Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE: Did I just...?:
Kai's been told he's a pessimist, so he's been trying to not complain a lot. At least, not to anyone's face. But on the inside, he's definitely always full of complaints. Many of them. Lots.
For example, right now: it's freezing! His hands are so cold they burn, which literally makes no sense. Why do cold things burn hot? That's a complaint of his. Another complaint of his is how red the cold air makes his nose and fingers. It's a bright red. Rudolph the red nosed dumbass over here.
He grumbles to himself as he moves to the end of the icy street and turns the corner. It becomes much more crowded. People walk past and bump against his shoulders. It's like pedestrian rush hour right now, everyone's on the way home from work. That is... if they work a 9-5. Kai does, that's why he's stuck in this stupid crowd he hates.
As yet another person knocks into him, Kai visualizes shoving people away from him. But that's rude, so he decides to absentmindedly sing a quiet song. Ten seconds of joy and serenity pass before his voice cuts off, the tune finally processing in his head. It's a new boy band song, a fucking stupidly catchy one that his younger sister had been playing on repeat at the moment. Kai was refusing to become interested in them for many reasons, the main one being it was something his sister liked, so he was refusing to admit defeat now.
But a few seconds of silence later, and the lyrics were slipping out of his mouth again like a reflex. He doesn't even notice it, but a middle aged man walking past him does, pauses, and does a double take... which... yeah. It's refreshing enough to bring him to his senses. Kai immediately shuts up and keeps walking.
"Hey, you there!" the man yells behind him after a few moments.
Kai's been in New York for four years now. He knows if someone tries talking to you, you don't stop. He speeds up without looking back.
The man's persistent. "Hey kid!"
Kai's not about to get mugged. He senses the man walking after him. So he does what any rational person would do... he immediately sprints away in full speed, pumping his arms and skidding on the ice as he rounds the corner. After a few blocks, he turns down into the alleyway where the front door to his apartment complex is. He stops in front of the steps to catch his breath.
Thank god the guy looked old, he's definitely been left behind in the dust... Kai thinks far too soon, as he hears loud footsteps behind him.
"Wait...!" the man yells, panting.
Kai looks down and begins digging through his pockets. He digs through every single one, his sweatshirt, his pants pocket, his other pants pocket, his other pants pocket, his other --
A hand lands on his shoulder and he lets out a scream, lamely showing out his arm to hit the stranger. It's... very limp wristed and a burning sensation runs up the cold bones in his hand. Kai's sure it hurts himself more than it hurts the guy.
"Dude, I'm gonna call the cops or something...!" Kai warns as he holds his wrist. "I'm as broke as you are, don't mug me near Christmas, don't you have any decency? Can't you see I'm a student?"
The middle-aged man breathes heavily, silently glaring up at him as he holds up a finger. Kai stands still and stares, finally getting a good look at him. He's wearing designer clothes? Not trying to mug him, then?
"... Are you okay, sir?" Kai eventually asks, edging closer to the man's hunched over form.
This guy actually looks a bit familiar to Kai, he definitely knew him from somewhere else. Does he recognize him too? A family friend or something? He is Korean, after all.
Behind him, the front door squeaks open. Kai turns around to see his sister standing there. "It's cold out! Get insi-" she starts in English, then breaks out into a shrill scream.
It's enough to send Kai into an early grave. "What? What!" he yells, alarmed. She's screaming bloody murder.
It takes him a second to realize her screams are forming actual words. "OH MY GOD!" she jumps up and down. "BANG PD!"
Who? Kai turns back around to stare at the middle-aged man. Where does he know that name from? That face? He digs through his memories and then it hits him. PD. Like a director...
A boy band director. The man's reaction to his singing earlier suddenly makes a lot more sense. Well, at least half sense.
Zack feels his throat get dry as he stares back down at the man, who gasps and glares back at him.
Did he just punch the CEO of Big Hit?
Bang PD's face turns flustered from the screaming. His glare turns into a sheepish smile as he turns towards his sister.
With a hand over her mouth, she repeats in shock. "Bang PD...!"
Good lord.
"Ah, yes," Bang PD answers shyly.
"Sir, oh my god," she says quickly in Korean. "It is so so nice to meet you! What are you doing all the way here in New York?"
"It's a private matter," Bang PD explains, then looks towards Kai, who blinks a few times.
"You. Do you also speak Korean?" he asks.
"No," Kai immediately responds. If he feigns ignorance and fluency, perhaps he won't take him to court for hitting him.
Bang PD stares at him. Kai stares back.
He suddenly realizes he was asked that question in Korean.
Fucking dumbass!
Kai startles and says, "Ah.... haha... I mean, just kidding! Of course I do."
He flinches as Bang PD takes a couple steps towards him and braces himself for a hit of retribution, but he just reaches for his scarf and tugs it down away from his face. He feels Bang PD's eyes look him up and down.
"Nice visuals. And from what I could tell from your 'performance', a nice voice," he mumbles quietly, mostly to himself.
Kai gets the chills. "What the hel..."
"Oh my god, Kai?! Are you being scouted!" his sister exclaims.
Oh, is that what this is? Kai better take action quickly, then. "That was a private performance. Uh, sir."
"You're speaking Korean quite confidently now," Bang PD pointed out, a hint of teasing in his tone.
Kai feels stunned and ignores his teasing. "Why are you talking to me?"
"Straight to the point, I see... Well, as your sister so nicely said," Bang PD pauses to smile again at her, which sends her into another jumping fit. "I'm scouting you."
Kai doesn't respond right away. These words, that were usually the offer of a lifetime to some people, just left him with a sick feeling in his stomach. "... Why me?"
"Yeah, why him?" his sister speaks up, which earns her a glare and a scowl, because sure they were thinking the same thing, but he was the only one allowed to say that.
"I've been to almost all 50 states in the U.S. holding auditions. I fly back to Korea tomorrow. That is, after the last group of auditions today. I haven't been impressed yet... and I'm a man who believes in fate. It's how I've gotten as far as I have. So, I want to invite you to come and try out."
Kai's face feels a bit numb as his stomach flutters. He can't help but be filled with anxiety, thinking of what happened the last time he dared to do something like this. It's what gets the next few words out of his mouth. "Thanks for the offer, but..."
His arm throbs as he's hit by his sister. "He'll do it!"
Band PD nods. "Come with me then. We don't want to be late."
Kai glares back at his sister. "Are you crazy?"
"What's the big deal? That confident you're going to pass? It's just for fun!" she says, smiling and shooing him.
Damn. He's ticked off. But she's right... it's not like he's going to make it anyways. He's been out of training for years now. It wouldn't hurt to reminisce just a bit. He slowly turns back around to see Bang PD holding out his hand for him.
"I know you know who I am. Who are you?"
This guy's really cocky. Whatever.
He reaches out to shake his hand.
"Kai Chen."
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