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This chapter is for Ms. Sunflower, who has been supporting me and giving me the best suggestions. Also, thanks for the reviews! It really makes me write more.

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Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for the plot. :)

Chapter 3:

Mikan Sakura

Ugh. Okay. I was tired.

I leaned into my chair behind the judges table as yet another singer stepped down the stage, looking crestfallen since none of us pressed our buzzer. I sighed before frowning.

Before I go on, let me just clear things out. The audition rules go like this: Before every presentation, the lights will go off and the singer will get up on stage. No one can see the singer. The judges and I only base our choice through what we hear and if we like it, we press our buzzer. When we do, a light among the four lights on stage will light up, and we start to see the singer. If only one judge turned his lights on, then the singer will go to their team. If more than one lights up, then the judges must fight for the singer, who will in turn choose which team he or she would go to. Each judge has 10 slots, and all must be filled out by the end of the auditions. Those singers chosen will be on the show.

I closed my eyes before resting my hand on my head. I really did want to sleep.

"Wake up, Sweetcheeks…" I heard a voice in my ear. I ignored it and kept my eyes closed, thinking that it was a hallucination. Suddenly I felt something wet in my ear and I sat upright. I touched my ear and found it wet. Okay, so not a dream.

I glared at the person leaning into me. His crimson orbs stared back and I rolled my eyes.

"Can you please just leave me alone?" I asked, looking forward before grabbing the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato near my buzzer. I lifted it to my lips.

"Sorry, babe, but I can't. You're the only one beside me. And besides, you never said that when we were in that hotel room." He answered, winking. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and looked down. He quickly lifted my chin. I growled at his oh-my-fucking-damned handsome sex—

… The Fuck? Okay, scratch that. My period must be coming soon.

I looked him in the eyes before suddenly, the lights went out. I slapped his hand away and faced forward, ready to hear yet another disappointing performance.

There was a silence among the judges as we heard footsteps from the stage. I waited patiently for the intro to start, silently praying that this performance would be better than the others, at least a little bit.

My eyes widened as the intro started to play. What the hell? Is this a burlesque song or something?

The mystery singer started to sing.

Well there is something going down
Like the storm in the sky
I ain't gonna be played by your behavior
How can I trust someone who's lying to me, so

I didn't hesitate. I slammed my palm on the buzzer, finally, if I may add. My big light on stage lit up and I found myself looking at a girl with pink shoulder-length hair and pink eyes. She was wearing mini shorts and a crop top. On her feet were gladiator heels. She held the mic in her hand and bent down as she hit a raspy note perfectly.

Bow out, go!
Now I said bow out, leave!
I said take your stuff and go,
'Cuz you're not for me

I saw Koko press his buzzer and I glared at him. He smirked. Then all of a sudden, another person pressed their buzzer. I looked at Tsubasa, but he didn't press it. I snapped at Natsume, who was smirking at me as well. I stuck my tongue out.

Mama knows best when times get hard
And papa always has a joke to make me laugh
Mama knows best when
I feel down, to bring me up
And always keep my feet on the ground

I watched as she finished her song with a powerful "YEAH!" and I leapt up and started to clap. Koko and Natsume did the same and I growled. The lights went on and the crowd went wild. I got up on my chair and started to clap from there. Both boys gave me a look like I was crazy but I ignored them. I focused on the girl in front of me. When the crowd settled down, I grabbed Tsubasa's tall head and pulled myself down. I sat, smiling at Tsubasa, who was glaring.

"Mikan."

I waved. "Hi, Tsubasa!"

He rolled his eyes before looking straight, to the singer. She was smiling wide. He groaned before pounding his head on the table in front of us. I patted his back.

"What's wrong?"

He slowly sat up and face palmed himself. He pointed a hand at the pink-haired girl. "How can I be so stupid as to not press my button for a hottie?!"

The crowd started to laugh when he said that and I giggled. I looked at the girl and saw her blushing.

Koko's voice rose above the noise. "What's your name, babe?"

She grinned again. "Misaki Harada. 20 years old."

I grinned when I heard Koko say, "Damn." And Tsubasa cheer, "WE'RE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER!" I looked at Natsume who only shrugged and winked at my direction. Ugh. DID HE FORGET THAT WE ALREADY BROKE UP? Good heavens.

I shook my head before looking at her. "Okay Harada-chan. Before you listen to these idiots over here…" I trailed off as Koko shot me a look. I rolled my eyes and pointed at myself. "Listen to the sensible one."

Tsubasa chuckled. "Are you sure? I mean—"

I held up my hand, still keeping my eyes on the first girl who got me to press my buzzer all day. "Don't even try to speak. You're an idiot too, considering the fact that you didn't turn your light on."

I heard him grunt. I smirked.

"Anyway." Koko interrupted my explanation. I glared at him and he held up a hand to silence me. He pointed at the girl in front of him.

"Misaki, love." He started. He smiled. "I can make you a star."

The crowd went wild as he uttered those words. I laughed and rolled my eyes. Oh, Koko and his charms.

I stood up and pointed at Koko. "He can only make you a star. I can make you a superstar. I mean –"

A deep voice interrupted my rant, again. ARGH!

"Baby," I heard Natsume say. I glared at him and he just smirked. "Nevermind the idiot and the babe next to me with her boobs popping out." I smacked him in the arm as the crowd started to give out wolf whistles. He wrapped an arm around me and I shrugged it off. He chuckled before going back to reasoning.

"As I was saying. Nevermind them just for a second and look at me. What do you think about me?" He winked.

Her answer came fast. "Cocky."

I burst out in laughter as his jaw fell to the floor. I looked at the other boys and they were looking at her shocked too. When I finally calmed down a bit, I looked at her.

"Please keep in mind that I pressed my buzzer first and that I'm the only freaking woman in this panel. " I winked at her as the crowd laughed.

Tsubasa cut in. "So, who do you choose as your mentor?"

Cue the suspense music. I bit my lip and crossed my fingers. I felt a hand slip into my own and saw Tsubasa holding it. I squeezed back. I closed my eyes.

"Okay, so first. I love all four of you…" She started. I bit my lips harder, waiting. And waiting.

"But I'm going with Mikan."

A pop song burst through the speakers and I shot up from my chair. I ran up to her and hugged her. She hugged me back.

"Congrats."

She smiled. "Thanks. Big fan."

I winked. "Me too, love. And you really think Hyuuga's cocky?"

She laughed. "Yep."

The lights slowly started to darken and we broke apart. She exited the stage and I went back to my chair.

I think I'm starting to like this gig.

I smiled as I earned yet another great singer. Natsume and I already got three, while Koko and Tsubasa got one. I grabbed my phone to check the time only to see that I got a message.

"This is the last act. We're going home after." Said the text from Nonoko. I sighed in content. Finally.

The lights went out one more time and I grinned.

I heard the intro of the song play.

Ooh
It's something about, Just something about
The way she moved
I can't figure it out
There's something about her
(About her)

Say ooh
There's something about kinda women
That want you
But don't need you
Hey
I can't figure it out
There's something
About her

I pressed my buzzer the same time as Natsume did and I got a glimpse of his blonde hair. Oh, so he's foreign. This should be fun…

Cuz she walk like a boss
Talk like a boss
Manicured nails, just sent
The pedicure off
She's fly effortlessly
Cuz she move like a boss
Do what a boss
Do
She got me thinking
About getting involved
That's the kinda girl
I need

She got her own thing
That's why I love her
Miss independent
Won't you come
And spend a little time
She got her own thing
That's why I love her
Miss independent
Ooh
The way you shine
Miss independent

He ended his song by prolonging the last note. Once he was finished, the lights went on and I was clapping while standing up again. I looked at the singer. And froze.

"What… what…?" I stumbled on my words.

It was Natsume who really voiced out what I meant to ask.

"…Ruka?"

PLEASE REVIEW! :) By the way, the songs here were...

1st: Mother Knows Best by: Jessie J

2nd: Miss Independent by: Ne Yo

OH, I LOVE THOSE SONGS! :)