The salon was as big as an average house, polished with modern tiles, sleek posters, and abstract paintings lining the walls. Multiple air-conditioners hummed overhead, and rows of comfortable chairs were occupied with customers getting haircuts and skincare treatments.
Adrian walked in, frowning.
"You said this is your base, but…"
"Just come," Finn said casually.
A man in uniform approached with a bright smile. "Sir, welcome to our york-york Salon."
Finn waved him off. "Drop the act, York. He's the new member."
York's smile faded instantly. He turned serious, glancing at Adrian before muttering to Finn, "So this is him, huh?
Police aren't on your tail, right? Because the last thing I want is them storming my shop."
"Relax," Finn smirked. "They won't come here."
"Good. Then I'll get back to work." York disappeared into the crowd.
"Follow me," Finn said.
Adrian blinked. "Where? We're already inside the salon."
Finn pointed down with his finger.
Shykin grinned. "Our real base is in the basement."
Adrian frowned. "Why are you smiling like that? It's creepy."
"Let him," Finn said. "He only smiles when he's done some hard work."
Shykin's grin widened. "Shall we gooo?" He skipped toward the corner.
At the far end, hidden behind a curtain, Finn pulled up a loose tile, revealing a staircase. They descended, the air growing cooler. Finn unlocked a heavy door, and Adrian stepped inside.
The room was massive—wooden flooring, painted walls, shelves stacked with books, a pool table, couches, and even a flat-screen TV.
On one sofa, a man lounged shirtless, wearing only shorts. He had short black hair, a single ear piercing, and the word "Shadows" tattooed across his arm. Yawning, he flipped lazily through TV channels.
Is he… a member? Adrian thought, baffled.
From another room, Leo and Rian walked in.
"You're back already?" Leo asked Finn.
"Yeah. You two got here quick, but we had to take detours for hours," Finn said, scowling.
Leo chuckled, then turned to Adrian. "See? I told you we'd rescue you."
Adrian hesitated. "…Yeah, but I'm still not sure what to think of it."
Leo tilted his head. "You'll figure it out." His eyes flicked toward the guy on the sofa. "Wait—he didn't even notice? Still lying there watching TV?"
Adrian opened his mouth. "Who—" He stopped when he saw Shykin still grinning. "Man, you're still smiling?"
"Hey, Ethan!" Leo called out. "They're here with Adrian."
The lounging man finally looked up, stretching with another yawn. "Ah, so he's here at last?" He switched off the TV, stood, and smiled faintly. "Welcome to Shadows, Adrian."
The room fell into awkward silence.
Adrian blinked. "Uh… who are you?"
"I already welcomed him," Finn muttered.
Ethan tilted his head. "Did you? I didn't hear it."
"Of course you didn't, I said it outside the salon," Finn snapped.
"Outside?" Ethan smirked. "That doesn't count."
"Enough, Ethan," Leo sighed. "Just get on with it."
Ethan chuckled. "Fine, fine. I just thought I'd welcome him properly. It's a good way to start with new members."
Adrian's thoughts spiraled. This guy… the most unserious man I've ever met.
Rian cut in, glaring. "Stop wasting time. Do the introduction. You're the leader."
Adrian's eyes widened. "Wait… leader? Him?"
"Yeah," Leo said casually. "Ethan's the leader of our gang—Shadows."
"Leader or whatever," Ethan yawned. "That's me."
"Don't take it lightly," Finn snapped.
Adrian muttered, "I don't believe this."
I thought Leo was the leader but… He stared. "…He's the leader?"
"Shocked?" Leo smirked. "Everyone had the same reaction at first. Just wait—you'll understand."
Finn glanced around. "Where is everyone else?"
"They didn't come," Leo shrugged. "Too busy. But we're here. So, new member, introduce yourself."
Ethan added with a lazy grin, "Or maybe they just didn't want to see you. Who knows?"
"Ethan," Leo snapped. "Let him talk."
Adrian exhaled. "My name is Adrian Bathan. I was… a college student, last year."
Before he could continue, a door burst open. A girl stepped out, her presence sharp as a blade. She had black hair cut into an A-line bob, a cropped top under a half-worn black jacket, and sleek long pants.
"You fools are too damn noisy," she snapped.
Adrian froze. A… girl?
Ethan grinned. "Heyyy, Ripley. Weren't you doing combat training? What happened?"
"Shut your stupid face, clown," she shot back.
What did she just say? Adrian thought, stunned.
"Ripley!" Leo barked. "You can't talk like that. He's the leader."
Ripley sneered. "Like I give a damn about that."
Leo said, "At least come for the introduction, Ripley."
Ripley crossed her arms. "Like I said, you people don't matter to me—"
Ethan turned his head slightly, his voice sharper than before. "Ripley… come. Just for five minutes."
A silence lingered, then Ripley exhaled. "Well, all right. Don't have a choice then." She walked over and sat on a chair in the corner.
Ethan chuckled. "See, Leo? Here she is. You don't know how to handle her."
Adrian thought to himself, "That look on his face… like a completely different person."
Ethan focused back on Adrian. "Adrian, you didn't kill those three people, right? Then tell us, what really happened?"
Adrian's voice was firm. "Of course I didn't kill anyone."
Shykin tilted his head. "If you didn't kill them… then they committed suicide, right?"
Everyone stared at him in silence.
Leo sighed. "Adrian, you continue."
Adrian lowered his eyes. "That day, when I told Sofia to leave the abandoned house…"