Chapter 17: CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Po wanted to hand Jun an acting award. That guy waltzed into Khun Phemika’s office and spun some story about having to perform an impromptu song on a music show but couldn’t write it himself, so he asked to borrow some old lyrics to look cool on camera. Only Jun could come up with such a tale and make it believable.

As a result, Jun and Po successfully entered the document storage room.

Jun muttered complaints about the dust in the room and grumbled about Po not being much help, calling him a burden since Po had to keep watch instead. Annoyed, Po retorted that Jun was nothing more than Thame’s lackey, which made Jun snap back, furious. "Who’s anyone’s lackey, huh?"

Po could only sigh internally, wondering why he had to fall for someone whose friend was like this. They say if you love someone, you have to love their dog too, but this dog? Not adorable at all - it bites, and on top of that…

“Why are you helping him so much? You like him, don’t you?”

Po flinched.

“There it is! I knew it.”

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“Flinching like that already answers the question.”

“Let me warn you though,” Jun smirked. “That Thame, no matter how nice he is to you, it’s just kindness. His type is petite girls, not big guys like you.”

Po clenched his teeth. He wanted to argue but couldn’t, not when it was true he liked Thame.

And maybe Thame really was just being nice to him. So instead, he shot back, “Shut up and help look, can’t you?”

“Oh, does that sting?”

This bastard! Po balled his fists, wanting to punch Jun, but before they could continue bickering, Jun’s phone buzzed. The caller ID showed Pepper’s name.

“What’s up, Ai Pepper?”

Po couldn’t hear what was being said on the other end, but Jun’s expression shifted instantly.

“What did Dylan say?”

Po leaned in, now fully attentive.

“And what did Ai Thame do?”

“What’s happening?” Po asked urgently upon hearing Thame’s name.

“Is he crazy? And where are they? Damn it, send me the location now. I’m on my way!” Jun hung up and immediately grabbed Po by the arm.

“What’s going on?” Po asked, alarmed.

“Out of nowhere, Ai Dylan called and said he’d come back to the band, but only if Thame would go rap with him at some club.”

“Huh? That sounds like a good thing.”

“Good my ass! It’s a trap, obviously. Dylan, out of the blue, wanting to rejoin the band? And Thame hasn’t even made him any offers yet?”

Jun tapped on his phone, searching for the club. Pepper must’ve sent it already.

“There it is.”

Jun showed Po the club’s gritty-looking exterior - graffiti on bare concrete walls, dim neon lights - and even worse, a crew of rappers seemingly mocking idol music.

“Dylan’s lured Ai Thame there to get wrecked for sure. And that idiot just went along? What the hell is he thinking? That bastard!” Jun cursed at Thame non-stop as they rushed out, trying to call him, but it seemed Thame wasn’t answering.

—

Thame followed Dylan, who seemed relaxed as they approached the dingy rap club.

“I thought you’d be reluctant when I asked you to come,” Dylan said.

“You’re not much of a rap guy.”

“Not really. I’m not great at it. But if you wanted me to come, I’m here.”

“Sorry about that.” Dylan turned to look at Thame. “About how I got so mad I almost hit you with that hard drive. I was really pissed back then.”

“I know.” Thame nodded in understanding. “I couldn’t deliver back then, but now, I will.”

“Okay,” Dylan replied, though it sounded noncommittal. “Help me deal with these rappers who keep trashing idol music. I know you can handle it.”

Dylan pushed open a door that resembled a prison gate and gestured for Thame to enter.

Thame looked back at his friend. Dylan merely smiled. Steeling himself, Thame stepped inside.

He knew. Dylan didn’t bring him here to help fight off some rappers.

Thame wasn’t naive enough to fall for that. He understood that this was the only way to get Dylan back into Mars.

As soon as Thame removed his hat and mask, the crowd erupted in jeers and laughter, thrilled that the country’s number-one idol had stepped into their lair.

—

Thame had always thought the issue between him and Dylan was about the song that never got made. He thought Dylan was angriest about that. But as Dylan brought him here, as Thame saw the look in Dylan’s eyes and researched the club Dylan mentioned, he realized: their issue wasn’t about the song.

Of course, it wasn’t just the song. Even if Thame wasn’t around, he could’ve left Dylan with other producers at Winner. He could’ve negotiated with Khun Phemika to keep supporting Dylan’s music. But Dylan rejected everything and ended up in this underground rap club. The problem was clear.

Dylan had grown up in America. He left his home behind to debut here. The company told him he’d be a rapper, but they didn’t mention it’d be as part of an idol group. It wasn’t the same. Dylan never danced, never cared for pop music, never thought he’d have to befriend four non-rappers. He didn’t fit in at first, hiding in corners, scribbling songs. Thame decided to sit with him, noticed his writing, and struck up a conversation about music. Dylan, expecting to be shooed away, found himself in an engaging discussion.

Their musical tastes aligned. Dylan admitted he thought Thame was just a pop singer, but Thame said he had songs he wanted to create. That moment forged a bond between them.

It wasn’t just about music. During breaks when everyone else returned to their families, Dylan stayed behind - he had no home to go to.

Thame didn’t go home either; his house was empty. During those crucial times, they became each other’s family. Dylan wasn’t angry about the song. He was angry because Thame had abandoned him as family.

—

The underground club had one rule: prove yourself to join their ranks. They often belittled idol music, and Thame was their ultimate target. Dylan probably brought Thame here to see him humiliated, securing Dylan’s place in the crew.

“Your opponent is Jim,” Dylan told Thame.

“Got it.”

“Want to talk before you go up?”

Thame looked down briefly, then asked, “Have you made up your mind?”

Dylan didn’t show any expression as he replied, “Yeah.”

—

By the time Po, Jun, and Pepper arrived, Thame was already on stage, getting obliterated by his opponent.

“Crap,” Pepper muttered, seeing how the rapper was dissing Thame relentlessly. Thame tried to clap back, but rap wasn’t his strength, and the crowd booed him.

Jun and Pepper rushed to grab Dylan’s shoulder, spinning him around.

“Oh, here to collect your friend’s corpse?” Dylan sneered. “Too bad, your idiot friend walked right into this.”

“You think Thame didn’t know you were setting him up?” Jun shot back.

“If he knew, why’d he go up there?”

“To give you what you want.” Jun laid it out plainly. “At first, I thought it was just about the song. But after seeing the clip and realizing how easily Thame followed you, I figured it out. Between you two, it’s not just about music. You’re looking for a new home to replace what he used to be for you, right?”

Dylan froze. Jun had hit the nail on the head.

“You’re mad at him for abandoning you, for leaving when he became your only family here. But let me tell you something—your so-called abandoner is up there getting humiliated for your sake. He’s the one who never truly left you.”

Dylan stood motionless, as if Jun’s words had struck him like a blow. On stage, the rapper’s voice rang out again.

“Dylan! Come finish this for your buddy!”

The crowd roared, chanting Dylan’s name.

Slowly, Dylan made his way to the stage. Standing face-to-face with Thame, who was holding his mic and panting in exhaustion, Dylan stared at him. Po couldn’t tell if they exchanged words or just looks. Whatever passed between them, Dylan eventually averted his eyes and grabbed a mic.

Maybe he was about to finish Thame for good and join the rappers. He stared at his former bandmate, then said one word: “Idiot.”

Thame closed his eyes and took a deep breath, bracing for the blow. But Dylan didn’t diss him further. Instead, he continued:

“I was the idiot for thinking you’d betray me. For believing everything about idols wasn’t real.”

Thame opened his eyes in surprise. Dylan gave him a small smile before turning to unleash an epic rap aimed at the crew of rappers, making it clear he wouldn’t join them. He chose to defend Thame instead. And that marked the return of Mars’ rapper.

TO BE CONTINUED.