From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel

"Bonsoir, avez-vous une table pour deux?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't understand you. What was that?"

At the snobby voice of the blonde host wearing the classic black and white uniform Ari blinked, before switching to English thinking that the restaurant policy had changed from all the workers knowing speaking French.

"Can I get a table for two?"

"Much better. I recommend practicing your French a bit more so your your accent sounds more authentic. That way when you speak, people can actually understand you."

"…..quoi?"

What the hell did he mean by practice more, so his accent sounds authentic?

This was an authentic Parisian with a southwestern French accent, developed by only speaking French with his parents and living in France, okay?

As Ari was deciding whether to argue or ask him to call the owner, the host continued in a snobby voice.

"Did you make a reservation?"

"No."

Since when was a reservation needed?

Although he hadn't been here in a couple of years, this was a restaurant he was quite familiar with.

Had things changed so much?

"Then I'm afraid we can't sit you."

"It's literally empty?" Ari glanced into the quaint interior and cozy ambiance, with the majority of the seats empty.

"Those seats are reserved for guests."

"No they're not."

Levi held his phone out, scrolling through the available seats on the reservation sight.

The hosts face turned slightly red and he flinched before quickly regained is composure as he stared at Levi's sharp expression.

"Well, you have to make a reservation. We can't just sit anyone."

"Why not? It's basically empty."

"I made one. Last name Temple."

The host began tapping on the keyboard of the computer before him before clearing his throat.

"Ahem..ahem…well, Mr. Temple please come with me."

The host, who's name tag said Marcel led them to a small two person table and after trying to figure out how he and Levi would sit with their hands conjoined, Ari gave up.

"Can we get a booth? Please."

"Sigh, fine."

Although the host grumbled, they were eventually led to a booth where Levi looked at it before turning to Ari with an angry look.

"You really don't have the key?"

"Flushed it down the toilet. Scouts honor. Besides you're left handed. You'll be fine."

Levi: ಠ_ಠ

[Why are you dishonoring the scouts by lying?"]

You be quiet.

Once they were in the booth with Ari sitting in the interior, the waiter handed Levi several menus while completely ignoring Ari.

"Would you like me to read the menu to you, Mr. Temple? It's in French, and the beginner next to you might not understand some of the intricacies."

"He's a French citizen. He probably knows better than you."

"….is that right?"

Restraining his laugh at the host's face as Levi slid the menus over to him, Ari grabbed the menus and quickly glanced through them, making sure the things he wanted were in there before turning to Levi.

"Allergic to anything?"

"No."

"Juice, soda, tea?"

"No."

"Then we'll have the three-course meal. Fougasse for our bread. Sub wine for still water and 2 Orangina. Chocolatine and crème brûlée for dessert. No coffee." Ari handed the menu back, waiting for the waiter to leave, before he turned to Levi.

He recalled the blonde boy's stats and wanted to whistle once more because it was truly that impressive.

[Levi Temple]

[Age: 19]

[Vocals: B- (S)]

[Dance: B- (A)]

[Visual: B (S)]

[Rap: B+ (S+)]

[Charm: C- (S)]

[Acting: B- (S)]

[Voice Acting: A- (S+)]

[Film Director: B- (S)]

[Script Writing: C+(A)]

Although Levi had fewer A-rank stats than Jamie or Benjamin, it was clear that he was an excessively complete all-arounder with no glaring weak points except for his charm, which would probably be fixed if he fixed the way he spoke to people.

Additionally, Levi had 2 different acting stats and two for being a film director and scriptwriter which made it clear that not only was he taking his college majors seriously, he was quite talented in them.

In other words, Levi was stupidly talented, and it would be a waste for him to leave like this.

Especially at the behest of William and his associates.

The question was how to convince him to stay…

Once the bread came, Ari munched on the leaf-shaped, crusty loaf before turning to Levi, who sniffed the bread before tossing it into his mouth.

Ari waited until he had downed one before starting his appeal.

"So, let me start off by saying that I'm sorry that I told you to quit and to leave if you couldn't be nice. That was harsh and uncalled for, especially if we're teammates."

"You already apologized in the car."

"Still. Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the main topic. I don't think you should quit."

Sharp blue eyes stared at him.

"…Why?"

"Because I don't think you actually want to quit," Ari explained seriously.

"Explain."

Ari thought he saw a small smile on Levi's face, but when he looked carefully, it was gone.

Shrugging, he began counting off his reasons on his hands.

"Although you've been verbally disagreeable and have an extra short temper, you've worked pretty hard and never slacked off on any team you've been on. Your performance is always immaculate. You've never actually beaten anybody up despite saying it multiple times. I don't know if you cut a deal with the producers-"

"I don't care enough to do that."

"Even then, you rarely get a bad edit, and you've successfully gotten to 5th place on your own merit despite being an anti-social, angry-face contestant. Your fans really love you online and defend you with all they have, and are doing their best to make you debut. Don't you think it's a shame to give up now?"

"I don't know if you're trying to complement me or insult me, but since you like to eavesdrop so much, you know that I didn't even want to participate in the first place. I got roped into this as a favor, and I'm not here for pure intentions like the rest of the contestants who want to become pop stars because they love it. And there's no point in befriending people when I've wrongfully crushed their dreams, taken their spots, and won't even be here for long. Besides, I have other things going on in my life, and I'm pretty good at them."

"Hmmm? Well, I don't think I would say wrongfully because nobody is guaranteed anything just cause they want it. I'm not here for some great reason either. I'm mainly here for the prize money and revenge. Everyone has their own reasons for doing something, and just because it's someone's dream doesn't mean that they deserve the spot over someone else who is just trying something out. After all, the level of effort that someone has to put in to be good is the same, and I would think it's harder to work hard about something you're not passionate about. Not that I think you're not passionate about this. Even if you're good at other stuff, you are good at this, too, and I've seen you work hard, so don't quit, especially over a punk like William, no offense to your friendship."

"…We're just-"

"Family friends, I know. Look, we're not close, and a forced 12-hour hangout is not going to change that. Carlos's situation was easy to handle, but you… I don't know what answer or words you're looking for, and I don't know how to convince you to stay. I'm not a motivational speaker or anything. But if you're going to quit anyway, please quit after this performance because we need you. Our performance will literally not work without you."

"Is that so?"

"It is. I know you heard some harsh things from the people on the team. I'll force them to apologize to you, but you also have to apologize for skipping without updating everyone. It's only fair. If it's something I personally did to wrong you, I'll apologize as many times as you need me to. If it's something else, I feel like we can come to an agreement, but you absolutely can't quit yet. Please."

"Hmmm."

At the noncommital response, Ari was about to start nagging, but then a waiter brought the first course.

"Course 1. Escargots de Bourgogne with baguettes. Enjoy."

Temporarily abandoning his campaign to convince Levi, Ari used a fork to spear out a snail and place it on the bread before dipping the whole thing in garlic butter and throwing it in his mouth.

A gulp of Orangina soon followed, and he sighed with happiness at the familiar flavour.

Delicious.

Just like he remembered.

Levi imitated his actions before nodding as he ate the food.

"Not bad."

"Right? I don't know if the old chef is still around, but his recipes have always been super tasty. Anyways, why do you want to leave so much?"

There was a pause before Levi replied slowly.

"I have other projects to work on, not just what you overheard. Managing it all is annoying, so something has to give."

"Is it cause you're a voice actor? Is that why you don't talk a lot? Saving your voice?"

Levi immediately froze and began glaring.

"How do you know that? Stalking me? I'm not even using my real name."

"Nope. The magic voice in my head told me."

[Stop using me as an excuse.]

[And I am not magic.]

Ari simply batted the window away.

"Yes."

"Okay, that's fair, but can you focus on that after our performance if you're dead set on quitting. I mean, if you took the time to write out lyrics in a day for each of us, doesn't that mean you still care? Kind of?"

Ari brought out the paper that was previously crumpled up by Levi and placed it on the table.

"Why do you have my trash?"

"You missed the trash can, so technically it wasn't trash. And if it's not trash, finders keepers is the law."

Levi: ಠ_ಠ I don't think that's how laws work.

"Course 2. Filet aux Poivres et frites." The waiter brought the large plates of peppercorn-crusted steaks and fries, interrupting the conversation once more.

Both he and Levi tried to cut into the steak at the same time, and quickly giving up, Ari just stabbed his entire steak with his fork and began ripping into it like an animal, letting Levi drag his hand around.

"Anyway, don't give up yet. Don't you want to go out with a bang? Give the performance of your life?"

"With that trash beat? Heh."

"It is trash, isn't it? But I have a great idea on how to fix it. Aren't you curious? Don't you want to know? You know I'm good at concepts, right? I'm a veritable genius. Go on. Ask me how?" Ari began elbowing Levi with a cheeky smile.

"Course 3. Chocolatine et crème brûlée. Enjoy."

"Thank you."

Ari grabbed his chocolate pastry, split it in half, and scooped the crème brûlée inside to make a sandwich before holding it out to Levi.

"Cheers?"

"….you fixed the beat? How?"

"No cheers? That's fine. You have to promise not to quit yet. Then I'll tell you. What do you say?"

In response, Levi just gave him a dirty look and began eating his dessert in silence.

Laughing to himself, Ari finished the delicious meal and paid.

Unfortunately, when he asked if the chef was around to say hello, he was not, so he and Levi left for their next destination.