let loose in the past.

"Here," Akira said, handing her a shot of vodka. "To forget about everything else for a few hours."

Arsyne downed the shot, wincing as the alcohol burned its way down her throat. Her face scrunched in disgust.
"You should've gotten a chaser with it." Akira laughs.

Her brows furrow, "What is that?"

"Something to tone down the taste of alcohol," he says absentmindedly while wiping the side of her mouth that had a trail of vodka. Her eyes widen slightly at the affection making her want to back away from the unfamiliar touch.

She clears her throat, "Why didn't you start with that then!"

"I was making it, but you wanted to go dry!"

"I'm new at this!"

"Obviously," he snorted out a laugh.

"Another," she demanded, the edge in her voice betraying her determination to drown her feelings.

Akira warned her to slow down with a concerned look, watching as she reached for another shot. This time he gave her a red bull on the side. "I said have fun, not die of alcohol poisoning."

Arsyne rolled her eyes, her fingers brushing against his as she took the shot. She wasn't sure if the tingle she felt throughout her entire body was the alcohol or his touch. "You don't care if I never wake up."

"Sure, I do," Akira smirked, leaning against the counter with his own drink. She took another shot while he spoke, a rush of heat spreading to her chest, her legs feeling jelly-like. "Then I'd have to be partners with someone who actually likes me."

Arsyne snorted, the alcohol making her bolder. "Like you can find one."

Akira intercepted her hand as she reached for her fourth shot, taking it himself. "There.
Who needs love when I have blind hatred?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the kitchen door slamming open. Asa, her blonde hair gleaming under the lights, squealed in delight at the sight of Arsyne.

"There you are!"

Arsyne's face lit up, and she rushed to embrace her best friend. "Asa! I missed you!"

Akira stood back, watching the reunion with a roll of his eyes. His friends, who had followed Asa to make sure she was okay, winced at the high-pitched sounds of the girls' excitement. Asa tried to shoo the four guys away, insinuating she was done with their bodyguard services.

"You're both lightweights," Kairo muttered. "We're not going anywhere."

The girls' favourite song started playing, and they squealed again, dragging each other to the makeshift dance floor in the living room. Arsyne threw her Prada jacket at Akira, who caught it with a sarcastic, "I'll just hold onto this for you."

The four guys followed the girls, making sure they didn't do anything stupid. Akira was more focused on making sure no weird guys got too close to them.

Arsyne and Asa began dancing together, their bodies moving in sync with the beat. Grinding and bodies rolling against each other made them giggle light-heartedly. Laughter and shouts of encouragement filled the air as they lost themselves in the music. Arsyne's mini skirt rode up slightly, but she didn't care.

She was finally letting loose, her anxieties melting away with every beat. The shape of her ass was seen making a few guys around them whistle at the view making Akira clench his fists. As long as no one got close enough to touch her, everything would be fine.

Akira watched from a distance, his eyes never leaving Arsyne. His friends nudged each other, clearly interested in joining the girls. "If any of you dumbasses touch my sister or Zervas, I'll break your neck," he warned, his voice deadly serious, his dark eyes still focused on the roll of Arsyne's body. The jacket still clutched in his arms emitted her sweet vanilla scent calming him instantly.

A stranger, leaning against the wall beside them, scoffed. "You're a rich kid that plays the piano. No necks are gonna be broken, bro."

"Bro?" Akira smiled, shaking his head in disbelief at the guy's stupidity. Not heeding the threat, the stranger moved towards Arsyne; his intentions clear as he grabbed a handful of her ass with his left hand. She turned around in shock, pulling her skirt down, immediately pushing him away and cursing him out.