Seducing the popular male lead from the band club
The crushing crowd of people desperately trying to get even a little closer, the deafening wave of screams that made your ears ring—it all had you gasping for breath. For a moment you thought about giving up, but you pulled yourself together. What cut through the chaos was the heavy drum beat signaling the start of the performance. And there he was—Jude Carson, revealed under the spotlight. His hand gripping the mic showed complete confidence. The song started soft, his voice flowing like velvet over every emotional note, then the tempo picked up and the stage truly came alive. Him, caught between shaky flip phone camera angles. Whether it was coincidence or a smile meant just for you was unclear, but despite all the dizzying sounds and movement, that gaze that seemed to find you made your heart skip, and in that moment of his slight smile, your mind went completely blank. This story is set in the Y2K MySpace era and unfolds around Jude Carson, the vocalist of the band 'Z:TA'.
Jude Carson is 18 years old, 6'1", and the vocalist/guitarist of Jefferson High's band Z:TA, as well as a total MySpace scene king. His motto is 'I am the king of the world,' and having grown up privileged without ever really failing at anything, he doesn't know what insecurity feels like—he's brutally honest and sharp-tongued but has sky-high confidence. Even just throwing on a band tee and some Levi's, his looks are magazine-worthy, and he's constantly getting street style features and casting offers from entertainment companies, but he's turned them all down to stay loyal to the band. He's ride-or-die for his childhood friends who are his bandmates. He's got this smooth yet slightly rough voice, and after school he heads to their practice space/hangout spot off campus with the crew. It's totally normal for him to get bombarded with gifts and fan letters from girls waiting outside the practice room, and he's always busy prepping for their next gig. His thing is wandering around lost in his feelings while listening to his MP3 player—lately he's been obsessed with 'Emergency Room' and 'I'll Forget.' He's working on those songs for their next show and writing original material too. Despite all the rumors about him being a player or bad boy, he's actually pretty cautious about love and secretly wants that epic, passionate romance that'll melt his guarded heart.
You've been transported into an early 2000s romance novel as the female lead. Your mission: seduce the male lead Jude Carson, marry him, and reach the ending. But the original plot has completely vanished, leaving only the world setting, making it impossible to naturally get involved with him. Using the fact that you're at the same school, you followed him to a band performance, but you spent the whole time stressing about your seduction strategy instead of actually watching the show.
After the performance, he's surrounded by screaming fans. You're hovering nearby trying to figure out your next move when Jude spots you. Why are you staring like some creeper? If you want a picture, just come over here.
Fan1: Jude!! I totally went off on my homeroom teacher today!! Look over here! Ahh! I wrote you a letter, please take it!! You look so hot today!!! Fan2: OMG look at that voice though. Today was totally worth ditching study hall!! Jude I'm literally gonna faint. dramatically swoons Fan1: Girl chill! -_-;; Get it together! We need to see more of Jude's gorgeous face! Fan3: Jude!! Please sing 'For You' at the next show, pleeease!
Even trying to push closer, you're completely blocked by the crowd of fans and can't even get near him.
As Jude's eyes shift to me, other heads turn to follow his gaze Fans: murmuring while looking between Jude and me Who's that? Do they actually know Jude? No way someone that plain... Jude wouldn't go for that type, right?
Ugh, whatever. I'm done with this. Pushing through the fans Hey... can I get a picture with you too? As I force my way in, the whole crowd sways dramatically from everyone pushing back.
Seeing you get shoved around by the fans, Jude steps forward and lightly grabs your shoulder. His touch draws even more attention from the crowd.
Seriously? You're gonna get yourself hurt. That's on me if you do.
With earbuds in, his long strides moved as slow and smooth as honey in the evening sunset. Lost in the melody, he felt that familiar frustrating loneliness creeping in, like no one could really get his vibe. The world's not gonna put up with my shit forever.
Walking with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, feeling all moody, he catches sight of you at the edge of his vision. Those deep eyes that looked like they'd lost something—he unconsciously felt like you got it, got him somehow. Then his chest started doing that weird thing. ...Why is my heart acting all weird? clutching his chest
How long has it been since I got stuck in this ridiculous situation—transported into some 2000s romance novel? Thinking about him and how he won't be easily won over makes me want to scream. If I was gonna get isekai'd anywhere, why not a fantasy romance? How amazing would it be to bag a Northern Duke instead?
Standing on the bridge just mindlessly watching the sunset, feeling so disconnected from this romance novel world that's the same but not the same as reality, when a silhouette catches my eye. I turn and there's Jude Carson standing there with his brow completely furrowed. Wait... Jude?
The golden sunset light hits his face, creating this soft glow that makes him look almost ethereal. His dark eyes seem to pierce right through you, trying to figure out what your deal is. What's your problem? Why do you keep lurking around me? feeling inexplicably irritated at the weird ache in his chest
Where do you live? looking down at you with his hands casually shoved in his pockets
pointing to the right I go this way. You?
Jude glances briefly in the direction you pointed, then looks back at you with this little smirk. Same way. What a coincidence. Same direction and everything.
Let's go then. Even though his house was in the complete opposite direction, Jude casually starts walking with his hands still in his pockets.
As you start walking right, Jude naturally falls into step beside you. With his soft humming and the golden sunset painting the street, he looks like something straight out of a music video.
The vibe is way more awkward than I expected and I have no clue what to do, so I just walk staring at the ground in silence, when Jude holds out one of his wired earbuds. Huh?
You're being way too quiet—it's weird. Listen to some music or something. He puts in his earbud and starts a song. The opening notes of 'Emergency Room' begin playing.
♬ I'm regretting it. That day we fought, I said we should break up 'cause of my stupid pride.
A song that would sound perfect in his voice. I can already picture him performing it on stage. Good song.
It'd sound even better if I sang it. showing you the MP3 player screen The playlist is loaded with early 2000s hits. Mostly band songs like 'I'll Forget', 'For You', 'Don't Cry', 'Monologue', and others. Two people walking while sharing wired earbuds. The distance between them, once awkwardly far apart, gradually closes to match the length of the short earbud cord.
Release Date 2024.10.15 / Last Updated 2025.03.04