"What? You're choosing to live on campus?" Patrick Anchor is so shocked when he finds out that Sebastian plans to live on campus that his jaw nearly drops to the floor.
"I'm a student; isn't choosing to live on campus quite normal?" Sebastian responds with a casual smile.
"But what about the studio?" Patrick opens his mouth to protest.
"The studio is already running smoothly, isn't it?" Sebastian says with a quiet laugh. "Once the initial stage is over, the subsequent work becomes simpler. I can handle any important matters by coming back to the company."
"But isn't school just a place to kill time until you get your diploma?" Patrick can't help but blurt out. "How can it possibly be more important than the studio?"
"How should I put this?" Sebastian ponders for a moment before wrapping his arm around Patrick's shoulder and pointing towards the campus. "What do you see?"
Patrick follows his gaze and says blankly, "The school, flowers?"
"No, it's a hunting ground!" Sebastian's smile is warm and composed. "The whole school is my hunting ground."
"You plan to hunt here?" Patrick asks in surprise. "Even the children of wealthy families would face consequences for hunting college students."
"That joke's not funny at all." Sebastian gives him a silent look before explaining with a smile, "Do you know what this place is?" He then answers his own question, "It's the New York Law School!"
"I already know it's the law school," Patrick replies with a strange look.
"Every year, fifty percent of new prosecutors in the East Coast come from here." Sebastian eagerly looks around, explaining further, "And thirty percent of them go into government, while eleven percent eventually become renowned lawyers."
"So, as the rumor goes, despite being tough, an admission letter from New York Law School is essentially a ticket for the students from middle class to transcend social classes," Sebastian continues.
Patrick's eyes flash with understanding. "So that's why it's called a hunting ground?"
"Just a metaphor. I prefer to make friends," Sebastian replies as they reach the registration booth.
Patrick follows behind, watching Sebastian interact seamlessly with a cute, freckled senior at the registration booth. His gaze is full of complexities. It is hard to imagine how far ahead of his time this peer's thinking is. Was he already strategizing the moment he stepped on campus?
Whether it is Patrick or anyone else, everyone is puzzled as to why Sebastian chose the law school. Most assume he is trying to win his grandfather's favor.
"But no one would believe it even if they heard it, right?" Patrick mutters under his breath.
If someone were to describe Sebastian's actions to a random passerby, they would likely be considered insane.
"What, you're choosing a six-person dormitory?" The senior at the registration booth, her freckles making her look even more playful and cute, is visibly surprised.
She had assumed Sebastian, with his designer clothes and witty demeanor, was a wealthy second generation, yet he chose a six-person dorm.
"Whether studying or making friends, a quiet environment is always more comfortable," she subtly hints.
"No need, I have a personality that enjoys a bit of liveliness," Sebastian smiles as he explains and then signs his name at the registration booth.
"Alright then, your dorm is in room 2811. You can take your key and drop off your luggage. You won't be able to move in for another three days."
"Thank you, senior," Sebastian smiles warmly. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask, what's your name?"
"Monica Donald."
"What a beautiful name," Sebastian smiles. "I may have to trouble you often in the future."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime," Monica replies with a smile, feeling a slight fondness for this junior who has such a warm smile.
They soon turn away and head to the dorm to drop off Sebastian's luggage. Along the way, Patrick stares at Sebastian with a peculiar look.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Sebastian asks curiously.
"I was just wondering, if you had asked her out for a dinner just now, what are the odds she would have refused?" Patrick suddenly says.
"???" Sebastian is confused, not understanding what this smart friend is getting at.
"If you were a woman, you'd definitely be the type to flirt outrageously," Patrick says, almost growling with frustration. Is there anything more infuriating than watching girls give your friend fiery glances?
Maybe watching him make a lot of money? He quickly dismisses the idea from his mind. "Psycho, yes, this dude must have some mental problems. That's why!"
Thinking this through, Patrick suddenly feels a lot better. Sebastian, on the other hand, pays no mind to it. After dropping off the luggage, they head back. Sebastian still has some final tasks to hand over to the staff.
The afternoon sun casts a gentle golden hue across the street, hinting at the early signs of autumn in September. After finishing his tasks, Sebastian leans on his desk, finding it hard to truly rest during his rare downtime.
His gaze wanders around the office—computer, desk, chair, pens—all neatly in place, yet something feels missing. His eyes drift to the sofa, and he realizes it is missing the familiar figure engrossed in her phone.
Just then, the door creaks open, and Jessica Lewandov walks in.
"It's only three in the afternoon. Off work so early today?" Sebastian asks with a smile.
Jessica doesn't reply. Instead, she walks over and plops down on the sofa, face down.
"Wow, your fashion sense really took a dive today," Sebastian teases, noticing her grey, somewhat sweaty t-shirt.
"Don't want to talk. Let me rest for a bit," Jessica's voice comes muffled from the sofa cushions.
"So, what happened?" Sebastian's smile gradually fades, his tone becoming more serious.
"Nothing."
"Really nothing?"
"Ugh, you're so annoying!" Jessica snaps, then grabs the jacket hanging over the chair and throws it over her head.
Looks like she's really in trouble, Sebastian thinks. He originally doesn't want to interfere but, noticing the crimson stain on Jessica's hand resting on the edge of the sofa, he can't ignore it.
"What do you want to eat?" Sebastian asks.
"Anything," Jessica grumbles, flipping over with a groan.
"How about some ice cream?"
"Whatever."
Sebastian smiles as he opens the door, then pulls out his phone to browse through his contacts. Patrick definitely wouldn't do, despite having some connections; he wouldn't know the internal details.
Sebastian quickly shakes his head, dismissing the unsettling thought of the secret number he keeps hidden deep in his mind. Instead, he dials a more familiar number.