'Tick, tick, tick—' One day later.
A television screen glowed with the latest interview, airing right after the results had been announced. "When I was a kid, after my mother passed away, my father left five million won for my brother—to help pay for my studies. He was a heavy drinker, too far gone to save. Eventually, life felt like living in hell. Booze turns people into monsters, you know. That's why I swore I'd never touch it again."
I turned toward the host, Park Tae-Un, known as DJ BezBoy—a legendary artist whose name had already become history back when I was still a boy.
Tae-Un smiled. "I assume your childhood wasn't an easy one?"
"Not really," I replied, smiling faintly. "After my brother left the money and found his way overseas, I entered a boarding school. I made friends, learned things, sang, and danced every day. That was when I found my new family."
The camera panned closer to me.
"Wise words, my man!" Tae-Un laughed, clapping the table. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is White—the rising idol who's going to make history! and I can guarantee you—there's no one like him."
ZOOOOOM!— A motorcycle roared past the hologram billboard replaying that very interview. Now, I was the one behind the wheel. Iris Jun Ho turned slightly, eyes glinting as he glanced at the massive screen. "How does it feel—sitting in D8's?"
I smirked. "Feels like destiny put me there."
The engine roared again.
"Yah! Not so fast—you'll make my heart jump there!" Jun Ho's voice trembled, half laughing. "I wasn't expecting your performance to turn out that way." Then he squinted at me.
"Weren't you that cashier guy from the convenience store the first day we met?"
I chuckled. "You must be mistaken. I don't remember ever working there."
"Hmm… maybe I was." he leaned in, resting her chin on my shoulder. "Guess you just remind me of someone."
"Can I ask you something?" I swallowed, smiling faintly.
"Go ahead."
"Why did you want to help me get into D8? any personal reason?"
"To be honest?" He ran a hand across my shoulder. "A guy like you isn't ordinary to me. If this were a band, you'd be the vocalist—the one who owns the stage. The rest are just background music." he chuckled lowly. "And with fame comes power, Mr. White. You'll hold more than just the mic soon enough."