Day 2 (Day)

I was in a deep slumber, even in the pits of depression. However, I was startled, which woke me up due to the screaming noises outside. I quietly open my door to take a peek at the noises. I see nurses and a doctor trying to hold someone. My eyes were able to see clearly that Kevin was being controlled. He was rampaging over some illegal contract. At that moment, when he mentioned a contract, somehow there was a spark inside of me. I once too like that.

After a while, the noises calm down in this sanctuary. I closed my door and went to sit on the edge of my bed. I felt like I was drowning again until Anna asked about my condition.

"You wake up early?" She put down some slice fruits on the table

"Well, I thought the walls are tough" I sit at the table and eat the fruits.

"I see." She silenced

"Frankly I am curious, but I know it is against your rule" I slice the apple into other small pieces.

"One time at a time," She said and checked the tension. I wanted to tell her about my emotions, but after today's doctor's visit, I rethought again.

I went to shower as Anna waited for me to dress up. We are allowed to bring something that is not dangerous such as perfume. Soap or things that makes you comfortable. I sprayed the sweet vanilla EDP around my neck, although this is not a place where other humans care.

This place is a shelter for us or people like us who are tired of social demands and pressure. We all are mad here, but we want to be better to understand our purpose for believing or even our own drive to live again. We don't want to be sick too, but if we are here means we have lost our defensive mechanism.

Anna and I went to the cafeteria and were greeted by these new friends. I do notice Kevin is not in the chair; we all know why.

Baron's face comes closer to me, which freaks me out. "Akira, do you hear what happened to Kevin?" asked Baron

I pull my face backwards. "Practically, he was next to my room, so yeah, I heard it"

He then pulled his face and continued, "He has been here for six months. Before he came in, we had already known him."

"How so?" I looked at them curiously.

Cain explained elegantly as he cut the hamburg steak, "Indeed, he was once an idol member, but his company was shady, or should I say they used him only to fill someone's slot."

My heart seems familiar with this case. "What do you mean by slot?"

"Apparently, Kevin was a temporary replacement for an idol named Stevan", he continued.

"Stevan? Do you mean that Stevan X-9?"

"Yes. He was a wealthy kid and the investor for the agency, But he only wanted to join the band if the band successfully debuted," Baron added.

"And the band was successfully debuted", Michael added as he poured lime juice into our drinks.

"When the fame hits them, Kevin is kicked from the band."

X-9 is popular on the top charts as far as I remember. I do not remember much, but I am sure Kevin is not one of them.

"How about the fans?" I asked them while chewing my peppermint.

"Kevin was not in the spotlight enough compared to Ray, the main vocal, basically, the fans do not defend him when he left the group", Cain continued and wiped his natural lips with a tissue.

"It was announced that Kevin left the group for personal reasons, but his fortune only lasted for a while when Stevan came in."

"Because he is a model and charismatic."

"We called him "The Prince", or that is what his fans called", Baron added.

In X-9, Stevan is indeed the most powerful visual and charismatic rapper. But I never thought there was such a scene behind it. His talent in delivering a deep baritone voice and his versatility are perfect.

"How do you know so much about him and his former teammate Cain?" I asked

"As I said, I am the rightful owner of Vitamin Power. I was here for some reason, which I can't explain. But if you asked, I'll give you a hint. Even a trainee needed a sponsored or promotor."

He looked at me fiercely in the middle of our dining table. That look is deathly serious; even my soul is shaken by these emotions. I feel my hand shaking, and my heart is pounding so hard. "I want to be alone" I stand up.

"Hey, what's wrong?" asked Baron

They are all asking me why I leave, but I still go until I do not know why I am in front of Kevin's room. "Kevin...." I sigh.

I cannot imagine the suffering he had to handle. He does not even have any privilege; all he does is do what is being instructed and hold on to his dream as an idol. A moment on the stage, the crowd cheers, spotlights, and importantly makes his family proud. But in the end, his endless training is all for someone else shadow. That is not fair.

I brave myself to knock on his door, but he does not answer. I press down the door handle and found him on the bed.

"Kevin..."