Choosing An Agency.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city, an unknown man sat at his cluttered desk, staring at his screen with a slight frown. The soft glow illuminated his features, revealing a hint of disappointment in his deep-set eyes.

He had been searching for covers of "Heavenless Haven" for what felt like hours, hoping to find something that resonated with the haunting beauty of the original.

"No clue, can't find any either," he muttered to himself, scrolling through a sea of low-quality renditions. Most were either overly breathy or lacked the emotional depth he craved. He sighed, feeling a familiar wave of sadness wash over him. Music was his escape, but these covers only amplified his longing for something more genuine.

Just then, his phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. He glanced at a message from a friend. "You looking for good covers? Try asking around!"

With a resigned chuckle, he opened a chat with a few acquaintances in the local music scene. The responses rolled in quickly.

"Honestly, most are terrible. I haven't heard a decent one in ages."

"Yeah, it's like no one gets the vibe of the song!" another chimed in.

Kai's heart sank a little more with each message. It felt like he was chasing shadows.

But then, a message caught his eye. "Hey, have you tried Beautiful Newbie Stuns Park Residents! on KuzTube? I heard it's surprisingly good!"

"Really? I've never even heard of that one," Kai typed back, curiosity piqued.

"Trust me, check it out! Might be the one you're looking for."

With a flicker of hope, he pulled up KuzTube and typed the title into the search bar. As the video thumbnail appeared, he felt a rush of anticipation. He clicked play, and as the first notes filled his room, something shifted within him.

The melody was vibrant, and the voice—oh, the voice—was rich and soulful, weaving through the intricate rhythms with ease.

His eyes widened, and a smile broke through his earlier gloom. This was it! The artist managed to capture the essence of "Heavenless Haven" like no one else had.

He leaned closer to the screen, his heart racing. He quickly scrolled through the comments below the video, eager to see what others thought. "This is incredible!" one user exclaimed. "Finally, a cover that does justice to the original!" another added.

Amidst the sea of praise, he noticed a pinned comment from the artist themselves, revealing the journey behind the cover and inviting listeners to join their musical adventure.

Without hesitation, the unknown man clicked on the official cover post linked in the description. A rush of excitement surged through him. He immediately hit the subscribe button and added the cover to his playlist, a sense of fulfillment blossoming in his chest.

"This is exactly what I needed," he whispered to himself, the warmth of new possibilities brightening his evening. As he sat back, the echoes of "Heavenless Haven" filled the air, and for the first time that day, Kai felt truly content.

After a moment of contemplation, Ariana felt a flicker of conflict as he considered whether to buy the Luck Charm. He knew of its existence, but he hesitated, the trepidation creeping in. "Relying on luck might undermine my own abilities in the long run," he mused. "What if I'm just banking on chance instead of putting in the hard work?"

Ultimately, he decided that a little luck couldn't hurt. "A few times won't harm my outlook or determination," he reasoned, shrugging off the doubt. "And if it doesn't help, that's on me." With a newfound sense of resolve, he made the purchase, hoping it would enhance his opportunities and open doors in the competitive world he was stepping into.

As the transaction completed, he felt a surge of excitement. But that wasn't enough; he wanted to save up for another Performance Enhancer Cloak, too. Having both items would give him a significant edge in auditions and performances.

With a grin, he leaned back in his chair, already daydreaming about the future. "Alright, it's time to audition for a pop agency," he declared, feeling a wave of determination wash over him.

But as he thought about his options, he knew he couldn't just pick any agency. It had to be the right fit. He dismissed the idea of the big companies right away; those giants didn't prioritize their idols' feelings, often treating them like mere products. That wasn't the environment he wanted to be a part of.

On the other hand, joining a smaller agency felt risky. He needed a place that could support him until he could help elevate the company's status. After weighing his options, he finally settled on Pulse Entertainment.

"It's not very big, and the idols there aren't exactly top-tier," he admitted to himself, "but that's perfect for what I need." The agency offered a balance—a nurturing environment with enough resources to help him grow while allowing him to contribute to its rise.

With his decision made, Ariana felt a rush of determination. He quickly gathered his materials, ready to submit his application to Pulse Entertainment. He uploaded the cover he had just released along with a video of his most recent dance practice, showcasing his intermediate skills. "To my knowledge, they should readily accept me," he thought, confidence bubbling within him.

He knew he was already at a level above some of the debuted idols there, many of whom could only be considered just below intermediate, while a few matched his skill level. The big companies may have idols at the proficient level, but that wasn't his concern right now.

After carefully filling out the application, he applied for the leader, main vocal, and trainer positions. "I want to make a mark from the very start," he declared to himself, determination fueling his resolve.

With everything submitted, Ariana leaned back in his chair, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling inside him. It was currently Monday, and he knew he should receive a response by Wednesday morning. The waiting felt both exhilarating and daunting.

"Just two days," he reminded himself, trying to keep his mind occupied. He thought about his plans for the upcoming auditions and the potential ahead. "No matter what happens, I'm ready to embrace whatever comes next." As he sat there, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. He had taken a significant step toward his dreams, and now it was time to be patient. 

After submitting his application, Ariana settled into the realization that he now had to wait for a response. It was a clever strategy to sign up for trainer positions; he could potentially skip the training period altogether. However, as he pondered this, it struck him—he lacked any teaching skills.

"I can't just wing it," he muttered to himself, feeling a wave of urgency. Over the next two days, he needed to develop that skill and raise it to intermediate.

Don't get him wrong—he had taught before, just not in singing. He possessed all the theoretical and practical knowledge that came with his intermediate singing skill, but conveying that to others effectively was a different challenge.

Determined to get started, Ariana browsed some freelancing requests for vocal teachers. He scrolled through listings until he found one that caught his eye. It offered decent pay—$80 per hour. "That's not bad at all," he mused, his excitement building. This could be the perfect opportunity to hone his teaching skills and reinforce his own understanding while earning some extra cash.

Without hesitating, he decided to accept the request. "Let's just see what this entails," he said, feeling a surge of anticipation. This was a chance to dive deeper into his passion and prepare himself for the roles he had applied for. With a focused mindset, he set out to prepare for his first teaching session, eager to transform his knowledge into something applicable.