The music filled the room, a soft hum of instrumental building up to the lyrics. The microphone felt cool, familiar in my grip, even if I wasn't the type to sing in front of people.
But this?
This was different.
The screen lit up with the lyrics, the first line appearing in bold against the dark background.
I smirked, bringing the mic to my lips.
And then, I started singing.
Hyerin didn't react at first, her phone poised, recording just like I had told her to. But as I continued, her expression shifted.
Surprise.
I didn't sing exceptionally well, but I wasn't terrible either. My voice was steady, controlled—calm, like everything else I did.
When the chorus hit, I let myself relax into it, effortlessly riding the melody, adding just enough emotion to keep it interesting.
I wasn't trying to impress her.
But I was.
And I could tell by the way she was watching me now—completely still, completely focused.
By the time the song neared its end, I turned toward her, lowering my voice just slightly for the final lines, my gaze locked on hers.
Then—silence.
The last note faded, leaving only the low hum of the machine preparing for the next song.
I tilted my head, smirking. "Well?"
Hyerin blinked, as if snapping out of a trance.
She lowered her phone, glancing at the screen before looking back at me.
"You… actually sound decent," she admitted, reluctant.
I laughed. "I'll take that as high praise coming from you."
She scoffed. "Don't. It's the bare minimum."
I stepped closer, taking the phone from her hands before pressing play on the recording. The sound of my own voice filled the room again, but I wasn't listening.
I was watching her.
The way her gaze flickered toward the video, the way her lips pressed together slightly, the way she had filmed the whole thing without stopping once.
I smirked, holding the phone up. "Do I sound better on camera?"
She snatched it back instantly. "Shut up."
I chuckled, dropping onto the couch beside her.
"Your turn," I said, handing her the mic.
She frowned, looking at it like I had just passed her a loaded weapon.
"You really expect me to sing after that?"
"Obviously."
Hyerin groaned, rubbing her forehead. "This is my punishment, isn't it?"
I smiled lazily. "No, this is your moment, Hyerin. Make it count."
Hyerin let out a slow breath, tapping through the song selection with deliberate movements. She didn't rush. She was thinking.
Then, without hesitation, she selected a song.
The first notes played softly through the speakers—a ballad.
I raised an eyebrow. "A slow song? Bold choice."
She exhaled through her nose, gripping the microphone tightly. "Shut up and listen."
I smirked. "Gladly."
And then—she started singing.
The moment her voice filled the room, I froze.
It was smooth, clear, and so effortlessly controlled that for a second, I almost thought I was listening to the original track.
But no—this was her.
She wasn't just decent. She was good. No, not just good—she was great.
Every note, every rise and fall of her voice, was precise but full of feeling. It wasn't forced, wasn't strained. It was natural.
She wasn't trying to impress me.
She was just singing.
And I was… completely caught off guard.
I watched as she closed her eyes slightly, getting lost in the melody, her fingers gripping the mic like she had done this a thousand times before.
Hyerin.
Who are you?
When the song finally ended, a heavy silence filled the room, the lingering echo of her voice still hanging in the air.
She lowered the mic, blinking at me. "What?"
I just stared at her.
Then, I let out a slow chuckle, shaking my head.
"You're a liar," I murmured.
She frowned. "What?"
I leaned forward, resting my chin against my palm. "You said you weren't sure if you could sing."
She blinked. "I never said that."
I smirked. "You didn't deny it either."
Her lips pressed together. "It wasn't relevant."
I let out a soft laugh, tilting my head. "Oh, but it is, Hyerin."
Because she wasn't just some ordinary transfer student.
She was full of surprises.
And now, I was even more interested than before.
I reached for my phone, tapping the screen lazily.
"Did you record that?" I asked.
She tensed. "No."
Shame.
I exhaled, leaning back against the couch. "Then you better sing another one."
Hyerin shook her head almost instantly. "No thanks."
I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Really? No recording of you or me singing at all? Are we just going to let the night end like this?"
She didn't respond right away. She was thinking.
And I waited, watching, knowing she wouldn't just brush this off so easily.
Then—she hesitated.
Just for a second, before finally saying, "Then, how about for the one I record… we both sing together?"
I blinked.
Then, slowly, my smirk widened. "Oh? Are you inviting me to a duet, Hyerin?"
She rolled her eyes, but I could see the way her fingers tapped lightly against her lap—a small, subconscious movement.
Nervous? Or just unsure?
"Well?" she muttered. "You're the one who wanted a recording."
I chuckled, sitting up a little straighter. "And you're willing to sing again just for that?"
She sighed, shaking her head. "You're exhausting."
"And yet, you keep making exceptions for me," I mused, tilting my head. "Are you aware of that?"
Her lips pressed together, but she didn't deny it.
She turned toward the song selection, scrolling through the options.
"Pick something you can actually sing," she muttered.
I smirked. "Oh? Worried I'll embarrass myself?"
"No," she said flatly, "I just don't want to suffer through bad singing."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Fine, fine. Let's make it fair."
I leaned closer, our shoulders nearly brushing as I tapped through the song list with her.
Her eyes flickered toward me briefly, but she didn't move away.
Interesting.
After a moment, she selected a song—something neither too slow nor too upbeat. A safe choice.
The intro music started playing.
I grabbed the second microphone, adjusting my grip.
"You ready?" I murmured.
Hyerin inhaled slowly, then nodded.
And then—we sang.
At first, I was just going through the motions, my voice steady, controlled—more focused on watching her than my own singing.
But then, as we reached the chorus, something shifted.
Hyerin's voice blended effortlessly with mine, weaving through the melody, strong and unwavering. She wasn't holding back.
She wasn't just singing—she was enjoying it.
And before I knew it, I was too.
The song flowed smoothly, our voices rising and falling in perfect sync, like we'd done this a hundred times before.
But we hadn't.
So why did it feel so easy? So natural?
By the time the final note faded, the room was completely still, the only sound left was our breathing.
Hyerin was looking at me now, really looking at me.
Not guarded. Not skeptical.
Just… curious.
I smiled lazily, breaking the silence.
"Well, that was fun," I murmured. "I think we make a good team."
She scoffed, shaking her head as she ended the recording on her phone. "Don't get used to it."
I chuckled. "Oh, but I will."
She sighed, but there was a small smile playing at the corner of her lips—barely noticeable, but I caught it.
I leaned in slightly, resting my elbow against the table. "Now the real question is… are you going to keep that recording?"
Her grip on her phone tightened slightly.
She didn't answer right away.
Then, after a long pause, she muttered, "...Maybe."
I laughed, "Don't worry, if you want to hear me sing, you can always just call me. I'll sing for you anytime since it's understandable, my voice is just that amazing."
"You're...flattering yourself too much." Hyerin said.
Then, after a long pause, she muttered, "...Maybe."
I chuckled, leaning back against the couch, watching her with amusement.
"Don't worry," I mused, my voice smooth, playful. "If you ever want to hear me sing again, you can always just call me. I'll sing for you anytime—since, you know, it's understandable. My voice is just that amazing."
Hyerin let out a sharp breath, somewhere between disbelief and laughter. "You're… flattering yourself too much."
I smirked. "Am I?"
She shook her head, stuffing her phone into her pocket. "You're unbelievable."
I smirked, unfazed. "Should we end the night with some night market food?"
Hyerin raised an eyebrow. "You? At a night market?"
"You say that like it's impossible."
"It is," she said flatly. "You don't seem like the type to eat anything that isn't served on fine china."
I chuckled. "Fair point."
She crossed her arms, watching me carefully. "Then why are you suggesting it?"
I glanced up briefly, as if considering. "Because you'd like it."
Hyerin blinked, caught off guard.
"You're new here. Have you even had time to explore the city properly?" I asked. "Night markets have some of the best street food. And besides, you did say you'd treat me tonight, didn't you?"
She exhaled sharply. "I regret it already."
But she didn't refuse.
I smiled, satisfied. "Let's go, then."
As we stepped out of the karaoke bar, the night air greeted us—cool, crisp, carrying the scent of sizzling food from somewhere down the street.