Sweetness and Light ✓ || Hueningkai X Reader

Chapter 4

"Sorry about that," Kai says. "We should have told you sooner."

It's now after their performance, and Kai and his four friends are on the side of the stage, wiping down after a hard dance. You're the first one to the side to congratulate when they're done, and Kai explains just exactly what they're doing there.

Apparently, the Magnificat is way more than a mall. It's an entire entertainment complex, with rooms far above the mall that only cleared people can see. Regular people can come to the mall to learn how to be a model, or take guitar lessons, or any number of creative pursuits. But the mall is also home to fledgling acts that are looking to hone their craft before debuting, or people who want studio time, or collaborators from all around the world. Kai and his friends are at the Magnificat for the entire summer, training under singing coaches and dance trainers, but also working on learning English. Their company in Korea is hoping that they will become the next big international stars, so they have to be ready.

"Is it okay that we're...well, superstars?" Yunjoon -- you learn it's spelled Yeonjun -- asks in near perfect English.

You nod. "I'm not scared. Besides, you're not famous yet!"

"Yeah," one of the others says, and they all laugh.

Kai turns to you. "We have to go back upstairs now, but...perhaps you can come watch us do a dance practice someday? Our trainer says we need to do as many performances as we can, to get over our nerves. That's why we scheduled this dance showcase today. But we're also going to be doing performances all over Los Angeles, too. And, to be honest..." He looks down at his feet. Kai seems so small here -- he's dwarfed by Soobin, who is easily the tallest. "I'm scared, too."

You remember how Kai mentioned he was homesick. "I can see if I can stop by, but you'll have to check if there's anything security-wise that's needed."

"Oh, of course. We'll talk with our assistant, and he'll let you know. Can I have your phone number? That way, he can message you." You nod, and without thinking, you give Kai your phone number. With that, they head out and about, to some unseen part of the Magnificat, and you head to the mall's food court to get an iced coffee.

What a celebrity! All five of them already seemed so calm and composed in public, nothing like the rabble-rousers that had invaded Michi's the other night. You firmly believe it, then remember to send the video to your best friend. Perhaps she'll get a kick out of this. Stars in the making. Wouldn't it be wild if they were famous someday, and when they were interviewed, they talked about Michi's noodle place on the Ocean Front Walk? It feels like such a small world now.

What do you want to do with your life?

Something like this, maybe. But try as you might, you've never done anything super flashy like sing or dance on stage. You've always had two left feet, as far back as you can remember. And you tried playing piano for exactly two months, until you started crying at a piano lesson and you never went back. From then out, you stuck to your studies and the occasional intramural sports team in high school. Nothing had ever caught your interest.

No wonder your dad's so mad. You had all of high school to figure out what you wanted to do with your life, and you blew it. It frustrates you, so you finish your iced coffee and window shop for a while. It doesn't fully fix the thoughts in your head, but you imagine yourself in the outfits in the window, going from camo pants to a pink sweater to a new pair of shoes. Everything looks so stylish here, like Los Angeles has a certain rose-colored charm to it.

Or maybe it's just the Magnificat.

You end up buying the sweater, as it fits perfectly. It's also made of a light fabric, perfect for a cooler night out on the boardwalk but not as heavy as, say, a Canadian coat. Then, you exit and pedal back to Aunt Mary's apartment. She's finally done with her blog post, and she is making spaghetti. "Oh, you'll have to tell me all about your day!"

You grin. "You'll never guess who I got to meet today, Aunt Mary." And over the pasta, the two of you talk about Kai and his friends, how you had originally met at the restaurant, and what the Magnificat is.

"I thought I had mentioned that before," Aunt Mary says. "The Magnificat is actually one of the places I was going to suggest you worked at, but it does appear they're filled up with their internship program over the summer. Their assistantship program is in high demand, has been for years. Lots of young people apply to get the chance to assist brand new acts at the Magnificat. But the person in charge is very selective, and most people don't even make it in."

"Assistantship program..." You look it up on the Magnificat's website later on that same night. Young adults are chosen from all over the world to live and work at the Magnificat, always on call to help one or two acts out, getting them food, handling their schedule, and anything else that might come their way. It certainly looks like something that would keep you busy. But like Aunt Mary had said, they are filled up for the summer.

Regardless of that, you still hope that maybe Kai and his friends will stop by the noodle shop again. It almost seems like you've got your first friend, other than your coworkers. And it's then that you remember that you gave Kai your phone number. You check your phone and, sure enough, there is a message from an unlisted number.

Hi, sweet pea! This is Kai! Is it okay if I message you?

You smile back and type. Yes, of course.