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Ruki had promised he would make up for everything he had done. Whatever that “everything” was, Jun didn’t know. He didn’t have to.

Everything that led to Ruki’s final tragic end wasn’t just whatever demons he’d been fighting. Something happened at Paragon. That was the only thing Ruki never shared in full. The one door he kept locked.

Jun couldn’t fix the past. He couldn’t undo the rooftop, or the mall, or the months of silence between them. But he could find out what Paragon did to him. He could find the source of it.

And he would destroy it.

Ruki could no longer keep his promise. But Jun could make one for him.

As if his hand moved on its own, his fingers curled around the door handle—

“Hey! What are you doing?”

The cold handle bit his fingertips, and he went still. A bright flash reflected off the glass, nearly blinding him.

“Turn around with your hands up!”

Jun let go and peeled his forehead from the door. He raised his arms and turned—and his eyes widened at the owner of the voice.

8

Torture

“Hi, Sweeties! I’m Sammy! I’m Sunny! I’m Snowy! And we are… Sugars! Here is our new single, ‘Best Summer Ever’!” We hope you like it!”

Three cute Asian girls waved through the tiny phone screen, then launched into a choreographed routine on a pastel-colored stage. Electronic hits blared from the speakers.

Alex grimaced at Matt, who had his eyes glued to the screen as the girls danced and sang. “This is what y’all are obsessed with?”

Matt tsked. “It’s not an obsession. It’s a lifestyle,” he said with a puff in his chest. “They’re the pinnacle of everyone’s childhood.”

“Well, they definitely weren’t mine.”

“Then you’re missing out.”

Alex raised his eyebrows but rolled his eyes, opting to ignore the remark. Matt’s gaze continued to track each girl’s movements.

It was fascinating that there were people into this kind of thing. The fact that they were probably teenagers in the video at the time didn’t sit right with him.

“How can you tell who is who?”

Matt frowned and pinched his fingers together and shook them in front of Alex’s face, the picture of the disappointed Italian that he was. “You did not just say that.” He emphasized each word with every movement.

Alex shoved his hands away and gestured at the image, the girls cheering with confetti falling on them. “What?! They’re all wearing the same thing!”

Matt put a finger to his own lips as a signal to prevent Alex from saying anything more offensive. He pointed at the first girl who winked. “This one is Sammy. She’s usually the one in a high ponytail. She’s like the cool one of the group.”

The camera zoomed in on the next girl, who sang with her skinny arms outstretched. “That’s Sunny, the one with the short hair. She’s the youngest and has the highest voice. She’s also considered the cute member.”

Next, the camera focused on the last girl with long brown waves, walking towards the lens as she owned it, holding a high note that didn’t quit. “And that’s Snowy. The best singer, the best dancer, and the prettiest one. She’s probably the most popular one. I mean she has her own product line and YouTube channel now!”

As the girls went back to their intense dance routine, Matt boasted a big goofy smile. “But in my opinion, they’re all the best.”

Alex rolled his eyes again. “I mean, you do you, man, but this ain’t my thing.”

“You didn’t watch any TV back then? Or talked to anyone about—”

“Bitch, I didn’t have cable back then.” Alex leaned back, realizing he’d said too much.