When Etienne opened the door he saw a little boy holding flowers.
Mino bowed and he said in a child's young and milky voice: "I have a delivery for Etienne Emond."
Etienne was surprised: "Ah? For me?"
What was going on?
Mino handed him a bouquet of yellow roses with blushing cheeks. Etienne was friendly faced and welcoming in body posture. He had big doe eyes and those eyes were staring at the little boy. Mino thought that the omega voice was unique and soothing. It was really sweet.
Etienne accepted the flowers and lowered his head to sniff the flowers: "Thank you."
Julien suddenly approached them from the side and he slipped inside, hand in hand with Mino: "You are welcome!"
Julien changed his shoes and his eyes swept the room at random: "Few men living alone clean up the house so cleanly."
Etienne sighed with emotion: "After all, all valuables are sold, only a piano is left."
If he wanted to be messy then he first needs capital. He had only a few pieces of furniture. The only characteristic in the house that could bring delight was the potted plants on the windowsill.
Julien thought it over. Before walking to the sofa, he whispered to Etienne just in case: "Don't sell these flowers."
Julien knew that Etienne's finances were tight. When Etienne got into the best music department in college, the savings in his family wasn't enough for the university tuition. At that time, his family made it clear that they didn't have the money to let him attend college. Etienne wasn't willing to give up so he spent time working as a tutor and handing out flyers. After being busy and performing in the club, he was finally able to earn the remaining amount he needed for tuition and living expenses for studying throughout the years.
Etienne carried this giant bouquet of roses into the living room and placed it down on the coffee table. There was a card hidden in the flowers.
Then four eyes looked at each other, silent.
Etienne took out two ice creams from the freezer and placed it at the hand of Mino and his friend: "You deserve a treat, baby."
Although he said that to Mino, the one who answered him was Julien: "My favorite flavor, thanks!"
When Mino saw that Etienne kept staring at him, his face reddened. He forced himself to eat. His expression was blank and his voice quiet: "Thank you."
Julien looked deeply at his friend: "What business are you doing now?"
Etienne's tone was sad: "Nothing too prosperous."
Julien thought for a few seconds and calmly said: "I know rumors about me hit you as well. I signed a contract with 'Famus' lately and can say a good word about you to the boss."
Etienne was startled: "It is better to take me along?"
Julien nodded and turned his head to look out of the window. The orange sunlight shining on the window was lovely. He placed the credit card at the table: "That will do for now."
Etienne said with a careful look: "I can't take it."
Julien's peach blossom eyes squinted and he warmly persuaded: "Pay your rent in advance this time. You can return the money later."
Julien had both time and money, he could totally afford this kind of help during his free time.
Whiteout waiting for the other omega's response, he turned around to look at Mino: "Do you like the ice cream?"
Mino honestly stated: "Yes, it tastes like strawberries."
Then Etienne heard Julien asking him to perform for the little boy.
Once, Etienne had figured out that there is no other way than to accept the card, he gave them a very enthusiastic smile and said: "Okay, I will perform 'Little Donkey'. Let me go get ready."
Etienne sat down in front of the piano and his cheerfulness could be felt directly in each note that he played.
As he was happily performing away, he started singing along:
I have a little donkey, that I never ride
One day, I feel like riding it, so I go to the market
Before he even realized it, a little bun snuggled right up against him.
Mino was still a bit reserved at the beginning, but when he was about a meter or so away from him and perhaps noticing that Etienne hadn't noticed him at all, he got braver and braver and slowly nudged closer and closer. Finally, he was leaning up against his thigh and closely watching his ten fingers happily bouncing up and down the keys.
Etienne looked at him in a pure way and expressed his welcome: "Sing with me."
His voice was gentle:
I have a little donkey that I never ride
One day prompted by a sudden impulse, I rode it to the local market
I feel pleased with a leather whip in my heads, I am enjoying the ride
Then I don't know what happened, I slipped and fell down into the mud
Mino started singing with him without even noticing.
After Etienne finished the song, he looked down curiously at Mino and asked: "You want to learn this song?"
At that time Julien finished recording the video and posting it in his circle of friends. He came to his friend and whispered in his ear: "Leather whip? You are into that kind of stuff?"
Etienne didn't acknowledge, but his white ears turned a pinkish color.
Julien scooped up the little boy and plopped him onto his lap. With uplifted spirit, he said: "Okay, let's learn it together."
The rest of the afternoon, they were singing children's songs.
This time Etienne had learned his lesson. He only hummed with his mouth closed and only symbolically opened his mouth during the 'la la la' parts, even so, his voice was so low that only he heard it.