Chapter 16 – My Voice Shock the World
Tom sighed.
Monday had arrived and college had begun. He was in the class with Sam sitting next to him.
"What happened, dude? You look like shit." Sam asked him worriedly.
"Nothing. I just can't sleep these last few days."
He smiled bitterly. It wasn't a lie. He hadn't slept at all.
All day and night, he looked at videos on how to sing and dance. He thought it would be easy with his <Body Modification> and <Voice Manipulation> skill. He found out he could get so high in vocal range and even had the body built to dance.
But... Having the tools didn't necessarily mean he had the skill to use them. He was a complete amateur when it came to dancing. And his voice was... He sounded like a dying animal even when his voice was heavenly.
His progress was so slow that it was frustrating. He wanted to cry but had no tears left.
'I'm doomed. I was just lying that I wanted to enter the idol audition, but now the quest told me to pass the qualifier stage.'
He didn't know how to deal with the situation. He wasn't even sure if he could do it.
"Well, I hope you get better soon. If you have any problem, feel free to talk to me."
"Then, my brother. Can you sing?" Tom asked him.
"Nope, I sound like a dying whale. Why?" Sam answered.
"No reason."
He sighed. There was no way he could ask his friend to help him sing.
"Okay, class is starting. Pay attention."
The professor's voice brought him back to reality. He sat up straight and focused on the lesson.
After class, he went to the cafeteria to buy some lunch. He was still thinking about the idol audition. With a quick research, he found one was being held next week. The qualifier included him sending a singing and dancing video.
'If only I can find someone to help me... But who?'
He was racking his brain for the answer but couldn't think of anything.
"Tom! Hey, Tom!"
Someone called out to him. He turned around and saw Sam waving at him.
"Yeah?"
"Come here. I want you to meet someone who might solve your problem."
Sam waved at him. Tom was slightly confused but decided to follow him. They went to a small cafeteria nearby. Inside, there were tables and chairs and a counter where the food was served.
It was a simple place, but it was packed with people. The smell of food wafted through the air, making Tom's stomach growl.
"Hey, why did you bring me here? And what do you mean settling my problem? Do you even know what I was thinking?"
"For sure, dude. You wanted to sing but you're so bad at it, right? I know that because you're a guy and you suck at singing."
"What the hell? You're so rude."
He punched Sam's shoulder. His friend punched him back, albeit lighter.
"But seriously, you suddenly asked whether I could sing or not when you were down. I think I know the reason."
"Haaa... Alright. What do you want me to do?"
"Just hear her out. She might help you."
"Her?"
Tom was curious. Who was this person Sam brought him to. From what he knew, his friend only had a few female friends, just like him.
The two of them walked over to a table in the corner. Sitting there was a girl who seemed familiar to him. Her face. framed by wavy black hair, resembled someone he knew.
She wore glasses and her eyes were hidden by a pair of blue-tinted lenses. She looked smart and serious, but her clothes were rather revealing. A short skirt, white top, and thigh-high socks. Her outfit exposed a lot of skin.
Described in one word, it was contrasting.
"Hey, sis. I'm back."
"Oh, Sam. It's you."
She looked up from the book she was reading and smiled.
"And this must be your friend. I remember you told me about him before." She looked at Tom, "Hello, I am this idiot's little sister. You can call me Sarah."
"Hey, I'm not an idiot!"
"Okay, hi, Sarah. I am Tom."
Tom smiled and shook hands with her. He never heard of this sister in the same campus and narrowed his eyes at Sam.
"I didn't know that you had a sister."
"I also didn't know you had a sister until recently." Sam bit back, making him nod.
"Fair enough. But my sister isn't in this campus while yours is here. It's unfair."
"Haha, well, she is a good student, so she is in a different faculty."
"You guys... It seems that you're really my idiot brother's friend. Both of you are getting along well."
"Hahaha, we're like brothers. You are the step sister then, right?"
"Who's your step sister, stupid brother. We're blood related!"
The girl yelled angrily and slapped Sam's head. He yelped in pain.
"Ouch! That hurts! Why are you so violent!"
"Because you're stupid! Now shut up and tell me why you brought your friend here."
Sam sighed and sat down beside her.
"You see, this guy is troubled by singing. It seems like he needs to sing for something but his voice is so bad. Maybe you can help him."
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"Singing? What do you need to sing for?"
"Um, I'm planning to join the idol audition."
The world became silent at once. Both Sam and Sarah stared at him. He felt awkward but decided to continue.
"But I'm not confident in my singing."
Sarah was silent for a while before she laughed loudly. Sam also did the same and pointed at him.
"Idol audition? You? Dude, no way. Did you lose a bet or whatever? Who would make a guy like you as an idol?"
"Hahaha, I thought you are joking! Why did you join this audition?" Sarah said, "You can't sing and I doubt you can dance well, right? Hahaha!"
They laughed at him for a good minute. Tom could only grit his teeth and bear with it.
"Come on, you guys..." He said, sighing.
"Okay, okay, sorry. Wow, that was a good laugh. My brother's friend is a good comedian. Maybe you should enter that kind of audition instead." Sarah said.
"I'm serious here." Tom said, "I'm planning to join that audition next week."
"What? Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously."
Sarah stared at him with wide eyes. Sam looked confused, but he shrugged.
"It seems like my friend has gone crazy. Let's go and eat lunch somewhere else."
He got up from the seat and turned around. Tom grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He wouldn't let this guy go, especially after laughing at him.
"You enter too." He said to him.
"Enter where?"
"The idol audition."
Sam was silent for a moment before shouting.
"No way, dude."
"Good idea!" Sarah shouted too.