"Karaoke, huh? That sounds fun!"
The idea alone brought a spark of excitement to my otherwise ending evening. It had been years since I last stood in front of a mic, nervously fumbling with the remote while belting out a song off-key. But just as the thought warmed me, a shadow loomed over my enthusiasm.
Wait, would that even be okay with Yui?
I shuddered as the memory of her earlier death glare replayed in my mind. That look wasn't something you could just forget, it was the kind of expression that haunted your dreams. Maybe I should just skip this one. A quiet retreat back home didn't sound so bad.
"I'm—"
Before I could finish my polite decline, Saku's arm shot out like a grappling hook and locked around my shoulders.
"Let's go, buddy!" he declared with far too much cheer, ignoring the fact that I was mid-sentence.
And just like that, he started dragging me out of the restaurant. There wasn't even a second to protest, just an armful of Saku's relentless determination. The next thing I knew, the glowing sign of the karaoke station loomed ahead, its neon lights mocking my lack of agency.
I glanced back, hoping for some sort of solidarity or, at the very least, a miracle. Instead, I saw Yui. Or rather, I saw Yui being dragged by Anika and Emi, who looked entirely too pleased with themselves.
Our eyes met for a brief moment. Yui's expression? Equal parts resignation and thinly veiled vengeance.
This is going to be a long night.
The karaoke room was surprisingly spacious. It could easily fit eight to ten people, but with just the five of us, it felt more like a private lounge. The plush, cushioned seats curved along the walls, leaving plenty of room to breathe.
Yui and I ended up sitting side by side, while Anika, Emi, and Saku claimed the opposite side of the glass table that separated us. The table gleamed under the soft, colorful lights, its surface already littered with the song menu, a few untouched drinks we ordered and the all-important microphones.
"So!" Anika declared, snatching up one of the mics with the flair of someone who had been waiting for this moment all day. "I'm not gonna ask who's singing first, because that's obviously me. Instead, who's singing after me? Better decide now!"
Before anyone could respond, the first notes of her chosen song began to play, and she jumped right into the opening lines without hesitation.
I was immediately floored. Her voice was stunning, powerful yet gentle, commanding yet soothing. It was the kind of performance that could make a crowd go silent, and I caught myself staring, utterly captivated.
How is she not famous? I thought, baffled. With a voice like this, she could easily be a professional singer. Did she secretly practice every day?
A light tap on my shoulder broke my thoughts. I blinked and turned to Yui, who had clearly noticed my reaction. She leaned in slightly, her voice a quiet whisper meant just for me.
"She used to be in a band back in high school," Yui explained, her tone casual but tinged with admiration. "With Emi and Saku. Just wait until you hear them sing, they're both good, but Anika? She's on a whole other level."
A band? That explained a lot. My gaze shifted back to Anika, who was fully immersed in the song, her voice effortlessly hitting every note.
I couldn't help but wonder, just how much more was there to these people I thought I already knew?
As Anika's voice filled the room with her third straight song, the rest of us were content to sit back and enjoy the show. It was hard to complain when it felt like we'd stumbled into an exclusive concert, with the cost being just the karaoke room rental. Honestly, this might be the best deal of the century.
Finally, after a powerful finish to her third song, Anika plopped back onto her seat, flushed with energy. She grabbed her drink and took a long sip, then grinned. "Okay, I'm done with my first round. Take it away, guys!"
Saku and Emi stood up almost in unison, exchanging a knowing glance. Wait, were they about to sing a duet? Judging by the way they shared a smirk, they totally were.
The opening notes played, and as soon as they began singing, I was floored. Their voices harmonized perfectly, weaving together effortlessly like this was a performance they'd rehearsed a hundred times. The way their tones balanced each other out made it obvious they had done this before or maybe it was just natural talent.
Anika glanced at Yui and me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She tilted her head, clearly suggesting a duet of our own.
Yeah, no. Not happening.
I quickly shook my head and silently signaled back. Don't even think about it.
Besides, I wouldn't dare steal Yui's thunder. She was up next, after all, and for reasons I couldn't quite explain, I was unusually eager to hear her sing. Was she as good as Anika, Saku, and Emi? Or maybe even better? My curiosity, all over the place.
The duet ended with a round of applause, and then it was Yui's turn. She stood up hesitantly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as she grabbed the mic Emi had just handed her.
The intro to her song began, and we all sat in quiet anticipation.
Before she could start, Anika leaned over, slid a small piece of paper across the table, and gestured for me to read it.
I unfolded it and saw her handwriting scrawled messily across the slip:
"This is the first time Yui's singing! I can't believe it!"
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. This was her first time? Somehow, that only made me more curious.
I turned back toward Yui. She stood there, gripping the mic, her gaze fixed on the screen. And as the first verse approached, I found myself holding my breath.
The moment Yui began to sing, everything around me shifted. It wasn't just the song; it was the feeling it brought out. The karaoke room around us seemed to melt away, replaced by an entirely different world. A forest, soft winds brushing past, the air thick with peace and tranquility. It was like I had stepped into a dream.
Her voice, it was pure magic. So soothing, so gentle, like a mother's touch, tenderly brushing over the head of a child. Every note felt like a comforting embrace, wrapping us all in warmth.
The room fell silent as we all sat there, mesmerized. We had all been transported somewhere else, somewhere serene, and it took a moment for our minds to catch up to reality. Yui stood there, holding the mic, her expression uncertain, waiting for our reaction. But none of us could speak. We were lost in the moment.
"What in the world just happened?" Anika finally broke the silence, her voice filled with disbelief. Emi nodded vigorously in agreement, as if she, too, were struggling to process what she had just witnessed.
"Since when have you been hiding this talent, Yui?" Saku added, his eyes wide. "How come this is the first time we've heard of your amazing singing?"
I couldn't agree more. Yui's voice was on par with Anika's, maybe even better. It was flawless. And I didn't think I could find the right words to describe it. But Yui looked at me, waiting for some sort of response, and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Y-you were wonderful. It's like I was transported to a peaceful forest…"
Yui's eyes lit up at my response, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "That's what I was aiming for! I sang the song with that in mind!"
We both looked up to find the other three staring at us, their faces twisted into strange expressions, and without warning, we both lowered our heads, cheeks turning pink. The attention was a bit too much.
Then, came the moment everyone had been waiting for, the "main event."
Inspired by Yui's mesmerizing performance, I felt a spark of courage ignite within me. They all sat there, eyes filled with expectant anticipation, waiting for me to deliver something just as great.
But let's just say I wasn't prepared for the outcome.
As soon as I started singing, their reactions were not at all what I expected. Instead of the awe and reverence that had greeted Yui's song, all four of them burst out laughing, unable to hold it back. Even Yui, who was laughing so hard, she nearly choked.
I couldn't blame them. I knew I was tone-deaf. How could anyone follow Yui's performance? But at least I made them laugh, right?
As the laughter died down, we all sang a few more songs, our time in the karaoke room slowly ticking away. Before long, the evening was coming to an end. It was getting late after all and it's time to go.
Saku gestured into the other direction opposite to where Yui and I are going, giving us a friendly wave. "Us three will be heading this way. Take care, you two."
"See you tomorrow," I replied with a smile.