Will Love Bloom? (BINI Mikha x OC)

Chapter 14: Be you, Be Uno

Uno's POV

I still find it hard to adapt to my new schedule, I was so used to waking up early that I still wake up at the same time and hours before my alarm. 

I turned it into a new routine of mine, I set my time like I used to and go out for a run since I already had ideas of what I need for performances; I need a lot of stamina and endurance. 

I even began singing while I was running so that I would still sound stable even when I'm dancing and moving around. 

A week passed by since I signed the contract and became a part of the KLM Company but I still didn't have much to do so I just used my free time practicing alone; singing and dancing to other artist's and group's choreography. 

I was resting after practicing two songs and two dances when I heard a knock on the door, I turned and I saw John peeking from the glass cutout.

"It's open." I stood up while wiping off my sweat, "You don't need to stand up." he told me so I sat back down, "What's up?" I asked, "Nothing. You know you don't have to do any of this since Direk Odin already set a proper schedule for your training next week." he told me as he took out a water table from a mini-fridge in the corner and handed it to me.

"I know but it's been three years since I stopped training, I just wanted to be as close as I can to what I'm capable back then." I replied, accepting the water bottle. 

"How much is this?" I asked as I cracked it open, "It's free." he replied with a raised eyebrow, "Oh. That's cool." I drank the water, "Uno, you don't have to pay anything here, you know. Everything in this building is for you to use as much as you want. That's what it means to be an artist of KLM." John told me, I nodded. 

"It seems your work ethic is still the same. Back then, you would always be the first man in practice and the last man out." John told me, "It's just who I am." I responded.

"Yeah. I witnessed every night that you would practice your performances down to a tee until your legs would give out and the entire training room would look like a sauna. If I was in charge at IJK, I would have debuted you much earlier." he told me.

"By the way, why did you leave IJK? I questioned, "I got a fight with one of the members of SB19." he answered, "What happened if you don't mind me asking." I followed, "It was because they were supposed to perform at a charity event I think the next day but they stayed out late the night before until the wee hours of the morning so when they performed at that event, they were all over the place, messing up and making many mistakes. Then they proceeded to tell the director that I didn't stop them or I was at fault." John explained.

"Yeah. I hated that side of them. Remember I even fought with them because they kept messing up in practice." I told him and he started laughing, "Yeah. I could still remember their flustered face when you called them 'unprofessional'." I laughed remembering their expressions. 

John was called by Direk Odin so I went back into practicing two more songs before finally ending today's session. 

John took me back home where I ordered some food since I was too tired to cook for my own, I was scrolling through social media when I got a call from Direk Odin. 

"Hello Direk?" I greeted, "Uno! Sorry for calling unexpectedly." he replied, "It's not a problem, Direk. What can I do for you?" I asked, "Since your proper training is not scheduled until next week, would you like to go out and perform at a school event? Just to get your name out there even though you already gone viral." he announced, "I'll do it." I responded, "Let's talk about the details tomorrow." he told me before hanging up. 

My food came at the exact moment, I put my phone down so I ran out to get it. I spent the night watching different performances before laying down on my bed  to rest.

- - - - -

I just finished going on a run and went to restaurant to have some breakfast, "Hello my dear friends." I greeted, "Boss! Are you here for breakfast?" Angelo asked, "Yep. I'll have the usual. I'll pay today, it's just feels wrong, eating for free." I told him and he just smiled, "Alright." he said as he sent my order to the kitchen.

"How are you doing? Are you gonna debut soon?" Angelo sat in front of me, "I'm still training so I don't know when I'll debut but I'm having fun with the process." I smiled, "This is really what you meant to be doing. I have never seen you this happy other than when you're performing." he pointed out, "Yeah. Even though what I'm doing is more tiresome but it's really fun, you know." I told him.

"I'm still thankful to you guys, if not for you pushing me, I would have missed this chance and regretted it the rest of my life." I continued as my food arrived, me and the others chatted a bit more before I went back to my house to get ready for my meeting with Direk Odin. 

When we got to the company, me and John headed straight to Direk Odin's office. 

"Good morning Direk Odin." I greeted, "Good morning Uno. It seems you are in good spirits." he told me as he asked me to take a seat, "How could I not? After what we talked about last night." I smiled, "So you like performing that much, huh?" he grinned.

"I do. I really do. That's why I suggested holding talent nights at the restaurant I used to work at." I responded, "I even knew you were busy training all on your own even though you didn't need to." he told me, "I... I just couldn't sit still." I said, "We really didn't made a mistake taking our chances with you." Direk Odin admitted which made me embarrass. 

"So about the event, we got you a part at a school festival that is scheduled on Saturday so you will only have two days to prepare. You need to perform two songs, can you do it?" he asked, "Yes Direk. But what song should I do?" I replied, "I'll let you choose and trust you with that. You can do songs from your viral video or do something new, it's all up to you." Direk Odin reaffirmed, "I understand Direk. Thank you." I smiled, "So I get it that you'll go straight into the practice room after this." he looked at me and I nodded with a smile. 

"You can go. Tell John if you ever need something so we could prepare it and have it ready." Direk Odin instructed, "Thanks Direk. See you later, John." I told them before I ran out of the office and straight to the practice room. 

I began stretching while thinking of what songs should I do, "Should I stick with the songs I already performed? Doing 'Gento' is always a hit but I really want to show something new.", It's a good thing that there was a complete set of instruments already inside the practice room so I could play around until something hit me. 

"How about I lean in into something 'Pogi' that gives of 'heartthrob' vibes?" I asked as I started playing around with the guitar, I tried doing 'Simpleng tulad mo' by Daniel Padilla and it felt and sounded right. 

"You should do that song." I heard someone said, I turned around and I saw Direk Odin leaning on the door frame, "I was just playing around." I replied, "I think it's a good choice showing a different side of you." he told me, "Plus, we will announce you as our very first artist a day before the school festival." he added, "I understand. I'll do my best." I replied, "Don't think about unnecessary stuff, Uno. Even if you messed up, I'll be there to support you. So be confident and go do what you want. Be you, be Uno." he encouraged before leaving. 

Hearing something like that means a lot to someone like me who once lost his purpose and started doubting himself.  

I let out a breath and closed my eyes, "Be confident, Uno. Show the world who you really are." I opened my eyes and smiled.