"So, we just need to make a song together then we'll be famous? Names in lights by next week! Is that what you're thinking Nine? Because I think it's delusional." Mill deadpanned as the two walked into school on a hazy autumn morning, waking Nine into reality.
Nine knew he was right. They didn't know what they were doing but if they wanted to make it, they'll need more than just song covers. The numbers were growing and it would be a matter of time before something big would happen so the two made a new account and a new business email. They wished for the best and promised Junji that he could use the account too since it's now the three of them.
But, the two were just stuck. They had no idea that this would happen. As tempting as it is, they can't just drop everything and recruit new people and make this whole thing a part of their lives forever. It'll take time and effort and they don't have that. "Balance is key!" as Mill's tutor loves to quote. Speaking of, after this last class Mill had to go and study with him. He hated having to learn again and again but Nine knew it would help in some aspect.
"But I don't want to go!" Mill whined, clinging onto Nine's shoulder. "Where?" Junji has caught up to them and resides near the door waiting for the two as he watches a cat leap across the school rooftops with the sunrise.
"To that stupid tutoring session! I don't want to learn anymore." Mill muttered into Nine's sleeve as Nine tries to stifle his laughs. Junji faces them and the three walk altogether.
"What's his name?" Nine asks with his hands in his pockets. "Oh its-" he was cut off as the bell signaling the next class came. The three talked on their way to class, with Nine realizing he hadn't seen Junji around much before their meeting. Maybe he should look around.
They took their seats inside the classroom and sat near each other.
As the class settled down, he noticed how he was surrounded by quiet throughout the class. He saw Mill looking out the window and Junji scribbling on notes that he was going to need later. Nine pondered as he looked out at the morning sky. The foliage giving a crisp hue from the foggy sunrise gave Nine a sense of inspiration. A feeling to keep going, no matter how hard. He hoped that spark had already existed in Mill and especially Junji, who although new to this and quite shy could break free and show others his gift of music.
Despite their apparent differences, the three of them shared a common thread in their unwavering passion for music.
They took their seats as the bell rang a few minutes afterward meaning that classes were over and Mill had to go to his session while Junji went home. And so, Nine went to the vending machine after school so he could get something to eat while he thought of songs.
Once he reached the vending machine he noticed someone walking towards him. It was a girl in their uniform and from his homeroom class.
"Hi, I'm Sua and I listen to your SoundCloud tracks, I really like them!" She gave a thumbs up and a smile as Nine beamed thankfully. Now he could tell the others of the encouraging words.
Once he got home, thinking of the encounter with Sua, he looked up popular songs. On the top #1 spot was a Taeyeon song. "Hmm, it wouldn't be so bad." He concluded. He searched for a Taeyeon song and chose INVU. He was pretty confident with his recording and soon sent the song to Junji and Mill and hoped for the best.
Meanwhile, Mill was studying. "I got 39. 45.5 is pretty close.." Mill murmured to himself as his tutor helped him. He didn't know what to do so he picked the closest number. His tutor was around his age and volunteered on helping him. At times, Mill felt dumb having someone his age teach him essentially.
Suddenly his pocket buzzed as he read all the notifications and ignored them, looking at the most recent one being from Nine. He sent a link to a new group chat with Junji in it.
His tutor noticed Mill's face shift. "Is it urgent? if it is you can go now since there's only a few minutes left. I might just stay at the studio for dance practice for a bit how about that? An early day!" The tutor suggested with a smile. Mill just nodded with a mischievous smile as he mentally cursed all the homework.
As his tutor packed up his stuff Mill did too. Once they were ready to leave their small space in a nearby library, Mill smiled. "Thanks Yoojung." Yoojung accepted his thanks and gave him a slight hug. "Thank me later when you actually do well on that test." Mill's shoulders drop at the word test. Honestly, he dies inside whenever it's mentioned these days. Yoojung sighs as he heads off to his dance studio. Mill knows how much Yoojung's very fond of his dance teacher Lee Minho. Mill heard how the dance teacher is friends with someone who seems quite similar to the person who commented on Mill's collaboration with Nine a few days ago.
He lets the thoughts go as he smiles to himself, being so excited when he sees the trio's fame unfold. He's always dreamed of becoming well-known for his art but now he has a song to complete with Junji and Nine and might just bring his big dreams down a bit.
"Well then, here we go," Mill says as he prepares himself for the next few days full of Taeyeon singing.
