Chris found a language school that was just a fifteen-minute bike ride away. However, the staggering tuition fee disheartened him. Maybe I could self-study? As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Chris felt it was achievable.

"Excuse me... do you know where classroom C-11 is?" As Chris slowly walked out of the academic building, a shy Asian-looking young man approached him for directions.

"I'm not... I don't know either."

Both were visibly nervous. Chris noticed the boy's English carried a Japanese accent, which he found somewhat familiar. The game he was working on was developed by a Japanese company, making him more confident with Japanese. He tried mixing English with Japanese while conversing with the boy.

Chris accompanied him to ask for directions, eventually finding classroom C-11, even escorting him to the door. The boy hesitated to enter, despite it not being time for class yet.

"Are you a student here? Which class are you in?"

"I'm not yet..." Chris's eyes fell, feeling a bit sad. He didn't go to college, and this boy reminded him of his student days.

"So, are you planning to study here? It's only my second day." The boy's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, clearly hoping they could become classmates.

"I..."

"I think studying here is great, but I just arrived in the US and don't have any friends. It would be awesome if you could join, and we could go to school together!"

Chris managed a faint smile, feeling tempted. The boy seemed friendly and apparently in a similar situation to his own.

"Yeah, I’ll consider it."

"Great! I'm Haruto, Haruto Takahashi!"

"Chris." Chris smiled softly.

"Are you applying for college?"

"not yet..."

"Ah! Sorry! I feel like we're about the same age, and I'm here to continue college.! I was supposed to continue in Japan, but my mom came here, so she wanted me to come too."

They hit it off, chatting until class time. Haruto hurriedly exchanged phone numbers with Chris before rushing into the classroom.

Chris felt a warm sensation in his heart. The city and the school no longer felt cold to him. He went back to the registration office...

After morning classes, Haruto was delighted to find Chris waiting for him at the door. Haruto eagerly took Chris to a nearby Japanese restaurant he discovered on his first day. They ordered ramen and dumplings.

"Chris, how did you come here?"

"Walked. What about you?"

"I took the subway, five stops. I thought if we're on the same route, we could go to school and study together. You'll come every day, right?"

"Yeah... if my work goes well."

"Do you have a part-time job?"

"Sort of, it’s online."

"Wow, that's impressive," Haruto admired. "I thought about getting a part-time job, but my mom thinks education is more important. She's willing to support me through my PhD, and I feel bad about it."

"If you can do it, she must be very happy. Do you like studying or doing research?" Chris asked.

"I want to develop a cure for cancer. I know it sounds far-fetched, as many pharmaceutical companies lack confidence in cancer drugs. But, I want to do it." Haruto's eyes were resolute.

Haruto’s presence suddenly filled Chris with motivation. While attending classes together, Chris thought, what’s so bad about living here with someone like him?

They walked to a subway station, and after seeing Haruto off, Chris walked back home.

The illuminated New York streets looked both familiar and foreign. He had seen this city in countless movies and TV shows, but being there felt surreal. Was all this real, like entering a game world?

Excited from meeting someone like Haruto, Chris felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. He hadn't been this happy in a long time. Haruto was like an angel.

Thinking about what to do tomorrow brought a smile to his face.

Back at the luxurious apartment, under the bright lights, he saw the red-haired man sitting on the sofa, drinking alone.

The man glanced at the door. "The household assistant?"

"No..." Chris froze at the entrance.

"Ah, Ethan's brother, right? Welcome back."

Chris was conflicted, not understanding why this man was here again.

Ethan's boyfriend being here isn't strange, right? — Chris thought.

The red-haired man had a beautiful, idol-like face, wearing a silky soft white shirt, smiling at Chris without any hesitation.

"I always wait for him."

Chris politely nodded, unsure what to say.

"What's your name? Ethan wouldn't tell me."

"Chris."

"Chris, maybe we can chat before Ethan returns?" the red-haired man patted the sofa.

"My English isn't very good," Chris stammered.

"I can teach you."

The man's excessive enthusiasm made Chris uneasy. "Are you hungry? Have you eaten? I can get you some snacks or fruit." Chris hurried to the kitchen. It was basic hospitality and his ultimate way to end the conversation.

The red-haired man found Chris's flustered state amusing. Setting down his glass, he approached Chris in the kitchen, watching as Chris frantically searched the fridge.

"Do you know where those things are? What are you looking for? Let me help you."

"Apples or something like that..."

"I see them. Who put them on the top shelf?"

The red-haired man moved close behind Chris, reaching over to grab two apples and handing them to Chris. But their proximity was too awkward, with Chris almost enveloped in an embrace.

"Thanks..." Chris took the apples, but the man didn't move aside. "Sir, please step aside."

Chris felt a weight on his shoulder as the man rested his chin there, his warm breath on Chris's cheek.

"Sir!" Chris froze, not daring to move.

"You look cute from this angle too."

"..."

"I've been waiting for Ethan and getting restless, you know?"

"Sir, you've had too much to drink..."

"What if he doesn't come back soon? Can you do it? Did Ethan teach you how?"

"I don't understand what you’re saying!" Chris's face turned red.

The red-haired man chuckled, embracing Chris from behind. "You're lying."

The apples fell to the floor as Chris struggled to free himself from the wandering hands. It was then he saw Ethan standing behind.

"Ethan..." Chris called out his name for help, and the red-haired man cheerfully turned to look at Ethan.

"Good evening, Ethan. You're late, made me feel a bit lonely."

"You’re the one who's early, Nate."

"Can we continue?"

"Of course, if Chris doesn’t mind."

"Asshole! What are you saying!" Chris was infuriated by Ethan's words, struggling like a cat on the verge of exploding.

"See, he doesn’t like you at all," Ethan shrugged.

"It was just a joke, cutie. Go eat your apples~" Nate opened his arms.

Chris darted into his room faster than a scared cat, locking the door behind him.

"Damn it! I'll move out of here soon!"

Chris, huddled on his bed, checked his work emails, finding nothing urgent. This meant he could relax a bit with his work, but it also brought a sense of unease. Typically, game development projects are hectic, often locking him at home with a massive workload, even leaving no time for grocery shopping. The unusual quietness of this project gave Chris an ominous feeling.

Gathering courage, he messaged his boss, who quickly responded with a cute emoticon. Chris inquired about upcoming work, and the boss's evasive response confirmed his suspicions.

Chris bluntly asked if there was a problem with the game project. "The game development has hit some snags, and it might be paused for a while. Don't worry, you'll still get paid."

"Looks like I can take a vacation." Chris was relieved to get some rest but also felt a vague sense of emptiness.

"You can rest for a few days, but not too long. Jo Jun-yu, can you draw BL (Boys' Love)?"

"BL?"

"Yes, you know, right? Our company has made games like that before. 'The Angel Tenant.'"

"I know it."

"That game is doing well in sales, and we're planning a second season. Jo Jun-yu, how about helping with the graphics?"

"I’m not familiar with that genre, and it's not really my style..."

"I can send you some materials to get acquainted with. Please check your computer."

"Wait... boss..."

"Don't be quick to refuse; you might be able to do it. The animation isn't difficult, and I can increase your salary."

The prospect of a higher salary tempted Chris, but he still wanted to refuse. He had used Wendy's card to pay for his tuition; more salary would mean he could repay her.

He cautiously opened his bedroom door, assuming Ethan and Nate had retired to their room, and ventured to the study.

The game company's boss had sent a lot of reference material, including a detailed setup for 'The Angel Tenant.' Chris downloaded the game, which initially didn't have as much adult content as he expected. It featured clean graphics and smooth storytelling, like watching an engaging animated series.

The story's protagonist, posing as an angel to seek revenge and becoming a serial killer's tenant, was terrifying yet intriguing! Chris controlled the character to investigate and gather evidence to bring the killer to justice. But after two hours into the game, why was the protagonist pinned down on the bed by the serial killer?!

As Chris reached this part, he felt his body heat up.

Suddenly, the door to the study opened...

Ethan, wearing a robe, strode into the room. "So you're here."

Chris, unable to exit the game screen, quickly turned off the monitor.

"Am I interrupting your work?" Ethan asked, glancing at the lights on Chris's computer.

"I'm done."

"But you only turned off the monitor."

"Oh, did I? Did you need something?" Chris stood up, shielding his computer.

Ethan prolonged his question, moving closer to Chris. Chris, pressed against the desk, almost fell over it. "Sorry for interrupting your porn movie."

"I wasn't watching that," Chris retorted.

Ethan touched Chris's cheek with his knuckle, smiling. "You look kind of cute right now."

Startled, Chris reached back to the desk, accidentally hitting the keyboard.

The sound of a passionate clip from‘ The Angel Tenant’ game came over the stereo.

Ethan, intrigued, eyed Chris. "That's not it. It's work! It's a game produced by our company..." Chris hurriedly explained, turning to switch on the monitor.

Ethan didn't care about the game. When Chris looked back, Ethan had his hands on the desk, leaning over it. "Chris, that kind of game is for girls. Let me show you what men do."

"Wait, Ethan, are you crazy?! What about Nate?"

"He left because of you. So shouldn't you be responsible?"

"When did I upset him?" Chris felt Ethan's hard penis touch his lower abdomen, and Chris curled up desperately.. Thinking it was a cruel joke by Ethan for not welcoming him, he said, "If I'm bothering you, I'll move out soon."

"Chris, don't make me repeat myself. You're not going anywhere." Ethan leaned down and bit Chris's pale neck like a beast.

It was slightly painful and ticklish. Ethan's breaths on his neck, Chris tried to push him away, but it was futile.