Not Good at Singing

 Akari arrived outside the night club, his gaze scanning the surroundings in search of the person who had summoned him there. The dark blue sky loomed above, casting an aura of mystery over the scene. With no sign of Shinji, uncertainty crept into Akari's mind. Should he venture inside or remain outside?

Lost in his thoughts, Akari suddenly felt a pair of hands cover his eyes, plunging him into darkness. Reacting instinctively, Akari stepped forward and swiftly turned around, launching a punch toward the mysterious assailant. However, his attack was effortlessly thwarted as a hand intercepted his fist just inches away from the assailant's face.

“My, aren’t you a jumpy one,” A playful smile spread across Shinji's lips as he deftly moved Akari's fist to the side. “You should be glad it was me and not the others.”

“What do you mean by that?” Akari asked as he retracted his fist. As if on cue, a figure emerged from behind Shinji with vibrant purple locks cascading around her shoulders.

“Nanami-san?” Akari exclaimed with a surprised stare.

“Hi!” She gave the young gangster a friendly wave. “I can’t believe Akihara-kun actually managed to get you to come!”

“What about you?” Shinji asked the polite girl as he shrugged. “Did you come alone?”

“Of course not!” A mischievous glint danced in Nanami's eyes as she let out a sly giggle, her hand reaching out to tug Ayano into view from around the corner. “I brought her, just as I promised!”

"Hey!" Ayano protested, brushing off Nanami's enthusiastic grip. "I thought we were going out for dinner. What exactly are we doing here?"

“Ka-ra-o-ke.” Shinji stated in a playful yet calm banter.

♦_______✭❀✭_______♦

Akari shifted uneasily in the crimson-hued room as his gaze darted around the unfamiliar surroundings. Nanami and Shinji, on the other hand, exuded infectious enthusiasm, their anticipation evident as they eagerly set the stage for the karaoke session. Drinks had been promptly served, casting a colorful array across the table while Nanami deftly pulled up a comprehensive song list to start them off.

“Alright, who wants to go first?” She asked with a playful glint in her eyes as she held out the microphone. Both Akari and Ayano sat in silence averting their gaze from the lively girl with Akari trying to hide behind Shinji.

The young gangster couldn't help but exchange a hesitant glance with Ayano, their shared reluctance hanging in the air. The thought of taking the spotlight, even for just a few moments, seemed daunting to both of them.

“I’ve never sung before…” Akari confessed.

“Then you should go first, Inmura-kun,” Nanami declared, trying to hand the mic to him. Akari held up his hands, shaking them to decline the offer.

“Why don’t you go first, Nanami-san?” Shinji spoke up as he leaned comfortably against the cushioned seat.

“Me?” Her eyes twinkled as she puffed out her chest as she held up the microphone confidently. “Fu fu~ I'm confident in my singing ability~”

With a flourish, Nanami's energetic voice filled the room, the speakers amplifying her every note. However, as the first few lines escaped her lips, it became apparent that her confidence outweighed her actual singing ability. Her pitch wavered, and the melody seemed to take on a life of its own, deviating from the original tune.

As Nanami passionately sang her heart out, the group exchanged knowing glances, their expressions a blend of amusement and fondness. They couldn't help but admire her sheer enthusiasm and unwavering belief in her own abilities, even if the result didn't exactly match her expectations.

“How was it?!” Nanami beamed at the group, her eyes shining with anticipation. However, instead of returning her enthusiasm, the others sat stolidly, their expressions guarded.

“Well…” Akari began, searching for the right words but struggling to find a compliment that wouldn't be too insincere. “It was something…”

“It’s definitely unique,” Shinji chimed in, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes as he concealed a smile behind his drink.

Nanami's lips curled into a pout, her disappointment evident as she plopped down onto the edge of the couch next to Ayano. Crossing her arms, she let out a huff. “You could all be honest with me, you know,” she muttered, a hint of hurt lacing her voice.

Ayano couldn't help but hold back a laugh, finding Nanami's reaction endearing. She attempted to conceal her amusement behind her hand. "Singing isn't exactly one of Nanami-san's specialties,"

With a determined glint in her eyes, Nanami shot her arm out, thrusting the microphone in front of Ayano. “Well, it's your turn now, Ayano-san!” she exclaimed, her insistence leaving no room for argument.

“M-me?!” Ayano stuttered, not sure what to do. Before Ayano could protest, Nanami had shoved the mic into her hands and pushed her to the front of the room, where all eyes were now focused on her.

Reluctantly, Ayano took hold of the microphone, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment and anxiety. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Ayano closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her resolve. She silently chose a song off the list and faced the screen as the song began to play.

As the instrumental track began to play, Ayano's voice quivered slightly with her first note. But as she continued to sing, her voice grew stronger and more confident, weaving through the lyrics with a captivating grace. The room fell silent, completely captivated by the pure and melodic sound emanating from Ayano's lips.

Her voice carried an unexpected depth and emotion, resonating with each heartfelt lyric. The melody wrapped around the room, enveloping everyone in its soothing embrace. Akari could help but feel enraptured by Ayano’s angelic voice that swept through the room. He could feel something resonating within him as she continued singing. It was as if something made sense in him.

When Ayano finished her song, a stunned silence hung in the air before it was swiftly replaced by an explosion of applause and cheers. The room erupted with praise, each person expressing their admiration and appreciation for Ayano's beautiful performance.

Blushing from the overwhelming response, Ayano returned the microphone to Nanami, her expression a mix of disbelief and gratitude. Nanami beamed with pride, her eyes sparkling as she held Ayano’s hand. “You were amazing, Ayano-san! I never knew you could sing so well!”

Nanami's attention shifted from Ayano to Shinji, her gaze fixed on him expectantly. Shinji, caught off guard by her intense stare, blinked in surprise before mustering a small smile.

"Pick a song, Akihara-kun," Nanami declared, her voice filled with anticipation. With a resigned sigh, Shinji rose from his seat and made his way to the center of the stage. The upbeat rhythm of a fast-paced song filled the room, setting the stage for Shinji's performance.

As Shinji began to sing, his voice carried a certain charm and charisma, effortlessly matching the energy of the song. Nanami, true to her enthusiastic nature, cheered him on with fervor, clapping and swaying to the beat. Meanwhile, Akari took the opportunity to scoot closer to Ayano, a warm smile playing on his lips.

“That was really incredible,” he complimented her as Ayano gave an appreciated nod.

“Thanks…” Ayano smiled embarrassedly. “It was my grandmother’s favorite song.”

The night continued to unfold with each member of their group taking turns singing their hearts out, creating an atmosphere of joy and embarrassment. As the karaoke session reached its end, they bid farewell to the vibrant atmosphere of the club and stepped out into the chilly night air.

“Goodnight, Akihara-kun,” Nanami bid Shinji farewell with a small wave. The charismatic gangster returned the gesture before heading off in the opposite direction. Now that Shinji was gone, it was only the three of them remaining, making their way home. A solemn silence settled among them as they walked, each lost in their own contemplations.

Suddenly, Ayano let out a sneeze, her nose reddening as she instinctively rubbed it. The chilly breeze cut through their clothes, reminding them of the dropping temperature. Nanami's concern was evident as she let out a sigh, her worry etched on her face.

“I told you to wear more. It's going to be cold for the next few nights,” she scolded Ayano gently. Without hesitation, Akari took off his jacket and handed it to Ayano. The class president hesitated, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “But what about you?”

“I'm used to it, don't worry,” Akari reassured her, offering a warm smile. Ayano accepted the jacket gratefully, returning the smile with gratitude.

“Thank you, Akari-kun.”

“Are you sure you’ll be fine, Inmura-kun?” Nanami asked, just as concerned.

“It’s just a bit chilly. And besides, I still have my hoodie.” Akari pointed out with a grin. As the three of them arrived at an intersection, Akari gave the two girls a wave as he turned to leave.

“Goodnight! Thanks for tonight. It was fun.”

“Have a good night, Inmura-kun,” Nanami smiled with a gentle wave.

“Goodnight, Akari-kun,” Ayano's voice was soft yet filled with warmth. “I'll see you soon.”