Chapter 2: Emancipation and Goal Setting
"So," John said, looking up from his plate. "Now that all of you are done with high school, Izzy's emancipated, what's the plan?"
"Nice way to ease into the conversation John," Lucas playful retorted. "Well Izzy and I have been doing a lot of talking, and we're going to stay here."
"Over my dead body."
"Well, it doesn't make sense for us to move out together when we're both going to audition again."
"What? You didn't even make it through Vegas last time. I know you've been practicing and all, but what's your fall back if you don't make it past the audition or Vegas?" Izzy and Takashi just kept eating, lovingly rubbing their feet against one another. I wish she would have just stayed with me in Japan. But I promised to support her...
"Well, Izzy's pretty much set, she's got Takashi who's a gazillionaire..."
"Lucas!"
"It's okay, Izumi."
"Wait," John said looking at Takashi, "you're rich."
"In a manner of speaking, sir."
"Can we please not talk about his money?" Izzy waived a hand in front of the slack jawed face John was currently wearing. "Anyway, I plan to audition with Lucas and see how far it goes. It's kind of like my last hurrah before really leaving it behind."
"You know, you don't have to completely give it up... it's not the same as last time."
"Yeah I know Lucas, but it's kind of all or nothing for me. Just a personal preference. If the dance thing doesn't work, I'll go to school. Besides, it'll give me time to think about what I want to be when I grow up."
Lucas looked at Takashi, "It must be nice having it all planned?"
Takashi looked thoughtful. "I am very fortunate for my position in life. I never thought about it any other way."
"Well that's interesting. You don't feel limited or like you wanted something different?" John inquired.
"No sir. Not at all. I think I would have chosen the same path regardless." John nodded, impressed with Takashi's maturity.
"So what are you going to do with Izzy then?" He pointed a fork towards her.
"What about me?"
"If you're going to stay here and dance, and he," fork towards Takashi, "lives in Japan, are you calling off your engagement."
"We're not engaged," She corrected before Takashi could speak.
Lucas corrected her, "You practically are Iz."
"Well," she said looking at Takashi, who took her hand, "We're going to stay together. I guess if it's long distance, than it's long distance."
"That's tough." John said looking at the two. "You guys are so young. Don't you think you're rushing it?"
"We're not engaged." Izumi sighed. "We're not rushing anything. We're not stopping each other from doing anything either."
John sipped his beer, "So these two crazy kids are delaying college for a reality tv dance show that promises nothing if they don't make it... and you," he pointed to Takashi with his bottle, "you strapping young man, you're going back to Japan to go to school and promise not to cheat on her?"
"I'm going to Boston actually, and no, I will not cheat on her, ever."
"Boston?" Lucas and John asked.
"Yeah, our friend got accepted for a foreign exchange program in America. Same one I did, but she's a Junior instead of a senior. She's really stupid smart."
"So why is Takashi going to Boston?"
"Oh the whole group is going. Tamaki, her boyfriend, is going to go with her. The rest of the group is going as a surprise."
"Just like that?" John asked.
"Well yeah. They can. They're rich and all. It's not like it'll take them much to get set up or find any sort of university to get into."
"We still have to apply just like everyone else." Takashi added.
"Yes, but the likelihood of you being turned down is the same likelihood that any of the 3 of us would win the lottery."
"Who are you guys?" John asked amazed.
"John, calm yourself, secret service doesn't have the house tapped. They're just rich and powerful."
Takashi was very uncomfortable with the open talk of his position. He never had to think about it before and Haruhi really never paid it much mind. (Much of her comments about them living in their own world were to herself, so Lucas and John were finally saying out loud what she's been thinking.)
"Should I be getting out the fine china?" John asked Takashi.
"No..." he looked even more uncomfortable now.
"John, please go back to pretending that Takashi was just some random Japanese kid I picked up an brought home."