Walking through the college corridor, Zhu Kang anxiously glanced at his bank book, specifically at the number of zeroes. "It's not enough.... maybe I can ask for a prepayment in my cafe."
"Prepayment? What for? Is something wrong?" Ruth, who was walking next to him, worriedly glanced down.
"Nothing, just need it for something." He unknowingly scratched at the bandage. The weather was getting hotter, and the bandage did not help. He was seating a lot, and it was making his forehead itch.
"Don't do that." Ruth pulled his hand away. "You should be careful when you are in the bathroom. Why were you even dancing? It's not safe at all,"'
Hearing him nag Zhu Kang just smiled widely. "I was listening to lady gaga,"
"Then don't listen to her when you are bathing. Gosh, Kang, you are very clumsy," he gripped his arm and pulled him to the side, avoiding the people walking in front of them.
Zhu knag blindly walked through thinking of how much money he could save or what things he could sell to get that amount. "Hey, do you think my laptop can sell? It's slightly broken, but it still works."
"Kang... I can lend you money,"
"No-no, you are already paying for my food. How can I ask of you that? I just need to make money fast. Are there any other gigs like that party? It paid very well," he desperately glanced up at him.
Ruth just awkwardly smiled. "n-no... I will see what I can find. I don't think those jobs suit you though,"
"Why?"
"It's too risky,"
"Ay, ay, it's not risky at all. I can take down any man I want with just a fist. What's there to fear," he flexed his arms.
Ruth just laughed at him.
"You want a taste of my fists, huh? Let me show you," he playfully held him in a chock hold not putting any power to it. "How does that feel..." but
Ruth remained unmoving in his hold. "Ruth?"
"Y-yes..."
He let go of him. His face was already a bright shade of red.
"Oh fuck, did I really strangle you? I'm so sorry. I didn't realize my own strength. Get down here. Let me see if I had left any bruises."
"No ... no, it's okay.." Ruth glanced at the other side, cupping his face. "It was not that tight,"
"If you are okay, then it's fine." Zhu Kang sighed, glancing at his account book. "Why wasn't I born rich? Is such a bummer..."
Suddenly, a figure stood in front of him.
He sidetracked, but that person moved in front of him again.
Rolling his eyes, Zhu Kang glanced up. It was none other than mister Altren aka Alta. "Move please,"'
"You did a great job pretending Kang.... I was genuinely worried about you but you lied to me," he looked at him with an unknown look.
"I don't remember who you are. Just get out of my way."
"Really? You don't remember? Do you wish for me to refresh your memories?" he glanced at Ruth and suddenly garbed onto his collar, slamming him onto the lockers.
"Hey! What the fuck! Let go of him!" Zhu Kang grabbed at his arms, but the man was as strong as a bull, totally unmoving. "Let go, you bastard!"
"What is my name, Kang? Oh, you don't remember that as well,"
"I said let go of him," he glared at him.
"What is my name?!"
"Altren!... let go of him or I will snap,"
Altren finally let go of Ruth pushing him onto the ground. "Oh see, it really refreshed your memories. Maybe we should do this more often. Refresh them until you can remember all of me."
Zhu Kang pushed him out of the way and pulled Ruth up. There was a black bruise forming right next to his collarbone where that bastard grabbed him. "Fuck you Altren! I thought you changed. But you are just a violent piece of shit! Do you know why I pretended? Because I don't want to know you! You destroy everything you touch and I don't want to be close to you! I hate you! Get lost!"
Only after saying this did Zhu Kang realize the harshness of his own words.
But words cannot be taken back.
He silently peered up at him.
Altren stood there biting his trembling bottom lip… "I hate you too, Kang! I fucking hate you!" he shouted and ran away..
"come one… let's get you to the infirmary.' He lifted Ruth onto his back and stomped his way to the infirmary.
The rage he felt was immeasurable. But the guilt was also eating at his heart. He had never been so harsh to someone before, and it physically hurt him to spew so much hatred at a person.
'That fucking Altren. What the heck is wrong with him? Those crazy-ass genes are at work. He is supposed to be the hero! He fucking acted like the villain!'
"Kang... it's okay.." Ruth gently caressed his face.
"It's not okay. No one hurts my friends!"
Ruth suddenly froze. "Oh.. Yes... but I'm fine.. You can let me down. I can walk."
"It's okay, I can carry you."
"I weigh a lot and you.... you are..."
Zhu Kang paused. "Are you calling me short?! I'm not shirt okay. I am five foot seven. It's a good height! It is..."
"You are tall..." Ruth said with a slight giggle.
"And now you are laughing.. great," he juggled him a bit, pretending to drop him.
"Agh, don't. You are an ass Kang!"
Zhu Kang placed him onto the bed and pulled the bedsheet over him. 'Does my ass look small? My brother called it flat! Is it?' he thought, glancing at his reflection on the metal rods of the bed.
"ha-ha, it's not!" Ruth rolled on the bed laughing.
"Shit, did I say it out loud?"
"Yes you did, you definitely did. Kang, your ass is definitely not flat."
"It's peach shaped, but my stupid brother won't agree. He called me a frog butt. Have you seen a frog butt? It's ugly!" he exclaimed, looking at his reflection.
Altren, who was watching this from the door, gritted his teeth loudly. On the way out, someone dashed into him from behind.
"Oh, can you give way?..." a small voice whispered behind him.
He stood there frozen, watching him. "He is annoying.."
"Who? Kang? He is annoying." The person behind him agreed.
He glanced back to see a short man who uniquely resembled Kang's brother. "You.. who are you?"
"Oh its Jake... make way," he pushed him to the side. "Oh my darling Ruth, who tried to kill you? Is it this stupid king Kong with a frog butt?" he ran in hugging Ruth tight.
"Hey! It's peach butt!!! Stop calling it frog butt!!
Altren immediately hid in the corner. "Jake he is strange..."