Chapter 21: Kai again
As the bad luck was going to have its way with the new shiny toy it had acquired recently, Ray somehow did manage to lodge the complaint with the police about his stolen goods but without any particular description, the cops also didn't have any other way but ask him to wait for an update from them.
Dejected at the turn of events Ray walked out of the police station with his head hung low. His stomach grumbled again complaining about his negligence in taking care of it.
He searched for a street stall to satisfy his hunger but he still hadn't run out of his bad luck. Instead of food, he ran into some young thugs who extorted money from weak and pathetic looking loners during the night.
And somehow like a C-novel female lead who always has a truck load of bad-luck, Ray too looked like a person who belonged to the above-mentioned category.
Ultimately he was surrounded, beaten and once again the new batch of money which was given to him by the sweet girl was stolen. He did try to fight back but- due to being heavily pampered for a long time in the luxury of his home he had given up on all the defence training he had gone through when he was small (and also cuz I wanted him to be beaten up)- he couldn't defend himself against the gang of those amateur thugs.
After they left, he laid down on the cold pavement with fluids like tears from eyes, snot and blood from broken nose flowing out. His whole body hurt like hell. And he was sure that it was going to bruise badly the following morning.
Just being in the new country/new city for one measly day had brought him nothing but pain, misery, despair and poverty.
The only good thing he could remember from the day was the sweet girl who genuinely helped him without actually first hurting him in any other way. It was at this moment that his resolution of not going back started to waver. But before he could even process the new thought he lost his consciousness due to the beating he had recently gotten.
When he opened his eyes again, he was not lying on the cold pavement beside the road but on some warm bed. He held up his hands to see the right arm pierced with a needle and left arm was bandaged lightly.
He tried to move his body but it felt sore and heavy for some reason. It was no brainer that he was in the hospital but he wanted to know how he got there.
Kai: (surprised) you're awake!
Ray turned towards the familiar sound and frowned. That somehow explained how he got into the hospital without even him asking any questions.
Kai: (frowning) are you in too much pain?
Ray: (shaking his head) no it's fine, you brought me here?
Kai: (nodding) yes, I was passing by where you had fainted few hours ago. I recognised you and brought you to the hospital.
Ray: (nodding) thank you.
Kai: (smiling awkwardly) n-no its nothing much. The doctor said that your wounds are only superficial and you passed out due to low sugars in your body. You'll be fine after few more hours of rest.
Ray felt grateful for this cactus haired kids help. Even if he almost broke his nose in the morning he still helped him when he was in urgent need of it. He was overcome with emotions.
Some people in his family were out for his blood back in the country but here a total stranger went to lengths just because he found him unconscious on the footpath.
Kai: (slapping his forehead) I forgot! I brought you food! I figured you would be hungry when you woke up-
Ray only nodded once and Kai took it as a sign and he helped the wounded kid to fill his empty stomach up.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 One more chapter and we'll be back to the present.
This story will oscillate back and forth in time for now.
It would be good if I got some feedback from readers, otherwise I'll feel lost. So please do leave your comments.
Chapter 22: Good looks
Ray only nodded once and Kai took it as a sign and he helped the wounded kid to fill his empty stomach up.
The little meal was enough for both guys who were roughly the same age- i.e., nineteen- to form a bond.
What kind of bond?
Only time would be able to tell (obviously they'll become great friends as we saw in book-1 and in the 2nd chapter).
Ray roughly shared his story with Kai leaving out certain details about his family. Kai too didn't pry much into it.
So ultimately he summed up that Ray was new in the city, he had run into plenty of crap worthy situation in just a single day- so it wasn't hard to decode that he'd die if left alone to his devices. Moreover, this 'new to city' guy simply exuded that 'I'M RICH' (with all capitals) kind of aura. So it definitely wasn't safe for him out in the world- not until he found a firm footing.
Kai: (thinking deeply) so I was thinking about your accommodation problem, that's definitely our first priority.
Ray: (nodding) I think so too-
Kai: (thinking more deeply) Can you sing or dance? Either is fine, you'll be able to learn the other.
Ray: (scratching his head) I think I can dance a bit-
Kai: (clapping his hands happily) then the first problem is settled to some extent.
Ray wasn't sure as to what Kai was getting at but he didn't like the overly excited twinkle in his eyes.
Kai rummaged through his bag without any further explanation and pulled out a- once again familiar-looking- poster of auditions. It was same as what Ray saw in the morning.
Ray: (with a dawning look) you want me to audition?
Kai: (nodding fiercely) I heard they are going to form a new idol group with all the fresh faces. You might even get in with just your good looks but then you'll become an actor so if you can dance and sing a little bit you'll be able to grab a place in the new idol group. And we can be together then.
Kai said all of that in a single breath and Ray couldn't hear most of it clearly but he got the general meaning. But either way what Kai suggested was a very good idea. If he somehow clinched a spot in the new group most of his current problems would be settled. In reply to Kai's long monologue, Ray only nodded once.
Sadly Ray at that moment forgot the most important thing that it would be easy for the people- whom he was escaping from- to find him if he went through with this idea. But let it be the story for the future.
Kai excitedly rubbed his palms together and went ahead with the further plan of action for the audition which was soon going to take place.
Well, the rest is history,
Ray got into the new idol group. As Kai had predicted it was majorly due to his good looks and somewhat rough dancing and singing skills.
Kai too managed to get on board with him. They were then paired up with three more members- Mui, Timo and Vic.
Timo was the eldest among them (one year older than Ray and Kai) and Vic was the youngest among the guys. This was how '5-Emperors' was formed along with an unbreakable and strong friendship between Ray and Kai.
With their hard work, dedication, skills and leadership of Kai, they became world stars in just five years after their debut.
Their popularity as a group was pretty impactful but their individual careers in various fields (which we'll explore soon in the future) also soon found success.
Kai was renowned as a musical genius, Timo also explored the field of acting, Mui and Vic both invested in various other kinds of industries whereas Ray- the main vocalist (surprisingly he picked up the skills of an idol easily and he would've become the visual too but sadly Timo beat him to it) stole the hearts of ladies of the world with his eyes alone.
With all these memories from the past filling up his mind Ray made it to his home safely that night.
But he still to this day couldn't forget that sweet girl who had shown him kindness that day.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
okay this is a pretty lousy chapter..
In the next chapter we'll meet Ye-Jin's mother who is- well you'll get to know her
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