“Come in.”

I didn’t get a good look at her room. There was only being led through darkness until I found myself lying on her bed. She was on top of me.

What’s she planning? I was in a disadvantageous position, already pinned.

“Until tonight, I almost thought you were gay.”

“Me? No. I just have self-control.”

“You do?”

“I d-”

She shut me up with a kiss.

From there, it progressed. There was making out, heavy petting, rolling around. Through my exhaustion, it all felt surreal. My head was spinning, my body was on autopilot, and my little buck was at full attention.

The rush halted as she pulled her face back. We remained holding each other close, and she looked me in the eyes.

“Do you want to go further?”

Her eyes were enchanting.

On one hand, Little Buck was shouting go, go, go. It was hard to disagree. I hadn’t done anything physical with a woman in a long while. On the other hand, it had been even longer since I felt comfort in someone’s arms. Warm.

My exhaustion was fighting my libido.

“No, this is enough.”

I nestled further into her arms. My exhaustion won.

Within the minute, I was asleep. Defenseless.

The sunlight woke me up. My arms were empty, so I stretched out.

I’m alive?

“You’re up?”

Candy was changing at the end of the room, into regular clothes for once. I didn’t flinch upon seeing her, and I kept an uncaring gaze, betraying any other excitement I had. My self-control was back.

“Up and Adam.” I got out of bed and continued my stretching as I approached her. “What are you doing up so early for?”

“We have class today. You know that one that you haven’t been to in over a week?”

“Oh, yah.”

She gave me a hug when I drew close despite the contract having ended. I reciprocated. It was nice, but I didn’t know what that made us if something continued beyond business.

I noticed my shawl didn’t get in my way. I was only in my partly unbuttoned suit. It must have been removed throughout the tussling.

I looked left and right. It was your typical girly room. More blankets than could be used, too many stuffed animals to hold, enough pillows to cover the bed twice over. Still no shawl in sight.

I turned 180 degrees. The shawl was right on the ground by the bedpost. And on the wall behind the bedpost hung dozens of toys. Vibrators, dildos, candles, rope, paddles, syringes, whips, collars, plugs, costumes, and other tools.

A branding iron?!

“Please don’t mind that. It’s only a hobby.”

Had it really just been a kinky contract?

“You do you.” Regardless, I didn’t mind.

“So… Do you wanna go to class together?”

The puppy dog eyes she flashed me were very convincing. “Sure.”

We left for class arm in arm. While the rooms were modernized, the remainder of the building had a Victorian design. It was my first time taking in the interior of the dorm.

The floors of the dorms were co-ed. Students made their way out of their rooms for class. Our mild PDA didn’t gain any stares except a sole scrawny boy at the end of the hall, opposite to where we were moving from.

I only noticed him because I was taking in the scenery. His teeth were clenched, fist balled, and he had glaring eyes. He vanished from sight as we turned the corner.

“You ever have any stalkers?” It was plausible between her outfits and openness. The question made her raise an eyebrow.

“A number of times. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“If you say so.”

Class felt long. Either I focus on the grueling lecture or the grueling situation sitting next to me. I tried to think about what we were. When I got too confused, I swapped back to the lecture. And when that confused me too much due to missed classes, I swapped back to the Candy situation.

By the end, I was ready to go back to bed. However, I had another reason for attending class.

“I’ll see you later, Cash. Something came up.”

“See ya.”

With parting waves, I was alone. But not for long. A familiar, punchable face approached me.

“Are you an idiot?” It was Gus.

“Gus! Mi amigo!” I spread my arms wide open, mustering all the energy I had.

“We are not friends.”

“Sure we are.”

Gus’ eyes widened in realization. Before he could do anything, it was already too late.

[Contract purchased: Be your friend]

Expand.

[Attend 3 events alongside you over the course of the semester. Can not get in the way of class.]

The asshole probably hoped some pretty girl would take the contract. It didn’t take more than a breath before his response.

[Not utilize contract with Augustus Haynes, not hanging out with him over the semester for 10,000 Eumalian Dollars]

Reject.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

His eyes narrowed.

“Sorry, but I’m too happy now that I finally have a friend.”

[Not utilize contract with Augustus Haynes, not hanging out with him over the semester for 100,000 Eumalian Dollars]

Reject. I didn’t need to think about it. Holy moly, he is rich.

His expression soured further.

“What’s wrong? Is it that bad to hang out with me?”

“The system. It rewarded me with too much pending wealth.”

I laughed. “Then you should know I wouldn’t take my choice back.”

The system wouldn’t reward someone with wealth unless the intention was there, and it was right. He was stuck as my friend.

The saving grace of the contract was that we had to go to the event together. I couldn’t just force him into some death event on his own. Perhaps there could be some collusion in an event I’m a part of planning, but at that point, he’d probably take his luck fighting that argument in court. Perhaps it would be a setup over an event if I colluded with the host?

“What event are you planning on going to?”

“It’s a surprise. I’ll pick you up at the bus stop on University Ave after you finish your final business class. Make sure to dress up.”

I puffed out my clothes.

“This isn’t because of Candy, right?”

“No. Is that why you called me an idiot?”

“You spent the night with her?”

“I don’t kiss and tell. But, yes.” Another interrogation. I had a streak going.

“You signed some shady contract with her?”

I nodded along. “Uh-huh.”

“And nothing happened?”

“Nothing.”

He studied me as if trying to tell if that was the truth. I wrote off the night’s events quickly. Just like with Gus, it was too much wealth for something simple. It’s easy to be an idiot when it’s convenient for you.

It turned out fine. So, say la vie. My Spanish was bad too, idiot.

“You would know she’s dangerous if you had a single friend.”

“It’s a good thing you’re my friend” I patted him on the arm. “Besides, she’s fine. Nothing happened.”

His quizzical look persisted. “Don’t touch me.”

He wiped off his shoulder.

“I’ll see you this evening.”

“I thought I told you to dress up.”

After a nap in the library, some food, and reaching the self-driving car, it was time for my date with Gus. He was wearing his same smart casual clothes from earlier.

“These cost more than your tacky suit. We’re going to the entertainment district, right?”

He entered the passenger side, and we were off.

“How’d you know?”

“I looked into it and found you were hospitalized recently and questioned by General Bright. The case’s info is closely guarded, but he was seen in the entertainment district shortly after questioning you. Following that were your appearances there. So, are you following the same case?”

Is nothing private anymore? He was likely leaving out additional information he found on me. Hell, he probably had a full background check now. Meticulous.

It was a self-defeating question. Nothing was private for me, but as he said, for someone as powerful as Detective Bright - or rather, General Bright - secrets were contained. At least to the level Gus could find. It wasn’t clear how many connections he had.

“Heavens no. I just met someone interesting who has connections there in that case.”

“Bruno Hammond? You know he died after your rooftop incident?”

He did know more. He probably tried to profile me based on what he could find of my childhood to predict my actions. To him I was a malicious threat at worst and a loose cannon he’s been shoved into at best.

“I know. I’m interested in the setting he was a part of and life he led.”

“You don’t mean we’re going to the circus?” His voice quaked. It was difficult to tell if it was from nervousness or anger.

“Going there? We’re joining!” He could be the human cannonball.

“You’re risking your life - our lives - because you found some guy interesting?”

“That, and I need money for rent tomorrow.”

The sun was setting as the car merged onto the highway. It was the second sunset this week I found myself appreciating.

The remainder of the ride passed in silence. I hoped he was also appreciating the sunset over some neurotic hypothetical situation simulator. Even Laplace’s demon couldn’t create a plan with all the unknown variables, let alone a human.

The sun had fully set by the time we reached our destination.

We were waiting outside The Wall of Absorption behind a line of people. The darkness of the wall stood in contrast to the rainbow of colors the people wore, many outfits including flashing lights or glowing patterns.

All the lights were absorbed by the imposing wall. The light on the connecting sidewalk and street avoided the bricks. Even above the wall, the street lights halted mid-air. It cast what looked like a light-polluted film, matching the starless sky above us.

Current balance.

[Cash King’s Balance: 60.84 Eumalian dollars]

“Want to get some food once we get through? My treat.”

“No.”

The line moved forward. It didn’t take long before we were in front of a shadow of a doorway with two soldiers. They were both dressed in their military uniforms: blue suits decorated with badges, one an emblem of a phoenix, the national animal.

“ID.”

System display Eumalian ID. Now, when inspected by police, or someone I allow to see, my information will pop up.

“Come through.” The policeman gestured to the dark hole behind him.

I tried not to lose my footing as we stepped through the darkness. It was only a few steps before we were greeted by colors again. A lot of colors.

I was blinded again, this time from a red light. It only lasted a blink before the light slid away. It wasn’t only red, but every color zipped around the streets. The street lights were replaced by rave lights.

Exploding fireworks sporadically lit up the remainder of the streets as well as…

Pillars of fire?

At the center of the wide street in front of us was a parade with various performing floats. The one closest had fire breathers dancing while maneuvering around rising flames.

“Keep moving. Don’t get trampled.” Gus was all too casual about the scene, already moving into the crowd. “Actually, do. It’d make my life easier.”

Saying “crowd” was putting it lightly. It was packed shoulder to shoulder around the entrance. It was only after a minute of walking did I have an ounce of personal space again. Being able to see more than the back in front of me, only made me realize even more how many people there were.

People wearing enchanting suits to people wearing birthday suits. People having sex using building walls as their beds. From people walking their dogs to people walking people. And people who were government soldiers, each with their own isolated circle on each corner.

Between the ability to make telepathic phone calls, police stationed everywhere, and the threat of no public cases of crimes going unpunished, even somewhere like here was relatively safe.

That didn’t stop Gus from receiving the occasional flirtatious touch on the arm. Damn pretty boy, I remained untouched. Not that I wanted to be anyway, but still.

“Come on. Don’t get lost. You look like a tourist.”

It was hard to hear him over the electric music that’s vibrations felt like a miniature earthquake. Gus was staying a step ahead of me, and I followed, moving past the various people I observed.

That’s not a dog. In all fairness, the suit’s design was hyper-realistic.

I couldn’t help that I was a tourist. The directions were simple though, follow the parade route.

Various floats went by us. A float held up by muscular men in loincloths had women dancing along poles in various costumes. A levitating boxing ring where two burly men fought. Exotic dancers with fluorescent hair and body paint. Magic shows.

We passed buildings hosting specific events, gambling dens, restaurants, brothels, casinos, and hotels. More accommodations were being advertised than I could keep track of.

A hover car flew overhead of me, breaking the wind around me. It was only then I noticed how hazy the air was and all the dilated pupils around me. Stands selling pills, mushrooms, needles, blunts, and alcohol littered the streets.

“You’ve been here before?” I had to shout to avoid having my voice be completely drowned by the music.

“Only a few times to learn about it. It’s not my scene.” His tone was harsh.

As mystical as it was to take in, it wasn’t my scene either. I was more of a cat person over a dog person. A lot of the visuals were cool, though.

After walking an hour, we reached our destination. The parade dispersed in front of our objective. The center of the entertainment, a base floor that took an entire block, a lit-up exterior in the shape of an 8-tier wedding cake, The Circus’ headquarters: Big Top.