From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 167: Defense (2)

"He’s busy. I’ll help you do that." Ari quickly interrupted, prying himself away from the dogpile of Mathew and the rest, and forcing his way to stand between William and Carlos.

"I didn’t ask you, I asked Carlos."

"I know, but he’s busy. Besides, you and I have similar song parts, and according to Jelissa, our Grammy-winning trainer, we have similar tones. Since we both sing the chorus, it’s better if I help you than an unrelated party, right? Don’t worry, you won’t be troubling me, in fact, I insist." Ari doubled down, stepping back until Carlos backed up as well.

He didn’t care if he looked crazy right now; he just didn’t want to be touched, especially because the one time William had touched his mask, it broke permanently, and he could never use it again.

Whatever crazy voodoo system William had, Ari wanted to avoid it as much as possible.

"I’m more comfortable with Carlos since we were on the same team last time, and he helped me when I was having a difficult time. We built a bond, and I’m more comfortable with him than anyone else. You’ll help me, right, Carlos?" William gave Carlos a pitiful look, playing it up for the cameras.

"Well...I guess." Carlos reluctantly agreed.

Ever since being on William’s team the last time, he had been wary of him, especially when he saw him playing things up and painting Benjamin as the antagonist whenever the camera was near.

The more he observed William, the more he saw him acting like that towards people who didn’t automatically listen to what he said.

Although he didn’t understand why Ari insisted on refusing to allow William to touch him or anyone else, since he didn’t particularly like how William was secretly derogatory toward people, he didn’t mind at all.

But since he couldn’t particularly refuse to help a teammate, especially in front of cameras, he just smiled politely.

"Then, I’ll come too. We’re a team, right? And Carlos doesn’t mind if I come, does he?" Ari flashed William an innocent smile, refusing to be left out.

If he had to, he was willing to camp outside the room door and yell when the two of them got too close to each other like an old-fashioned chaperone.

"Not at all. The more the merrier. We can all learn from each other. Trainer Jelissa praises your ear all the time, and I can learn a lot from you as well." Carlos nodded toward Ari with a grateful smile.

"Then it’s decided. The three of us will practice together and bond!"

"Wait, I want to be included too. No, leaving me out if you’re practicing. Benjamin forced his way between Ari and Carlos, dropping his arms around the shoulders of the two shorter boys while giving William a cheeky smile, thoroughly enjoying it as the blonde boy’s face tightened.

"No fair. If he’s coming, then I’m coming." Mathew chimed in.

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

"Me four!"

And unlike what William wanted, the whole team decided to extend their group practice longer than usual. And each time William sang, his voice was out of tune and cracked in several places, causing even the cameraman to wince and the blonde boy’s face to get redder and redder as he got angrier and angrier.

Each time Ari tried to give him a tip, he was quickly cut off with an ’I know!’ so he could only shrug for the cameras and leave him be, knowing that it wasn’t a matter of practicing and getting better.

After the cameraman left and several excruciating hours of practice later, during which William basically stopped singing his part, they decided to break for the night, as Carlos was leaving, and they had to be evaluated by the judges the next day.

"Gym?" Benjamin asked Ari playfully as he hooked his arm around Haruto’s shoulder.

"Drop dead."

"Ahaha, one day. Coming soon near you."

"I would literally rather die," Ari told him honestly as he stretched his aching legs before getting up.

He planned to eat a quick snack and walk Carlos out before coming back for an additional hour or two of dance practice with Mathew and Vishal.

Since he was going to be using the Jukebox skill to correct his dancing while performing for their evaluation with the judges and on the stage, the best way to hide his sudden dance improvement was to use the best dancer on their team to tutor him as a cover.

"Ari, should I bring you some Chilaquiles tomorrow? I’m making some for my siblings for breakfast." Carlos asked him quietly as he held the door open.

"Yes, please. I’m not picky, so all toppings are fine."

It was boring eating the bland production food all the time.

"Hey! Stop being only nice to Ari! It’s not fair!"

"I’ll bring some for you too."

"You." William’s voice sounded out, but Ari continued walking, not thinking that he was being spoken to.

"Ariel."

"What?" Ari turned back to look at him with raised brows while turning on the recorder in his pocket.

"Let’s talk. Privately." A cold expression was on William’s face, the frustration that had been evident all throughout practice gone.

"You don’t want to talk here?" Ari pointed at the practice room

"You don’t understand what private means?"

At Williams’ clipped response, Ari gave him a cheeky smile.

"Only if you say pretty please."

"....pretty please." The words were forced through gritted teeth.

A bit surprised that William would agree, Ari shrugged.

"Sure, lead the way, leader."

"Ari," Carlos called his name in a worried tone, but Ari waved him off.

"I’ll see you tomorrow. Remember, I want everything on it."

Carlos looked at him and William, then shook his head. "I’ll wait for you here and come look for you in 15 minutes."

"Okay."

Ari followed behind William as he led him through the basically empty hallways to a tiny, unused practice room that was a bit dusty.

The blonde boy turned on the light and stood there, staring at Ari in a creepy manner.

[Be careful.]

Don’t you think I know that?

Ari carefully touched the recorder in his pocket before moving his hands away.

"So what do you want to talk about? I refuse to switch parts."

"Do you have a problem with me?" William asked with a dark expression at Ari’s rude tone.

Surely you didn’t drag me here to ask me stupid questions, right?

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you keep blocking me."

"Blocking you from what?"

"..."

Seeing that William didn’t continue, Ari smiled innocently.

"Please elaborate. What am I blocking you from? We just had a team practice that I think went phenomenally. And although you’re not doing too well right now, you’re talented, so I’m sure next time will be better."

"..."

"Or is that you’re mad that you can’t have one-on-one time with our best singer? Is that such a big deal?"

At Ari’s mocking words, William’s face just darkened.

Just as he thought, this boy was weird.

He acted like he knew what he planned.

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