»DISCLAIMER: I do not own Shugo Chara.«
»Another Side of Me «
»Chapter I: New Life, New Place«
»Lyss«
Flashes of camera, screams, autographs, I am already tired of them all. I am always practicing and practicing! Always entertaining my fans! I'm tired, really tired, when could I be free from issues and interviews? I want to have a rest. I love to sing and dance, but not this much. When I got home, I almost cried in pain. My feet are always hurting, my eyes too. I just wanted to go away from this place. I wanted to go to school, I want to have my own dreams, and I want to be a normal girl…
I am standing in front of this crowd, the spotlight focused on me, microphone on my hand, and my music is about to end. "Oyasumi nasai!" I bowed to the people, they screamed and clapped their hands, they were delighted, but not me. I flashed them a fake smile, like I always do. I need to go out this stage, I want to. I walked to the backstage, not talking to anyone. I can hear my manager saying thank you for me. All I have in my mind is I wanted to go home.
"Isn't the concert great, Utau?" Yukari, my manager asked me. I sat in front of the mirror, I looked at myself, and I'm exhausted. I put my head down on the table, I sighed.
"What's wrong, Utau?" she asked again, now, her voice fierce. I think she's annoyed by my "not answering attitude".
"Nothing." I said flatly. My stomach growled, I'm hungry. "Can I get water? Or maybe some dinner?" I asked her.
"But Utau, you still have an interview, gomen."
"I can't go to that stupid interview without eating, or even water! Please?" I heard the door opened. I hope it's a waterman, please, let him be.
"Excuse me? Hoshina-san?" It wasn't any waterman, it's Nikaidou, my production assistant.
"She's not feeling very well," my manager said, thank goodness she gave up. She gave up from convincing me to do what she wants. My manager went out and talked to Mr. Nikaidou.
I stood and looked around, oh, there's a bottle of water! I grabbed it and drank it, quickly. I felt my throat smoothen, I felt relieved. I saw my bag and opened it; I want to call my otosan. I grabbed my phone and dialed my dad's number. Ring…ring…ring…
"Hello?"
"Konbanwa, can I talk to my dad?"
"Hoshina-san? Gomen, he's not here. He went home, I think."
"Oh, well then, thanks." I hung up. I sighed. I'm really starving. I went out my dressing room and looked around to find somebody, to help me. There was Ikuto, my brother.
"Ikuto!" I called. He turned to look at me then he walked towards me.
"Ikuto! Help me! Get me something to eat!"
"I can't, gomen. Ask Sanjo-san." Then he walked away. Baka! Doesn't he even care for me? Ah! I went back to my chair and sighed. I don't know why everyone is like this to me, I wish it could change. Please…
* * *
The Limousine stopped in front of our house. I walked out with a smile on my face, now this is all I want, to be home, to eat, and to sleep. I looked at our house, it's quite big, though compare to other houses. I walked into the door and I'm officially at home! I run to the living room hoping to find my father. Well it's already close to midnight, but I'm still hoping he's there. But no, he wasn't there. I sighed. I know Ikuto went home first while I'm in the press conference. I felt my body became heavier, I wanted to sleep. Thank goodness I have already eaten ramen before I go home. It was the best ramen I have ever tasted. I went upstairs, to the 2nd floor. 2nd floor is mine, all mine. My bathroom is there, my working area is there, my dance studio is there, and my bedroom is there. I went straightly to my room and jumped on my bed, I missed it so much. Before the concert, I had slept on hotels, I can't sleep very well. I'm just so tired…
* * *
I forgot to change my clothes last night, I forgot to erase my make up, and now all I wanted to do is to have a hot shower. I walked inside my bathroom; I put my clothes off and opened the shower. It took me 30 minutes inside the shower place. I wore my bathrobe and went to my dressing room. My dressing room is just as big as my room, well, I got a lot of clothes! Maybe eight or nine cabinets? I also got five cabinets of all shoes collection and two cabinets of an all bags collection. I love this place; it's like a boutique in Beverly hills. I put on some random clothes and went out. I headed first to my dad's bedroom, somewhere in the first floor. I knocked, but no one answered.
"Dad?" I asked. I opened the door, the bed was already fixed, he's gone for work. I sighed. I went to the dining room. The table was a huge circle on the center, breakfast is ready. But there is only one plate left, mine. I sighed. I sat and ate my breakfast. I don't know where my mother could be, she's always out of town, she's a theatre director. She has already directed one of Shakespears' plays remake. I am proud of her. That's why I'm more close to my father, who goes home regularly, but he never had a bonding time with me.
"Utau!" somebody called. I felt delight on my face. I run to the front door.
"Mom!" I hugged her tightly, I missed her so much.
"Oh, sweety. I bought you something!"
"Really? That's so sweet of you! But, you going back home is already something I wanted." I said, she giggled and walked to the dining room. There, she gave me a paper bag. Black and red. My favorite combination. I opened it, there wasn't anything inside it but an envelop.
"An envelop, mom?" I asked. I'm puzzled.
"Yes! Look what's inside it." I opened the envelop. It was some plane tickets.
"What are these for?" I asked; it's very bizarre. It's something unusual. Out of town?
"We're going to your grandmother." She said after sipping water.
"To Tennessee?" I asked. Tennessee is far, far away from Los Angeles! I have gone there once. When I was five? I smirked.
"Why, don't you want to see you Nana Haruko?" my mother hugged me again. I wanted to cry, but for what reason? Nothing. Nana Haruko's house isn't big! It's just a half of our house. Or even one fourth! My father's family isn't rich nor poor, my mother's family too. In our family tree, the Hoshina-Tsukiyomi family is the only rich family. And that's because of me!
"With dad?" she nodded. I sighed. Okay, just with dad, it's fine with me.
"When?"
"Anytime. But not this week, your father,"
"How about next weekend?" my face was delighted. That weekend would be great! The best!
"Uh, all right! Next weekend!"
"Wuhoo! We're going to Tennessee with my family!" I sang the words. I love the feeling! Then I paused, "How long?" I asked. Yeah, it has to be looooong…. I want to go away for some time!
"I don't know."
"Make it a month!" I hugged my mother again. I love it! A family bonding and reunion! Wee!
* * *
My father came home at seven. I told him everything while were having a dinner. Ikuto can't complain. I'm favored!
"Dad, a month, all right?" I said happily. I finished my dinner quickly, so that I could talk about the trip all through out the dinner time.
"Utau, Ikuto, is it all right if we could stay there for a year?" Dad asked us. My gosh! A year! That's too long! No! I still have a lot of concerts to do! Well, I will miss it so much!
"But dad," I said protesting.
"Your father and I have already decided. We had already cancelled everything for the next months. Is it all right?"
"But mom? A year is like moving already!" I said, almost shouting. I can't leave California that long! What about my career? What about my friends?
"Yes, that's the point…" my father said flatly. Oh my gosh! We're moving to Tennessee? No!
"But why?"
"Your father got a better job there. An easier one, but more pay-" what? My father is already a head manager of an electronic company! And I earn a lot!
"Ikuto?!" I looked at my brother. It's like he wasn't even listening.
"What?" He asked with a low voice. "Excuse me, I'm going to bed. Whatever you decide I'm on it…" he waved. Ah! What kind of a brother is he?
"Utau, honey, please come down,"
"I can't!" I'm really disappointed. I stomped my feet all the way to my room. Ah! I wanted to scream! I want to explode! I don't want to move to a rural place like Tennessee! I want street lights, shops and malls! No! I jumped to my bed and screamed while my pillow is on my mouth. Ah!!!
* * *
The airport was full of people. It wasn't even Christmas! Why are there a lot of people? I sighed. I'm wearing a huge eyes glasses and my hair is on a ponytail, which is not my style. I'm used to wear it in a pigtail, it's for disguise. I showed my passport and went inside the waiting area. My dad and mom was so weird. They are wearing some country style outfits, it's a no, no for me! I'm wearing a short shorts, and an off white shirt. It's big, it looks like a sack. But it's still wearable. We sat on the waiting area, and of course, waited.
"Dad, why didn't we just use my own plane? Why are we taking the local airline?" I asked pouting. My dad laughed.
"It's affordable!" my father said. I don't know if he's joking or not. Ah! Why is he always like that? What is a private plane for?
"But I have my plane there, it's always available!"
"But it's yours, not ours." I felt my blood went to my head. Ah! I stomped my foot and sat angrily. Ding…dong…flight no. 127, to Tennessee, is leaving at 11am sharp. Thank you. Ding…dong…
"It's time," my mother said. We went to a narrow tunnel, then inside a small plane. To my surprise, from all the people in the airport, only my family is going to Tennessee? It's like we own the plane! I sat to my respected seat. The plane looks like brittle. Like one strong blow of the wind, we are absolutely going to crash!
"Is it really safe?" I asked Ikuto. But he's already asleep. Urgh! Whatever!
"Put on your seatbelts!" the pilot said. What? The pilot is saying those words? What?!
"Ah! Hotori!" my father said. Oh, it was Uncle Shokino Hotori, my father's best friend forever. I didn't know he was a pilot.
"Shaitou! Kahoto! Ah! Nice to see you again!" they hugged each other and tapped each others back. They were talking like they are such teenagers!
"What's up, dude?"
"Fine as always! How's your little boy Tadase? I s he already bigger than me?" they all laughed. Oh! Tadase, I have heard of him. I think he's the yellow haired boy with that magenta eyes. He's so cute, but is he still now? I can still remember myself and him playing toys on my grandma's room. I really love that moments.
*Flashback*
"Look! I have a doll! You can dress it up!" I said showing Tadase, who was three, and I'm five. He was holding a comb for my Barbie.
"It's beauwiful! But, I'm a boy!"
"But I don't have a robot!" I was about to cry, but, Tadase stood and combed his hair.
"But I could pretend I'm a girl!" then we laughed.
*End of Flashback*
I laughed at myself. Did he continue pretending? I hope not. I giggled and looked at Uncle Shokino. He was staring at me.
"Oh! Our superstar! Utau, am I right?" I nodded at him. I hugged him. Well, he is big. My arms fill his tummy! "Ikuto! My boy!" Ikuto stumbled down and was annoyed. He was awoken from his sleep. Then Uncle Shokino went to the pilot's seat and we sat on our respective seats. Well this going to be a scary and long trip.
* * *