Hello! This is a new story of mine called Music equals Life and it's about BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. I decided to try something new with this story and use Japanese in it when they talk. I mean, yeah, they're always talking in Japanese because that's just how it works. You'll see what I mean when you read. If you don't like that way, just tell me and I'll have the next chapter entirely in English. Well then, please enjoy!
Disclaimer: Shoot, I wish I owned a piece of BECK, not for like money or anything, but shoot, BECK is just kick ass.
"…(Science + Arts) Faith / # of our ethnic race
Let me mention what I've been thinking
How to save the children, when the ship is sinking
So I'm singing, no lip syncing to slogans,
Political hooligans with tanks, missiles, and guns…"
The calm beat and the lyrics that were committed to memory flowed into Kozue's ears as she mouthed them.
"Yo! Koyuki!" She took off her huge headphones and let them hang around her neck. "Interesting to see you around here. Eh? Is that a guitar on your back?"
"A-ah, yeah. I'm not very good though," he replied while looking embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Why are you here, Kozue?"
"Watashi?" she asked while pointing to herself. "I was just hanging around some club so I could listen to my friend DJ." ("Me?")
They walked together in the dark night to a convenience store. She bought them both some juice before starting their walk home. "How long have you been playing?"
"Honestly not that long," Koyuki admitted. "The band I'm in does have some gigs though."
"Hmm?" Kozue sounded, interested to hear more. "Already getting gigs, huh? You'll have to invite me sometime."
"E-eh? Ah, hai!!" he replied. "We have a gig on Thursday. I'll even introduce you to the band!" ("W-what? Oh, yes!!")
Koyuki wrote down the address on a piece of paper and handed it to her. "Zettai… iki-masu," she replied. "Saa… ja mata!" ("I'll definitely go. So, see ya!")
Koyuki waved as Kozue walked away down a street while putting her headphones back on. Kozue was a year older than Koyuki. They met by chance when Koyuki was an elementary school student and kids his own age were picking on him age for being short. Kozue was quite tall for her age and just passing by at that time and decided to go save him.
Thursday night, Kozue was standing in the middle of the crowd waiting for Koyuki and his band. When they did come on the stage and started playing, she was quite impressed with their sound. When she saw their guitarist, Kozue was quite irritated, but did her best to keep in her anger while enjoying their live gig.
Once they finished, Koyuki invited Kozue to come with them to dinner. They sat down at a table and Koyuki introduced them.
"Minna, kochira wa Annen Kozue desu," he said while gesturing towards her. "Kozue, this is our bassist Taira, our main vocalist Chiba, our drummer Saku, and our lead guitarist Ryusuke." ("Everyone, this person here is Kozue Annen.")
Kozue got along well with Chiba, Taira, and Saku, but she seemed to completely ignore Ryusuke, who seemed to be trying to make himself seem as small as possible.
"Uh, Kozue, did you know that Ryusuke and Eddie Lee from Dying Breeds were friends?" Koyuki asked nervously.
"Un," was her cold reply. ("Yeah.")
"So Ko-chan, what did you think of our live today?" Chiba asked. It was obvious he was trying to appeal to her as much as possible.
"Hmm… sou desu ne…" she said slowly, giving it some real thought. "Maa… ii desu." ("That's right…" "It was alright.")
"That's it?!" Chiba asked slightly outraged.
"Un, sou da. Nante iu ka..." She replied honestly, "Anata no eigo no rappu wa… dame desu. Watashi no mimi wa itai desu." ("Yeah, that's right. How do you say it… You're English raps are… no good. My ears hurt.")
"That's insane! They're my lyrics!" Chiba shouted. "If the feeling gets emitted then it's fine right?!"
"In most cases," she said seriously, "but when someone that speaks English hears it, they're gonna think, 'This person is rapping in English but they can't even speak it right.' Is that what you want them to think? Ryusuke, you speak English, so why didn't you fix it?"
Ryusuke didn't reply to the firm girl and just sipped his juice. Kozue looked at her watch and said, "Ah! Sumi masen! Kaeri masu. Shitsurei shimasu." ("Sorry! I'm going home. Excuse me.")
The five guys were speechless as she quickly got up from the table, leaving a bit of cash, before rushing home.
"What was that about?" Saku asked, voicing almost everyone's thoughts.
"Apparently she's gotta get home," Ryusuke replied coolly as a bead of sweat rolled down his face.
Kozue got home a little late and quietly entered her family's apartment. "Tadaima," she whispered into the quiet home while she took off her shoes. ("I'm home.")
"Ah! O-nee-sama! O-kaeri!" a young voice piped as someone popped out from around the corner. (Honorable way of saying "Older sister". "Welcome home!")
"Takeshi? Why are you still awake at this hour?" Kozue asked as she walked over to her younger brother.
"O-kaa-san found some old home videos and she was showing us!" Takeshi said as he pulled his sister further into the small apartment. "Mite! Mite!" ("Mom." "Look! Look!")
"O-kaa-san to Satoshi wa doko ni iru?" she asked as she sat down. "Where are mom and Satoshi?"
"Satoshi is in the bathroom going number two and kaa-san ran out to buy some popcorn," he replied before laughing as he watched his twin brother fall over in the video.
The two of them were sucked in for about ten minutes when they heard the toilet flush and a door slide open. "Ah. O-nee-sama. O-kaeri nasai," Satoshi replied. ("Sister, welcome home.")
"Did you wash your hands?" Kozue asked as she turned around to look at her other brother, who went back into the bathroom. She smiled to herself and stood up. "Hai, hai. Time to go to sleep!" ("Alright, alright.")
"Ehhhh?!" both of her brothers went. Satoshi came back out of the bathroom and said, "O-kaa-san is still out buying the popcorn."
"It's already late and you two have school tomorrow," she replied. "We can always watch tomorrow night."
"Hai…" the two of them grumbled as the three of them got out the futons from the closet and laid them out all next to each other. All the blankets were put on top of the futons and then Kozue went and turned off the light before she climbed into her own futon.
"O-yasumi nasai," she said to her younger brothers. ("Good night.")
"O-yasumi," both of her voices rang and they all fell asleep. It wasn't long before Kozue woke up from her nap to the sound of the front door though. She sat up and rubbed her eyes at the dim light. ("Good night.")
"Ah, o-kaa-san, o-kaeri," quite aware of her sleeping siblings, Kozue greeted their mother quietly. ("Mom, welcome home.")
"Kozue!" her mother whispered loudly. "Did I wake you? Gomen ne?" ("I'm sorry.")
"Daijoubu da," Kozue replied as she quietly climbed out of her futon. "Did you bring home the popcorn?" ("It's alright.")
"Un," her mom replied as she placed it on the counter. "Are you going to work now?"
Kozue looked at the clock hanging in their kitchen wall and replied, "Soro soro…" ("In just a short while…")
Her mom smiled and said, "Itterasshai." ("Have a safe trip.")
Kozue smiled back and nodded. "Un. Ittekimasu," she whispered. ("Yeah. I'm going.")
The walk to the convenience store that Kozue worked at was lonely and a little scary, but work was work. In the back of the store she changed into her uniform and then manned the counter with a smile in case any customers were to come. Her co-worker came out from the back with some crates and greeted her.
"Konban wa," he greeted. ("Good evening.")
Kozue nodded and replied, "Konban wa, Hideaki-san." ("Good evening, Hideaki-san.")
"Hard at work, huh?" he asked her as he made himself some coffee. She nodded and thought about what a great guy he was. Hideaki was a college student, so he was only a few years older than Kozue. He had helped her get the part-time job at the convenience store since she wasn't quite sixteen just yet.
She nodded and said, "Ganbari masu. How has school been lately?" ("I'm doing my best.")
"Maa maa. Muzukashii desu," he said as he restacked some shelves. "Teachers have been surprising us with quizzes lately." ("So-so. It's difficult.")
"Ganbatte, ne?" she encouraged him and the automatic doors opened with a bell ring. "Irasshaimase!" ("Do your best, okay?" "Welcome!")
Kozue worked hard, despite the little business there was at the late hours of the night, and received pay from her manager. Both Hideaki and Kozue got off at the same time so they both left work together. There was no sense of any danger seeing as the sky was slowly starting to lighten.
They were walking the same way home, when they were getting close to their split up point. "Ki o tsukete," he said. "Don't push yourself too much." ("Take care.")
She nodded and replied, "Hideaki-san mo. Mata ashita!" ("You too. Until tomorrow.")
"Un. Mata ashita," he replied and they both walked their separate ways home. ("Until tomorrow.")
Instead of going to sleep when she got home, Kozue quickly but efficiently prepared her brothers' bentos by the time they woke up and got ready for school. While she wrapped their lunches up, her mom began to prepare breakfast for them. Kozue set up the table and helped serve the food.
"Itadakimasu!" they all said in unison before eating. ("Thank you for the food.")
Kozue handed the bentos she made to her little brothers, who said, "Ittekimasu!!"
"Itterasshai!!" both she and her mother replied as Satoshi and Takeshi walked out the door. Kozue turned back and began to clear the table. Her mother took the plate she was holding from her though.
"Kaa-san," she said in surprise.
"Daijoubu dayo," he mother stated. "Hora, you can barely keep your eyes open." ("It's okay. Look…")
"Hai, wakatta," Kozue replied reluctantly as she changed into pajamas before she climbed into the futon she and her mother shared. It didn't take her long to fall asleep. ("Alright, I get it.")
Her mother, who shook her gently, soon woke the regular teenage girl up. Kozue got up feeling refreshed and asked, "Ima nanji desu ka?" ("What time is it?")
Her mother glanced at the kitchen clock and said, "Ichi-ji gojuugo-fun desu." ("It is 1:55.")
Kozue folded up the worn out futon and the blanket and placed it neatly on top of the others in the closet. Having time before she had to pick up her brothers, Kozue took a bath and then quickly set out so she'd have some time to herself.
"Ittekimasu!!" she called over her shoulder once she managed to get her shoes on. ("I'm going!")
"Itterasshai!!" her mother replied. ("Have a nice trip!!")
Kozue walked down the familiar path she took to get to Satoshi and Takeshi's school. It was a sunny day and there was a light breeze. Her headphones weren't playing hip hop this time, it was a rock song that she had fallen in love within the first few seconds of hearing it. The song made her heart ache and she loved it.
"…I just saw you
Kankaku dake kodama shiteru
Fushigi na kurai ni
Kehai wo kanjite…"
Kozue arrived at their elementary school, the same one that she had gone to as a child. It made her happy to arrive to a place so nostalgic and full of happier memories. It was just about time that school ended and she stood there smiling, waiting for the school bell to ring. Kozue checked her watch and closed her eyes, waiting for that bell to sound.
The chime of the bell made her feel at home again and she took a deep refreshing breath in as the breeze ran through her hair. She hung her headphones around her neck and watched as both teachers and students left the building. The teachers waited by the gates to watch the kids walk off safely.
"Ah! Kozue-chan! O-hisashi buri desu!" called a female teacher. ("It's been a while since I've last seen you!")
Kozue smiled and carefully walked across the street. She bowed politely and said, "Konnichi wa, Nishida-sensei. I see you're on duty today." ("Good afternoon, Miss Nishida.")
"Sou desu," the teacher replied. "O-genki desu ka?" (Informal way of saying, "How are you?")
"O-kage sama de, genki desu," Kozue replied while keeping an eye out for Satoshi and Takeshi. "Nishida-sensei wa?" ("I'm fine, thank you. And you?")
"Watashi mo genki desu, arigatou gozai masu," her former teacher replied. ("I'm fine too, thank you.")
"I hope Satoshi and Takeshi aren't giving you any trouble," Kozue said.
"Not at all," Miss Nishida replied. "How's your mother?"
"She's good and healthy," Kozue replied when she saw her brothers walk out of the school.
"And your father-"
"Satoshi! Takeshi!" Kozue called her two brothers, accidentally cutting off Miss Nishida. She waved to them and they walked over.
"O-nee-san," Satoshi said once they reached their older sister and their teacher.
"Saa, ikou ka?" Kozue asked as she looked at her younger brother. ("So, shall we go now?")
"Un," Takeshi replied and he and his brother started walking off.
Kozue turned to Miss Nishida and gave a small bow. "Shitsurei shimasu. Sore dewa mata, Nishida-sensei." ("Excuse me." "See you next time.")
The elementary teacher smiled as kids kept walking through the gates. "Mata, ne?" she replied and Kozue walked off with her younger brothers. ("Next time.")
"Saa, nani ga tabetai desu ka?" the older sister asked as they walked into a supermarket. ("So what do you want to eat?")
"Niku. Niku!" Takeshi said. ("Meat. Meat!")
"Hai, hai. Satoshi wa?" ("Okay, okay. What about Satoshi?")
"Nandemo ii desu," he replied while looking at everything in the supermarket. It seemed that no matter how often they came, he always seemed to be slightly fascinated with the food on the shelves. ("Anything is fine.")
They walked around, grabbing various things to eat for dinner while being mindful of time.
"Ah! Ko-chan!" Someone approached Kozue and she was caught by surprise. It was Chiba. "What are you doing here?"
She pointed to her little brothers, who were investigating things on the shelves of different isles and said, "We're shopping for dinner."
Chiba checked his watch and then took a quick glance at their half full basket of groceries. He rubbed the back of his neck and asked, "How long have you been shopping?"
Kozue looked at her watch and as she did, Takeshi dropped something in the basket. "About half an hour I think."
Chiba got an uneasy feeling, but decided to ask what was on his mind. "Don't you go to school?"
Kozue blinked in surprise, but replied with calmness. "No," and then she turned to Takeshi and asked, "What is this?"
"Cake mix," he replied.
"Who will be making this cake mix?" she asked with a neutral voice.
"…Kaa-san," he replied while Satoshi came back out of an isle with his somewhat small arms full of boxes.
"…I think you two need to learn the concept of saving money," Kozue said as she walked over to them. "Our groceries can't consist of mainly snacks and junk food. Now let's go put some of them back."
Once they had settled on one snack, Kozue went back to Chiba and apologized. "Sumi masen. My brothers are a bit of a handful when they go to the supermarket." ("Sorry about that.")
"Ii dayo," Chiba replied, but their previous topic was still their main concern. "So I was wondering, why don't you go to school?" ("It's alright.")
"Ah, are?" she asked. "I work part-time jobs to support my family. We can't really afford to pay tuition for high school, but I try and save enough money so both of my brothers can." ("Oh, that?")
"And your parents?"
"Our mother is a stay-at-home mom and our dad is overseas on business," she replied. "He sends us money once a month to last us about a week."
"So you pay for all the bills?" the punk rapper asked in amazement.
She nodded her head and replied, "Maa, ne?" ("I guess so, huh?")
Kozue and her brothers all went to checkout and purchased their groceries. There were three bags and Chiba carried them all despite how much Kozue protested. They walked up the stairs to their apartment and the two twins opened the door and rushed inside.
"Okaeri!" their mother greeted and they all stepped inside including Chiba who said awkwardly, "Ojamashimasu." ("Welcome back!" "I'm going to intrude.")
"Ah, you brought a guest over," Kozue's mother noticed as Chiba put the plastic bags on the table.
Kozue nodded and said, "Kaa-san, this is Chiba. Chiba, this is my mom."
"Hajime mashite," Chiba replied politely with a bow. ("Nice to meet you.")
"Iie, iie. Thank you for watching after my daughter," the mother replied back with a bow. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Ah, actually I better get going," Chiba said. "Shitsurei shimasu." ("Excuse me.")
"Matte kudasai," Kozue said and followed him to the door. The two of them put on their shoes and went outside. ("Wait please.")
"What is it?" Chiba asked as they started walking back down the stairs.
"Nan demo nai," she replied. "It's just that I thought I'd walk you home." ("It's nothing.")
"What? Are you an idiot or something? Guys walk the girls home," he stated.
"I've got time before I've got to go to work," Kozue replied.
Chiba sighed and said, "Alright then. I'll just walk you to work then."
They were walking around when Chiba said, "You've got a nice family. Are you all always so… behaved?"
Kozue chuckled and said, "Not really. Takeshi gets into fights every now and then and Satoshi mostly likes to keep to himself. Our mother does her best to keep the apartment a livable place and teach her kids good manners."
"You talk like you're not part of the family anymore," Chiba pointed out.
Kozue shrugged and with a smile said, "I try my best to be there for them all. They know I work hard so that they can have fun video games. When I'm home, they especially know not to fight or else I'll snap and get very angry with them. For my family's sake, I make sure that they're happy and that makes me happy in return."
Chiba smiled and said, "Sure, if that works for ya."
"I'll see you around Chiba," Kozue replied as she walked into a restaurant. Chiba looked around and saw that they were in a rather busy part of the city. They were near the train station so that meant that they'd most likely get a lot of business around the time that all business workers get off.
Kozue changed her clothes in the back in a hurry. She donned on khaki shorts, a white T-shirt with the restaurant's logo on the back, and then quickly put on her apron before going out and taking orders. Her happy and optimistic air made tired and stressed business workers feel refreshed and they had quite a few customers who came to the restaurant just to have all the tension in their shoulders released by watching this teenage girl work her hardest without a single frown or complaint.
So what did you think? Too much Japanese used? Good story? Let me know in a review please. If you don't have a fanfiction account you can still submit a review. Thank you for reading!
Also, for fun... Guess the song name of the lyrics!! Submit a review guessing the name of the lyrics! No cheating please. I'll reveal it in the next chapter!