When Larry and Selena called him back over, Ari was quite nervous.
He had thought his performance was solid, so the fact that he might fail was quite shocking.
Hiding his nervousness, Ari focused solely on Selena because if he glanced at Larry, the person who was denying him a passing evaluation, he might glare angrily.
"Ari, is there any other skill you can show us to demonstrate another talent, like rapping? Maybe music production? A song you wrote? Something that would make you stand out apart from your…unique look? After discussing, as of right now, you would not make the cut, and I would really need something to push you over the edge and send you to the next round." Selena's solemn voice sounded out as she stared apologetically at Ari.
Although she said 'I', a quick glance at Larry's smug expression made it clear who had made that proposal.
"Mmmm…"
Ari stared at Selena as his mind began to whirl.
'Show something else or fail?'
'He had squeezed his brain and body, staying up all night to practice just to come up with what to perform during this audition.'
'What other talent could he display at this moment?'
'Rapping? Immediately eliminated. He might really summon a demon into this dimension or make the two judges deaf! That would definitely pass him to the next round. NOT!'
'Acting? Obviously not. Firstly, his Visual stat was F, and even if he wanted to look pitiful, his face was painted a scary white with graphic designs on it. If he had known this would be asked, he would have looked up mime videos and practiced.
'A song he wrote? What if they had him sing or recite lyrics right now? He had no confidence in lying or coming up with something on the spot.
'What would be a plausible lie???'
Think, Ari, think!
"You see. He's just a one-trick pony. He can't dance. He can barely sing, and his guitar skills are mediocre. Even a homeless person on Sunset Blvd could do better and has more potential than he does! Let's just fail him."
Seeing Larry smiling smugly at him, Ari just decided to bluff his way with one of the options Selena had given him.
'Everything was possible and could be learned through the power of the internet, right?'
And if it weren't, he would squeeze the system that had forced him into this audition with no time to spare.
"I actually produce songs on the side. I make the beats, the lyrics, and everything else. I originally wanted to perform my original song, but it wasn't fully done, so I decided to save it for round 2." Ari smoothly lied without his voice changing a bit.
Internally, though, his heart was pounding, and he hoped he was using the correct terminology to sell the fact that he made songs (LIE).
Hearing the words, Larry snorted derisively.
"Whatever. Everybody says that they're a producer these days. My question is, were you so confident that you would make it to the second round with those pitiful skills?"
"Rather than confident, I would say I was very hopeful that the judges would see the potential in me."
"Ahhh, so you're potential man. So full of potential. Somehow, you think that your self-composed song is good enough to show to the world? For the second round of this program?"
"Of course. Since I poured my heart and soul into it, I'm very confident in my song. I think that everyone will enjoy and relate to it." Ari continued to confidently bluff about a song that didn't even exist yet.
He could figure out the details later; for now, he just needed to pass this audition.
At the laid-back yet cocky words, Larry glared at Ari as if trying to see if he was lying before he laughed.
"Fine. Mr. Potential Man. You're very cocky but I'll let it slide. I'll give you a pass to the next round. On the condition that the song you perform is self-composed, and you'll have a solo performance."
'Although he wasn't sure why Larry was specifically mentioning a solo performance, he would readily agree.'
'After all, wasn't the plan to perform solo anyway?'
[Wow.]
[Your shamelessness knows no bounds.]
Ignoring the message from the system, Ari continued to focus on Larry's words.
And when he finished talking-
"Okay. I'll be sure to do that. Thank you for this opportunity." He bowed his head politely to the two judges.
"Then congratulations. Welcome to Pop Star Academy. You pass, I guess." Larry reluctantly said with an expression that didn't seem very congratulatory.
"Okay. I'll be heading out."
As Ari turned to leave, Larry cleared his throat aggressively, causing him to turn back.
"Yes?"
"That makeup. If you have it on during the next phase, you're out, got it?"
Ari stared at him silently before shaking his head no.
'Firstly, his face was heavily bruised and injured from the beating he got; there was absolutely no way he would show that and be accused of fighting, or being in a gang, or worse.'
'Violence would probably get him immediately kicked out.'
'And secondly, if not most importantly.'
'He was ugly.'
'That damned F-rank stat.'
'Until he was required to show his bare face, he had no plans to remove it until his visuals stat went up to at least a B and could somewhat look like the school photos he had submitted.'
'He had specifically read through all the rules to make sure he could appear with makeup, so right now, Larry was just being a prick.'
"I may have misread it, but the rules didn't say anything about not having stage makeup on, right? Or am I wrong?" Ari asked as innocently as he could manage, watching the man's neck turn red once more.
"No, but as a judge, I am advising you not to wear it. There's a difference between stage makeup and…th-That!" Larry waved his hands while gesturing to Ari's entire outfit.
"Thanks for the advice, but until I'm required to be bare-faced, I'll keep it on," Ari replied in as neutral a tone as he could manage.
That response instantly got Larry angry again, and his visible skin, apart from his face, began turning red.
'Was this man a lobster in disguise?'
"Are you ignoring advice? From me? A judge and successful senior in the industry?"
"Not at all. I am just trying to follow in your footsteps and keep my makeup on." Ari replied blandly.
He was insinuating that since Larry had a face full of foundation, so much so that his lobster red neck was a visibly different shade than his face, he should just mind his business or change the rules.
Seeing Larry's mouth twitch angrily and his hands also turn a depper shade of red, Ari silently stared at him as if waiting.
Luckily, Selena stepped in to stop the battle of wills.
"Ahem, I think what Larry is trying to say is that since this is a situation where your visual looks are important to those who will vote, judge, and support you in the future, it would be better to show off your face. And sooner, rather than later, the heavy stage makeup will have to go. He's just looking out for you."
"Understood. Thank you for explaining it that way. I completely understand and will consider it."
"Good. You've passed, so if you could please follow the staff member to exit, they'll give you details about the next steps. It was lovely meeting you, and I'm looking forward to hearing the song you've made. And…Ariel is a beautiful name. I'm sorry if I made you feel like it wasn't earlier. That wasn't very kind of me." Selena gave him an apologetic smile, and Ari's impression of her immediately soared.
It seemed that she was somebody who knew how to apologize when she was wrong and didn't have an explosive ego.
Unlike the man next to her.
"…thank you for your kind words. I'll take them into consideration." With a much more genuine smile that still looked quite scare, Ari bowed his head at her.
"If you are done, then get out," Larry ordered.
"Yes. Thank you again. See you in two weeks." With a slight wave, Ari turned and left, collecting Priest Steven Choi and leaving the room.