I left him alone and sat on the sofa surrounded by the boys. I stood there, dumbfounded, in the spot Jerome had given me.Hugh called out."Come here."They each took their own sofa, facing each other in a circle. George occupied the long sofa alone, studying the laptop on his lap, while Simon sat upright on the single sofa, staring intently at my face. Jerome occupied the backless sofa and chatted cheerfully to Hugh. Hugh sat on the sofa facing George, beckoning me to him even as he chatted with Jerome.I obediently sat at Hugh's feet. He simply let me sit there, doing nothing. After observing the situation, I cautiously leaned against Hugh's leg. Hugh didn't stop me. When I rested my temple on his thigh, he stroked my hair, finding it endearing. At that moment, Jerome stared intently at my face. But it was such a brief moment that it felt like I had seen it wrong.I just sat quietly while the boys talked. It was an ordinary story. They talked about the resort and the parties they were going to throw at the resort, about the World Cup in France that had already started, and were worried about this exam... . I absently listened to the monotonous sounds of words and suddenly fell asleep.Ding.The clock bell struck and I opened my sleepy eyes. The bell was 7 o'clock in the afternoon. It was seven o'clock and Jerome was still there. Didn't he always come home at six o'clock? It was my first time seeing it.When our eyes met, Jerome smiled kindly. Hugh asked me if I slept well and tickled my chin. Simone and George brought dinner from the restaurant, and we began eating in a very peaceful atmosphere. But Hugh slapped me when I tried to pick up the spoon.Hugh scolded him severely. I got hit again in the same spot where I got hit, and tears welled up in my eyes. I looked up at Hugh with wet eyes. Hugh put my plate of stew on the floor."Eat slowly, or you'll get bloated. Take your time."Hugh suddenly spoke kindly."Don't eat too much."George added."You might throw it all up later... and if you do, you'll have to clean it up yourself."I shivered at his nonchalant addition.I looked at George, hoping for an explanation, but he only returned a cold expression. The four boys watched me. I looked at George, hoping for an explanation, but he only returned a cold expression. The four boys watched me. I slowly lowered myself to the floor, drawn by their gaze.I lay down on the floor like a dog, putting my mouth on the plate of stew. I stuck out my tongue and licked the stew.The only sound from the living room was the sound of me slurping and licking the stew. They all watched me eat in silence. I took a bite of the stew, right in their sight, and raised my head. I looked at their expressions. Hugh, smiling softly, George, gruff Simon, and Jerome, beaming. They stared at me silently and then began their meal in silence. It was the calm before the storm.The tranquil silence was shattered by a sudden knock. Someone was knocking on the door from outside. Knock.The four boys turned their heads to the door at once. Only I was staring through the dark window. No one said a word.A moment later, there was another knock. Knock, knock. It was a nervous, yet polite sound.Simon stood up. He crossed the living room, unlocked the latch, and opened the door wide so everyone in the room could see the visitor. I looked at the window. The visitor at the door was reflected in it. Carl… Carl. George's eyes quickly scanned my face.Simon asked."What's going on?"Carl said hesitantly. "Oh, over there, I'm Karl, who lives in room 201..."I could see Karl, visible through the window, poking his head past Simon. I couldn't tell what expression he was making, but it wasn't hard to guess just from his voice."He's Raymond's friend."The added comment chilled the air in the room. Karl continued, seemingly oblivious."My roommate and Raymond were supposed to hang out tonight, but Raymond hasn't come down yet, so I was wondering what was going on..."Karl trailed off. Hugh said."Raymond, he's your friend. Go outside."I stood up. Karl looked at me from afar, his expression barely suppressing his fear. Simon stepped aside. He slowly walked toward the doorway. Karl smiled awkwardly and said, "Hey, Raymond, what's up? You were in the room? Did you forget?" The four pairs of eyes fixed on us frightened Karl. He stared at me with trembling eyes. He reached out and grabbed my wrist. His hand was drenched in cold sweat."Hi, Karl."I greeted him."I forgot our appointment and was with friends.""Ah..."Karl nodded, but didn't let go of his wrist."I'm having dinner with friends right now. Let's postpone our appointment until tomorrow.""But..."Karl held my wrist tightly."We definitely decided to hang out today, didn't we? Eric, wait for me.""I'm sorry. Let's really hang out tomorrow.""Then, do you want to come later? When you come down after dinner..."Karl's voice trembled slightly."I'm sorry."Karl's grip loosened. As soon as he let go of my wrist, he took a step back. Simon, standing in the doorway, closed the door as if he had been waiting for it. Silence fell. Breaking the silence, Hugh spoke softly."Come here."He obediently returned to his feet and rested his head on Hugh's thigh. Hugh gently scratched his chin and continued eating. They all continued eating. Dinner was passing. Night was approaching.Jérome looked at his watch. It was ten o'clock in the afternoon. He stood up, saying he would get ready first. He straightened his clothes and approached me. I was still sitting next to Hugh. Jerome bent down and gently stroked my flushed cheek. Unlike Simon, Jerome's hands were always as cold as ice. As he stroked my cheek, I lifted my chin slightly. Jerome laughed. He stroked my chin affectionately and spoke softly. He wasn't talking to me."What are you going to do with him? Are you just going to bring him here?"Jérome spoke to Hugh as if I didn't understand. Hugh tapped his knee with his finger as if considering it, then answered."Well, that's right. Um... Sure, George?""Just take him."George answered curtly. Hugh shrugged and grinned at Jerome."Okay. Then I'll go first."Jerome gently stroked my cheek again and left the room. As the door closed, Hugh grabbed my chin and made me look at him. He asked cheerfully,"Are you curious about what's going on?""Yeah.""You'll find out soon enough."Despite his words, no one moved until midnight. It was past midnight when the boys woke up. I waited for them in the living room. They entered the room, then came out /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ wearing boots and rain jackets. I knew we were going out. I, alone in my uniform and shoes, left the room with them.The lights in the dormitory were all dark except for the stairs. The dormitory was closed from midnight to six. Even the reception rooms on each floor were deserted. Only the electric lamps on the stairs lit the air, eerie and dreary. We descended to the first floor. The headmaster was in the hallway. He stared intently at my face as I descended the stairs. The headmaster opened the front door for us.The boys and I left the dormitory. They didn't speak. They simply walked in silence. Simon held my hand as we walked. His hand felt incredibly warm. We continued walking. With each step, our destination became increasingly clear. I noticed George and Hugh ahead, heading toward the illuminated stables. Jerome stood in front of the stables, waiting for us.I stopped. Simon followed suit. He stood quietly beside me, studying my face. Hugh and George took a few more steps before realizing we had stopped. The two boys turned to look at me. I stood frozen, staring at the stables. Hugh, standing with his back to the light streaming from the stable, smiled faintly with a dark face. George desperately tried to read my expression. Hugh and George exchanged a brief word, but I couldn't hear them. Finally, Hugh approached."You better hurry up, Raymond."At that, I instinctively took a step forward. But after a step or two, I stopped. George frowned."Why don't you hurry up?"Still, I didn't move. Hugh said gently,"Get on all fours before they knock you down and drag you by your hair."I couldn't move.They didn't wait. Hugh strode toward me and mercilessly kicked me in the shin, knocking me to the ground. My leg ached terribly. Hugh put one arm under my side. George, with his other arm, dragged me along. I didn't resist, but I didn't get up or walk. I was dragged blankly, and in an instant, I found myself in front of the stable. They threw me onto the stable floor. I sat up, barely able to move my upper body. Jerome, who had been standing in front of the stable, closed the door and came inside. He turned off all the lights near the entrance and approached. Four boys, wearing identical rain jackets and matching boots, surrounded me.I trembled. Fear welled up in my throat. My stomach churned, almost ready to vomit. I couldn't control my trembling. Jerome, his face bright with anticipation, stroked my hair and took a step forward. I turned my head to Jerome, watching his direction. Jerome pulled my horse out of the stall. The horse snorted and nudged its head toward Jerome. Jerome stroked its mane and tied the leash to the stall.A chill ran down my spine. Suddenly, I realized the three boys surrounding me were staring intently at my face. My chin trembled.I looked at Hugh. Hugh was smiling.I turned my head to George. George met my gaze coldly.I looked up at Simon. Simon was blunt.He stared blankly at me.I glanced over at Jerome. Jerome smiled, his face rippling with anticipation.A strong hand grabbed my neck. They dragged me towards the horse.They threw me in front of the horse and did nothing more. Simon didn't come near at all. He just watched me from a distance. Hugh, George, and Jerome's eyes sparkled with curiosity.Trembling uncontrollably, I turned to the horse. I caught a glimpse of its genitals. If it were in heat, they'd grow as long as my arm. My head was spinning. It was impossible. Whatever they wanted, it wasn't possible… Tears welled up in my eyes. I crawled on my knees, clinging to Hugh's trousers. I lay down at his feet, tears soaking his boots.

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