October 26, 2006

Laytner-MacLean Penthouse

Tokyo New Crown Star Hotel

Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan

The next morning, they headed to Tokyo to check into the hotel. Not long before they left, their belongings were put into a van and taken to the hotel. Everything was in the penthouse when they arrived and the family spend some time putting everything away and getting used to the penthouse.

After having a light lunch brought up from one of the restaurants, they went to Shibuya for a couple of hours before going back to the hotel to get ready for the evening. Akira arrived with Nobu, Hoshi and Moriko. Moriko was going to stay at the penthouse to watch Ryoko and Darin, because it was previously decided that having the babies in the theater wasn't a great idea. They took a cab to Ginza, where they were to meet with Akira's nephew, Hachiro and his son, Keniichi.

Hachiro had spent all his adult life performing in kabuki, just as his father had, and eventually got into Kabukiza. He was delighted when at a young age, Keniichi said he wanted to become an actor in kabuki just like his father. Keniichi had even taken lessons from his father and grandfather since he was a child and was even invited to perform "Renjishi" with his father when he was ten. "Renjishi" is a dance of two lions, a father and cub, and it mostly performed by real life fathers and sons. The father had a long white mane and the son a long red one. The dance becomes a test of strength as they start whirling their hair around as part of the dance. He appeared on stage again at 13. It was a special performance where he was given his name that he would use in kabuki.

At age 20, Hachiro and his wife moved to Kyoto, where he got a job in a small kabuki hall, taking many of the leading roles. The year before, Keniichi auditioned for the Kabukiza and was hired, and moved back to Tokyo. The company was looking for another father and son team for "Renjishi", which was one of the reasons Keniichi auditioned. Not only would he would get to perform on the stage of the most famous kabuki theater in Tokyo, but he would be able to perform with his father again, this time almost daily. Hachiro and Keniichi took center stage for "Renjishi". In the other acts, they took supporting actor parts, but each also had one act where they were the main character. Keniichi's wife wasn't happy about it and was upset when he auditioned. She had said she was not interested in moving back to Tokyo. She loved Kyoto and decided to stay. They never divorced, but they were very much living their own lives. They had a four-year-old son, Toma, and was the only reason Keniichi would come to Kyoto in the past year whenever he was able. Sometimes his son would stay with him in Tokyo, where he lived with Hachiro and his wife, Yoko. Both Hachiro and Keniichi would start giving Toma lessons, hoping that one day in the next few years, Keniichi would dance "Renjishi" with Toma.

When they arrived at the Kabukiza, Hachiro was waiting outside the theater. Keniichi arrived shortly after. They followed Hachiro and Keniichi inside, where Dee, Ryo, Bikky and Carol were given a tour and introduced to some of the other actors in the production before they went out to the lobby to meet with Akira, Nobu and Hoshi and waited with the other theater goers for the doors to open. Being that Akira, Nobu and Hoshi had already been given the tour and met the actors several times, Akira thought it best that only the visitors to Tokyo take the tour. Ryo, of course, had also done the tour a couple of times, once as a child and the other while he was station at Camp Zama, but Akira thought that Ryo would want to do the tour again with his uncle and cousin as his family got their first chance. Dee was no stranger to kabuki, but he never knew anyone on the inside to see behind the scenes. Dee had been looking forward to seeing kabuki again in Tokyo, but when he heard that they were getting a quick tour before the theater opened, he got excited.

During the tour Bikky and Carol expressed concern of not being able to understand what was going on, but Hachiro assured them that there were earphones available that translated and explained the action so non-Japanese speakers could follow along. He already had made arrangements for Bikky and Carol to receive the earphones when they entered the theater again for the performance. The translator did not talk through the entire performance, and the narrative was mostly timed during moments when there was no speech. It gave the opportunity of enjoying the performance in Japanese, but still understand what was said and to follow along with the action.

They were escorted back to the lobby to wait for when the doors would open. The adults got drinks while they waited and soft drinks for Bikky and Carol. Everyone enjoyed the acts so far, and much to Dee's and Ryo's surprise, Bikky did not get bored. The teen was laughing along with everyone else, and seemed mesmerized by the colorful costumes and make-up. He did joke once, saying that Dee most probably got interested in kabuki because of KISS. Dee gave him a look, stating that he was introduced to kabuki by Mother, of all people, who had interests in the arts of many cultures. Then he added, that it was the other way around. He started listening to the outrageous rock band because of the make-up they wore, which reminded him of kabuki. During the intermission after the second act, Akira and Ryo went to get bento boxes to bring back to their box for everyone to enjoy until the start of the third act. Dee and Nobu went to get drinks.

After the performance, they went to an upscale steak restaurant where they had drinks until Hachiro and his wife, Yoko, and Keniichi joined them for dinner. They all ordered wagyu beef sets. For once, even Bikky ordered the most expensive cut on the menu, and they managed to talk Carol into getting the same. The restaurant they went to was known for their wagyu Kobe beef, and each order was almost $100 in yen. They had the beef one night at Akira's house, and the enjoyed the beef very much, but the beef they had that night was elevated. As they finished their meal, Bikky asked if they could come back to that restaurant again. Dee and Ryo quickly agreed that they definitely would.

After dinner, Dee and Ryo allowed Bikky and Carol to go off on their own for a while after checking that they had their phones with them, and making them promise to call if they couldn't find their way back to the hotel. Akira insisted that Dee and Ryo stay out instead of going back to the penthouse for the night.

Dee and Ryo decided to go back to the penthouse with Akira, Nobu and Hoshi, but did not go up with Ryo's family. They gave Akira one of their keycards to get into the penthouse and then walked the few blocks to go to Hide's club for a few hours.

Hide was surprised but pleased to see them, and led them into the VIP lounge. It was still early for the club, but there were some customers having drinks and watching videos, or having a late dinner. The kitchen in Hide's club was open until midnight and prided itself on serving American style food. Hide's executive chef was from Los Angeles. She had studied in the Culinary Institute of America in Los Angeles, before going first to France to study French cooking and then had an opportunity to go to Japan to study the art of washoku cooking. Teresa fell in love with both Japan and one of her fellow students, who was Japanese and decided to stay in Tokyo. Shortly after her decision to stay after finishing her classes, she applied for a job to work the kitchen in Club Born in the USA. Hide was so impressed with her credentials that he hired her as executive chef, requesting that she bring the best of American bar food to his club.

About a half hour later, Yuki and Jae-Hwa arrived and joined them. Not long after, Ken arrived. Hide, who had been dealing with some club business returned to the VIP lounge, but did not sit down. Dee leaned over so Ryo could hear him as he spoke.

"Hey, me and the guys are going to get a little more practice in for Saturday night, if that's okay with you," Dee said.

"Since everyone else is here, I guess Hide pulled Ken in from whatever he was doing?" Ryo asked.

"Probably. When we got here, Hide suggested that we practice a little and he was calling the other two. We won't be too long. Maybe a half hour."

"Is that going to be enough time?" Ryo asked.

"All we need to do is make sure we aren't stepping on each other's feet or knocking someone over. We're not going pro. We just want to have fun and maybe get some cheering from your family."

Ryo laughed and briefly kissed Dee. "You just want to become a Japanese pop star, and since this is the closest you'll get to it, go knock yourself out. I'll hang out with Jae-Hwa until you're all done. Take whatever time you need. We have all night."

"Thanks, Ryo." Dee smirked as Hide, Ken and Yuki started to laugh. He returned the kiss and stood up to join his friends, and they left the VIP area.

OoOoOoO

Dee and Ryo left as the late-night crowd started to trickle in and the music would get louder because they did not want Ryo's family to head back to Kamakura so late, even if Nobu insisted it would be nothing new for them. Bikky and Carol were already back and getting ready for bed when they arrived in the penthouse and after the family left, decided the kids had a good idea. It was best for an early start the next day, wanting to go to other areas of Tokyo before it was time to head back to Hide's club in the late afternoon and watch the idol group practice. Ryo suspected Carol wanted to get to bed early so the next day would arrive sooner and she could watch the idols do a run through of their show.

Dee did decide to talk to Maria before joining Ryo for a bath. The next morning they would check in with their friends in New York before spending the day showing Bikky and Carol around Tokyo.

October 27, 2006

Laytner-MacLean Penthouse

Tokyo New Crown Star Hotel

Roppongi Hills, Tokyo

They had left the hotel in the early morning and spent the day walking some of the streets of Midtown and Asakasa, which included the area around Akasaka Palace. Akasaka Palace was built as an Imperial Palace for the Crown Prince in the early 20th century, and currently also known as the Guest State House, providing accommodations for visiting dignitaries. The main building was designed to resemble Buckingham Palace, looking out of place with its Western Neo-Baroque architecture style and being the only building in Japan having that style.

They went to the Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin, a Buddhist temple that was the Tokyo location, with the main temple in Toyokawa in Aichi Prefecture. They went up to Shinjuku for some shopping. Once again, Dee and Ryo let Bikky and Carol pick where to eat. The choice was an Italian café. Bikky and Carol decided they wanted to try Italian food in Tokyo. Ryo knew of some upscale restaurants that served Italian food more or less as they were used to, but this café wasn't one of them. It was an affordable café that served whole pizza and some pasta dishes. Both Dee and Ryo were aware of what they were going to get at this place, and that was the Japanese version of Italian food, but Bikky and Carol seemed to have no idea.

At first while looking at the menu, which included pictures, both Bikky and Carol were amazed at many ingredients on the pizza, and while the two so far was adventurous in trying new food they did not encounter, they did not seem to try something so different from the type of pizza they were used to. They settled on a simple cheese pizza for the four to share, and couple of pasta dishes including with the pasta chicken parmesan and meatballs.

The pizza came out first and Dee started to smirk at the faces before him as Bikky and Carol looked at their pizza. He heard Ryo softly clear his throat and looked over to find Ryo smiling at him with a knowing look.

"Good?" Dee asked, still wearing a smirk.

Bikky shrugged as he swallowed his latest bite.

"It tastes weird," Carol said. "Not what I was expecting."

Ryo started to laugh suddenly, causing Darin and Ryoko to squeal with excitement and giggle.

"Do you two find it funny too?" Dee asked the twins, looking amused.

"Biks? What about you?" Ryo asked.

"It does taste weird. It's not a bad weird, but it just doesn't taste like what I thought it would," Bikky replied. He studied his fathers. "You both knew it, didn't you?"

"Did either of you eat here before?" Carol asked.

"No, not here," Dee replied. "But places like this, yeah."

"Same with me," Ryo admitted. "If you want Italian food like you're used to while in Japan, you need to eat in places that hired chefs who studied in Italy. This place serves the Japanese version of Italian, which is different."

"I'll say," Carol agreed.

Dee chuckled and reached out to grab onto Darin's fingers. Both infants were in highchairs at the table, and Darin was again reaching toward the table as if he wanted to grab the food. "Sorry, little guy. We'll have to go through this again in a few years when you're old enough," he said to Darin.

Ryoko was content banging a plush cube that had caught her attention while they were looking at some stores earlier, so Dee and Ryo bought a cube for each baby. Ryoko had not let go of it yet, and found it a source of amusement, judging by the giggles and sounds coming from her. Darin kept a grip on his while he was in the stroller, but was willing to let go of it when he was lifted to be placed in the high chair. He seemed to be more interested in watching everyone as they ate.

Looking back to his oldest son, Dee said, "The secret ingredient for tomato sauce for most Japanese is catsup."

"What? Really?" Bikky exclaimed, while Carol started to laugh. "How come Obāsan's doesn't take like this? I never saw her use catsup."

"Obāsan lived in California for around 15 years, and learned how to cook some dishes we have in America, especially like they do in Southern California," Ryo replied. "And the ones she didn't know, she makes her Japanese version for the family here in Japan, but while she was staying with us, remember she had me and Dee show her how to make some Italian dishes. Some were new dishes and others she needed a refresher course in. The reason was she wanted to serve Italian food like we have in New York to the family once in a while."

"Oh, yeah. Oh yeah," Bikky said thoughtfully. "She would be in the kitchen watching you cook."

"And then we had her do some of the cooking too," Dee added. "The trick is not to think of this as something you would have in New York. Just think of it as some new Japanese food. I think you'll like it a whole lot more."

"Did this happen to you, Dads?" Bikky asked both his fathers.

"No," Ryo replied. "Actually, for me, it was the opposite. Even my Mom would still make Italian food like the Japanese do and I grew up eating it. She preferred it over the way Obāsan would make it, especially when we were living mostly in Kamakura. So, the first time I went over to a friend's house to eat, it wasn't what I was expecting. Especially since my friend's family was Italian. Living in New York, I eventually got used to it, but I also remembered what to expect when you said you wanted to eat here."

"I'm with the kids," Dee said with a laugh. "I really thought I hated Italian food in Japan at first, but once I stopped thinking Italian and saw it as Japanese, I started to appreciate it."

"We can afford to hit up a real Italian restaurant while we're here, if you want, if you find yourself wanting a break from Japanese food," Ryo stated.

"Maybe," Bikky replied. "Just to say we had it, I guess. Just like I can say I had this and boy, it wasn't what I was expecting!" He started to laugh and took his second slice from the platter and had a bite. "Yeah, okay. It still tastes weird, but I can't say I hate it. It's okay."

"Just think that you're having another Japanese meal in Tokyo when the rest of the food comes out," Ryo suggested. "It's really very good once you get past the differences."

"I'll do that," Carol stated and finished her first slice.

Ryo put her second slice on her small platter. "Start with your second slice. As soon as they see the empty pizza pan, the rest of our food should be out soon."

When they left the café, Bikky and Carol still wasn't sure what to think of the food they had, but they said they were willing to give it another try during their stay, and if nothing else, at least they had the experience of having Japanese style Italian food. While they were willing to try everything, that did not mean they liked everything, and had come across some things they had no desire to eat again.

They walked around Shinjuku Station before getting on a train to head back to Roppongi Hills. As Carol got dressed in the dress she had been waiting to wear, Hoshi and Moriko arrived with Tsubasa and Kumi. Moriko's daughter Miyoko met her mother at the hotel, bringing her fiancé, Harumi. Also, meeting them at the hotel was Risa, who was just as excited as Carol about the opportunity, and her brother Shusuke and his wife also joined them. The group was in a great mood as they walked to Hide's club.

At the club, not only was Hide there, but Yuki with Jae-Hwa and Ken with his wife, along with a few other friends of theirs, including two that Dee also knew from college and was pleased to see them a day earlier than he expected. While planning the party, Akira had made sure that Yuki, Hide and Ken invited any friends of theirs from college and their families to the party the next evening, wanting Dee to have more friends of his present. She wanted him to meet the family, but did not want him to feel isolated surrounded by so many of Ryo's relatives and hoped that having friends of his from his time in Japan would prevent that.

Hide led them from the club up the stairs to the hall they were going to use for the group's performances. The hall was set up with rows of chairs for the guests and the back half had tables set up on platforms so anyone sitting at a table could see over the heads of those sitting in chairs. The hall was still not finished, but it already looked very nice. Over the tables was a balcony with more seats and along the sides, boxes were being finished. Hide pointed out what was finished and what still needed work. The seats still needed to be installed on the balcony, and in the back they were working on an area for standing room. Each box already had five chairs installed and there was going to be an oval table behind the chairs. The boxes were for groups willing to spend the money, and guests who had purchased a box for a performance could sit at the table or chairs. Food from the club's kitchen could be ordered and delivered to the box, along with drinks. The menu was going to include the American items from the club's menu, along with a Japanese menu. Hide was currently interviewing chefs for the Japanese menu.

The idols, who were called the Rainbow Over Roppongi, were behind the seats, gathered around Toshido, listening as he spoke. One look at the group and it was easy to pick them out as an idol group.

Carol's mouth opened as she gazed at the idols. There were sixteen in the group, eight males and eight females. Their age range seemed to go from 14 to young 20's. They were all dressed as if for a real performance. No one had identical outfits. The girls had skirts and tops in the same style but in different colors and their accessories varied. Some had bows in their hair, while others had tiny top hats. Some of the girls wore colorful ties around their necks, and others wore scarves. Their stockings which went up to their thighs also varied, some in stripes, while others had solids with designs on them. They all wore the same style boots but in different colors to compliment the colors of their shirts and tops. The jackets that were short in the front going to long in the back that completed their outfits were in the same style as the long coats the boys wore. Like the girls, the shirts and pants that the boys wore were in different colors. Some wore pullover shirts while others wore buttoned shirts, some had ties and others didn't. They wore trainers instead of boots, in various colors. The shirts and pants were of individual tastes but what pulled them together as a group and tied them to the girls' outfits were the long coats, each boy's coat a different color. All the members' clothes had some glitter and rhinestones, especially on the jackets and coats.

Toshido finished his talk and clapped his hands. The others cheered, throwing their hands up in the air. With a nod to his team, Toshido turned and upon noticing them, came over. With a big smile, he stopped before Dee. "You must be Dee-san" he said in heavily accented English. "I've seen pictures of you and was looking forward to finally meeting you. Hide speaks very highly of you." He bowed before Dee and then held out his hand for a handshake. "Do you mind if I call you Dee-san? I feel like I know you."

"You can call me just Dee, if you want," Dee said returning the handshake. "I've heard a lot of good things about you, too."

Dee introduced everyone with him to Toshido, except for Kumi and Tsubasa, who had met him at one of the events Hide had invited them to attend. Once the introductions were done, Toshido introduced each of the idols.

"Please make yourselves comfortable and hopefully enjoy our show," Toshido said as he led the group to the front rows of the seats. He took out a pad and started to tear off sheets, handing them to everyone present. "If you do not mind, please fill this out after we are done. It will help us be ready for our opening in December. If there are some Christmas elements in today's performance, please remember when our opening is."

"After the show, I hope everyone can stay, because we will be providing a meal from the club's kitchen, plus Yuki's noodle soup," Hide said. "I thought a little socializing with these up and coming stars would be good. Toshido is very excited for you to get to know the members of our soon-to-be big idols."

Carol nodded her head vigorously, and then looked at Dee and Ryo in question.

"Yes, we would love to stay," Ryo replied. "We didn't make any plans for the rest of the day."

"Yeah, we could always find something to do at the moment, if needed. So, we're good," Dee said.

"Please be truthful with your critiques. If there is room for improvement, we need to know," Toshido requested.

"We're here to help," said Dee, "so we'll be truthful, even if I might be painful."

Toshido bowed. "We all thank you very much. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get the show started. Thank you again for coming."

With another bow, he headed for the stage with the group following.

Rainbow Over Roppongi put on a fantastic show. They were lively, in step and pleasant as they danced and sang. All the members were excellent singers, making it known because each of them had a chance to sing solo for a few lines throughout the songs. The best thing about them was every member was having a good time as they went through the songs.

When they were done and the house lights came on, everyone felt like they had just witnessed a professional idol group doing a show for a large audience. Nobody was able to just sit and watch them. There was clapping and cheering throughout the performance and everyone was on their feet, cheering when the group finished the last number and did their bows. Anything they had to say about the performance being less than perfect was merely nitpicking, just to give Toshido some input other than how amazing the show was.

Ryo had even admitted so as he handed Toshido his completed critique form. Carol and the women happily agreed with Ryo. Dee asked them when was their CD scheduled to come out because he wanted it. Toshido gave a cryptic little smile for an answer and excused himself, stating that he would be back shortly with the members of Rainbow Over Roppongi.

Hide took everyone to the tables, where there were now place settings for a meal. Everyone was talking excitedly about the group they had just saw, all agreeing that they would pay to go see them again several times.

The group joined them at the tables, wearing street clothes and came over to talk to their guests. Many of them knew only a little English, but there were enough bi-linguals within their group to make conversation possible for Bikky and Carol.

As Hide's wait staff entered bringing the first of their meal, Toshido joined them, his hands full of CD cases.

"Our mini-CD is done and waiting for next month's release," he said. "With some luck, we can produce interest to come to our show if we can get radio play. Even better would be to be on the Oricon chart, even if at the bottom."

"Oh, I'm certain it will be at the top of the charts by the time you open," Carol gushed. "I had trouble finding anything bad to say about them. And I just loved the songs. That is why I can't wait for the CD to come out, because I want to buy it."

Toshido smiled and bowed. "I thank you for your very kind words, Carol. But there is no need to buy them. When our full CD is done, I will make sure Dee gets copies to give to anyone who wants it."

"I want Emiko to get one," Ryo said. "Emiko is my cousin who moved to New York last month, but is still very much into Japanese pop music. I know she would love it and go to a show the next time she is in Tokyo."

Tsubasa nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, my sister would love these songs very much."

"If we are still open by then," Toshido remarked humbly.

"You will," Hoshi assured him. "Not only are they exceptionally good, but having boys and girls in a pop idol group is not very common, which makes them stand out. I look forward to seeing them have much success in the future."

"I am glad you think so. Please, take one of our mini-CDs, compliments of our group. If there is anyone you think would like one, take extras, even if they live in America. The group will mostly perform only here at the hall, but it is my hope that they could have an international following, even if to buy their CDs," Toshido explained.

"I'm going to make sure that at least all my friends at school hear it," Carol said with a smile. "Oh, I can't wait for Lass to hear it. I know she's going to love it and be so jealous that I got to see them before their first big public performance. Thank you so much, Toshido-san!"

"I am going to make sure all my friends listen, and I know they will be buying the CD when it comes out," Risa said. "And then we'll all come to see them again next month when this place is open, Toshido-san. Thank you for sharing this." She bowed to Toshido.

"It is I who thank you," Toshido said humbly and returned her bow.

Hide came over to Dee, pulling him away from everyone else. "Dee, since you have no plans for the rest of the night, do you think Ryo would allow you to slip away for a while after we eat for some more practice? Tomorrow is the big night, you know."

Dee laughed. "Yeah, but it won't be our debut," he said. "Well, it will be to the crowd at the party, but nothing we haven't done before."

"It's been a long time," Hide said with a smile. "We'll consider this our reunion performance. One night only."

Dee laughed more. "Gotcha. Yeah, sure. I'll check with Ryo, but I'm sure he won't have any problem with me slipping away for an hour or so. We're thinking of cutting Bikky and Carol loose to do whatever they want for the rest of the night when things break off here."

"Then why don't you and Ryo come to my house for a while. I can show your husband embarrassing video of us from college," Hide said.

"You still have them?" Dee asked. "Geez, I forgot that you and Ken took a lot of video during the time."

"Still have those tapes from the camcorder," Hide said. "I really should see about getting them digitalized. Then I can send them to you so you can have them. Ken also has his. I should ask if I can borrow them when I get mine converted to digital."

"We have some of our karaoke nights on video, don't we?" Dee asked.

"More than some," Hide said. "And performances we did for school festivals." Hide smiled at his friend. "And don't forget our videos for our two big hits. And TV appearances." He started to laugh. "You know, if we really wanted to, we could have been huge stars performing at stadiums and even Tokyo Dome by now."

"Well, we were one hit wonders. Okay two hit wonders," Dee replied, "but that wasn't a bad thing. Unexpected for sure, but it was fun while it lasted. Yes, we could have gone on, if that was what we wanted." He shrugged. "Oh well, we had our chance but blew it. But at least we get to perform once again in front of people tomorrow night."

"That is true," Hide said. "Which is fine with me.

"Let me talk to Ryo then," Dee said. "I'll let you know as soon as I get the okay from my better half. Oh, before I forget, remember that I never told Ryo or the rest of the family anything about our brush with fame."

"I should leave out the singles tonight?" Hide asked.

"How about saving the videos for another time. We are planning to do one of our hits, so let's see if anyone figures it out tomorrow night," Dee suggested.

Hide started to laugh. "Oh, you never change, Dee," he exclaimed. "Yes, I think I like that idea. It was ideas like that that made us top the Oricon charts." He winked at Dee. "Then at some other time before you go back to New York, we'll have video night."

"How about if we have video night, I can see if I can reserve the media room in the hotel?" Dee asked. "It's a nice little theater room with comfortable chairs, a big screen, nice sound system that can fit up to 50. We can even order food to be delivered."

Hide nodded. "We can invite whoever from Ryo's family and even some of our friends, if they want."

"Ryo is looking at us funny, so I guess it's time to join everyone else until it's time to go rehearse," Dee said.