"Okay boys! Great job! Chenle, always remember to flow on the beat like that. Don't try to process it too much. Just let your body move and it'll look more comfortable. Alright, let's do some stretching!"

Sicheng was enjoying his time with Dream. It was about three days into their practices, and the new album songs were coming along great. Dawns, Dream's fanbase, were already super hyped to get a new album and the theme was highly anticipated. However, 'Kingka' still had some promotions here and there, so they were also modifying the dance for shows.

Meanwhile, Sicheng would be meeting with Limitless tomorrow. The new dance had to be finished. They still had the bridge and the ending to go over. The other choreographers already messaged him about the tape for the formations being ready to go for tomorrow.

Sicheng was enjoying his new bustle in life.

"Hyung, I think sausage and meatball pizza is great for today, don't you?" Donghyuck winked.

"What?! No! We had what you wanted yesterday! This time we're getting pepperoni and bacon!" Chenle screeched, stretching his back.

"Hyung, I'll buy the drinks today," Renjun offered.

"I'll help pay today too!" Xiaojun drank from a bottle.

"I expect the dance opening to be nice tomorrow," Sicheng playfully raised a brow. "And while we're eating, maybe you should post a picture on Insta for your Dawns to see."

"Yes hyung!" They all brightly said in unison.

---

It's a miracle Sicheng made it home.

Renjun and Donghyuck almost started one of their signature brawls over the bill in the middle of the pizza place. Luckily, Sicheng got the bill before any of them could notice and saw the idols back to their dorm with full stomachs. It really reminded him of the Limitless bunch, who would also cause much of the racket at the chicken shop they frequented.

Sicheng's car pulls into the parking lot near his apartment. It's a pretty nice modern style apartment complex that didn't house too many people because it was still fairly new. The tired choreographer waved hi to the receptionist and took the elevator to floor seven. While doing so, his phone notified him of two new messages. He smiled noting who they were from.

Jisung had messaged him about a new song he wanted to cover and Jeno had dropped him a picture of the rest of Limitless in their dorm eating take out. It was a pretty goofy picture, as Hendery and Yangyang were starting a food fight, Jisung had his cheeks stuffed, and Mark wasn't ready for the camera. Jeno, the photographer, was in the front smiling with that cheery smile of his like it was just another day at the park instead of the onslaught of WWIII.

Sicheng laughed.

"What the heck are they doing?" He quietly says, smiling at their energy.

He texts Jisung back that he'll look at the choreo he wants to cover. Jisung replies that he's super excited and Sicheng just reminds him to finish tomorrow's practice with extra energy since he'll need it.

Before he makes it to his floor, he gets another message. It's a newer number, and Sicheng opens the message to see it's from Xiaojun. It's a picture of the Dream team sprawled on the floor with a movie running in the background. Renjun, Chenle, are watching the screen, focused. Behind them, Xiaojun had taken the picture holding an air horn.

'Should I press this?', Xiaojun had captioned the photo.

Sicheng almost agrees until he realizes it's about 8PM. He quickly texts Xiaojun to stop before he wakes up their dorm neighbors but encourages him to try it in the morning. Xiaojun whines for a bit before agreeing.

There's a ding from the elevator, and the doors roll open to let the Chinese walk to his apartment. Floor seven only has four apartment flats. Of those four, only two were occupied. One was by Sicheng and his roomie and the other was by a friendly newlywed couple called the Ju's.

His feet lead him to apartment 702, unlocking the door with his keys. When his shoes are off, he can smell something nice from the doorway.

"Chengie, is that you..?"

"Smells good, Kana."

An apron clad girl walks towards him from the kitchen. She's got one ear bud in and holding a spoon. Her face lights up at his arrival.

"It's cream pasta tonight," she says. "Well, if you're not full from pizza. Or was it chicken today..?"

"Pizza," Sicheng confirms. "But I don't pass on good food."

Deep down, Sicheng loves food. Dance is his first love, but food really does its magic on him. He's always been somewhat of a high-endurance eater since his younger days.

"Okay, well get in the shower," she teases and pinches her nose. "You stink."

"I'd say the same for your laundry," Sicheng fires back, though it's more for a laugh than a fight.

The girl goes back to cooking and Sicheng makes his way to the bathroom. Technically, he shouldn't hear much with the shower on, but Kana had decided to switch the music from her ear buds to a speaker. She was rapping Macklemore like no other and screaming during the singing parts. Sicheng doesn't know why their neighbors never complained, but then he realizes that there's no one above or below them and the newlyweds are far on the other side of the apartment floor.

Sicheng changes into his pajamas after a shower and finds Kana setting the table. Their apartment is in modern style with sleek, monotone furniture and geometric designs. There are sprinkles of their shared love for music everywhere though, so there's no surprise in finding a radio and music speaker to the side of the dinner table.

Kana turns the music off for their little thing. That thing being their nightly dinner talk. It's an unspoken rule to always turn the music off during these talks.

"So how was practice?" Kana hands him a plate.

"Not bad. The kids learn fast. I really don't have much to say to them," Sicheng replies. "How about you? Still trying to get that producer to listen to your tracks?"

Kana groans. She's a song writer at another entertainment company. His same-age friend is quite new at her job, though her track record is fairly decorated for her age. Kana was really good at doing her thing, but seniority always won out in jobs like these.

"Not a single blink," she sighs. "I just wanted him to listen to one song. He didn't have to listen to the whole collection. I didn't even ask for him to accept them either. I just wanted some feedback..."

"Did you ask him outside of work?" Sicheng questions.

"I, uh...." Kana suddenly curls into herself. "...no."

She's shy. Sicheng finds that cute. However, Kana dislikes it about herself. She's a truly creative person but she's not the best at getting herself noticed.

"Here, why don't you do this," Sicheng suggests. "Make a disc copy and place it on his desk. Write a post-it-note for him to listen to it on his own time. That way, you won't have to do more talking."

"Will it really work...?" Kana sighs.

"Are you saying you want to rap in front of his face?" Sicheng raises a brow.

"N-No!"

"Okay," Sicheng nods. "Then try that first. It's okay to be nervous. You're a newbie there. You'll be thrown under the bus and underestimated many times."

The girl agrees and then relaxes to eat. Sicheng coos at her cuteness. They'd been friends since highschool and she was still the same.

"Say, did you hear about the comeback from that solo rapper?" Kana asks.

Her eyes are lighting up. She's shy, but she's certainly not afraid to show her enthusiasm for music. Judging from the sparkles in her eyes, she's probably heard something amazing.

"There's a lot of them," Sicheng shakes his head. "Not yet."

"Are you kidding!?" She exclaims in shock. "The news is all about him! His company decided to finally give him a lyric video. He's been popular for a few years, you know? The rap listeners had wondered about him since debut."

"What kind of company releases an idol without an MV?" Sicheng furrows his brows.

"I don't know. Apparently his company is a smaller one. They didn't have enough to fund for a proper MV. His tracks are fire though. Here, you should listen to his new comeback--"

Before Kana could grab her phone, Sicheng's started ringing.

Sicheng didn't know who would be calling at this hour, but since he works for two companies, it was probably another co-worker. Kana lets him take the call.

"Hello?" Sicheng answers.

"Hello honey pumpkins!"

Sicheng nearly slams the phone into the wall.

Kana gives him a weird look.

"What?" She asks with confusion.

"It's-my-mom!" Sicheng mouths, comedic horror filling his face.

"Why is she calling?" Kana whispers back, face immediately looking very, very sorry.

"I-don't-know!" Sicheng mouths back.

"Well? Answer!" She tells him.

"Hi mom," Sicheng says, trying to muster a smile.

"I missed you sweetie! You never call! How are you my angel?"

Sicheng covers the mic, "---because I don't really want to," but he can't just hang up, so he decides to actually answer. "I've been working, mom. I've got two idol groups on my hands. I can't tell you how busy--"

"That's fantastic, sweetie!" His mom cheers, completely cutting him off. "Oh our little Sichengie! You're such a big boy now! I can't believe you've grown so fast! I can't believe it so much--I won't! You're still my precious angel baby---"

"Ahaha--okay mom---!"

Sicheng pulls away from the phone.

"Help!" He mouths to Kana.

Kana, knowing exactly how Mrs. Dong is, just shakes her head in loss. She's known the lady for years, and by now, she's pretty much on Sicheng's level of understanding when dealing with her. Not the smoothest of lessons learned.

"Sorry!" She whispers back.

Sicheng quietly groans. He puts the phone back to his ear. The thin Chinese really needs a break..

"---and I miss you so much, sugar plum! You would not believe how sad me and your dad are--!"

"Um, yeah mom. I miss you too. Err, you see I'm kind of eating dinner with a friend right now," Sicheng tries to explain.

"Ouuhhh! Is it a nice gentleman, this time? Could I get a word with him?" His mom says teasingly. "Lemme see if he's son-in-law material--"

"There will be none of that."

Sicheng recognizes the colder voice following his mom. It's a voice he knows very well. Many would, as its of his dad, Mr. Dong, the CEO of multiple beauty enterprises spanning Asia and beyond. People often stiffen at his presence, but Sicheng knows more than to do so.

His dad takes the phone.

"Hi dad."

"Hello," the man starts in all seriousness. The voice is deep and low. There's an air of control and authority to it that speaks loudly about his position. It's not intimidating, but fairly neutral. The kind of feeling you would get if being examined for a job of sorts. However, this is Mr. Dong we are speaking of.

The Chinese waits just a minute for the man to crack.

"So dad---"

"---SONNN! MY SONNN! Oh, my proud son! Daddy loves you, you hear? Where have you gone? I miss you my bearrr!" The man whines.

"Dad, I moved out like, half a year ago."

"NONSENSE! No son of mine will be banned from entering his own home!" The older man dramatically cries.

"Dad, I---"

"OH MY PROUD BOY! ARE YOU REALLY LEAVING POOR DADDY HERE ALL ALONE WITHOUT YOUR CUDDLES!" 

Sicheng is a mature man. He's fine. He can handle things like this. There's no need to say anything.

--So he bursts out laughing.

Giggles and screeches of gathering stomach soreness compliment the smile on the Chinese's face as he laughs. Kana takes a breath before going to eat her pasta comfortably.

"Aaahhhaaha! Okay, dad. You can stop now. I'm not stressed, I promise," Sicheng says sincerely.

The older man calms down. Of course, his son knows his antics. Sicheng goes along with it anyways. That's what you do when you're family. They get eachother's jokes and laugh about it all the way. It's never new, but it never gets old.

"Your mom really misses you, my boy," his dad says warmly. "I heard of your success, and we were waiting for a call. She was worried you'd be too stressed, so we eventually had to give you a call."

"I'm sorry," Sicheng honestly says. "I'm just really excited to be you know... doing what I've wanted. It took so much to get here, dad. I'm finally living my dream!"

Kana nods happily at his words. She's almost done with her pasta.

"I know. We know. If anything, your mom and I felt the same when we released our first products and saw the first purchases. We were just hoping you'd be okay on your way," Mr. Dong says.

"I'll be fine," Sicheng replies. "I'm doing okay."

"We're happy for you, my boy. You're doing a fine job. Just make sure to come home some time," the older man gives a hearty laugh. "Your mom and I are busy, but we still eat dinner too, you know?"

"We still have your plates and spoons at the table!" Sicheng can hear his mom shout in the background of the call. "I still make enough for three people!"

"Sure," Sicheng says happily. "I'll see if I can make it. For now, the idols' schedule is my schedule. As of right now, there's not much time."

"I see. Well we'll always be here for you," his dad reminds. "We're just one call away. You know we would do anything for our baby son. You're the--"

"--one and only, precious pretty angel of the beauty world that is DongMei Enterprises," Sicheng finishes nonchalantly. "I know, dad. I know."

"So what's this about a friend you're eating with?" His dad's tone suddenly grows more serious.

"Oh. It's just my roomie."

"Ah. So it's your roomie!" His dad's tone goes back to calm and warm.

"Yeah," Sicheng eyes Kana. "By the way, why did you call?"

"Hmm..? Well, uh--"

"I know you guys, dad. You both don't call late at night because you say I 'need my beauty sleep'. It's 9PM."

"O-Oh... w-well you see...."

Sicheng starts getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. It's one that sends uncomfortable shivers down his spine and spikes slowly sinking into his chest. There's also a small buzz in his head. He face palms. Knowing his parents, whatever this was, it wasn't good.

Kana worriedly sets down her plate.

"You see, uh, m-m-my boy! W-We--"

"Your dad and I got you engaged!" His mom says cheerfully from the back.

"Mhm, okay mom---" Sicheng nods. "--Wait. What?!"

"U-Um, so we talked to an old friend of ours today. He said his son really needs someone to be his friend. So we--"

"You what?!" Sicheng can feel the dread and the flames in his body all at once. "What the heck did you do?!"

"Honey," his mom takes the phone. "Please listen to mom. We didn't mean to. It's just that our old friend has a really nice son. We weren't sure you were going to like him--"

"So you're making me marry him?!" Sicheng practically screeches. "Is THAT how you do things?!"

Kana, hearing this, gives Sicheng a look of sympathy and puts more pasta on his plate. Sicheng silently thanks her and tells her he'll do the dishes for the night. She leaves to her room, not wanting to disturb the family's space.

"Now listen, my boy," his dad says. "Our friend said that his son needed a companion. We said that you could be his companion, but then our old friend offered the idea of an engagement. We didn't want to do it at first, but then our friend said that business would be rough if we didn't team up. He wasn't lying. It's getting tough since the competition is building up. He didn't want to help unless we gave his son a companion---that meant the engagement. The company needs their help, my boy."

"We would never trade you for our business, sprinkle cakes," his mom says sadly. "But we begged him for something. We got you engaged to his son, but you're allowed to cancel it as long as you get his son to agree. His son is a very nice young man. Try to be friends and see if you can sort things out with him."

"This. Is. Ridiculous," Sicheng steadies his breath. His ears are hot and his hands are clenching the phone way too tight. Still, he maintains his composure. "Okay. Now who is this young man, you say?"

"Why, I'm sure you've heard of him. He's a talented young man. He's running an entertainment company and they just started to rise recently, right honey?" His dad asks.

"That's right. Sweetie, you're such a lucky boy! You've got a one-way ticket to marrying the CEO of Culture T Entertainment!" His mom joyfully says. "Nakamoto Yuta!"

"No...."

Sicheng knows that name.

"Why yes!" His mom continues. "Isn't it just amazing? A young and successful CEO marrying our young and successful son--"

"I'm not marrying him."

"It's a match made in heaven--!"

"I said, I'm not marrying him."

"You two would match--"

"I said no."

"What?!" His mom gasps. "But Sichengie--"

"I don't even wanna think about being friends with him," Sicheng outright rejects. "No."

"Sicheng, please listen. It's not that bad. You can always cancel," his dad reasons. "Why are you not willing to give this a try?"

"Because," Sicheng says. "He a horrible person."

"Sicheng!" He can almost hear his dad stumble from his words. "What in the world are you saying?!"

"Haven't you heard?" Sicheng huffs. "He's a complete womanizer! Do you realize how many engagements he's had that went public for being an absolute fail? He's the worst! I can't believe his company is actually surviving!"

"Now now," his dad says, voice growing cold. "Don't judge the young man. You haven't even met yet."

"I'm not judging him, dad," Sicheng says with distaste. "These are facts. He's been spotted in nasty clubs and always drinking. His past engagements failed because he's always on a new woman. In fact, this engagement is a mistake. He's not even gay!"

"Sichengie, you're almost a girl! It's just that you have man privates, my dear!" His mom pipes up.

That's not the issue at hand, but Sicheng's a bit too angry to point it out.

"Mom! That's what makes me a guy! This is crazy! I will never marry that disgraceful man! Do you realize I'll be just another fiance that he discards?! You're submitting me to public embarrassment!"

"Oh Sichengie honey, just give the young man a chance..." His mom starts to beg.

"No. That's final."

His dad then speaks. "That's enough."

Sicheng knows that tone. It's the one that creeps up the spine of people, squeezing around their neck before slowly and steadily invading the unconscious part of their mind. They don't know their mind's been taken over by his careful tone. They suddenly feel tremendous nervousness from nowhere. Their minds scream danger from the back, yet the front of their thoughts start to battle with something they can't realize.

His dad's tone makes people nervous, yet they don't know why. They doubt themselves and their bluffs start to fade. In business, they take the loss and let his dad win. In the end, they'll feel like his dad make them lose, but that they lost by themselves.

But Sicheng's aware of this.

He's angry, but he's not nervous at his dad's tactic. In fact, he's sure his dad doesn't mean to use that tone on him on purpose.

"Dad, I won't do this."

"You are an adult, Sicheng," his dad says firmly. "You know better than to listen to the truths of others than your own."

"Well the truth is the truth. For this, everyone knows about his record, dad," Sicheng tries to explain. "I can't believe you both don't know this, but trust me. Nakamoto Yuta has dumped every single girl he decided to have his way with. It doesn't matter if he likes guys or not. Setting me up with him puts me on his list. If not his, on the lists of others for being another one of his failed fiances. I don't want that on my record."

"Oh Sichengie..." His mom begs again. "But please, you must meet this young man. He's such a polite boy. I don't believe he's really as bad as they say."

"Mom, no one needs to meet him to know what he did. He can sound polite in person, but everyone knows what being seen with him can do."

"Sicheng," his dad is still cold. "You will still befriend this boy."

"Yes," his mom joins. "Please, just say hello and try to smile. If he doesn't like you, you don't have to marry him. It should be okay, right?"

"Look mom and dad," Sicheng frustratedly sighs. "Have you heard about his previous engagements?"

"No," they both say.

"Well okay. Listen. Every single girl who's been with Nakamoto Yuta had a career of some sort. The third girl he was with was a rising actor. After their break-up, she never went on screen again. The fourth girl was even worse. She was the heir to a big tech company. After the engagement failed, her own company was so ashamed, she got demoted and soon fired! Even part time job openings turned her away!"

"Oh Sicheng," his mother began. "But--"

"Please," Sicheng says, quietly and full of stress. He was stress-free before, but he's somehow full of it now. "Mom. Dad. You understand how I feel right? We all somehow reached our dreams and we're still living them now. You know how I feel about being able to finally do what I want. Please don't take this away from me."

There's a pause.

But Sicheng knows what's done is done.

His independent, successful life suddenly has something he can't control now.

"W-We're so s-sorry, Sichengie..." His mom sobs.

"Mom---"

"We can't control it if they want to make it public, my boy," his dad says, softening. "But maybe you can. If you won't befriend the young man, then at least keep him from making it public. It's not out yet, but I know his father's not one for being patient. The sooner you talk to him, the sooner you can save yourself. Your mom and I will negotiate any way possible."

That's not the best.

Even so, Sicheng understands his parents. He's angry, frustrated, pissed, and well... scared. He doesn't want to lose his dream. He doesn't want his parents to either. The enterprise is their dream and he can't bare to let them lose their dream as well. There's no going back now, so he'll have to push forward.

"Sure. Please try," Sicheng runs a distressed hand through his hair.

"Okay honey. We're sorry," his mom says genuinely. "We really felt this was a nice young man--"

"It's okay. It's for the company. I understand," Sicheng heaves a heavy sigh. "I'll figure this out. But I'll be busier now."

"Your mom and I will always be here to help."

"I know, dad."

"Now, you should be in bed!" His mom demands.

"Yes yes! Our prescious baby boy needs his beauty sleep!" His dad sides with her.

"Mom. Dad."

"Yes honey?" They say in unison.

"I'm 23."

"A baby!" His mom yells.

"Still an infant!" His dad proclaims.

Sicheng facepalms again.

Since when does a baby have more braincells than them?

Sicheng decides he doesn't want to continue on that debate topic.

"Fine, I'll sleep now. Bye."

"We love you Sichengie!"

"Ew, I know."

Sicheng ends the call and tosses the phone on the table. The phone case collides with the tabletop, making a loud noise. Following that, there's a noise to Sicheng's left. He turns to find Kana stepping out of her room.

"Sounds rough," she deadpans.

"No kidding..." Sicheng mutters.

"So..." She says. "Gonna write a post-it-note to the CEO of Culture T Entertainment?"

Sicheng groans.

"Only if you're writing one to that producer you can't talk to."

"On second thought, maybe this isn't such a good idea for both of us."

"Ugh," Sicheng stuffs his face with cold pasta. "Men."

"You know we have a microwave, right?"

"I'm stress eating."

-----------------------------------------------------------

(A/n:  Finally! Chapter 1 is out!

Thank you to psycxtic_rxyn for helping me develop Sicheng's best friend Kana. She's quite an interesting character, and there's more to learn about her. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I hope everyone is doing okay in this time. Be sure to wash your hands and take proper precautionary measures when going to populated areas. But please go get some fresh air too. Standing outside by your house is okay. Just breathe in the air. Being inside can get you congested and it's not good for your body to be constantly breathing the same air.

I'm sorry for the hold up! I've been trying to get to writing for all of my other books and I've been working especially hard on my collection book since there's a lot of shorter stories and series coming out of that one. 😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔

But I've also done more for this book too. Chapter two is on the way, and you'll learn more about what's going on. There's a new character coming soon. Who do you think it will be? Yuta is obviously coming, but anyone else come to mind? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

Oh! I've also done more songwriting.

I know it's a little awkward to read songs you've never heard, but I think they're great since they'll be mentioned here and there in the plot. Please don't mind me. I get carried away in my creative juices. 😔✊✊

I rewrote this chapter one or two times. I wasn't sure how I wanted it to go. I'm sorry about that too. I didn't know if I wanted things to progress in certain ways or not. I hope this will suffice. 💔

Question: The most catchy NCT song is..?

Answer: Hmm, this is a battle between Chewing Gum and Cherry Bomb for me. "Ch-ch-ch-ch-chewing gum!" and, "Ppalli ppalli pihae right, cherry bomb, feel it yum!", are seriously catchy. I'm also the weird girl who finds the chorus of We Young catchy too. Oof, Boom's chorus (Dream ver.) is also catchy. The chanting in Kick It is a good runner-up, and lately Ridin' is hanging out in my head. Oh, but BDS is really catchy too. Darn, but I can sing the whole chorus of MFAL---

Ugh, I'm stuck on my own question, I--

CHOOSE FOR ME, BYE! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Stay safe, and see you soon, Lovelies! )