Many words describe Naruto Uzumaki. Penniless, jobless, loveless… the list could go on and on. But, one good thing you could not deny is that he had friends. Not many, but the ones he had were all kind and trustworthy.
'Boy am I glad I fished Akamaru out of that river all those years ago,' the blond found himself thinking as he scrambled down the corridor behind Kiba. He wouldn't have known, but the owner of the drowning puppy he saved from the river turned into a superstar at 18, along with a group that named themselves the Playboys. The new but extremely well-liked group consisted of 4 boys and 1 girl, all 18 years old. Soon, though, it would have a new addition. The Playboys are looking for a cheerful, bright boy of age 18 to join them, and the audition for that boy was currently in progress. Kiba and Naruto had become quick friends after Naruto saved Kiba's pet dog from the river. Now, knowing that one of his best friends was desperately in need of a job, Kiba recommended Naruto to audition for the new member of Playboys. He knew Naruto was well suited for it.
As the two teenagers hurried into the hall where the audition is being held, Naruto was stunned to a stop at the sight before him. The hall was ten times larger than his apartment, and definitely much cleaner. The wooden polished floor could act as a mirror. The money made from selling those chandeliers alone could pay for all expenses for the rest of his life. But, what was more stunning was the people. The hall was full of what Naruto assumed were candidates hoping that they could land themselves into stardom by getting into the increasingly popular Playboys. All of them were dressed in bright, eye-catching clothes that compliment them. Every head was dyed a stunning shade of blonde, red or orange. Compared to the other boys, Naruto felt like a farmer's son in Paris. Kiba's announcement that he was going to a audition to be a star caught him completely off guard. The night before, Kiba had called, dropped the bomb on him, and abruptly dropped the call. Then, Naruto found himself out of his bed and being dragged to the audition hall before he realized what was going on. Looking down at his own clothes, he thought that he should get out before he was handed to the securities.
"Hey, stop freaking out, you look fine," Kiba whispered, having realized Naruto's self-conscious tugs at his clothes. Naruto suddenly felt a rush of anger towards the brunet. Kiba knew that he had neither the time nor the money to prepare for such an audition. The naturally-blonde teen was dressed in his daily outfit: A blinding orange jumpsuit with a white scruff, which was 3 sizes too big to show off his slender, if not very well-muscled body. It was the kind of cheap versions of the real thing, which was the only kind Naruto could afford.
However, the pointless wave of rage passed in less than a second. Naruto knew his friend was only looking out for him. Besides, with the recommendations of one of the Playboys, Naruto had a significant advantage over the other candidates. Though, he was still convinced that it wouldn't help, seeing as he had never had professional training in singing or dancing. Yes, even Naruto would say that he was like an irritating ray of sunlight that kept shinning into your eyes, but what are the chances of him actually getting into the group? Approximately zero, in his point of view. What did Kiba see in him, to have been convinced that Naruto would be the new member of the Playboys? Well, it couldn't hurt to attempt, even if it was just to please Kiba. He was desperate for a job himself, and if a miracle occured, he would finally get himself a stable job.
Right in the center of the extravagant hall was a long, rectangular table made of tempered glass. Behind it, however, was what made Naruto's jaws drop. 3 boys and 1 girl emitting a different aura from all the rest were seated there, leaving an empty seat which Kiba walked up to after wishing Naruto good luck. And, gods were they gorgeous. Especially the man seated right at the center. He had ebony hair that stuck up at the back, and bangs that fell over his face and half-covered his obsidian eyes. The hairstyle would have looked weird, even funny, on anyone else, but on the raven it just gave him a wild, I-just-shagged look. His skin was milk-colored, and Naruto wondered if it felt as soft as it looked.
But then, he snapped out of his trance when the man stood up and announced in a deep, rich baritone, "This is the audition for a new member for the Playboys. First of all, if you just came here to fool around and have no confidence in passing the audition, or if you think this is a signing session, then GET OUT." A moment of awkward and complete silence, then more than half of the crowd shuffled out of the hall. Naruto sweat dropped, then made to follow them, but a stern and terrifying glare from Kiba made him change his mind, and he stayed rooted to the spot he stood on.
"Now, the rest of you, seat down on the chairs provided at the side of the hall. We shall begin the audition one by one, starting with the first on the list of candidates based on alphabetical order. Akimichi Akito, please step infront of the judges' table."
And so, as he settled down in one of those seats, Naruto Uzumaki was forced to witness the heartlessness of the Playboys.