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#and then I noticed the song sales ranking
cilogram · 2 years
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A (perhaps very boring) comparison of Sparks' iTunes bestsellers in Japan and the UK. I was surprised to see We Are The Clash and Computer Girl up top in Japan (and unsurprised to see that Dick Around is a UK favourite).
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slavghoul · 1 year
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Hello, I prepared some statistics to give you a short overview of Ghost's amazingly successful 2022. It is based on data I collected between 22/12/2021 and 22/12/2022.
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The big Ghost event of 2022 was of course the release of the band's fifth album, IMPERA.
Since March 11, it has sold nearly 500,000 copies, won the American Music Award for Favorite Rock Album and received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance ('Call Me Little Sunshine').
Within the first week of its release, the album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 (ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States) and ranked in the top 20 best-selling albums in 19 countries across the world:
#1 in Sweden, Austria, Germany, Finland, Spain
#2 in US, UK, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands
#3 in Australia, Canada
#5 in Switzerland, Ireland, France
#7 in Poland
#8 in Hungary
#12 in Denmark, Portugal
#20 in Italy
IMPERA is Ghost’s best charting album to date.
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On YouTube, the band amassed a staggering 260 million views. 840,000 people subscribed to the channel this year, which makes up 42% of all current subscribers.
5 most watched videos on YouTube in 2022:
Mary On A Cross (Official Audio) – 32 million views
Call Me Little Sunshine (Official Music Video) – 15 million views
Square Hammer (Official Music Video) – 11 million views
Mary On A Cross (Live in Tampa 2022) – 8.2 million views
Spillways (Official Music Video) – 6.8 million views
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On Spotify, the band amassed 1,285,625 new followers. That’s around 61% of all followers since the band appeared on the platform.
5 most streamed songs on Spotify in 2022:
Mary On A Cross -  193,709,473 streams
Call Me Little Sunshine – 41,108,589 streams
Square Hammer – 29,720,042 streams
Dance Macabre – 26,494,053 streams
Spillways – 24,910,870 streams
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It goes without saying that the viral success of Mary On A Cross on TikTok brought in a lot of new fans this year, but the magnitude of it becomes even more astonishing if you look at numbers.
On this graph, I marked a few events that resulted in a noticeable spike in the number of monthly listeners on Spotify, including the approximate time when MOAC began to gain traction on TikTok. As you can see, nothing, not even the release of a new album, gave the band as much attention as the 3-year old song suddenly raising in popularity on one single platform.
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Between end of July and beginning of October, the number of monthly listeners on Spotify skyrocketed from 2.5 million to 12 million. This is a 380% increase.
Although the numbers have been in decline since then, it appears that for the past month they have stayed at a steady 9 million. As of today (Dec 22, 2022) the exact number is 9,110,996. Exactly a year ago (Dec 22, 2021) the number was 1,999,951. A hefty 355% increase in only a year.
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Some other milestones and fun facts:
On June 7, Cirice, Dance Macabre, and Square Hammer were all certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 units in the USA. Following the viral success, Mary On A Cross was also certified Gold on November 20.
The band's most liked post on Instagram this year was a video of Papa throwing the first pitch at the White Sox game (273,241 likes).
The episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live where Ghost performed Call Me Little Sunshine was watched by around 1.3 million people.
In September, Ghost reached over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify and was the 450th most streamed artist globally - that's 450 out of over 11 million!
As of today with over 1.6 billion accumulated streams Ghost is one of the 1,000 most successful artists on the platform of all time (currently #808).
On September 11, Mary On A Cross peaked at #1 in the Viral Hits chart on Spotify in 54 countries across the world.
It was also the highest charting Swedish song on the platform in 2022, peaking globally at #31.
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At this point I think it’s safe to declare that Ghost’s global success reached unprecedent heights this year and even allowed them to officially join the ranks of mainstream artists. With all of the above, 70 completed shows this year and many more to come in 2023, and with media of the likes of The Wall Street Journal proclaiming Ghost “the next generation of arena stars,” it looks like that the band is well on the way to become one of the biggest rock acts of this century. Not bad for a side project started by one Swede in his bedroom somewhere in Linköping. 
Let us hope 2023 will be as devilishly good!
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ghostlspirit · 1 year
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|| male!Yandere x gender neutral!reader ||
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tw: Yandere tendencies (it gets worse progressively yet still pretty tame maybe probably) Embarrassing moments, semi-stalking,
notes: PART 2!! My exams are killing me but this was fun to write lol. Maybe a little cringe at the end, but I'm still new to this so whatever! English is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes or errors. Hope you enjoy~
Masterlist
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You became friends
Well.. If you could call this wierd relationship "friendship". Maybe it's more like "still strangers" or if you're generous, "acquaintances". You haven't spoken since that one morning, not that you minded. If every conversation with him is that awkward and uncomfortable, you'd prefer it the way it is right now. I mean, you still don't know his name and he doesn't know yours.
You still see him regularly by the train station, and when your eyes meet, you give a small smile to acknowledge his presence, sometimes combined with a nod. He always smiles back, with a nod on his own. It's kind of become your greeting. Yet that's all there is, no desire to approach each other or strike awkward conversation, as you guys still mind your own business.
When you're in a good mood, and don't lack the confidence, you even give a small wave or show a peace sign. He always seems to smile brighter after that. You got used to him, and he slowly got used to you too.
What more is there to desire?
Fabian finds you wired, in a good way though? You're just so... normal? Maybe even below normal, but still nothing that strikes you as abnormal. At first, he thought you might be a stalker, or some wierdo with a crush on him. But after the whole spiel of you avoiding him, he thought otherwise. You're just some random person, with a painful case of social anxiety. Like, he judges you, compares you to others and such. Fabian tries to find a reason to stop finding you interesting, trying to find a reason to ignore and avoid you. He kind of has a reason already, (that being your awkward encounter) but he denys it. It doesn't count.
And just when he thought he figured you out, you suprise him the next day. Like today. He thought you were more of a cat person, yet you seem to stare at the golden retriever a little too enthusiasticly. "Maybe you like animals in general?" Or the other time - your habit of drumming with your hands - he thought he figured out your usual rythym, as it seems to be the same one every time. "Maybe your favourite song?" He tried to memorize it, even to a point where he repeated it throughout the day absentmindedly, trying to find the song it's supposed to fit, and annoying his co-workers in the process. Yet he couldn't find it. And the next month it was another rythym, faster and wilder. "Just what songs are you listening to?" Or the one time you nearly fell asleep in your seat, barely being conscious. The next morning you seemed perfectly fine. "You have an inconsistent sleeping schedule...?"
No, this isn't wired. He's just cursed with observant eyes, always noticing the littlest details people often try to hide. No, it's not like Sherlock, and yes, he does have hobbies. He just likes watching people and judge guess what their life is like. What kind of people they are, and what makes them tick.
Because of that, he exells at marketing and sales. He knows what people want or what their dislikes are, and can adapt quickly to that. He's in high position in his department, but not the CEO. Just a well paid office job overseeing and managing the lower ranks. You seem like a mystery to him though. Maybe it's because of his job that he's fallen into this... dilemma...with you. He's never really done this outside of work. Fabian compares this as bird watching, you being the bird and he's the watcher. He's also a perfectionist, obvious by his style - neat and tidy. He doesn't like mistakes or incomplete things, reason why he hasn't quit observing you. He's sometimes upset when you appear with your messy morning appearances. "Another rough morning for you? Or do you just not care about appearances that much?"
Fabian nearly collapsed one morning when seeing you. With your pant zippes open. You're just so??? He wonders how you are still alive! And you seem so oblivious to it too!! He doesn't know if he's supposed to laugh or cry as you give him your signature greeting smile. Your hair is a little messy and your eyes look tired, yet your smile is still very bright in his eyes. He bitterly smiles back, unsure what to do.
Was he supposed to tell you? He can't even imagine how he'll start the conversation. "Hey stranger I sometimes meet in the morning. Your pant zippes are open." - Yeah no way. He has a feeling that with your anxiety, he'll chase you away and you'll avoid him again, permanently this time. But he can't just leave it, right? Who knows when you'll realise, and he can imagine than when you do, you'll never show yourself in public ever again.
Maybe he shouldn't interfere at all. It's not his business after all, right? You both are still strangers, bonded over a simple "Are you okay?" but that's it. It shouldn't concern him that much. He shouldn't care that much. He shouldn't be drawn to you like this.
...
He can't resist, huh?
He can feel himself waking up instantly, using his brain to think of a plan, a strategy. If he doesn't approach you with a plan - who knows what'll happen. You're so unpredictable to him! He takes in other passangers position and determents if they also noticed you too. Seems good, everyone is on their phones. Alright, next. You're sitting, your bag besides you, also on your phone, Headphones in, would it be rude to start talking to you? Maybe it'll worsen your mood. Your pant zippers still open on full display. Wait, are those striped underwear...?
He looks away, blood rushing to his head, not something that happens often. Shaking his head he settles with hinting at it and hoping you get the hint. No-one will see the Interaction hopefully as they're all distracted on their phones. He starts with trying to catch your gaze. He stares, waiting for you to feel his eyes on you so you look up, as that seems to be a skill you have. It doesn't take long and you soon have a staring contest again. You can tell he's trying to communicate something, his gaze serious, but you're no psychic so who knows what he wants. "Is he sick or something?" You tilt your head, showing that you have no clue what he's saying. He uses his hands this time, moving and making silhouettes, you still have no idea what he's saying.
He feels blood rush to his cheeks as he shakes his head. Fabian takes a breather, and thinks again, frustrated that you didn't get the massage. "Better to rip of the bandage." You can tell he's contemplating, and when he makes his way over to you, you just confusedly look up to him. He looks at you again, and you can tell hes kind of... nervous? He points at the seat besides you with your bag, probably wanting to sit down. You make space, maybe he's dizzy?
"Are you okay?" you ask quietly, taking out one headphone as this is a very strange situation, again. You looked worried, perhaps he needs to go to the hospital? "Yeah," he quickly answered, licking his lips, shit you're so nice "Just uh,-" he leans over to you, quickly invading your personal space. You move back a little by instinct, making him stop as he whispered relatively close to your ear, goosebumps rising on your neck "sorry, please don't panic. But uhm, You're, uh, pant zippes are, are open...". Your eyes nearly jump out of their sockets, having a physical reaction to the news as you flinch and instantly check, hunching over yourself trying to hide. Yup, he's right.
"Fuck."
"Sorry" he answered, still whispering, as he places his bag on your lap. It's big but relatively light as it hides your whole lower half. You can tell it's expensive. "Here. No-one has or will notice a thing." He looks away out of respect as you take this opportunity to zip your pants finally shut. When you move his bag to him, he noticed your shaking hands. He takes it and sees you instantly hide your face in your hands, ears flushed and bright red. It's like you want to hide from the whole world.
After a few moments you gained the ability to speak again. "Thank you. Than you So. So. Much." You say with a shaky voice "You saved me again, huh?" Your words are a little rushed and slurred. "thank you.". He tears his gaze away and after a few moments he start to chuckle, then laugh. You shrink more into yourself "Is he LAUGHING at me???? SERIOUSLY?!?" He's holding a hand to his mouth, trying to hold in his laughter.
This is just funny to him. Hilarious even. The way his heart is beating rabidly, the rush of euphoria, your face, voice, messy hair - the whole situation with the zipper. "Sorry, haha - it's just, Its just - Phahaha! Why- why are we like this?" Why is he like this? He looks at you with crinkled eyes, face flushed, he has never felt anything like this before. You frown and reluctantly ask "Like what?". He shakes his head, trying to calm himself. Seriously, this feels like out of a comedy show. He kind of doesn't want it to end. "Awkward, embarrassing, uncomfortable, everything!" He proclaims, moving his hands to prove the point. You groan, now hiding your face in your own bag. If you could, you would have punshed him, but he did basically just helped and looked out for you. "Sorry" Is all you could muster - why must you always be so clumsy? Fabian's laughter died down and he takes a deep breath. "No, it's okay. Glad I could help." he reassures as he looks foward again, his head feels hazy after all that laughing. He really can't predict you, just how he never could've imagine his morning going like this. You're just so unique, so different from others.
You shift uncomfortably in your seat, feeling like you're being crushed by the world. You feel like you could cry, the humiliation weighting you down. Your heart stings painfully. Taking in a shaky breath you move your body away from him, so that he doesn't see the tears that are threatening to fall. He notices your movement from the corner of his eye and watches you. He really wants to know why he's so drawn to you, but he can't just ask something like that, right? Did you put a spell on him or something? Seconds pass and he pulls out his phone.
You rub your eyes, tears nearly falling but when you open them again there's a screen in front of you. Fabian leans in, shoulders nearly touching as he holds his phone to you, and playing on it is a...cat video? Your tears are forgot as you look up to him, noticing his calm face. "Science when did he smell that nice?" He notices your gaze and answer "Watching funny videos always helped me cheer up. Here, this is my favourite."
You put in the headphone he offeres reluctantly. It plays a cat that tries to jump up a snowy car, yet it failed miserably. The cat leaving a quiet meow as it mades the jump this time, puffing up with pride. But after the cat takes a few steps in the direction to the owner the cat slips and falls again, leaving you snickering at the face it makes. You lean in, shoulders are now touching as he notices your scent. His breath catches and becomes a little uneven, his personal space suddenly dissolved, welcoming you in, as you both start watching the compilation of funny videos.
You let your shoulders relax, the morning sun engulfing you two in a nice blanket of warmth. You bask in this moment of kindness from the stranger as you feel cared for and seen. A stark comparison from the treatment at work you get. His stop is coming soon and before he leaves you leave a genuine "Thank you, I really owe you one."
"It was no problem. Enjoy your day. And...be careful."
With a chuckle, a wave and another thanks from you, he leaves by his stop. He doesn't know when you get off as he doesn't stay longer on the train as necessary, but he wished he stayed longer. The moment was gone too soon. He still doesn't know your name, but now he desperately whishes he does.
Would you two be considered friends now?
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Yay! Part two done! He's oblivious to his actions, what could possibly go wrong? I'm gonna start working on part 3 tomorrow and hopefully get it done quicker than this. And thank you for reading! Have a nice day!
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taviokapudding · 3 months
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This shouldn't come off controversial but given all of 2023 and the last 2 months I understand what I will say may piss off some but I gotta say it
Nijisanji shouldn't market their EN livers as idols when only very specific ones get to post covers and originals.
It actually pisses me off that Kyo Kaneko only got 1 original song outside of his debut (which was universally hated because the producer, disrector, or sound mixer chose to autotune the fuck outta everybody to a detriment) and the only other track is a bit of a joke with Enna. And tbh, if I can make a preemptive call, you can tell who is leaving next by how many songs and covers are out. Okay so hear me out.
As part of the audition process, not only are they not allowed to do other work but they can't be throwing their voice around (see Cyyu's audition experience) because of their status as contract workers; this is also why they didn't have to participate in any strikes last year on the technicality that all of them were under assumed yearly contracts that started before the strikes and would only get renewed after the strikes had ended.
But my issue with that, as someone who almost auditioned, is they prefer and encourage singers to join and almost everybody who's left immediately dropped (graduated or terminated) participated in something music related. Kyo releasing today's song as a goodbye when he won't be getting a cut after Feb fills me with r a g e as someone who knows how shit YouTube ad and view revenue + pay for songs can be.
And I cannot stress this enough, at the majority of live events, said livers do a shitton of covers, and that's fine & expected, but when you have the equivalent of a fucking choir in your ranks and the money to buy the rights to songs, why not give them more songs that can be monetized by both the liver & company? YouTube pays but not as much as a multi-platform release. Why are label based livers still doing indie level work with sometimes, having original tracks with worse than indie quality?
Now, Niji isn't the only company making this mistake to not utilize their whole choir consistently
*pauses to stare at VShojo & Holo for 5 seconds in a deeply tired and ○-○ face*
HOWEVER Niji is the only one who actively struggles to monetize their originals. After Tsunami dropped there was a several month period before it was put on Spotify + the producer for the track KIRA revealed he wasn't getting paid and opening donations within the same time span. That coincidence never sat right with me as a long time KIRA vocaloid producer fan- but it makes me wonder how many original songs have been scrapped because of management. Are livers doing mostly covers & not using 3D at live events last minute because somebody isn't getting paid? Because that's what it feels like. Iluna aren't bad singers- the sound mixer probably wasn't paid & said "fuck it" when it came to their debut song's autotuning due to management- let's be real about it.
So yeah in conclusion, stream Distant, because unless she gets the opportunity to say otherwise- I fear and genuinely don't believe Finana or any of the remaining livers are making/made enough money back from their original songs. I hope Kyo gets something, even if it's scraps, because it's unclear if original songs fall under voice pack sales. It will actually devastate me if he isn't paid at all since it's not a full month of streaming.
And hopefully all this public pressure makes investors ask the real questions because I cannot tolerate it anymore. I feel like I'm the only one voicing it right now but this isn't the first time the fans and the general public have wondered why AnyColor Inc doesn't fully commit to the idol shit for Niji EN. Let the livers sing, guarantee they're at least getting 40-50%, and pay all collaborators who participate in original tracks.
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Okay I'ma shut up now- no more beating the hurting horse's owner for abuse from me until further notice,
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cheiyunn · 1 month
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Kimisute main story [3部 ] Part 4
Side: Fantome Iris
[Sharehouse]
Koharu: It’s not that I have a suspicion… it’s more like…
Koharu: In the past… I had also once seen Feli act out like that…
Daimon: Are you thinking about the time when the previous band disbanded?
Koharu: You also caught on?
Daimon: Not really, I had a fleeting thought that that may be the case
Tomoru: What happened?
Koharu: I can’t pinpoint where but, the Feli from back then, there was definitely something up with how he acted
Koharu: Well, him making decisions to go here and there are the same as now but…
Koharu: How do I put this… there was sometimes a more dictator-like feeling there
Koharu: Plus there was a lot more disputes between members too…
Jun: I thought that it’d be inevitable that there’d be some disagreements and conflicts between so..?
Koharu: That's true but… I can’t really put it into words, sorry
Koharu: Somehow, I felt like I was seeing a double of the Feli from back then, so it kinda got me thinkin’
Tomoru: His previous band, huh
Jun: Is…is this another warning for disbandment…?
Koharu: I don’t know. Just like then, nothing was really explained either
Koharu: I’m not in the position to say this but still… in truth he’s already broken up one band already 
Koharu: As it stands, the current Fantome Iris has succeeded in bringing forth his ideal world, and that's something that Feli himself gets as well
Koharu: Thats why, I can’t really imagine him letting this go so willy-nilly either
Jun: thats… thats right…
Tomoru: …in this situation, its better to postpone our participation then it seems
Daimon: Tomoru, what do you mean?
Tomoru: Ah, sorry. Actually, I was planning on discussing it here too so
Tomoru: Could you take a look at this?
Koharu: hm? Whats that?
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Jun: 「Notice: Sales ranking game sponsored by GENESIS TRAX to commemorate the return of the vocalist of the legendary band SYANA, Iryuu Koga 」...
Daimon: Thats reminds me that a while back there was news about him returning
Koharu: GENESIS TRAX is like, a worldwide-known label isn’t it. Whoa
Jun: wha…what’s with this one?
Tomoru: I got this from Mashu-san post live
Tomoru: He said that it’ll be good promo for both GYROAXIA and Fantome Iris so give it a try
Jun: 「This promotion will be aligned with the sale start of Iryuu Koga’s solo single, in order to light the music industry up. In particular, we would like to request newer bands to participate as well」 ...
Jun: But, to release alongside that Iryuu Koga, thats… isn’t that too reckless?
Jun: It’s more like, those who are worthless dross bow your heads and look upon my presence ..?
Daimon: Aren’t you just imagining it for the worst? I’m pretty sure its just as written there
Tomoru: If we released a new song alongside this promotion, there is a chance we’ll bring in more talk so, I was thinking of discussing this in the direction of joining but…
Tomoru: If I put Feli-san’s current condition into consideration, maybe its for the best that we skip out on this one
Koharu: He did seem to be in a stump for new song ideas too…
Daimon: While he has already started, considering he was just in France yesterday, I don’t believe that he’s made much progress on that end
Daimon: Even the walk he’s out on right now, he said he wanted to finalize the concept 
Tomoru: and dealing a final blow like this on him isn’t good either
Tomoru: …later, I think I’ll just put in a call to decline with Mashu-san 
Daimon: …yeah. For this time, that sounds like the best choice
Jun: Ah, but… is it really okay for us to be making this decision on our own…
Koharu: True. It’s probably a good idea to form a solid reason as to why we’re thinkin’ of declining this offer to Feli that he’ll need to accept too
Tomoru: That's right. Thank you
Daimon: …Koharu. Don’t you think its better for you to explain Felix’s situation a little more to these two?
Koharu: But thats…
Daimon: I believe that anything that affects the band’s financial input should be equally and thoroughly discussed with every member.
Tomoru: Daimon-san…
Koharu: …you, you got a point there. But at the same time, it’s not like I know everything either
Daimon: When needed, I’ll chime in too
Koharu: Feli wouldn’t want his personal reasons to negatively affect the band either so
Koharu: He definitely wouldn’t talk on his own accord
Daimon: …
Koharu: Well, if me spilling it sours his mood, I’ll apologize for that
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dailykoreanpop · 2 years
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ATEEZ’s 2019 Single ’Say My Name’ Returns to World Digital Song Sales Chart Following Choreography Debate
Many have wondered if ATEEZ's dance moves for the single were ripped off by a choreographer performing on Korean television.
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With nearly 2 dozen entries on World Digital Song Sales, ATEEZ are no strangers to the Billboard chart, but their latest feat shows how fans are taking their support to the charts.
On the World Digital Song Sales chart dated Oct. 22, 2022, ATEEZ’s “Say My Name” re-enters the ranking at No. 11 for its fifth week on the chart overall. The track sold an additional 500 downloads in the week ending Oct. 13 in the U.S., up from a negligible amount in the previous week, making a total of 1,000 downloads in the U.S. this year alone.
Initially released in January 2019 as a single from the boy band’s Treasure EP.2: Zero to One album, “Say My Name” originally peaked at No. 8 on the chart and has sold 8,500 downloads in the U.S., making it ATEEZ’s second-biggest selling digital song in the States. Only “Wonderland,” the single off their first full-length Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action, released in October 2019, has sold slightly more than 8,500.
The surge in support comes after a growing controversy where ATEZ fans—and, possibly, ATEEZ themselves—claim that a famous choreographer swiped a signature move from the “Say My Name” dance on television.
The debate started when South Korean–based dance crew We Dem Boyz (who have helped helm choreography with K-pop acts like CL, SEVENTEEN and SuperM) performed the song “New Thing” on Korea’s popular dance-battle show Street Man Fighter. Sung by chart-topping solo star Zico and hip-hop trio Homies, “New Thing” has been rising up Korea’s local charts mainly due to the viral #NewThingChallenge dance. Soon, fans noticed one part felt similar to a key move from “Say My Name.”
As part of a Street Man Fighter episode, the “New Thing” choreography was created and sequenced by We Dem Boyz leader Vata. He taught his crew moves that imitate mounting and starting a motorcycle before stylishly walking and bobbing their head to the beat with one hand held outward and another on the hip. Vata shared a clip of the “New Thing” choreography on his Instagram.
The moves were claimed to be allegedly similar to a signature part of ATEEZ’s choreography to 2019’s “Say My Name” where the guys perform a walk and bob over the track’s hook—the part earned a nickname as the “driving dance.”
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Since the episode airing, Vata began facing online plagiarism accusations over the sequence for “New Thing” that made its way to the original “Say My Name” choreographer, Anze Skrube.
Slovenia-born Skrube, credited in ATEEZ’s Treasure EP.2: Zero to One album as the “Say My Name” choreographer, spoke up about the claims on his Instagram.
“I want to be very quick regarding the allegations of somebody copying our moves,” he said in a video posted on Oct. 11. “Please stop harassing each other and fighting about it. To clarify, from my experience, there is a difference between ‘biting’ a move or being inspired by a move, or biting a whole sequence of moves—this is what happened here in this case. This particular sequence was choreographed by Josh Smith at the end of 2018 and it came out at the beginning of 2019. I’m only saying this because stuff like this happens a lot in the dance industry and that’s not OK. Let’s not do that, people. If you get inspired by something, the least you could do is credit the creators. I’m just going to leave it at that.”
ATEEZ fans also wondered if the group members themselves noticed the similarities.
Fans noted the eight-member boy band incorporating the driving dance into some of their latest performances and using what looks like the “biting” dance sign (mentioned by Skrube) where a dancer smacks one’s forearms together horizontally to physically indicate someone has stolen or copied a move.
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On Oct. 14, Vata responded to the claims on his Instagram “in order to prevent further misunderstandings” (according to translations via Soompi).
“When I first heard the music, I was reminded of a plain in the wilderness, and I created the intro choreography to depict arriving on a motorcycle or horseback,” Vata wrote. “That’s why I used the motion of starting an engine at the beginning, followed by a big kick and a dismount after driving, and there is a story with a beginning, middle, and end. I think that it is completely different from the intent and connection between the movements of the choreography to which it is currently being compared.”
Vata added, “As a person who loves the culture of dance, I think it’s admirable when artists and choreographers respect one another. However, it seems like that isn’t the case [right now], which I find very unfortunate. Regardless of the reason, I feel apologetic to the viewers of Street Man Fighter and everyone who has been cheering for We Dem Boyz about the fact that I caused a controversy.”
So far, ATEEZ has not formally responded to the debate but see additional chart activity beyond their 2019 single. The boy band’s latest EP, The World EP.1 : Movement, re-entered World Albums (at No. 8 this week), Top Current Album Sales (at No. 19), and Top Album Sales (No. 22)
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Credit: Billboard 
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hyenahunt · 2 years
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Solid: Blue Skies Ahead - 4
Writer: Nishioka Maiko
Season: Summer
Characters: Ibara, Hiyori, Jun, Nagisa
Proofreading: royalquintet (JP) & Skyress + hyenahunt (ENG)
Translation: hyenahunt & Mirei
Ibara: There has been somewhat of a change in the concept for our new song, which is why I'd like to ensure that we are all in agreement of it.
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Location: Cafe COCHI Meeting Space
Ibara: Ah, so everyone is already here.
…In fact, it appears you have all finished ordering and are now simply kicking back.
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Hiyori: Why, when we're having a meeting at a cafe with such a delicious menu, it'd be rude not to order a thing!
After all, this place is meant for tasty drinks and good conversation!
Jun: Drinks? I saw you order snacks too, Ohii-san.
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Nagisa: …So, what’s the matter? It’s quite rare for you to call for a sudden meeting, Ibara.
Ibara: Ah, yes, about that. Let us jump right to the main topic.
The other day, I received the finished lyrics and choreography for Eden’s new song. As such, I decided to gather you all here for an update.
Hiyori: Just for that? I mean, you'd usually update us during a practice break or when we have a job together, no?
Ibara: There has been somewhat of a change in the concept for our new song, which is why I'd like to ensure that we are all in agreement of it.
Please have a look at my PC screen here. It shows our new song's choreography, and here are the lyrics, as well.
Hiyori: Hmm, let's see then...?
Jun: ! Huh!? Wait, you mean—
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Hiyori: — You and Jun-kun will be the leads?
Nagisa: …I see. This is a new direction for us, isn't it, Ibara? Will you explain what brought this about?
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Ibara: Aye-aye! Certainly, Your Excellency.
Up until now, Eden's choreography and lyrics have been produced with the image of Your Excellency and Your Highness as our leads.
Due to that, the numbers of our fans and sales have grown stable. Eden as an idol unit has already cemented itself as a solid presence in this industry.
Truly, I'd expect nothing else with the two of you among our ranks!
Nagisa: …Hmmm, this may be the truth, but there is no need for your obvious flattery, Ibara. Continue.
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Ibara: A-ha-ha. Flattery, you say? How very unfortunate that I cannot convey my true feelings to you, Your Excellency.
In any case, nothing has yet threatened that integrity… But after a while of this, a different problem has begun to loom over us.
Hiyori: What? There's nothing wrong with our current state, is there...? What "problem" would that be?
Ibara: For now, while there is nothing in particular, perhaps it might be better to say that it is an issue that will potentially haunt us in the future.
To put it simply, we are in danger of getting stuck in a rut.
This issue is actually quite destructive. It is something difficult to grow aware of while stable.
In fact, there have been many cases where, by the time a rut was noticed, it was already too late to experiment with new things.
Which is why I’d like to avoid such a situation by taking the initiative to act first.
Hiyori: Hmm. Well, I don't have any issue with it.
Not to mention, no matter what role Nagisa-kun and I may have to play, our brilliance shall never be dulled!
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Ibara: Oh no, that would actually be a problem, Your Highness.
This new experiment will be greatly significant for Your Highness and Your Excellency as well.
Nagisa: …Significant for us?
Ibara: Indeed! Just as His Highness says, both of you have a presence that is wholly unique.
You may even say such a unique presence is your greatest weapon— but it can also be a hindrance in our industry.
That is why I would like both of you to learn how to regulate that standout presence by yourselves.
Hiyori: Well, I simply don't see why we must!
Ibara: Certainly, if you are taking the center role, all you need to do is sing and dance.
However, what if you have to play the role of a criminal who has to suppress their presence until the very end?
Or perhaps a role where you have to maintain a secretive existence?
The more popular you become, the more your jobs will vary, and that will lead to you performing different roles in work. As a result, you also will be exposed to the judgement of many other people.
When that happens, those who are valued the most highly will be, without a doubt, none other than the so-called "all-rounders", rather than those who only wield a single weapon.
Therefore, in this trial attempt, I would like Your Excellency and Your Highness to develop that flexibility.
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Nagisa: …I see. I understand what you mean.
…If Ibara thinks that this is for the better, then I have no objections. What about you, Hiyori-kun?
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Hiyori: (So that's what's going on... Honestly, everyone around me is so troublesome! Instead of going to such lengths only to beat around the bush, I'd rather they just come out with it!)
Well, if Nagisa-kun and Jun-kun are fine with it, then it's no problem with me, either. However, it does offend me that you believe we can't play such roles, Ibara.
Nagisa: ...What do you think, Jun?
Jun: ......
…………
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Hiyori: He's been looking completely dazed for some time now. Ahaha! What an entertaining expression ☆
Jun: Hang on, I'm still trying to process this...
Huh? Wait, you mean Ohii-san and Nagi-senpai are fine with it?
Ibara: …Jun doesn’t seem to have any issue with it, so let us proceed with this approach. That shall conclude today's meeting.
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Ibara: Ah, Jun, do stay for a bit longer. You have nothing on your schedule after this, correct?
Jun: Wha? Oh yeah, I'm pretty much free...
Ibara: We shall begin practicing for the new song. Since this is something new we're attempting, practice will be twice as hard as usual.
Jun: Well, 'course that's fine with me...
Ibara: Then, let’s go to the dance room immediat—
Nagisa: …Ibara.
Ibara: Hm? Your Excellency, what’s the matter? Is there a problem?
Nagisa: …Not at all. I just wanted to tell you something.
(whispering) …The lyrics for the new song are truly splendid. You did great there.
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Ibara: …I have no idea what you're talking about.
We're going, Jun.
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Jun: Huh? Hey! Would it kill ya to wait up!?
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peekbackstage · 3 years
Note
I noticed in one of your responses that you speculated that Xiao Zhan is currently the #1 star in china and his agent is probably not inclined to request talent buyers but rather command top pruce. Can you expand a bit on your thought process? I always feel like without the usual modes of exposure through various high end endorsements and appearances in shows and stage, he has lost a lot of influence and power. Granted he finally has The Wold air, and attended two live events, but rest of the year he has has no new endorsements, shows or appearances. Is it just the various ranking charts that would lend him his influence? How do talent buyers figure out the ‘pull’ any actor would have??
Disclaimer: The following response includes both facts and speculation that is informed by my 10+ year career in the music industry. 
“Xiao Zhan is currently the #1 star in China” is probably not what many fans would expect to hear after the year Xiao Zhan has had. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that I also did not believe this, but quite a number of factors have moved my assessment. 
There are a few factors that determines how a talent buyer might assess an artist. These factors include:
HARD DATA
Social media following 
Sales and streaming figures 
Viewership 
TV rankings
Awards rankings 
Brand deals 
Media reach 
SOFT DATA
Internal projections 
“Hype” 
Overall marketability 
Market sentiment 
Media sentiment 
All of this culminates in a general assessment that helps to determine how much an artist is “worth.” Essentially, you might as well call all of these key performance indicators (KPIs). 
If you consider that artists are a brand, and all brands can either appreciate or depreciate in value depending on market sentiment, you might be able to get a better understanding of how artists are evaluated. 
To provide a concrete example that might help everyone understand how this works a little better, think for a moment about how public companies increase in value and how stock prices rise and fall. If a company reports solid earnings (hard data) and announces that they will be releasing a new line of highly anticipated products (hype), this increases market sentiment, which then results in a direct increase in positive price action for their stock. Conversely, companies that have bad earnings reports and lackluster product offerings might see a sell-off that results in a drop in price (and therefore, in value) when information hits the news cycles.
Like companies, artists are evaluated much the same way. Consider that Xiao Zhan was, prior to the 227 Incident, at the very top of the game in China. He held a huge amount of brand deals and was highly sought after, especially after his popularity skyrocketed due to the international acclaim he received from The Untamed. All of this created an intrinsic “value” that translated to a specific guarantee price.
(Guarantee: the price a talent buyer guarantees an artist when they are booked for a performance.) 
The 227 Incident for Xiao Zhan is what we would call a “Black Swan” event. Another Black Swan event is COVID-19, which decimated the stock market in March 2020. Over 90% of companies listed on the S&P 500 had “distributed large negative returns.” Did this catastrophic event mean that it was the end for all of these companies? Absolutely not. Was 227 the end for Xiao Zhan? Absolutely not. 
These are basic fundamentals that talent buyers understand, especially if an artist hasn’t been blackballed or been subjected to a career death. Sometimes, artists have scandals. Some have a hard time coming back from them, but Xiao Zhan’s enduring popularity has not waned, even if he did lose brand deals and has not really been in the spotlight. 
The following KPIs are what a talent agent would notice for Xiao Zhan: 
#1 selling single in 2020 - 光点 (Spotlight) sold over 40.9 million copies with pretty much no promotion, which is actually insane. (This actually qualifies him for an RIAA diamond certification!!! There are only 44 other singles that have earned this ranking.)
 The Wolf became the #1 streaming show in China the moment it was released, entirely because of Xiao Zhan’s popularity. It immediately led to a significant amount of positive media coverage, both domestically and worldwide. 
TV viewership surged dramatically when Xiao Zhan appeared on December 5 as a surprise guest. (I forgot the exact figure, but I think I read it was 17 million? Please correct me if I am wrong.) This positive statistic is another solid green check mark for talent agents. 
Xiao Zhan’s Red Sea was a top trending topic and had massive media coverage. This is essentially what agents are looking for when they book artists. It means HYPE HYPE HYPE, and HYPE means MONEY MONEY MONEY 
Positive media coverage over Xiao Zhan’s fans cleaning up the entire arena
Massive award sweep - In 2020, Xiao Zhan won every single major award he was nominated for, and took #1 in pretty much all other smaller media award lists, except for 2. Here is the list: Jinri Toutiao Awards - Most Noticed Male Celebrity Weibo Awards - Hot Figure of the Year - The Untamed Weibo Awards - Weibo King China Literature Awards - Actor of the Year - The Untamed, Jade Dynasty China Literature Awards - Heartthrob Actor - Jade Dynasty China Screen Award - New Actor of the Year - Jade Dynasty 27th ERC Chinese Top Ten Awards - Top Ten Songs “Unrestrained” with Wang Yibo 27th ERC Chinese Top Ten Awards - Top Ten Songs “Remaining Years” Weibo TV Series Awards - Most Popular Actor - The Wolf Tencent Entertainment White Paper - Male Singer of the Year - “Spotlight” Tencent Entertainment White Paper - Star Power of the Year Tencent Video All Star Awards - VIP Star WeTV 2020 Awards - Best Wuxia Drama - The Untamed  WeTV 2020 Awards - Best Male Lead TCC Asia The 100 Most Influential Faces of 2020 - #1 TCC Asia The Most Handsome Faces of Asia - #1 Weibo The Most Beautiful Charity Ambassador in 2020 - #1 Starmometer  The 100 Sexiest Men in the World 2020 - #1 TCC Asia The 100 Most Handsome Face in Asia Pacific 2020 - #1 Top Beauty World The 100 Most Handsome Men in the World 2020 - #1 WeChat 2020’s Top 10 Handsome Idols - #3 TC Candler The 100 Most Handsome Faces in the World 2020 - #7  Yes, even despite everything that happened in 2020, Xiao Zhan still took home quite a lot of awards! Note that a number of these awards were won after the 227 Incident, notably, the Weibo TV Series Awards, the WeTV 2020 Awards, and Tencent Video All Star Awards. 
Changing market sentiment - Overall market sentiment with Xiao Zhan is trending more positive than negative. Essentially, if Xiao Zhan were a company, they would describe this as a “bullish crossover” and a “bull trend.” 
In general, all of the above helps to form a talent buyer’s assessment of the intrinsic value of an artist. And this is largely why I personally believe and would assess Xiao Zhan to be China’s #1 star that will provide any stakeholder with the #1 ROI, which has already been statistically proven by the strength of his sales and continued award wins. 
Of course, I can’t say with absolutely certainty whether or not Chinese talent buyers absolutely, positively see it this way, but this is more or less how most talent buyers evaluate talent. If Xiao Zhan were to be evaluated as an asset at this very moment, he would essentially be rated as asset that is in the process of “mooning.” (I.e. Going [back up] to the moon. Breakout positive trend! It’s raining money again!) 
I have a very hard time imagining that any talent buyer worth their salt would somehow miss the clear indicators that show the tides are changing and a trend crossover has occurred. 
I have strong faith in a full comeback for Xiao Zhan. I believe that he will soar once more - not only in popularity, but also in success. While he will always have antis who will try to dim his shine, I fully believe that there is nothing that can stop the brightest star in the sky from ascending to new heights. 
I only see blue skies above.
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sabraeal · 3 years
Text
Traffic Lights Are Burnin’
[Read on AO3]
Written in honor of @nebluus‘s birthday! She asked for some WFB, and of the options I gave she chose the next part of our Six Flags saga...only the beginning scene of that chapter ended up ballooning out into this so...it ended up being less Amusement Park Shenanigans and more Wholesome Boys Will Be Boys Content. I’M SURE MADI WILL BE JUST FINE WITH THAT TOO 😂
“Are you making an omelette?”
English is not, functionally, Mitsuhide’s first language. Not that he thinks of it like that-- first or second, third or fourth; there’s no ranking in his life, no moment in which one language followed another. There was English with Mama and quebecois with Papa; a plan quickly scuttled by Mitsuhide being the fifth Lowen sibling. Refusing to be pigeonholed into a single language no matter how many times Mama repeated consistency is key, his brothers mostly spoke a tossed salad of both and assumed he’d understand the lettuce.
Coupled with the fact that all his cousins lived in Toronto anyway, Mitsuhide had hardly begun talking himself before it became outside quebecois and inside English. Unless they left the province, in which case it was a free-for-all that left his few monolingual aunts and uncles dizzy.
Which is to say, Mitsuhide only becomes aware of the precise inner ranking of his languages in moments like this, where gut immediately kicks out a dry ‘j’essaie.’ The translation is vetoed on the grounds that although in quebecois he’s never met a word he couldn’t steep in sarcasm and smuggle in a sacre, he prefers to keep his English so clean it squeaks.
You’ve got it all backwards, Kihal had told him as he sweltered under the San Juan sun, English is fake, you can be as much of an asshole as you want it in, it doesn’t count.
It’s true, there’s something that’s more real to him in French, that’s more real about him, but, well-- there were far fewer cousins to tattle on his potty mouth this way. And now that he knows Obi...
Well, if Kiki ever made good on her threats to teach him any of his “church swears,” he’d probably never sleep easy again. So instead, he scrolls through his mental rolodex of possible appropriate replies before settling on, “Would you like one?”
Zen glances up from his array of pamphlets, glossy paper glaring beneath the overhead lamp. It matches the way Zen is looking at him. “We don’t have time for that.”
Mitsuhide frowns, giving his eggs one last vigorous whisk before pouring them into the pan. “There’s always time for breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day.”
He glances over just in time to see Zen’s grimace. “Shirayuki really could be your sister.”
There’s really no reason he has to look so horrified by the idea. His brothers may all be broad shouldered, barrel-chested giants, but plenty of his cousins made pocket money in high school through catalogue modeling. And they’re all very nice girls.
He doesn’t mention it. A conversation never ends well if you have to whip out photos of female relatives to prove your point. “Would you like one?” he repeats instead, a safer tactic overall.
Zen’s nose wrinkles beneath some dubiously drawn eyebrows. “Are you putting spinach in there?”
“Kale,” he agrees. “And chicken.”
“In a breakfast omelette?” He clucks his tongue, just the way the Wisteria’s chef would when he attempted to cook at the estate. Quel dommage, he would say, sighing over the cutting board, why would you do that to perfectly good eggs? “Why would you do that?”
Because these muscles don’t come cheap; Mitsuhide chokes down a truly staggering amount of chicken in order to keep them. Roasted, of course-- boiled is technically better for protein, but even he has to draw the line somewhere. The eggs have less, but they are calorie efficient; he’d eat more of them if he could stomach the slimy, snake-like sensation of swallowing them down hard boiled.
But explaining his diet regime usually ended with glazed eyes, so he settles for, “I could always put something different in yours. There’s ham.”
Fancy ham, Obi calls it. It’s just from the deli counter, fresh sliced from whatever quality cut’s on sale, but considering how the first time Obi saw a charcuterie board, he shouted, Oh, Lunchables!--
Well, Mitsuhide can accept that maybe they have different benchmarks for fancy. And somehow just the simple act of calling it that does make it taste better. Or at least more satisfying when it’s shoved between a Hawaiian roll and deli cheese.
There’s a soft shuffle by the kitchen door, and a wild thatch of bristle peeps around the frame. Mitsuhide shakes his head with huff. That’s a new one-- just think the devil’s name and he appears.
Obi lopes into the kitchen, all long limbs and smooth movements, blurring right into the background without any effort at all. He’d gotten Mitsuhide a few times when he’d first moved in, popping up wherever it was sure to be the most inconvenient, grinning like a cat with feathers in its teeth. But once you knew the trick of it, well-- it’s no effort to keep the kid in his sights.
Which is why he has a full, uninterrupted view when Obi slips right up to Zen’s elbow, and asks, “Whatcha doing, chief?”
“Wah!” Pamphlets fly up, a glittering flock of wings swooping beneath the lamp. Zen slaps them down before they can skitter off the table’s edge. “Obi! Make noise for fuck’s sake!”
“Sorry,” he sing-songs, not a sincere note in it. Two long fingers pluck a pamphlet off the wood, twisting it between them. “What’s all this? They starting to put theme parks on exams now?”
“No.” Zen scowls, snatching it out of his hands. “I’m just making today’s itinerary.”
Mitsuhide slides his omelette onto a plate, turning just in time to catch the glance Obi sends him. It somehow says is he fucking with me while also implying I’ll hold him down if we gotta send him to the doctor. “An itinerary?”
He leans a hip against the island, fishing out a fork. What was it Obi always said? Dinner tastes better with a show. Time to find out whether it extends to breakfast too.
Zen fixes Obi with a look that could have had trenches with all its affront. “You can’t go to an amusement park without a plan. How else do you get on all the coasters?”
“It’s only Six Flags New England.” A week ago, the name alone made Obi flee like a cat from a bath, but now every syllable drips with derision, like a sommelier reviewing boxed wine. “They’ve got what? Superman?”
Mitsuhide shoves a corner of his omelette in his mouth. It’s not as good as a sausage, mushroom, and cheese, but, well, it’ll do. “Bizarro.”
“Bizarro.” Obi scoffs. “See? Nothing. Besides, I thought you were the kind of guy to spring for fast passes, boss.”
Zen’s always been sensitive; the sort of kid who tended to pop off when a situation came to a simmer instead of trying to turn down the heat. When Izana had been sitting president, he’s spent half his tenure fielding tense calls, sometimes even climbing into a towncar at a moment’s notice to be taken back east. The school, he’s always say, lifting a shoulder, my brother is proving to be a challenge, and my mother is...unreachable.
He’d thought this Zen kid must be like the ones he knew on the ice, punching first and asking questions later, complaining about being put in the box. All temper and no temperance, Mama used to say when she drove him home, can’t talk when you got plastic between your teeth.
But then he’d met him, undersized and stick-limbed, living in that house with people paid to be invisible. A kid with too much on his shoulders and too many eyes to watch him stumble under it. He’s come a long way from there.
So when Zen squirms in his chair, red already starting to lick up his neck, Mitsuhide doesn’t enjoy it. On the contrary, Zen’s discomfort is his discomfort, a failure of him to keep the watchful eye on him that Izana asked him to.
But it also doesn’t stop him from adding, “Shirayuki believes that waiting in line is part of the amusement park experience.”
Obi looks as though he’s just been told it’s his birthday and Christmas, all rolled into one. “Of course she does.” His mouth sharpens to a wicked grin. “So you’ll be lowering yourself to the peasant’s lines today, huh, Your Highness?”
“Don’t call me that,” he grumbles, swatting him away. “No one’s being lowered anywhere. We won’t be running into any of them so long as we get there early and hit the coasters in the right order.”
Obi coughs. Or at least, makes it sound like he is. “Uh-huh.”
“Where is Shirayuki anyway?” Zen glares at the empty doorway, brows heaving like thunderclouds over the bridge of his nose. “I thought you said you’d get her.”
“I did.” Obi twitches his shoulders; as good as a shrug, from him. “She’s getting ready.”
“It’s been fifteen minutes.” Zen’s glare changes target to him, thunder rolling in the tone of his voice. “Shirayuki doesn’t take this long to get ready.”
When Mitsuhide glances up, chewing around another stab of egg, kale, and chicken, Obi’s eyebrows are already there to meet him. His head tilts, just the barest degree; this is your show, big guy.
Mitsuhide coughs, trying to clear his throat of leaf bits. “Girls,” he starts, the ground sinking beneath him with each word, “like to look nice. Especially when they are on, uh, dates.”
“This isn’t a date,” Zen informs him, more than a little put out. “Obi’s going.”
The sound Obi makes can only be termed as distressed. “I didn’t want to.”
For exactly this reason, is what he doesn’t say. Doesn’t even show it on his face, though it has to be lurking beneath it, considering how he--
Well, considering nothing Mitsuhide knows for sure. But certainly a few things he reasonably suspects.
“Chief.” Obi flips the chair next to him, straddling it. “You know, I really thought it couldn’t be true. I really wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. But to hear you now--” he leans in, one narrow brow raising the same time his voice drops-- “you really do chicken out when it comes to getting chummy with Doc.”
Mitsuhide nearly chokes on his chicken.
Zen’s red all over, like someone pulled him from a boiling pot and put him on a plate. “You don’t know that.”
“Sure I do,” he says, so easy. “Doc told me.”
“She said that?” His skin’s so flushed Mitsuhide’s half afraid he’ll pass out, but instead he just collapses against the ladderback, head buried in his arms. “Shirayuki?” 
“Pretty much.” Obi sighs, hands braced on the table. “I mean, is it so hard to say she looks nice when she dresses up? Or that you like her hair, or--” he stumbles, shaking his head-- “no, not the hair. Too loaded. But you know, one of her floaty little numbers. Her freckles. Something.”
“I have!”
Obi lifts a dubiously narrow eyebrow. “Like when?”
“Ah...” Whatever the answer is, it’s not helping his blood flow problem. Mitsuhide nearly opens his mouth, searching for a good way to make himself a target-- “The Big E.”
Well, there goes that plan.
Obi’s inquisition crumples into confusion. “What? When did you--”
Every word ekes into the air with the utmost resistance. “When she was wearing your hoodie.”
“When she was wearing my--?” Gold eyes round to coins. “Chief.”
For a solid minute, that’s the only reaction-- wide-eyed disbelief, earned from two sides. But Obi coughs, mouth twitching, and it’s a snort, a smirk, and--
And then Obi launches himself away from the table, both hands still gripping the edge as he falls apart utterly. The chair’s back keeps him from putting his head between his knees, but spiritually he’s there, tears tracking down his cheeks as his laughs wheeze out of him
One hand finally slaps the table, like he’s asking for a time out. Zen frowns down at him, red finally fading to a painful pink. “It’s not that funny.”
“It is,” Obi squeaks, and Mitsuhide has to shove his last bite of omelette into his mouth to stifle his own noises. It’s no good-- Zen whips around and gives him the same glare he’s been saving for Obi.
“If you don’t cut it out,” he says loftily, “I’m going to let a freshman stay in your room.”
Well, that brings Obi up. “Fine,” he coughs, voice still ragged from laughing. “But still. My hoodie.”
“The sleeves hung over her hands! It was cute.” Zen huffs, folding his arms over his chest. “Fine, if I’m so bad, why don’t you two show me how it’s done?”
There’s a pause, long and loaded; enough that Mitsuhide glances up from his plate to see just what tomfoolery he should brace himself to break up--
Only to find Zen staring at him.
Intellectually, Mitsuhide is aware that Zen is a Wisteria. He met him through Izana, after all; he’s been over to the manor, he’s even met their prodigal mother on one of her rare stopovers between vacations. But when he thinks of the name, it’s Izana who springs to mind, the gears churning behind his eyes.
It’s not often that Zen reminds him of his brother; Cookie’s always said that Izana takes after their mother with that long and lean model build, while Zen has always been Kain’s child. But now, now--
He sees it, and it sends a shiver right through him.
With a quirk of his lips, Zen says, so like Izana that if he closed his eyes he wouldn’t know any different, “You first, Mitsuhide.”
Obi’s mouth curves into a leer. “Yeah, Big Guy. Show us the skills that got you Ms Kiki.”
This probably isn’t the time to tell them that it wasn’t him who got her; Mitsuhide hadn’t been trying to do anything more than be the friend she needed, to be a person she could confide in, could trust. People like that were thin on the ground for girls like her; heiress tended to make men see dollar signs instead of personality. But Kiki--
Well, she had other ideas. Ones he’d only cottoned onto when she climbed on top of him and shoved him against the couch cushions with her mouth.
“D-Don’t look at me!” he manages, trying to busy himself with anything. But there’s only a plate to be put in the sink, and a pan to be wiped. Not enough to fake a decent amount of responsibility. “I’m not--”
“Aw, c’mon, Big Man. Don’t leave us hanging.” Obi leans back, grin so wide it practically splits his face. “Lemme paint the scene. You’re single, Doc is adorable, and she’s waiting there--” he gestures to Zen, who flutters his eyelashes in precisely the way Shirayuki doesn’t-- “for you to make your move. Go!”
He could point out he’s not single, and that he doesn’t have any plans to change that anytime soon-- but that only ends in one way: a two-pronged mockery with additional ridicule provided by the impending arrival of his better half. He could also point out that of all the people in this room, he’s the only one who hasn’t wanted to date Shirayuki, but-- well, the problems with that one were obvious.
Instead, Mitsuhide takes in a deep breath, learns on the counter, and says, “Why, Shirayuki! You’re looking beautiful this morning. Those shorts really flatter your legs.”
There is a long silence, and then to everlasting embarrassment, they burst out laughing.
“Her shorts?” Zen’s hand is pressed to his chest, like he needs support to keep upright. “That’s all you can think of? Her shorts?”
“Well, Obi said not to do her hair,” he protests. “Complimenting her dress seemed like low hanging fruit. I was trying to be unique.”
Obi doesn’t even bother to remain horizontal, sprawling himself over the long forgotten maps. “So you went for her legs?”
“There’s nothing wrong with legs!”
“Oh, no, of course not,” Zen sputters out in an effort to keep his mouth straight. “Definitely a very neutral place to comment on.”
“Definitely not known for being attached to things like asses.” Obi’s mouth twitches, as much a sign for danger as thunder rolling in the distance. “Or puss--”
“I was not trying to comment on that.” He’d felt bad for Zen earlier, but the sentiment doesn’t seem mutual. “It’s not typical, sure, but Kiki never seems to mind when I compliment--”
“Kiki?” Zen squawks. “Kiki?”
“Well, I think we’re all learning a little too much about Big Guy today,” Obi wheezes. “Mainly that it’s Ms Kiki that chased him, and not the other way around.”
“Yeah.” Zen shakes his head, long and slow and solemn, like a doctor about to give a terminal diagnosis. “No game at all.”
Mitsuhide’s not a competitive man. Sure, he was forward on the ice, the kind of player that got sent to the box before the end of the first half and slid right into the captain spot when it was vacant. Aggression is part of the game, competition laced in every turn of his skate and lift of his stick, but that’s a different situation, a different language--
But it’s that part of him that surges beneath his skin right now, that makes him want to saunter over and put both hands on that rickety, painted wood until it creaks. That makes him want to take a full minute to bend down, showing off every centimeter of his one-ninety plus, and ask real low if either of them has made a girl beg on their cock lately, but--
He puts it in its place. That sort of talk always sounded better en français anyway.
Zen waves his hand, slipping his pamphlets out from under Obi. “Anyway, enough messing around. Are you still making omelettes, Mitsuhide?”
“Ohh, omelettes?” Obi spins to him with wide eyes. “Can I get mine with fancy ham?”
Mitsuhide blinks. “Wait, aren’t you going to do your take?”
“Nah.”
Zen shrugs. “Joke’s over.”
“So I just did that for no reason--?”
“I wouldn’t say no reason,” Zen wheedles. “It was very educational.”
Obi grins. “Mainly about how Big Guy likes legs--”
“Oh,” drawls a voice that makes his body go cold and hot at the same time. When he turns, it’s Kiki leaning against the jamb, a single elegant brow raised, excusing amusement and menace in equal measure. “Am I to take it that the show is over?”
“K-kiki,” he stammers. “How long--?”
“Hm.” She saunters over to the counter, slipping onto a stool with a casual grace that still leaves his mouth dry. “Long enough. I have to admit, I was looking forward to seeing a display of Obi’s fabled moves.”
“Ms Kiki,” Obi simpers, pressing a hand to his chest. “I’d be happy to give you a personal demonstration anytime.”
Both her brows raise. “Did I say I was desperate?”
He’s saved from Obi’s answer by Shirayuki padding into the kitchen, flushed and breathless. “Oh, you were right Kiki! Everyone is already ready. Sorry to make you wait.”
There’s a hesitation in the air, and Mitsuhide can’t figure it out, not until he sees-- she’s wearing shorts.
Shirayuki blinks. “Is something wrong?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Kiki hums, sending him a gaze so wicked it should be illegal outside the bedroom. “Do you have anything to say to her, Mitsuhide?”
“No!” It comes out a little too harsh, a little too loud. “I mean, I, uh...like your sandals!”
“Sandals,” Obi snickers, a sound that’s only covered by Zen’s hushed, “Shut up.”
“Oh!” She blinks down. “Thank you. I got them at Payless. I, um, don’t think they make them in your size.”
“No,” he manages mildly. “I don’t imagine they would.”
“You do look real cute, Doc,” Obi chimes in, slinking out of his seat to circle around her. “Did you dress up for today?”
Zen makes a noise, somewhere between a choke and a gasp, but even with the pink brushing her cheeks, Shirayuki’s too used to his antics to do much more than sigh.
“Of course I did, Obi.” Her fists perch high on her hips, cocked as she talks to him. “It’s the last time we’re all going to be going out together, isn’t it? What could be more special than that?”
Mitsuhide may not be a competitive man, and especially isn’t a malicious one, but when Obi’s jaw goes slack, the tips of his ears darkening just the slightest bit, well-- he does indulge in the slightest bit of schadenfreude.
“Well,” Zen says, a little sharp. “Let’s get going.”
“Aw!” Obi whips around. “What about fancy ham?”
“I don’t think you need--”
“Oh, I haven’t had breakfast either!” Shirayuki adds, eyes wide. “Do we have time?”
Zen hesitates, and then with a sigh, relents. “We’ll stop at Dunkies.”
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dojae-huh · 2 years
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How would you rank Empathy, Resonance, and Universe in categories? Like for aesthetics, songs, production, and so on?
Let's agree it's just a fan's opinion, unprofessional.
1) Musical album - Empathy
Well, it consists of title tracks, heh. It has an Intro (the iconic "Neo got my back") and Outro (the iconic "I see the Vision"). All songs are strong and are sorted in a nice order. It is an album, not a collection of songs. Many songs went through many revisions over several years, they were perfected. The genres differ, there are surprises ("Touch" for 127 and "Go" for Dream).
Both Resonance and Universe are not as even when it comes to how memorable the songs are. And it's harder to listen to them without skipping some songs at least sometimes. Which is not surprising giving: a) time constraints, b) the number of new combinations and members.
2) Title tracks and MVs - Resonance
"Make a Wish" and "The 90s love" hit it big. Even "Resonance", a confusing mix of 4 songs, got high views. The "From home" performance on MAMA made people ask for the names of vocals. "Work it" also was noticed.
3) Aesthetics - Empathy
The "Boss" promotional run, the introduction of animation with "Yestoday" (which is still the artsiest MV by NCT), 2 MVs in Ukraine with snow and a Soviet library with mosaics, 2 MVs on the streets, "Black on Black" pyramid formation, 2018 Yearbook, NCTmentaries.
"Boss" costumes are iconic. There is nothing close from other boygroups despite this "military" style being used many times in fashion.
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4) Preparation/Countdown - Universe
I know, it's rushed. Many didn't like that "Favorite" was cut short. And still, the first step of the promotion (before the album release) was good. Good pacing, good pictures, beautiful NCTmentaries, track videos. And don't forget that SM had to work around Lucas' absence from the project (how many songs had to be re-edited? we'll never know), WW and Ten being in China. Just imagine the logistics of song recordings, costume fitting, MVs and photo shootings. And the final result didn't even suffer.
5) Promotion/Impact - Empathy and Resonance
I'm torn between these two. Empathy introduced vlives. NCT on vlive had existed prior to 2018 but the platform hadn't been used to showcase individual members the way the Empathy era did. Lucas and Jungwoo entered with a bang. Ten did a successful return. Dream entered a new phase (a rebellious teenager image). It felt like that era was the real launch of NCT. "Now we get serious". 5 singles were promoted on music shows.
Resonance involved a lot of big projects (NCT World 2.0, MAMA performance), YT content, WayV officially became NCT (and got better noticed, which is evident from the following unit's album sales), big sales numbers for both parts.
Both eras brought in many new fans.
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rubyxts · 2 years
Text
Taylor Swift’s Lyrical Traffic Violations, Ranked
As Taylor Swift continues the slow but steady release of her re-recordings with Red (Taylor’s Version), we’re able to collectively revisit some of her early work through the lens of her discography as a whole. In doing so, there are certain recurring themes or tropes that become apparent, like forbidden romances, colors representing emotions, and the worst driving imaginable. Anyone who’s either a Swiftie or a crossing guard is sure to have noticed just how often Taylor sings about these illegal traffic maneuvers. And after nine albums of this, it’s reached a point where I finally begin to understand why the gay antagonist in “Picture to Burn” didn’t let her drive his “stupid old pickup truck.”
🤧
That being said, when really examining these violations with a critical eye, it becomes apparent that most of them were actually committed by the men driving Taylor around. Amongst this “long list of ex-lovers,” there are some reckless drivers, some who make minor mistakes, and some whose licenses should be revoked. The trend has slowed down as of late, suggesting that Joe Alwyn is a very good, responsible driver, whose time behind the wheel is not interesting enough to sing about — thank God.
Here, we rank every traffic violation in Taylor Swift’s discography, considering factors like severity of the infraction, danger level, and importance to T. Swiftian canon. But much like the way traffic cops do their jobs, the reasoning is mostly arbitrary and made up.
15. “Our Song” (Taylor Swift)
“He’s got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel, The other on my heart”
The first thing they teach you in driver’s ed is to keep your hands at ten and two, and yet here Taylor is driving around town with a boy who only has one hand on the wheel. Their “song” is going to be the sound of sirens if he doesn’t get his act together.
14. “Red” (Red)
“Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street, Faster than the wind, passionate as sin, ending so suddenly”
Whether it be a new Maserati, or a pre-owned Toyota RAV4, it is never a good idea to take off full speed down a dead-end street. Particularly if it’s not even a cul-de-sac and you’ll have to do a three-point turn to get out. Now, to be fair, there’s some room for debate on just how fast she’s going since it depends on wind speed. The average wind speed in Taylor’s home state of Pennsylvania is 17.1 mph, the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth is 253 mph, and the speed of “The Wind” by Cat Stevens is 115 BPM. So do with that what you will.
13. “State of Grace” (Red)
“I’m walking fast through the traffic lights”
Traffic lights, per their name, are famously designed for cars — not pedestrians. So Taylor has absolutely no business galavanting through traffic on foot like a regular Kelly Killoren Bensimon.
12. “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” (Reputation)
“Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year”
Much like Taylor Swift’s discography, The Great Gatsby is also about terrible driving, which I assume is why she relates to it. I know this because I not only read The Great Gatsby in high school, but I also saw the Fergie-scored film adaptation. A cornerstone of both versions is vehicular manslaughter.
11. “betty” (Folklore)
“Kissin’ in my car again, Stopped at a streetlight”
Folklore’s “betty,” “august,” and “cardigan” are a trilogy of songs about loitering told from three different perspectives. The bulk of this love triangle seems to boldly take place in parked cars. In “august” for example, Taylor sings, “Meet me behind the mall,” and I highly doubt that they were grabbing an Auntie Anne’s and hitting up a Macy’s One Day Sale. In “betty” and “cardigan,” they don’t even wait until they’re concealed behind the safety of a closed down DSW, instead opting for a spot under a streetlight of all places.
10. “Cornelia Street” (Lover)
“But then you called, showed your hand, I turned around before I hit the tunnel”
Given that this song is about a street in one of Taylor’s favorite lyrical neighborhoods, the West Village, it’s fair to assume that the tunnel in question is the Holland Tunnel. Those surrounding roads are a nightmare, so I’m nearly certain that this would have to be an illegal U-turn — which I think is a fair leap to make given her history of vehicular crime. That being said, this might just be the most understandable violation given the choice was between Joe Alwyn and Jersey City.
9. “Fearless” (Fearless)
“I wanna stay right here in this passenger seat, You put your eyes on me”
Taylor gets a lot of flack for writing songs about boys she dates, but doesn’t get nearly enough heat for distracting them while they’re trying to drive. This is just one of the many times that she prides herself on being more interesting for a driver to look at than the road.
8. “Style” (1989)
“Midnight, you come and pick me up, no headlights, Long drive, could end in burning flames or paradise”
Thematically, 1989 is an album about Harry Styles being bad at driving. The first of many examples of this is here in his namesake song, where he picks Taylor up with no headlights on. Clearly an attempt to sneak around undetected, it’s actually just a surefire way to hit a deer — ESPECIALLY at midnight of all times. At least Taylor seems to know from the jump the dangers of getting in a car with Harry behind the wheel, understanding that the long drive could potentially end in burning flames.
7. “Cruel Summer” (Lover)
“So cut the headlights, summer’s a knife”
Well it looks like someone didn’t learn her lesson about driving in the dark. Here it sounds like she’s trying to corrupt former frozen yoghurt shop employee Joe Alwyn, instructing him to turn off their headlights to keep a low profile. Still, it’s nothing compared to the far worse crime of this song, which is that it didn’t get a music video.
6. “Breathe” (Fearless)
“Never wanted this, never wanna see you hurt, Every little bump in the road I tried to swerve”
Roads have a lot of little bumps, and if you’re swerving at every single one you’re a danger to society and your driving is sure to give poor Colbie Caillat whiplash.
5. “Getaway Car” (Reputation)
“You were driving the getaway car, We were flying but we’d never get far.”
I mean, what is there to say about this? Getaway cars very rarely are known for their safe, law-abiding driving. The song even references other crimes, like putting the money in the bag and stealing the keys (grand theft auto?), mentions of famed criminals Bonnie and Clyde (who tried to steal Moonlight’s Oscar), and worst of all saying “sorry” with a Canadian accent so it rhymes with “story.”
4. “Style” (1989)
“So it goes, He can’t keep his wild eyes on the road”
Speaking of wild eyes, somebody tell Olivia Wilde to never get in the car with Harry — we still need her Kerri Strug biopic.
3. “Out of the Woods” (1989)
“Remember when you hit the brakes too soon? Twenty stitches in a hospital room”
As any history buff knows, in December of 2014 Taylor Swift and Harry Styles went on a ski trip to Park City, Utah, with Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. It was on this fateful trip that the One Direction singer and future Cats star got into a snowmobile accident, resulting in Harry getting 20 stitches on his chin. Taylor later told Rolling Stone that she saw her life flash before her eyes, which I can understand because if I were in an accident I would also see Taylor Swift’s life flash before my eyes. The incident is shrouded in mystery, with Taylor urging the witnesses not to tell anyone about it, so we may never know what it was that caused Harry Styles to brake too soon. Perhaps a stray Chelsea boot in need of a home.
2. “All You Had to Do Was Stay” (1989)
“All I know is that you drove us off the road”
Why did this woman continue to let Harry Styles drive her around? What kind of adrenaline-junkie death wish did she possess?
1. “All Too Well” (Red)
“You almost ran the red ’cause you were looking over at me”
Jake Gyllenhaal might as well have been using the scarf that Taylor left at Maggie Gyllenhaal’s house as a blindfold, because this man was NOT looking at the road. When one drives down a little town street, especially with the precious cargo of America’s songstress in the car, it is key to watch where you’re going. Skidding to a halt because you didn’t realize that the light had turned red (the TITULAR color)? Unacceptable, Donnie Darko. The “crumpled-up piece of paper” that he made Taylor feel like was probably a traffic summons. Along with the release of Red (Taylor’s Version), we’re also finally getting the mythical ten-minute version of this song, and I truly shudder to think about what other traffic crimes Jake Gyllenhaal will commit in those extra four minutes and 33 seconds.
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prettywordsyouleft · 3 years
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To Be Continued - Part 10
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Summary: As an author, you had created Brian Kang for your current trilogy series to represent the ultimate man that everyone would love, along with Charli Evers - your female protagonist. What you hadn’t expected was for him to find a way out of the story and begin shaping up your world instead
Pairing: Brian Kang x female writer (ft. Park Sungjin)
Genre: writer au / romance / fantasy
Warnings: fictional characters coming to life / a bit of angst here and there / Sungjin as a cop (or does that only affect me?) >_>
Word count: 2487
Preview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Epilogue
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The broken laptop was taken by Sungjin that night, and he returned it to you a fortnight later with a new screen on it. Despite being grateful, you were still hopeless. “Brian’s gone for good, isn’t he?”
“Maybe it’s time for you to move on from him, Y/N. I hate seeing you this stuck. Don’t you want to write other stories and start living again?”
Staring up at the man, you nodded numbly. “I hoped I’d be living with him. I guess dreaming up the perfect guy isn’t a healthy thing to do.”
“It did happen, and your grief is validated,” he told you, giving your upper arm a gentle squeeze. “Everyone faces a loss of someone in their life at one point or another. And we have to learn how to continue on after they’re gone.”
“You’re right,” you murmured, smiling gently at Sungjin. “Thank you for being a good friend to me.”
“Officially friend-zoned,” Sungjin teased, dramatically grappling at his heart. You giggled, and this made him stop and smile. “And officially hearing a good sound come from you. I hope you can feel comfortable to laugh more often, Y/N.”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“Now that you have your device back, how about you go and write something? I’m sure it’s been a long two weeks.”
You grinned at his statement, nodding along. “My desktop is so ancient. I was close to spending a lot of money on a new one.”
“Well, now you don’t have to. Off you go and write, Miss Writer.”
Your smile fell as soon as you shut the door, the friendly term Sungjin just called you only bringing up the moments where Brian had called you that time and time again. Counting to ten, you avoided crying for the first time over your loss and smiled.
“All I have to do is keep counting and writing,” you instructed, marching down to your office and plugged in the laptop. It fired up immediately, and the new screen was pristine. Thankfully, all of your work was backed up to an external so you didn’t have to worry about losing your work. It surprised you, however, that the computer remembered where it last was in your session, the end of the Eternity document appearing in front of you.
Reading over the paragraph you had sent Brian, you wrapped your arms around yourself for comfort. “You did well, Y/N. You waited for love, and you loved him like no other. This story’s over now, though. Let’s move on.”
Slowly, you deleted your message, making sure the document said The End and closed out of it, moving it to another storage space on your external hard-drive before opening a new document.
It was time to step out of the limbo you had endured for too long.
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“Lily, did you get my first submission?” you asked as you continued to tap furiously at your keyboard, not bothering to check the expression of your editor on the small window in the corner of your screen.
“I did, and it’s fabulous.”
“Just fabulous?” you asked, scrunching your up face in annoyance. “I don’t think fabulous is enough.”
“Ooh, someone is feeling good about her work lately,” Lily crooned, and you grinned. “It’s good to see you working this happily again, Y/N.
“Well, the Encounter series is done now, and I need to have a follow-up story.”
“Does your favourite constable know about this?” she wondered dreamily, and you stopped typing to shoot Lily a look. “What? I distinctively remember you swooning over your protector. There’s no hope for you two to have a romance behind the scenes too?”
“Lily, I might be a writer who enjoys a good love story, but that’s all it remains as for me, a story. Sungjin is my friend, and I’ll surprise him with the final manuscript when this is done.”
“Yes boss!” she cheered and then gasped. “Oh, by the way! I heard that pre-order sales for Eternity have surpassed Captivated! When it launches in two week’s time, I’m certain you’re going to rank well!”
“And then that world will finally be at a close,” you murmured to yourself, Lily straining to hear what your lips had expressed. When you noticed her confusion, you smiled brightly. “Thanks for all your hard work over the past three years on this project, Lil.”
“You wrote them, Y/N. That world, especially Eternity, is a masterpiece.”
“Well, I hope the next story will be even better. More than fabulous, even.”
“You never let a single thing slide. I’ll sing your praises further when you send me the chapter you’re working on right now!”
“Onto it!” you said with a wave of goodbye, and the video call ended.
Slumping in your chair, your eyes shifted towards the wall calendar where the date had been circled for Eternity’s release.
You had taken Sungjin’s advice and picked yourself up out of the dumps. Of course, it hadn’t been easy, and still to this day you had moments where you yearned for Brian. However, you had remained strong since your initial resolve and left Eternity where it belonged – in your completed archive. You hadn’t sent messages, you didn’t open the document, and aside from when obligated to, you didn’t speak of that world to anyone. It still hurt too much, and you were looking forward to a time where this was all just a fond memory in your writing career.
Right now, with the impending sales and then signing tour that was booked, however, you were doing your best to distract yourself from anything that might make you cave.
Writing your police officer au was definitely helping with that, and you launched into typing again about Sungjin and Ella, you two protagonists.
You knew you probably should change his name, but the story made the most sense to you when you imagined your friend. Although you did wonder how you could separate the two when it came to the more romantic parts in the novel, you were having a lot of fun, remembering those juvenile feelings you once had for Sungjin before Brian stepped out of the laptop and changed your life entirely.
Sigh. You had thought of Brian again.
“When will I stop doing that?” you wondered in a sing-song voice, trying to keep upbeat. It was then that a new document popped up on the screen, and you groaned loudly. “And when will you stop glitching?”
It wasn’t the first time the new document tab would appear, now and then when you were in the midst of typing. You assumed you kept hitting the keyboard shortcut for opening it somehow and mentally wrote yourself a note to check if it could be disabled when you were done with this chapter.
Paying it no mind, you continued writing your story, not thinking once about all the mysterious happenings that preluded Brian’s appearance in the first place.
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“Wow, I can’t believe I’m meeting you today!” a young voice announced, and you smiled brightly at the teen before you. “I’m a big fan of Brian and Charli!”
“Aren’t we all?” you mentioned happily back, reaching for the copy of Eternity she had placed down to sign. “What’s your name?”
“It’s Jennie! With an i-e.”
“Well, Jennie, with an i-e, I’m so glad you came today. I hope to see you at my next book signing in a couple of year’s time.”
“You can count on it, Y/N!”
The day continued much in the same, and whilst you were overwhelmed by the support of your fans, when you entered your hotel for the evening, you were more than emotionally exhausted.
“Stupid Charli. She’s living the dream,” you muttered and then caught yourself, sighing heavily with your unexpected negativity.
It was foolish to be jealous, and yet after listening to everyone say how perfect Brian and Charli were for each other all day long, you understood your reaction. Even if you were moving on, you wanted to be the one who was perfect for Brian Kang.
“Let’s count to ten, shall we?” you told yourself, breathing deeply and following through with your mantra. After ordering room service for dinner, you settled into the plush bed with your laptop, ready to stream a crime show you had been watching for research.
When the screen appeared though, it was opened on Microsoft Word with a new document waiting for you. You groaned and looked into the settings to make sure you had in fact disabled the keyboard shortcut. It was as you had left it and you let out a small huff at the program before hovering your cursor over the exit button.
Something in you made you pause, however, and you peered at the empty document with some interest. “Why are you following me around?”
Thinking of how Brian would always open a new document to converse with you, a glimmer of hope surged through, and you hit the keys with a rapid pace.
Are you there, Brian Kang?
Nothing came, and your words didn’t dissolve either. Rolling your eyes at your rash reaction, you closed the document and opened Netflix.
You were well into the throes of the show when your room service knocked on the door, casting you out of bed and over to the door. Once you returned with the tray of food you had been given, you noticed the document was back on the screen again.
“What is going on?” you wondered, staring at it for some time. Placing a hand on the screen, you closed your eyes and willed Brian to come out. It had been so long since you had done this, and yet your fervour was stronger than ever. You prayed so hard that when you opened your eyes and saw nothing there, your tears were immediately at the surface, cascading down your cheeks.
“I’m so over pining for you. Either come back or leave me alone!” you wailed, pushing the laptop aside and curling up into a ball.
You didn’t see it then, but the cursor started to move as if someone was holding down the space button, creating ten pages before it stopped.
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The tour ended, and you were all too grateful to wake up back home with Binks curled up beside you. Kissing your furbaby until he made it apparent that your affection was unwanted, you climbed out of bed to brew yourself some coffee.
Today, you felt free. The saga of Eternity was over and whilst you knew you would still have to do a couple more interviews here and there in the future where you would be asked about the series, and your Discord would still be hit up regularly about reviews over the final story in the trilogy, today you were at least free from the contractual sides of the story. You wouldn’t have to actively talk about Charli Evers and Brian Kang ever again.
You also hoped that one day, once your pain resolved enough, that you could reread the series and remember why you had loved it all along, instead of the jealousy and burden you felt towards it right now.
With coffee and toast held in either hand, you bounced off to your office and sat down at your desk, blinking when you found your laptop on your desk already.
Had you pulled it out of its bag last night when you got home?
Shrugging, you hit the power button and were surprised when it immediately loaded up your home screen. “I did turn you off, you finicky device.”
Lots of little things had happened since getting the screen fixed, and you had left it down to that incident messing with it. You didn’t have it in you to believe otherwise.
Opening your emails, you went through the important correspondence, threw out the spam, and moved the replied ones to their relevant folders. Once your inbox was empty, you moved onto your other admin tasks for the day, ensuring you were all caught up before you stepped back into your police officer au.
When ready, you clicked on the file, and instead of it appearing, it was a blank document. “Oh no, you don’t! There were words in this file!”
Looking at the title of the word document, you were relieved to see it untitled and not that of your current story. Clicking again on the file from your writing folder, another blank document appeared instead.
“Open it! I have to write about Sungjin and Ella!” you exclaimed, hitting the file repeatedly. Tens of blank documents appeared with your efforts until you were panting with the annoyance. Sitting back, you shook your head. “That’s it! I’m buying a new laptop! I’m done with you!”
Before you could close the screen down, however, you noticed that one document appeared and had words in it. But it wasn’t your current one. Instead, Encounter appeared on the screen, scrolling at a rapid rate to the bottom. Then it changed tabs, moving through Captivated just as fast. Finally, Eternity finished it off, the words The End simply staring back at you.
“…Brian?”
Leaning forward towards the screen, you waited to see what would happen next. Annoyed that your hopes were raised yet again, you started to close the empty tabs, leaving the three stories up. A final tab appeared, and you burst into tears as words started to appear on the screen.
It’s time to start writing our story now.
Standing up shakily, you pointed at the screen. “Hurry up then, I’ve waited far too long to write this story with you.”
The screen went blank as your heart began to thud erratically in your chest, your eyes widened whilst waiting for what would happen next. Reaching for the power button, you watched as the screen lit up.
And then you felt arms embrace you immediately. “I’m sorry I’m so late.”
“I don’t care right now,” you managed to say despite your emotions running down your face. Pulling back just enough so you could see Brian’s handsome face, you shook your head in disbelief. “As long as you’re here.”
“For good,” he assured, leaning in for a passionate kiss. “That world is closed and done with. Whilst ours is only beginning.”
You knew with time, you would want to know why it took so long for Brian to return and to scold him for hurting you so much. You also knew Brian would placate you in every way, and you would hear all about his equal longing and struggle without you at his side.
But for now, this was all you needed. Dream men were hard to find existing in real life. You had found yours again, and this time you wouldn’t write him in one way or another. You’d let your life together pen the journey you had at each other’s side.
Your story was about to be continued.
_________________
Epilogue
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sassyduckqueen · 3 years
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Miraclous: Rise of Anatis 49
And here's Guitar Villain. I hope you like it. The next chapter is the silencer inspired chapter, which I'm very exited for but right now, it's 3 am so I will be going to bed and I'll start it tomorrow. Also I can't believe this story's nearly at 50 chapters :D Anyway my bed calls!
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Chapter Forty-Nine: Guitar Villain Vs XY (2/2)
Luka smiled as he watched Jagged play his guitar. He was stood next to Penny and Bob Roth as Jagged played a solo for his new song. It was a rock song, devoted to Anatis and Lady Noir. Luka had to admit that it captured their energy perfectly and it made him wonder if Jagged had a similar ability to himself. He found it fascinating to watch Jagged as he easily moved his fingers across the fret-board. He really was an amazing guitarist. Maybe one of the best of all time. The rockstar was wearing his signature Eiffel tower glasses and was headbanging as he rocked out as well as jumping around, making Luka smile. He really did have a lot of energy. He jumped and did a power slide, throwing his head back.
 "My miraculous!" He sang, bringing the song to an end as Luka clapped along with Penny clapped before Jagged jumped and handed Penny his guitar. Bob Roth, on the other hand, didn't look so impressed but Luka got the impression that it was hard to impress the guy. "So what do you think of the first single on my new album? Can you feel it, Bob? Isn't it killer?"
 "Not bad, Jagged, not bad," Bob replied before lifting his hand into the air a little as Luka took a seat on the sofa. Fang climbed up and rested his head on Luka's lap. He smiled and gently patted the crocodile as he watched the adults. "But if you really want to be making something killer, let's talk about this duet with Mr XY,"
 "No way, he's not a rocker," Jagged replied, frowning as Luka rolled his eyes. XY's music wasn't even music at all. There was no heart or emotion. It was just boring and repetitive. It's almost as bad as Lila's heart song if you could call it a song. Luka thought it more as screeching, like a distress animal trying to call for help or foxes in mating season. "He's a baby. I bet he doesn't even shave yet. Nah, if you want me to do a duet with someone young, it should be my kid. He's got real talent,"
 "Yet not even signed," Bob argued, throwing a glare at Luka. However, he quickly looked away when Fang let out a low growl. "Besides, this 'baby' just pushed you out of the number one sale spot!"
 "And?" Jagged asked, shrugging. "Doesn't make him a true musician like me. Penny and Luka think what I'm doing is Rockstar material. They think I'm killer,"
 "Penny might be your agent and that boy might be your son but I'm your real boss," Bob growled, making Jagged glare at him and Penny step back. Instantly, Fang moved off the sofa and toward them in a protective manner. He pinched his nose before sighing. "Listen, Bob Roth records can't afford to be No.2 in sales or rep a No.2 rockstar! Get real, Jagged! You gonna have to modernize your music, change the way you look... Get a whole new style!"
 "Tsk," Jagged replied clearly annoyed as he crossed his arms. "You wanna talk about real? I'm a genuine rock and roller, Bob, not some pop star in diapers! I'm a real artist with real talent. Even my hair is real! And that's what people love about me!"
 He grabbed his guitar and slid over to Fang.
 "Isn't that right, Fang? Yeah," He asked the crocodile, grinning before jumping up. "And the artwork you came up with my new album is a waste of my time! Seriously, Bob, what is this trash? It looks like a perfume ad!"
 "And that's what people want these days!" Bob replied, poking Jagged in the chest.
 "Well, I don't!" Jagged replied, frowning. "Honestly, Bob, I don't get what your issue is! Last year, I got to number one without looking like that! My album covers are suppose to be raw to the bone, exuding the smell of sweat and leather!"
 "You do know, don't you, that if your next album doesn't rank no.1 in the charts, it will be the last one you'll ever do in Bob Roth Records,"
 "Doesn't seem like a loss to me," Luka muttered, causing Bob to glare at him.
 "I'd rather put out nothing at all rather then sing some pathetic duet with that baby faced nobody," Jagged muttered, turning his back on Bob as he glared. Penny held up her hands as she stepped in to control the situation.
 "Bob, Jagged and I had an idea," She replied, taking his arm and causing him to look at her. "It's concept is modern but it also respects Jagged's own 'rugged' style,"
 "The school girl who made these glasses has some real talent. I've commissioned her for several pieces since she made these and she's real good friends with my son so I know she is killer too," Jagged grinned, holding out his glasses as Luka glanced over. Is he gonna suggest what he thinks he is? "She gets my style. She'll design the cover of my new album,"
 "A school girl?" Bob asked, unimpressed.
 "Luka, show Bob your jacket," Jagged grinned, causing Luka to stand up and grab his jacket from the hook. He pull it on and walked over, causing Bob to look at it. His expression quickly turned from unimpressed to fascinated. "Marinette is a totally killer designer with a real bright future,"
"She also is the same age as the target audience, Bob," Penny explained, making him nod as he listened. "Here's her address,"
 "Alright but just think about this duet with Mr XY," Bob replied, taking the address and leaving the room as Luka took off the jacket and flopped back onto the sofa.
 "Why not contact Marinette yourself or commission her through her website?" Luka asked, making Jagged eyes go big. He forgot that Jagged didn't know about the website yet. Marinette was still shy about telling people, especially with the whole Reflekdoll incident. Luckily, they redid the photo shoot and got some really nice pictures. Juleka modeled most of the outfits but he also modeled a few of them. They even got some great photos of them together. He was really happy to see Juleka doing it. She honestly did amazingly. "Marinette's gonna kill me,"
 "Yep," Penny laughed before sitting down. "Since it's for Jagged's album cover, it works a little different to how we get his outfits but I'm sure Marinette will agree and do great. Though I wish Bob would drop the whole duet thing with XY,"
 "Why does he keep pushing it?" Luka asked, frowning, Penny sighed.
 "Probably because XY is his son," Penny sighed, making Luka frown. He didn't know that. "Either way, I can't wait to see what Marinette will come up with,"
 "Same here," Luka smiled as Jagged handed him a guitar. He smiled and took it before the rockstar grabbed his own and took a seat. The two of them began to jam, causing Penny to smile.
 ~Later that Day~
 "Marinette is here," Penny smiled, showing the girl in. Luka smiled and waved at her, making her wave back at him. He could tell she felt nervous but it wasn't because she was in front of Jagged Stone or Bob Roth. It felt like she was worried that they wouldn't like her design and honestly her music sounded a little dull, like her normal creativity had been sucked out of her. He frowned a little as she walked over to them and held out the cover design. Jagged took it and instantly frowned, holding it by the corner. Luka frowned as he saw it too. It was nicely designed but definitely not Jagged or Marinette's style. In fact, it looks very similar to the XY album cover and like a perfume ad but that explained Marinette's song. 
 "What happened to the raw impulsive artistry that made this?" Jagged asked, dropping it to the floor but Marinette didn't even react. She was not proud of her work at all. She sighed and stepped forward.
 "Yeah... about that,"  She mumbled, rubbing the back of her head. "Mr Roth told me-"
 "Marinette's young, Jagged!" Bob gasped, pushing her out of the way. Instantly, Luka narrowed his eyes and gripped his guitar tightly. "She represents the target audience. She's come up with a modern concert that's exactly what you need,"
 "You mean you pressured her into making that for what you need," Luka stated, making Bob glare at him as Marinette looked a little surprise. She pressed her forefingers together. So he was spot on then.
 "Doesn't it look a lot like the cover of that YZ guy?" Jagged smirked, clearly knowing what Bob had tried to before he turned to Marinette. "Marinette, don't listen to Bob. Could you do another one... you know Jagged Style?"
 "Yeah... sure," She replied but Bob placed his hand on her shoulder and growled a little, causing Luka to narrow his eyes again. He was ready to jump and pull her away from Bob if he moved his hand any farther. "But I don't know if..."
 "You're my girl, Marinette. Remember... raw, impulsive artistry" Jagged stated, taking her hand in his before turning to Bob. "I think we're all done here, Bob,"
 "No, we'-" Bob started, moving his arm around Marinette, causing her to look uncomfortable. Almost as soon as he did, Luka jumped up and easily pulled her out of his grip as Fang growled. He held her protectively as he glared at Bob backed away from Fang. Seeing the chance, Penny got up and walked over to them.
 "Come with me, Marinette," Penny smiled, leading her away from Bob. Luka gave him one last glare before turning to Jagged.
 "I'm gonna head out with Marinette," He explained, getting a nod of him. "See you later,"
 "Of course, Luka. Just drop us a text when you want to spend some more time with your old man!" Jagged grinned as Luka put down the guitar and grabbed his jacket. He jogged over to Marinette as Penny told her not to worry, causing Bob to notice. He tried to say they weren't done but Fang growled at him again, scaring him.
 "You off, Luka?" Penny asked, getting a nod of him as Marinette blinked up at him. "Well, don't be a stranger,"
 "I won't be," He smiled before turning to Marinette and offered her his arm. She giggled but happily took it as they walked over to the lift.
 "You didn't have to leave because of me," She mumbled, making him look at her.
 "It's fine," He smiled. "I was getting hungry and the music in the room was getting pretty loud so I could with the fresh air,"
 "Ah, I see," She replied before doing a dramatic sigh. "And here I thought you just wanted to spend some time with me?"
 "I mean um..." He gasped, going bright red and making her laugh. "I cou-could get you lunch if you like?"
 "Hmm, you know I'd like that," She smiled as they walked in the lift. She leaned over and pressed the button as she sighed. "But I really should get started on this album cover,"
 "Oh right, yeah... of course," He mumbled, going a little red. She giggled a little. 
 "But maybe we could hang out tomorrow?" She asked, making him glance at her. "I know it's not quite lunch today but it would be nice to spend some time with you,"
 "Y-Yeah?" He asked. His cheeks were still a little bit flushed. "That would be great,"
 "It's a date then," She grinned, smirking as he went a little red. She giggled as she thought it was adorable. The door opened in the lift, causing them to step out and head towards the exit. Marinette stopped and leaned up, kissing Luka's cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow then,"
 "Kay," He muttered, a little dazed. She smiled and walked, lifting his hand to wave as she left. He stood there for a few seconds as he smiled dreamily before Tikki poked him in his side, making him blink as Adrien got out of his car.
 "Hey, Luka," He smiled, waving to him as he walked over. "You ok? Your cheeks are red,"
 "O-oh I'm fine," Luka grinned as Chloe rushed past him and hugged Adrien, causing him to smile and greet her back. She noticed Luka and grinned.
 "Hey, Luka. Are you wanting to meet Jagged Stone as well?" She asked, making him chuckle a little. If only she knew. "I've arranged for me and Adrien to meet him! If you want you can come with us!!"
 "Oh, that's nice of you, Chloe," Luka smiled. "But I was just gonna get a bite to eat and head home,"
 "Ooh, why don't you have something from the restaurant?" She gasped, grabbing his hand and dragging him inside with Adrien, who just shrugged. Luka went to say he couldn't afford it, making Chloe tut. "Oh, don't sweat it, Luka. I'll get it for you. It's the least I can do given how kind you've been to me. Besides, you're my friend,"
 "Thank you but I really don't mind getting food else where," He replied, noticing Bob Roth sat doing an interview near by. He glared towards him a little.
 "Honestly, it's fine," She grinned, pressing the lift button. "Daddy won't care as he gives me anything I want,"
 "Well, I gu-" Luka started as Bob Roth mentioned something about Jagged doing a duet with XY but a growl cut him, causing everyone to look in direction it came from. Luka gasped as he saw a giant purple dragon that looks similar to Fang before noticing the man below it. He was dressed in a dark gray sleeved top with a turtle neck collar and yellow flames going up the sides. It also had pointed edges on the shoulders and the sleeves were purple with black fishnets on them. He had a dark gray belt with purple spikes on it around his waist. Her pants were dark gray with yellow flames up going up with his legs. His gloves and boots were dark gray with purple spikes on each of them. His hair was in long dreadlocks and was light pink with a dark pink ombre. He had black face paint around his eyes which resembled the face paint of Gene Simmons of Kiss. He was holding his guitar, which was a shiny purple with two black points instead of it's circular form.
 "From now on, you call him Guitar Villain and he'll never do a duet with Mr XY!" The akumatized Jagged declared, causing Luka to stare at him in shock. "In fact, soon there won't even be a Mr XY! Rocking Riff, Baby!"
 He played his guitar while head banging, causing a purple energy to appear and hit Bob Roth and the woman who was interviewing him. They started to rock out and jump around as if at a metal concert, causing Guitar Villain to smirk.
 "Soon there will be nothing but guitar villain fans," He declared, moving his hand in front of him. "The one and only rocker on earth,"
 "Dad," Luka muttered as he held up his hands in the horns symbol.
 "Dad?" Adrien questioned, causing Luka to turn and face him and Chloe, who looked at him with surprise. He had forgotten they were there. Adrien blinked and looked over at him. "Jagged is yo-"
 "Please don't tell anyone," Luka gasped, surprising them as the lift door opened. He pushed them in and pressed the upper floor. "I'll explain everything later but go and hide. I'm gonna alert the akuma app and hide behind that plant pot,"
 "Huh? But isn't it sa-" Chloe started but the door to the lift closed before she could finish the sentence. Luka moved behind the plant pot and ducked down as Guitar Villain began to walk down the stairs. He took out his phone and activated the akuma alert app, even though he was already on the scene. It would stop Adrien and Chloe from questioning him about that part.
 "Yeah! Guitar Villain!" Guitar Villain declared as he walked to the door with Fang flying next to him. "Whoo!"
 "Well, at least he's kind of himself," Tikki muttered as she flew out of his pocket.
 "Still it's like Hawkmoth has an issue with my family," Luka muttered, frowning. Hawkmoth has targeted Rose and his mum once and he's targeted Juleka twice. Now he's gone after his dad. If he didn't know any better, he'd think that Hawkmoth knows who he really is. However, he knows that he's been really careful with his identity. He let out a sigh before looking at Tikki. "Time to face the music. Tikki, spots on!"
 He transformed into Anatis and rushed outside as the doorman head-banged. He threw up his yoyo and swung onto the rooftops. He looked around and saw that a number of people, pigeons and cars had been hit by Guitar Villain, causing them to be forced to head-bang. He frowned to himself before swinging over to the Fontaine du Palmier, landing on it as Guitar Villain hit a mother and her child with his beam.
 "You know moshing is really bad for people's necks!" He declared, causing Guitar Villain to face him.
 "Trying to crash my party, bug boy?" He asked, taking out his guitar. "Awesome solo!"
 He played his guitar, directing a golden beam towards Anatis. He jumped up and moved out of the way as it hit it, causing it to fall. Guitar Villain didn't seem bothered by it's destruction and kept playing his guitar, trying to hit Anatis with the beam. He jumped over a number of cars to get out of the way of the attack and took out his yoyo, going to throw it at Guitar Villain but before he could, green fire was directed at him. He jumped out of the way and looked up, seeing Fang flying the sky. He opened his mouth again and breathed fire towards Anatis, causing him to run out of the way. Guitar Villain smirked and directed his guitar at Anatis as he tried to dodge Fang's fire, hitting him with the golden beam that pinned him to the wall of a building.
 "Welcome to my fan club, Baby," Guitar Villain chucked as he repeatedly hit him against the wall before letting him fall to the ground. Anatis jumped up and ran as Fang tried to blow a fire at him again. He jumped over a car but he was thrown back by the awesome solo beam. He landed against a lamp post and fell to the ground as Fang flew over and when to breathe fire at him. However, Lady Noir jumped in front of him and redirected the fire with her baton, allowing him to get to his feet. 
 "Annie, you ok?!" She asked as he dusted himself down.
 "Yeah, I'm fine," He replied, glancing up at Fang as it flew around and turned back round. "Glad you turned up when you did. Your baton would work nicely right now,"
 "Sounds like a plan. Give me a step up?" She replied before running towards him. He placed his hands to get, allowing her to step on them before he brought them up, throwing her upwards and towards Fang. She threw her baton as he opened his mouth, trapping it in between his jaws. She grabbed held of it but Fang shook her off, causing her to fall down. She moved her body around and jumped off the side of a building as Fang snapped his jaw, sending her baton flying. She caught it and landed on the ground, glancing around as Guitar Villain jumped on Fang and flew over to them.
 "You're wasting my time!" He declared, glaring at them. "I have a concert to go to,"
 With that, he flew off, making Lady Noir raise an eyebrow before the two heroes jumped up and ran across the roofs to try and catch up with him.
 "So who is the rockstar wannabe?" She asked, causing Anatis to frown.
 "It's Jagged Stone," He replied, making her gasp. "He's calling himself Guitar Villain but I'm not sure why he got akumatized,"
 "Damn, maybe it had something to do with Mr XY," She replied, making him look at her with a questioning look. "Oh, Mr XY gave an interview and basically insulted Jagged. He called him as has-been and Ragged. He then implied that Jagged didn't know real music, stole his catchphrase... you know the whole 'killer' thing and basically dared him to come to his gig, saying he would give him front row tickets in case Jagged couldn't hear because of his age,"
 "Rude," Anatis gasped, looking annoyed. "Jagged is the true musician here and he's not that old!"
 "Are you secretly a Jagged fan?" Lady Noir grinned.
 "That's no secret, Kitten," He grinned as they landed on a building. They could see Fang in the distance as he flew around the Eiffel tower. "Why is it always the Eiffel tower?"
 "No idea," Lady Noir replied, shrugging. "So what's the plan?"
 "Well, his power comes from his guitar," Anatis muttered, glancing up at the dragon. "We've gotta keep him from performing,"
 "Well, let's put a stop to this one man band," Lady Noir grinned before the two of them jumped over to the Eiffel tower and scaled it. They got to the top and climbed over the gate just as Guitar Villain went to hit Théo Barbot with his 'rocking riff' attack. Anatis threw his yoyo and pulled him away before he could be hit. Guitar Villain growled and glared at them as he saw them.
 "You two again!" He huffed, narrowing his eyes. "To the TV studio, Fang,"
 He jumped onto Fang and flew off, making Anatis to frown.
 "He's gonna get there before us," Lady Noir gasped as Anatis took out his yoyo. "We can't let him get to XY,"
 "I'm on it," He replied, dialing a number and holding the yoyo to his ear. "Hello, it's Anatis. Can you put me through to whoever is interviewing XY? Yeah, I'll hold,"
 He rolled his eyes a little, making Lady Noir snort with laughter.
 "Ah, Ms Chamuck, it's Anatis," He stated as Lady Noir turned to Theo and made sure he was ok. "Sorry to interrupt you like this but there is an akuma after Mr XY. He's on his way to the studios now so I need you to evacuate the studio. Me and Lady Noir will be there shortly,"
 He hung up and walked over to Lady Noir.
 "Time to go," He stated, making her nod. "You ok, Mr Barbot?"
 "Y-Yeah, just a little shaken," He replied, standing up. "Thanks for saving me,"
 "No worries," Anatis smiled before the two of heroes jumped down and headed towards the studio. The two landed outside the staff entrance as Alec Cataldi came out with XY. Anatis almost got distracted from the sound of XY's heart song. It was mechanical and boring. He shook his head and walked over before he gently took his arm as Lady Noir kept a look out. "Mr XY, please come with us. We have to get you to safety,"
 "So what's this guitar villain gonna do?" He asked, yanking his arm free from Anatis, making him frown as he moved his hands. "Blow me away with his 'evil' guitar solo?"
 "Yeah," The two heroes replied, making XY roll his eyes. Anatis took a deep breathe as Lady Noir placed her hand on his arm.
 "Once we've catch Guitar Villain, we'll get you to the Eiffel tower just in time for your concert," Lady Noir smiled but XY didn't even look bother. It made Anatis grit his teeth. This guy was getting on his nerve even more with each passing second.
 "Pft, who even cares?" He declared, causing Lady Noir to stare at him in surprise. Both her and Anatis were thinking the same thing. How was this guy even considered a musician? "My roadies can just project my image onto stage. Live concerts were so ten minutes ago,"
 Literally as the words left his mouth, he was suddenly swooped up into Fang's mouth, causing both heroes to blink in surprise before Anatis let out a sigh as they heard XY cry out. Alec ran off seconds later, thinking the dragon come after him.
 "I suppose we better go save him," He mumbled, making Lady Noir pout a little.
 "Do we have?" She asked, making him chuckle. "He's so annoying... live concerts are so ten minutes ago... how lame,"
 "Don't get me started, Kitten," He stated as they jumped up to the rooftops. "It hurts my soul just thinking about it,"
 "Well, you are the embodiment of creativity," She giggled as they jumped across before stopping. "So we're back to step one,"
 "Unfortunately," He replied, stretching. "I say we go and observe since we don't know what he has planned for XY,"
 "Hmm... are you sure this isn't just you punishing Mr XY for his lack of respect to music?" Lady Noir asked, grinning. Anatis gave her a smirk before jumping to another building. The two of them landed on a building opposite the Eiffel and crouched down to observe Guitar Villain and his hostage. Fang was flying around the Eiffel Tower as fans began to arrive. There was already a number of people out there though. It looked like it would be a sell out show, making Anatis roll his eyes a little. He stopped as he noticed a plank of wood been put out on the top of the Eiffel tower. Jagged walked out and played his 'rocking riff', hitting the audience with it. He made a devil horns sign and stuck out his tongue before walking off the plank and grabbed XY, who was tied up and shoved him onto the plank. "What is he doing?"
 "What he does best," Anatis replied, frowning a little as he glanced up. Lady Noir looked at him and rose a brow in a questioning way. "He's putting on a show and I think XY is the main act,"
 "Does this mean we get to go backstage?" Lady Noir grinned, causing Anatis to look at her and smirk back. 
 "Well, we do have VIP passes," He replied, standing up. She jumped to her feet as well. "Let's gate crash this gig,"
 "Rock'n'Riff, baby," She grinned before the two jumped across the roofs again and onto the Eiffel tower. They began to climb the tower as the crowd cheered and yelled. Guitar Villain appeared, standing close to the top of the tower as he watched them.
 "Hello Paris!" He shouted before jumping down and landing on the plank of wood that XY was stood on. He smirked darkly, causing the younger musician to step away from him in fear. "So you said your music is the only killer music around. Is that right?!"
 "I d-didn't mean it!" XY gasped as he continued to back away from Guitar Villain, getting closer to the edge as he did. "Li-listen, Mr G-Guitar... we can... do the duet your style!"
 He screamed as he almost lost his footing. He looked down and gulped as Guitar Villain jumped onto Fang and flew behind him. He tapped the plank of wood, making it wobble. XY whimpered and gasped as Guitar Villain jumped off Fang and smirked at him.
 "Too late," He declared, stalking over to XY. "I'm going to show you what real killer music really sounds like! Ultimate solo!!"
 He began to play his guitar, causing waves of green energy to spread out from his guitar. As soon as they hit XY, they began to make the plank he was stood on bounce up and down in a violent manner, causing the man to whimper in fear. 
 "Stop it! Please!" He gasped as Guitar Villain kept playing. As soon as it came near the heroes, it made them almost loose their footing and when it hit the audience, it knocked a number of them down. Anatis frowned as he held onto the side of the Eiffel tower.
 "XY is gonna fall," Lady Noir gasped as she gripped on part of the tower too. The solo came to a stop, allowing the heroes to be able to let go of the tower. Anatis took out his yoyo as Lady Noir stepped over to him and held onto him. He moved his free hand around her waist and threw his yoyo, grappling them up through the inner part of the tower. However, Fang swooped in and bit the string, causing the two heroes to fall. Lady Noir took out her baton and extended it, trapping inbetween the edges of the tower. She held on it and looked down as Anatis continued to fall. "Anatis!"
 Fang came back around and flew over to him, causing him to throw his yoyo. The dragon snapped it's jaws around it and flew off as Anatis held on, causing Lady Noir to let a sigh of relief. He jumped onto Fang's back and wrapped the yoyo's string around his mouth so he could control him.
 "Easy there, Fang," He stated, causing the dragon to look at him as a little bit of recognition appeared in it's eyes. He smiled as he made on attempt to throw him off. "Good Fang. Let's go. We have a stuck kitty to rescue,"
 He pulled on the string to direct Fang, causing him to fly down and towards Lady Noir. It flew through one of the holes in the tower and underneath Lady Noir, just as she let go. She landed on the dragon and catch her baton before Anatis flew it out of the tower. He pulled the string, getting Fang to turn around and fly back towards it as Lady Noir got up.
 "You ok?" Anatis asked as she held onto his arms and nodded. He glanced over at her before lifting one of his arms. "Step over here and put your arm around my waist. It will be safer for you,"
 "T-Thanks," She blushed a little before moving under his arm and placing her arm around his waist so he was stood behind her. It was a lot easier for her to hold onto him this way. "So the bug tamed the dragon?"
 "Fang's a big softie really, even as a dragon," He grinned as he pulled on the strings again, causing Fang to fly down again. He frowned as he glanced over at Guitar Villain and XY.
 "So how do you like the concert?" Guitar Villain asked, smirking at XY who was shaking in fear. "Still think your music is the only killer music out there?"
 "N-No! Please... do-don't!" XY gasped as a loud crack was heard. Anatis frowned as he looked over, noticing a crack in the plank. It wouldn't take long to break. Guitar Villain went to use his 'awesome solo' move but Anatis pulled the strings again, directing Fang over to him.
 "Not so fast!" He declared, flying Fang over low enough and close enough to cause Guitar Villain to dive out of the way.
 "My dragon!" He gasped as he landed on the floor before he jumped as Anatis turned Fang back around.
 "Anatis! Lady Noir! Hurry!!" XY begged as Lady Noir leaned a little closer to Anatis.
 "Nice job," She smiled before Anatis pulled Fang to the side to avoid Guitar Villain's attack. Lady Noir glanced over and scanned her eyes over Guitar Villain. He didn't seem to have any item on him other then his guitar, which must be where the akuma is. "I think the akuma is in his guitar,"
 "I agree but it's not gonna be easy getting to it," Anatis replied as he moved the strings to dodge the attacks. "I think it's time to go backstage for real!"
 She nodded as he pulled the string and directed Fang towards the tower. They crash straight into it, trapping Fang in the tower and throwing them off him. They landed on the other side of the tower's rafters before they got up.
 "You ok?" Lady Noir asked as Anatis dusted himself down.
 "Yeah, you?" He replied, getting a nod of her before he turned to Fang. "Sorry, Fang,"
 Fang gave him a look before the two of them jumped up through the inside of the tower. Anatis threw his yoyo as they got closer to Guitar Villain and XY and pulled himself onto a platform on the outside of the tower. Lady Noir landed next to him and frowned as Guitar Villain taunted XY.
 "Or is it too awesome for you?" He asked as XY yelled out in fear. Anatis narrowed his eyes as he watched the scene. As much as he didn't like XY or his music, he didn't deserve to be tormented or fall to his death. He took out his yoyo and threw it up in the air.
 "Lucky charm!" He called, causing a can of hair spray to appear out of thin air. He caught it and frowned a little as Lady Noir rose an eyebrow at him. He glanced at it and read the label. "Extreme fixing gel?"
 "I never knew you wanted to be a hairstylist," Lady Noir grinned as Guitar Villain began to play his guitar again. The green wave hit them, making them wobble. Lady Noir gasped and held onto Anatis as he grabbed the side of the tower and looked around in his luck vision. Guitar Villain's hair highlighted, making him smirk. "And here I just thought you were an artist,"
 "What can I say? I'm a jack of all trades," He grinned before flicking his hair. "I even do my own hair. Mind lending me a paw?"
 "I'm on it," She grinned, jumping up and running towards Guitar Villain. She clashed her baton against his guitar and used it to redirect his attack as Anatis climbed up on the tower before narrowing his eyes as he waited for an opening. Guitar Villain managed to get her baton out of her hands, causing it to bounce closer to XY before he directed his 'awesome' solo attack towards her.
 "Cataclysm!" She shouted, holding out her hand to protect herself. The beam hit her hand but began to freak out as soon as it touched her cataclysm, allowing her to jump over Guitar Villain and power slide to her baton. She picked it up and jumped back over to him, trapping him with her baton. Anatis dived down and ran over just as Guitar Villain threw her off and began to play his guitar to attack her, head banging as he did. Anatis shook the can and jumped over him, landing in front of him and spray his hair with the hairspray. Guitar Villain yelled and dropped his guitar, trying to pull his hair out of his face as he stumbled around blindly. Anatis smirked and went to grab the guitar as XY yelled.
 "H-Hey, don't forget about me!" He yelled as the plank cracked and sent him plummeting down. "Help!"
 Anatis threw his yoyo and wrapped it around his leg, causing him to bounce like he was on a bungy jump. Anatis pulled the string, causing XY to fall straight onto the guitar and break it in half. The akuma escaped from it as he took out his yoyo and threw it, catching it. He pulled his yoyo back to him and pressed it, releasing the purified butterfly back into the world before he threw the hairspray can into the air and called out for the cure. It burst into the magical swarm and dashed around Paris, fixing all the damage before it swarmed around the Eiffel tower and finally XY, Guitar Villain, Lady Noir and Anatis, moving them to a safe area on the tower. Guitar Villain fell on his knees and turned back into Jagged as XY gasped. He stood up and looked around confused before he noticed the two heroes.
 "Anatis! Lady Noir! What are you two doing here?" He gasped, excited before he noticed XY. "Oh... wait... you two aren't XY fans are you? I mean I can respect it if you are but I hoped-"
 "What is he doing here?!" XY gasped, cutting Jagged off as Anatis sighed. Lady Noir leaned over to him.
 "I don't think he remembers," She whispered in his ear as he nodded before he turned to XY.
 "He came to tell you that you completely underestimated the power of his music," He explained, causing XY to look like a fish as he gaped at them,
 "This guy is crazy!" He gasped, pointing to him as Jagged dusted himself down. He placed his hands on his hips and turned his head towards XY, smiling a little. "He's insane!"
 "Thank you," He replied, making Anatis roll his eyes in a playful manner as Lady Noir grinned before she gasped with widen eyes.
 "Oh no! I have to go!!" She gasped, causing the three guys to raise an eyebrow at her. "I have a deadline!"
 She ran towards the edge and jumped off it before bouncing through the city. Anatis shook his head and turned to Jagged as he placed his hand on Anatis' shoulder.
 "That's one funny feline," He grinned, causing Anatis to groan and face palm.
 ~Next Day~
 Marinette took a deep breathe as she rode the lift up to Jagged's room. She was feeling super nervous but she couldn't tell if it was because she was about to present her art work to Jagged or because she had a date with Luka later. Well, kind of date. She wasn't sure if it was a date but she wanted it to be. However, she was still sure he only liked her as a friend but she did like him a lot. However, she also liked Anatis a lot and she knew Anatis liked her. She went bright red as she remembered him saying that he liked her but then frowned as she remembered he had to reject her. She shook her head and took another deep breathe, vowing to enjoy her time with Luka regardless of if it was a date or not. There was nothing wrong with taking things slow and hanging out as friends. Besides, she was still moving on from Adrien. It wouldn't be fair to Luka to try and date him when she was a hundred percent over her crush on Adrien. She was getting there though. The door pinged, making her gasp before she stepped out and walked over to the door. She knocked on it and smiled as Penny opened it a few minutes later. 
 "Hello Marinette," She smiled, letting her in. Marinette gulped and followed her as she noticed Jagged sat on the sofa next to Fang as Bob Roth paced up and down the room. She also noticed that Luka wasn't hanging out here today but she shouldn't be surprised. He was still getting to know the rockstar after all. She couldn't expect him to be here every time. Her phone vibrated, causing her to take it out and look at it.
 L: Good luck, Melody. You've got this x
 She couldn't help but smile as she felt more confident. She put her phone away and turned to the rockstar. Bob Roth walked over and stood next to her as she handed the cover to Jagged. He leaned over and took it off her before leaning back and looking at it. Marinette nervously bit her lip as he studied it before a huge smile came across his face.
 "Oh yeah, this is it," Jagged grinned as he held it before he looked over at Marinette. "You did it, girl. I can almost smell the leather and sweat just radiating off this design,"
 He held it up to his nose and sniffed it as Marinette walked over to reveal the secret she hid in it.
 "You actually are smelling it," She explained nervously as Jagged looked at her. She pointed to a sticker on the design. "I concocted a special scented sticker for your album,"
 "I want it! I gotta have it!" He declared, gripping the album in his hands. "It's authentic! It's original! It's... so Jagged!"
 He brought it to his face and stroked it a little as Marinette smiled. However, Bob Roth did not seem impressed at all.
 "No, you can't!" He declared, making Marinette frown. "It's not what the public wa-"
 "Fine then I'm out of here," Jagged declared, glaring at him. "I'm sure another record company would be perfectly happy with a number 2 chart topper,"
 Bob growled as Marinette handed him back the XY album, causing him to snatch it and storm off. She smiled and turned to Jagged, who was patting Fang's head. He looked up and smiled at her.
 "Great job as usual, Marinette," He grinned, making her smile "We'll send you a payment soon. Your details are still the same yeah?"
 "Um yeah," She gasped, not expect to be paid but happy that she was. Penny gave her a smile and led her to the door, thanking her for doing the design. Marinette smiled and left the hotel room before getting into the lift. As soon as the door closed, she jumped up and down as Plagg flew out of her purse. "I can't believe it! I just designed Jagged Stone's new album!!"
 "I'm only gonna say this once so don't expect me to repeat it," Plagg replied, making her look at him as he looked to the side a little embarrassed. "I'm proud of you, Marinette,"
 "Aww, thank you Plagg," She grinned, gently cupping him in her hands and kissing his head. He smiled as the lift came to a stop and flew back into her purse as Marinette took out her phone and texted Luka before smiling to herself. Today was a good day.
------------------------------------------
Next Chapter: Chapter 50
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Hearing Your Voice
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Zen x Reader | ☁️ | 2.6k | Soulmate AU
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You tapped your fingers on the desk, doing your best to stay quiet while in the study room. With the beautiful melody playing within your head, it was hard. Especially when the singer sounded like he had the voice of an angel. 
Doing your best in trying to study, you couldn’t help but breaking into a smile and pause when you recognized a tune of the song.
I heard him sing this yesterday too. 
Trying to study was hard. Not because the content was hard to grasp - no, you could have all the material down with a bit of reading and some flashcards - it was hard because you were always conflicted. Part of your brain would tell you school is important and as a university student, you had to work hard towards your future. The other part of your brain however, would be loudly screaming, hey, that song sounded familiar! We’ve heard that somewhere before, but where?! 
Most of the time, you were fine. You would just study with the music playing in your head. There were moments when your heart would chime in and remind you, we’re still looking for our soulmate, (Y/N). Then studying was a challenge.
The song you could hear in your head? That was your soulmate singing. Even though you grew up hearing the voice of your soulmate singing, you were never able to find them. 
Every few weeks, or months, your soulmate would have a couple of songs that he would be constantly singing. Kind of like the most popular songs of the season caught on loop by the radio stations. However, whatever songs your soulmate was singing was never these pop songs. 
You were a lucky one, you knew that much. 
You had friends who would be complaining about their soulmate’s choice in singing because it would be the overplayed pop songs. There was only so much one could take of the same song all the time after all.
On the other hand, shower singing stories were hilarious to hear about.
Moving back to your story...
Personally, you didn’t sing too much. Not unless you were certain no one but your soulmate was listening. Your soulmate probably heard you humming most of the time though. It was hard not to hum along to his beautiful singing.
Staring at your study notes, you shook your head.
This was going no where.
Just as you closed your notebook, someone tapped on your shoulder. Startling, you turned around and pulled down your - not plugged in - headphones.
“I had a feeling you weren’t studying,” Yoosung said, looking at you with an amused smile. “Listening to your soulmate again?”
You gave him your oops, you caught me smile. “Yeah. He’s always singing.”
Yoosung’s eyes darted around the room, then he leaned forward and asked, “You want to get out of here? Grab some food?”
You flashed him as thumbs up and packed up your stuff. Tailing after the blonde haired boy, you were greeted with actual sunlight for the first time in a few hours.
“It’s so bright out,” you whined, shading your eyes as they adjusted. 
Yoosung laughed. “Vitamin D is good for you! You’re going to be a troll like in LOLOL if you don’t see the light of day, (Y/N).”
You huffed, faking indignation. “I am not a troll! I’ll show you how a troll would beat you up if you call me that again.”
The boy shook his head quickly. Although he was ranked 2nd in game, he didn’t want the risk of losing his loot by being beat up. He worked hard to earn those super rare weapons.
Way back during first year courses, you had met and became friends with Yoosung through LOLOL. You weren’t obsessed with the game as much as he was, but you did well enough to rank within top ten with a bit of effort. Nowadays, getting through your courses was your priority. LOLOL was a fun break though, when you found the odd break.
“That’s what I thought.”
“You still play LOLOL?”
“Not as much as you - but yeah.” 
“We should team up sometime!”
You laughed. “Do you even study at all, Yoosung?”
“Sometimes!”
As the two of you stepped into the cafe near campus, Yoosung paused and turned to look at you.
“You said your soulmate is always singing right?” he asked.
You nodded, wondering where he was going with this. 
“Maybe he works in the music industry,” Yoosung mused. “Like, behind the scenes? As a producer?”
Hearing this, you paused and thought about it. Could that be a possibility?
“Maybe,” you murmured. “I’ll look into it.” 
Yoosung gave you an encouraging smile. “You’ll find him one of these days, (Y/N). Don’t worry about it.”
You hoped Yoosung was right about this. 
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As you were walking back to your own apartment, a poster caught your eye.
Daydream: The Musical
Tickets now on sale!
The poster showed a shadowy figure surrounded by colourful nature and city scenes. Your eyes skimmed through the cast absentmindedly, as you didn’t recognize any names.
Starring: Julie Kim, Zen, Soobin Park...
Lingering in front of the poster, you decided that, it looked interesting. Pulling out your phone, you hastily took a picture so you could look further into the details of the musical later. 
“Dinner,” you recalled suddenly. You needed to eat but you also needed to study still. Well, can’t study on an empty stomach. Deciding to grab something light to snack on now and throw together some leftovers later tonight, you went in search of the local bread stand in your neighborhood.
Your eyes lit up when you spotted the vendor.
Excitedly moving towards them, you missed nearly colliding with the tall man in a hat walking the same way. Stumbling, you felt a strong, steady hand on your back, helping you regain your balance.
“Oh, sorry,” you squeaked out. “And thank you!”
How did you miss this guy? He was pretty tall and stood out - his features were really handsome too. Could he be a celebrity or something? He definitely had the looks for it. You were definitely not staring.
“Oh no, I’m sorry,” he replied. “Go ahead, ladies first.”
“T-thank you!”
You stepped up in front of the stall, knowing exactly what you were going to get. Hearing the man’s footsteps behind you, you decided to thank the kind stranger from saving you from an embarrassing fall.
“Two goldfish bread - separately wrapped, please!”
“Coming right up! Done classes for the day?” the owner asked.
You bobbed your head as you handed over the payment. “Yeah. Not done studying though.”
“Ah, must be rough. Good luck on that.”
“Thank you,” you chimed back. as you accepted the bread. Turning around, you held out one bag for the handsome stranger behind you. “And thank you for saving me from tripping earlier.”
“No, no, I couldn’t -”
“I insist!”
He accepted with a grateful smile. You swear, he sparkled in the light of the sunset.
“Thank you then.”
You returned his smile with your own before heading off.
Time to prepare for the upcoming exam.
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Your week had flew by rather quickly. With exams and some other assignments being all crammed into such a short amount of time made you feel like you lost a few years on your life. 
Sometimes you wondered why anyone would choose to suffer.
Yet, here you were. And all you had to do was attend post secondary. 
Your soulmate seemed to be busy all week as well. The sound of his voice singing the same melodies over and over were in the back of your head the entire time. He had such a soothing voice that you were certain that he was the one who was keeping you sane.
Finally gifted with free time, you decided to make the most of it.
Browsing around on your phone, the picture of the musical poster caught your eye once more. Noticing the showings aligned with your newfound freedom, you decided - why not?
Searching up the link for the theater, you looked around the website and then bought a ticket. 
A sense of excitement and anticipation filled you. It’s been a while since you did anything fun. This would be a worthwhile experience.
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Settling down into your seat at the theater, you couldn’t help but glance around. The place was relatively busy despite it being a weekday evening. Looking over the pamphlet that was given to you at the entrance, all the cast and crew were listed.
Your eyes skimmed over it, not recognizing any of the names except for the few you’ve seen on the promotional poster. Perhaps it would take a more theater experience before you would become familiar with any of them.
The lights began to dim and the chatter died down as music became to play. Ensuring your phone was silent, you made yourself comfortable. The moment the musical started, you were swept away in awe of the performance. 
Experiencing a musical live felt different from watching a movie. It was so much more... uplifting. You were absolutely enchanted by the musical. 
When the male lead became to sing his part however, that was when things felt strange to you. It felt like you were hearing an echo of their singing. None of the other actors and actresses had that effect. It took a moment, but then it dawned on you. You’ve heard this before, nights before.
It was your soulmate.
They must be singing this song too.
But when every note, pitch and pause matched the ones on stage, you had your suspicions. 
After intently watching the male lead sing though, you soon drew to a new conclusion.
That was your soulmate on stage. 
You continued to watch in silent surprise as your soulmate danced and sung their way across the stage. His red eyes had swept over you briefly in passing, but you could see the passion blazing. It was clear he loved his career. 
Once the musical ended with thunderous applause, you immediately pulled out your phone to do some research. Since you had chosen a seat near the middle front, you knew it would take a while before you’d be able to get out.
Doing a search for ‘Zen’, with the words ‘musical actor’ hastily typed afterwards, you soon found a plethora of information about your soulmate. Zen had a dedicated fan base that loved his every production - there was even a section about his unknown soulmate. An interview caught your eye. It was dated for a few months back, but a quote from your soulmate made you pause.
“I’m really focused on my career right now - it took a lot of work to get to where I am today, but I’m happy to be here.”
He was good looking, hard working and dedicated. You knew your soulmate would be perfect, but you never expected this. Zen was basically the ideal guy. 
Seeing the theater emptying out, you stood and walked out.
Sure, you had been super excited to meet your soulmate after spending late nights listening to singing, but after seeing this article, you had a feeling that he might need more time. 
Zen was a busy person with a lot going on in his life. With how popular he was now, you didn’t was to disrupt anything at the moment. You would give him the opportunity to seek you out when he was ready.
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Zen had nearly faltered in his singing the first time when he had heard his soulmate humming along the tune he was singing. Listening to the tune and timing of the song, they were definitely doing it alongside with him.
He remembered his eyes searching the audience hopefully. Wondering who might his soulmate be. That first night... he wasn’t able to identify her.
Nor the second, third or fourth.
When he had heard her humming the second time he was performing, he was certain that his soulmate was in the audience and made the effort to come see him perform. She must have known who he was. 
Zen had lingered around after shows, hoping to see his soulmate. Hoping that she would reach out to introduce herself and he could become her knight in shining armor to sweep her off her feet. It never happened though.
Regardless, it made him happy to hear her humming alongside him when he performed. She was supporting him.
He knew he was a busy person. Perhaps his soulmate knew that and kept her distance. What she didn’t know though, was Zen was dying to meet her. 
He always wanted to make the effort to go find her, but never had much to go off on. His soulmate was a rare singer, so he never knew where to start.
Now that he knew though, he was constantly searching.
He noticed someone over the past few times with (H/C) hair that sat near the middle of the theater. The girl’s smile seemed to brighten when he showed up on stage. It was possible that she was another one of his fans, but at the last showing, she had tried very hard to step out of room quietly and his soulmate had stopped her soft humming at that moment too.
Zen felt certain about this. 
She had to be the one.
Having finished another showing for the day, Zen tried to slip out quickly to catch up to his soulmate. Making sure not to be rude, he thanked his co-stars, staff and director before taking off. She tended to linger around a little longer, being almost the last person out. There was a chance Zen could catch up to her and he was going to take it.
Catching a glimpse of (H/C) hair, he instinctively moved towards it. 
The figure seemed to have sensed him coming, because they turned around and (E/C) eyes met his.
Stopping only a few feet away from her, Zen could see the glimmer and recognition in her eyes as she looked up in awe at the musical actor. 
“Great performance again tonight,” you said softly.
Finally hearing your voice in real life washed away any doubts Zen might have had. 
It was you.
“Thank you,” he breathed out. He could feel his heart pounding with excitement. “It’s... really you.”
Seeing how lost for words he was, you decided to speak up.
“Hyun Ryu, right?” you asked. When he nodded, you broke into a smile. “I’m (Y/N) (L/N). Nice to finally meet you, soulmate.”
The biggest smile broke out on his face as he engulfed you into a hug. His tall stature didn’t bother him as he nuzzled into your neck. While you should have been startled, you weren’t. Knowing this was your soulmate, you felt safe being held in his arms. You relaxed and returned his hug. 
“(Y/N)... I’ve been waiting for you,” Zen murmured. He pulled back a bit to look at you. “I want to get to know you better. Would you like to grab something to eat together?”
“Sure!”
“Okay, I know this great goldfish bread place -”
The two of you stopped, a distant memory resurfacing. Zen grinned fondly at you.
“ - I’ll treat you this time, though, princess.” 
With all the lost time between the two of you, finally being together felt natural. Like finding an old friend and being able to catch up without any awkward moments. 
Your soulmate was your perfect match and with Zen you knew that you couldn’t be happier. Just as much as you loved to listen to him inside your head, hearing his voice in real life and getting to be by his side made life all the more wonderful.
The two of you finally found you happily ever after.
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gale-gentlepenguin · 5 years
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ML Fic: Soulmate Survey Part 6
(Master post)
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“No worries Rose, the shirts are done. Yes, I can bring them to school tomorrow. Okay, tell everyone I said hi back. Take... Oh you and Juleka are at 87% compatible? Congrats. I always knew you two were.... Mine? Oh uh look at the time bye!” Marinette ended her conversation a bit exhausted. 
Rose was a good friend, but the girl had a way of talking an ear off if Marinette wasn’t careful. Marinette would have texted her, but the girl would blow up her phone with 50+ texts. So Marinette decided a phone call was the best way of contacting her.
Marinette had felt super productive after she got back from that akuma battle. Though before she could action on that productive vibe she had to deal with some weird emails that mentioned codes for restarting her password for ‘Soulmate search’. She decided to change her password just to be safe, probably smart if someone was trying to get into it.  Marinette always figured it’s better to be on the side of caution when it came to her personal items and information. That is why she made that trap box for her diary.
Some people have no lives, trying to get into other people’s accounts. Marinette thought to herself. She could only imagine the type of desperate person who tried to get into her account for a matchmaking app. Probably some two bit hacker that wanted to spam her with emails. She logged in to make sure everything in the app was fine. Her personal information secure, and her compatibility list was unchanged. She smiled at the first place ranking. It was the spark she needed to get back into her productive mindset. Deciding that since everything was fine, she would not look into the matter further so long as it doesn't happen again as she would rather focus on her commission but would definetly keep an eye out for it.
Now able to ride her wave of productivity, She was able to finish the new Kitty Section shirts that Rose commissioned. The Second design really did look good. Now that they had enough original songs to make their first album, they needed a shirt with the cover on the shirt, which Marinette happily designed for them as well. 
“The shirts look great.” Her red Kwami praised as she looked them over. “And you dont have to pull an all nighter like you did last time.”
“Yeah, it was easier the second time around, especially now that I organized my schedule better.” Marinette agreed. “With occasional 20 minute video game breaks, those really can do wonders.”
Marinette’s phone began buzzing again.
“Oh, thats right. I promised Rose a Picture of the shirt.” Marinette remembered.
She picked up the phone.
“Don't worry I was just about to send you the photo of the shirt.” Marinette answered.
“What shirt?” A voice that definitely didn't sound like Rose. 
Marinette dropped her phone. Her face went red. It was Adrien. Adrien was calling her right now.
“Marinette? Are you still there?” Adrien’s voice came from the phone.
Marinette stumbled to the ground to pick up.
“Yes Here Marinette is. I mean Yes. Marinette is here. Speaking.” Marinette tripped over her own words. She was caught off guard by the sudden phone call.
Why was he calling? Was he going to say that he changed his mind about what he said earlier? Or was he calling because he doesn't want to wait that long and start dating now? Marinette had to shake those thoughts out of her head.
“Oh good. I was wondering if you were busy Friday after school? I am going to have a tv interview and it would be really cool if you could come along. You won't be on camera or anything if you don’t want to be. You can be right by the set.” Adrien explained.
“Really?! Yea, Yes. Free am I. I am free then.” Marinette corrected herself. She mentally told her self to relax. She was able to regain composure.
“Awesome! Oh, just so you know. Nathalie said I can only bring one person so It will just be the two of us and my bodyguard, is that alright with you?” Adrien questioned, Speaking a bit faster then normal, if Marinette wasn’t so nervous she might have noticed. “If it isn’t that is totally fine to. I am sure Nino would go if I asked.”
This boy was going to kill her. Just the two of them. Her and Adrien on Friday after school. Well sure there would be a studio with a bunch of people, but out of everyone he could have invited, he chose her. She was his first pick. Her heart felt like it was trying to burst out of her chest.
“Thats fine with me. Is there a dress code? Do I need to...”
“I was going straight to the interview from school so I will be in my school clothes so I wouldn't worry, besides you always look great so even if they do put you on camera for a bit you will be fine.” Adrien assured. “So its not a big deal if you were to come Into-view”
Marinette couldn't help but giggle at the word play, he sounded so sweet and endearing.
“Thanks for the heads up, I wouldn't want to put your choice in guests into Question.” Marinette punned back. She mentally slapped herself. That was such a bad joke there is no way he found that funny. That stupid cat is rubbing off on her.
To her surprise, Adrien laughed at her joke, Marinette could swear there was no sound the rang as sweet.
I will give that cat macaroons later Marinette mentally noted for later for his influence.
“I will explain any details I find out tomorrow. Have a good night, Marinette.” Adrien said after he finished laughing.
“You too. Good night Adrien.” Marinette practically swooned after she hung up.
The ladybug Kwami smiling.
“I believe that went well.” Tikki encouraged.
Marinette moved to her bed and fell back on it, clearly dazed and excited.
“He wants me to go with him to his interview. I was his first choice. It will be amazing...”
Tikki sighed with soft smile. Its a good thing Marinette finished those shirts and her homework earlier, it was clear no other work was gonna be done tonight. She wondered what Marinette’s reaction will be tomorrow.
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Adrien hung up his phone with a giddy grin on his face akin to the one he wears as Chat noir. She does like puns, another point for the legitimacy of the app. 
“She said she was fine with it.” Adrien told his kwami as the cat consumed a piece of camembert.
“Congrats Romeo, you asked her out on a date.” Plagg commented casually.
Adrien felt his cheeks flush and his grin shifted.
“It isn't a date.”
“Sounds like a date. Not that I care.”
“It really isn't a date. It is just Marinette and I going to an interview I am gonna have. There will be a bunch of people there and It isn't like it will be just the two of us.” Adrien explained.
“Aren’t most areas filled with people?” Plagg pointed out.
“Well yes but I mean...”
“And if it isn't a date, why didn't you just text her like a normal teen? You went out of your way to call her.” Plagg rubbed in. He had a satisfied smirk watching Adrien get close to Ladybug levels of flustered over Marinette. Plagg desperately wanted to tell the boy, but he held in the urge by chomping down on some cheese.
Adrien was about to comment but his blush only became more apparent.
“Maybe its a tiny bit like a quarter date. maybe a third of a date.”
“Math is your worst subject kid and what your saying isn't adding up.” Plagg countered. He decided to to twist the knife a bit more seeing Adrien get more red.
Adrien knew he wasn't getting anywhere. 
He didn't know why this was making him all flustered. Sure Marinette had always been a sweet friend. Sure she had always been cute and kind. But now just thinking about her made him nervous. Like seeing Ladybug without his mask on. Ever since he saw that compatibility score and started thinking about her as more then a friend, it was like a gate in his head that was holding these thoughts and feelings about her had swung open and the door couldn't be closed, and he wasn't sure if he wanted it closed. It all sort of clicked and the more Adrien thought about it, the more he liked the idea of him and Marinette.
“Anyway, it will be nice to have her come along. I am sure everything will go great, and Marinette will have a good time.” Adrien moved past his petty discussion with the cat. 
“I am sure it will all go smoothly for you. I don't see Anything possibly going wrong.” Plagg sarcastically retorted.
“If something goes wrong now, I am not ordering you the camembert.”
“Kwami Abuse!”
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Still 100%
That thought made him feel warm as he walked into the school on that Thursday morning. He had answered the daily questions as soon as he was out of bed. He practically melded his eyes to the screen as he waited for the results. His 100% compatibility with Marinette was unchanged.
He also noticed that Kagami slid down to 80%, but she hadn't updated her profile yet so it could change later. But he was more concerned with the top spot.
Adrien arrived to class. He made his way to his seat, where he noticed Nino listening to music. 
He sits down and nudges Nino playfully. The Dj turns to him and pauses his music.
“Hey dude, you seem in a good mood.” Nino greeted as he moved his headphones to his neck.
“Are those new?” Adrien inquired as he looked at the cooler, sleeker designed headphones that looked in a lot better shape then his previous pair.
“Yup, they were on sale yesterday. Snagged the last one in stock.” Nino bragged. “Half off.”
“Congrats.” Adrien offered a fist bump which Nino accepted.
Adrien took a quick look around to ensure no one in the class was paying attention to him. Alya was outside waiting for Marinette, so Adrien knew he didn't need to worry about any eavesdropping from the ladyblogger.
“So about yesterday... you didn't tell anyone about what I sent you?” Adrien whispered.
Nino’s face showed complete confusion.
“What thing did you send me?” Nino questioned.
“You know...” Adrien leaned in closer. “The compatibility list? You sent me a text about it yesterday.”
It took the hat wearing teen a moment to gather himself.
“Wait you got the app? Who did you get?” Nino inquired.
“Nino. I sent you the list.” Adrien answered. His tone more serious and concerned then before..
“Sorry dude, But I don't know what you're talking about.” Nino responded. The Dj pulled out his phone to show Adrien the texts. Sure enough, the exchange from yesterday was absent.
Adrien was shocked.
“Thats impossible.” Adrien spoke as he pulled out his phone and looked at his messages, it was identical to Nino’s except that the exchange from yesterday was present.
Nino looked at it.
“That is bizarre. Cause I didn't message you yesterday. I know I didnt message you then because that was when I was leaving to go get this.” Nino gestured to his headphones. “I was setting up Chris with someone to watch him just before leaving. “ 
Nino looked closer at Adrien’s phone as if staring at some parallel world.
Adrien was definitely lost. If Nino didn't text him, who did? Who did Nino have watch Chris? Would that person be respon--”
“Holy shit dude!” Nino exclaimed interrupting Adrien’s thoughts. “You got one h...”
Adrien immediately covered Nino’s mouth.
The whole class now looking at the two teens.
Adrien felt embarrassed. 
“He was surprised by my high score in super penguino.” Adrien lied.
The class went with it and decided that Nino’s reaction wasn't important enough to look into. 
‘Thank Kwami for short attention spans’ Adrien thought as he waited for Nino to calm down before removing his hand.
Adrien practically yanked Nino out of the classroom to ensure no one was listening in.
“Dude!” He whispered in shock. “I can't believe you got 100% and with Marinette.” Nino was in shock from seeing the compatibility score in the photo. “I mean I’m not surprised you two scored high, but 100%? That is so choice. I am a bit jealous, I haven’t even gotten 100% with my girlfriend.”
Alya is probably gonna flip when she finds out. Oh man if she finds out and knew that I knew? She might kill me if she finds out from someone else. Nino thought to himself.
“Can we discuss this later? I don't want people finding out about it yet.” Adrien pleaded.
“Why dude? Aren't you happy that Marinette is at the top of the list?”  Nino asked with a bit of worry that Adrien might want to turn the designer down.
“I am happy, more then I thought I would be with anyone. But I don't want people finding out yet.” Adrien replied.
“If you are chill with it then what’s the big...”
“If word gets around that someone has 100% compatibility with me, things could get... complicated. Especially for Marinette.” Adrien interrupted. “You have seen how my fans can get. I don't want to throw Marinette into that if I can avoid it. Not until I know she is fine with this, with me, with everything.”
Nino could see the genuine worry on his friend’s face. He could tell Adrien cared about Marinette. He always knew he did, but now it seemed even clearer then before.
“Okay dude, I won't tell a soul. Except I might need to tell Alya, She will want to know.” Nino responded.
“Yes, you can tell Alya only. As long as she swears not to tell anyone.” 
“I will swear her to secrecy.” Nino assured.
“Thanks Nino. But that brings up the question, if you didn't text me, then who did?”
“I couldn't tell you. Maybe someone hacked your phone. The only person that had access to my phone yesterday was me and...” Nino’s expression shifted as he made a realization. 
But that couldn’t be right, why would she have an interest in the list? She told me earlier that she wasn’t into Adrien. But then again, there was that picture that was sent to everyone from Adrien’s phone of her kissing his cheek. But she assured me that it was platonic. Something isn’t adding up. She was the only other person that had access to my phone. So who else could it be?
“Who had access to your phone?” Adrien inquired, snapping his friend out of his thoughts.
“I think I might know who sent those texts. But I don’t know why she did it?”
“She? Nino who was it?” Adrien questioned.
“So you know how I needed someone to watch Chris?”
“Yeah?”
“And Normally I would have asked Marinette but she was busy with her commissions and Alya was watching her big sis’ match so...”
______________________________________________________________________
A car pulled up by the park where a certain brunette was sitting and had been waiting. The car window rolls down to reveal a bespectacled man with styled hair and a stern look. The fashion mogul Gabriel Agreste was sitting in the car.
“You better have a good excuse for calling for this meeting Miss Rossi. You are aware of how busy I am.”  The man sternly commented.
“I swear it is important Mr. Agreste. Adrien’s reputation and his safety are at stake.” Lila responded.
“How so?”
“Adrien’s delinquent classmates have gotten him mixed up in a scandalous app that has him put information about himself and meeting up with strangers.” Lila spun her web of lies.
Gabriel took her words with a grain of salt, but decided to humor her as this would likely be useful once she was finished trying to make herself look good.
“Are you certain of this?”
“I am. Adrien showed me a picture of the app. I tried to tell him that nothing good would come of taking part in such a nasty thing, but he wouldn't listen. His classmates have sold him on taking part of it.” Lila lied. “You need to have him delete that horrible app, nothing good will come of it, it will just have more people trying to take advantage of Adrien for his money, status and looks.”
“She seems to be Projecting on to others master.” Nooru whispered only loud enough for Gabriel to hear. Gabriel nodded, he was losing his patience with the liar. Clearly she had been wasting his time. He motioned for the purple kwami to stay hidden before responding to Lila.
“I see, so tell me. What is the name of this app?” Gabriel questioned.
Lila froze for a second. She had thought she would not have needed to tell Mr.Agreste.
“...Soulmate Searcher...” Lila confessed.
Gabriel’s disappointment shifted into intrigue. He remembered that app. It was the cause of despair for the recent Akuma he had made, as well as other cases of despair that he was planing to use later. So his own son was using that app.
“Very well, I will look into the matter. Thank you for the information Miss Rossi.” Gabriel dismissed. Leaving an uncertain brunette on the park bench.
“Nathalie, look into this app and tell me everything you can find out about this ‘Soulmate Searcher.’ Perhaps Lila has given us another useful nugget of information to use.” Gabriel stated.
“I will be sure to do so.” His glasses wearing assistant nodded as she drove the car back to the mansion. “Do you really believe Lila was being honest about the app?”
“I doubt most of what she stated held merit. My son is not such a fool as to take part in deviant behavior. Even if Adrien was taking part in the app it is likely not as she described it. But that app was the cause of my recent akuma, it definetly has some sway over Paris. It will be something that can be of use. Gabriel answered calmly.
This information was definitely of great use. I can feel that this might be the start to getting the edge over those two heroes that have eluded me. Soon their miraculous will be mine and I will have my Soulmate back. Gabriel thought to himself as his face revealed a Hawkmoth-Esqu smile.
______________________________________________________________________
Part 6 is finished I am loving all of this awesome feedback and you guys keep me inspired to keep writing this.
If you want part 7, please let me know. I love seeing those notes and comments, It really feeds my impulsive need to write. And I am just gonna say it.
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demonboidies · 5 years
Text
𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓵𝔂 - 𝓶𝓲𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓲, 𝓳𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓸𝓴, 𝓴𝓲𝓶 𝓷𝓪𝓶𝓳𝓸𝓸𝓷
pt. 5 
word count: 2,775
<this is a yandere story, therefore this is a trigger warning for emotional abuse, manipulation, toxic relationships and overall unhealthy obsession towards the reader/mc/yn>
tag list: @taezeus​ @jooniescupcakes @aesthetically-messed-up @okpoke​  @aysha489​ @iwannabeanidol (comment under this post to be added, if you comment anywhere else i won’t see it) 
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➣min yoongi
      producer, song-writer, and lyricist. 25 years old and enjoys his own personal times as much as he enjoys naps. has dark brown hair and pale skin. (similar to his wings era looks but brown hair)
you locked the door after dropping the boys off. on the journey to the college, you discovered how energetic the trio really was. you figured they would've been as tired as you were to be up at 7 am when you were in college.
checking the paper that was still in your hand, you saw the name Min Yoongi next. walking back to your room, you unlocked the cabinet door with your key and saw a pill bottle with the patient's name on it.
you knocked softly on his door and a grunt was the only response you got. entering the room you took note of how much darker the aesthetic was prior to the previous male. his walls were painted gray and his sheets were gray and black. everything matched a minimalist aesthetic and you appreciated the chill music that was playing from the record player in the corner of the room.
"yoongi?" you called out softly, shutting the door as quiet as possible.
"hng..." was the only response and you smiled softly at his relatable tone. no one in your book enjoyed waking up so early.
"i have your medication you have to take." at your words he slowly, very slowly, sat up with his hand sticking out. you placed the capsule in his hand and looked for water for him to take it with. "ah. sorry. please wait as i get you the water."
he dismissed your worry, swallowing the pill right down, a sigh leaving his lips afterward. "what time is it?" he asked quietly in a meek voice.
"its 08:45." you answered, peaking down at the schedule in your hand. it was really short for this individual. simply turn on his desktop and switch his record playing to a hip hop album. then get him a fresh cup of instant
so you did as it said, not noticing the trailing eyes that were on you the whole time. yoongi watched with a small smile as you diligently worked, even if you only had to shake the mouse awake. he loved the smile on your face when it finally turned on. but your expression faltered at the sight of his lock screen.
"uhm. yoongi? who's your lockscreen?"
his one eye peeked open, trying to hide his panic. he had forgotten to change it before you came. "uhm, no one. i got it off of the internet."
he threw the covers aside, softly moving you aside from the desktop. "just-just could you change the record and get me my coffee..." he smiles weakly, trying to hide his nerves, "i can't function without it. especially in the mornings." he explained to try and cover himself up. you nodded, letting it slide. you probably were the one at fault anyway, why did you even question him? ugh, you were being so stupid.
there was no way that it was actually you as the lockscreen...that's impossible considering you only met the lot yesterday. your eyes were probably just playing a game with you.
you delicately switched the music, hearing the crackly, yet relaxing beat of a rapper you didn't know the name of. you went to the kitchen and came back up to his room a few minutes later with a steeping cup of hot coffee. he smiled thankfully to you, taking the mug from you.
"thank you." he said and you turned away, about to leave. but the light pressure around your wrist made you turn around with a confused expression. the expression on his face looked as if he was hurting as he touched you, like your contact of skin on skin was burning him.
"so-sorry if I offended you earlier. i-you just caught me off guard with that question." he retracted his hand and scratched a spot behind his ear, a habit you assumed was formed out of anxiety.
"oh, don't worry about it. I should've watched my own mouth. it's not my business what your lockscreen is anyway." you said with a light chuckle. he shook his head with a small pout, which was the cutest thing in your opinion.
"don't blame yourself. it really is my fault." he retorted with the shake of his head. almost like he was disappointed in himself.
"why don't we meet in the middle and say it wasn't any of our faults?" you proposed, deeming it useless if you continued arguing about whose fault it was.
he chuckles at the proposition and nodded. "fine." a smile graced your lips and you continued to take your leave from his room.
"have a nice morning, yoongi." you said softly and he returned it with a grateful smile. shutting the door behind you, you didn't hear the breath of relief he let out.
"such an oblivious girl~~" was the tiny mutter he let out as he clicked away on his desktop, getting right to work.
➣jung hoseok
      choreographer, dancer, and produces and raps occasionally. always working although he does enjoy joking around with the maknae line and being goofy with them. he's a child at heart, beaming with energy and curiosity, although he does get a switch in aura due to his mental disabilities occasionally. has a light tinge of red in his hair although the undertones are true brown color (DNA era). 25 years old.
the giddy dancer was the next to be confronted. upon entering his room, you saw the immediate difference and contrast between the two.
his room was painted a bright, but not obnoxious, yellow. it was dulled down a bit and he had an eccentric colorful poster on his wall, just above the headboard of his bed. reading the color font, you made out the words 'HOPE WORLD.' perhaps it was a movie that you haven't heard of.
as for the male you were supposed to wake up, he was already sitting in front of the large screen of his room.
"good morning hoseok." you said cheerfully, almost like your mood had brightened by the mere sight of his wallpaper.
"ah, good morning!" his eyes didn't leave the screen. "sorry, unfortunately, i can't pause Tetris 99 and i'm ranked pretty high right now..." his voice was fading as he continued to focus on the colorful blocks on his screen.
you maneuvered around him, making sure not to cover his vision from his intense game. you sat at his desk, placing the pills labeled with his name into your hand. you had to wait until he was finished until you could give him his pills.
so you watched and got unreasonably attached to his game as well.
"shit..." he cursed lowly under his breath when it showed he was eliminated. honestly, you were yelling at which directions to put the blocks and how to edit their position, but for the sale of professionalism, you held that urge to yell back.
"better luck next time," you said with an encouraging smile. his annoyed expression was washed away immediately like he had taken off an invisible mask, and a wide smile spread his face.
"yup! thanks for the encouragement. it means a lot!" he took the pills on his desk, swallowing without a problem. "have the others been treating you well? the little ones aren't causing trouble right?"
you chuckled at the reference of the maknae line, shaking your head. "everyone is super sweet and nice~ no one has caused trouble." you pushed away the thought of the minor bump in the road at yoongi's room.
"i'm a good boy too right? i don't act up~~" he put his hand under his chin and pursed his lips cutely. he surely was cute. you held back the urge to pinch his cheeks. so all you could do was laugh with a light blush and nod.
"yes, hoseok. you're a good patient." you ruffled his hair slightly.
"awe, am i only a patient to you?" a cute pout now was on his lips, putting his hand on his sides as an upset child would.
"well, hopefully, we become closer as friends." you said in a sing-song voice stepping towards his door. "would you like me to come back to remind you of your studio opening? or do you think you could manage?"
hoseok thought. he always remembered when his studio opened, he was the owner and couldn't let his students down by being late. usually, he was a good 20 minutes early just to clean up. but that would mean you would come back and see him. so, with the two options, he obviously chose the latter.
"just for safety precaution, please come back around to remind me." you nodded in understanding.
"have a nice morning then, and see you soon hoseok." you were about to shut his door before his voice called out to you.
"wait!" he rushed to the doorway, opening it wider as he smiled, "call me hobi from now on. after all, we are gonna wanna become comfortable if you wanna be close friends! i hear nicknames are good ways of doing so. so call me hobi from now on, okay?"
you couldn't say no, especially when he was beaming with a smile like a little puppy. he was so unreasonably cute, it was unfair.
"alright then, hobi, have a good rest of the morning." you made sure to exaggerate the new nickname, thinking it would make him happy. and it did and it showed through his bright smile.
this time you shut the door without him interrupting, continuing on with your job and going down the hallway a bit more to namjoon's room.
meanwhile, hoseok was on his bed, face down in the pillows. in his arms was one that was suffering from his tight hug that he was enveloping it with. he had to bite back a squeal knowing you were only a few feet away from his room.
'i'm a good boy, she said so herself.' he said with a light blush, kicking his feet in ecstasy. 'i can't let her down now, i'll be good for her and only her.'
➣kim namjoon
      online college courses so most of his mornings are spent in his office doing work. very smart and excels in most of his classes. occasionally will accompany jin on his out of country trips, just to be a helping hand if needed. blondish, blonde hair, usually exposing his forehead. he's 25 years old and does also confide in his lyrical book to relieve stress.
you stopped a moment in front of the door, leaning your head against the door. your eyes were widened a bit, seeing how long his list was. you soon realized that is was like that because it contained his school schedule (which was several pages long, he didn't keep out details.)
suddenly, the door was swung open, leaving you to fall out of balance. luckily, namjoon acted fast enough to catch you. he was careful with his hands, not wanting to intrude on your personal space. he kept his arms stiff as he caught you from your underarms.
"oh my go-! i'm so sorry namjoon," you bowed profusely, trying to hide the embarrassment in your voice. although, it didn't help much. his familiar chuckle left his lips as he shook his head.
"it's fine," he said with a sweet smile, "i suppose i should apologize too for scaring you. sorry, i had just seen someone's shadow by the door, wanted to see who it was." he explained, keeping the same sweet smile on his face.
you nodded in understanding, digging into your small bag for his dosage. "would you like water?"
"ah, yes. i do need water, unlike the others, i have trouble swallowing these pills down."
rushing to get water, you came back upstairs with a full small glass and a tired smile. "sorry, i should've added that to your notes. i'll be sure to add that on later." he said before swallowing his dose.
"well, i would hate to cut our conversation short but i do need to continue on working. duty does call, unfortunately." he said with a heavy sigh. he didn't want to leave you prescence, but he needed to finish his work before anything else. maybe if he worked hard enough, he would get to spend alone time with you before lunch.
so as you nodded and shut his door, he dashed to his desk and worked as fast. but effectively as possible. without taking a second glance at the click the whole time, he was clicking through pages of pages of articles. at with all this rushing to get finished, he was done at a new record speed of an hour and forty-five minutes.
that was half his time than usual. and he was giddy and excited to have some personal time spent with you. he left his room, shutting the door and bringing his cup of water with him as he walks down the stairs.
however, his rushed feet paused as he heard you laughing. along with a familiar laughter mixed in with yours.
"hobi! stop, i won fair and square!" giu exclaimed as hoseok stomped his feet childishly. he was acting like a child and that was what triggered your laughter. meanwhile, namjoon was scowling at the scene.
of course, he had to ruin the moment. he was supposed to talk to you for some time longer. whatever, he would get his way with you eventually, he told himself.
"what are you two doing?" namjoon voiced, walking closer to you two. in the center of the room there was a giant flat screen TV and it displayed the image of mario kart. "ah, nevermind. i'll let you two have your own time."
hoseok smirked victoriously seeing namjoon's disheartened attitude. "no! come on join us! hoseok had to leave for his studio anyway."
the younger of the two lifted his head hopefully, the cutest smile basking his features.
"really?"
"what-no-!"
"hobi, we can have a rematch mater. you have to go to your studio remember?" you reminded the male, who slouched on defeat. his victorious smile long gone as he stood from his position on the couch.
his bag was already packed for the studio and he hid you two a farewell, not without glaring at namjoon when you weren't paying attention. the other simply smiled innocently, waving bye almost mockingly to hoseok's retreating figure.
"to be honest, i'm kinda scared to go against you. hoseok is second best to jin in this house, so you must be really skilled."
you smiled confidently, "not to toot my own horn, but i've been playing since i was a kid." the newfound fact about yourself made namjoon smile fondly at you.
"well let's hope lady luck is on my side today."
she wasn't. he just all the races you two played, leaving you to pat his shoulder reassuringly even though a prideful smirk was on your lips.
"i demand a rematch, that was not fair!"
tou checked your phone, standing up with a smile. "afraid not at this moment. i've got to get the younger ones from school."
namjoon stood up and followed your walking figure, that was getting closer to the door. "we can send a driver to pick them up, come on just one more."
"sorry, duty calls, like you said earlier." namjoon let out a weak chuckle, not liking how his own words bit him in the butt.
"fine, but i expect a game when you come back."
"we will see namjoon, see you later." you waved and departed, leaving the male to slouch where he stood.
as you drove off to the college, jin sat in his wheelchair as yoongi leaned against the stairwell railing observing Namjoon.
"he's smart, but too selfish." yoongi noted, glaring at namjoon's figure.
"you're one to talk, you maniac."
"oh shut up, poser."
"ah, yoongi, you know I prefer romancer." the eldest winked as the other rolled his eyes at the statement.
| and that's the hyung line! sorry for the long wait =/ maknae line coming up next, apologies for any typos|
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