CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38 - INDIRECT CONFESSION

That night, Mikail sang a few more songs, some familiar, others born from his own heart. Each melody he wove carried the listeners’ emotions like the ebb and flow of a restless sea: at times sorrowful, at times brimming with joy.

His voice, rich and stirring, painted unseen pictures in the minds of those who heard him.

Mikail was like a maestro, skillfully conducting the hidden orchestra of human feelings with every note.

The café was packed with customers, and even outside, people gathered, drawn in by Mikail’s melodies. The cozy café had transformed into a kind of concert hall.

It’s good in its own way.

But good times always pass quickly. When the clock struck ten, two hours before midnight, the time when the boundary between reality and the Shadow Realm thins and a new Zone began to form, the mood shifted.

A subtle tension crept into the air, unnoticed by most, but not by Mikail. He could feel it clearly: the gaze of something unseen, watching him from behind the shadows, patient and intent.

Mikail sighed and exchanged glances with Moona and Melisa; seeing them nod, Mikail took a deep breath, then turned his gaze back to the audience.

"*Ukhum*" Mikail cleared his throat theatrically and smiled. "...Alright, everyone, this will be the last song for tonight"

The moment the words left his mouth, a ripple of disappointment swept through the room. It was almost tangible, like a sudden shift in the air. Yet Mikail, ever composed, kept a warm, natural smile on his face as if he had anticipated it.

"...But," He continued, his eyes sweeping across the audience, "Since this is the last song, how about we make it special?"

He leaned forward slightly, his voice playful. "I’ll invite one of you to come up and sing with me. So..." Mikail paused dramatically, scanning the crowd, "... Who’s feeling brave tonight?"

As soon as Mikail said those words, the café erupted with cheers. Hands shot up all around the room, most of them belonging to women, their voices clamoring for Mikail’s attention.

Even a few men joined in the excitement, raising their hands with bashful, blushing faces... Mikail wisely chose to pretend he didn’t see them.

He took his time, glancing around the crowd, pretending to deliberate. Then, his eyes locked onto someone in particular, and a mischievous grin curled on his lips.

The moment she saw it, Moona froze in place, immediately sensing what was about to happen.

Panicking, Moona rose abruptly from her chair, intending to escape before Mikail could call her out. But before she could slip away, a hand grabbed hers... Melisa, who wore an all-too-knowing smile, was clearly in on Mikail’s little game.

"Lis-" Moona began, her voice tight with protest.

But Mikail didn’t give her a chance.

"Ohh~ Someone seems very enthusiastic," He said in a playful tone, "Already standing up before I even made my choice! Well, if you want it that badly, I can’t refuse, can I?"

He gestured grandly toward her.

"Everyone, let’s give a warm round of applause for our brave volunteer... Moona!"

Before she could protest further, the room burst into laughter and cheers, sealing her fate.

"I... I-"

Moona stammered, clearly trying to find an excuse, but Mikail cut her off again, his mischievous grin widening.

"What are you doing, Moona? Come on up here," He called, his voice full of teasing warmth. "We don’t have all night to wait for you"

The crowd laughed and clapped, encouraging her. Under the weight of many expectant eyes and Mikail’s relentless grin.

Moona had no choice but to move, her face burning with embarrassment as she slowly made her way toward the small stage.

When Moona finally reached the stage, she didn’t hesitate. Moving closer, she discreetly pinched Mikail’s waist, a sharp, punishing squeeze.

It hurt more than he expected, but Mikail determined not to break character, forced himself to keep smiling, though a slight twitch betrayed him for a split second.

"...I’ll repay you for this," Moona whispered under her breath, her voice low and sweet, meant for his ears alone.

Mikail chuckled softly, still facing the crowd, pretending nothing had happened.

"Oh, I’m looking forward to it," He murmured back just as quietly, the playful glint in his eyes undimmed.

"So, what song would you like to sing tonight, partner?" Mikail asked, his tone dripping with mischief, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Moona shot him a look, one eyebrow raised, clearly not giving in so easily.

"Do as you like," she replied, her voice light but laced with defiance. "I’ll follow your lead"

Mikail chuckled, clearly enjoying the challenge.

"Oh, that’s the spirit," He said, his grin widening. "Let’s see if you can keep up"

Mikail casually strummed his guitar, his fingers moving with practiced ease as he picked the perfect tune.

The song he chose was a duet, one that had gone viral recently, a melody so popular even the most reclusive souls couldn’t have avoided it.

It was a song everyone seemed to know, and Mikail had a feeling Moona was no exception.

The only problem? It was a love song.

He glanced at her with a playful smirk, knowing the irony of it.

The lyrics, sweet and tender, might as well have been written for a romantic couple, but Mikail had chosen it anyway.

It was the perfect opportunity to see how Moona would react under the spotlight, especially with the whole café watching.

Moona was momentarily taken aback by Mikail’s song choice. She hadn’t expected a love song, especially one so well-known.

But as Mikail strummed the first notes on his guitar and began singing the opening verse, she found herself caught up in the melody.

The lyrics, though intimate, felt oddly fitting at that moment.

When it was her turn, she hesitated just a second, then to Mikail’s surprise, she began to sing.

Her voice was soft but rich, effortlessly blending with his. It was clear she was a natural, hitting every note with perfect pitch. Mikail couldn’t help but be taken aback.

He’d never known Moona could sing this well, certainly not back in high school when they were classmates. The realization caught him off guard, his eyes briefly widening in surprise.

What surprised him even more was how seamlessly their voices intertwined.

The song, a romantic duet, seemed to fit them perfectly. Their emotions and delivery matched in such an unexpected way that it almost felt as though they were a real couple, their voices telling a story they hadn’t anticipated sharing.

As Mikail continued to play, his fingers moving almost instinctively over the strings, the song seemed to pull them both into a shared moment, one neither of them had expected.

Moona, despite the playful tension from earlier, began to sing with an ease that surprised them both.

Her voice, soft yet full of depth, wove perfectly with his, each note carrying more than just the lyrics... They carried years of unspoken words, emotions they had buried deep within.

As the song flowed between them, Mikail felt a shift in the air, something unexplainable, something raw. Their voices weren’t just harmonizing, they were speaking to each other in a language only they understood.

The words of the love song felt too real, too fitting. It was as if every note was a silent confession, a moment where the walls they’d built between them over the years came crashing down.

Mikail’s heart raced, his usual playful grin replaced by something more tender, something vulnerable.

He had always known how he felt about Moona, but they had danced around it for so long, too afraid to break the fragile boundary between friendship and something more.

She had always been there, close but never too close, and they had quietly shared their lives... Knowing, yet never saying.

Moona’s voice trembled on a higher note, a soft quiver that betrayed the emotion she was trying to mask.

She wasn’t just singing anymore; she was opening herself up, letting go of years of restraint.

Mikail could feel it in the air, thick with the unsaid. Her eyes met his for a fleeting moment, and in that brief exchange, they both knew.

This song. This moment was more than just a performance. It was the closest they had come in years to admitting what had always been there.

But despite the closeness, despite the undeniable chemistry, neither of them was ready to cross that final line. They were too afraid of what would happen once the words were finally spoken. So, they let the music carry them, keeping the truth locked away for just a little longer, knowing that the space between them was both a comfort and a cage.

As the final strum of Mikail’s guitar slowly faded, the café fell into an almost surreal silence. The kind of silence that feels heavy, filled with things unsaid. The air between Mikail and Moona crackled with an unspoken understanding, their shared performance hanging in the space like a delicate thread waiting to snap.

It was Melisa’s sudden, loud applause that shattered the stillness. She stood up, her claps enthusiastic and filled with admiration. The rest of the crowd quickly followed suit, their applause echoing through the room, breaking the spell of the moment.

Mikail and Moona stood there, side by side, still caught in the lingering energy of the song. They both glanced at each other, a brief, knowing look that lasted just a moment too long. Then, in perfect synchronization, they both snapped their eyes away, the realization of what had just happened dawning on them.

The intimacy of the moment seemed to catch them both off guard, and in the blink of an eye, they quickly looked anywhere but at each other, their faces flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and something deeper... Something neither of them was ready to acknowledge just yet.

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