THE IMMORTAL'S FRIEND

Chapter 19: A Very Old Song

May 30, 2026
Saturday
8:30pm

Last night, Galen and I slept at the garden of flowers that we found and stayed there until morning. I don't actually want to leave yet as the flowers bloom more beautifully when the sun is up, but we need to look for food to eat when noon came so I don't have any choice but to come with him.

Time flew swiftly and evening came once again in just a blink.

We are currently at another river while lying down on the grass. I can hear the birds flapping their wings while they are busy venturing the night sky. Some stayed in the trees to continue chirping—making a sound of a lullaby.

There are lots of stars tonight too.

At times like this, I would lie down on the rough floor of the hospital's rooftop to watch the stars closely while listening to a song using my headphones.

Tonight, I don't have any headphones with me, but the chirp of the birds isn't bad to listen at all. They are singing to make the dark and lonely forest lively. I smiled and started humming a song with them.

Galen looked at my direction when he heard me humming, but I continued doing it and just ignored his stare.

"Do you know how to sing?" he asked, wondering.

I look at him with my forehead crumpled.

"What do you mean by that? Is there any person in the world who doesn't know how to sing?" I questioned.

Kids nowadays (even before) know how to do it. Singing is so easy. You just need to open your mouth and make the sound that you like. How can there be any person in the world who doesn't know how to sing?

"I mean, are you good at singing? You know, there are lots of people who are so good at it, but there are also some people who are suck at doing it."

I smiled when I understand his question. He's asking if I know how to sing in right tune.

Actually, that question doesn't really matter.

Whether you are good at singing or bad at singing, both are still called singing. Doesn't mean you aren't in tune means you don't know how to sing. You just need to practice and sing often to do it perfectly.

"I'm not that good at singing, but I sometimes sing to brighten up my mood whenever I'm alone or sad." I said.

"Do you sing for someone too?" he asked. I nodded my head twice to answer his question.

"I do."

"Then can you sing for me?"

I got taken aback for a second by his sudden request. While looking at his face now, I don't think I can say no to him so I agree with his request without hesitation.

"What song do you want me to sing?" I heard my voice asked.

"I want to hear you sing your favorite song," he replied.

My favorite song…

Do I have one? I sure have. But there's a lot of them so it's hard to pick only one.

After I finished choosing the song that I'm going to sing for him, I stand up and ask him to stand as well before I guide his hand on my waist and held his shoulder with my hand while the other is holding his.

"We should dance too." I said with a smile.

I didn't waste any second and began moving my feet to dance with him while singing the song I genuinely love. I sing it in a tone that only the two of us could hear.

"Moon river~ wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style some day~

Oh dream maker you heart breaker

Wherever you're going, I'm going your way~"

"Two drifters~ off to see the world

There's such a lot of world to see~

We're after that same~ rainbow's end waiting round the bend~

My Huckleberry friend~ Moon River and me~"

He often stepped on my foot—I think it's the first time he danced with someone so he kept on whispering sorry with his head down. I tried to suppress my smile while looking at him but I failed because I can't resist his cuteness.

I can't take my eyes off him so I also lost my focus. I didn't notice that we were already dancing towards the river so we both shrieked when we dramatically fell on the water and got wet.

"Sorry," / "I'm sorry!" we both said at the same time.

I instantly hugged my body as I felt the cold water of the river engulfed me. This scenario is very familiar. It's just like the day we fell on the mud after picking wildberries. It's kinda embarrassing because we fell on the river while dancing, however, remembering how he shrieked cutely earlier made me smile.

He sounded like a girl.

"The song you just sang.. what is the name of it?" he asked to crack the awkwardness trying to build between us.

"It's a very old song called Moonriver." I answered his question.

That song is very soothing in the ears. It's a perfect song to listen whatever your mood is.

"Mom introduced that song to me when I was just a little. If you would listen to the original singer of that song, I'm sure you would also love it."

"I don't think I need to listen to it. I already love your own version of that song… You have a beautiful voice, Iris." he said to compliment me.

My cheeks started to heat up again.

"You've been busy whispering sorry whenever you stepped on my foot so you're not sure about that. I'm not even sure if you were paying attention to my voice while I was singing earlier."

"Of course I do. The reason why I always stepped on your foot earlier was not just because I'm not good at dancing, but also because I was distracted by how beautiful your voice is." he explained.

I don't think my face can handle the redness anymore. I want to dive on the river to hide my face under it.

Because I don't want him to notice the redness on my face, I look down and stared at the water.

I saw a shell there—the only shell that is glimmering under the moonlight. I bent my body to pick it up and looked at it closely for a minute.

Galen suggested that we'll use it to summon another key so I gave it to him to do it. He pressed the shell in between his hands and closed his eyes tightly.

While his eyes are closed, I get that chance to stare and admire his face freely. He has a very long eyelashes and a pointed nose. His face is small and his cheeks look soft and round.

I stared at his lips for a couple of seconds before I closed my eyes and slowly moved my body and face closer to him. I was clenching my fist to stop myself, but my body wouldn't listen as it continued to lean to him.

"The stars will hear my voice. I'm summoning you now, Virgo The Maiden."

I immediately stopped right after I heard his voice speaking. I opened my eyes and distanced myself from him.

My heart can't stop beating faster—it was the same just like the other night. I think it would explode and I would also faint.

This is not good.

I might get a heart attack anytime so I need to control myself before the worst-case scenario happens.

"Iris, are you okay?" Galen worriedly asked when he opened his eyes and saw me looking troubled.

I forced myself to smile before answering him yes, but the truth is... I really am in trouble right now.