::Yume de Aru Youni::
Heard of the J-Pop group 'Buono!'? Well, I decided to 'digify' them. My first attempt at SORATO. More info inside. AU-ish.
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Thank You's:
As usual, they go out to the reviewers. Thanks so much to KoumiLoccness and Yamora Love n Friendship! May heaven shine blessed rays of lucky-light down upon your souls—okay, that just sounds corny~ XP
To KoumiLoccness, you were warned this story would be slowing down since I'm back to my studies, lol. And as to Yamora Love n Friendship, thanks for the luck, I might really pull through unscathed after all! Hwee~~~
Author's Rant:
Well if anyone remembers the last 'Notice!' chapter, yeah (have placed the Author's Rant portion of it below just incase). I promised I'd have this story updated latest by the end of the month and boy am I glad I could keep that promise. I'm in a slightly better mood now with two (2) out of the three (3) essays done and handed in. Yay me! Can't say it was easy though but I'm really glad I only have one more left to finish up by the end of next week~ ^_^
So about this chapter, if you remember the last one then you'd know it's concert time here. Therefore, prepare for some (highly likely) cheesy-ness. Also, anyone heard Morning Musume's (Momosu) latest single, 'Kimagure Princess'? It's seriously worth a listen—provided one likes J-Pop music, that is. Regardless, do check it out!
PS: This chapter will probably end up shorter than some of the previous ones. Nonetheless, I need it to stop where it stops so yeah~ XP
Information:
The performance in this chapter was loosely (okay, maybe not all that lose) lifted from Buono!'s recent spring concert, Hybrid Punch! You're all encouraged to watch the available footage through Youtube to get an idea. Concert Part 12 if I'm not mistaken.
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Chapter 9 ~ GROOVY GROOVY
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"Here!"
"We!"
"Go!"
Sora was amazed at the strength and conviction her own voice held as the spotlight came on, shortly ensued by the booming audio of a perky-funky, rockish tune she had grown so accustomed to singing along to in the past three weeks.
What is this…feeling? She soon found herself wondering as an alien emotion surged through her veins, blood pumping hard to her rapidly beating heart—some unknown desire and a sense of unforeseen elation the auburn-hair could not place. It wasn't the butterflies, Sora knew that much. She had braved the butterflies earlier on before she took to the vast stage and the girl knew this was an entirely different sensation altogether.
So, what was it then?
To stand there, even if just once, especially for the first time; to have that mic in your hands, a bright light shining down on you, and to see and hear people you don't even know there shouting and cheering you on with all their might…it can change a person's life in ways they'd have never thought possible. Being on stage can be a scary thing, Sora. But it can also be the best thing that ever happens to you—you decide: where you will go from here.
Koushirou's relayed message had been much appreciated. Though, heard earlier, the words had left Sora somewhat doubtful as to whether she truly had the capacity within to alter her fear into…well, into a love of performing for a live audience. All her life she had constantly pushed herself, trying and telling others she would give it her best though deep down a lingering dread and uncertainty had always lain, threat fully preventing her growth. And yet, now that she was here, in this position…it didn't seem all too scary anymore. Rather…it felt…great.
Thanks, mom.
Colored lights flickered in a rock-concert sort of pattern and words flashed across the screen-of-a-backdrop, indicating the cheerful rock song's title, 'Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!'. The catchy melody hummed notoriously across the colossal hall as the three idols began dancing along in time to the skippy beat, hopingly switching directions left and right at 45 degree angles while waving a pointing finger as if to appear cute and sly; smiles never leaving their faces. Together, the trio performed the choreographed moves beaten into their heads through muscle memory and countless drilling, looking ideally in sync.
As the short intro came and went and the rockish melody mellowed down a touch to permit vocals, it was Sora whose voice claimed the first line of the song:
"You can't think that the answers exist somewhere
The answers only exist inside you…"
The audience roared in amazement—people would turn about restlessly in their positions, only to cast shock-filled gazes at their friends; mouths hung agape, eyes bulged and many were frozen on the spot.
"Who is she?"
"Oh my god, she's unbelievable!" Haruhiko heard some raving fans scream several rows ahead of him. He had to smirk knowingly at their reactions. Sora was definitely something else and so far no one had been immune to the overwhelming spectacle that was her voice. To be her father, the man felt enduringly honoured. Standing beside Hiroaki, the brunette briefly caught the silver-hair's eye contact, offering him a congratulatory clap on the back as they both watched the scene unfold onwards.
"You're cool
Just the way you are, with your honest feelings and everything
It's definitely love
Right now, with these overflowing feelings and everything…"
Song approaching the first chorus, the trio danced and sang their respective solos and the combined harmonies graciously well, then breaking out of formation for the next verse. Mimi waltzed over to the left of the massive stage while Sora and Hikari took to the right. Witty-cutesy gestures were made at fitting intervals in accordance to the song's lyrics and expressions were exaggeratedly altered wherever appropriate as the three addressed their audience who seemed to be having a blast.
"Try facing the sun and bumping into it with all your might
Face forward, and lift your head up, there's no time for crying…"
Somewhere strategic amongst the crowd, a purple-haired prodigy-composer bopped her head in time to the unforgettable tune of her own genius-ity and a raven-haired apprentice photographer was steadfastly snapping away, intent on not missing any good shots. Meanwhile, backstage, a red-head was given a close-up view of things—albeit with a backward viewpoint. Still, glimpsing the spirited expression on his best-friend's countenance, he was surely enjoying this as much as anyone.
"A kiss of passion! A kiss to this 'youth'!
I love you, working so hard
The best kiss! A kiss to all 'your power'!
I want to show you all these feelings in my heart
I l.o.v.e y.o.u!"
The crowd had caught on to the memorable chorus come the second round of it, enthusiastically singing along to the lyrics posted on the overhead backdrop screen. Just then, the trio pulled back from the stage's corners as the song's hard-rocking instrumental break had come into hearing. Together, they gathered center stage. With the electrifying bridge playing as if on repeat, Mimi called out to the crowd.
"Alright everyone, I wanna hear some real audience participation now!" She voiced into her microphone.
"Shout 'Kiss me baby!' for us on count, kay?" The pink-hair winked flirtatiously at that, garnering a staggeringly even louder roar than before (if that was humanly possible). It was as it every last male in the oversized hall were truly craving an actual kiss from the one and only Mimi Tachikawa.
The mentioned pink-hair raised three fingers and started her countdown in pace to the song's rhythm. "Come on!"
"Kiss me baby!" Hikari guided as the specific three-word-sentence flashed notably on the screen backdrop to cue the audience in.
"Louder!" Urged the young brunette. She then waited for the precise moment of the repetitive tune to arrive a second time before calling in another cue. "And go!"
"KISS ME BABY!"
"Woo!" Mimi perked at the loud reaction. "Let's go, one more time!"
"Kiss!" The trio guided.
"KISS!"
"Kiss!"
"KISS!"
"KISS ME BABY!!"
"Rocking!" Hikari praised the fans as the melody softened into the bridge.
Each girl sang her solo line, the crowd still marveling at Sora's impressive vocals. Following Mimi's line: "If you're down occasionally, it's OK to sleep until noon" however, the music cut off completely in one fell sweep and the stage was enshrouded in utter darkness with individual dimmed-spotlights shining over each idol as they pretend-slept on different points of the stage; eyes shut, heads bowed and everything.
The crowd went on cheering, though laughter sounded evident here and there. Obviously, many thought the sync between the on-stage actions and the lyrics were becomingly cute and entertaining.
Mimi 'slept' on the central steps, herself being closest to the audience. Hikari was positioned to the left of the stage's middle platform, leaning against the steps that elevated beyond the stage and Sora was on those very steps itself, though a little more off to the right side of the stage.
"Haha, they're asleep!" TK stated laughingly as he eyed his girlfriend fake sleep-standing.
"Cute, don't you think, Matt?"
"…"
"Matt?"
Several seconds longer and the sound of a ringing alarm clock permeated the concert air, causing each feign-sleeping girl to arise at its shrill sound. Acting, the trio feigned a tad drowsiness and put on somewhat confused-as-to-where-they-were expressions before jokey smiles claimed their pretty faces. They instantly gathered center-stage for the final round of the song's chorus. Lights beamed full blast and confetti popped into the air as they began to sing it, finishing off as Sora let her powerful voice echo the song's second-last line to the crowd; whom Hikari beckoned to sing the final line of the song:
"I l.o.v.e y.o.u!"
The rocking melody went on some as the trio danced their final steps, gesturing to the energized crowd to keep cheering. Keeping the energy levels on high, each girl dashed across the stage from one end to the other in random order to address those by the sides before stationing at the center of the stage's mid-level platform where each announced their respective names to the crowd.
"Hikari Yagami!" The brunette declared, going first to follow a left to right sequence.
"Mimi Tachikawa!"
"Sora Suzuki!" The auburn-hair announced, a vivid smile on her face. This was truly an experience.
"And we are Mello-D!" She continued, exclaiming to the excited bunch. All said and done, the performance ended with a short jump down by the trio to the lower level at the accented final note. And so came the emergence of one gigantic uproar. Those in the higher levels with seats stood, religiously applauding the finale performance. It was clear Mello-D had brought down the house tonight and were here to stay.
~O~
"That was epic!!!" TK cried, as if somehow expecting his exclamation to be heard over this unbelievable din.
Hoots and thunderous clapping seemed to refuse to cease. Sora scanned the sight before her in bewildered-admiration. Her body felt hot and exerted, as if she had just given the performance of a lifetime and yet it was only her first.
It's worth it, Hikari's words from before resonated in her thought. She realized the younger girl was right—this was definitely worth it. Her mother was right too. Tonight's performance could have gone either way, and she chose…
Having spotted her father amongst the VIPs in advance, Sora cast her gaze his way, smiling gratefully as she watched him mouth her brilliance to her with Hiroaki doing the same from beside him. Other distinguishable faces were visible in the crowd as she followed both Mimi's and Hikari's gazes, the former's leading to Ken and MINt (or Miyako) waving and shouting praises of some sort.
Following Hikari's however, led to the higher level balcony-stands area where she spotted the dancing queen's boyfriend, Takeru, who seemed to be mouthing 'kiss me baby' to his girlfriend. The younger blonde caught Sora's eyes the moment after though, flashing her a wink of acknowledgement before gesturing to his right. Sora's ruby orbs followed by instinct, then freezing as piercing ice-blue ceruleans stared back at her.
Bad move! She thought next, realizing who this other male must be, what with the male's sand-blonde hair and those striking cerulean eyes. And to think she found Takeru attractive—this guy was in a league of his own.
It was then when Sora recalled Jun's previous warning: Look Sora, you obviously don't handle the whole 'all eyes on me' thing very well and fact is, Yamato is precisely the guy you'd want to stay away from to avoid such overwhelming attention, even if he is amazing. And one way or another it really hit her—this was Takeru's older brother and the very guy he was going to try to hook her up with, Yamato 'Matt' Ishida. Sora didn't know what to make of it and somehow she felt quite…
…afraid.
"Thank you!!" Mimi's exclamation brought the auburn-hair back to her senses. Sora managed her preceding smile somehow and waved her appreciation to the audience, mimicking her two group mates before the trio made their way off stage, stapling the end of the night's concert.
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To be continued…
Just to clear up any confusion. The CAPS LOCK at the 'Kiss me baby!' part indicates the audience's participation. Alright then, please continue to R&R peeps! ^_^
Also, below are part of the contents from the previous 'Notice!' chapter (which will be likely removed):
Okay, so now you're all (assumed readers) probably wondering what on Earth I've been up to lately, having not updated this in so long. Well, I'd first like to take the time to say 'sorry' for that, so here goes: "SORRY!!!" *rushes to deserted corner and cries* XP
Yeah, being truthful, of course thoughts of updating this story have been haunting me over the past weeks and I've been stressing on doing so several times (Nixie the Water Mage has had to deal with that stress of mine so major thanks to her for putting up with me, haha) because I seriously didn't want to lose any loyal readers. I already have the thing drafted out for goodness sakes and it honestly just needs some sprucing up here and there because I'm one of those freaking perfectionist types who can't stand putting something up if she's not at least 99.9% pleased with it—darns me! XP
Anyways, that hardly answers the 'why' question huh. Well, I suppose the gist of it would be some…complications with a friend? I've been trying hard to not let the personal situation bug me but I guess it's hard not to be even a little distracted and I find myself lounging about trying to think things over when I really should be getting my assignments out of the way. So (as anyone might guess) I'm now stuck with three essays to finish up in a hurry—if my grades suffer severely I'm so murdering someone (eh…not literally, I hope XP).
Well peeps, what else can I say. I just hope people are still interested in this story and are willing to read on. For now, the best I can do is to assure an update latest by the end of the month, so till then!
*returns to her stack of essay research materials*
PS: Buono!'s latest single 'Bravo*Bravo' (though not officially released yet) sounds absolutely awesome—plus member Airi (the voice of the group, in my opinion) is center yet again. *squeals* XD
Songs: title : (artist[s])
Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! : (Buono!)