Cadenza [BINI Mikha X OC]

Chapter 31: Encounters

Jon couldn't sleep. Not after what transpired. He looked at the ceiling of his room. Imagining every passing second of that moment. What should have he done? Should he have confronted Mikha about it? What would have happened if he did? What would they even talk about? Jon would replay the scenario in his head. The first time. A second time. A third time. So on and so forth yet he could not reach an answer. What was the right thing to do?

The conundrum kept Jon up. The clock read on his phone, 2am. An ungodly hour. Everyone was fast asleep. Yet he couldn't. The cold embrace of the weather made it the perfect time to, but Jon felt an intense cold within that prevented him from sleeping soundly. He got up. Took a hoodie from one of his bags and exited the room. He looked at the hall as he walked through it. The lights were still on, vibrant even. Then Jon remembered. There was a balcony area on the hotel they were staying at.

Jon wasn't sure what to do, why he even exited the room in the first place. But perhaps the notion of getting some air was a driving factor. He wanted to clear his headspace first. As Jon reached the balcony area. It was much dimmer than the halls, but there were still a bit of illumination. Yet as Jon approached the end of the balcony, he realized it was an open space, that showcased one of the best views. The city's lights shone across the horizon, but as he looked up... he could see the stars above. He then remembered the time he had with Mikha.

It wasn't a similar view... but it was familiar enough to remind it of her. That time, it was Mikha that helped him calm down. But Jon wished that he could have done the same for her earlier. Maybe it was why he was doubtful... unsatisfied of what occurred.

Jon's vision was hyper-focused on one thing, still replaying the same scenario that he had mentally conjured up. He didn't realize that there was another person on the edge of the balcony. Looking up the stars, similar to what he was doing.

As Jon slowly lost focus, he glimpsed the figure in his peripheral vision. His vision that blurred slowly regained its focus. On the edge, he made out the figure, a girl. She was wearing a white jacket, black pajamas, and was wearing a headset. She was looking up at the horizon, seemingly enjoying the sights while probably listening to music. She was also oblivious to Jon, who was the first to notice her.

Jon approached the girl. Though at first, he was hesitant to approach, but he was a bit curious why she was out at this time at night. And as he slowly approached the girl, the figure finally took notice of him as she finally turned her head to the side. Jon saw a smile. So pure, so innocent, so lively... that the coldness he felt slowly started to melt.

The girl took her headphones down and fixed her hair in the process, then she spoke.

"It's quite late, you know... why are you still up?"

The question brought a faint smile to Jon's lips. For some reason, her soft voice resonated well with the scene. A cold breeze drifted between them, ruffling his hoodie and sending stray strands of the girl's hair dancing. It felt like the curtains had been drawn back, revealing the quiet stage of their conversation.

"I could ask the same question... Miss Arceta," he responded, his tone carrying a teasing lilt.

Aiah, now dressed in comfortable clothing, exuded a sense of ease that was oddly mesmerizing. There was something about the way she stood, arms crossed lightly over her chest, gazing into the night as if trying to capture the stars in her thoughts.

"I wanted to get some fresh air for a bit," she said simply.

"How'd you end up here, though?" Jon asked, shifting his stance slightly.