CHAPTER 40: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Chapter 40: A Night to Remember

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After a long hour at the cafe, Lucy set her gaze on the karaoke room nearby and smiled, a silent reminder of their her last visit with Arios.

"The evening is still young," Lucy said, her eyes fixed on the karaoke room. "A little karaoke won’t hurt."

"That’s a good idea," Liza said, smiling at both of them. "But can Arios sing?"

"Definitely," Lucy replied, her voice full of confidence. "The last time we went, he was reluctant at first, then he completely let loose."

"Wait—" Arios began to stammer, but Liza quickly cut him off with a light hit to his shoulder.

"Arios," Liza said, her expression softening. "I remember telling you I always wanted to go to karaoke." She grinned. "Never mind. I better hear you sing today."

Liza is now so open and lively, Arios thought, a small smile spreading across his face as he looked at her.

Before their relationship, Liza Garnet was the undisputed queen of Class 1-D, with the best curves among all the girls and an unyielding personality. But after the pool incident, she had softened, especially around Arios, who always found a way to pierce her guarded heart.

"Stop with the smile," Liza said, a faint blush forming on her cheeks. "You’re making me blush."

Later, the three of them squeezed into a small karaoke room tucked near the edge of the shopping arcade. The room was a vibrant spectacle, its walls glowing with neon lights that shifted from electric blue to fiery red. The enchanted speakers filled the small space with a crisp, powerful sound, making every note feel alive. The air was thick with a youthful, carefree energy that felt a world away from the tense, academic pressure of the day.

Liza was the first to grab the microphone, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She selected a classic rock ballad and, without a moment’s hesitation, began to sing. Her voice, surprisingly powerful and full of raw emotion, soared through the room, belting out the lyrics so passionately that Arios half-expected the speakers to crack. Lucy watched, a nervous smile on her face, before she found herself clapping along to the beat. To her own surprise, she was soon joining in on the chorus, her voice a little softer but perfectly in tune with Liza’s. The two of them, so different in personality, were in perfect harmony, a testament to the strange magic of the night.

When the song ended, Liza bowed dramatically and handed the microphone to Arios. He scrolled through the hovering song list, his fingers moving over a variety of genres, from pop to folk, before his eyes lit up.

This world music is so familiar,

Arios thought as kept scrolling through the song list. This world’s music culture wasn’t all that different from the one Arios was used to in his past life, having similar genres and styles of lyrics.

He selected a chaotic rap-metal song called "Dragon Way," a lesser-known track that was a personal favorite of his since he arrived in this world.

Lucy quickly whined as the opening chords ripped through the speakers, and Arios, with a mischievous grin, launched into the song. His voice alternated between guttural growls and rapid-fire verses, a wild and jarring performance that was both absurd and exhilarating. By the end, Liza was laughing so hard she almost dropped her drink, her shoulders shaking with mirth as she watched his over-the-top performance.

They traded songs back and forth, each one trying to outdo the last. Liza chose another power ballad, while Lucy surprised them both with a sweet, melodic pop song. The energy was wild, a mix of soaring harmonies, off-key shouts, and uninhibited laughter. For a while, it was easy to forget the looming threat of expulsion and the stress of the exams. They were just three couples, enjoying a moment of pure, unadulterated fun.

Afterwards, with their voices hoarse and their spirits high, they strolled through the night supermarket nestled inside the academy grounds. Items lined the shelves, its glowing signs advertising everything from enchanted trinkets to fresh produce. The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of fresh produce and the low murmur of student conversations. Students roamed in groups, their arms full of bags, laughing as they went to the counter.

Lucy darted between the stalls, her eyes wide with excitement, a stark contrast to her earlier guarded demeanor. She stopped at a stall overflowing with fresh produce, her gaze falling on a pile of vibrant green herbs. "Look, Arios! Fresh herbs! We should buy some for cooking!" she said, her voice full of genuine enthusiasm.

Liza, more practical as ever, dragged him toward the grocery section, her focus already on the task at hand. "We’ll need proper ingredients for curry soup," she said, her voice firm. "None of that instant junk you’d probably settle for." She shot Arios a knowing look, and he feigned an expression of deep offense.

Arios sighed dramatically as both girls handed him bags to carry. "Why do I feel like the pack mule here?" he muttered, the weight of the bags a testament to their combined shopping efforts.

"Because you are," Liza replied with a playful grin, a sparkle in her eyes. "Strong arms, remember?"

Lucy giggled, hugging a small bag of spices to her chest. "You don’t mind, right?" she asked, her voice laced with an innocence that made it impossible for Arios to truly complain.

"...I mind," Arios muttered, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. He followed them through the market, the sounds of their laughter and the weight of the bags a comforting presence. He was the pack mule, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

By the time they finished, the moon was high in the sky and the lamps burned low, casting long, dancing shadows on the ground. Stores were beginning to quiet down, multiple academy staffs began to pack up their stalls as the last of the students made their way back to the dorms. They walked back, their laughter filling through the night. The bags Arios carried were heavy, but the memories they had made were a hundred times lighter. It was a perfect ending to a stressful day.

As they reached the dorms, a comfortable silence settled between them. The fun and laughter of the evening had broken down some of the walls that may have stood between them.