To avoid falling and getting injured while walking, after thinking for a while, I decide to stay in my seat and wait for the lights to turn back on.
The audience around me keeps asking staff members about the situation of the power outage. As the darkness has lasted much longer than expected, I can feel that people's patience is about to run out.
Audience A
[Audience A]Let me go! Let me go home—
The thing I was worrying about the most happened. The young woman sitting next to me on the other side is especially scared of the dark, and is having an emotional breakdown after enduring the darkness for so long. She screams as she stands and tries to feel her way out of the hall in the darkness.
Staff B
[Staff B]Excuse me, lady, the backup power supply will be on soon. You have nothing to worry about.
[Audience A]I don't want to stay here! Let me go home! I want to go home!
[Staff B]Wait, lady—
The nearest staff member waves a flashlight while coming closer. The young woman starts moving towards the exit before the staff can finish talking. Because I'm the closest to her, I get stepped on a few times because she is moving at a disorderly pace and I can't get out of her way in time.
[player]Argh—
[Hideki Akechi]Are you okay?
Upon hearing my cry of pain, Hideki Akechi immediately turns on the flashlight of his phone. The dim light reveals a clear shoe print on my shoe, which is evidently the handiwork of the young woman.
[player]Thank god she wasn't wearing heels, otherwise you'll be coming to the hospital with me.
[Hideki Akechi]I'm relieved that you're okay... The next time I invite you to watch an opera, I'll make sure I choose a comedy.
[player]Sure, but it looks like it won't be long until everyone's gone if this continues.
After the first person leaves, it doesn't take long before more people start to leave after losing their patience in the darkness. Under the influence of a few particularly panicked members of the audience, the scene quickly falls into chaos. Although the staff members keep yelling out for people to stay calm and stay in their seats, more and more people get up and move towards the exit in the darkness.
The sound of footsteps, banging, and mobile phones dropping onto the ground mix together... This is the first time such a chaotic situation has taken place in the theater. Fortunately, most of the audience is still rational, exiting the building in an orderly fashion.
While everyone is busy leaving the venue, the backup power supply finally kicks in, making the entire performance hall bright again.
Very few people are still in their seats in the previously fully seated hall. Meanwhile, the aisles that were empty have become extremely congested.
[player]...
Not in the mood to observe other people, I turn my gaze back to Hideki Akechi. Unlike everyone else in the chaotic audience, he has been smiling the whole time. Although he expressed his frustration in the darkness before, the smile on his face right now is like a beautiful mask that hides his true appearance.
[Opera house broadcast]Hi everyone, we apologize for the terrible viewing experience. After discussing this with the performers, we have decided to cancel this show and will arrange for you to watch another show within one week. If you are unable to watch the show due to any time clashes, you can go to the box office to request a refund.
[Opera house broadcast]The staff of the opera house would like to express their sincerest apologies to you all for this power outage.
The announcement is played at a timely moment, giving the audience who are leaving the perfect excuse to do so. The curtain of the stage is lowered slowly, covering up the figures of the actors who are busy packing up the props. It seems that I'll have to wait until next time to finish watching this romantic love story between the young nobleman and the commoner girl.
Since we won't be able to finish watching the show, Hideki Akechi and I get up and join the crowd leaving the opera house.
[Hideki Akechi]The night is still early. PLAYER, would you like to have a coffee together if you don't have anything else planned? It'll be my apology for the power outage incident.
[player]Haha, no one can foresee that. It's not your fault, so you don't need to apologize so seriously.
[Hideki Akechi]Either way, it was my lack of foresight. I just hope you won't just remember the power outage when you recall our get-together tonight.
Hideki Akechi frowns slightly, like something is troubling him. This makes me realize that he cares greatly about what I think of tonight's incident. His serious look makes me want to comfort him.
[player]Life is full of surprises, and no one knows whether they will get a good one or a bad one. The power outage may have affected our experience, but the opera show was never the most important thing.
The cold breeze blows past us without stopping for anything. The snow-covered branches of an evergreen pine finally tilt under the weight as flying snowflakes dance in the air and fall to the ground.
While I'm scrambling frantically to avoid the falling snow, Hideki Akechi suddenly starts laughing.
[Hideki Akechi]I see. Then let me try again. I want to spend more time with you. Can I invite you to have a cup of coffee with me?
[player]Of course you can. That's what I was thinking too.
[Employee]Hi! What can I get you?
[Hideki Akechi]The usual signature set meal. What about you?
[player]I'll have the same.
[Employee]Great, please wait a moment.
The café Hideki Akechi chooses has an elegant environment, retro and gorgeous decorations that don't feel extravagant, and well-grown succulents placed in front of the bright window walls. The lights and sunlight blend in together on the wall, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
[player]The employee seems to know you. Do you come often?
[Hideki Akechi]It's been a while since the last time I've been here. We used to meet up at cafés for our club get-togethers as our members love the desserts here.
[player]No wonder you seem so familiar with this place.
Any desserts that can get Hideki Akechi's approval are definitely unique and special. With this thought in mind, I relax and hum along with the love song playing in the café.
[Hideki Akechi]You're quite good at that.
Sitting opposite me, Akechi nods slightly and compliments me without any hesitation.
[player]You heard of this song before?
[Hideki Akechi]Ahem, this song is quite popular recently, and I've heard a bunch of people mention it.
[player]I'm a little surprised that you also listen to pop love songs.
[Hideki Akechi]Well... um, I do listen to them occasionally.
Hideki Akechi clasps his hands together and presses downwards with his palms. According to my extensive movie-watching experience, this is a micro-movement that people make in TV shows when they feel guilty.
I think about what I just said. Did I say something wrong? Maybe he doesn't really like to listen to pop love songs?
