The rhythmic thud of tires against the road created a steady backdrop to the scene, lulling Linus into a sense of quiet reflection. He watched as buildings rose and fell, their shapes shifting and changing with each passing moment.

He sat in the backseat of his mother's car, his fingers tapping nervously against his thigh. Amidst the old-fashioned radio music, hummed her chiming voice, completely contrasting his mood.

"Isn't this exciting, boys?" she asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

Beside him, Akira grinned. "Yeah, it's gonna be awesome!" he chimed in.

Linus felt a knot form in his stomach at the thought of what was ahead of them. It made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. He wasn't doing this for fun. He had a mission to fullfill.

Suddenly his mother squeaked in excitement. "I can't wait to meet Maya and all of her friends!"

Akira raised an eyebrow questioningly, looking at Linus. The latter sighed, feeling interrupted in his nervous state. "Mom, you're not coming with us," he said annoyed.

"Awww…" she sighed. "But that's part of growing up, I suppose…" Despite her seeming understanding, she suddenly raised her voice in a dramatic tone. "They grow up so fast!" and swerved the car slightly.

"Mom! Stop!"

"Hehehe, sorry!"

It was hard to tell who among them was the teenager attending the party tonight.

Then she turned her attention back to the road, her smile turning into some kind of smirk. "Sooo, Akira, tell me more about yourself! What's your hobbies? Do you have any siblings?"

Linus gave her a scrutinizing look. What were those questions? And why did she even care? Akira was his friend after all. Or, was he even his friend? His gaze shifted to Akira who seemed to ponder for a moment, which surprised him. Usually he wouldn't waste a second thinking about the words escaping his mouth.

"Well, I used to have a brother…", said Akira in a melancholy tone.

"Had…?" she asked, slightly concerned.

"Y-yeah, it's been a long time since we last saw each other. But… I think that's going to change soon," he grinned awkwardly.

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Linus' mother seemed a bit overwhelmed; usually, she solved problems with her cheerful demeanor, but here she remained silent. There was a moment of silence that grew so unbearable that Linus was aboutto say something, just anything to break it. But Akira spoke up again, as calmly as ever.

"Well, as for hobbies… I play a shitload of video games… And your son has become something of a hobby for me aswell, you could say." His mother burst out in histerical laughter, and some time Akira joined in. Linus seemed to be the only one who didn't grasp the meaning behind that statement.

As they drove closer to their destination, the sprawling landscape opened up before them, revealing a sight that left them all in awe. Rising majestically against the backdrop of the night sky stood a gigantic, luxurious villa, its grandeur illuminated by soft, golden lights that bathed its ornate façade in a warm glow.

Linus' eyes widened in disbelief as they approached the imposing structure, its towering spires and intricate architecture a testament to opulence and wealth.

"Wow, that's some mansion!" exclaimed Akira.

"Yeah, no kidding! Is Maya's dad single by any chance?" Linus' mother joked, though perhaps not entirely in jest. Linus looked at her with a certain grudge. He had heard this line one too many times.

As his mother noticed, she just laughed it off amusedly. Of course.

The grounds surrounding the villa were equally impressive, with manicured lawns stretching out as far as the eye could see. Lush gardens burst forth in a riot of color, their vibrant blooms dancing in the gentle breeze.

After his mother parked the car, her face was trembling with excitement as she turned to face them.

"Here we are, boys! Let's go make some memories!" She lifted her hands up, hitting the car's ceiling, her voice filled with the youth of your typical teenage party girl.

"Yeah… we surely will," Linus said, once again emphasizing that she would stay in the car, as if telling a dog to sit down. It was embarrassing enough that they were driven here by his mother; nobody needed to see her getting out and accompanying them inside.

Linus shivered at the thought.

The boys stepped out of the car, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone path. As they made their way toward the grand entrance, the sound of laughter and music drifted through the night air.

As they entered through the ornate doors, Linus immediately clung to Akira's heels, much like a child following his mother through a grocery store. There was nothing worse than getting lost in such a place.

Akira, on the other hand, wore a broad grin that practically invited others to approach him. Linus felt like knocking that smile off his face; he could use anything right now but attention.

"Loosen up a bit!" Akira called over his shoulder, struggling to be heard over the noise.

Overwhelmed, Linus stiffened, then forced a smile, as if asking, 'Better?'

The interior of the villa was rich with colors, streamers hanging from the ceiling, and rainbow lights casting dancing shadows across the walls. Linus had to shield his eyes with a hand to avoid being blinded by them too much, lest he run into someone and worst of all, spill their drinks on himself.

Akira grabbed Linus by the shirt, dragging him toward a crowd of people.

Linus's eyes widened in stress.