Fighter (Lookism X Reader)

5 - Recognition.

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Duke's POV

'I have lyrics... but without melody they're dull. If I can mix a rap and a song like Jeong Go and Vin Jin, it would be better....' I sigh deeply at just the thought of me humiliating myself in front of my whole school plus other ones. 

'I guess... I can't help but just do my best." 

But at that moment... I felt like my life was going to change. Just by hearing the most beautiful voice ever. WHO IS THAT? 

[Y/n]'s POV

I nod my head with the melody I put Daniel to practice. He was really good. Extremely good. Like, on my level good. But I've practiced for years because it wasn't a natural talent. I adapt and improvise. That's it. But this guy... He's on a whole other level...

Daniel sat by the window as wind blew in, messing up my hair. But, strangely, i didn't mind because for once, I was distracted. Distracted by Daniel Park's voice. 

And as the sun went down, darkening the classroom, I listened to his soothing voice. But as the cool fall breeze blew in the empty room... it was like he was crying out to me. I don't know why it sounded like he was lonely even when he's the most popular and perfect guy. 

It was a melody, deep down, i knew i understood. I stare at the boy as he sings the final notes with such ease, my lips part in awe.

Once he stops singing, he looks over to me, blushing, as if looking to see if he had done good. I can't help but show a small smile on my face. 

"You did good...." I say, giving him a close eyed smile. His blush deepens, but I convince myself its just because of the fact that I told him he did good. 

"Next time, though, on the high notes try to...." I copy a high note from the song and show him an easier way to perform it without hurting his vocal chords too much, and other points in which he struggles with. After doing so, he nods, smiling.

As he opens his mouth to probably tell me something important, we then hear a voice at the door. 

"Exuse me." We both turn our attention to the door, wondering who it is. 

3rd POV

"Duke?" The girl asks. The chubby boy smiles, timidly, her way before looking down. He regains his posture and begins to speak again. 

"H-hi." He waves with a blush covering his chubby cheeks, which [Y/n] thought was cute cause it reminded her of little Daniel from the convenience store. 

"L-let's... perform together at the festival." Duke says, looking at both Y/n and Daniel. 

"Not me." She says, quickly, with a sympathetic look on my face. Duke's face falls. 

"Hey! Its not that I don't want to, its just... I realize that the only person you'll need for this festival is Daniel. He's perfect for this." Y/n looks over to Daniel and he's looking back at her with a look of disbelief. She places her hands on both of his shoulders. 

"You can do this without me. You don't need me. I trust Duke. And I trust you. I know you both will make an awesome duet. This is your time, Daniel. Don't let this opportunity slip." She leans in and plants a small kiss to his cheek. She smiles at Daniel's panicked, reddened face then turns to Duke.

"Duke... thank you."

"W-why?" He stutters.

"Just because I know you two will become really close friends over the course of the festival and I know you two will have each other's backs." She bends down and kisses Duke's cheek as well. She walks away and places a hand on the door frame, looking back at the two boys. 

"Good luck." She smiles, slightly and takes her leave.

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Y/n's POV

Later at night, I took Kavik out for a run again, just like every other night. I jogged as Kavik barked next to me, then he ran off. 

"K-Kavik! Where are you-!" I look to where- who - he was running to and to my surprise, it was a guy from my school. Vasco from Architecture Dept. He smiled widely as Kavik ran over to him and tackled him to the ground. He chuckled with a giddy blush over his face as he sat up and pat Kavik's head, then rubbed his belly. 

"Well~ aren't you a little cutie?? Where is your owner-?" Vasco looked up at me with wide eyes, but to reassure him, I smiled. Its weird y'know, I haven't smiled so much in such a long time. And so frequently.

Strange.

Ever since i started coming to this school, i've been getting into a habit of smiling more often. Weird. But a good weird.

"Hi. You're Vasco, right? We go to the same school." I smile, sweetly. He rubs the back of his neck, clearing his throat. 

"Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you, you're [Y/n], right?" He extends his hand and I shake it.

"Yep." Kavik jumps on Vasco again and we both laugh. 

"You're hungry, aren't you?" Vasco coos at Kavik and Kavik barks happily. I can't help but chuckle at the sight.

"There's a convenience store ahead. You want to go there?" Vasco asks, looking at me. I nod and pat Kavik's head, scratching his forehead.

He goes after me, barking, and Vasco walks by our side. As we walk slowly to the convenience store, Vasco and I begin to talk about random stuff and laughing about stupid things I told him I've done before. The brighter the convenience store's light got, the faster we had to wrap up our conversation. But as we spoke, Vasco looked ahead and his face darkened.  

I saw Duke, Jiho, and little Daniel sitting outside. We caught a bit of their conversation as we were getting closer.

"I... I'm also prepping for the festival concert with Daniel... and eating with him, too." Duke spoke to the other two. "I thought he was another bully but... he is really kind!" Duke exclaimed. I smiled and looked over to Vasco. He wore a serious expression over his face.

I looked over once again to where he was looking and I felt a disappointment dawn over me.

Jiho, the short kid that hung out with Daniel from school, pulled out a cigarette and begn smoking. And Little Daniel and Duke were there, too, but they weren't telling him anything. We stood in front of them, and Vasco snatched Jiho's cigarette out of his mouth. 

"Is what you were saying... the truth?" Vasco asks, as he puts out the newly lit cigarette with his fingers, showing no sign of burnt. 

The boys gasp and freak out at the sight of Vasco. And they glance over to me a few times, confused and flustered, but I just look back at them with a serious face.

"A-about Daniel? Yeah. He invited us to eat."

"He doesn't show off his strength."

"Yeah, and he had no choice but to fight Zack."

Vasco stayed silent, deep in thought. He stood a while there beside me, without talking though. Until he spoke to the boys sitting on the curb.

"Hey, part timer...." Vasco was talking about little Daniel. "Yea?" Little Daniel asked timidly.

"You are not weak. You should work out. If you don't know how to, come find me." 

And after saying those words to Daniel, Vasco turned to me and Kavik, nodded and went on his way.

What a nice guy. Peculiar. But nice.

Only a few days later, time for the festival began. 

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Hope you all enjoyed! Bye :))