week three | dates

[marriagebroker]

Here we go again.

You all better kiss.

Comments

shoko and luka

[marriagebroker]

Shoko and Luka are taken to karaoke. It's the same run down karaoke bar that Verso and Nico went last week.

Highlights

• The menu highlight is still melon cream soda.
• They hired a second person on staff so it's not painful anymore!
• There is a couple making noises in the room next door though.

[irreversal]

[ ...Fine, she'll order a melon cream soda, mostly for the nostalgia. It sure does feel like a bit of a prank to be sent here with a literal idol, though... ]

Have you ever had melon cream soda, Luka? You like sweet things, right?

[ And sweet people, as previously established— ]

I'm counting on you to drown out the couple next door, by the way.

[beatmatching]

...they need better sound proofing. [ with a wry smile. ]

Are you going to pay me in melon cream soda?

[irreversal]

Sure! It's not like the drinks are coming out of my bank account, anyway.~ Ah, though I'm going to tip the staff later. This place seems way too busy for just two people...

[ She'll go ahead and use the tablet in the room to order some melon cream soda and a veritable spread of sweet snacks (his) and bar food (hers). ]

We haven't gotten to spend much time together, have we? It's only natural they would send us somewhere together. Let's try to make the most of it.

[beatmatching]

I've never had it before, so I'll decide how much I'm singing based on how it is.

[ he's only had soda probably once in his life? so. ]

In a venue like this, I can do anything. [ they might be asking luka to make less of it tbh. ] But what about you? Do you sing?

[irreversal]

Sure, but I'm not singing when there's a professionally-trained singer in a karaoke room with me. No way.~

[ Still, she's flipping through the song selection. ]

Is Luka your artist name? Or are you in a group? I wanna see if they have your songs on here.

[beatmatching]

[ with a huff. ]

Fair enough.

Luka is my name in everything. [ there is only one him! ] I sing in solos or duets with other artists. My songs would be under ALST or my father's name, Heperu.

[ he's pre ALST 50 but we could still have sweet dream remix!!! ]

[irreversal]

[ Huh? That's interesting... ]

Heperu, huh...? Did your father write your songs, or something?

[beatmatching]

No. My fathers owns me—I'm his pet-human, so it's his name that comes first and then mine.

[ oh so causally. ]

1/2

[irreversal]

[irreversal]

[ strange management strategy... but no— ]

Pet-human, huh. Not sure I like the sound of that.

[ also casually. ]

Was it... their idea for you to become an idol, then?

[beatmatching]

[ well since she hasn't reacted as loudly as everyone else has, he'll continue: ]

I was literally created to sing, for yes. That's the most common reason for keeping pet-humans.

[irreversal]

[ ......... well. okay. ]

...Sheesh. Guess that's not that different from big sorcerer families popping out kids to become sorcerers, though...

[ She puts the song booklet down. ]

Hm. Tell you what. What if we pick a random song for you to sing, instead of the ones you're being made to sing?

[beatmatching]

[ it's his turn to express surprise, however slight.

finally someone understands!?!? ]

Alright. I can sing anything, so pick whatever you want.

[irreversal]

One song, then, and hopefully our order arrives by then.

[ I found a karaoke spin the wheel for this and it picked Dancing Queen—

Little party lights in the room start up when the song does, and Shoko hands the microphone to Luka. She won't stay completely inactive, though, so she'll pick up the tambourine for herself! ]

[beatmatching]

[ he absolutely kills it because this man was born to do literally one thing, and that's to be an idol. he is also plenty loud enough to drown out the couple next door who probably appreciate it, because his take on dancing queen is plenty sensual.

he knows what sells and he hasn't sung enough on the show, okay?

when he's done (and he seems livelier for it, because yeah he's forced to sing but singing is also the only place where he can really be himself) ]

How was that?

[irreversal]

[ Woah... a sexy version of Dancing Queen. It's kind of impressive that he managed to do that!

But even for how half-heartedy Shoko follows along with the tambourine, barely keeping rhythm, her attention remains fully fixed on Luka. She's not someone who tunes into idol culture much, herself, but this up close, and in the flesh - it's impossible not to be captivated by Luka's performance and his raw talent.

One of the staff enters towards the end to deliver all their food, too, and maybe they're taking their sweet time a bit so they can enjoy this show for themselves before dipping out of the room. By the end of the song, Shoko's clapping with the tambourine. ]

Woooow. [ She sounds enthused. Just trust me bro, ] That was a pretty unique take on the song. You really are a professional. I'm pretty lucky right now, aren't I?

[ His fans would probably kill her for an opportunity like this.. ]

[beatmatching]

Of course, you're here with me. [ sorry not sorry. though he doesn't brag further and takes a melon soda which he believes he's earned. his intention is to sip at it and that's where he starts out, but uhhh. he's going to chug the entire thing in one go. it is so, so, sweet and he absolutely loves it.

his fans will find this footage adorable whenever it airs, look at the two little pet-humans doing silly little pet-human things, trying to emulate the greatness of the ALST! or something like that. ]

[irreversal]

[ Well, at least he isn't loud and boisterous about his bragging, either. Shoko does tilt her head a bit at the way he just absolutely devours that melon soda, though, and then... reaches for the tablet to order another one... ]

So, you like the melon soda, huh? I'll get you another one.

[ And with that, she'll start searching for another song. ]

You know, it's been a while since I went to karaoke like this. Reminds me of when I was a teenager, hah.

[beatmatching]

[ one is already too many but she's already ordering it and asking him a question so...

...he'll figure out what to do with the soda when it arrives. ]

So humans do sing just for fun? All our activities involve performing except for when we're really young—then we're allowed to play some games like tag.

[irreversal]

[ She's helping her self to one of the salty snacks she ordered. ]

Mm, you could say that it's a good activity for relieving stress. It's a popular group activity, too.

[ And couple's activity, as evidenced by the booth next door, ]

Does that mean you had fun just now, when you were singing Dancing Queen?

[beatmatching]

[ luka peers at the snacks but doesn't take any. ]

I wouldn't call it fun, but I didn't dislike it either. Singing is who I am.

[irreversal]

[ He inhaled the melon soda but won't touch anything else.. ]

Hmm. Is there anything you've experienced the last few weeks that you would call fun?

[beatmatching]

[ oh that's easy. ]

Being with Maya.

[ and after a pause, he adds: ]

And talking with Yingying.

[irreversal]

[ okay she probably should have seen that answer coming ]

Right. What about activities? Or even food that you like...? You finished that melon soda really fast.