Chapter 14 : The Five-Hour Songwriting Battle

Yuna's POV

By some miracle (and also because I was bribing him), Kai actually agreed to help me write the song.

What I didn't expect was how hard it would be.

Five hours. Five whole hours of debating, arguing, and questioning my life choices later, we finally had something that resembled a song. Barely.

It all started when Kai borrowed my uncle's old guitar, which had been sitting in the storage room for who knows how long.

Aunt Rosa had looked way too pleased about it, probably because someone was finally putting it to use again.

Kai, on the other hand, looked like he had just been handed a relic from an ancient civilization.

"This thing is older than me," he muttered, plucking one of the strings. It twanged pitifully, like it had already given up on life.

"Be grateful. It's free," I said, sitting cross-legged on the bench with my notebook.

Kai sighed and adjusted the tuning pegs. "If this thing explodes while I'm playing it, I'm blaming you."

"Noted."

Once the guitar was somewhat in tune, we got to work—or at least, we tried to. Five hours later, we were still at it, and I was now lying face-down on the grass, questioning why people even fell in love in the first place.

"This is ridiculous," I groaned into the dirt.

"How are love songs even a thing? How do people just... know what to write?"

Kai was sitting on the bench, lazily strumming. "Because they've actually felt something before, Yuna."

I sat up and threw a small leaf at him. "That's rude."

He caught it midair and flicked it back at me.

"It's just facts. You've never been in love, so of course you don't know what to write."

I huffed. "Well, you have, haven't you? So explain it."

Kai's strumming slowed just a little. "I never said that."

I blinked. "Wait. You've never been in love either?"

Kai shrugged, suddenly very focused on adjusting the guitar's tuning pegs again.

"I mean… not in the way you're thinking."

I narrowed my eyes. "That sounds suspiciously vague."

He cleared his throat. "Anyway, back to the song—"

"Oh no, we're not skipping this," I interrupted, scooting closer.

"How have you, a guy who actually plays music and hangs out with people, never been in love?"

Kai sighed and gave me a look. "Maybe because I don't see the point of it."

I blinked. "Wow. That's even sadder than my life."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Look, do you want to finish this song or not?"

"Fine, fine." I grabbed my notebook, still suspicious but letting it slide.

"But I still don't get how we're supposed to write a love song when neither of us knows what love even feels like."

Kai strummed a few random chords, thinking. "Then don't write it from your own experience."

I frowned. "Then whose?"

Kai leaned back against the bench. "I dunno. Movies? Books? Random strangers on the street?"

I made a face. "You want me to steal emotions from strangers?"

"If it works, why not?"

I groaned and flopped onto my back again. "I hate this."

Kai laughed. "Yeah, well, you brought this on yourself."

Despite everything, we actually managed to write something decent. It took way too many bad ideas, accidental arguments, and a very long discussion about whether or not heartbreak was necessary in a love song (Kai thought yes, I thought no, and we both ended up agreeing on a compromise).

But eventually, we had lyrics, a melody, and something that almost sounded like it belonged on a real album.

Kai set down the guitar and stretched. "So. We're done."

I stared at my notebook, feeling both relieved and very tired. "Yeah. We are."

He smirked. "Guess I'm a genius."

"You're something, alright."

And with that, the most painful five hours of my life finally ended.

With the song finally done, Kai stood up, stretched like he had just run a marathon.

"Alright, I'm heading out."

I barely had the energy to lift my head from where I was lying. "Already? What, you don't wanna stay and admire our masterpiece?"

Kai snorted. "I'd rather admire it from a distance. Preferably one where I don't have to hear you complain about songwriting ever again."

I sat up and grabbed a small pebble, lazily tossing it in his direction. "Rude."

He dodged it easily and slung the guitar over his shoulder. "Anyway, see you."

But before he could take another step, Aunt Rosa appeared on the porch, wiping her hands on her apron. She had that look on her face—the one that meant there was no escaping.

"Oh, Kai! You're leaving already?"

Kai froze like a deer caught in headlights. "…Yes?"

Aunt Rosa smiled warmly. "Come, have dinner with us first! You've been helping Yuna for so long, you must be hungry."

I swear I saw Kai's soul physically leave his body. He glanced at me, probably hoping I'd step in and save him. But why would I do that when I could just watch him suffer?

"Oh, no, it's fine, really," Kai said quickly, shaking his hands.

"I—uh—I already ate!"

Aunt Rosa raised an eyebrow. "When?"

Kai blinked. "Uh… earlier?"

Aunt Rosa crossed her arms. "What did you eat?"

"…Rice."

She stared at him. "Just rice?"

"…Yes?"

Aunt Rosa huffed, clearly not buying it.

"Nonsense. You're a growing boy! Sit down and eat properly."

Kai looked physically pained. "I—uh—I actually have to get home early—"

"Oh, it won't take long!" Aunt Rosa insisted. "I made sinigang."

For a second, I actually thought he was gonna cave. His face twitched like he was seriously debating his life choices. But then, with the desperation of a man escaping a life-or-death situation, he took a step back.

"I… I really can't! Next time, maybe!" And before Aunt Rosa could argue, he gave an awkward bow and practically sprinted toward the gate.

Aunt Rosa sighed as she watched him go.

"That boy is always in a rush."

I shrugged. "He probably sensed a trap."

Aunt Rosa playfully swatted my shoulder before heading back inside. Meanwhile, I just sat there, grinning to myself.

Kai might've escaped this time, but something told me Aunt Rosa wasn't gonna let him off the hook forever.

By the time I was done with everything, it was already way past a reasonable bedtime. I lay sprawled on the mattress next to Lily, staring at the ceiling, my brain still fried from the five-hour songwriting session with Kai.

I still couldn't believe we actually pulled it off.

Well, more like he pulled it off, and I just threw in words that didn't sound completely terrible.

Beside me, Lily was already asleep, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. Meanwhile, I was wide awake, my phone screen practically burning into my retinas as I stared at my chat with Mia, Ryo Ishikawa's team.

I hesitated for a second. Then, before I could overthink it, I attached the audio file and the lyrics we worked on.

Yuna: Here's the sample recording and lyrics. Let me know if anything needs to be changed.

A few seconds later, the message was marked as read.

I gulped. That was fast.

Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then reappeared.

I stared.

Mia was typing.

My heart started doing this weird thing where it raced even though I wasn't running. Why did I feel like I just sent an essay to a professor who hated me?

Finally, a reply popped up.

Mia: Got it. I'll forward it to Ryo and let you know.

That was it.

No criticism. No instant rejection.

Just… Got it.

I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath. That was a good sign, right?

Slowly, I locked my phone and turned on my side, facing Lily.

Maybe it was just the exhaustion talking, but suddenly, the guilt started creeping in. Kai had helped me so much, and all I did was buy him a drink. Technically, that was payment. But also, technically… I definitely got the better deal.

I groaned into my pillow.

"Lily," I mumbled.

She didn't respond. Obviously.

She was peacefully sleeping while I was spiraling over my life choices.

I sighed. "Never mind."

Tomorrow, I'd deal with it. Right now? Sleep.

Morning came way too fast.

The moment I opened my eyes, regret hit me like a truck. My body felt like lead, and my brain was swimming in the aftermath of staying up way too late. I groaned, rubbing my face, trying to force myself into consciousness.

Lily, on the other hand, was still curled up on her side, completely cocooned in her blanket like a content little burrito, breathing evenly in deep sleep. Must be nice.

Meanwhile, I had spent half the night staring at my phone like some lovesick fool—except it wasn't romance keeping me up. It was sheer anxiety.

Typical.

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the kitchen, still half-asleep, when something outside caught my eye.

A familiar figure strolled past the front gate like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Kai.

Just passing by.

Again.

I squinted, suddenly more awake. At this point, it was getting ridiculous. Was he patrolling the neighborhood? Secretly assigned as Aunt Rosa's personal security guard? Or maybe—just maybe—he wasn't 'just passing by'as much as he thought he was.

Before he could disappear, I sprang into action, making a beeline for the door and yanking it open so fast it almost smacked the wall.

"Kai!" I called, leaning dramatically on the doorframe like some grand reveal in a soap opera.

He stopped mid-step and turned, one brow arching lazily. "What?"

I flashed my best, most innocent smile.

"You're just in time!"

His expression flattened immediately. "For what?"

"For me dragging you into something you'll regret."

Kai blinked at me. A long, heavy silence stretched between us as if he was trying to gauge whether dealing with me this early in the morning was worth the effort. Finally, with a slow sigh, he tilted his head.

"Do I get a choice?"

"Not really," I admitted cheerfully.

Kai exhaled through his nose, clearly unimpressed but not nearly as annoyed as he pretended to be.

"Alright. What is it this time?"

"Since you're conveniently here," I said, crossing my arms over the gate like I was making a business proposal,

"you should come to the school mini-gym later tonight. The band is performing, and I technically have to be there."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Have to?"

I coughed. "You know, because Leo—uh—kindly refuses to let me escape."

Kai gave me a pointed look. "So, you mean Leo won't let you escape."

"Same thing," I mumbled.

"No."

I gasped, clutching my chest dramatically. "Wow. Not even considering it?"

"Not even a little."

I squinted at him, tapping my chin like I was deep in thought. "What if I said I'd buy you coffee?"

Kai crossed his arms, unimpressed. "You bribing me now?"

I huffed. "No, actually. I was gonna buy you a drink anyway. You did help me finish writing that song, remember?"

Kai stared at me for a second, then exhaled.

"Fine. But only because I was going to the school anyway."

I resisted the urge to pump my fist in victory.

"You say that," I muttered, narrowing my eyes

"but we both know I just bribed you."

Kai adjusted his bag over his shoulder with a nonchalant shrug.

"You think you bribed me, but I was already going."

"Sure. Keep telling yourself that," I said with a smug grin.

He shook his head but didn't argue, turning to leave. I watched him go, a victorious smirk still on my face. One free coffee in exchange for dragging him into band chaos?

Totally worth it.

To be continued.