The All-Rounder || Karina X Male Reader

2. The Band Is In, So Am I

Later that evening, I gathered the guys from Locked/In for an impromptu band meeting in the practice room. The place was basically our second home—a cramped, dimly lit room with posters on the walls, amps pushed up against every available surface, and our beat-up instruments scattered around. It wasn’t much, but it was ours.

Jihoon, my roommate and our bassist, slouched in a chair with his phone, looking skeptical. Daehyun, our drummer, was tapping his sticks against his leg as usual, and Sangho, our keyboardist, looked somewhere between intrigued and exhausted, likely from his double workload of band and school assignments.

“So…what’s the emergency, Jaeyoung?” Jihoon asked, not looking up from his screen.

“Alright, here’s the deal. The annual gala needs a band, and I think we could make it happen.” I tried to sound casual, but my excitement slipped out, especially as I remembered Jimin’s expression when she’d asked me earlier.

Daehyun raised an eyebrow. “The gala? You mean the event where the Kings and Queens strut around like they own the place? Why would we even want to play there?”

Jihoon looked up from his phone, a glimmer of interest in his eyes. “Wait, is this serious? Are we talking about the gala?”

“Yeah. And we could be the main act. They want someone new this year, not just the same group from last time. And think about it—everyone’s going to be there. The Queens, the Kings, and practically the whole school,” I said, my voice picking up as I tried to convince them.

The room fell silent as the guys exchanged glances. I could see Daehyun mulling it over, weighing the pros and cons. Sangho was already nodding, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“I mean, yeah, it’s a lot of people,” Daehyun said, sounding almost convinced. “And it’d definitely put us on the map.”

“Exactly. We’re good, and this is our chance to show it,” I added.

Sangho leaned forward, grinning. “I’m in. I’ve got a few ideas for some new arrangements that could really make our sound pop.”

Jihoon, who could always be counted on to play devil’s advocate, folded his arms. “But let’s not forget who runs this gala. It’s practically an exclusive showcase for the popular crowd. If we mess up, they’ll chew us up and spit us out.”

“But if we nail it…” I countered, letting the thought hang in the air. Locked/In had always been good—better than good, even—but we’d never had a break. This was a chance to go from a school band to something Fourth Haven would remember.

Jihoon finally sighed, relenting. “Fine. Let’s do it. We’ll blow their minds.”

Daehyun smirked. “Alright, Jaeyoung, we’re in. But if this backfires, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

With everyone on board, the excitement in the room was electric. We started throwing ideas around, discussing everything from song choices to potential new tracks. I could practically see the performance taking shape in my mind—a packed room, us onstage, everyone watching. It was risky, but it was also a thrill I couldn’t ignore.

---

The next day, I was on my way to chemistry when I ran into Jimin outside the lab. She was standing with a few of the Queens, their laughter ringing through the hallway like bells. They all turned to look at me as I approached. I tried to keep my cool, even as I felt a thousand eyes on me.

“Hey, Jaeyoung,” Jimin greeted me, a slight smirk on her face. Her calm confidence somehow made me feel more out of place than ever.

“Uh, hey,” I managed to say. I was never one to get nervous around people, but Jimin had a way of making you feel like you were under a spotlight, even in the middle of a crowded hallway.