CHAPTER 312: TIRED (1)

The screen was quickly turned off and on with the correct graphic being displayed; however, the previous quiet was gone as audience members kept chattering while searching the web on their phones.

"After tallying the audience votes and judge scores, the team coming in third place are the Azure Entertainment trainees with their cover of Ice Cream by Mist3ry. Please make your way to the front for a quick speech." Areum announced to the rowdy audience and trying to regain their attention.

There was a polite round of applause, as the trainees who were the openers team made their way to the front of the stage to give their closing statements.

They seemed quite teary eyed and shy as they gave their thanks which Ari thought was quite funny considering they had a slightly explicit song which they had performed very well.

Still he applauded along with everyone else even while ignoring the glances that kept being directed in his direction.

As the trainees from Azure Entertainment left the stage, Park Woojoo, continued the announcement as the screen changed.

"The team coming in second place is the Fire and Ash Familia from Popstar Academy performing the cover of Standing Next To You By BTZ. Please come up to the stage."

"Us?"

"Really?"

"No way! Really? Yes!"

As Justin cheered with teary eyes, Ari had to deal with Jamie almost suffocating him by hug, before all of a sudden, the weight on top of him tripled as he ended up in the bottom of a dog pile of bodies.

"Get off of me."

"We did it yay!"

"I said get off of me!!!"

"I’m so proud of us!"

"Get off!!"

Suddenly, two hands gripped him by his armpits and Ari found himself temporarily flying through the air before being set on his feet.

"Let’s go to the stage. They’re waiting." Levi’s sharp voice was heard, causing Jamie and Justin, who were the originators of the dogpile, to stand up guiltily, while everyone else brushed off their clothes and tried to look cool.

"Ahem, let’s go."

With all eyes on them, they quickly made their way to the stage and Ari stood at the back so Justin could take the microphone offered from Areum.

"Uhm, I’d like to thank you all for liking our performance enough that you gave us second place. Thank you to the judges as well as all of my teammates for accommodating me and everything. Everyone worked really hard and I’m glad it paid off." Justin rushed his words out quickly before bowing his head to cover up his tears.

"Thank you to the Fire and Ash team and once again, good job. All of you." Areum smiled while seeing another group hug happening which reminded her of the days when she debuted.

Turning to the two contestants who were just standing without joining in, she couldn’t help but laugh as the two of them put their thumbs up and stepped even further back away when it seemed like the hug that was getting rowdy was approaching them.

Eventually, they walked off the stage while the announcements continued.

Naturally, Benjamin’s team won and once the formalities were done, all the Pop Star Academy contestants grouped up backstage while waiting for their staff to take them to the bus.

Everyone was discussing the clips that had been shown on the screen wondering how it leaked, what the PD was going to do, and occasionally glancing in his direction while whispering.

Meanwhile, Ari was sitting on the floor, randomly zoning out as he wondered how Chloé planned on picking him up, if he could get his phone back from the PD to see what was happening on the internet, and if he could squeeze in a nap.

The area suddenly became silent with a shadow blocking the light.

When Ari looked up, it was to see William glaring at him.

"What. Did. You. Do?"

"Performed on stage and got second place. You?"

Bang!

William kicked the wall beside Ari before snarling.

"You know that’s not what I’m talking about!"

"Then what are you talking about?"

"That fabricated video that was shown! How! Why did you do that!"

Seeing the panic all over William’s face, Ari openly laughed at him.

"Ah the video. That’s rough but why are you asking me? Go ask the tech crew or the PD, I had nothing to do with it."

"You-"

"Me what? Gonna hit me?"

BANG!

William kicked the wall again but Ari didn’t flinch, just continued laughing at him.

"Ahh...so scary. I’m scared."

BANG!

"Oh no."

BANG!

"Your leg doesn’t hurt? Wow. So strong."

BANG!

"Tsk tsk. Shall we try anger management lessons? Let’s try counting from one through ten. One-"

BANG!

"Two-"

BANG!

BANG!

"Enough! Both of you stop causing trouble!" A familiar voice filled the crowded space.

When Ari glanced over, he realized that it was the staff member who had called him a violent green-eyed bug pulling William away.

Hoping to his feet, he corrected the staff member.

"I don’t know why you’re saying both of you when it’s just him. I was sitting down minding my business and he came to bother me and started kicking at the wall. Ask anyone or check the cameras if you don’t believe me."

"Is now the time to be arguing?"

Ari: ಠ_ಠ

What kind of nonsense was this?

Was this considered an argument?

"Don’t blame me for something I didn’t do, and I won’t say a word much less argue." Ari replied with a shrug.

"Whatever. Let’s get going all of you. And stay quiet regardless of what is said or asked. Understood? Especially you!"

The staff member glared around the room before focusing on Ari and seeing them all nod, grabbed William and began walking out while they followed behind him.

As they exited the building, it was to see a crowd of reporters shouting questions.

"Contestant Ariel! Do you have anything to say! Have you seen the video!"

"Contestant Ariel, how do you feel after being wrongfully villainized."

"Contestant Suzuki Rei, How are you doing?"

"Contestant William! Do you have any explanation for your actions!"

Oh?

It seemed everyone knows about the video?

NOVA had done a good job for once.

[I told you not to doubt me.]

You’re really acting like you can read my mind these days.

It’s scary.

Since it was now evening time and much darker than earlier, the flash from the cameras were almost blinding.

Thankfully, he still had his sunglasses, so Ari slid them on while walking with everyone who were making their way into the bus while ignoring the reporters who were still yelling questions.

"Ariel."

Hearing the unexpected voice calling his name, Ari turned to the side and noticed a black tinted van parked behind the long bus.

Standing in front of the car was Sabine, dressed neatly in suit, with a polite smile was Chloé’s assistant.

"Oh. It’s Sabine. Ça va?"

"I’m here to pick you up. It’s been cleared with your PD by his boss so let’s go."

"Ah really? Okay. Jamie, I’ll see you later then."

"Bye! Bring back snacks."

"I will."

Ari handed the fur coat to Sabine while pulling off the tie scarf, before entering the back seat of the vehicle.

"Where’s Chloé?"

"She’s already waiting at the restaurant, and there’s a change of clothes for you in the backseat. So make yourself comfortable." Sabine replied as he slid the door shut.

"Thanks."

Admiring the roomy interior, Ari changed from the suit into the matching shorts set and white sneakers in a bag before taking a short nap.

When he woke up, it was to Sabine calling his name and with a yawn Ari stepped out of the car and followed him into the restaurant where he was led to the back.

As he stepped out, he was greeted with a view of the water with several different tables partitioned by ornate dividers that gave the semblance of privacy.

Sabine walked him over to the corner partition where Chloé was sitting on a table clicking away at her laptop.

"Pretty place." Ari commented as he looked back at the fairy lights that lined the river and the way the last bit of sunlight shimmered on it.

It was almost dreamlike and if he had time he would have loved to walk along it during sunset.

"Isn’t it? You’re a kid whose liked the water since you were little so I chose this spot." Chloé replied before pointing at the chair opposite her.

"Sit and check the menu. I’m sure there must be something even a picky eater like you can eat."

"I’m not a picky eater anymore so anything is fine with me." Ari said as he sat down, even as he dutifully read the menu.

It all looked pretty good and there were even pictures which was nice.

"A child like you who even though you had a professional chef for a father who catered to your every whim still refused to eat because of your pickiness suddenly stopping? I don’t believe that."

"I’ve changed."

"The sky is green."

Seeing that she really didn’t believe him, Ari laughed.

"I’m really not picky anymore. Well, I don’t like beans on toast or rice porridge, but I eat anything nowadays. You can only be picky when there’s somebody who cares to make the food the way you like. If that person is gone, food is more or less the same with a few exceptions."

One of them being Grace’s grandfathers cooking.

Apart from the occasional healthy rice porridges which Ari hated with a passion, everything he made tasted really good.

"Hmmm..." Chloé gave him a inscrutable look before shaking her head, "then order as you please. I’ll pay."

"Otherwise? As a member of the older generation, you should treat me not the other way around."

"Watch it. I saw you toss my fur coat to the ground."

"Oops." With a laugh, Ari placed an order for some seafood before sipping the water in front of him.

Closing his eyes, he enjoyed the breeze blowing against his face and through the air, and took a deep breath.

It felt good.

Although it didn’t have that salty sea smell, it still had the refreshing feeling that came from being close to the water.

As he was enjoying the breeze while listening to Chloé’s fingers rapidly typing on the keyboard, it suddenly stopped before he heard her voice.

"You look really tired chou chou."

Opening his eyes, Ari gave Chloé a sardonic smile.

"Well, I did just perform and had to sit through a multi-hour event. Of course I look tired."

"That’s not what I’m talking about. You look very tired. Mentally."