I do not own anything you recognize.
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The Wedding Singer
Seeing your first wedding as a little girl sets the bar for the wedding you dream of all your life.
Matsuoka Karin was no exception. When she was six years old, she saw her aunt getting married. She was the flower girl, a job she loved as it meant getting to walk the aisle scattering flowers. From then on, she vowed that she would have a wedding as beautiful as her aunt's, if not better. She could already picture the smile of her groom as he waited for her at the altar, the loving atmosphere as the music played and the beautiful white gown she would be wearing.
She was happy- as happy as any woman can be- that she would soon be having her own fairy tale wedding. Sure, it was a marriage of convenience, but she sure hoped that it would soon be a love match. He is still reluctant to have anything to do with her, but she hoped that it would change in time.
The wedding plans were moving swimmingly. Karin hired the best wedding planners in Japan, the Yamanaka Wedding Planners, to help her. She had already seen her gown, and all there's left is the finer details. Yamanaka Kyori asked her daughter Ino to fly from New York to help and Karin couldn't be more satisfied with her work. She was very efficient- she made sure that everything would be perfect. Of course, with only less than three weeks to the wedding, everything became hectic and everything is to be finalized. It is also the time that everything would be straightened out and, if any, misfortunes would have to be fixed.
"What do you mean she has vocal nodules?" Ino screeched into her phone, "I have a contract with her! And now you're telling me that she needs vocal rest for a month? The wedding is in three weeks! I understand, but really? Where am I going to find-" she paused and a smirk made its way to her face. "You know what? Give her my best. I just found a replacement. Tell her to get plenty of rest and to get well soon. Okay, bye."
"Ino-san?" Karin said worriedly, looking at Ino, "Did you just say that Ayaka-san has a problem?"
"Unfortunately," Ino said, dialling furiously. "Hello? Yeah, uhuh, I'm in Japan now. I need a wedding singer… Hey! Who is your kid's babysitter? I know I shouldn't be counting favours, but please, I need this! Please! Hey! Don't lie to me, woman, I know you're on break! Please! You know how you're always saying that you need to visit Japan soon? Well, here's a golden opportunity! The bride is willing to pay for you to fly here…oh, I almost forgot. Karin-san," she said, facing Karin. "My friend is willing to, but she has a daughter she has to take care of-"
"Don't worry about it; I'm more than willing to pay for both of them. I just want the best. After all, I intend to marry only once!"
"You hear that, Forehead? She's fine with it, so you have no excuse! Alright, I'll send you the tickets later. Thanks so much, you're doing me a huge favour here! Ja!"
"Ne, Ino-san," Karin said as Ino tucked her phone back inside her purse.
"Hm?"
"Is your friend really that good?"
"Karin-san, I assure you that she's more than capable. I'm not just saying it as her best friend, but if the fact that she's the first Japanese woman to play Kim and Eponine on Broadway doesn't say how good she is, I don't know what does."
"She- she's on Broadway?" Karin stammered, impressed.
"She's playing Eponine in the revival of Les Mis, but she's on a break for a couple of months," Ino told her.
"That's wonderful! Oh, Ino-san, I'm so thankful you found a decent replacement!" Karin gushed, clapping her hands together. "When is the earliest she can get here? Price isn't a problem, I just want her here as soon as possible."
"What about in three days?" Ino suggested. "That gives her enough time to settle her affairs and pack, don't you think?"
"Perfect!" Karin agreed, "Please settle it, Ino-san, and add it to my bill."
"Will do," Ino said, typing on her laptop.
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"Forehead!" Ino shouted as her friend made her way through the arrival area, her five-year old in tow. "And Shizuka-chan, too, how's my goddaughter? Did you miss me?"
"Ino, please lower down you volume, what did we say about indoor voice?" Sakura said, shaking her head. "And thank you for asking about me, I'm fine," she added sarcastically.
"I know you are!" Ino said, waving a dismissing hand, "you know, you haven't been here since before Shizuka was born, didn't you miss the place?"
"I do," Sakura said, looking around fondly. "This is Shizuka-chan's first time in Japan, too."
"Aren't you excited, Shizuka-chan?" Ino said, kneeling in front of her goddaughter. "You'll get to see the place where Mama and Auntie Ino grew up!"
"I am!" Shizuka said, "Mama says that she will take me sightseeing!"
"I know you're going to love it here! So let's go home, shall we?" Ino said, "come, I took my Mom's car."
"Where are we staying?" Sakura asked Ino as they hauled the last of their luggage into the trunk of the car.
"My mom lent us the condo unit," Ino replied. "Which is perfect, because she put the piano there, too. You can use it to practice."
"Great," Sakura said, not looking enthusiastic at all.
"Come on, you got a free trip and you got to take Shizuka with you! At least she got a trip!"
"I guess you're right…Just make sure that this bride-to-be isn't a horrible, stuck-up b-" she stopped herself, casting a wary glance at her daughter. "Woman", she amended, "or I'm leaving."
Ino shook her head. "She's a tad bit spoiled, but she's manageable. Anyway, the wedding is in about two weeks, so we have a lot to work to do."
"Mama," said Shizuka suddenly as her mother slid into the backseat with her, "are you going to sing a lot of songs?"
Sakura smiled. "Maybe," she said, "if the bride lets me."
"I hope you do, Mama," Shizuka said, grinning. "I love hearing you sing. I hope you sing lots and lots and lots of songs!"
"What are you talking about?" Sakura laughed, "You hear me sing all the time! You make me sing to you every night!"
Shizuka just shrugged, her big green eyes shining as she looked out the window, taking in the sights of Japan for the first time.
"By the way, Sakura," Ino said, "we're meeting Karin-san tomorrow during lunch to discuss the music. Is that okay or are you too jetlagged?"
"That's fine with me," Sakura answered, "I'll take Shizuka out after that."
"Yay!" Shizuka cheered.
"Ne, Ino," Sakura said, "have you told anyone I'm back?"
"No, why? You want me to?"
"Call them up for dinner tomorrow and let's give them a shock."
"Perfect, I'll call Naruto later and he'll spread it to everyone."
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"Mama, what is this place called?" Shizuka asked as they walked through the streets of Tokyo.
"This is Tokyo, Shizuka," Sakura replied. "This is where Mama lived when she was a little girl."
Shizuka nodded. "This place is so pretty, Mama! I like it here!"
"I'm glad you do," Sakura said, "this place is special to Mama."
They reached the restaurant where they would be meeting with a few minutes to spare. Ino gave their name to the waiter and he led them to their table. Right on time, Matsuoka Karin arrived.
"Hello, Karin-san," Ino greeted. "Let me introduce you to my friend Haruno Sakura. Sakura, this is Matsuoka Karin."
"Pleasure to meet you," Sakura smiled.
"Same here," Karin returned the smile. "I'm so honoured to have you sing at my wedding."
"Oh, this is my six year old daughter, Shizuka," Sakura said, indicating the little girl beside her. "Shizuka, what do you say?"
"Hello," Shizuka greeted, a little shyly.
"Hello, Shizuka-chan," Karin said, "You're a pretty little thing aren't you? She has your eyes," she said to Sakura, "but other than that and her smile, she doesn't look too much like you."
"She looks more like her papa, actually." Sakura said.
"Oh, I see. Where is your husband?"
"I'm not married. I'm a single mother, actually."
"I'm sorry for asking."
"It's okay, you didn't know."
"So, you're working on Broadway? How long have you been in New York?" Karin directed the question at Sakura, who was reading the menu.
"Hm? Me? I've been there for about seven years," she said. "I think I'll have the spaghetti, what would you like, Shizuka-chan?"
"Seven years? So, Shizuka-chan was born there?"
"Yes," Sakura replied, not really paying attention as Shizuka pointed at the menu.
"Was it hard to adjust to America, Sakura-san?"
"No," Sakura said, turning back to her. "I was born here and lived here until I was eight, then my parents, who were both lawyers, transferred to Los Angeles. I went with them, but I moved back here when I was eighteen. Then I went to New York when I was twenty-one."
"Shizuka-chan speaks Japanese very well," she noted, nodding towards the little girl.
"We speak Japanese at home, but she's fluent in English as well. Thankfully without the heavy accent I had when I first came to America," Sakura chuckled.
"Where did you do your training?"
"I trained since I was little, actually. I started lessons when I was eight, when we were in LA, because I had nothing much to do. I didn't stop taking lessons and courses in music. I took Law in University, but I also took courses in Performing Arts while earning my degree."
"Seven years ago… isn't Shizuka-chan six years old?"
"Yes, I had her when I was in my last year of University. I was twenty-two when she was born, actually."
"You did that while you were pregnant? Wow, Sakura-san, I don't think I could do that," Karin said, awestruck. "But if you took Law, why did you end up in Broadway?"
"Oh, I just got my Bar Exam results when I was offered to audition for Miss Saigon. I thought it would be nice to try and I got the job, first as an understudy then I was promoted to the main role. It was easier because most of the performances were in the evenings, so I got to spend the day with Shizuka. Ino worked during the day and I worked at night, so she helped me look after Shizuka when I work. I also took Shizuka with me during rehearsals and sometimes during shows."
"I really admire your strength, Sakura-san. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you," Karin said.
"It wasn't easy, but it pays off," Sakura told her. "Especially if you manage to raise a good kid."
"I can't wait to start a family," Karin said. "This might be a business marriage, but I really want to make it work."
"That's good," Sakura commented. "At least you aren't getting forced to wed kicking and screaming that you don't want to."
Karin shook her head, laughing. "I know that he is not feeling anything for me yet, but I want him to love me. I'm willing to do anything."
Ino just finished giving their orders to the waiter. "Do you have any specific requests for music? Tell us now, so that we can make the necessary arrangements," she said to Karin.
"Oh! Can we see if you know some of my favourites?"
"We'll talk about it later, shall we?"
"Of course," Sakura answered, taking a sip of water.
"My Mama can sing anything!" Shizuka piped in from her seat, her gaze leaving the colouring book she was immersed in.
"You're proud of your Mama, aren't you, Shizuka-chan?" Karin asked the little girl who grinned widely in response, revealing even little teeth.
"Mama is proud of Shizuka-chan too," said Sakura, cuddling her little girl.
"So, Sakura-san, I'll meet with my fiancé later and we'll discuss the songs. Then I will drop by your place tomorrow to tell you, okay?" Karin said as the waiter placed her salad in front of her. "I just want to get to know you today. After all, we'll be working together for the next two weeks. Everything else is already set; all we're missing is the music. And I really want to hear you sing."
"Thank you for trusting me," Sakura said sincerely as she helped Shizuka with her pasta. "I look forward to working with you."
Karin's phone vibrated, making her drop her fork.
"Hello? Yes, I'll be right there once I finish lunch. I'm having lunch with the wedding planner, Ino-san. Yes, Yamanaka Ino, do you know her? What a small world!" she said into her phone. "Okay, I'll see you later. Ja!"
"Is there a problem?" Ino asked, eyeing Karin warily.
"It seems like my fiancé knows you, Ino-san," Karin said gleefully. "What a small world, huh? He says he went to High School with you!"
"What's his name, I might remember him," Ino said absently, cutting a piece of her lasagne.
"Well, does Uchiha Sasuke ring a bell?"
Ino and Sakura both dropped their forks in surprise and exchanged looks of horror.
Aw, shoot.
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So, how was that? Tell me if you want me to continue, leave a review! Thanks for reading!