Something important was troubling the couple these days, something more important than their upcoming wedding: How to break the news to the rest of By The Beat, Freodore and Seible. They know that Kaelix and Zeal have been dating, yes. But to Kaelix, important life decisions, such as marriage, hold a much heavier weight. It should be something told in a more formal fashion. After a bit of discussion, the couple decided to announce the news after work during closing time.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf8uwUhTZs
As the last customer walked out of the live house, the sign flipped from “open” to “closed”, marking the end of the night. But there was still work to be done inside of the live house, the four of them went about their usual routine: Clean their designated areas. Afterwards, they would sit at the bar and chat while Zeal wipes the glassware. It was the perfect time. As they sat at the bar as per usual, Kaelix took a deep breath, mustering the courage within him.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gkesix8uG
“So… Zeal and I have something to tell you guys.” One single sentence, and that took away most of his mustered courage. This was harder than singing on stage.
“Yes, Kaelix?” Freodore asked.
“Did you guys flirt with each other in front of a customer again?” Seible followed up.
“We-No?? What?! Pause. Rewind. Play. Seible what did you say just now??” The promoter’s words were so shocking, it completely derailed Kaelix from what he was about to say. And along goes the pressure of making life-altering announcements.
“Like as it hasn’t happened before. There have been incidents.” Seible teased, then turned to give Zeal with a knowing look.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocfkhtzQfA
Zeal recalled hitting Kaelix with the “my darling bouncer” a couple times in the past during business hours, which Zeal could not deny the flirtatious tone within. It was when he and Kaelix first started dating, he was so used to calling Kaelix pet names that it didn’t register for him to change it during work. Thus the “incidents”. He shifted his gaze in guilt to avoid the promoter’s intense stare. Kaelix remembered the same incidents and his face flushed red with embarrassment.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFXg8GGZRd
“Ahem. So what was it that you wanted to tell us?” Freodore pulled the three of them back on track, like he always does.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5d3HSERZC
Sometimes, they wonder what would they be without the designer grounding them. The answer was probably a platter of loose sand.
“Oh, right. Uhh, we… Zeal…” Kaelix was fumbling with words. Why was the English language difficult all of the sudden?
“Me and Kaelix are engaged.” Zeal finished what Kaelix was trying to say, holding their hands up to show the engagement rings.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR96N2Dnix
The pair of green and yellow diamonds shining under the bar’s atmospheric lighting.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3tRJlKnJ0
“Wow, gatekeep much?” Seible chided in a playful manner.
“Sorry.” Kaelix replied to match Seible’s banter.
“When did this happen?” Freodore asked.
“About a few days ago.” Zeal replied.
“And you guys didn’t think to tell me?! Tell us?! The rest of By the Beat?! I am hurt.” Seible said in a still playful tone, but with a lot of exaggeration.
“Seible, don’t be sad. I just fully registered the fact yesterday.” Kaelix said, in an attempt to calm the promoter down.
“But you’re the one getting married?” Freodore asked in a rhetorical tone, which made the rest of them to burst into laughter.
“Freo, it’s overwhelming to be proposed to and then being someone’s fiancé in a day.” Kaelix replied in a serious manner, and they all burst into laughter once more.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD13ySL9Ck
“Should we celebrate the grand news?” It was Seible who brought up the offer.
“Ah, like an engagement party.” Kaelix understood Seible’s vision.
“Yeah!”
“Here?” Freodore asked.
“Why not? We have drinks and snacks at the bar.” Seible responds while pointing at the wine shelf behind Zeal.
“That sounds cool.” Kaelix vouched for the idea.
“Do I not get a say in this? I’m the one cleaning the bar.” Zeal protested jokingly.
“We’ll help you clean it.” Freodore offered.
“Yeah! Furi-chan’s right, we’ll all clean!” Seible echoed.
“Please, Zeal?” Kaelix pleaded, how could he say no to that.
“Alright. Fine.” Zeal gives in and pulls out four clean glasses from under the table.
“Yay!” Cheers came from Kaelix and Seible, while Freodore just watched with a smile on his face.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzkDzOYOrj
The four of them shared drinks at the bar. With Zeal doing the mixing of drinks, of course. In which Zeal jokingly complained “You’re all having fun while I work overtime!” Then receiving the other three’s laughter in response. The rest of the night passed in chimes of glasses, sounds of laughter and cheers.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3L1Y5kQkp
There was a paper notice on the door of the live house that following morning:
ns216.73.216.6da2By The Beat closed due to unexpected circumstances.
Sorry for the inconvenience!
Thank you for your understanding.
