The Snare of Symmetry C4

Chapter 4

Yet all of Bernard’s worries proved meaningless—because he couldn’t find Rubens anywhere in the hotel.

That alone would have been fine, but Elliott was nowhere to be seen either.

Loud music thundered through the hall. In the party venue, where champagne and every kind of alcohol lined the tables, students drank freely and stuffed finger foods into their mouths.

It wasn’t a refined gathering. Many came with lovers, shaking champagne bottles until they burst; shrill laughter and screams rang out from all directions. Of course, there were those who danced properly as intended—but they were in the minority.

Maybe this is for the best.

If Rubens wasn’t here, then he wouldn’t run into Elliott. If Elliott didn’t meet him, nothing would happen. Bernard’s insides churned, worries popping like bubbles one after another.

More than anything, he hoped they wouldn’t meet by chance and talk about that night.

He didn’t want it discovered that he had received Rubens’s help while pretending to be Elliott. And yet, confusingly, Bernard didn’t even know why he wanted to keep that secret so badly.

Just as his thoughts were sinking into darkness, a voice suddenly cut through.

“Oh? Well, look who it is.”

“…Hi, Ben. Congrats on graduating. I was just about to head out.”

As Bernard awkwardly greeted them and tried to leave, the other person snapped back harshly.

“Where do you think you’re going? With Chris gone, you’re trying to slip away like a fish?”

Rough laughter spilled out from all sides as Bernard was surrounded. Even through the pounding party music, their voices were clear. While searching for Elliott, he’d stumbled into the worst possible group.

“Look at this. He even dressed up for the graduation party.”

“Should we pour champagne over him or something? Who’d he bring as a partner?”

“Like he’d bring anyone. Would you want to partner up with a creepy nerd?”

“Seriously—what do you expect from a guy who can’t do anything without Elliott?”

Mocking voices rang loudly. People’s gazes gathered on Bernard, then scattered again. The hands patting his shoulders carried malice. Bernard felt goosebumps rise and forced a smile.

If he didn’t smile, he’d be slapped.

That had always been the case.

So, familiar with it to a sickening degree, Bernard hunched his shoulders and cautiously stepped back.

“It’d be more fun if Chris were here… What are you doing? Drink.”

The glass thrust at him looked suspicious, but Bernard had no right to refuse. The alcohol, filled to the brim, burned down his throat. As the sharp smell made him grimace instinctively, someone flicked his forehead lightly with an index finger.

“Look at that face.”

“Why so pathetic? Let’s go easy on him today—it’s graduation. Oh, right. You won’t go telling Elliott nonsense, will you?”

Another round of laughter burst out.

Amy. Ben. Leo. Emma.

They were Elliott’s friends—people who stuck close to him, showered him with favor, and despised Bernard just as fiercely.

Bernard had always been Elliott’s blemish.

Perfect, kind Elliott.

Gloomy, cowed Bernard.

Though they were twins, their atmospheres were like sunlight and shadow split from birth. People were easily drawn to Bernard at first—then just as easily disappointed. That disappointment inevitably twisted into ridicule and mockery.

“Happy to graduate, Bernard. Found a job yet?”

“Yeah. I’ll… help my father with his work.”

“Oh dear. Mr. Whale must be so worried.”

“Well, that’s…”

Bernard’s voice trailed off, stuttering.

“You’re still chasing after Elliott’s tail, aren’t you? I heard that last contract was mostly Elliott’s doing. No wonder Mr. Whale’s grinning ear to ear. You better treat Elliott well—he’s always covering for a loser like you.”

Ben shrugged after delivering the cruel jab.

“Honestly, Elliott would be better off without you. You’re always clinging to him, interfering. That’s why he keeps leaving parties early.”

“Exactly! Just when things are getting fun. Elliott says it’s because this idiot worries about him—but if you’re worried, just stay out of the way.”

“You’re going to ruin things again tonight, right?”

As Leo struck Bernard’s shoulder repeatedly while barking at him, Bernard shrank further.

“I’m not trying to ruin anything… I’m just worried about Elliott’s health…”

“Don’t bore us. Knew you’d say that.”

“What are you doing? Drink.”

Normally, Elliott should have been with them—but he still hadn’t appeared. Bernard couldn’t refuse the glasses pressed into his hands and downed them one after another.

Refusal was difficult.

He knew too well how cruel the price of refusal could be—his body had learned it over time. Bernard cowered, shoulders hunched. Elliott’s friends all came from powerful backgrounds; compared to them, Bernard was no more than an ant.

He always bowed his head to their abuse.

He didn’t want Elliott to learn the truth and be hurt by it. That was why hiding things had always been easy. When Rhyno was around, he could escape their harassment—but now, even Rhyno wasn’t here to protect him.

“Wh-when is Elliott coming… and with who?”

“Why would you need to know?”

Laughter exploded.

Realizing Rubens truly wouldn’t be here, Bernard regretted coming at all. Under the excuse of friendly pats, they kept striking his shoulders and back. Each time, Bernard swallowed his groans and drained another glass. His insides burned.

“Hahaha, how many drinks did it take for him to get wasted?”

“Just dump him in some room. Elliott said he’s coming soon anyway.”

“But who’s he coming with?”

“Angelica, maybe?”

“If we get rid of this nuisance, Elliott can finally enjoy himself without worrying about curfew.”

“Right? Every time it’s ‘I have to go because of Bernard’—I’m sick of hearing it.”

No.

He wasn’t sure if he’d said it aloud. Bernard blinked slowly. Their voices drifted closer, then farther away. The party noise was overwhelming. His vision swam.

Someone roughly dragged him along. As he staggered after them, unfamiliar laughter burst out.

The floor felt like it was dropping away beneath him.

Bernard stumbled into an elevator, crushed by the surrounding noise. It was unbearable.

Then—the sensation of being thrown aside like trash.

Sinking heavily onto something.

Shrill laughter. Flashing lights like explosions.

And then—darkness.

Silence.

More silence.

No… Elliott. I have to check on Elliott.

The thought scattered uselessly.

When Bernard opened his eyes again, he was in a pitch-dark room. His throat burned, and his head throbbed painfully. Unable to grasp the situation, he reached around reflexively. He tried to find his phone—but touched something unfamiliar instead.

“…I don’t remember calling a escort.”

A strange voice spoke in the darkness, and the bed dipped with added weight. Sobering slightly in panic, Bernard pushed himself upright.

“Ugh…”

A hangover crashed over him.

“I was here first… Who are you?”

Bernard’s voice shook miserably. The other person didn’t seem to care, sinking further into the bed and mumbling. The words were unclear.

Bernard fumbled to identify him and reached for the light—but a hand grabbed his wrist first.

“I—”

At that instant, Bernard realized he had heard this voice before.

“I didn’t tell you to leave.”

The crisp ending of the sentence was unmistakable. He hadn’t recognized it sooner only because he’d never imagined hearing it this close.

A moment ago, he’d been trying to escape the room—but once he realized who it was, everything changed.

Strangely, Bernard felt a faint sense of relief.

Rubens Hurt.

If this man was here, then maybe he hadn’t run into Elliott after all. Bernard’s fingertips trembled. He couldn’t bring himself to touch Rubens’s face. Still gripping his wrist, Bernard sat awkwardly on the edge of the bed—unable to move either way—until Rubens tugged him closer.

The force was weak enough to resist.

But Bernard didn’t.

“Smell of alcohol.”

Rubens’s voice carried a damp, lazy laugh. The stench of alcohol was so strong it was impossible to tell whose it was.

In the dark room, Bernard blinked, then cautiously reached out to brush Rubens’s hair back. His trembling hand was clumsy—but in the darkness, it wouldn’t be visible.

He wanted to turn on the light.

And at the same time, he absolutely didn’t.

Everything was tangled.

Hair he’d neatly brushed back earlier was now crushed messily into the pillow. As Bernard tucked the stray strands behind Rubens’s ear, he caught an unfamiliar scent.

His last clear memory was being dragged and discarded by Elliott’s friends. He vaguely remembered it being unbearably hot, fumbling to take off his jacket—then nothing but darkness.

Why was this man here like this?

How much time had passed?

How much had he drunk?

Is this a dream?

“Will you take it off yourself… or should I do it for you?”

The words were sharp. His tone was softened only slightly by alcohol; Rubens wasn’t being kind. The condescension and mockery sounded as though he were addressing an escort.

“If you’re doing this because you need money, just take the wallet and go.”

His pronunciation slurred.

Bernard bit his lip hard. He understood how he was being treated—but couldn’t bring himself to protest. A normal person would have gotten angry or explained.

But Bernard only stared down at him in silence.

In the darkness, what expression was Rubens wearing?

What kind of face was he making as he looked at Bernard?

“…Is today the first time you’ve seen me?”

Imitating Elliott on purpose, Bernard spoke lightly as his fingers traced the closed line of Rubens’s eyes. Then—blue met his gaze.

Even in the dark, those eyes were bright.

Bernard felt his heart pounding far too loudly. He feared Rubens might hear it echoing in his ears.

“…Ah.”

A chuckle tinged with amusement scattered softly.

Rubens seized Bernard by the nape of the neck and yanked him closer. There was no gentleness in the grip. Bernard stiffened, forced to meet his gaze at close range.

“So we meet again, Elliott Whale.”

It was you.

Bernard bit his lip once more. Otherwise, he felt like meaningless words would spill out.