Chapter 37

"What are your Instagrams?"

"Oh, did you finally make your account?"

"Yeap. Follow me it's just @Charlie."

"Charlie…?"

"Charlie."

"And then?"

"Just Charlie."

"Literally just Charlie."

"Yep."

"Oh, wow that's actually you. Did you buy the account name?"

"No, I just got it luckily. What are your accounts though? I'll follow you."

"Daaaaang, 5,000 followers. A celebrity is following us on Instagram," Ronan mentioned.

I slapped the back of his head.

They gave me their account names and I followed them promptly. It would've been easier if they just followed me first and then I followed back but I couldn't find their names in the sea of follows.

Unsurprisingly though, Natsumi did not have an Instagram. Or at least that's what she said because I noticed she was acting a little weird about it.

I'm not going to jump to conclusions but I think I do know why.

I stare at her and recalled the moment when we met at the electronics store and how she acted a little strange about streaming and how she was hiding the things she bought.

Eh, she'll tell me when I gain her full confidence.

She notices me looking at her and I quickly glance away.

I look into my phone again and check my followers.

The number's steadily going up.

Will there be an achievement for this? I mean, I got the achievement for followers when I was streaming. Maybe the achievement is only given once, and by only one social media?

I tap on the followers button to see what type of people are following me and I notice a few blue checkmark accounts at the top of the list.

These are verified?

I read their names and noticed they're my streamer friends.

I click the follow back button for each one of them.

There's a peculiar name on the followers list that I saw on the comments as well. Kaz Piano.

I'll follow them back too.

After a few seconds of following them back, my phone vibrates and sends me a notification banner.

{blacklily: CHARLIE U FINALLY FOLLOWED BACK}

I tap the banner.

{Charlie: Hahaha whoops}

{ I didnt see it}

{blacklily: lol no problem}

{BTW have you noticed the views on the piano videos?}

Oh, she probably wants to make a little conversation and then ask for the piano sheets.

Well, I did write them on the weekend and she liked the songs so I'll send them to her.

I'll entertain her for now, though.

{Charlie: yea they r rlly popping off. they r at like 3m views or something right?}

{blacklily: ye i even commented and its the first time ive gotten more than 2000 likes!!!!}

{Charlie: if u like likes that much just comment in ur videos and u will get more than 5k likes}

{blacklily: no it dosnt count it has to be another video}

{Charlie: do u never comment or something how do u not get more than 2k likes having more than 5 million subscribers}

{blacklily: shush}

I exit out of the Instagram app, leaving her on seen. I want to see what she commented.

I refresh YouTube and click on the video that's still on the Trending Page.

[blacklily: good job charlie!]

Okay, wow she got 2,000 likes just from this simple comment.

I click on the replies.

[simp#1: omg hi lily]

Ah, I hide the replies once again. They are going to be pure simp comments.

I screenshot the comment and head back to Instagram.

{Charlie: Wow! Really good comment!}

{1 Attachment}

I get out of her messages and look at other private messages.

Earlier today, I accepted the guy that followed me first and tried messaging me. He called me an asshole for taking the username Charlie.

I get his angry feelings, but why would he ever delete the account? If he accidentally deleted it, there are multiple steps you have to take to reach the delete button. If he wanted to sell it, it's against the terms of service of Instagram so he should've at least been expecting something similar.

I apologized but then the guy blocked me which was very strange.

After ranting a little inside my head, I go back to reading the comments.

Right under of lily's comment, I see another verified YouTuber. Their name is TsuNami and their profile picture is just the drawing of a fluffy white dog.

[TsuNami: beautiful playing!]

Under the replies,

[randomluker32: what is my favorite artist doing in here]

Simps?

I click on TsuNami's account and notice a massive 3 million subscribers count.

Goodness, gracious. How do drawing accounts get such huge followings?

The banner is a very pretty drawing of what I think is herself and just some cutesy things.

Ah, well she does storytime videos with quality drawings. They don't look too bad, either.

I scroll down and see her tutorials.

Yes! I knew there'd be something out there on the internet to improve my drawing skill.

Judging by the number of views these tutorials have, they're probably going to be really high quality.

Didn't think I'd find a great channel just by reading the comments. Cool that she commented on the video. Maybe I could one day collaborate with her?

Here comes another route of earning achievement points.

"Hey Mr. Celebrity, what are you doing over there being antisocial?"

I look up and proceed to kick Reed's shin.

It feels so weird being called a Celebrity.

"Probably checking his follower count or something."

We hear the bell ring, and like everyone else, we get up from our seats and go back to the hallways.

"Thanks for the food, Charlie!" Ronan thanked me, and the rest also began thanking me while I just smiled at them.

…

I drop onto my very comfortable bed and take off my shoes and socks.

I'm getting more comfortable and familiarized with this room that I've been in and not, for 16 years.

I stretch my arms and legs and reach for my nightstand drawer to take out the knife-shaped contact card.

I did not want to lose it or mistakenly throw it away, even if it is very unlikely it would happen.

If I threw it hard towards the wall, would it get stuck there?

Looking at the contact number, I read them out loud and type them into the call on my phone.

Could this contact card cut? It does seem a little sharp.

Ah, well whatever. I tap the green call button.

I do not wait much, for after the second ring I hear John picking up.

I activate my Silver Tongue Passive.

"Hello, this is John, who may I be talking to?"

"Good afternoon, John. It's Charlie, from the subway metro station."

"Ah, Charlie! Yes. I'm glad you called back. Baldwin told me the other day that he talked with you. Good piano performance by the way! My daughter loved it!"

Baldwin? Oh, probably the bald subway driver that talked to me the other day in the cafe. Hah, Baldwin is bald.

That was horrible.

I'm sorry Baldwin, and whoever these thoughts reach.

I'm still confused about how he had such expensive clothes, though. Do subway drivers here get the same pay as airplane pilots on Earth or something?

Well, I'll stop getting distracted. Weird how Silver Tongue affects the way I speak, but I still think stupid things like this.

"Ah, I'm humbled to hear my performance pleased someone. But yes, Baldwin helped me consider."

"Yes? What do you think of it? Here in Knife Agency, we've got the best staff, best resources, and the best quality. Though we have little members, we believe in quality over quantity above all. All of our members have been successful and are now very known people." He paused to take a breath, and then continued, "You'd definitely be appreciated in our limited roster. Even my boss really liked you after watching your piano video."

Well, he's going for the friendly open approach. He looks like an amiable guy too, ignoring the first impression of a murderer I had of him. That's probably why he's one of the scouts for such a huge agency.

"Yes, I'm interested in being apart of the Agency. I've heard nothing but good things. I have a few doubts, though."

I'll let him know I'm on his side and inclining towards his decision but could also reject him.

I did see he was very desperate on the train though, so I don't think I need to do this but it's a countermeasure in case it was an act and or the company is pretty shady from the inside and might want to force things to me.

...

We talked for a while more and he offered me to talk person to person about the procedures, how I'd deal with school, and other things.

We would meet at the cafe near Weath First, also where I work.

He's trying to make it more comfortable for me, by talking in a space where I'll be protected by my coworkers and boss.

Okay, I think the company isn't that shady, or John is just extremely intelligent.

Really. Such a simple guy yet I can't be so sure about anything about him at all.

I get up and stretch my arms and legs after the while of sitting and discussing with John on the phone.

Let's hope this is successful.

Meanwhile, I'm going to go to the gym once again.

I've done so much progress with the exercises that I'm not being labored that much.

Honestly, amping up the number would probably keep working but I want something more efficient and straining.

It's time for Bar Calisthenics and painful calluses.

Maybe some swimming too to relax? I did see that there's a swimming pool in the facilities.

Ah, there's also a basketball court which I want to try out. Since I'm actually fit now and won't get tired within just 30 minutes of running, I might be able to finally play the sport I've been playing for years.

Well, I called John immediately after coming back home and it's just been around 10 minutes of talking so it's pretty early right now.

I did all of my work in classes so there's not much to do.

I can grind some of my skills or probably stream. Hmm.

My hands are really itching to dribble the basketball, though.

How can I do it to play basketball, and still have progressed for the achievement system?

I could record myself and post it on social media? Nah, there's no point since people are just following me right now for piano skills, streaming, and my looks and not my unknown basketball skills.

Ah, I really want to play basketball right now though. Most of everything I've been doing so far has been to get achievement points and progress in the achievement system.

Maybe I should just lay back, relax, and just do my hobby?

If I don't allow myself to do things, because I want to prioritize the system, I'll probably end up getting burnt out from always thinking about achievement points and be unhappy that I'm not doing things out for pure enjoyment.

Maybe also being a recognized athlete will help me get achievement points?

Ah, damnit. It's already a habit to think about achievement points first before doing anything.

Well, at least I can go to the court without having the weight of 'wasting time' on my head since I might be getting achievement points from this.

…

"I'll be going out now, Charlotte."

"Okayyyy, bye Charlie!"

She helped me close and lock the door and I left jogging for the gym.

I jogged for a few minutes, and with my massively improved stamina, I was able to get there with my composure and just a little sweat.

There are basketballs that are already in the gym and are part of the resources, just like the towels the attendants have lent me.

I've never seen anything like this in a gym. Usually, you brought your own sports balls, and items but the gym has everything already.

I was a bit skeptical of using the towels at first but each person is given their own towels with their name embroidered on it

It's a little weird how effective, quick, and comfortable the gym is. They have everything you'd need. No earbuds or water bottles though, but they do blast music on speakers and have the NutriJuice right next to it.

I opened the doors to the facilities and walked into the section I've been going to every time I've come here.

I walk past the treadmills and machines and go straight into another transparent door that opens into the basketball court.

There's a decent amount of people and it looks like they're all pretty skilled too.

My above-average height doesn't mean much against them since most of them are either close or taller than my height.

Ah, I've been waiting the entire week to finally get my fitness up and dunk the ball.

I don't think I'll be able to dunk it too easily, though, since my legs haven't been developed too much. I do have my extra height and jump technique, though.

It'll be a little sad if I can't dunk it since my fingers have been itching for it, but dribbling and shooting the ball will alleviate the urge.

I watch the five players in each time sweating and playing their best while having fun.

Before I say something weird, I remember to turn off Silver Tongue. Whew, it woulda been awkward if I still had it on and said something formal.

"Yo!"I yell out to the bench players, "you got space for more people?"

Some guys heard me and two of them grinned at each other and told me,

"Yeah man, we've got space."

I grinned at them and walked over to them from the side.

"What are you good at? Probably shooting the ball?" One of the guys to the side that heard me remarked.

Huh? I hope they're not stereotyping me because of my race.

"Shut the hell up," One of the ones that told me I could play, stared intimidatingly at him.

Oh. Maybe the guy just wanted to improve his standing within these people by picking on me?

A bad case of acting Alpha to gain respect. It looks like he's not very well-liked too.

"He's probably miles better than you. Don't go around saying that stupid shit," One of the taller ones barked at the guy.

"Aye, watch what ya say, buddy," one of the guys on the court also heard the remark towards me. He then turned his head towards me, "What's your name kid?"

"Hey. I'm Charlie."

He got into posture to defend against an incoming attack and tapped the ball out of his opponent's hands. He slapped the ball away towards his teammate's hands and left him an easy fast break.

"Hey Charlie. Ight, Charlie you'll be in our team and subbing in before the idiot."

The rude guy began gritting his teeth in anger and looked towards me threateningly.

You opened your mouth, buddy. Not my fault.

[Author Note: Sheesh. This chapter was late by like 7 hours LOL I'm sorry. I haven't had time to stock up on chapters yet and my teachers are assigning long homeworks mercilessly.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the long chapter, in compensation for the tardiness!

Please comment your thoughts down below!

By the way, I'm not going to be replying to and liking comments as often as before, due to the work that has been piling up.

I'll probably return back to being active after the situation has calmed down, but for now, I'm being overloaded with tests, essays, and homework.]