Cheat Million Love

It was lunchtime, and things were calm inside the Unity Club room. Most members were still busy in class or with their main clubs, leaving only Olivia, Nia, Yui, Raina, and Eliz lounging around, each doing their own thing.

Suddenly, the door opened slowly, revealing a girl with long brown hair holding a violin. She stepped in with a bright smile. "Excuse me… is this the Unity Club?" she asked softly.

Olivia, seated elegantly on the couch, turned to look. "Yes, it is. And who might you be?" she asked kindly, slightly curious about the unexpected guest.

The girl stepped in closer. "I'm Melody. I'm new here. I heard this place is pretty well-known, and Nic recommended I come by."

"New transfer?" Nia stood up from her seat. "Oh, then you haven't met us yet. This is the Unity Club, and… yeah, we're kinda famous, haha!"

"Famous for what?" Melody asked innocently.

"Well… for all kinds of reasons," Yui chimed in with a grin. "But don't worry, we're all good people. Except maybe Eliz and Fanny when they're in a bad mood."

Eliz raised an eyebrow, keeping her face straight. "Hey Yui, I don't get in bad moods. I'm just… firm."

Melody giggled. "Seems like a fun place. Oh, would it be okay if I played something?" She lifted her violin a bit, her eyes sparkling.

"A violin?" Raina, who was tying her hair back, looked intrigued. "That's awesome. Come on, play something!"

Olivia smiled warmly. "Please do, Melody. We'd love to hear your music."

Melody nodded excitedly. She opened her case, got into position, and began to play a soft, beautiful melody. The sound filled the room, bringing a calm yet emotional atmosphere.

Everyone fell silent, mesmerized by her performance. Even Yui, who always had something to say, was frozen with awe.

When Melody finished, Nia clapped enthusiastically. "Wow, that was amazing! You're really good!"

"You sounded like a professional," Olivia added with her graceful smile.

Melody blushed. "Thank you. I've been playing since I was little. Music's always been a big part of my life."

"No wonder you're so good," Raina said. "I got chills listening to that."

"Totally," Yui agreed. "Can you play something more cheerful? Something to get us pumped up?"

Melody chuckled. "Of course. Any favorites?"

Eliz suddenly chimed in, "I prefer something classical. But I think the others want something upbeat."

Nia laughed. "Obviously! Play something we can dance to!"

Melody nodded and started a cheerful tune that made everyone nod along to the rhythm. Yui and Raina even started swaying their arms like they were dancing.

"Alright, alright, quit making Melody take requests nonstop!" Said Nic who just arrived.

After finishing her second song, Melody bowed slightly, relieved to see everyone enjoying it. "Thanks for listening. I'm really happy I could play here."

"No need to be shy," Olivia said. "You're welcome anytime."

Melody smiled brightly. "Alright. I'll definitely be coming here more often."

---

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the room, Nic was chatting with Nia about Markus.

"So Markus is Melody's cousin?" Nic asked as he sipped his juice.

"Yep," Nia replied. "He's new here too, like Melody. But he joined the student council right away. Super serious type."

Nic nodded. "I met him yesterday. Kinda intense."

Nia chuckled. "That's just his face. He's not that bad. He's just way too protective of Melody."

"Too protective? Why?"

"Because Melody's like a treasure to their family. Everyone admires her musical talent, so Markus thinks it's his duty to guard her from… guys like you."

Nic laughed. "Guys like me? Should I be offended or flattered?"

"Be flattered. But be careful. If you piss him off, don't say I didn't warn you."

Nic sighed. "Alright, alright. I'm just curious, that's all. Melody doesn't seem like someone who needs guarding. She's confident and friendly."

Nia smiled. "Yeah, but Markus is still watching you, Nic."

Nic shrugged, deciding to just let things play out naturally.

---

In the student council room, where serious discussions were the norm, Nia sat with a few other members, going over plans for the upcoming school event. Markus, newly appointed to the council, suddenly brought up something that made the room go tense.

"The Unity Club seems kind of… discriminatory," Markus said, eyes locked on Nia. "All the members are girls. No guys at all. Isn't that against the rules?"

Nia raised an eyebrow and replied casually, "Unity Club isn't an official school club, Markus. It's an independent club run by Nic and Leona. They've got school permission, so there's no issue with who joins. That's Nic's decision."

Another council member added, "Besides, they don't bother anyone. Actually, they help out a lot."

Markus sighed and changed the subject. "Anyway… Melody. She stopped by Unity Club earlier, didn't she?"

Nia nodded. "Yeah, during lunch. She brought her violin and played a two songs. Everyone loved it. She's really talented."

Markus's expression sharpened. "Make sure no one ever says Melody's music is bad."

Nia blinked in confusion, then smiled. "Why would I? I just said she's amazing."

Markus didn't respond. He just stared out the window, deep in thought. Some of the other council members looked curious, but no one dared to ask—except Nia.

"Why are you so protective of Melody?" she asked gently.

Markus took a long breath and began to explain.

Melody was born into a famous family of musicians. Her father was a maestro, and from a young age, Melody was surrounded by music. But every time she played, her father would say, "Not good enough. Do it again." His harsh criticism made her afraid of those words.

Markus, who often visited her home, thought her playing was beautiful. One day, he tried to encourage her by saying, "Your music is amazing. I love it."

But Melody's father had cut in. "Don't listen to Markus. He's just lying to make you feel better. He knows your music still isn't good enough."

That moment left a scar on Melody. She started to believe that Markus was just trying to comfort her with lies. For a while, she resented him.

But after her mother passed away, Melody found a letter her mom had written. In it, she wrote:

"Music is freedom. It becomes beautiful not because of pressure to be perfect, but because it comes from the heart. Play freely, Melody. Create songs that represent who you truly are."

From then on, Melody changed. She started playing without fear, learning to enjoy every note she created.

---

Later that afternoon, Melody walked out of the Unity Club carrying her violin, looking cheerful after spending time with everyone. But in the hallway, she was met by Markus, who stood there with a serious expression.

"You went to the Unity Club again, didn't you?" Markus asked sharply.

Melody nodded. "Yeah. They were really kind. I played a few songs, and they said they liked it."

Markus grabbed her shoulders firmly. "They're lying! They just don't want to hurt your feelings, Melody. You know that, right?"

Melody was stunned. She looked at him in silence.

"You're better off practicing alone. Don't listen to anyone else—it's safer that way," Markus continued.

But before Melody could respond, Nic's voice came from behind them. "Sorry, Markus, but nobody was lying."

Markus and Melody turned to see Nic walking toward them, completely calm.

"I heard them say Melody's music was beautiful because… it is."

Then he added, "Maybe we should talk privately, Markus."

---

Nic led Markus to a quiet spot behind the school. Markus looked angry, but Nic remained composed.

"Nia told me about you and Melody," Nic began, leaning against the wall. "I get that you want to protect her. But the way you're doing it now… it's starting to sound like her dad."

Markus snapped. "You don't know anything! You're just some stranger who doesn't understand Melody's life. Stay out of it!"

Nic's eyes sharpened, but his tone stayed calm. "So what, you're trying to control her? Then how are you any different from the person you despise?"

Markus froze, but then grabbed Nic by the collar and shouted, "What's it to you, huh?! Don't act like you know everything!"

He punched the wall beside Nic, making the air heavy with tension.

From a distance, Melody had seen and heard everything. Her heart ached as she watched the cousin who used to support her now act just like the man she once feared.

Silently, disappointed, Melody turned around and walked away without saying a word.

To be continued...