He didn't write down a score or produce lyrics.
He simply... looked into Athena's expectant eyes and, with his voice—not particularly professional but full of magnetic warmth and emotional depth—began to softly hum.
"Since you said you loved me"
"All the stars in my sky lit up"
"I want to become the angel"
"From the fairy tale you love"
"Spreading my arms wide"
"Turning into wings to protect you"
His voice was soft and gentle, like a lover's whisper in one's ear.
That simple melody seemed to carry magical power, instantly capturing Athena's heart!
When Cloud softly hummed the chorus of Guang Liang's "Fairy Tale," Athena froze again.
Images flooded her mind—
A boy in sunlight, promises in ocean breezes, embraces beneath starlight, vows under the night sky, a pair of pure white wings soaring through heaven...
This melody, these lyrics...
Were... were tailor-made for her!
No!
That's not right!
They clearly expressed... exactly how she felt right now!
So this is what happiness feels like.
In that moment, countless complex yet sweet emotions surged through her heart.
Moved, joyful, and also... a tiny bit aggrieved?
Why...
Why does this man always see through the softest secrets in my heart so easily?
She watched the man still "singing affectionately," and those beautiful purple eyes unknowingly misted over.
[Ding! Target Athena Asamiya's affection changed: +60 +80 (Wuu wuu wuu... he understands me! He really understands me! This song... is clearly a love letter written for me! Oh no... my heart... is melting...)]
"Ahem, so how was it?" After finishing the song, Cloud looked at the girl whose eyes had reddened, completely overwhelmed with emotion. He mentally gave himself a thumbs up. "Does this 'Fairy Tale' barely meet your standards?"
"Yes! Yes!"
Athena nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken, her voice carrying a crying tone.
"It's... it's so beautiful! Cloud! You... you're simply a genius!"
"So..." She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, looking at Cloud with eyes full of anticipation and shyness. "In exchange for this song, will you... come to my concert?"
"I... want to sing this song to you first."
Faced with the girl's invitation that practically constituted a "confession," what could Cloud say?
"Of course."
He smiled and nodded.
"Wonderful!"
Athena nearly jumped up in excitement!
She seemed to remember something, her face flushing red. Then with lightning speed, she suddenly leaned forward and planted a soft, warm kiss on Cloud's still-stunned cheek—"mwah!"
Having done this, she grabbed her bag like a startled rabbit and, leaving behind only "Then... then it's settled! See you at the concert!", fled without looking back.
Sie Kensou, his face full of bitter sorrow, greeted Cloud before following after her.
Kensou's heart shattered.
Shattered like dumpling filling.
He watched his beloved goddess smile radiantly at another man.
He watched his beloved goddess throw herself at another man.
He watched his beloved goddess actively kiss another man.
"Shouldn't have come. Got schooled in real time..."
Only Cloud remained, sitting alone in place, touching the faint fragrance still lingering on his cheek where her lips had been.
...
Two days later, Tokyo Dome, concert venue.
A sea of humanity, not a single empty seat.
Tens of thousands of glow sticks converged into an ocean of pink—the scene was spectacular beyond measure.
Cloud, along with his "star-chasing" "convenient little sister" Kusanagi Aoi who'd followed him all the way to Japan, sat in the VIP seats specially arranged by the organizers with the best view.
"Wow! It's Athena! A living Athena!"
Kusanagi Aoi, the little devil of the Kusanagi family, had completely transformed into a fangirl, waving her support stick with flushed cheeks in excitement.
"Cloud-oniisan! Look! Athena is looking this way! She must be looking at me!"
Cloud: "..."
He looked at the stunning idol on stage who'd just playfully winked at him, feeling his back go cold.
Because he could clearly sense that somewhere in the venue, a gaze filled with "resentment" was locked firmly onto him.
"Sigh..."
Cloud let out that signature sigh again.
"Being an excellent man is... really too difficult."
Just then, the lights on stage suddenly dimmed.
A spotlight fell on Athena, who sat quietly in the center of the stage holding a guitar.
She was about to begin singing that new song.
...
Tokyo Dome. Tens of thousands of people's cheers and screams converged into a wave of feverish sound capable of lifting the roof.
On stage, Athena Asamiya—the superstar psychic idol—sat quietly under the spotlight holding her guitar.
Those clear, lively purple eyes pierced through the brilliant lights, crossed the surging sea of people, and landed with pinpoint accuracy on the handsome young man in the VIP section who was helplessly dealing with the "little fangirl" beside him.
Their eyes met.
An enchanting blush crept across Athena's face.
She took a deep breath and strummed the strings.
A gentle, innocent melody full of sweetness and happiness—like a mountain spring—slowly flowed into everyone's hearts.
Her voice was no longer the energetic idol-style singing of before.
Instead... it was a girl making the most sincere, purest confession to the one she loved.
In that moment, the entire Tokyo Dome fell silent.
Everyone was completely melted by the overwhelming love contained in this song.
...
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