Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

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Mi Sol Do.

If someone unexpectedly asked why I’m mentioning a musical note right now, I would say it’s the perfect sound effect for the situation I find myself in.

It’s that sound effect that plays in a gourmet scene just before the protagonist feels hungry.

In that scenario, at least the protagonist takes the initiative to stir things up, but here I am, just dumbly staring at whatever is passing in front of me.

“Ha! Done. I bought water too, so it’s all set!”

Chiyo said that as she sat right next to me, starting to fiddle with the remote.

Given the nature of the seating, we could have left a space in between, so why did she insist on sitting so close?!

As I was thinking this, Chiyo gave me a strange look before breaking into a teasing smile.

“Are you embarrassed, oppa? Just the two of us here with a girl?”

“W-What are you talking about! No way!”

I outright denied Chiyo’s statement—even if part of it was true.

Karaoke was a place I always visited alone.

Listening to anime themes or pop songs made me want to sing along, leading to me practicing without realizing it. As a result, I often ended up at karaoke, singing for about an hour before calling it a day.

In the beginning, my vocal cords weren’t great, and I even ended up with nodules.

“…I always come to karaoke alone. I’m just not used to coming with someone.”

“Wow.”

Chiyo expressed disbelief, her eyes wide.

“Have I really never gone to karaoke with you while we were in school together?”

“Uh, I guess so. I only remember going alone.”

“Why didn’t you say that? Why suffer through it alone?”

Saying that, she nearly leaned against me.

I’m grateful for the sentiment, but why is she getting closer?!

“Do you still go often?”

“Uh, yeah. I do, right?”

“Then every time you go, you better let me know! If you don’t, I’ll be sulking.”

Saying that, I stared blankly at Chiyo, who was happily operating the remote.

How should I put it? I was overwhelmed with a mix of disbelief and a separate, sudden rush of emotions that left me speechless.

Everyone else was busy avoiding me, so why was she so eager to be around me?

I couldn’t understand.

I could only quietly gaze at Chiyo.

“Okay! I have to sing this song. Oppa, you know this song, right… Wait, what?! Why are you crying?!”

Chiyo exclaimed, panicking as she scrutinized my expression.

Haha. Sometimes she could be overly aggressive, yet be the one to get flustered like this.

I wiped my tears with the tip of my fingers and smiled.

“Yes, the song you picked is just really moving.”

“…What? Why are you crying over something like that? You startled me.”

The song had already started; the gentle accompaniment filled the room, and Chiyo, still looking bewildered, closed her eyes, getting lost in the emotions of the music.

She sang a verse, then another.

As she perfectly finished the chorus, her emotions soared during the climax, her face reflecting it all.

When was the last time I had seen someone sing like this?

Probably back in elementary school when I played guitar with my only close friend.

But that was all just a thing of the past.

As the song ended, Chiyo slowly opened her eyes and gave a smile that had a hint of allure.

“Hehe, how was that? Did you fall for me?”

Though she seemed to say it playfully, I unintentionally blurted out the thought that had been sneaking in my mind, since I was so focused on the song.

“…Yeah, I almost did.”

“Uh, huh…?”

I didn’t even realize what I had just said, so I couldn’t comprehend why Chiyo was suddenly looking at me like that.

But when I pieced together the strange realization, I panicked.

“Ah, no! I meant I almost fell for the song! Ah, this is why you shouldn’t omit subjects!”

“…Uh, okay.”

I clumsily tried to explain what I really meant, but Chiyo just scratched her cheek, blushing.

Good grief, what a rascal!

I messed up the mood for no reason.

As I was floundering, Chiyo suddenly grabbed the remote and handed it to me.

“Quick, sing something! Time’s running out.”

“Uh, okay!”

I took the remote and started searching for a song.

Hmm.

What should I sing?

To be honest, most regular guy songs were quite tough for my vocal range.

Thanks to my vocal practice lately, I could hit the notorious male vocal range of two octaves in A, but even that was difficult to sustain.

And since I was in a scenario with others, I was likely to feel so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to hit even that.

So, what about this…?

I smoothly typed ‘Im Dong-yeol’ into the singer’s name section.

He was a singer with an appealing deep voice.

“Oh, you’re going to sing this? Oppa, your voice is low, so it should suit you well.”

Chiyo said with a rather awkward expression, so I focused on the emotions of the song too.

This song had to be sung softly, which was quite challenging.

But since the vocal range wasn’t too high, it was perfect for this moment.

I grabbed the mic and took a breath.

Hoping all my breathing muscles wouldn’t go haywire, I slowly let out a line.

“…..”

I had no idea what kind of look Chiyo was giving me.

The moment I began singing, it felt like everything around me faded away.

They say it’s lonely in a crowd, huh?

That perfectly expressed what I was feeling right now.

At first, my breathing muscles were tight from nerves, but as I reached the chorus, they began to follow my lead, producing the desired sound colors.

Subjectively judging my own vocal colors didn’t help me evaluate, but at least I thought I’d polished my skills enough to avoid embarrassment when singing for others.

“Finally!”

I had reached the highly anticipated chorus.

Maybe it was the adrenaline rush from thinking I was doing well—but I was producing louder and clearer sounds than usual.

Thanks to that, richer and warmer tones came out than I typically managed.

The song progressed towards its end.

The last bit featuring two highlights was the real test, but given my current state…

“Though nothing can!”

…Ah.

I had been too complacent.

Caught up in my excitement, I failed to control my breath and pushed out a note that, by professional terms, was a ‘squeak’!

A rush of embarrassment flooded my face.

Ah, am I not allowed to be perfect at moments like this?

Maybe I shouldn’t have picked such an emotional song.

If I had known this would happen, I should have just chosen something upbeat and silly.

A wave of regrets hit me, yet I still pushed on, finishing the song with determination.

As soon as the song ended, I felt a hint of melancholy wash over me.

But given that Chiyo likely had her ears hurt from the squeak, I turned to her with a sheepish smile.

“Haha, sorry. I picked a song that was a bit too advanced…”

I was about to make excuses, but I couldn’t complete my thought.

Chiyo was staring at me blankly, her expression mirroring the one I often wore when deeply engrossed in something.

Ah, that look.

Why does Chiyo have that expression while looking at me?

“…Chiyo?”

Calling her name again, Chiyo smiled warmly, closing her eyes.

“What’s this, oppa? You were deceiving me.”

“Huh?”

“You were staring at me so intently while singing so well?!”

Wait a minute.

Did she know all along?!

I blushed for an entirely different reason now.

“Ah, no! I wasn’t singing that well! I totally missed some notes!”

“Singers also squeak. You’re fine.”

Chiyo denied my protest while lighting up with a smile.

“Thanks for sharing such a lovely song, oppa.”

The rush I felt from watching Chiyo sing surged back once more.

Was it because I felt acknowledged for my solitary hobby that I had nurtured alone and enjoyed?

I smiled back at Chiyo.

“Yeah, thanks for listening to my song, Chiyo.”

#

“Whew! You sang well. I feel like the time passed faster than when I’m with others! Next time we go, we should sing for two hours!”

“Ugh, please! Singing nonstop is also tough for me.”

“You did great till the end! But oppa, ballads are good, but pop songs suit you better!”

“Oh, really? I should practice those more.”

Chiyo and I chatted happily as we wrapped up the room.

When was the last time I felt this joyful?

Is it okay for me to be this happy?

My previously empty heart seemed to be filling up in a new way.

“Oh, oppa! That water bottle over there! Be careful!”

“Uh, wha—?!”

Caught up in my emotions, I accidentally knocked the water bottle on the table with my hand, and as I stepped on it, I lost my balance.

Chiyo rushed over to catch me, but it wouldn’t be easy for a woman to break my fall like a man.

Thud.

Fortunately, the karaoke chair was cushioned, so it didn’t hurt too much.

But the situation was quite embarrassing.

I ended up in a position that seemed like I was toppling over Chiyo.

Time felt like it had stopped.

The flow of air around us froze, and it felt like the sounds coming towards us bounced back from some distance.

In the awkward silence, the only thing I could see was Chiyo looking at me with trembling eyes.

What should I do?

I need to get up.

But did Chiyo have different thoughts?

Seemingly shy, she averted her gaze before suddenly closing her eyes.

Ah.

Chiyo.

Even someone as clueless as me couldn’t mistake that for anything but a signal.

I see now.

Chiyo’s reasons for coming to karaoke with me.

And if I went further back, why we kept hanging out since school.

Yeah, that’s what it was.

“…Nutricha.”

I carefully murmured the name.

“You said it was what you wanted, but in the end, you’re just tending to the wounds of my heart experienced in a different world.”

And the moment I spoke those words…

The karaoke room transformed into a pitch-black void, and the uniform Chiyo was wearing morphed into the sexy pajamas I had seen earlier.

As horns sprouted from my head…

“…Really can’t read the mood.”

I caught a glimpse of Nutricha looking at me with disbelief.

 

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