go with the tide

“i want to try again. actually debut in a group that treats me right. i’m young enough to still get to do it,” ahki answered. “i deserve a do-over.”

“you do,” erii agreed. “you know...you should see if your dad has any siren contacts and see if you can come here. i don’t know if midnite’s lineup is set in stone, but with sangah and yihwa, there’s surely going to be another group soon behind. and i think you’d be treated a lot better...”

“no. that’s way too much work. i’m going to be the center, the rapper, the dancer, and the face of the group……leader too? can’t handle that. sorry.”

“i guess that’s fair-- especially if you’re about to debut in a second group,” erii teased. “i suppose i’ll hold down the leader position, then.”

“six years…” he repeated in awe. he didn’t realize he’d been a trainee for so long. “it’s great seeing you again….” he smiled. “mirae is really great, isn’t she? are you guys slated to debut soon?” he blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “i…that means a lot, thank you. i’ve been working hard.”

“you too... i didn’t know you were still a trainee,” she admitted, smiling. “yeah! i don’t know how soon, but we have a song recorded. i think it’s just a matter of seeing how mirae does and adjusting the schedules accordingly,” erii explained. “it shows through. you can really tell how professional and seasoned  you are on the show,” erii assured him.

like, two years? i don’t know. dad’s taking them to court,” ahki answered, sighing. “he thinks his lawyers can get them to terminate my contract. something about a tiny clause they’ve been overlooking. i don’t care as long as i’m out soon.”

“good. they’ve really treated you terribly,” erii said with a sad little humm. “have you considered what you want your next step to be after that?”

“come on! that’s different!” mirae whined. “you saw how annoying she was being! she was treating me like i didn’t know anything, even though i was like…twelve steps ahead of her. it was ridiculous. you’re not like that.”

“well, she did seem like a pain in the ass to deal with, i’ll give you that much,” she conceded with a little laugh. “it was still shocking to see-- are you sure you don’t want to be midnite leader?”

“yeah, i’m fine– it was just a little bump,” he insisted, smiling and getting a better look at her. “it’s been forever,” he said, shaking his head. “how have you been? where’d you end up? what brings you here?”

“it’s been a long, long time. like, six years,” she agreed, smiling and staring. “oh, i’m at siren ent now! i was one of their first trainees, actually. i came to watch mirae-- she’s going to be in my future group,” erii explained. “i’ve been watching the show; you’re really impressive.”