"And then I think that maybe I was designed to be alone." - Unknown

"This is a surprise. " Professor Claude smiled as Eddy and Brett finished playing. He could see why the school decided to put these two together for his violin mentoring class. While Eddy's music was deep and flavorful, Brett's violin had a naive and clean tone to it, showing endless potentials. If he could inspire them in the right way, he was sure both students will mature most splendidly.

.

.

As Brett and Eddy walked back to the dormitory after class, they heard a loud sound of music blasting from the dormitory.

"What is that?" Brett asked, confused.

"Did you forget?" Eddy skeptically raised his eyebrows.

"Tonight is the day of Makim, welcoming party for all freshmen. I doubt we...you will be able to escape that."

As Brett opened the door, a crowd exploded from the dormitory entrance, cheering. Brett tried to take a step back but one of the upperclassmen, who were clearly drunk, caught him.

"So this is the famous Brett Yang! Welcome to Meldovern!"

"..Thanks..?" Brett stuttered.

The loud sound of music and the crowd made Brett dizzy. He was swept by the rest of the crowd and into the cafeteria where other freshmen were also beginning to drink and socialize.

"So, Brett. Do you know your hard alcohol limit?" One of the senior students sat next to Brett, pouring him a shot.

"Um, no... I've never been really drinking - "

"Cheers!!"

The students laughed loudly as they gulped down their drinks. Brett hesitated at first but closed his eyes and downed it. Ugh, it was as if he gulped a ball of flame. Coughing, Brett searched for Eddy and in the corner of his eyes, found him sitting alone at the table far from him. Eddy has just got a glass of beer on his own and was taking a sip.

Looking at Eddy sitting alone made Brett uncomfortable but the crowd began to accumulate around Brett, curious to know him. The music and new faces fuzzed as the alcohol took an effect and Brett got lost in the mood, dancing and laughing along with them. The world transformed into a sheet of soaking watercolor palette. Brett has almost downed his tenth shot when he realized that Eddy has disappeared.

"Sorry guys, need some fresh air." Brett murmured and made his way through the crowd and to the outside. A cool breeze swept Brett's face, heated from the alcohol and the dancing. It felt nice. Brett searched for Eddy and found him sitting on the bench outside the dormitory. Brett staggered his wobbly way and sank down next to him. Eddy, surprised, scooted his way to the far end of the bench.

"Hey," Brett said in a drunk voice.

"Hey... are you alright?" Eddy asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, just a little drunk." Brett chuckled as he lost his balance and almost fell off the bench. Eddy grabbed Brett just in time. Brett giggled.

"...A little drunk?" Eddy shook his head.

"Or maybe... a little too drunk. But I'm fine. I just wanted to talk to you about that... someone you're looking for." Brett leaned toward the back, trying to regain his balance. Eddy put his arms around Brett with concern.

"What about the person?" Eddy asked.

"Well... my family has managed that Port Kaiim for a long time and I requested a list of people who entered the Port around the time you mentioned."

"What? No way-" Eddy stammered.

"I just have a question before I share the list with you......." Brett took a deep breath and asked.

"Are you going to leave Meldovern if you find that someone you're looking for?" Brett looked up to match his eyes to Eddy's. Eddy, taken back, spoke with uncertainty.

"I... don't know."

"Promise me," Brett spoke. "Promise me you will stay in Meldovern at least for a year."

"Why should I?"

"Basic rules of economics: If you need something, you pay for the price. If you give me a year to study violin beside you, I will give you the list." Brett answered dreamily.

"Damn it," Eddy muttered.

"Promise me." Brett pursued.

After a long silence, Eddy answered with a sigh.

"Alright, I promise."

"Good," Brett smiled up at Eddy. Eddy was wondering if Brett will remember this at all the next day when Brett suddenly clutched Eddy by the collar, his now half-closed eyes gazing up at Eddy.

"You see, commoner... we have a special way of vowing our words in the Yang family..."

Brett leaned forward and lightly touched Eddy's lips with his. Unprepared, Eddy froze, not knowing how to react. Brett's lips softly parted from Eddy's and murmured -

"You are now bound to your words, Eddy."

Brett blacked out seconds after the vow, leaning to Eddy's shoulder. Eddy was still frozen solid. The scent of alcohol was lingering ever so faintly on Eddy's lips. When he breathed in, the fragrance broke Eddy's heart over and over again.

"Stupid aristocrat..." Eddy swore under his breath.

Eddy struggled as his heart cracked open to let Brett in. Eddy clutched his left chest with his free hand as if to stop it from beating. Scared, he wanted to run away as far as he could from Brett but he couldn't.

That youngest son of the Yang family was right. Eddy was now bound to his words, and to Brett.