CHAPTER FIVE
Proceed | 진행하다

⚘( ၴႅၴ

With your helmet tucked under your arm, you strode towards Crystal's building to retrieve your motorcycle. As you pulled out, a scene unfolding on the street snagged your attention. Your keen eyes honed in on Daniel – the very reason you stopped. Beside him, looking equally startled, stood the small student you'd helped on your first day. The same kid you'd rescued from bullies.

Pulling your motorcycle up beside them with a screech of tires, you addressed them, "Hey, you two. Where are you headed? It's getting dark." Your voice cut through the tense air, and their eyes widened in surprise.

"I- You-" they stammered, a question clearly forming in their minds. But it went unspoken as their gazes lingered on your face – a canvas of fresh bruises.

"Yeah, I am," you replied, your voice gruff but not unfriendly. "So, what's the rush?"

Daniel, still flustered, stammered out, "We're just...going to practice the song."

"Song?" You raised an eyebrow, dismounting your motorcycle with a practiced swing of your leg. "What kind of song?" Curiosity peeked through your gruff exterior.

"We, uh, got accepted into PTJ Entertainment," Daniel blurted, cheeks flushing.

Duke's eyes widened in realization. This was the woman who saved him! His hero, standing right in front of him, looking vaguely interested.

Across from him, Daniel's mind raced. This was the girl everyone at school was buzzing about! The one who took down the bullies with surprising ease.

"PTJ?" you echoed, tilting your head. A flicker of surprise, maybe even amusement, softened the intensity around your eyes. "Interesting. Mind if I tag along?"

Daniel sputtered, caught off guard. "Oh... Sure?" he managed, voice barely above a whisper.

Before he could elaborate, Duke, his excitement bubbling over, cut in. "Yes! You can definitely come with us!" he beamed. "By the way, I'm Duke!" He stuck out a hand, hero worship clear in his wide eyes.

–

"So why did you decide to come with us?"

"Nothing." Nothing--but Daniel has plans to stalk, and is really interested in showing his talent. Really arrogant.

"I'm Daniel, Daniel park, you're pretty– it's p-pretty nice that we have finally met you properly." You put your hands on your head but didn't move. Duke raised an eyebrow.

You looked at the building since you don't usually like being in modern buildings, and you always like local and humble places where there is coffee, and there are a lot of people hanging around. Sometimes there are no people like forests, parks, and construction sites.

"Why?"

Daniel stammered, cheeks burning. "Everyone at school talks about you, and, well, I don't really know you. No offense meant, but..." He trailed off, a familiar awkwardness settling over him. It was ironic, considering his past as the one causing others to blush, not the other way around.

Duke, ever the observant one, pouted subtly. He saw where this was headed. Daniel was undeniably good-looking, but Duke secretly wished his friend could find someone who appreciated him for who he truly was.

You chuckled, sticking your tongue out playfully. "Honestly, rumors don't bother me much. Unless they're coming from someone who actually knows me."

Duke's frown deepened, his concern replacing his earlier excitement. He blinked in surprise when you turned to him. "(Your name), how about you? All healed up?"

Duke simply nodded, his earlier excitement dampened a touch. "How about you? You look a little rough."

You shrugged. "Long story," you mumbled, a hint of amusement flickering in your eyes. Yeah, even you had to admit this whole situation was pretty out there. One minute you were cruising on your motorcycle, the next you were tagging along with these two to some PTJ Entertainment place.

The air in the room felt thick enough to cut with a knife as they arrived. "Ah, here we are," Daniel stammered, breaking the silence. "Are you okay waiting for a bit?"

You started to respond, "Why not—" but were cut off by a booming voice.

"Daniel!" A woman, the manager judging by the clipboard and coffee clutched in her hand, stood in the doorway, flanked by a female assistant. Her gaze flicked to you briefly, but it was the way she addressed Daniel that made your brow furrow.

"Good night to you, shark," she cooed, a saccharine sweetness lacing her voice. "Ready to unleash that inner beast again tonight?"

Wow, she treated him like a prized fighter, not a singer. You stole a glance at Duke, whose frown mirrored your own. This manager's blatant favouritism was hard to miss.

Before Daniel could explain his lateness, the woman's gaze snapped back to him, her smile hardening. "Who's she?" she demanded, her tone dripping with suspicion.

Her steely gaze shifted to you, dissecting you in a split second. Before Daniel could sputter out an introduction, the room's entrance whooshed open again.

A man, taller and seemingly in charge, strode in, his eyes landing directly on you. "Ah, there you are, the lovely mystery guest!" he boomed, a predatory glint in his eyes.

"Sir," Daniel stammered, caught off guard.

The man ignored him, his gaze fixed on you. "Just a friend of mine," Daniel tried again, his voice barely a squeak.

"Pleasure to meet you, darling!" the man exclaimed, completely disregarding the introduction. "Quite the surprise, eh? But a delightful one, wouldn't you agree?" He extended a hand, his smile a touch too wide. "I assume you're here to support your friend's musical endeavors? However," he paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, "perhaps you have some talents of your own lurking beneath that stunning exterior?"

"Well, I do have a few..." you began, a hesitant edge to your voice.

"Excellent!" he declared before you could finish, his grip tightening around your shoulders a little too forcefully. "Then consider yourself recruited!"

This wasn't the welcome you'd expected. While the sudden opportunity sparked a flicker of interest, the way they saw you – a pretty face first, talent a distant second – left a sour taste in your mouth. Still, there was no denying the raw potential they glimpsed, a potential that could rewrite your entire story. You were in, but on your own terms. You'd show them just what you were truly capable of.

–

Here's a rephrased version that retains the key points while addressing the concern about the flow of time:

"We need you involved! Please, an audition!" the man pleaded, his enthusiasm bordering on desperation.

"Sure," you shrugged, a hint of challenge in your eyes. This sudden push wasn't ideal, but you weren't one to back down from a challenge.

"I knew it!" the man beamed, his smile genuine this time. "Happy to help in any way I can!"

"Don't worry, Y/N," Daniel piped up, raising a fist in encouragement. "I know you have way more talent than what you showed back in J High. You got this!"

You offered him a small smile, your focus already shifting towards the audition room. You didn't need pep talks – your determination burned bright.

The situation was a whirlwind. One minute you were relaxing on your motorcycle, the next you were swept into this PTJ whirlwind. While Daniel and Duke might feel a sense of responsibility for bringing you here, given the fast pace of events, it felt more like you were all swept along on the same current.

Daniel stole a glance at Duke, who remained silent throughout the whole ordeal. "So..." he began, attempting to lighten the mood. "How did you two meet anyway?"

"Oh," Duke mumbled, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "She saved me from some bullies by the school."

"Why..." Daniel trailed off, the question hanging heavy in the air. He almost blurted out, "Why were you alone by the school?" but stopped himself, a sinking feeling settling in his gut. He already knew the answer, a grim reality that mirrored his own experiences at J High.

"She saw what was happening," Duke continued, his voice low. "Turns out, she's a whiz at fighting and pretty smart too. She totally saved me. I haven't even thanked her properly..." He looked down at his hands, a mix of shame and gratitude swirling within him.

J High was notorious for its rough crowd, practically an arena for bullies. It wasn't surprising someone needed saving.

"If she passes the audition," Daniel said, his voice softer than usual, "you'll get your chance."

Duke simply nodded, his mind replaying the scene of you stepping in to help him. It was a moment he wouldn't soon forget.

–

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as I exited the audition room, barely registering the casting duo. The woman, with a mischievous glint in her short hair, and the man, a generic suit out of central casting, faded into the background. My focus had already shifted. This PTJ Entertainment gig, something that had barely registered before, now felt like a curious turn of events. Sure, it was about Daniel, but honestly, the thrill of the unknown always got to me. Why not explore this possibility, right?

Just as I dismissed it as a pre-audition formality, they hit me with a bombshell. I'd passed. Suspicion spiked. This wasn't the month of prep I'd anticipated. Sensing my hesitation, the man assured me my talent was undeniable. I possessed a certain "something" they couldn't ignore. The whole situation felt strangely serendipitous, leaving a tangled mess of apprehension and a spark of excitement in its wake.

"Though, we still need to see your progress and see if this is just a one time thing or not." Said the girl, which she could see her crossing her arms and pouting next to the boy.

She walked out of the audition and met with Daniel and Duke who were standing on the side talking to each other.

They notice him.

"Marcy! How are you?" Duke said and he and Daniel both walked towards him.

"It's okay. They passed me all of a sudden, but they ignored my passes. The woman there was not very pleased. But they said I still passed the auditon."

Daniel widened his eyes and Duke just narrowed his.

"Wow, in one day?"

"Yeah, wow." Daniel repeated. 

"We're still just going to audition today, which we worked for for a month." Duke said the last part to himself. Proud of you that you passed, although for some reason he had this feeling of doubt. More likely doubt for himself.

"Sorry,." said Marcy with a pitying face and also jokingly. "But that definitely made you guys feel bad."

"That's okay," Daniel smiled. His regular smile. One that you always see plastered in his face. Sometimes you even think that it was copied on some sort of manequinn. It didn't looked like it was practiced. Maybe he was a natural. Or maybe you were just looking too much into things. "You're a talented person, I won't question them when it comes to you."

"You're too kind, you fuck." you gave a nervous laugh. It wasn't as if the comments doesn't bother you. In fact it was kind of trying to pierce into your walls. 

"Well, I mean its time for us to audition as well." Both looked at each other. 

You could see it through their faces. The way the messages were passing through each look.

"Good luck to you two, I feel like drinking some water first, bye." You waved off as you let them wallow in their own doubt. Hey, as if anything you say would calm them down in their endeavours. There's nothing more feet rattling than a person telling you that you got this. Sometimes support can be overwhelming. 

"Bye!" They said back. 

Alone time will be much better for them. You would know.

You glanced away, momentarily distracted by a flash of pink. Shaking your head, he dismissed it. Maybe your mind was playing tricks. 

 Is this crazy? Do I have a crush on James Lee and that's why I keep seeing his pink hair everywhere?

--

The revelation hung heavy in the air. "And that's how I saw her with Daniel," he finished.

"She was there?!" Crystal exploded, rising from her chair like a storm cloud. Her face contorted in a mix of shock and something else – a flicker of fear?

James Lee, propped against his desk, watched the scene unfold with a hint of amusement. Gun, previously lost in a haze of smoke on the couch, sat upright, finally piqued by the conversation.

"Why is he there?" Crystal demanded, furiously combing her hair while refusing to meet his eyes.

"Seems fate enjoys our company," he countered, a touch of wryness in his voice. "Can't seem to shake him."

Crystal spun on him, her voice tight. "How do you know him?"

"Long story," James Lee interjected smoothly. "Let's just say her father and I are... well acquainted. Maybe that's who assigned her to Daniel."

"Who?" Crystal's voice cracked.

"Don't be childish, James," Gun snapped. "This isn't the time for popsicles."

"At least I don't make gangs into toys, Gun."

"And I'm not the one playing dress up, James."

"Enough!" Crystal roared. "Who is his father?"

James hesitated. "He's not technically—"

"Yes, he is," Crystal thought, the truth dawning on her adopted daughter.

"He's not royalty," James continued, "but he's first generation."

Crystal's eyes narrowed.

She pressed for details. "What's his story? Why haven't we heard of him?"

James sighed. "He operates in the shadows, rarely makes a splash. Works in a different sector of the business world. Let's just say his methods of making money aren't exactly... conventional. He's a powerful businessman, well-connected, but operates on the fringes."

Crystal leaned forward, her voice tense. "Does Dad know him?"

"They might be acquainted," James hedged. "But your father likely has no idea about his daughter."

A beat of silence hung in the air. Crystal's gaze flickered to Gun, who seemed strangely invested in the conversation.

"How dangerous is he?" she finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.

James met her gaze, a flicker of worry crossing his face. He remained silent, choosing his words carefully.  Saying anything could backfire. Piss Gun off, or worse, make them both dig deeper.

Gun you're such a bitch for being yourself.

"You have access to the best information network around. Dig deeper."

A tense silence descended upon the room.

"Just trust me," He added finally. "This guy isn't someone to take lightly."

__________

A / n — tell me if I have any grammatical errors, thank you gor reading !