Producer's Corner

Chapter 2

Setting down the last box, she leans against the wall, taking a deep breath.

"I'm so tired." Lucas complains, closing the apartment door.

Megan sits down on one of the kitchen chairs and complains themselves. "I'm hungry."

Pushing herself off the wall, Kiki looks around the apartment. Quickly deciding they would deal with unpacking later.

"How about we take showers, then head down to the café at the fourth building?"

"Showers and food sound heavenly right now." Lucas states. Heading into his room.

"Sounds like a plan," she says, heading into her own room.
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Hearing her bedroom door slam open, Kiki sighs. Waiting for someone to say something.

"Hurry up! We're both done!" Lucas yells, slamming the door again.

If he ends up breaking my door over something so stupid, he won't have arms to use.

Rolling her eyes, she quickly gets dressed and exits her bathroom. Grabbing her phone and keys off her side table.

Exiting her room, she walks into another petty argument her two roommates were having.

"Do I want to know why you guys are arguing again?"

"It's nothing important." Megan simply states, walking over to the apartment door putting on her shoes.

"What do you mean, 'nothing important'? You took my sweater and have yet to give it back!" Lucas protests. Putting his own shoes on.

Shaking her head, Kiki ushers the two out of the apartment, closing and locking it behind her.

"Argue about this later."

Grumbling an answer, he stomps down the hallways. having to stop to wait for the elevator.

"Can't even stomp off properly." Meg jabs at him.

"Stop adding fuel to the fire."
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"Look! It looks so cozy and cute!" Lucas exclaims with glee.

Standing outside the café window, Kiki looks through the window anxiously.

"We should probably enter. I'm ready for some good food." Megan suggests, nudging Lucas towards the door.

Upon entering the small café, there were a few people sitting and talking. The walls were covered in photos and décor of people and characters. A R&B song is playing in the background.

Only a few people looked up at the sound of the bell hanging above the door, including the cashier.

"Hello, welcome to our café."

After simply greeting back, the three friends look through the menu.

Anxious about the new environment, she takes a moment to look around the small building. trying her best not to make eye contact with people.

Glancing over her shoulder to check if her friend was ready to order, Meg notices Kiki's eyes are always moving. taking in everything she could.

Softly asking, "Would you like me to order for you?"

She shakes her head, yes, startled out of her dazed observation.

Also taking notice of her anxiety, Lucas moved himself to stand next to her.

"Are you going to be alright, or is this too much at once?"

Slightly shaking her head, she softly states, "No. I should be fine. Can we go find a seat though?"

Taking a seat in the far corner, all three take a moment to sip on their drinks. Glancing at the walls, Meg begins to wonder if this is a K-pop café.

"Hey, Lucas?"

He hums a response and looks at them.

"Did you notice that this is a K-pop café, or at least I think it is?"

Furrowing his eyebrows, he looks around the building. "Oh. No, I didn't notice. Though it makes sense why there are so many photos of people. Look, there's a picture of BTS. Everyone knows BTS."

Taking interest in the topic, Kiki asks, "What is K-pop? I know it's music based in Korea, obviously, but like, why is it so popular?"

Both, not knowing what to say or the answer to the question, take a moment to respond.

Looking around the café, Meg points to a few teenagers who were sitting near them. "What if we asked them about it? I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we asked politely."

Cringing back at the suggestion, Kiki sourly looks at Meg and says, "I guess you're feeling extroverted today."

"I'll ask them," Lucas says with a chuckle.

Turning towards the teens' table, he gently knocks on the table in between them. "Excuse me?"

The teens looking up at the voice, noticing the three young adults staring at them. Skeptically responding, "Yes.."

"Sorry to bother you, but do you mind explaining what K-pop specifically is... and I guess what it entails?"

Confusion spreads across their faces as they take a moment to think about such a weird question. Everyone nowadays knows what Idol music is, assuming they are talking about that. Giving each other looks, one of the teens shrugs and responds.

"Yeah, sure, why not?"
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"I didn't realize there was so much to idol music, or that Koreans in general just didn't call it K-pop. Though that does make a lot of sense." Lucas comments after the lengthy explanation of the subject.

The three friends finished their meals and most of their drinks. The teens have already left the café.

"Same. I think it's really interesting. I definitely have respect for idols." Meg says, finishing her drink.

Both friends were looking over at Kiki, wondering what she was thinking about. She sat there, zoning out and slowly sipping on her drink.

Why are idols so restricted to certain things? Like roles in groups and what type of music they produce?

Slightly nudging her arm, Lucas questions Kiki. "What's got you thinking so hard?"

Looking up from the table, Kiki tilts her head to the side at the question.

"Idol music is the simple answer."

Tilting their own heads, Meg asks, "What about it?"

"I like the music we've heard so far. I love how versatile some songs can be, especially with the rap verses, when they're good verses. But a good portion of the songs we've heard so far have deep meaning, and if what the teens say about their idols is true, they put a lot of effort and work into almost everything and are often overworked. Which in itself works me up about how frustrating companies and contracts probably are." Kiki rambles.

Surprise took over both friends' faces, not thinking she was going to have such a detailed answer.

"Wow, you really thought about it."

Huffing a bit at the comments, Kiki simply shrugs her shoulders.

"Oh. If you're feeling so passionate about this subject, maybe when we finally settle into the apartment, you can do a deeper dive into it. Maybe you can finally find a job!" Megan excitedly explains.

After taking a minute to think it over, Kiki replies, "Maybe."
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Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you have a great morning, day, or night! (This chapter has been heavily edited)

Word Count(not including a/n): 1,104

Character Count: 6,340