one hundred thirteen

"What do you want to try next?" Jisung inquired, his eyes wandering off the different games the arcade had to offer.

"That thing looks interesting," Minho said and pointed at a claw crane. The kind of machine that only steals your money without actually giving you anything in return.

There were many interesting prizes behind the glass, but Jisung doubted that they would win anything. Still, his stubborn boyfriend couldn't be stopped.

He had already dropped a few coins into the machine and tried to get one of the prizes.

"Minho, that won't work," he said just when the crane grabbed the prize it had grabbed. "You're just wasting your time and money on this."

Minho didn't listen and tried three more times until he was fed up and kicked the machine in anger. "Dumb piece of junk," he said, letting out his frustration.

"Okay, you know what, let's do something that's actually entertaining," he said and took Jisung's hand to pull him over to another game that was hidden in a corner.

It was a small karaoke booth. "So you want to hear my gorgeous voice, huh?" Jisung drawled arrogantly, leaning against the wall.

"Excuse me?" Minho said in disbelief at Jisung's sudden confidence. "I highly doubt that you can sing. You'll probably sound like a dying cat."

"We'll see about that," he grinned.

"Shut your mouth and take your microphone, you silly human." He had enough of Jisung's shenanigans and instead, watched quietly as he started the karaoke song.

It was "Because I Love You" by Yoo Jae-Ha. When the first lyrics popped up on the screen, Minho was in for a surprise.

Jisung hadn't lied, and he hadn't exaggerated either. He was indeed a good singer. The light of the monitor reflected in his eyes as they followed the lyrics.

What I first saw in your eyes, was it all my delusion?

With that innocent smile, you turned me into a fool.

His voice was sweet as honey, yet turned low and husky at just the right moments. Minho was enchanted by it; he couldn't take his eyes away from him.

Never had he expected Jisung of all people to have a secret talent for singing. It baffled him, and he regretted not having heard of his marvelous voice sooner.

Jisung didn't need to see the screen since he knew the lyrics by heart, so he kept his eyes on Minho most of the time.

The day you left me, pink memories in my heart faded to blue.

Yesterday, I hated myself for not being over you.

But now I know, you're the only one for me.

He shot Minho a glance before he sat beside him to lean on his shoulder. He took a shuddering breath and sang the next lines wholeheartedly.

Since you're back to me, I'll give you my all.

Now and forever, we'll never be apart,

Because you'll always be my only love.

Because I love you.

Minho forgot everything around them. They sang the rest of the song in a duet, their voices being a contrast to each other's. Despite the differences in their tones and voices, they created a perfect blend.

As the last tunes of the song played and the screen switched back to the menu, Minho was in a trance, still staring at Jisung like he was an angel.

Jisung noticed his dazed look and took the microphone from his hands. "Hello? You still alive?" he teased. "I mean, it's only natural that my extraordinary talent would blow you away."

"What the fuck? Why didn't you tell me you can sing?!" Minho sputtered. "I love your voice. You know what, let's try another song," he said, and Jisung didn't say no to that.

They ended up spending another hour at the arcade just to sing together, and Minho vowed to himself to come here again one day.

To be continued...

"Because I Love You" is a personal favorite of mine, especially Suhyun and Rosé's cover of it. I literally start crying whenever the song plays.