New One shot story

Here is a new little story – different writing style.

Memories of Los Angeles…

L.A.. Los Angeles. Our big live debut to our Western fans…It was supposed to be a happy time…I should have felt happy being there. I hated every minute of it. No…not because of the fans – they were incredible. I hated that wonderful time in Los Angeles because of you…

You’d been my best friend since we joined Morning Musume…I don’t know when I fell in love with you. I was afraid to tell you my feelings – I didn’t want to lose you and we were in the same group…it would have been awkward. I tried to hide my feelings…but they ripped me to shreds inside – and our friendship began to fade…I tried to hide in another friendship – she’s nice… and an amazing friend… but she wasn’t you.

I worked on building up my courage… I eventually decided that the best time to tell you would be our first trip to America – because we would surely room together…

We didn’t… we were given a choice… and before I could ask you…you picked her…

On the plane …you sat next to her…

On the bus…fortunately she sat with Junjun…

Everywhere we went… you were with her… you didn’t even notice me… are you that blind to my feelings?... or do you not care?

I plastered a smile on my face anyway… at least the fans helped my spirits a bit…there was even this one guy…he had Kame’s name on his arm… I don’t think that she got that it was a tattoo…I digress…

I’m fortunate that our positions in the group forced you to sit next to me during all of the events … I was even a bit happy that she was at the far end of the table – thank you Kami for the group hierarchy!...

Even that brief respite from watching you two together … was shattered the next time I saw you holding hands. You two seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

You always went to her after the events – especially after the second fan signing…you two giggling over at the window, looking out at the Expo…

My heart broke every time I saw you two together. I should be happy for you…that you’ve found someone… even if she isn’t me… but I can’t… I found only sadness and anger in my heart.

I’m angry that you chose her over me… someone you’ve known for much longer… your best friend…

Why not me Ai? … why not me?

Chapter 5 of And so the Morning

Sorry for not posting this sooner.

05.

Eri rubbed her eyes, trying to keep her sleepy mind focused on the computer screen in front of her. The room behind her was filled with a soft blue glow. She clicked away something on the screen and began to type when she felt a hand on her shoulder and the smell of warm tea and honey filled the air in front of the turtle’s nose.

“I thought you could use this.”

Eri turns around in her chair to accept Risa’s offering of tea. Risa glides over to the table and picks up a second cup for herself before sitting across from the Turtle, on the bed behind the computer chair.

“Thank you Risa-chan.” Eri mumbled sleepily, sipping the hot tea carefully.

“You should get some sleep. I thought you were done with that demo.”

“I’m working on something else now…” Eri sipped her tea again.

“You work too hard Turtle-girl” Kame glared sleepily at the nickname.

“Kawaii!” Risa reached over a squeezed the sleepy girl’s cheek. Kame tried to bite her in response.

“Itai!...I should start calling you ‘snapping turtle’.” Risa grinned.

“You should get to bed Reaction Queen.” Kame smirked. “You have an early day tomorrow.”

“… Don’t remind me…”

Kame grinned over her still warm cup of tea.

“Kame… do I have to go to that concert tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Mou… why?” Risa pouted.

“Because you promised… and you don’t want to make me sad do you?”

“…No.”

“I’ll meet you after I finish up my studio work… how about you come over after practice and wait in the studio building… just text me when you get there, ok?”

“Hai...goodnight Kame-chan… don’t stay up too late.” Risa walked out of the room to return the tea cup to the kitchen before returning to the bed behind Kame and curling up in the semi-darkness.

******

Ai and Lin arrived at their venue early - First, to get a lay of the land, and second, to relax on the beach for a little while before the show.

Lin sat on the large beach blanket she had packed for the two of them, her sundress rippling in the warm summer breeze. Lin looked out at the ocean, the waves crashing gently to the shore before retreating once again. In particular she watched her roommate enjoying herself walking along the water’s edge.

I wish I had half the figure she does…

Lin looked down at her own sundress covered body and frowned.

“Why the frown Lin-chan?” Lin was startled when she looked up and saw Ai standing in front of her.

“No reason Ai-chan…”

“Why don’t you come join me by the water?…I know you have your swimsuit under that dress - let’s enjoy the beach!”

Lin looked down at herself for a second time and frowned again.

“Come on Lin-chan…it’s a cute swimsuit and you look amazing in it… it’d be a shame to hide your cuteness from the world.”

Ai leaned over as she said this, reaching her hand out to help the younger woman up. Lin accepted her hand with a shy smile. She pulled off the sundress, laying it beneath her beach bag, and followed Ai down to the water. She looked up and saw Ai smiling at her, and couldn’t help but smile back.

“That’s better Lin-chan.” Ai smiled impishly before splashing the younger girl.

“I’ll get you for that!” Lin laughed as she tried to get Ai back.

******

Evening had fallen and the venue was about to start. Several other bands participating had already played their sets. Reina sat with Jun at the back of the audience, near the bar. They were joined by Aika, Koharu, Sayumi, and a Turtle-less Risa.

“Where is Kame?” Jun questioned the former sub leader.

“OH...she’s helping one of the groups… I don’t think they have a name.”

“oh…” Jun turned to Sayumi and began to chat about some fashion thing they both knew about.

“Aneki… how have you been this week? … I haven’t seen you since your concert.” The youngest asked.

“Oh…not too busy… just a few meetings here and there actually.” the yankii replied.

The band that had playing finally walked off the stage and the MC came back to center-stage.

“Ladies and Gentleman. I am pleased to announce that our final performers have come here from Tokyo to share their gift of music with you… so without further ado I present to you the musical stylings of Takahashi Ai and Lin Qian, with Kamei Eri.”

The crowd clapped and a few cheered. The former members of Morning Musume looked on in anticipation, waiting to see the missing pieces of their former life. Lin walked out first, guitar in hand; followed by Eri, who walked over to a programming board; and who was then followed by a microphone wielding Ai.

The music starts. The song that had drawn the member’s tears was now floating through the air.

******

Ai began the song, her lyrics almost a whisper at first before the energy began to build. She laid eyes on her friends in the crowd and her smile grew. The song continued and her eyes closed. She heard Lin’s voice join her after the first verse. Kame’s programming filled in the holes a live band would have. The music settled back down in the second verse, this time a piano joined the guitar. Ai turned around and smiled when she saw Jun standing behind the venue keyboard. Next came a bass line, Koharu. Then came the drums, Sayumi. Aika joined up singing backing vocals for the song. As the final chorus rolled around two more vocals entered the fray. Ai looked up and saw Reina and Risa walking towards her, tears flowing down their cheeks. They wrapped their arms around her waist as they helped to finish out the final chorus. Ai choked up before the end and sank down onto the stage. Lin finished out her vocals so that nothing was missing from the song.

The crowd cheered the nine girls, not realizing the history behind what had just happened. All they knew was that the music was good. This was to be the start of a new beginning. Morning Musume may not be anymore, but the family behind it had finally returned to their place, beside each other.

Side Story – And So the Morning…

Chapter one of my first series of side stories. Enjoy.

Side story 01 – Part 1

Light, like the limbs of a tree, filled the sky. It was night and the moon was full, though no one could tell it. Clouds hung low over the city of Tokyo. The sounds of thunder echoed off of the steel and glass monoliths that sprung forth into the night sky. Rain, like tear drops, ran down the windows of a darkened apartment. Two figures sat on the couch, one sitting up, and the other laying with her head in the other’s lap. A long since thawed cold compress had fallen off the swollen cheek of the girl who had lain down, while the other girl dozed, her head falling forward every so often, her hand absently running itself through the other’s hair.

A clap of thunder boomed closer to the apartment window. The window rattled a bit due to the exploding air disturbing the sleep of the girl lying on the couch. She blinked a bit in the darkness, trying to get her bearings. The dull pain from her cheek flashed back into her psyche, still foggy with sleep. The fog lifted when she felt a hand moving gently through her hair, almost caressing her face and neck. She glanced up and saw the dozing girl, in whose lap her head now lay. The momentary light flashing in through the window would cast shadows across the sleeping girl’s face, but also just enough light for Ai to see sure sign of tears. The memories of the past day flashed through her mind as her had gingerly rubbed her swollen cheek.

Another thunderclap woke the other sleeping girl, her head snapping up, and the hand not in Ai’s hair moving up to rub her neck. She groaned a bit, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. She looked down at Ai for a moment before realizing what her hand was doing, which she instantly removed.

“You didn’t have to stop…” Ai pouted.

“Sorry Ai-chan…” Lin laughed shyly.

“Why are you apologizing?” Ai smiled up at Lin.

“I don….are you ok?” Lin picked up the cold compress and was about to go get a fresh one, but Ai wouldn’t move. Instead, she snuggled closer to the other girl.

“Yeah…I’m alright… of course I’m sad about everything…but I have a clear conscience at least…”

Ai looked up at Lin again before continuing.

“Please don’t hate them… don’t hate Reina for this” she pointed to her face, “Don’t….” A tear trickled down the bruised cheek. Without thinking Lin wiped it gently away. Ai shivered at the touch.

A few moments of silence passed by before either decided to talk.

“Lin… would you like to move in together?... It’ll help financially, and help keep you and me from being lonely.”

“Are those the only reasons you want me to move in?”

“No…” Ai turned her face away from the younger girl, trying to hide the red that was creeping across her face.

“Ok Ai-chan…you convinced me … but who will do the cooking?”

“You better take that amused look off your face… we’ll both do our share.” Ai mock glared at the younger girl after turning back over in her lap.

“Let me go get another compress for your cheek.” Linlin began to stand up, lifting Ai’s head gently.

“No…I don’t need another one…” Ai tried to prevent the other girl from getting up.

“You at least need some medicine.”

“Mou…”

Ai pouted again, but let Lin get up. Lin walked to the medicine cabinet in the kitchen, while Ai sat up, pulling her knees up to her chest. She watched as Lin walked away…

Ai…stop it! She’s 18…

Lin smiled at her on her way back from the medicine cabinet when she noticed Ai looking at her.

…what’s going on with me?...

Ai smiled back, averting her eyes and hiding her face behind her knees. Lin handed her the medicine before rejoining her on the couch.

“Ai-chan… are you sure you’re ok?” Lin’s face betrayed her concern.

“Yes…”

“Are we moving in here?” Lin tried to change the subject when she noticed the expression on Ai’s face.

“No…I want to get out of here…we’ll try and find a new place soon. We’ll stay here until then.”

“Ok Ai-chan… we should get some sleep…even though we napped a bit… I’ll sleep here.”

“No!... I mean…don’t worry about it…we can share – the bed is big enough.” Ai smiled a bit trying to convince the younger girl.

“Ok Ai-chan…” Lin got up and followed Ai to the bedroom.

Ai walked into the bathroom, coming out a few moments later in blue pajama pants. The white camisole she wore caused her skin to glow in the lightning light.

“You can borrow something of mine. We’ll go get your stuff tomorrow.”

Ai handed Lin some clothes to change into. Lin walked into the bathroom and got changed quickly, grabbing her discarded clothing and folding it up. Lin walked back out into the darkness of the bedroom. Ai took her hand and led her to the bed - her eyes finally adjusting to the darkness when she laid down. The two girls laid side-by-side, facing the ceiling, silence passing between the claps of thunder. Ai rolled onto her side, wrapping her arm around Lin’s torso.

“Thank you Lin-chan…for staying with me…for defending me…” Ai sniffled a bit.

“You don’t need to thank me Ai-chan…”

“Yes I do!” Ai embraced Lin a bit tighter.

Lin wrapped Ai in an embrace of her own, bringing her head to rest on Lin’s chest. Ai laid in Lin’s embrace, her breathing slowly becoming regulating as sleep finally took her. The storm outside passed into nothingness as sleep took the two girls… the storm of memories stayed behind and would take much longer for it to pass…

Chapter 4

Sorry for the short update. I’ll try to update again soon.

 

04.

Two years has passed. Two years since Reina had punched her former leader. Two years since her shell cracked and the tears fell. Two years since she finally let Jun in.

After Morning Musume disbanded, Reina had begun a successful solo career with another large company. Reina had quickly discovered that the life of a musician is very different from the life of an idol. The pressure of training early on had been rough on the yankii girl, but she had support. Jun.

While Reina continued in music, Jun had decided to go into modeling and design. She wasn’t widely known yet, but her boutique was doing well. Both were relatively happy.

Reina had seen most of the former members. She and Aika still spent time together. Sayumi would see Jun every now and again at fashion events, and Jun would invite her to dinner with Reina. Reina would see Koharu on various music shows. Koharu was still doing younger music and had developed quite a fan base with children. Reina had even kept in touch with Eri and Risa, although their paths rarely crossed. Lin had vanished off the face of the earth, and Ai…Reina couldn’t bring herself to face her.

Reina regretted not trusting her leader. She regretted letting her anger control her. Her shame, mixed with a bit of her old yankii pride, would not let her contact her former leader.

“I heard about Ai today… apparently she had an audition at my company…”

“Reina…you should talk to her.” Jun replied, placing another piece of beef into her mouth.

“You know I can’t…” Reina’s face fell.

“I still think you should.” Jun’s face was stern. Reina stood up.

“I need to get ready for my night concert.”

Reina instantly regretted her cold response.

“I’m sorry Jun-chan… I just need time…”

“It’s been two years Reina…how long do you intend to wait?”

“I…”

“You know, Eri sent us something – a demo CD she’s been working on.”

Reina’s brow furrowed.

“Why would she send us some…oh… does she want me to give it to the company?”

“No. She wants you to listen to it.” Jun reached into her bag and pulled out a thin CD jewel case.

“Ok. Ok… I’ll listen to it on my way to the concert.”

“Reina…she also wants us to come to a show in Shibuya.”

“Geez…the girl doesn’t ask much of us does she…” Reina smirked. Jun laughed.

“Ok, we can go…” Reina continued. She placed her hand on Jun’s shoulder and squeezed it a bit before walking out the door.

Reina climbed into the company car waiting for her outside the restaurant. She handed the demo CD to the driver and asked him to play it. Soft guitar rhythms surrounded Reina. Then, the voice started.

Ai…chan…

Tears blossomed from Reina’s eyes as quiet sobs wracked her small frame.

********

Reina is doing so well.

Ai cheered for her friend. She had forgiven her long ago and whenever Reina held a concert in Tokyo she would go with Lin to help cheer on the former Musume. The concert atmosphere brought back fond memories as well as feelings about her and Lin’s upcoming show. They would be playing a small venue at the beach and, as far as Ai knew, Eri was using this event to try and draw the members back together.

Thank you Eririn.