Extra's Descent

The image of Brandon singing wouldn't leave Amy's mind.

He was amazing.

His voice was amazing.

'Is there nothing he isn't good at?'

His talent was truly envious.

The song was foreign. A different language. Despite the lyrics just rolling off his tongue, Brandon was able to get the feelings across.

Then, Amy had a sudden thought.

She didn't know how to feel regarding Brandon and Rachel, her sister.

Rachel had told her earlier about Brandon's circumstances. However, Amy was mature enough to understand it.

She didn't hold it against him.

It wasn't her place to speak of anyway.

"Good job, you were actually pretty good."

"Thanks."

Raven and Brandon high–fived and Brandon sat down next to Raven right after.

Then, Raven reached out for the microphone.

"Since no one's going next, I guess it's my turn."

All of a sudden, Amy had a dangerous thought. So dangerous that she suddenly felt goosebumps all over.

Not just her, but the others seemed to have the same reaction. Sarah's pupils dilated. Rachel's mouth hung open. Claire started rubbing her stomach, and Cyrus started rummaging his bag for his headphones.

"Yeah! Let's go!"

The only ones who reacted differently were Reinhard, who seemed to be hyping Raven up, and Brandon, who looked at them with a question mark on his face.

Amy reached out and grabbed Raven's wrist, right before he could pick up the microphone.

"Hm…?"

Raven met her gaze and tilted his head.

"What's wrong?"

As soon Amy heard his question, she felt her palms start to sweat. In fact, it felt like cold sweat was beading on her forehead.

"Uhm…. Why don't we save the best for last?"

"Best?"

Raven's eyes widened, as if he realized what Amy was trying to say.

"Oh, Amy. You don't need to be so biased. I don't think I'm that good. But still…. It feels nice knowing you think I'm the best singer here."

"Yes, of course. Haha~ Hehe~"

Amy could only laugh awkwardly. Raven sounded humble, however, that was far from the truth.

She knew Raven held a certain pride when it came to singing. After all, she was always the recipient of his singing.

"Then someone else should sing."

Raven looked around, trying to meet the other's eyes. As soon as the words left his mouth, Amy breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew.

"Phew."

"Haaa…."

And of course, the others had the same reaction. Even Cyrus had stopped rummaging his bag and leaned back.

"Uh….?"

Brandon still had a question mark on his face.

It was for the best.

If Brandon were to find out the truth this early on, it might've spoiled the party.

"Is Raven really that good?"

Brandon asked.

Amy met the other's eyes first. They all nodded in agreement. A silent agreement.

Then, Claire stood up and clapped her hands. Clap—!

"He is. He fucking is. I don't want to lose my heari—Er, the battle this early on."

"Wait, you think so too, Claire?"

Raven scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"Yes, you are. I don't want Brandon comparing us so soon. He needs to hear all of us first."

"Oh, come on, you're capping. "

There he goes again with his internet lingos.

Someone has to tell him soon.

But he was too nice. No one has the courage to say it right in his face.

"You're pretty good yourself, Claire. Brandon doesn't need to compare any of us."

"Cap… Cap…. Right, yeah. Haha, of course."

And Claire sat back down.

Amy looked at the others aside from Brandon, Raven, and Reinhard. She secretly held her thumbs up, and the others did the same, as if they were saying, 'We've managed to avoid it for now.'

At that moment, Reinhard reached out for the remote.

"Guess, I'll go ne—"

"No!"

Sarah suddenly screamed, startling everyone in the room present.

"....?"

Reinhard tilted his head in confusion.

"What?"

"Kuhum…."

Sarah cleared her throat and clapped her hands. Clap—!

"You guys are Brandon's best–friends, right?"

"Right."

"We are?"

"Yes, you are, Reinhard. Anyway, since that's the case. Don't you want to surprise Brandon last? He must have some expectations for you two."

"I see."

Reinhard pulled away from the microphone and pinched his chin.

"You have a point. Okay, Brandon."

All of a sudden, Reinhard pulled Raven and wrapped his arm on his shoulder.

"Your two buddies over here are the main event for today."

"Yep."

Reinhard and Raven nodded their heads with pride.

Brandon seemed even more perplexed about the entire thing.

"Uh, okay? I don't get it."

"You don't have to."

Reinhard wrapped his arm around Brandon as well. The three were practically in an arm–lock right now.

"We'll make this party we threw for you memorable."

Reinhard said with a grin on his face.

Amy sat back down. It seemed like Sarah had managed to convince Reinhard.

Amy met Sarah's gaze and moved her mouth, 'Good job.'

Once again, the others breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back.

Sarah reached out for the microphone.

"I'll go next."

"Woooh!"

"You go, Sarah!"

They started cheering for her. From Amy's own experience, Sarah was the second best singer among the girls.

While the title of best singer belonged to Claire.

Amy wasn't half–bad herself, as well as Rachel.

For the guys, it had to be Cyrus. But now that Brandon had revealed his talent, Amy wasn't sure anymore.

No, maybe Brandon was the best singer among the guys now.

For the other two…..

Then, Sarah started singing.

"Oh? Another foreign song?"

Rachel asked.

"Well, Brandon did it. I felt kind of inspired to do so as well."

"Okay, good luck."

Sarah nodded her head at Rachel's words. Then, her mouth opened with a 'hum.'

Her voice was beautiful as always. Completely captivating everyone in the room.

When she finished, everyone applauded. Clap! Clap! Clap!

"You should go next, Cyrus."

Sarah offered the microphone to Cyrus.

"Eh? I don't know. I don't feel like I'll live up to your performance just now."

"Don't be like that. We're not comparing anyone here. Besides…."

Sarah leaned close to Cyrus' ear and whispered something.

Amy overheard. She was sitting next to Cyrus after all.

—Don't you want to surprise your idol?

—Ah, you're right. This is my chance!

Sarah nodded after managing to convince Cyrus, sitting back down.

Of course, everyone in the room knew how much Cyrus looked up to Brandon.

When Brandon suddenly disappeared, Cyrus too was devastated.

Often, Cyrus would talk about his past experiences with Brandon. During times of difficulty, he would often mutter to himself, 'What would Brandon do?'

According to Raven's words, he was a Brandon glazer.

Honestly, he needed to stop scrolling on TokTok.

It was a bad influence for him.

Or maybe it was her fault for introducing the app to him?

She suddenly felt guilty and offered a silent prayer for Raven, clasping her hands together.

Then, Cyrus opened his mouth, signaling the start of his song.

He was good. Really good.

The way he transitioned to falsetto was smooth. But after hearing Cyrus, Amy had come to a conclusion.

Brandon really was on a different level.

Did he take singing lessons?

That must be it, right?

To– Tok.

Suddenly, the door was knocked.

"I'll get it."

Cyrus set the microphone down and opened the door.

"Your drinks are here."

One of the staff entered the room, bringing a bundle of drinks.

It was time for the climax of this party.

"Enjoy."

The staff left shortly after.

Brandon leaned close and scrutinized the drinks.

"Soju?"

"Oh, you've heard of this?"

"Yeah."

It was a new kind of alcohol introduced in the human domain a few months back.

They enjoyed it for its sweet taste. That, and the alcohol percentage was convenient.

Just enough for teenages to enjoy.

However, it was then when Brandon asked, pinching his chin.

"Isn't this kind of low?"

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

"....?"

They all froze, perplexed.

"What do you—"

"Fifteen percent. You guys call this alcohol?"

"...."

"...."

"...."

If he was saying that, then how high was his tolerance? Amy seemed to have the same amount of tolerance as Rachel.

"I'll be back. I'll show you guys 'real' alcohol."

Just like that, Brandon left the room.

"...."

Their mouths hung agape and leaned back.

Then shortly after, Brandon returned to the room, carrying a bottle with a plastic that says, '98%.'

"Now this is real alcohol. The fun's about to start."

He had a grin on his face.

However, despite their perplexion, they actually were quite curious.

If Brandon claimed it as 'real alcohol,' then how much could their tolerance keep up.

Brandon poured the alcohol inside the shot–glass, then raised it.

"Who wants to try first?"

"Me."

Reinhard raised his hand.

It was to be expected. Reinhard had the highest tolerance among them all.

"Here you go."

Receiving the shot–glass, Reinhard drank it down at that moment.

Everyone looked at him with curiosity.

Thump!

Reinhard abruptly set the glass down and wiped his mouth.

"Haa! That's good. You sure know your stuff, Brandon!"

"Of course."

Reinhard then looked around, meeting the others' gazes.

"What are you guys waiting for?"

That….

Just one shot, and Reinhard's face had already started turning red.