Karaoke Confessions
After finishing our meal, we got ready to head out.
Yuna had changed into an outfit that stood out a little more than yesterday's plain clothes. It looked deliberate without being overdone. At least by my standards, it still cleared the minimum threshold for going outside.
"Where should we go first?"
The moment we stepped out the front door, Yuna asked in an upbeat voice. Whatever had her so excited, her face was lit up with a bright smile.
"Let's head toward the park where there aren't many people. We can loop around the neighborhood and get a feel for the atmosphere."
Seeing how thrilled she was made me smile too. Thankfully, the outskirts on a weekday afternoon were practically deserted. We strolled slowly along the empty walking paths.
While we walked, Yuna darted around like a pony that had slipped its reins, bubbling with energy.
"Whoa~! Look at that cat! Dohun, come here quick!"
She got just as excited over a single wildflower blooming by the roadside or a stray cat perched on a wall, reacting like a little kid. When she naturally grabbed my hand and pulled me along like yesterday, I flinched for a second.
A faint discomfort. And an inexplicable warmth. The latter felt stronger right now.
Her bright smile and the familiar feeling of her hand in mine brought back memories from our university days, one after another. Sitting side by side on a park bench sharing canned coffee from a vending machine. Walking hand-in-hand down the back alley behind campus, chatting about nothing. Those simple moments overlapped with the street scene in front of us, gently coloring a corner of my heart.
But I forced those feelings down. She wasn't my girlfriend anymore. And… she was someone whose position in life had become completely different from mine.
We had been wandering through the park and quiet side streets, talking, when she suddenly spoke up.
"Ah, I want to go to a karaoke place."
Yuna muttered as we passed a shabby coin karaoke with its sign turned off.
"Karaoke? You're an idol. Don't you get tired of singing on stage every day?"
When I asked, puzzled, she pouted.
"That's exactly why I want to go! Singing on stage is work. Singing in karaoke is for fun. I haven't been to one in years."
"Well… it's daytime, so there probably won't be anyone there."
After glancing around, I pointed to a karaoke place in the basement of a nearby commercial building.
"Let's go there. It's dark, so no one will recognize you."
"Really?! Yes!"
Yuna cheered and rushed ahead, practically running down the stairs.
As expected, the inside was completely empty. The moment we settled into a corner room, Yuna grabbed the remote and started punching in numbers with fierce determination.
"Wow~! Seeing all these old songs makes me so happy. I'll go first!"
When the intro started playing, she took off her mask and hat and picked up the mic. The instant her first note rang out, I had no choice but to sit up straight from where I'd been leaning back.
"…Whoa."
I'd known back in university that Yuna could sing well. But the live performance I was hearing now was on an entirely different level. Solid vocal technique honed through years of training and countless stages. Delicate emotional expression. Flawless high notes. The overwhelming skill of a professional idol filled the small karaoke room.
I was completely mesmerized, forgetting even to react.
After warming up with a light ballad, Yuna flashed a mischievous smile and operated the remote.
[―――♬♬]
A fast, upbeat intro I recognized immediately flowed from the speakers. It was Stella's signature hit song.
Our Radiance.
"Alright, time for a special performance!"
Yuna jumped to her feet and began dancing along with the choreography on the screen, as if she were on an actual stage. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. She was dancing in the music video on screen, and she was dancing right in front of me too.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from her dancing in the cramped room. The center of Stella was performing live and dancing right in front of me. If a real Stella fan had been here instead of a casual one like me, they might have burst into tears from sheer emotion.
But my admiration didn't last long. I started averting my gaze because every time she executed the intense choreography, her skirt fluttered upward. Each time it lifted, I caught glimpses of black lace panties clinging to her thighs. They were the exact pair we'd picked out together at the department store yesterday, matching the bra.
Every flash of underwear sent a dull ache through my lower stomach. Yuna seemed too absorbed in the dance to notice.
'Ahem…'
I was torn between wanting to look away and the desire to keep watching her dance. While I stood frozen in that conflicted state—
"I'll live for you~~!!"
Yuna belted out the final lyrics with both arms thrown wide. Her ending pose matched the choreography on screen perfectly. Combined with her sparkling smile, the karaoke room felt like a concert hall for a moment.
[Bam-bam-ba-bam-bam-bam~! Wow! Are you a singer? That was incredible!]
The machine voice rang out enthusiastically.
"Haa…!"
Yuna let out a breath and flopped onto the sofa. Even though she looked tired, the corners of her mouth were curved upward.
"How was it?"
Still excited after finishing her performance—or rather, her song—she turned to look at me. Her eyes sparkled with pure anticipation.
I'd been distracted by the panties flashing under her skirt until just moments ago, so I blurted out a reply with unnecessary guilt.
"Uh, yeah! It was amazing! No wonder you're a national idol!"
When I gave her a thumbs-up and showered her with praise, Yuna's cheeks flushed pink as she smiled shyly.
"Thanks… Okay, your turn now. Pick a song!"
She thrust the mic toward me. I laughed awkwardly and waved my hands.
"Pass. After watching a top idol sing that well, how am I supposed to follow that?"
"What does it matter! We're here to relieve stress. I want to hear you sing after so long."
"Haha…"
When I tried to laugh it off, Yuna thought for a moment before grinning.
"Then let's do a duet! I'll lead, okay?"
She practically shoved the mic into my hand and clung to me, so I had no choice but to accept.
[―――♬]
A familiar duet ballad appeared on the screen and the accompaniment began.
"Ahem…"
I cleared my throat and started singing the male part. Yuna nodded lightly to the rhythm, following along with my singing. When the female part approached, she took the mic and sat right next to me.
"Mm~."
At the same time her sweet voice tickled my ear, a heavy, soft sensation pressed against my arm. Yuna had pressed herself flush against me while singing, her full breasts completely molded against my arm.
'This is driving me crazy.'
Every time she breathed in, the curves of her expanding chest transmitted clearly through the contact. I had to focus on singing while trying not to notice the soft, pliant feeling against my arm or the blood rushing downward, breaking out in a cold sweat.
While I was struggling to continue the song, Yuna suddenly grabbed my free hand.
'Huh?'
"I won't let you go~ I'll make you mine~ Forever~!"
I almost stopped singing in surprise, but Yuna kept going naturally without looking at me. Our hands were clasped. Her chest was pressed against my arm. Embarrassment flooded through me, but I forced myself to stay composed and finish the remaining lyrics.
"Haa… It's been so long since I sang a duet. This feels really good."
When the song ended, Yuna rested her head on my shoulder while still holding my hand, speaking in a playful tone.
"Y-yeah. It's been a while for me too, so it was fun."
I answered stiffly. That was when Yuna, who had been smiling brightly with her head on my shoulder, casually glanced downward toward my lower body.
"……"
The smile disappeared from her lips, and her eyes began to tremble slightly. Following her gaze, I looked down as well.
'Ah… I'm screwed.'
The front of my pants was embarrassingly tented, swollen to an obvious degree. The stimulation from seeing under her skirt earlier, combined with the skinship during the duet, had pushed me past my limit.
"Uh, Yuna, this is, I mean—"
Just as I started making excuses in a panic, Yuna, who had been breathing shallowly, slowly lifted her head to look at me. In her eyes, the cold madness that had been suppressed began to rise again like smoke. Her voice trembled as if she were desperately holding something back. But in contrast, a strangely seductive smile curved her lips.
Yuna slowly pulled on our joined hands, as if refusing to give me any chance to escape.
"Want me to help?"
Her low voice tickled my ear. She leaned closer, narrowing her eyes as she whispered.
"I told you. If you're having a hard time, I'd help."
Her fingertips gently tightened.
"Just like you're helping me right now… I'll help you too."
Her soft voice clung stickily to my ear. She was close enough that I could feel her breath. Yuna looked up at me with an unreadable smile. Her gaze was dangerously captivating.