“Zeno!”
The first thing Zeno felt was a warm, wet hug. It was Doha who had jumped into his arms, appearing to have just finished with his night workout.
Zeno grimaced and threw him to the ground.
Meanwhile, Minji pursed her lips and waved at Zeno shyly, her cheeks red from embarrassment.
Eli nudged her shoulder, causing her to trip. “Why are you suddenly acting so shy in front of him?”
Minji puffed up her cheeks and glared at Eli. “I swear, if we weren’t friends, I would have drop kicked you without any hesitation.”
Eli clicked his tongue. “You already do so on a daily basis. You’re acting like something drastic would change.”
While the two were bickering as always, Zeno looked around until his eyes landed on the fluffy fat dog slowly walking over to them.
“Maxie,” he muttered. Then, he frowned when he noticed that Maxie didn’t bark at him like usual.
“Is Maxie alright?” he asked.
“Oh,” Doha muttered. “She went to the vet when you were away.”
Zeno’s frown deepened. “What happened?”
“Nothing drastic,” Minji answered this time. “Dr. Do-gi said that it’s normal fatigue from being old. He told us to buy her more milk and add calcium supplements to her food.”
Zeno nodded, taking note of it. “How much did you pay the vet?”
“It was free,” Eli said. “Dr. Do-gi became an even bigger fan after watching you on Lucy’s Game.”
Zeno scratched the back of his neck and kneeled slightly to pat Maxie. When the small one growled, a smile appeared on Zeno’s lips.
It was then that he knew she was alright.
“Did you miss me?” Zeno teased.
Maxie growled louder and bit his shin. Zeno didn’t flinch anymore. He just hoisted his duffel bag on his shoulder and started walking to his unit.
***
“Do all of you need to be here for this?” Zeno asked in an exasperated tone.
They were currently in a suit store—an expensive one that Bobby insisted on paying for—so Zeno could get fitted for his first very award show.
“It’s the Asian Artistry Awards,” Bobby said, arms crossed, chest puffed out like a proud dad.
“You’re going to be broadcast in high definition with the best artists in the entire country. You need to look your best even among them!”
“I was gonna wear black slacks,” Zeno mumbled.
Moby shook his head. “That can’t be. Take this chance because Bobby is going to pay for it!”
Zeno sighed heavily. “That still doesn’t answer why all six of you need to be here.”
Eli smiled shyly before sitting on one of the plush velvet chairs by the mirror. “Our school’s on strike to lower tuition fees, so I have nowhere to be.”
Doha beamed. “I’m practically unemployed, so this is a productive thing to do.”
Minji leaned forward, her eyes shining. “I took leave for this moment. We’re all rooting for you.”
Zeno pursed his lips and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t understand the situation.
“We just want to see you in a suit,” Jace finally said, not looking up from the game on his phone.
“You haven’t been made up so well before. Even in your works, you were a drunkard, a semi-villain, a rejected student, then a bastard.”
“You went to the Code Black premier without even getting your makeup done,” Eli added.
Just then, the soft sound of polished shoes tapping on the marble floor broke their banter.
The tailor had arrived.
He was a tall, thin man with a carefully groomed mustache that curled slightly at the ends like an old painting. He was dressed in a full three-piece suit with a measuring tape slung across his shoulders.
He circled Zeno once, then stopped, folding his hands behind his back. His eyes narrowed.
“Hmm,” he began, tilting his head. “Broad shoulders. But not bulky. Tall. Balanced proportions. Small face. Naturally wavy hair. Clear jawline. Smooth skin. Good neck length.”
He took a dramatic step back and let out a breathless, “What is this perfect man?”
Zeno blinked. “Uh…”
“Have you modeled before?”
“Only for dog food.”
“Criminal,” the tailor declared, offended on behalf of the entire fashion industry.
“I want something generic,” Zeno said firmly, pulling his hoodie closer.
The tailor narrowed his eyes. “Well, after seeing you for the first time, I already have an idea. You, young man, will be noticed whether you like it or not. I have the perfect one for you.”
Before Zeno could object, the tailor snapped his fingers, and an assistant appeared with a suit draped in a garment bag. He led Zeno to the fitting room.
Zeno would be alright as soon as it wasn’t glittery—well, at least, that was what he thought.
Inside the fitting room, Zeno unzipped the bag and pulled out the suit.
He squinted at it. “Heck no.”
“This is very trendy,” the tailor’s voice called from outside. “With your classic face, you will look classy. Chop chop!”
Reluctantly, Zeno began to change. The material was lighter than he expected.
Still, when he looked at himself in the mirror, he shook his head.
There was too much… chest showing. The suit itself appeared very refined. However, it didn’t come with innerwear, so his chest was bare.
But before he could close the curtain again, it whipped open.
The tailor gasped. A hand flew to his mouth.
“Magnifique!”
Claps erupted from the corner of the room.
“What the—?!” Zeno turned quickly, blinking at the sudden applause.
Everyone had stopped what they were doing. Jace’s phone dropped to his lap. Minji actually dropped her cup of free sparkling water. Doha let out a low whistle, and Eli nodded in approval.
Moby’s mouth was slightly open, and Bobby looked like he was about to cry.
“What…?” Zeno asked, bewildered.
“You look straight out of the K-dramas! A CEO!” Doha exclaimed.
“You look like money,” Eli added. “Like, if money could walk.”
“Zeno,” Bobby said softly, “you’ve transcended.”
Zeno scratched the back of his head. “It’s just a suit.”
“Your titties are quite big,” Jace said without any filter.