A Popular Girl Confessed to Me, the Loner—Thinking It Was a Prank, I Tried to Scare Her Off... But She Was Actually Serious. - Chapter 22: Karaoke with the Popular Kids

It was lunchtime.

As usual, Hiyori and I had pushed our desks together and were eating side by side when a cheerful voice suddenly called out from behind.

“Manabecchi~! We’re talking about going to karaoke soon. Can you come?”

It was Suzu’s upbeat voice.

I froze mid-bite with rice still in my mouth—it was too sudden.

“…Karaoke?”

“Yeah! You free this Saturday afternoon?”

Standing behind her were Minamino Amane and Saeki Mei. And even further behind them were the trio of popular guys—Kurokawa Soma, Nishina Ren, and Soma Takumi.

Kurokawa looked flashy but was actually the calm observer type, always one step back even as the center of the popular group.

Nishina was a bright, friendly mood-maker.

Soma was a bit of a wild card—goofy but surprisingly thoughtful.

(Wait a sec… Isn’t the popular-kid density way too high right now?)

“I don’t think… I’ve ever been to karaoke before.”

I answered honestly.

But Suzu just smiled brightly.

“That makes it even more exciting! I bet you’re super good!”

“No way, not at all…”

“Come on, just one song,” Nishina said casually. His natural closeness was almost terrifying.

“Hiyori’s coming too, right? Just sing together,” Soma added with a smirk, looking at her.

…Why is he speaking in Kansai dialect?

“Yeah, I’ll be there. I’d love to hear you sing, Manato-kun.”

Hiyori tilted her head slightly and smiled beside me.

(…I’m done for.)

There was no way to say no.

Once Hiyori said that, I didn’t really have a choice.

“…Alright. I’ll go.”

“Yay! Awesome!”

Suzu clapped her hands with joy. Around us, others chimed in: “Nice!” “Can’t wait!”

(My peaceful life… might be over.)

Hiyori quietly giggled as she ate her sandwich in front of me.

(…No, peace probably ended a while ago.)

***

That night.

When I told my younger brother I was going to karaoke, he looked genuinely surprised and said, “Wait, you can sing?”

“You’ve got no idea how much I’ve practiced in the shower.”

“…Never heard it once. Dang, look at you, living the youth life!”

“Shut up. Quiet. …I’m picking songs here.”

Somehow, I ended up building a playlist with my brother.

He kept pushing me, saying, “This one would be perfect for you!”

—Apparently, the next stage of my “Escape from Introvert Hell Challenge” was karaoke.

***

Saturday afternoon. We met up in front of a karaoke place by the station.

“Manabecchi~! Over here~!”

Suzu’s cheerful voice rang out.

Everyone was in casual clothes instead of school uniforms.

Suzu had on a short black jacket and skirt. Minamino wore a natural-style dress. Mei rocked a simple pants look.

The guys: Kurokawa in a hoodie, Nishina in a long-sleeve tee, and Soma with a cap and shirt.

All of them had their “extrovert specs” on full display.

Me? A plain white shirt and black pants. I tried my best to walk the fine line of “not standing out.”

We checked in, and all eight of us were led to a large room with L-shaped couches.

The drink bar and snacks were already prepped. Just being in the space raised the mood.

“Alright! First up… Suzu!”

“Whaaat!? Why me?! …Well, okay~!”

Hiyori called it out cheerfully. Suzu pretended to be annoyed but grabbed the mic with enthusiasm and picked a fast-paced hit song.

As soon as the song title popped on screen, Nishina and Soma shouted, “Whoa, she picked a banger!”

—And the moment the music started, the atmosphere changed completely.

(…She’s amazing.)

Her voice was insanely good.

Pitch-perfect. Impeccable rhythm. Super expressive.

She wasn’t just a bubbly girl—she was a karaoke monster.

“Suzu, you’re cracked.”

“She definitely comes here every week.”

“Heh heh~ I’ll never tell~!”

Then suddenly Mei picked an anime song.

I knew it, so I perked up a bit.

Even though she was sitting down at first, she stood up dramatically before the chorus and belted it out.

…I still can’t figure her out.

Amane sang a soft, lullaby-like song in her gentle voice, and it nearly brought everyone to tears.

The guys were all about energy—Soma’s “Hyper Soul” was especially explosive.

Nishina’s rap was mysteriously good, and Kurokawa’s emotional ballad completely hushed the girls.

(These guys are… way too polished.)

Then it was my turn—and my heart went wild.

“Manato~, go for it~!”

“You got this!”

“Looking forward to a chill one!”

My hand shook as I held the remote.

Beside me, Hiyori gave a small smile.

“Even if you’re nervous, it’s okay. I love your voice, Manato-kun.”

“…You’re cheating.”

I muttered and picked my song.

It was a ballad I’d practiced countless times in the shower during middle school.

The intro started.

(No choice now… just do it.)

One beat. Two beats.

I began singing. My voice echoed from the speakers.

…It wasn’t as bad as I feared.

As I kept singing, the nerves started to fade.

In the second verse, Mei nodded along. During the chorus, Amane covered her mouth, moved by the song.

When I hit the final long note and the music faded—there was a moment of silence.

“You’re amazing!”

“That voice is dangerous! Total cheat code!”

“That contrast though…”

“You were incredible, Manato-kun.”

Hiyori whispered softly in my ear.

“You looked so cool.”

Our eyes met.

Embarrassed, I looked away and mumbled,

“…You saying that is also cheating.”

Something about the dim lighting in the karaoke room made everything feel… intense.

***

On the way home.

I walked alongside the three extrovert guys—Kurokawa, Nishina, and Soma—toward the station.

A few steps behind us were Suzu, Amane, Mei, and Hiyori.

We hadn’t planned to walk this way, but somehow, it felt natural.

“Manabe, we’re counting on you next time too.”

“Your singing’s the most chill out of all of us.”

“You’re officially our ballad guy now.”

“Don’t just assign me roles like that…”

But I didn’t mind.

I glanced back and saw Hiyori smiling quietly at me.

(…Maybe I really am changing.)

This never would’ve happened before.

Me, walking among the popular kids… without feeling out of place.

And having Hiyori look at me like that—so genuinely—that was what made me happiest of all.