My Boyfriend for Today (English Version)

The Concert of Deception

The sound of pounding music filled the air. I couldn't fully enjoy the loud tunes because I was busy standing on tiptoe and straining my neck. Honestly, I wish my neck was as long as a swan's so I could see the stage better. I was really curious about what Haruma looked like on stage. He was a Japanese vocalist with a thunderous voice, my favorite singer.

It was my first time watching a Rivercrow concert, a rock band that Nathan actually liked. Unfortunately, he said he had a fever, so he couldn't make it this time. I couldn't invite Ines either because she had a date. So, I chose to watch the concert alone. I didn't want to lose the opportunity to see Haruma and his band. There was no guarantee they'd come to our town in the next year or two during their world tour. Besides, it would be a waste not to use the ticket I'd already bought.

The stadium was quite hot for autumn, probably because of the crowd pressing in to see Rivercrow perform. I clicked my tongue in frustration when I saw the tall guy standing in front of me. I tried moving to the right, but his phone blocked my view. Not only was he standing in my way, but he was also busy with the video on his phone, waving his left hand in rhythm with the music. Maybe he was recording the whole concert for social media or his YouTube channel. It was clear he wouldn't actually watch and enjoy the music; he'd be too busy recording.

I was desperate to watch but kept getting blocked. It was so annoying, especially when his hand kept waving and obstructing my view while I stood on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse of the stage. I regretted wearing sneakers. If I'd worn boots with sharp heels, I could have stepped on his foot until his toes were crushed, pretending it was an accident.

The music made people around me start to move. There must be a spot in the concert area where the audience would dance together. I'd seen it in clips of Rivercrow concerts on YouTube. The dancing might be wild and dangerous, but it would be more fun than staring at the arm of the guy who was busy with his phone and ruining everyone else's chance to enjoy the show.

I couldn't just give up. It would have been such a waste to have struggled alone all this way only to end up empty-handed. I moved closer and almost tapped the young man's arm to make him lower his phone. But then, seeing his terrifying appearance with tattoos running from his arms to his neck, plus the long earrings in his ear, my courage plummeted instantly. I snorted and shifted my body away. It was better not to get involved with someone dangerous.

"Sorry," I said when my foot stepped on someone else's foot. My eyes met those of another young man who looked much calmer.

"No problem," he said with a shrug, then seemed to go back to enjoying the show.

I could only look enviously at the tall young man I had just stepped on. His height allowed him to watch without any difficulty, quite different from my own not-so-tall frame.

"You can move up a bit if you want a clearer view!"

I turned again when the young man spoke once more. I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "What?"

"It's a bit looser up front!" He said this, pointing to a slightly open space where I might be able to slip in.

"Oh, yeah, thanks."

He just nodded. I didn't say anything else and immediately moved forward. I didn't care if my arm brushed against a few people I passed. I glanced briefly; his emerald-green eyes were still watching me. It was a stark contrast with his fiery red hair, and his tall frame made him stand out in the crowd. I shook my head and refocused my eyes ahead as the lead singer of Rivercrow launched into a new song. All the audience's hands were up, clapping.

My body swayed left and right while my eyes shifted from the stage to the crowd, now gathering in one of the sections designated for dancing along to the music. The applause grew louder as the Rivercrow vocalist moved to the extended stage. However, I couldn't take my eyes off the dancing crowd on the other side. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and my heart started to pound in my chest.

"Nathan?"

My boyfriend, who said he was too feverish to attend the concert, was in the crowd. I didn't care anymore when some people hissed and even cursed as she pushed my way through. I just wanted to make sure Nathan was really over there. I reached the edge of the barrier, and my eyes widened immediately when I found Nathan. But he wasn't alone. Nathan was standing with Ines. His arm draped around her shoulder.

Ines was my stepsister over the past two years after my dad married Ines's mom. My stepsister claimed she couldn't attend the concert because she had a date with her boyfriend. So, Ines's boyfriend was Nathan. The guy who had been my boyfriend all this time. How could Nathan date Ines behind my back? How could they do all of this without my knowledge?

My heart skipped a beat when Nathan cupped Ines's jaw. He kissed her lips. They kissed long and deep, as if the noise of the concertgoers was no distraction at all. Meanwhile, my hands clenched into fists, and my breath quickened. A single tear fell from the corner of my eye, followed by another one streaming down my cheek. My heart started to shatter in sync with the high note of Rivercrow's lead singer piercing the air.