1 Her Dream

The sky was pitch dark, covered with clouds. The thunder cackled and roared with bolts of lightning and continuously pouring rain. This situation perfectly defined the idiom "Raining cats and dogs".

Amidst this bad weather, Izumi was sitting on a chair looking out the window of her apartment, staring at the sky. Her blood-red eyes were sharply indifferent and clouded. She seemed a bit absentminded as she twirled a lock of her long and dark black hair with her finger. Her eyes never left the dark sky.

'Ding Dong'

A sudden ring at the door to her apartment woke her from her trance. She shuffled over to the door and opened it. The sudden visitor was another girl her age who was panting heavily, trying to catch her breath. She was drenched from head to toe, like she had ran through the rain.

This girl was her best friend Zena.

As Izumi stepped aside, Zena made her way into her apartment. She slumped on to the sofa with a thud. Izumi locked the door and came back inside, casting a disapproving glance at the soaked girl sitting on her sofa. She said sarcastically, "Zena, I knew you didn't have a habit of saving your money, but I didn't think you'd be so poor that you couldn't even afford an umbrella?"

Zena put her hand to her chest and breathed hard. She looked at her friend and made a waving gesture, "Wait a second, let me...hah...catch my breath. I, I just went out for a simple walk, didn't think my bad luck would strike again. Speaking of luck, I have great news for you! You see, I-"

She didn't get to finish when Izumi moved her hand to her mouth and made a 'shh' motion.

"You, first go take a bath. Look at yourself, so wet that you can't get anymore wet! Before you catch a cold and force me to take care of you, go and wash up." She pointed to her bathroom.

Zena simply shrugged and walked towards the bathroom door. Turning around, she playfully winked at Izumi, "Fine! I'll let you drown in suspense! Don't forget to miss me while you're at it!" Then humming, she went inside to shower.

Izumi shook her head at her attitude, she really was never going to change.

As for her so called news, she didn't want to care. It's not like this was her first time knowing her. Who knew what gibberish she would utter, being the Gossip Queen that she is. Might as well not expect at all, so as not to be disappointed.

After a long time, Zena came out of the bathroom. After drying up her hair, she excitedly sprang up to the bed Izumi was sitting on. Pressing a fluffy pillow between her arms, she faced her with sparkling eyes.

"Xi, Do you have any idea how important the news I have for you is? Once you know, I guarantee you'll come and worship my greatness. Quickly come and beg me to tell you! Quickly!" She spoke in such enthusiasm that it seemed like she had won the lottery.

Izumi, who was browsing through her phone, simply ignored her. Seeing that she wasn't getting a reaction as usual, Zena sighed to her self, "Fine, Your Highness! I, your humble servant, will not tease you anymore. I just request Your Highness to allow me a single moment of eye-contact. The result, as your humble servant guarantees, will leave you completely satisfied!" After that, she even patted her chest and lifted her chin to show how proud she was of herself.

"Enough with the nonsense. Just spit it out!" Izumi spoke exasperatedly.

"Right, right. So basically, today while at my part-time job, while I was gossipi- ahem, I mean talking with a college of mine, she told me the juiciest news ever! Well, you know Twilight Entertainment? The biggest entertainment company that has always nurtured the best and most award-winning stars since their debut?" She looked at her with 'I'm-sure-you-already-know' gaze and continued on. "This company just recently sent out notices of recruitment! And guess what the recruitment is about?! It's about....drum roll please! The position of being the female singer, of the new song of Izuru Midoriya!! Dun dun dun!!!" She sprang up in excitement.

What?

Auditions for... female singer of a song?

Izuru Midoriya's song?

Izumi widened her eyes in shock. Ignoring the giggling of Zena, she stayed in a trance, trying to process the piece of news in her heart. Then, her eyes became cold.

"Why are you telling me this?" She frowned at Zena.

"Why? Of course because you're going to audition!"

"No. Don't even think about it." She firmly denied.

"Why?! Xi, did you not hear me? Co-lead singer for the star Izuru Midoriya! Get it? I.z.u.r.u M.i.d.o.r.i.y.a! Don't you know how popular he is? He's not only a really popular singer, he even got the Best Actor awards for three years straight! His album is sold is millions!" She started to squeeze her pillow hard, trying to explain. "Besides, I don't need to tell you that, right? Isn't he your idol?"

At the mention of that, Izumi subconsciously looked towards the poster on her bedroom wall.

The poster had the picture of a young man with dashing black hair. The picture clearly showed his glowing red eyes. He wore a mask around them and his hand was lifting his bangs over his forehead, giving off a devilish feel to the onlooker. This was a picture from his first album "Accident" which sold over 10 million copies.

His voice was so enthralling, it got everyone's hearts hooked to it. That was why he was her idol.

Turning her eyes back to her friend, she asked, "Why do you want me to go audition?"

"Why? Did you...just ask me why? Izumi Melissa, ever since the first day I met you, even if I knew nothing about you, I knew that it was your lifelong dream to enter the Entertainment Industry. Now that you have a chance, why not grasp it?" She felt greatly puzzled at this.

Her dream...

Zena was right. It was indeed her dream to enter the entertainment Industry.

"Even if it is my dream, timing is important you know? Why are you so confident that even though my voice is good, it'll be compatible with Izuru's voice? How do you know that there won't be someone with a better voice than me? How are you so sure that, because I passed the audition, they'll take me into the Entertainment Industry?"

"That..." She didn't know how to answer that.

Seeing her become quiet, she continued.

"See? That's why, I-"

"Stop!" Before she could speak more, Zena rushed to place her hand on Izumi's mouth. Then with a determined look, she said, "When I heard the news of the auditions, I had the feeling that you wouldn't accept this. So, before coming here, I secretly signed you up for the auditions and got you on the waiting list! It's already been done! You can't reject anymore!"

Izumi: "..."

If you already knew that I didn't want to go, why'd you sign me up?!

"Okay! Now that we've agreed on this, be sure to dress up nicely to the audition! I know you'll win!"

"..." I haven't agreed on anything!

"Zena, you..."

"No! You can't get mad at me! I did it for your own good. Xi, I know how hard it is for you to reach your dream. You have a chance now, no matter how slim! You have to grasp it! With your beautiful voice, why can't you win? As your best friend, I will make sure you get your dream!" Zena said with determination.

Feeling helpless, Izumi didn't say anything.

Seeing that, Zena smiled, "I knew it! You're the best, Xi! Then, good luck! Sarenghyo~!" And happily skipped out of the room, leaving a speechless Izumi.

"Oh." Just before leaving the room, she turned around, "How did your meeting with the Board of Directors go?"

"It was fine." Putting on an indifferent look, Izumi replied. "Those old geezers can't oppose my decision anyway."

"Oh. Bye then!" Saying that, Zena left her apartment.