Chapter Nine: Dance Practice & Cookies Of Friendship …
Date: April 11th, 2012.
Location: S.S.A; Main dance studio
Time: 11:30 AM
~ Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa ~
In this moment of time… ~ la, la, la, la, la, la
Hey friends, just relax.
Forget past pain and sorrows.
Just free your mind.
Enjoy all future joys.
~ Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa ~
Asami sang the lyrics out while holding her water bottle, which she was using as a prop. Instrumental pop music was blaring out from the silver stereo. Alexander, who stood beside her in the middle of the dance studio, continued on with the next lyrics. An older female dressed in violet colored clothing, stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her facial expression serious while observing the two. Alexander, without a prop in hand, moved in sync to the dance moves that Asami was doing.
~ Listen up, listen up, listen up! ~
Gather together.
Bring out all your friends.
Release your mind.
Relax your soul.
Enjoy what you do the most!
~ Listen up, listen up, listen up! ~
By the end of the song, Asami and Alexander had smiles on their faces matching their poses. The older female turned off the silver stereo, clearly satisfied with the performance from the two. Her jade earrings dangling back and forth, gleamed under the studio lights, quickly she ran a hand through her aqua colored hair.
"All the movements from the both of you are now completely in sync. But make sure that the practice that you've done so far these past five days don't go down the drain. I'll be heading back to Tokyo STARDOM, since I've finished what I've been paid to do."
"Thank you Chie-sempai, for helping us with the dance choreography," Asami said bowing politely towards Tokyo STARDOM'S top dance choreographer.
"Hnn…thank you Chie-sempai…for…your hard work," Alexander said, already back to his sleepy state.
"No problem at all. I was only doing my job. Asami-chan and Alex-kun, I hope to see the final outcome on Music Station in May, as well as the music videos. I wish you the both the best of luck."
"I have a feeling that we'll need it," Asami sighed, "May is going to be a busy month."
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
Location: S.S.A Courtyard
Time: 1:20 PM
"Delicious, I can taste the sweet~ness of the chocolate melting…"
"Natsuki, you idiot! Eating one of Nanami-chan's cookies without asking her first!" Shouted Syo.
"Syo, it's alright…if your still hungry Natsuki, you can have a few more."
"Sorry Haru-chan, Syo-chan's right. I shouldn't have taken one of your cookies without asking you first."
The three were seated at a picnic bench under one of the sakura trees. They're conversation continued around the issue of the cookie, until Ren decided to show up taking his place beside Nanami. His fan club, as always, stood a few feet away by the entrance of the cafeteria, giggling and squealing at the sight of they're favorite idol. Ren ignored the background noise, focusing his attention to the conversation that his friends were in.
"My little lamb, has baking become one of your new hobbies?" Asked Ren eyeing the chocolate chip cookies on top of Nanami's binder, that was kept in a clear plastic bag.
"O-oh…no, I didn't bake these. The cookies were given to me by Asami-chan."
"Hmm. So the sweet rose knows how to bake."
"I wasn't expecting her to do such a thing," Nanami smiled, "When Asami-chan came to this academy…I was scared of her at first but after knowing her for a few days, she has become a really good friend."
Ren chuckled slightly all the while smiling. He could tell that Nanami already felt comfortable with her new position as the manager of Akai SIREN. Sure enough there was a newfound friendship between Asami and Nanami.
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
Location: S.S.A; One of the recording studios
Time: 9:30 PM
"Masato, you know you really didn't have to help me out," Asami said placing her signature on the page of a 'Re – SIREN' photo booklet, "I can do this by myself."
"I don't mind helping you out," Masato said handing Asami another photo booklet, "Of course Jinguji would have been in my place, but he lacks concentration."
"The relationship has changed a lot between Ren and you."
"Yes, it has. A lot has changed in the past few years since you left, Asami."
"Hmm…true. Ah, I even heard from Ren that you have a younger sister."
"Yes. Her name is Mai-chan, she is turning seven this year," Masato smiled, "She likes your song, 'Clouded Nemesis'."
"I'm flattered. Maybe in the future, I could meet your younger sister."
"Mai-chan would like that. It would be nice for grandfather to see you again."
"Your grandfather…from my past memories he was quite the calm individual."
"He still is. Asami, there is something that I've been waiting to ask you about."
"Yes, Masato. What is it?"
Asami capped the permanent marker before diverting her attention to Masato. The atmosphere within the room had turned serious.
"The scar across your left cheek. I know that I shouldn't be asking you about it, but I find that it has been bugging me, ever since that evening in the nurse's office. How was the scar inflicted upon you?"
"Oh…this? It's nothing much. Just an old flesh wound," Asami waved her hands slightly, "Really Masato…it is! Stop looking at me with that expression. Sheesh, Yuudai must already be rubbing off on you."
"I apologize, "Masato sighed, "Your other injury…I mean…cut, is it alright?"
"Oh, the cut should be fully healed by next week."
"I'm glad too hear that."
Throughout the rest of the evening, Masato continued helping Asami with her first mini album photo booklets. Only fifty more were left to sign and pack up in cardboard boxes.
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
[Ren's P.O.V; more likely what is going on in that mind of his…]
Another year. The final year that is, of being a senior student in this cra~zy academy. Yet I thought it was only going to be another successful year for 'STARISH.' Who would've guessed that 'EKSTASIS' would get along with 'STARISH.'? What a surprise. Dai-kun said at the meeting that he was expecting the best out of us. Something about that man really irritates me. Demanding perfectionist? No, not even close. More like a shadow that clings to Asami. Not that I can't lose my cool whenever he's around. I remember to when I was just a teenager, Asami would always wait for Dai-kun to pick her up afterwards, whenever she came over to my household to visit me. Then again…Asami has grown up into a fine young lady. She still has that fei~sty attitude. But after all these years, she still can't even see through Hijirikawa's façade. Even Hijirikawa still can't express his feeling of lo~ve towards Asami. My sweet rose, when you suddenly come back into our lives…those past feelings and memories are being rekindled. Even after all the teasing, do you see me as a man, who is willing to change his lifestyle just for you? You're already a lady but to me you're a forbidden flower. My sweet rose, every time I think that you're within my grasp, you're always a step ahead of me. ~ You always have been full of surprises.
