Turn the Music Up

by The Fallen Empress

Mikan is just an ordinary fan, and a dreamer, but when band lead singer Sumire Shouda quits and she gets the job for the replacement, she enters the world of rivalry and competition. The thing is, showbiz life was the least of how she expected it to be.

2. Verse One

SONGS FEATURED

Urban Mermaid by Yuna Ito

Turn the Music Up
Written by: Aminatsu032

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It took a while before Hotaru could answer. I patiently waited until she finally said, "Do you want to be a replacement for Sumire?"

My eyes widened in shock, 'Me? On Stellar?'

"I'd love to!"

--

VERSE ONE:

"Very well," Hotaru stood up from her blood-red sofa, "Can you manage to sing at the concert later?"

I was speechless. I still couldn't believe! Slap me! Oh, please, slap me! Pinch me! Make me believe this is true.

Hotaru looked at me with her expressionless face. "Well…can you?"

I bit my lower lip. 'Can I?' that's what I also asked myself.

Hotaru waited for me to answer. The way she stared at me made me want to melt on the cold ground.

"Y-yes," I said in a low voice. The moment I regained my confidence, I looked at her straight in the eye. "I will. I'd give it a try."

A small smile crept on Hotaru's lips. "Nonoko," she called.

Nonoko stood up straight. "Y-yes, Hotaru-sama."

"Tell the media the concert will continue," Hotaru said. I saw Nonoko's face brighten. She was about to go to the door when Hotaru added, "Other than that, don't let them know anything, understood?"

Nonoko looked at her with such curiosity but she nodded and didn't ask anything. Even I was confused with Hotaru's orders.

"You there!" she turned to me with such voice that made me flinch. Hotaru was scary. "What's your name?"

"M-Mikan. Mikan Sakura," I said with pride.

"Well then, Sakura, come with me," Hotaru said as she opened the door and walked away—and I followed her, of course.

Gosh. Walking with the person I looked up to felt strange—very strange. As if I want to ask myself, "Hello? Are you still on earth?"

Finally we arrived in front of a big wooden door. I still needed to look up to view all the designs and carvings of the gigantic door.

Slowly, Hotaru opened the door and right in front of my eyes, appeared millions of chairs and an enormous stage. I was so stunned that I didn't realize Hotaru was already walking away.

"This…" she said, "is the venue of the concert." –she turned to me— "I assume you already know that…since, you say, you're our biggest fan."

My cheeks went pink. "Y-yes," I murmured.

"There are five thousand chairs in here," she said. She didn't seem to notice I was embarrassed when she said 'you're our biggest fan'. Wait a minute did she just say—

"Five thousand?!" I screeched, "You mean five thousand people are gonna see me sing on stage???"

"Actually, more people are going to see you sing on TV," she said as calmly as ever.

I opened my mouth to say something but it seemed I became mute of all the surprises.

"I've heard your voice," she said turning away, "and the only thing you should remember is to sing for yourself and for the people watching you."

Hotaru faced me again with a small smile. "Inspire them with your voice. You can do that, can you?"

Before I could reply, the door flew open. "Hotaru!"

There was a girl with peach-pink hair. It was Anna.

I heard my heard thumping when she slowly approached me and looked at me from head to toe.

"Wow! So you're Mikan, the new replacement!" she cheerfully shook my hand. "I'm Anna!"

I smiled at her but that couldn't hide the expression of seeing weirdness in my face.

"There, there, Anna, she thinks you're weird," Hotaru flatly said.

Anna let go of my hand. "Sorry…"

"Mikan," she told me, "You have to practice. I have a feeling that they are going to be in the concert."

Before I could ask who 'they' is, Anna said, "They? Oh god—please forgive me for saying 'god'—but gosh! What do they want? They're number one…why do they keep pulling us down?"

Number one? Well…come to think of it, Stellar is only number two—which means…

"Cross?" I said in a whisper.

"Yes. Cross," Hotaru said without looking at me.

My heart stomped loudly when I heard that name. Cross—the greatest music and dance duo in all of Japan. I've seen them sing on TV before and I have to admit that I was really so stunned. If Cross is watching the concert…how can I survive.

Hotaru seemed to have noticed me. She put her hands to my shoulders and said, "Sing normally. Sing with your normal, beautiful voice. You can get through."

After that she walked away. "Can I really get through?"

---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---

I opened the door. "I'm home."

I removed my shoes…that was when my mother rushed to me.

"Mikan! Mikan, have you heard? The concert continues!" she said as she grabbed both of my hands.

I tried to look happy but I was just too nervous to cover all my fears.

"What's the matter?" Mom asked me.

I didn't exactly answer her question but I replied, "Mom, if you got an opportunity to fulfill your dreams…yet you're afraid everything might go wrong, would you keep on going?"

I looked at her pleadingly; as if she was the only one I could go to.

Mom gave me that sweet smile she always had. "Don't give up…until you haven't tried."

That cheered me up. Mom was the best! "Thank you, Mom! I love you!" I gave her a big hug and she hugged me back.

I've decided! I'm going to go for it!

---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---

I sat there looking at my face in the mirror. Only moments and the concert is starting. I'm so nervous. I sighed. I looked different with make up and puffy clothes. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door.

"Can I come in?" it was Hotaru. "So…how do you feel?"

"Excited. Shocked."—I sighed—"Scared."

"Well…good luck," she said as she turned around.

"Th-that's all?" I asked her, not knowing why I asked that. Maybe because I wanted her to comfort me again.

"Of course that's all," she said, "You said you could do it…and I believe you. The only thing that's left is for you to believe in yourself."

At that she left. Calm down, Mikan. Calm down. I sighed again. Hotaru's right. I have to believe.

I heard someone knocking at the door again. "Miss Sakura, you're up in fifteen minutes."

I stood up immediately, "Y-yes."

I can do this! I really can! And I will do this—I kept repeating to myself.

The moment I opened the door, there was Hotaru, Anna and Nonoko.

"Hi," I said.

"Mikan," Nonoko said as she held my hand to comfort me, "You can do this!"

I smiled at her. "Thank you, Nonoko. Thank you everyone! We'll do this…together!"

---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---

"And now…Stellar with their new vocalist: Mikan Sakura!"

Lights surrounded everywhere. It was a whole new atmosphere when I heard the intro of the song. Everything changed…the worries, the fears—everything washed away. Suddenly, all I want to do now is sing—sing for everyone.

"Asayaka sugiru sora no aosa ni
Egao dake kumoru
Nakushita mono ga subete janai to
Kokoro ni tou

Sorenari ni otona
Demo shinjitai ima wa"

All those worries, now seems nothing. All those are just laughs.

"I'm a beautiful mermaid
Sunao de itai watashirashiku aru tame ni
Hitori janai yo
Kagayakeru kara tsuyoi ai de oyoideiku
Egao ga suteki na watashi ga suki da yo

Kagami no naka no ima no jibun o
Nozoite kizuku no
Tokubetsu janai kedo taisetsu na
Koto kamo ne

Te o nobashita saki ni
Machi no zawameki utsu shi te"

What was I worried about? This is my dream…and I have decided long ago that I'm going to fulfill it!

"I'm a beautiful mermaid
Hadaka no mama ga watashirashii tsuyosa na no
Shinjiru imi o shiteiru kara
Yasashii ai de oyoideku
Yorokobi, kanashimi mo uketomete yuku

Nakitai toki wa namida nagashite ii no?
Don't be afraid, naked heart. I'll live by my way."

I'll take this chance with no regret. I'll take this chance with all my heart!

"I'm a beautiful mermaid
Sunao de itai watashirashiku aru tame ni
Kanjite itai mitsume aitai
Dakishimetai kono toki o"

No one's gonna stop me now I'm here! I'm going to sing—sing until I've sung my voice out.

"I'm a beautiful mermaid
Hadaka no mama ga watashirashi tsuyosa na no
Shinjiru imi o shiteiru kara
Yasashii ai de oyoideku
Egao ga suteki na anata ga suki da yo"

'Cause that's what I've always wanted!

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-end of chapter-

Author's Notes

Whew! Whatta chapter.
I suggest you listen to Yuna Ito's song! It's so nice! I saw it on Music Station while I was watching it. (I watched it to get songs for this fic.)

People!!! I don't know all songs in the world so your sweet suggestions are open! Don't worry, the credits are all yours! XD

Thank you for your reviews!!!

Songs for: Natsume and Ruka, Mikan and the band—are open! Rock, pop, whatever! As long as…they are good.

Ja! I'll be waiting for your song-suggestions and reviews!