บท 8: Audition (4)
Aerine put down the last plate, and unconsciously, she fell into a deep thought. While looking at the dishes she cooked herself, something suddenly flashed in her mind.
It was her mother. She swallowed and looked in front of her as though she could see her, nodding her head and giving appreciative praise to Aerine.
Eventually, the illusion vanished, and Aerine blinked her eyes. She turned her face to the side and looked up, making sure her tears wouldn't fall.
After spending a few minutes to calm her emotions, Aerine proceeded to wait for Mils. She went to the counter and took her phone.
Last night, before Mils left, she gave Aerine a phone. She said that in this day and age, having a phone is becoming necessary for modern communication.
Aerine had seen it before as well, but this was her first time owning one, so she was a bit excited when she tried to learn everything about it. However, it only took a few hours, and her attention faded.
Her phone still set everything default within; there weren't even any applications other than the already installed ones, and her contact only had one number, which was Mils.
She was contemplating whether to call her, but she was also afraid to be a bother. However, she didn't need to think anymore as her phone rang. Mils was calling.
Aerine immediately answered it, and Mils' lively voice sounded.
"Aerine, I'm already here outside the building. Wait for me for a bit."
They talked for a few seconds before the call was hung up. Aerine carefully looked at the food on the table. wanting to give a good impression.
It didn't take long, and Mils arrived.
"You cooked? It's good timing; I'm quite starving."
Aerine observed Mils, who was tasting her dish; she was really nervous. Even if she knew she could cook, she still didn't know if it was up to the other's taste.
Soon, Mils lifted her head and smiled brightly, giving a thumbs up. This made her sigh in relief and feel that her efforts were not in vain. They only took a few minutes to eat while talking for a bit, as Aerine had already prepared herself for the upcoming schedule.
She only wore a simple and casual white dress. As a result, she looked quite pure and ethereal.
"You're so pretty, Aerine." Her words made Aerine smile. After all, who wouldn't want to be complimented?
Along the way, they chatted as Aerine also asked a lot of questions that were new to her. Their destination was not that far from where she was staying.
The first schedule was discussing common practices in the city; some Aerine already knew, but she still listened attentively. Although it seemed they were treating Aerine like a caveman, they only really taught her those practices and common grounds that might confuse her overall.
Other than practices, she was also taught about certain landmarks in the city as well as some places she could go if she ever got lost. Although she would have a direct schedule and only go to the same places for the time being, it didn't hurt to prepare for unexpected occurrences.
Moreover, they also briefed her further on the upcoming audition and competition. Aerine was also given some basics of what she needed once she had already entered the entertainment world.
Being exposed to the public was inevitable, and Aerine also needed to prepare herself for it. How she would act in front of the media, what she needed to do when recognized, and even how she could treat those of her peers were also included in the training.
Of course, while it was common sense, the mentor who was teaching her also gave Aerine a heads-up on the taboos. Never exposed her true self—not only her personality but her as a siren.
This was a world that was dominated by humans, and while different races lingered in the shadows, they were still a minority and needed to keep up with the times.
Over the next few days, Aerine only attended classes and briefings on those topics. She also began to learn songs that were both classics and trending songs in various genres.
When it was her last day, as promised, Mils treated her to a tour of the city. After saying goodbye to her mentor, whom she had been told was a water nymph, she left with Mils and began to enjoy the city.
They went to various famous landmarks in the city, and that included the entertainment hotspots as well.
"This is the city," Aerine mumbled as they stood on top of a building, overlooking most of the city skyscrapers as they shone like stars in the night.
"You'll get used to this, and..." Mils turned her face to Aerine before she continued. "You'll find more in this prosperous city. Aerine, I hope you'll have a wonderful journey. Welcome to the human world!"
Aerine shifted her gaze to Mils and took a deep breath. She knew that she had a lot to learn and more to experience in this world. They might not all be happy memories; she might also experience setbacks.
She was open to these challenges. Aerine would grow... and swore to accomplish her goal.
Finally, the day of the audition arrived. It was the day that she had been waiting for and had been preparing for all this time that she entered her new life in the city.
They drove to the location of the audition; she was accompanied by Mils, her manager, and a driver. Outside of the building, Aerine was recalling everything that she had already memorized.
Including her new identity and the details about the audition. Aerine didn't want to make a mistake. She was nervous, yes, but her resolve to win this audition was higher.
"Don't worry, you got this. Aerine, you prepared well." Mils gave her words of comfort, which she reciprocated with a smile as well.
Wearing a simple white shirt and pants, Aerine's braided hair almost reached her waist as they emphasized her features really well. Her appearance alone was enough for the other contenders to look at her with surprise and even... jealousy.
Aerine only gave a curious glance at others, though, before she made her way in. For others, this was an act of arrogance, but Aerine was only nervous, and she was also not used to being around humans that much yet.
Once inside, Aerine was greeted by the sight of other nervous applicants. Some were silent at the side, while others kept checking their appearances and talking with their companions.
Mils guided Aerine to a seat.
"Hello? Are you... Ms. Aerine Lee of Free Entertainment Agency?" A woman wearing glasses approached them and looked at Aerine.
"Uh... Yes, that's me." Aerine took the initiative to answer instead of Mils to get herself accustomed to talking to others.
The woman nodded and averted her eyes, blushing for a bit.
"This is your number, and... good luck!"
After giving Aerine her application number, the woman left in a hurry. Aerine frowned, not understanding it a bit. Did she say something wrong?
She was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard a chuckle beside her; it was Mils.
"Look, Aerine, you already mesmerized someone with your beauty alone."
Eh? Is that really it?
Even though Aerine was confused, she could only nod at this reason and throw it in the back of her mind. Her attention at this moment was only on the audition.
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