"Someone saw them leave the school earlier. I think they skipped class to go to town." Eugene sighed as he fiddled with his phone, using one hand. He glanced at Claude, who stopped moving. "Don't get too nosy with rich people. They can skip classes for as long as they like. We can't. Just ignore him when he comes to class next week."
"Next week, huh." Claude sighed and moved his head to unwrap the arm on his neck. He figured it was no use caring at this point. "Fine. Let's go. I'm hungry."
Eugene slid to the edge to collect his bag. "I got the boys to reserve a table for everyone. I think they're already waiting for some of us. What do you want for dessert? They're giving away extra cupcakes for free today. I can give you mine."
…
The door softly clicked after Eugene locked it behind him. He and Claude had just gotten back from school. He kept blabbering about hitting the city tonight, but his words froze in his throat. Even Claude was surprised at the scene before them. On Claude's bed was an elegant, expensive violin case with a short note tucked inside a pocket.
Claude walked up to it and looked around, soon collecting the note. It didn't have a signature, only written in beautiful handwriting. It said, 'Sing for us again tonight?'
"Whew, who bought you that?" Eugene looked at the note over Claude's shoulders before moving his head to look at the elegant violin case. He turned to his friend before whipping out his phone. "Can I film this? Come on. If it's a prank, the giver should suffer!"
"Not sure, but do what you like." Claude waited for Eugene to start streaming on his Parrot[1] account.
Claude didn't know what was so attractive about a university-exclusive social media app, but Eugene enjoyed using it. Even their other new friends badgered Claude about having an account for himself. He just wasn't interested.
"Okay, everyone! Remember when I said my friend's violin broke because of some bitches?" Eugene made his opening, but his phone didn't catch Claude's frown toward him. He showed off the violin on the bed. "Just today, we came home to a gift! Someone actually left this in our room. Whoever you are, I hope you didn't do anything else."
Eugene didn't include the note in his stream. He just waited for Claude to open the case while talking about how others hounded him last night. It was a perfectly clear night, but they didn't hear the violin playing. To think a few girls destroyed the violin…
However, Eugene's commentary was disrupted when Claude froze for a second and gushed in excitement next to him. He turned to find Claude holding the violin with so much gentleness.
"It's a Hofner[2]! Hey, Eugene, it's a Hofner!" Claude laughed and perused the violin with a big smile. "I've always wanted one of these. Mom can't buy one because they…"
Claude paused and frowned, taming the smile on his face. He glanced at Eugene, who was aiming the camera directly at his face. Claude used a hand to push the camera away from him. "Don't close up on my face. Anyway, whoever gave me this, please let us know who you are. A Hofner is like one year's worth of housing lease here in the dorm. I have to return this."
Eugene's brows rose. He then flipped the phone to his face. "Did you hear that, guys? Someone gave my friend a violin worth ten grand!"
[But you loved it! Why return it?]
[I wish I could hear you play at night, too. The girls' dorms are too far!]
[Don't return it. You will hurt his ego.]
[LMAO So that's what that express package was for!]
[Don't give it back, bruv. He got up early to buy one for you! LOL]
[Press F for the fallen hero!]
[F] [F] [F]
Eugene stared at the comments flooding his livestream. Most commenters were from the General's dorm, as suggested by the emblems next to their names. He then glanced at Claude before whispering into his phone. "Chat, is this from… you know? He wasn't in class today."
[Yes!] [Totally] [We saw him receiving it just a few hours ago]
Claude frowned at his friend and looked at the comments Eugene showed him. His eyes flickered, but he didn't forget to retreat before turning away to cover his face.
He glanced at the violin before picking it up again. Eugene turned the camera toward him as Claude prepared to play it. When the test notes came out, Eugene whispered how it gave him chills. Even the watchers loved the sound it made.
"Okay… Fine…" Claude chuckled before glancing at the phone camera. "Hopefully, that Courtney girl won't throw Len's gift out the window next."
Everyone caught those words, but Claude played the same nightly song using his new violin. Even if it sounded different, the sound it created was more powerful and mesmerizing than normal. Claude even peeked at the people poking their heads from the crack in the door. The violin was louder because the windows were closed, but the music never bothered anyone.
…
The moon tonight was as full as it was yesterday. Claude didn't go to the woods this time. He was playing in the middle of the open field for track and other sports. It was next to the dorms, so some students still looked out to listen to the sweet melody. No one knew that it was a lone city werewolf's prayer to the moon.
This time, Claude hoped the students would be safe from the big wolf he ran into. No one was reported missing yet, but it was just the start of the school year. If the Moon Goddess watched over them, Claude would play his violin every night.
However, a beam of light waved before him as if getting his attention. Claude stopped and looked over, seeing a lone campus guard walking up to him.
"Hey, good music, but, uh… you can't play out here. It's already dark. Go back to your dorm." The guard looked around as if spotting the most minute movements. "We have reports of wild animals in the area. Someone was already bitten. You should head back inside."
"Really?" Claude felt scared, but he could only pack up to go home. Since the guard didn't chase him out, Claude thanked him before leaving the open field.
On his way to the Cavalry's dorm, he spotted Len leaning on a tree. Len smiled at him as their gazes connected. Claude tightened his grip on the case's handle before walking closer to Len. He greeted the other person with a polite smile.
Len smiled deeper, soon gesturing at the violin. "I saw you play earlier in your friend's livestream. I also saw your initial reaction. You seem to like it a lot. I'm glad."
"You didn't have to…" Claude pulled up the violin case to hug it. "Hey, thanks, but, uh… why did you buy it for me? Just because mine broke didn't mean you should get me one."
"I think it's okay for me to give you presents, Lavallee. I'm pursuing you."
[1] Think X/Twitter but with livestream function.
[2] Think of it as a brand of violin that is for professionals and is on the higher-end of the price range.