CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39 - ON THE WAY HOME

After everything was finished, Melisa entrusted the task of closing the café to the workers. Meanwhile, she, Moona, and Mikail left together, heading home to prepare themselves for the battle against the shadow creatures later that night.

With Melisa walking in the middle, the three moved silently along the dimly lit sidewalk. The city was still lively, cars rushed past on the highway, and groups of pedestrians strolled by, their conversations blending into the background hum of urban life. Despite the noise around them, an awkward silence enveloped the trio. No one seemed to know how to start a conversation, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, after a long moment, Melisa decided to break the silence.

"So..." she began, her voice casual but carrying a teasing edge, "just an ’ordinary’ friend, huh?"

She spoke while glancing at Moona and Mikail in turn, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.

"For me," Melisa continued, her voice softening, "...It’s more than just ’friend,’ I think. C’mon, guys, spill it out... What really happened between the two of you back then, when you were still in high school?"

She tilted her head slightly, her curious gaze flickering between Moona and Mikail, searching their expressions.

The streetlights cast a warm glow over them, and for a moment, the bustling city around them seemed to fade, leaving just the three of them wrapped in the tension of old memories and unspoken feelings.

"I... I’ll tell you the truth, we just-"

Moona began, her voice a little shaky, but before she could finish, Mikail cut in, his tone calm but firm.

"I’m just... Not ready," Mikail said, glancing down at the pavement as they walked. "I understand how and what I feel... But I’m not ready to start a relationship. Not after what happened to my parents"

For a moment, the air between them grew heavier. The noise of the city seemed distant now like they were walking through a world that no longer quite touched them. Moona bit her lip, falling silent, while Melisa looked at Mikail with a softened, more understanding gaze.

"I’m sorry," Mikail said quietly, his voice thick with regret. "Did what I did on our graduation day... Accidentally hurt you, Moona?"

He slowed his steps slightly, the weight of the memory pressing down on him.

"I knew what you were trying to say that day," He continued, not quite meeting her eyes. "But... I became a coward. I panicked, and before I even realized it, my legs just... Moved on their own. I ran away"

The confession hung between them, raw and honest, as the world around them blurred into background noise. Moona looked at him, her expression unreadable, while Melisa, walking silently between them, sensed the depth of the moment and chose not to interrupt.

"...I don’t ask for your forgiveness, but-" Mikail began.

"I...!" Moona suddenly cut him off, her voice louder than she intended. "I was never angry with you," She said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Maybe... Maybe I was too hasty back then. I- I was probably just a little disappointed when I saw you run away like that... Leaving me hanging. But I was never, ever angry at you"

Her voice softened toward the end, and for a moment she hesitated, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her sleeve. Then, as if gathering all her courage, she blurted out:

"And... And I- I just want to make it clear... I never dated anyone before... E- Even now, I... I never have"

Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink, and she turned her face slightly away, unable to meet Mikail’s gaze. Melisa, walking between them, covered her mouth to hide a knowing smile, feeling the awkward yet sincere tension between her two friends.

"...I... I see, that’s... That’s good. No, I mean-" Mikail stumbled over his words, his face growing visibly flustered.

*Ukhum!*

A soft, deliberate cough interrupted him.

Both Moona and Mikail immediately turned their gazes toward Melisa, who stood between them with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"I don’t want to ruin your little moment," She said lightly, hands casually tucked behind her back, "but... We’ve already arrived"

Startled, Moona and Mikail quickly looked ahead, and sure enough, Mikail’s house stood right before them, its porch light casting a warm, welcoming glow in the growing darkness.

For a second, none of them spoke, the weight of everything unsaid lingering in the cool night air.

--------

"...We’re home, Grandma," Mikail called out as he entered the house.

His grandmother, sitting comfortably in the living room, glanced up from the television. Her eyes softened with warmth as she smiled.

"Welcome home," She said, her voice calm. But then, noticing the flush on both Moona and Mikail’s faces, her expression shifted to one of amusement. She slowly turned her head toward them, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Huh? What happened? Why are both of your faces so red?"

Before Mikail or Moona could respond, Melisa stepped forward, grinning mischievously.

"Haha~ it’s normal, Grandma," She replied with a wink, casually waving it off. "Just some young people’s problems"

Moona and Mikail, now fully embarrassed, lowered their heads, both trying to hide their flushed faces.

Grandma leaned back on the sofa, her eyes twinkling with playful insight.

"Mm~... young people’s problems, huh?" She teased, her smile widening just slightly. "Well, I hope it’s nothing too serious... But you two better watch out. You never know when those kinds of problems can sneak up on you"

Her teasing tone only made the blush on Moona and Mikail’s faces even brighter, while Melisa couldn’t hold back a light chuckle.

Grandma shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she decided to stop teasing. She gave them a knowing look before turning back toward the TV.

"I’ve already prepared food in the kitchen," She said, her voice warm but with a hint of concern. "Go ahead and eat. I know tonight will be another restless one, right?"

Her words, though calm, carried an unspoken understanding of the challenges that lay ahead. Moona and Mikail exchanged a glance, the weight of the night’s task settling in once again. Melisa nodded, her expression more serious now, acknowledging the truth in Grandma’s words.

"Thanks, Grandma," Mikail said quietly, his gaze softening. "We’ll be ready"

"You should," Grandma said, her voice steady and kind as if the matter was settled. She gave them one last glance, a knowing look that carried more wisdom than any words could convey.

With that, Moona, Mikail, and Melisa nodded, silently acknowledging her. The atmosphere shifted, becoming more focused. Without another word, they turned toward the kitchen, their minds already shifting to the restless night ahead.

- At the kitchen.

The three sat around the table, the quiet clinking of utensils filling the space as they ate. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, providing a brief moment of comfort amidst the tension. Mikail broke the silence, his voice a little more serious than usual.

"So, what’s the plan tonight?" he asked, looking across the table at Moona and Melisa, both of whom were quietly eating, though their minds were clearly elsewhere.

Melisa glanced up from her plate, swallowing her food before responding. Her expression was calm, almost casual, but the edge in her tone was unmistakable.

"...There’s no solid plan," she said, her voice steady. "After what happened last night, I don’t think they’ll attack us as fiercely as before. But that doesn’t mean they’ll stop. No matter what, your existence is a threat to them, so they’ll keep coming... Until they succeed in getting rid of you"

She paused, taking another bite of her food, chewing thoughtfully before continuing.

"So, we just need to be prepared. We can’t make the same mistake as last night and enter the Core Zone. Let’s stay on the edge, in a slightly safer area. It’s a strategic position that allows us to fight without putting ourselves in great danger as before"

Mikail nodded slowly, digesting both the food and the gravity of her words. Moona, sitting quietly beside her, glanced at Melisa before turning back to her plate, still deep in thought.

"So..." Melisa suddenly said, her tone shifting to one of heavy seriousness, catching both Mikail and Moona off guard.

Their heads snapped up, eyes immediately locking onto her, sensing the weight behind her words.

"Tell me, Mikail..." Melisa continued, leaning slightly forward with a piercing gaze, "...Was the first song you sang in the café specifically for Moona?"

The room went still for a moment. Even the faint background noise from the television seemed to fade into silence.

Mikail froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. A faint blush crept up his neck as he struggled to find his voice.

"I... I mean-" He stammered, looking at Moona for a second before quickly averting his gaze.

Moona, who had also gone wide-eyed at the question, immediately looked down, pretending to be busy cutting her food, though her reddening ears betrayed her.

Melisa, sensing their reaction, smirked slightly, resting her chin on her hand.

"Come on, no need to be shy. We’re all friends here," She teased lightly, though her eyes gleamed with mischief.

Mikail swallowed hard, realizing there was no easy escape from this question.

"...Maybe," He finally muttered under his breath, barely audible.

But Melisa caught it, and so did Moona, whose hands suddenly froze over her plate, her heart racing uncontrollably.

....

...

..

.