Lead The Way (BL)

ELEVEN

(unedited)

TEN Enterprise

Today was the day Gene is able to see his son in person. He was both excited and anxious. Feelings he hasn't felt in a very long time.

The audition was held on the 8th floor.

Gene dressed chic for his audition and had his long hair clipped back at the nape. He wanted to make an impression without seeming too overbearing, and it worked as he expected because when Rose picked him up earlier, she had nodded appreciatively and said. "Good, this style suits you much better."

Gene walked into the large audition room as if only taking a casual stroll, and wearing a confident smile.

There were nine others auditioning him, most of them wearing excited yet very nervous expressions, and there were six judges seated behind a long white table.

Three of the judges were members of Tiptonic. They don't have a major say in who will become their fourth member, that was for their employers to decide. They didn't even know they were welcoming a fourth member until two weeks ago but what they did at least have a right in, was choosing who will make it through the auditions for further selection. They were only given this right so not to cause discord in the future. It made them feel important and not like they were only just pawns. Of course, these three boys knew better.

Gene glanced briefly at the members, his eyes lingering the longest on a blonde haired man who didn't even bother to look up at those who entered. Gene laughed in his heart because it reminded him so much of himself. He felt both elated and grieved.

The leader Ace smiled and bobbed his head at each and everyone who came to audition today. He has already seen six groups pass through the doors this morning but hadn't seen anyone that had truly caught his attention yet. They were either too mediocre in singing or too plain in looks or both of those combined. He was wondering warily if they were going to find anyone with potential today when Cia entered his line of sight.

Ace was instantly attracted to the young man, not only because of his good looks but the atmosphere surrounding him. It was neither arrogant nor subservient.

There was also a familiarity about Gene that made him curious.

"Oh, this batch looks promising." Les said beside Ace and in a low voice so only those around him could hear. A gentle smile curved his lips when he saw the last two enter the room.

When those looking to audition were lined up, a man in a yellow suit and black tie spoke up from his seat. "You have only five minutes to show us your talents, use that five minutes wisely. When we call out your name, you can begin. If we tell you to stop, you stop." The man looked down at a paper in his hands and called out with a clear voice.

"Henry Smith."

A young boy between the ages 16-17 stepped foreward eagerly, his face beaming with confidence as he started to belt out with singing...

Gene wished he had brought earplugs that moment.
...
...

The audition pregressed this way for the next thirty minutes. The ones who had already shown off their talents to the best of their ability had to stand in place until everyone else was finished.

Before coming here, Gene was told by rose that there are two rounds of auditions to go through. The first round was the easiest - it was where you show of your talent as an Idol. If you pass that round then you go through to the second. This round is the hardest because instead of testing your talent, you are put through a mock interview to try out your conversation skills. The company could teach them the skills along the way but they found it much more convinient to taking on someone who already had the basics down, hence why they added this to their auditions.