Chapter 25 – Announcement
The only thing he had to worry about was his real identity. He had taken the first step. The reveal would be in the summer vacation. And he didn't want anything else but this.
When they finished cleaning each other, the trio got dressed and had a small meal. Then, they gathered on the couch, with Tom in the middle looking at his phone. Amy and Mary clung to him on either side.
They were tense.
Even if Tom only joined to finish his quest, he wanted to pass to show that his effort wasn't worthless.
The announcement was in the form of a live broadcast.
"Welcome, all idols! Congratulations on completing the qualifier."
The commentator, Lira Gomez, greeted them with her bright and warm smile. Everyone's eyes were on her and they listened carefully.
"This is a wonderful start for the future. We have chosen 20 out of 126 participants who joined Mangrove Idol Audition. If you passed this stage, congratulations! I hope we will meet again for the final selection!"
126.
20 out of 126 was a low number!
Tom was nervous for the first time since he had his skill. The <Will of Rebel> might have helped him boost his confidence, or his brain didn't care about failure, but that didn't seem to be the case this time.
The girls were also nervous and could see him.
"First of all, let's announce 5 of judge's favorites. This one isn't about talent or skills, but personal charm."
The first five slots were filled by those 5 favorites.
The first one, an idol boy.
Then a talented vocalist, an excellent dancer, a sexy and sporty girl.
Lastly... was none other than himself.
"James! His charisma and his look attracted the girls a lot and made the judges blush!"
Tom blinked and froze before his brain booted to check if the screen was broken or not. He didn't feel any reaction or even noticed that Lira looked directly at the camera when she spoke about him.
"You did it!"
"Congratulations! You're already in the final selection!"
Both of the Arlet twins, Amy and Mary, congratulated him, jumping with joy and hugs. They were really excited that they bobbed up and down while embracing him.
After the first five, Lira called names of the 7 others and said a few words about them before ending her speech. Just as expected, they didn't call the name Tom. But unexpectedly, Sam managed to enter the qualification.
'Woah, buddy. That's unexpected.'
It was the last words in Tom's mind before his mind drifted somewhere else.
He saw a notification window.
─Ding!
[Quest finished. <Lucky Draw> recharged.]
A smile formed on his face. He embraced the girls right there and carried them. They were surprised by the sudden action, but hugged him back.
"I did it! Hahahaha! I've been qualified!"
Amy and Mary's faces brightened up when Tom cheered.
"Yes! Let's celebrate, then!"
"We've got ice cream cake!"
Tom spent some time celebrating his success. It felt great. It was true when they say luck was part of one's talent.
Later that day, after another making out session, he returned to his apartment and changed back to his original appearance. He hadn't started any preparation because he didn't expect to pass this round.
There was nothing but a sense of fulfillment as his goal was achieved. But, what was next? Should he join the final qualification and boom it? Or would he deliberately not come and let himself get disqualified?
No matter what he decided in the end, he wanted to make a decision he wouldn't regret.
'Being an idol, huh? Let's not dream about that. I am living a good life now. I am sure Amy and Mary will understand that I give up that false dream after I am not qualified in the final selection.'
Tom washed up.
Once he took the shower and stepped into the roof, he looked at his status.
─Status─
Name: Tom Alford
Race: Human
Innate Exclusive Skills:
<Will of rebel> <Lucky 1 Draw:>
Skills:
<Appraisal >, <Body 3 Modification: Saved Appearances>, <Pocket 7 Space: Items>, <Voice Manipulation>
He had four skills.
Compared to the first time he saw it, it was clearly growing.
This time, luck finally rewarded him with something. Life became fun since he got skills. More skills meant more ways of enjoying the life he lived for. And of course, the more skills he would take advantage of, the more versatile he was.
"I hope the next skill will be useful to show off or make money."
And there came the dream about not working until 30 again.
Maybe if there was a skill that allowed him to do superhuman stuff like fantasy.
"Hahaha, what am I thinking? There is no way that's the case."
He chuckled and activated <Lucky Draw>.
In an instant, a window appeared in front of him with lists of skills he could get. It spun fast until it slowly came to a halt. Tom took his time to see what he would get from <Lucky Draw>.
─Ding!
[You have obtained skill <Expose Secret>]
"Huh?"
He got confused once the skill's information entered his mind.
***
Secret.
What was considered a secret? Was it hidden information about one's business or something else? Maybe the secrets came in several different forms.
Tom closed his status and started to fiddle with his appearance again, making it a bit closer to James. Now his face looked like James who wore a makeup to make himself look uglier.
Nothing much came to his mind at the moment. No one would recognize him yet, beside those who had his face memorized like the twins.
The next day, he went to college and found his best friend, Sam, grinning happily near the entrance.
"Yo, buddy. Hahaha. The weather is good, right?"
"You look so jovial in the morning, dude. Tone it down." Tom said, smiling wryly as they began to walk side by side.
"Tone it down? How could I not be? I got in the final selection! Ah, I didn't mean to brag because you failed, but still! Man, I am your best friend. I know you would be mad if I acted like a bitch and looked at you with pity, right?"
"Right."
Even though the conversation flow was one-sided, Tom nodded repeatedly and agreed with Sam.
Being looked at with pity felt weird. He didn't like that, so he was grateful Sam bragged about his success instead of feeling down because he didn't pass.
Also...
'If he looks at me with pity, I will feel guilty. After all, I also passed and became one of the five judge's favorites albeit in a different appearance. And I was rewarded with homemade food and a cuddling session with Amy and Mary. I couldn't ask more.'
Though he refrained from revealing that information to Sam.
"My first idol audition. Though I'm not gonna lie and say I wasn't expecting anything. Thank you, my beautiful sisters. This time, it has been pleasant. I won't join your demonic regime again! Hahahaha!" Sam shouted, lifting his arms and showing how much freedom he had.
"You say something?"
A voice stopped Sam. Tom turned his head.
Behind them, standing in a short skirt and a buttoned shirt hugging her breasts tightly was Sarah, Sam's sister. Upon seeing her, Sam sweated a bucket.
"Now that you're in the final selection, I will have you work hard and pay me."
Her tone had no playfulness. She wasn't joking. Her face was so cold that Sam was threatened by her. She was younger than him, but little sister always wins.
"It's nothing big, lovely brother. Look here." She pulled out a phone and showed a picture.
Seeing the picture, it was Tom's turn to sweat. Because what she pulled out was his picture... James' picture.
"Your job is simple. Get close to him and introduce him to me. Hehe, he's not close with anyone, isn't he? I took a liking to him."