From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 158: The Three Buske-teers (6)

"How?"

"Why?

"When?"

Expressions of confusion were spread across everyone.

They had seen the argument, but they couldn’t understand how it had turned from a simple busking endeavor to a cipher with another group.

"Hey, hey, hey. I would love to answer your questions, but since I can’t, Benjamin, I leave the floor to the expert, which is you. Everyone, let’s clap for Benjamin as he gives us cipher 101 for dummies."

Clap clap clap

Ari led them in clapping for Benjamin, who gave him a strange look before sighing.

"You signed us up for a cipher without knowing what goes on in it?" Mathew looked at Ari incredulously.

"Yes."

"And you plan on being the MC? For all these people?" Mathew pointed to the group of people who were watching the dance mats brought by Kosmic Krew being set up.

"Yep."

"...Social anxiety is afraid of you," Mathew commented as he started stretching.

Since it was already happening, he might as well warm his body up.

"That would be Benjamin, not me. And as long as people aren’t crying, there’s really nothing to be afraid of. Just talk to them." Ari shrugged, "Big Ben. The floor is yours."

"All right, boys, Ciphers are pretty simple. Both groups will take turns challenging each other, and individuals can step up if they feel they can respond effectively or step up when called. It can be rapping, dancing, whatever. I can handle the rap portion easily. Matthew and Haruto can dance, and the rest of you can pick and choose whether you want to come out to respond or challenge somebody. No pressure either way since we need some people to work the crowd and get them to buy tickets and register to vote on the program. Ari, since you’re the MC, you’re responsible for beat switches, song selection, setting the mood, and cutting people off if they go on for too long, and really anything else that pops up. That’s basically it. We can just freestyle it as we go, and if you’re lost, follow my lead." Benjamin explained slowly, looking quite at ease.

"I’ll handle the crowd." Vishal immediately opted out of the cipher since he was aware that his skill set might not be up to par.

"Me too." Carlos volunteered, but Ari shook his head.

"No can do." Ari immediately shook his head. "Since I’m the MC, I can’t sing, and I doubt William wants to sing. Right?"

"Hmph."

"Thank you William for the elaborate response. You’re our strongest vocalist; we need you. I need you. You’re not allowed to go. If you do, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth and drag you back."

"Haha okay, okay, I’ll stay."

"Then I’ll help Vishal?" Nile spoke up slowly, and Ari nodded.

"Sounds good. Let’s not try to embarrass ourselves, yeah?"

"Team popstars on 3. 1 2 3"

"Pop stars!"

*******

Screeerwlrckt screeerwlrckt screeerwlrckt

With his characteristic lazy movements, Ari spun the turntables on the DJ controller and grabbed the microphone attached to it.

"Salut, hola, kon’nichiwa, annyeonghaseyo, and hello to everyone gathered here. I’m contestant Ariel, here with Benjamin, Carlos, Vishal, Mathew, Haruto, Nile, and our leader William. We’re a team on Pop Star Academy, a show to select the members of a global boy group." Ari pointed at each boy, who smiled and waved as he called them out.

"Originally, we were going to busk like the other pop star academy teams you might have seen as you walked by on Fremont Street, but today we’re going to have a little cipher competition with Kosmic Krew, a talented mixed group from LA. Please say hello to them as well."

Ari pointed at the Kosmic Krew team standing together, and there was a polite round of applause from the audience gathered around.

"Before we get started, I only have 2 things to ask from the crowd. The first is to please show your support after each round to determine the person who wins from each team. Can I hear a cheer of support?"

- Wooooooooooooooo!!!!!

A decent number of people cheered and clapped their hands.

"Wowwww, that was pretty good. I know it’s hot so hopefully it cools down a bit so you all have a bit more energy to cheer later on," Ari laughed while clapping before continuing, "Secondly thing is to please sign up on the Pop Star academy website so you can vote for your favorite contestant, and if you’re around, consider grabbing a flyer or scanning the QR code to buy a discounted ticket to see us perform as an opener for a show in a couple of days. We’re in a competition with other teams, so we would really appreciate it. You can also catch our show on TV at 8/7 central and see clips of us on the official Pop Star Academy WeTube channel."

As Wilbert and his team glared at him because of his shameless advertisement, Ari shrugged innocently before nodding at Vishal and Nile to get him to start working the crowd as he spun the turntables to make the scratching record sound.

Screeerwlrckt screeerwlrckt screeerwlrckt

"Now enough yapping, let’s get this cipher started! Who’s up first?"

As Ari set up a basic beat, a girl with blonde pig tails under her red bucket hat stepped forward while staring at Benjamin.

With the thick, sharp eyeliner around her eyes and the bold red lipstick as well, she had quite a sharp impression as she walked up in her crisp jumpsuit.

"DJ. Speed the beat up."

With a few dial twists and button presses, Ari increased the beat speed, and Jada nodded along to it before gesturing for him to stop once it reached the tempo she liked.

Raising the microphone that she had in her hands to her mouth, she pointed a sharp, painted red nail at Benjamin and spoke with a slight lisp.

"Hello, my name is Jada Morrison. I’m part of the Kosmic Krew, and I’m challenging Benjamin to a rap battle."

"Challenge accepted."

Benjamin gave her a playful smile as if he wasn’t worried in the slightest.

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