"Okay, class!" A classmate beamed. "As a reward for all your hard work during Sports Day, we've got a fun surprise…"
Everyone leaned in.
"We're going to karaoke!"
Cheers erupted like confetti bombs.
Hinata grabbed my arm. "I'm about to destroy everyone's ears and dignity. Prepare yourself."
---
That evening, we met at a local karaoke center. Neon lights, loud laughter, and one suspiciously sticky vending machine floor.
Rei arrived first already holding two song lists and a bottle of soda.
"You're singing with me, Yuki," he grinned.
"I haven't even picked a song yet!"
"Doesn't matter. We'll do a duet."
"…Why do I feel like I've been kidnapped by pop music?"
"You love it," he said smugly.
---
When Shinbou walked in a little late, still wearing his school jacket half-zipped the entire room seemed to shift slightly.
Some girls whispered.
Hinata nudged me. "Still emotionally broken from that goal?"
I elbowed her. "Shush."
Shinbou gave a polite nod to everyone, then quietly sat in the back, avoiding the spotlight like it owed him money.
---
The first few songs were chaotic.
Hinata rapped. Poorly.
Two of our classmates did an overdramatic anime opening.
One guy forgot the lyrics halfway and turned it into a heartfelt apology song to his ex.
Then came our turn.
"Yuki!" Rei grinned, holding out the mic. "Let's go."
I hesitated.
The track began. A soft duet. Romantic. Cute. Dangerous.
Rei leaned in while singing, way too close.
He hit every note perfectly.
I was… trying not to melt into the floor.
In the corner, I saw Shinbou glance up, expression unreadable.
He didn't clap when we finished.
Didn't react when Rei threw an arm around my shoulder like it was no big deal.
---
Ten minutes later, someone passed Shinbou a mic.
"Come on! Sing something!"
To everyone's surprise, he did.
He picked an old song soft, low, nostalgic.
The kind that sounded like it belonged to a memory no one wanted to talk about.
And somehow… his voice cracked on the last line.
The room went quiet for half a second.
Then applause.
Not from the crowd but from Rei.
A slow, casual clap.
With a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Nice voice," he said. "Didn't know you had that in you."
Shinbou handed the mic back. "Neither did I."
---
Later, when I stepped outside for air, I heard footsteps behind me.
It was Shinbou.
He didn't say anything right away. Just stood beside me, looking up at the night sky.
Then, softly:
> "He's good at everything, huh?"
I glanced at him. "Who?"
"Rei."
Pause.
"I guess."
"You like him?"
I turned toward him.
He didn't look at me.
He didn't need to.
Because I was already feeling too many things at once and none of them had clear answers.