บท 44: Karaoke!

"Kazuki-san, want to join us for karaoke later today?"

Yuto looked up to see a group of familiar faces gathered around him—no, not just a few, but most of Class B. They watched him with eager expressions. Yuto's eyes landed on Ichinose, who stood at the front, her ever-bright smile aimed directly at him. He coughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

"But like... don't you guys need to discuss the upcoming exam? I'm still in Class D, you know, and—"

"We know," Ichinose cut him off gently, her smile undiminished. "Kazuki-san, you've been having a tough time lately, haven't you?" Her tone was warm, understanding, as she glanced at her classmates, who nodded encouragingly. "So, we all thought it'd be nice to cheer you up."

Yuto's gaze shifted around the circle of smiling faces. They radiated such a genuine, almost overwhelming positivity that it made him a little uneasy.

Too positive... Yuto thought to himself, feeling a shiver run down his spine. How could people be this relentlessly cheerful? It seemed almost unnatural.

He finally shrugged, letting out a resigned sigh. "Sure, why not?"

______________________________________

"Damn." That was all Yuto could think as he sat back in the dimly lit karaoke room. Two weeks with Class B, and he still couldn't wrap his head around how they balanced it all. It felt like all they did was party, laugh, and have fun. 'When do they even have time to study, strategize, or plan for the next exam?' he wondered, shaking his head.

After stepping off the stage, Yuto's mind lingered on the song he'd just sung— "Another Love." It hit closer to home than he wanted to admit. The lyrics resonated with him, even though he didn't have another love to pine over. But the longing, the frustration… it all felt too familiar. And for a moment, it lightened the weight on his shoulders. Just a little.

Still wasn't enough to forgot that devilish smile Horikita played yesterday.

"Kazuki-san, you sing really well!" A voice broke his thoughts, and he turned to see a familiar face.

"Kobashi-san," he replied, managing a small smile. "Thanks."

She blushed, though it was too dark for Yuto to notice. Others started chiming in, complimenting his singing, making Yuto feel awkward under the sudden spotlight. He mumbled a polite response and glanced around for a seat, eventually finding one next to a particular girl.

As Ichinose took the stage, the room's attention shifted to her, but Yuto's focus remained elsewhere. He leaned closer to his right, addressing the girl next to him. "Hemino-san."

Yuki turned, caught off guard by the way he said her name. "W-What is it, Kazuki-kun…" she replied, maintaining her usual polite facade.

"It's fine," Yuto said casually, his eyes on Ichinose as she began to sing a song he didn't recognize. "No one's watching. You can drop the act."

Yuki's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her face. "H-How did you—"

"I'm just good at reading micro-expressions," he interrupted, then paused, glancing down before turning his gaze back to her. "You know, we're kind of similar in that regard. You know, hiding our true selves."

Yuki raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "How so?"

Yuto leaned back, his expression turning pensive as he folded his hands together. "Let me ask you something instead. Why do you hide your true self?"

Yuki let out a short, dismissive laugh. "So much for a genius…" she muttered, rolling her eyes. Yuto smirked, pushing back playfully. "Just answer."

Yuki sighed, glancing at Ichinose on stage, her voice lowering as the cheerful ambiance of the room seemed to dull. "Well, it's been my misfortune to end up in Class B," she began, her tone laced with frustration. "This class is so overly positive. People like me? We don't fit in, not unless we change ourselves to match their expectations." She glanced at Ichinose, a vein visibly pulsing on her forehead. "On the very first day, Ichinose took charge, trying to make everyone in class mingle, socialize—forcing even the quiet ones to open up."

She leaned back, taking a long gulp of her drink. "Sometimes, you just have to follow the herd if you don't want to be left out in the cold." Her voice softened, a somber smile playing on her lips.

They sat together in a brief silence, the ambient noise of the karaoke room fading into the background.

"So, what's your story?" Yuki's voice shifted to a teasing lilt as she poked Yuto's cheek with a smirk.

Yuto let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing his cheek. "Well... pretty similar to yours, I guess." His smile faded, his expression growing more somber. He clasped his hands tightly, as if trying to ground himself. "Except, if people found out about the other side of me... it's not that I'd be a social outcast." He took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "I think they'd hate me. Maybe even fear me."

Yuki stared at him for a moment, and then, to his surprise, burst out laughing, her hand clapping him hard on the back. Her sudden outburst drew a few curious glances from others in the room. "Fear you?" she snorted between laughs, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "Nobody's going to fear or hate you when you've got that cute little face! Just flash those puppy eyes, and they'll be eating out of your hand!"

Yuto's brow twitched as he shot her an indignant glare. "Puppy eyes?! Really?!"

Yuki smirked, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. "Switch back to the other Hemino, would you? I prefer her better." He crossed his arms, pretending to sulk.

But Yuki simply shook her head, a genuine smile lingering on her lips. "Sorry, but I'll pass on that," she said lightly, leaning back. "I kind of enjoy talking to you like this. Maybe it's because you're the only one who's seen this side of me... the real me."

She suddenly pinched Yuto waist, causing him to yelp, "Bad memories!" Yuki giggled, "Can't help it! You made a madien say such embarassing stuff."

For the first time in a while, Yuto found himself relaxing, the corners of his lips turning up in a faint smile.

"You are so annoying." he sighed.

"Why, Thank you!" She laughed.

____________________________

Yuto walked back to the dorms in silence, the echoes of the karaoke fading into the background. The cool night air brushed against his face, a small contrast to the warmth he'd felt earlier. It had been a long time since he'd had such an open conversation—one where he could just... be. It was a strange feeling, like a knot inside him had loosened, even if just a little.

'Maybe there's some peace in talking after all...' he mused, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. The weight of everything—the lies, the facades—seemed a little easier to bear tonight.

But then, his phone buzzed, shattering the fragile calm. He pulled it out, and the small smile he had vanished as he read the message.

[Kushida: Come to that place, now.]

Yuto stared at the screen for a long moment, the words sinking in. A dry laugh almost slipped out of him, but it caught in his throat. "Another two-faced one," he muttered, shaking his head slightly. The irony wasn't lost on him—he'd just finished talking with someone who hid behind a mask, only to be summoned by another who did the same.