Hookup ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

42

—🦊🐣—

MIKI's POV

I close my eyes, taking in the cool breeze on the rooftop of the venue. It feels good—like a breath of fresh air after everything that's been going on. I need this. Just a few minutes to unwind and clear my head.

"Miki." Johanne's voice interrupts my thoughts, and I glance at her, raising my brows. "Yeah?"

She comes to stand beside me. "Okay lang ba kayo ni Chase?"

I let out a quiet chuckle and walk closer to the railing, resting my hands on it. "Honestly? I'm not sure."

"Is it about Aira?" Johanne asks, her tone soft. I nod.

"Yeah. It's... complicated," I admit, turning around to lean against the railing, my elbows propped up on top. "I just... I don't know. I can't picture her with Aira like that... like them... together." The image of them flashes in my mind, and it twists something in me. There's the guilt I feel for Chase and everything we shared in the past. But it's all just that—the past. 

Aira's not Aria anymore, the little girl we made promises with as kids. She's different now.

"You really like Aira, huh?" Johanne nudges me with a small grin, bringing me back to the present. I nod, unable to deny it.

"That's tough," she sighs, giving my shoulder a light tap. "But if I were you, even if I'm close with my... rival, I wouldn't just give up."

She turns to walk away. "Come on, baka hinahanap na tayo sa baba."

I look out at the view one last time, letting her words sink in. A smile forms on my lips. "Giving up isn't on my mind anyway." With that, I jog to catch up with Johanne as we head for the rooftop exit.

—🦊🐶🐺🐣🐨—

As soon as we make it downstairs and into the hallway, Aira is there waiting. Her face lights up when she sees us. "The gates are open, so please prepare for the outfits, girls. And let Gale and Chase know, too."

We nod, and Johanne walks ahead of me. My gaze lingers on Aira a moment longer, a quiet determination settling in. I know I need to tell her how I feel... soon. Shaking off my thoughts, I follow Johanne back to the waiting room, where Chase and Gale are asleep, hoodies pulled over their faces.

"I'll get them some water," Johanne says, heading out again. I nod and move to Chase, who's humming softly in her sleep. I nudge her shoulder gently.

"Chase?" I say loud enough to stir her. She blinks, her eyes adjusting as she pulls her hoodie down.

"Prepare na raw for the outfits. The gates are open na for the audience," I tell her. Chase sits up, our eyes meeting for a brief second before I turn to Gale and wake her as well. Soon, Johanne returns with bottles of cold water, just what we need to shake off the last of the sleepiness.

—🦊🐶🐺🐣🐨—

We gather ourselves and head to the dressing room, each of us sitting in front of the mirror as the stylists start on our hair. We're almost ready when the door swings open, and Yves steps in with Aira behind her. In the mirror's reflection, I see Yves's proud smile. "Looking pretty, girls!" she says.

"Thank you!" Johanne beams, her excitement obvious.

"Ai, anong oras na?" Gale asks as her stylist finishes up, her short hair needing the least work.

"It's 5 PM. Concert ends by 8 PM," Aira answers. Our stylists finish up just in time, and Yves, already in her bright concert outfit, looks over us proudly.

"Ready? The show starts in ten minutes," she says, guiding us out of the dressing room.

Backstage, the vibrations from the stage echo in the air as the crowd chants our band's name alongside Yves'. Chase gathers us into a group huddle, her hand in the center. "Let's give Yves a proper send-off!" she says, and we all nod, smiling as we stack our hands together.

"Let's go!"

"Give it up for Girls Dead Monster!" the announcer's voice booms. The curtain is moments from opening, and I catch Aira's eye as she waves at us from the corner, mouthing, "Good luck!"

The curtain parts, and the roar of the crowd hits us like a wave, bringing smiles to all our faces. Yves stands center stage, while we take our spots behind her. I sling my electric guitar over my shoulder, Chase swings her bass strap, Gale stands at her keyboard, and Johanne takes her place behind the drums. With a quick count-off from Johanne—"1, 2, 3, 4!"—she strikes the drums, and we all join in, our instruments merging perfectly, and Yves' spectacular voice chimes in.

Following the rhythm, I lose myself in the music, letting my guitar rally the stage. The crowd's cheers get louder, and as my fingers strike each chord, my eyes land on the girl just beneath the stage. Aira stands there, looking up at us, smiling, and in that moment.

I know—I'd do anything, risk everything, just to see that smile.