Chereads / GIVE YOU MY HEART [BL] / Chapter 96 - THE PENALTY

Chapter 96 - THE PENALTY

-Haruka POV-

"Oh, come on, Levi. You'll love it. Here's the song." Harumi onee-san said, playing the first verse of the song. 

Seriously, she wanted us to sing this song in duet?

"Nee-san, you seriously wanted us to sing 'Die for You by The Weeknd'?" I asked in disbelief. Right, that's the song they picked up for us.

"What's wrong? It's romantic, dramatic, and just challenging enough to make it interesting." Lauren said that with a smirk. She sure talked a lot today. I look at Levi, and he's clearly shooting a sharp look at Lauren.

"Wow, a love song with that much intensity? This is going to be epic!" Hanabi said that while laughing. They're doing this on purpose!

"No, I won't sing this song. Change the song, or I won't do this stupid penalty." I said that with an irritated tone.

"Sorry, Haru-chan, but no backing off. And I have the right to choose which song. You, the loser, don't have the right to do so." Harumi onee-san said, sticking out her tongue like a kid.

"Haru-chan, let's just get this over with." Levi said that to me with a smile that made my heart flutter. He extended his hand towards me, giving a signal to get ready.

"Don't forget to put your hearts into it. We're expecting a performance of a lifetime." Harumi onee-san yelled in agony.

"Better bring your A-game, Levi. No monotone allowed!" Aiden said with a smirk.

Levi sighed deeply but still made his steps forward without protest. Suddenly the group gathers closer to us. Seriously, I didn't come here for this.

"You go first, Haru-chan." Levi whispered in my ear. 

"Alright, let's see what you've got!" Harry said as the music started. Honestly, I'm not really good at singing.

The music begins, soft and haunting. I look nervously at Levi, who gives me a brief nod, silently encouraging me to start. I took a deep breath and began singing the opening lines. I could feel my voice was a bit shaky.

"I'm findin' ways to articulate, The feeling I'm goin' through..." My voice grows steadier with each word, surprising even myself. 

"Baby, let me tell the truth, yeah…." I finished the first verse, and seriously, I could feel my face heat up when I said those lines.

"You know what I'm thinkin', see it in your eyes, You hate that you want me, hate it when you cry…" Levi picks up the next verse, singing in a deep, rich voice.

The moment Levi's voice fills the air, everyone collectively freezes. His voice is unexpectedly smooth, deep, and packed with raw emotion. Christine's jaw drops, Hanabi's eyes widen, and even Chris looks genuinely surprised. 

"Is this really Levi Ackerman? I didn't know he would be this good at singing." I heard Hanabi whisper. Of course, even I didn't expect this. He's really good at everything.

"He's been hiding this from us?!" Christine can barely respond.

Levi continues, completely unfazed by their reactions, his voice blending seamlessly with the music. I can't take my eyes off him, seriously.

"It ain't workin' cause you're perfect, And I know that you're worth it, I can't walk away, oh…" He sang that part while looking at me with his loving eyes.

Everyone clapped their hands, amazed by Levi's voice and his deep emotion in singing that song. I'm not the one who's perfect, but you.

When the chorus arrives, I hesitate for a moment, but Levi gives me a subtle nod, pulling me back into the moment.

"Baby I would die for you, Baby I would die for you, yeah…" We sang that part together, and we continued to sing until the end.

As the song ends, the group remains silent for a moment, as if collectively processing what they just heard. Then, all at once, they erupt into cheers and applause.

"Seriously, Levi. How have you been hiding that voice?!" Christine asked in disbelief.

"You better not say that was your first time singing. That was…wow." Hanabi looked at Levi while grinning.

"I'm your cousin, but I didn't even know you could sing. And that well! Seriously, where have you been hiding this talent?" Lauren said while shaking her head in disbelief.

Levi shrugs, his usual stoicism returning as he avoids their excited stares while I'm still looking at him in amazement. How would it feel to hear that voice sing every day?

"I didn't know… he had this side to him." I mumbled to myself quietly.

"Careful, Haru-chan. You've been staring at him too hard." Harumi said that to me in a teasing tone, which made me snap out of staring at Levi.

I could feel my face turning red as I was startled by Harumi's remarks. Levi catches my reaction but says nothing, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. This is really embarrassing. After that, we finished packing up everything to go back to the villa, and everyone was still talking about Levi's voice. Of course, his voice is really beautiful. 

//SKIP//

The sun hangs low in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and gold as the group arrives at the outdoor adventure park. The air buzzes with excitement as everyone takes in the sight of colourful paragliders soaring above and a majestic hot air balloon gently rising into the sky.

"This is going to be amazing! Paragliding, hot air balloons, ziplining—it's all here!" Christine said that while clapping her hands together. She's clearly excited for this.

"I'm calling dibs on the hot air balloon first. Who's coming with me?" Harry said, eyes on the hot air balloon. 

"I'm coming with you." Lauren said that softly, as if she's trying to be more feminine.

"Then I'm going to join the hot air balloon team too. Less adrenaline, more vibes." Hanabi said that while grinning. Well, she's not really good with adventurous activities.

"Of course you'd pick the least thrilling option." Ethan said that while chuckling, which made Hanabi's face turn red.

While the group debates their first activities, Levi's gaze locks onto the paragliders taking off from the nearby cliffside. His expression is one of quiet determination.

"I'm trying that." Levi said that calmly.

Everyone turns to look at Levi, mildly surprised by his choice. And I, who's standing right next to him, immediately frown.

"Paragliding? Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief.

"Why not? It looks interesting." Levi said, glancing at me.

"It looks dangerous." I said while folding my arms.

"Oh, come on, Haru-chan. Live a little! What's the worst that could happen?" As always, Harumi onee-san would be the one to make it worse.

"We plummet to the ground and die?" I said, giving my deadpan look.

"Well, when you put it that way…" Lauren snickered. 

"You don't have to come then. I'll do it alone." Levi said while shrugging, walking away from me.

Something in Levi's tone makes me hesitate. I watch as Levi starts walking toward the paragliding booth, his confident stride making it clear he's not backing down.

"Wait. I'm coming too." I said that while sighing heavily.

Levi then paused to look back at me, raising his brow. "You? You said it's dangerous."

"It is. But I'm not letting you do it alone." I said while grumbling, making my way towards him.

"Aww, Haru-chan cares about Levi so much. How sweet!" Harumi mock-gasping.

I glare at her, but she just laughs, nudging Hanaka nii-san as they head off toward the ziplining area. The rest of the group splits up, leaving me and Levi to tackle paragliding together.

15 minutes later, we're here at the paragliding launch site, equipped with all the protective gear. We're waiting for the instructor to let us go.

"Alright, you two! The key is to trust the equipment and enjoy the ride. Once you're airborne, it's smooth sailing." The instructor said that cheerfully.

"Relax, Haru-chan. It's just the same as parasailing." Levi said, trying to make me less nervous.

"Easy for you to say. We're about to jump off a cliff." I muttered slowly.

"Don't overthink it. Just follow my lead." Levi said, giving me his sweet smile. This guy, give a warning, at least.

"Ready, guys. You both can start when I give the signal." The instructor said to us.

The signal is given, and the pair begins their run toward the edge of the cliff. Haruka hesitates slightly, but Levi's steady pace pulls him forward. Before I can process what's happening, we're airborne, the ground falling away beneath us.

"Oh my god, we're actually flying!" I shouted over the wind.

"See. Not so bad, is it?" Levi said that calmly, with a hint of amusement.

I look at the view below, the lake shimmering in the evening light, the forest stretching out like a green carpet. I glance at Levi, who's completely immersed in the moment, a rare look of pure contentment on his face.

"You were right. This is incredible." I said that softly.

"Told you." He glances at me, a small smile tugging at his lips.

-1 Hour Later-

We're about to land at the landing site, where the rest of the group waits. Levi and I touch down smoothly, the instructor helping us out of our gear. Harumi rushes over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"So, how was it?" Harumi asked excitedly.

"Terrifying. Never again." I said that, half-joking, half-serious.

"He's lying. He loved it." Levi said with a smirk.

"Looks like you both survived. Good job!" Aiden said while laughing.

"Well, since everyone's already here, let's head back to the villa." Hanaka nii-san said.

After that, we headed back to the villa together. The sky above them shifts to deeper shades of orange and purple, marking the end of the day.

//SKIP//

-Levi's POV-

I walked around the yard. It's the same here too. The yard is mostly covered with lilies compared to other flowers.

"What are you doing here alone?" A voice spoke from behind. Chris? What is he doing here?

"Dr. Auclair. I'm just looking around, by the way." I said that awkwardly. 

"You don't have to call me doctor outside. Just talk to me casually. We're the same age, after all." He said that in a friendly tone, but I could feel the tension in his tone.

"Sure, hahaha. So, why are you here, Chris?" I asked him the same question as him.

"Well, the truth is I wanted to talk to you." He said that with a serious look on his face. He wanted to talk with me?

"You wanted to talk with me? About what?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"I'll get straight to the point then. Levi Ackerman, are you serious about my brother?"

TO BE CONTINUED!!!