Autumn is a second spring

130. Concert

The concert hall buzzed with excitement, a sea of lightsticks waving like restless stars. Ohm shifted in his seat, still trying to take in the sight of the packed audience. The brightness of the stage had yet to come alive, but the murmurs and chants made the air hum with anticipation.

He leaned closer to Kao and whispered, nudging his arm. "P' Kao... who is that man sitting next to Pa Tessa?"

Kao glanced in the direction Ohm pointed. Sure enough, Tessa sat a few rows down, elegant as always, her eyes fixed on the stage with pride. But the man beside her was unfamiliar to Ohm-tall, sharp-featured, and undeniably younger than Tessa.

"That's Khun Bob," Kao said quietly. "Pa Tessa's husband. Boun's stepdad."

Ohm blinked. "Stepdad? He looks... younger."

Kao gave a small, knowing nod. "He is. He is an affluent lawyer, very successful. They married a few years back."

The words sank in slowly, leaving Ohm staring. Another piece of a life he had lost, another relationship he hadn't known existed. He swallowed the strangeness of it. So much had changed in the years that were now blank pages in his memory.

As if sensing the weight of his gaze, Bob looked up. Their eyes met. Bob gave him a polite smile and a small nod. Ohm, caught off guard, managed to nod back stiffly. The gesture was simple, but it left him awkward, almost embarrassed-after all, he hadn't even known the man existed until a minute ago.

Before the moment stretched too long, the lights in the hall shifted. The first performance was about to begin.

Ohm straightened in his seat, his heart beating a little faster. He had been waiting for this. Boun's performance was up next.

The hall darkened until only five shadowy figures stood visible against the backdrop. The intro of the song began, heavy and teasing, a beat that promised intensity.

Let me touch

You gonna let me get a good grip?

Let me touch

You gonna let me get a good grip?

Ohm squinted, trying to catch which one was Boun. The voices blended into the opening, but none of them was his-he knew that much. Then, as the music swelled, the stage exploded with light.

Just got a call, someone called to report an incident

It's an emergency, seems like someone's playing with fire

Now I gotta know, it's you who caused all this trouble

You're on the floor, making everyone feel the heat

Your waist is swaying beyond the limit

You're twisting against the law

Surrender yourself to me

Before it gets dangerous

The theme was dark, almost dangerous. Smoke curled low around the performers' feet. All five of them were clad in sleek black leather, their outfits similar but with unique cuts that highlighted their individuality. The makeup was bold, smoky lines and sharp contours that matched the seductive energy of the piece.

And there he was-Boun.

Ohm's eyes fixed instantly on him. He had always known Boun could sing, but there was something breathtaking about watching him take control of a stage. His voice came strong, confident, woven seamlessly with the others.

Don't you move, let me touch you nicely I

If you don't wanna get fined, just let me touch you, right now, freeze