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Chapter 10: Rick, You're Committing a Crime!
Tonight was the freest night Hydra had experienced since her transmigration.
Even though she had lost her beloved money.
After eleven years of pretending, she finally let herself go completely.
Flying freely through the sky,
the fierce wind howled past her ears,
flames bloomed upon her tongue.
This feeling of power… she truly loved it.
Like a child who had just been given a new toy, Hydra couldn't get enough of flying. Drunk on exhilaration, she flew in a single breath from Romania all the way to Hungary.
It wasn't until her strength finally began to give out that she remembered—
She was still only an eleven-year-old child.
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The next morning, at nine o'clock.
Audrey opened her eyes.
She had only returned home at three in the morning, so waking up late was unavoidable.
She pushed open the door and stepped out of the room.
…Oh.
Rick hadn't prepared any toiletries for her.
Then again, Rick was just an inexperienced twenty-year-old boy. Taking care of himself was already hard enough—how could he possibly think of everything?
Audrey shook her head and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Even the cleverest housewife couldn't cook without ingredients. She decided to make something simple.
After making a few pancakes, Audrey felt a little sentimental.
After spending years as a pampered young miss, her once-decent cooking skills had clearly declined.
Still, those golden, lightly browned pancakes would definitely taste far better than Rick's oatmeal.
She sprinkled a few sesame seeds on top and narrowed her eyes contentedly as the aroma rose.
Unfortunately, there were no spring onions.
She absolutely had to tell Rick to go grocery shopping later.
Today, she would enjoy the long-lost experience of ordinary Muggle life.
Tomorrow, however, would be a hard battle.
"Ah—! No! No! No!"
Rick's scream suddenly rang out from upstairs.
Audrey paused, puzzled, set the breakfast down on the small kitchen table, and stomped up to the second floor.
"No! No! No!"
The sound came from the study.
She pushed the door open and saw Rick desperately rubbing his head, his brown curls completely dishevelled.
"How did I fall asleep?! The new song isn't finished yet! Mr Waterman will be furious!"
"No—!"
"…Brother? Brother Rick?"
Audrey's clear voice made Rick freeze. He turned around stiffly, wearing an awkward expression.
"Oh—Audrey."
He had nearly forgotten that he wasn't living alone anymore.
"Uh—this—this isn't how I usually am," he hastily explained, afraid she'd think he was mad.
"I was supposed to show Mr Peter Waterman my new song today, but I don't know why—I fell asleep last night and didn't finish revising it…"
He frantically gathered the scattered manuscript pages.
"I don't know what to do!"
Audrey laughed lightly.
"Forget the song. Come downstairs and eat breakfast."
"But… my song—"
Audrey felt a tiny pang of guilt.
If she hadn't drugged Rick last night, he would have finished the song.
Of course, that guilt was very small.
After all, they had only known each other for a single night.
Calling each other "brother" and "sister" didn't mean they were actually close yet.
"If the song isn't finished, you'll just get scolded," Audrey said calmly.
"But if breakfast gets cold, you'll get a stomach ache."
Rick was helplessly pushed downstairs.
"You made this?" he asked.
"Who else would have?" Audrey replied.
Rick nodded. She was right.
Being scolded was one thing—but letting such good food go to waste was unforgivable.
He eagerly forked a pancake and took a bite.
…So fragrant!
Just as the "siblings" were eating pancakes and drinking milk, the doorbell rang.
Rick shot to his feet like he'd been electrocuted.
"No, no, no—! It's Mr Waterman! It must be Mr Waterman!"
Audrey sighed.
"Brother, calm down. Sit. I'll get the door."
Rick sat down stiffly, like a puppet, his eyes glued to the entrance.
Audrey opened the door.
A capable-looking middle-aged man stood outside.
His short brown hair was neatly combed, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and a thin moustache rested above tightly pressed lips that made him look stern and exacting.
"You must be Mr Peter Waterman," Audrey greeted him with a smile.
"Please, come in."
Peter was slightly surprised, but he followed her in politely.
"Hello. As you know, I am Peter Waterman. And this young lady is…?"
"I'm Audrey Astray—Rick's sister," she replied, guiding him towards the kitchen.
"Mr Waterman, have you had breakfast? Would you like to join us?"
Rick's sister?
Peter glanced at Rick, who was greeting him nervously, then looked back at Audrey.
Her name was Audrey, she looked like an Audrey—but she bore absolutely no resemblance to Rick whatsoever.
He wondered what kind of miracle Rick's mother had pulled off to give birth to such unrelated siblings.
However, the moment Peter tasted Audrey's pancakes, all such thoughts vanished.
…Delicious.
Naturally—these pancakes were infused with faint magical elements.
Even though the person who made them had no idea.
Audrey, meanwhile, was quietly suffering.
She had only offered out of politeness—so why had this man actually sat down?!
She'd only made enough pancakes for two people!
Left with no choice, she returned to the stove and made another batch.
"Rick," Peter said, sipping his milk, "is your new song ready? I've already booked the best recording studio for you."
Rick instantly tensed.
"It's… written," he said.
"It's just—the third draft wasn't satisfactory, and the fourth revision idea is good, but I didn't finish it…"
"Excellent," Peter said briskly.
"Show it to me after breakfast."
Cold sweat poured down Rick's back.
Just as panic consumed him, Audrey—while stirring the batter—began to sing softly:
> "It's obvious that things aren't as good as I thought,
I realise you love yourself more than you love me,
Go tell your friends that I'm a difficult, crazy person—
That's fine, I'll tell mine that you're gay…"
The melody was lively, sharp, and catchy.
It was "Picture to Burn", a country-rock song that wouldn't be released for more than twenty years.
Audrey's singing carried an inexplicable charm.
Peter and Rick were instantly captivated.
> "Watch me light this match,
Burn all the time I've wasted in the past,
Now I finally know—
You're just another picture to burn…"
Hydra carefully flipped the pancake while paying attention to the reactions behind her.
Rick, I made you miss your song. This is my compensation.
"Rick!"
Peter suddenly jumped to his feet.
"Is this your new song?! Did you write it for your sister?"
He muttered excitedly to himself.
"The lyrics don't quite match her age, but sung by her, that contrast—it's… it's—"
"Ignorance! Yes, that's it!"
He slapped Rick on the shoulder.
"Well done!"
"But," Peter added, frowning, "are you planning to give the recording opportunity to your sister?"
Rick was completely stunned.
Audrey flipped another pancake and said calmly,
"Mr Waterman, of course my brother will record this song."
Peter was shocked.
In his eyes, Audrey was clearly the perfect fit.
He turned sharply to Rick.
"Rick—are you certain?"
Rick stared at Audrey desperately winking at him and nodded blankly.
"Y-yes… I suppose so…"
"Rick!"
Peter slammed the table.
"This is a crime! A crime!" he exclaimed furiously.
"Your sister's talent is unmatched—and this song is made for her!"
"But—!" Rick scrambled for an excuse.
"She's still a child!"
"Michael Jackson performed at seven," Peter snapped.
"Age is irrelevant."
"She still needs to go to school!"
"School is for finding jobs," Peter retorted.
"With her talent, she'll be a superstar! Education can wait!"
Rick was utterly helpless.
Audrey, meanwhile, was completely blindsided.
She'd only meant to help Rick.
She hadn't expected to drag herself into the spotlight.
Peter stepped closer and asked seriously,
"Miss Audrey Astray—are you willing to become a singer?"
"With your voice and appearance, you will be famous across Britain—and the world."
Audrey fell silent.
…She only wanted to live comfortably as a rich lady.
But… becoming a Muggle celebrity didn't sound so bad.
It could even help her better conceal her identity as Hydra.
After a moment's thought, she answered:
"Alright—but I must be with my brother. Let's form a duo."
One should never forget the person who dug the well.
She would not let Rick be left behind.
"The Astray Siblings," Audrey suggested cheerfully.
"How does that sound?"
Peter considered it briefly.
"Excellent."
Rick Astley sat there, utterly dazed.
Ever since meeting Audrey last night, his life had gone completely off the rails.
Whether that was a blessing or a curse—
He truly didn't know.
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