Disclaimer: Author owns nothing. Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.
CHAPTER 19
"Welcome back to the 'Tonight Show Starring Harada Chie', folks! We are now on 'I Dare You' segment. Yes, folks. Your eyes are not deceiving you. You are still watching my show and they are still my guests but no longer in their dazzling gowns. As you can see, our dare for tonight will be involving some musical instruments. I can sense a little concert vibe in the air." The late night show host said with excitement in her voice.
She was on a small elevated platform. It was like a concert stage with all the dancing spotlights on. Behind her was an ensemble of band musical instruments which consisted of electric guitars, drum sets, keyboards, two grand pianos, violin, and etcetera. Settled on the two bar stools down the platform to her left, were her guests who were no longer clad in their previous attires.
The superstar was wearing a red v-neck shirt with the print #TSSHC on paired with a pair black fitting skinny jeans. A black leather jacket was put over her red v-neck shirt while a pair of high-heeled shoes was strapped on her feet. Her tawny mane was freed from its bun and was left flowing down her shoulder in good volume.
The young director was wearing a blue v-neck shirt with the same print of #TSSHC on it. It was topped with a black leather jacket and paired with a pair of black fitting ripped skinny jeans. A pair of boots was on her feet. Her raven mane was in the same hairdo as before but her diamond earrings were discarded. Her silver wristwatch was strapped on her left wrist.
"I will explain the mechanics of our 'I Dare You' segment today. Our computer will be selecting who will go first. Then, after that a song will be randomly selected and our guest will be given the discretion to choose any of the instruments behind me. She will be singing the song to the other guest. If she will fail to do it, the other guest can choose what consequence she wishes the losing guest to do. It could be anything under the sun." The late night host explained, looking at the camera before turning her attention to her guests. "Are you ready, young ladies?" she asked which the two answered with a nod. "Alright, computer. Select our first performer for tonight."
The platform floor cracked open and a small black box came into view. A hologram of scrambled letters was flashed in front before a monotone static voice was heard. "Selecting first performer…First performer selected…Director NK." The static voice announced.
"Okay, it's Director NK, folks!" The late night show host beamed, looking at the young director to her left. "Now, computer, select the song!"
"Selecting song…Song selected… Crash and Burn by Savage Garden. Good luck, Director NK." The static voice announced before the hologram faded. The platform floor creaked open again and the black box was returned to its confinement.
"There you have it folks, the performer and song have been selected." The late night show announced before turning her attention to her guests down the platform. "Please join me on stage, ladies."
The two guests went to the late night show host's both side with the superstar to her right and the young director to her left. "Director NK, you may proceed to get your instrument there." She looked at the young director who nodded at her before going to the arrays of musical instruments. "Viola-sama, you'll be sitting there." She gestured to the bar stool which was now placed on the center stage. "And I'll be staying down." She finished after escorting the superstar to the seat.
"Ara, ookini, Harada-san." The superstar smiled to the late night show host who just nodded her head and went on her way down the platform.
"Folks, let's welcome Director NK with her guitar to sing Crash and Burn by Savage Garden to Viola-sama. Good luck, Director NK!" The late night show host announced before settling on one of the bar stools which was previously occupied by her guests who were now on stage.
The young director slung the electric guitar over her shoulder. She started to do some sound check with her guitar before securing properly her microphone which was attached to her head and positioned near her mouth. "Thank you, Harada-san. Here's a song for Ms. Viola and for all of you." She began strumming on her electrical guitar before singing the first part of the song.
Her emerald orbs were focused on the superstar whose back was turned towards her. She came from the left side of the platform and started striding towards the woman.
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart
I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can't take anymore
She reached the superstar's side and gently turned the latter's bar stool towards her with her right hand before resuming her strumming and singing the chorus of the song. She was three steps away from the seated superstar who was now looking at her.
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
She took another step closer and bent her body slightly forward to level her head with the superstar before singing the next part of the song in a whisper-like manner. Her hands were expertly doing their job, not missing a chord, without her having to glance at the frets.
When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You're caught in a one way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel like you can't face the day
She straightened herself up before singing the loud chorus, emerald orbs were still glued on the superstar's enchanting face.
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
She bent her body a little backwards, raising her guitar as she raised her voice to a higher note and volume. She sang the next part of the song. Her head was nodding to the rhythm of the music. Eyes closing.
'Cause there has always been heartache and pain
And when it's over you'll breathe again
You'll breathe again
She straightened up again and sang the next part of the song. Emerald orbs were once again looking at crimson ones as she bent closer towards her.
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild wild heart
She once again straightened up and looked down at the seated superstar as she sang the last part of the song.
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
The song faded and the young director faced the camera before bowing her head.
"Wow! That was fantastic Director NK! I never thought you have that hidden talent in you. Now, this is another side of Director NK that I am honored to discover. She can sing, folks. Sing excellently, I must add. I think you should really try releasing a music album soon." The late night show host said as she joined her guests on stage. She turned her attention to her crews behind the cameras who were clapping their hands vigorously. "Do you agree with me?"
"Yeah!" The crews replied in unison before applauding again, louder this time.
"Thank you, Harada-san." The young director said with a little embarrassment lacing her voice as she looked down, finding the stage floor more interesting than anything else at that moment. Her left hand was still holding the neck of her electric guitar while her right hand rubbed the back of her head bashfully as a light blush crept on her face.
"Ara, Director Kruger is a humble talented young lady. How adorable of her." The superstar commented in her melodic voice filled with adoration. She was already standing beside the late night show host.
"Thank you, Ms. Viola." The young director replied. A full-blown blush was covering her neck up to her face.
"Alright, Viola-sama. Let's not keep our audience waiting. Computer, start selecting the song for Viola-sama." The late night show host decided to interject, feeling sympathy for the young director who smiled at her and joined them.
The platform floor cracked open once again and the black box came into view, projecting random letters before a static sound was heard. "Selecting song…Song selected…Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding. Good luck, Ms. Shizuru Viola!" the monotone static voice came before the hologram faded. The stage floor creaked open and the black box was once again out of view.
The young director went back to the far left of the stage to return her instrument. The superstar on the other hand settled herself behind the white grand piano. While the late night show host went down the stage once more.
"Ara, will Director Kruger mind joining me?" The superstar tapped the empty piano seat to her right while looking at the young director who was standing near the array of instruments.
"Uh, uh. Sitting beside her and doing nothing will just be totally awkward. I need to do something. That's gonna be freakin' three minutes and twenty seconds. More or less. Plus, that's Fifty Shades of Grey's soundtrack. I don't want any funny business on camera. Think, Kruger. Think." The young director darted her emerald orbs and saw the black grand piano opposite the white one. She looked at the host before talking to her. "Hey, Harada-san. Can I accompany Ms. Viola? I'll just play the black grand piano with her." she gestured towards the black grand piano.
"That will depend on Viola-sama, Director NK." The late night show host replied from down the stage.
"Okay, I'll just ask her." The young director said before jogging towards the superstar's left and whispered to her ears, away from the microphone. She covered her own microphone with her hands.
"Sorry, Shizuru. You can ask for anything from me later. Please just don't say no." The young director whispered before straightening up and talking with her microphone on. "Do you mind if I play the black grand piano as your accompaniment, Ms. Viola?"
"Ara, I don't mind at all, Director Kruger." The superstar replied with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Why do I not like that smile of yours, Shizuru? Anyway, at least I saved myself from being awkwardly serenaded." The young director thought before looking at the late night show host and speaking. "She agreed, Harada-san." She said before settling herself behind the black grand piano which was opposite the white grand piano where the superstar was settled behind.
"Alright, folks! I hope you are still awake. It's our Bewitching Smile Amethyst behind the lovely white grand piano to sing Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding. Accompanying her is Director NK behind the black grand piano. Good luck, Viola-sama!" The late night show host announced to the camera.
The two women looked at each other before nodding then, simultaneously pressing the piano keys with practiced ease. Crimson stared at emerald orbs which were looking back at her. After a short intro, the superstar started singing in her flawless American accent. Her voice was filled with emotions.
You're the light, you're the night
You're the colour of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much
Her crimson orbs were focused on the young director across her, not even glancing at the piano keys.
You're the fear, I don't care
'Cause I've never been so high
Follow me to the dark
Let me take you past our satellites
You can see the world you brought to life, to life
She stood up from the white grand piano and sauntered towards the young director as she sang the next lines.
"What is she doing?" The young director looked at her with questioning emerald orbs while her hands were still on the piano keys, expertly playing the melody.
So love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
She moved around the piano as she sang the next lines, her crimson orbs were still looking at the young director who was nodding her head in sync with the melody as she pressed the piano keys.
Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise
Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've got to find
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
She sat beside the young director and played the piano with her. Her head turned to her right where the woman was seated.
"She still does what she wants." The young thought in surrender as she kept playing.
Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head's spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
"Sing with me." The superstar said to the reluctant young director who shook her head.
"No. Second voice." The young director mouthed, smiling at the superstar who went on singing the next lines of the song.
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
"My turn." The young director mouthed before singing the next lines of the song with the superstar doing the second voice. Her eyes were looking at the superstar whose hands were on the piano keys.
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
"Your turn." The young director mouthed to the superstar who sang the next lines.
I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head's spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
"Together? Second voice." The young director mouthed as they sang the next lines together and she did the second voice. Their hands were on the piano keys as they sang together, head nodding with the melody.
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
"Camera." The young director gestured her head to the camera, urging the woman to look at the cameras' direction before she stood up from the piano. She settled her hands on the body of the black grand piano as she looked down at the superstar who was playing the piano as she sang the last part of the song. Crimson orbs turned towards the camera.
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do (oh)
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
The song faded and the crews behind the cameras applauded and cheered. "Whoa! We love you, Viola-sama!"
The superstar stood and bowed her head to the crews behind the cameras. "Ara, Ookini, everyone." She gestured her hand towards the young director who was standing behind her. "Director Kruger is a good accompaniment."
The crews applauded again before cheering. "Nice one, Director NK!"
"Thanks." The young director said, smiling at the crews who were not actually visible due to the blinding camera lights that were flashed toward her.
"That was fantastic!" The late night show host came up the stage and joined her two guests. "You nailed it, ladies! That was an awesome performance from our lovely Viola-sama and Director NK. Let's give them a hand, folks." She said while clapping her hands. She was now in between her two guests with the young director to her left and the superstar to her right. She faced the camera again. "This is where our 'I Dare You' segment ends, folks. Our guests for tonight did a great job so, they're saved from any consequence. I hope our viewers…" she started bidding goodbye but was halted by the young director.
"Wait! Don't you think it's unfair if our host will not do anything for tonight? What do you guys say about me daring her to sing a song?" The young director addressed the crews behind the cameras as she looked towards them.
The superstar, together with the late night show host, snapped their heads towards her with a question mark on their face.
"Uh. Uh. I'm sorry, Director NK. But only Harada Chie makes the dare not the other way around." The late night show host wiggled her pointer finger at the young director.
"So, what do you guys say? Should Harada-san do my dare? Viewers?" The young director asked the camera and the crews behind it.
"Yes!" The crews yelled in unison.
"No. no. no. folks." The late night show host shook her head.
"I can't hear you. Help me boost Harada-san's confidence." The young director placed her left hand behind her left ear as if wanting to hear clearly while inching her body closer. "Come on, Harada-san! Harada-san! Harada-san!" She recited in a mantra while clapping her hands.
"Harada-san! Harada-san! Harada-san!" The crews cheered the late night show host.
"Okay. Okay. I'll do it!" The late night show host relented before composing herself again. "Alright, computer…" She started but was again halted.
"No need for that, Harada-san. I'll be picking the song." The young director grinned, earning her a more confuse look from the superstar and the late night show host. "I am the one daring you. You're in my game now."
"Alright, what's the song Director NK?" The late night show host asked, feeling a little bit nervous.
"It's Sorry by Justin Bieber. Just sing. I'm sure they can provide you the background music." The young director said before looking at the crews. "Right, guys?" She asked.
"Yeah!" The crews yelled.
"Okay, let's do it. We'll stay behind you." The young director said, tapping the late night show host's left shoulder before whispering when she got near her left ear. "Give your best. She might forgive you." she said, covering her microphone before going to the superstar's side.
"I'll tell you later." The young director said to the superstar to her right.
"Okay, here we go. This one's for you, baby. I love you." The late night show host said and music started to fill the studio. She went to the center stage and look at the camera like she was talking to someone before singing with all her emotions.
You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty
You know I try but I don't do too well with apologies
I hope I don't run out of time. Could someone call a referee?
'Cause I just need one more shot at forgiveness
I know you know that I made those mistakes maybe once or twice
And by once or twice I mean maybe a couple of hundred times
So let me, oh, let me redeem, oh, redeem, oh, myself tonight
'Cause I just need one more shot, second chances
"Come, let's join her." The young director said as she ushered the superstar forward. They were now on both sides of the late night show host who looked at them before nodding signaling their cue for the chorus. Together they sang the chorus.
Yeah
Is it too late now to say sorry?
'Cause I'm missing more than just your body, oh
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah, I know-oh-oh, that I let you down
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?
I'm sorry yeah
Sorry yeah
Sorry
Yeah, I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?
The next lines were sung by the late night show host alone.
I'll take every single piece of the blame if you want me to
But you know that there is no innocent one in this game for two
I'll go, I'll go and then you go, you go out and spill the truth
Can we both say the words and forget this?
"Come on guys, join us." The young director urged the crews behind the cameras who immediately took the invitation and went to either side of the late night show hosts. Together they sung the chorus while dancing to the beat.
Yeah
Is it too late now to say sorry?
'Cause I'm missing more than just your body, oh
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah, I know-oh-oh, that I let you down
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?
I'm not just trying to get you back on me (oh, no, no)
'Cause I'm missing more than just your body (your body), oh
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah, I know-oh-oh, that I let you down
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?
[2x]
I'm sorry yeah
Sorry, oh
Sorry
Yeah, I know-oh-oh, that I let you down (let you down)
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?
"I'm sorry, baby." The late night show host sincerely said as she looked at the camera.
The song finally faded and everyone applauded and cheered.
"Thanks, everyone!" The late night show host said, looking at her two guests and crews. She spread her arms and looked at the camera. "Join me here, ladies." When her two guests were already on her sides and her crews were on her guests' sides, she resumed. "So, that's it, folks. Thank you for watching tonight's episode. With me again are our very own superstar and Bewitching Smile Amethyst, Ms. Shizuru Viola and Hollywood's award-winning young director, Director NK." She paused before smiling at her two guests. "Thanks for joining me tonight, ladies." She paused again as her two guests bowed at the cameras. "See you again on our next episode here on 'Tonight Show Starring Harada Chie'! This is your handsome host, Harada Chie, bidding you all goodnight." She winked at the camera before making a two-finger salute.
"Alright, time for a selfie picture with our guests, guys." The late night show host announced as a selfie stick with a camera on was held out to her by one of her crews. "Come, ladies." She urged her two guests. "Alright, is everyone ready?" She asked her crews at their back who replied with a yes. "At the count of three, say cheese. Okay, one…two…three…cheese!" She flashed her charming smile to the camera and so as everyone.
The young director who was clad only in a white oversized cotton shirt and shorts was lying on her queen-sized bed. Her emerald orbs glanced at her digital clock that flashed 2:30AM.
"That late already huh." She talked to no one before closing her emerald orbs. She was about to sleep when she heard the soft opening of her bedroom door and light footsteps started approaching her bed. "Don't tell me…" She thought before opening her emerald orbs to confirm her assumption. "Shizuru…" She whispered when she made out the familiar figure despite the limited light that only came from her lampshade on her left nightstand.
"How did you get in?" The young director asked the question that she had been meaning to ask since the first night that the woman came in to her room.
The superstar was only clad in her black lacy Victoria's secret lingerie topped with a see-through night gown that did nothing in hiding her almost-bare state.
"Ara, I got this, Natsuki." The superstar sauntered towards the bed, waving a gold access card in her left hand.
"Oi, that card is different." The young director thought when she was able to make out the glittering card's color. "Don't tell me…" She trailed.
"Ara, if Natsuki is wondering if this card can open all the units in this building then, my answer is yes." The superstar said before joining the young director in bed.
"Oi, that's a clear violation of privacy!" The young director protested and was about to sit up but was halted by the superstar's right hand which pushed her back to bed.
The superstar placed the gold card on the night stand before lying on top of the young director. She positioned herself between the young director's slightly parted legs. Her palms were planted on both sides of the young director's head.
"What are you doing, Shizuru?" The young director looked up at the woman hovering above her. Her hands were lying on her sides. Their faces were inches apart.
"Ara, Natsuki said that I can ask anything from her if I will agree with her suggestion of playing as my accompaniment during the show instead of sitting beside me." The superstar said as she inched her face closer.
"I said that?" The young director asked, not remembering the moment when she said that.
"Ara, yes, Natsuki." The superstar said, crimson orbs were looking down at emerald ones that made her lost in them.
"Why can't I…" The young director started but her next words were drowned in her throat because the woman captured her lips in a long passionate hot kiss.
The young director's hands went to hold the superstar's hips to hold the latter in place.
"Does Natsuki still not remember?" The superstar asked hotly after sucking the young director's lower lip and ending the kiss. Her face was inches apart from the young director's.
"Not…" The young director answered in a dazed. Her mind went blank after the heated kiss. If she can't remember saying those words a while ago, the more her brilliant mind can't think about it or anything at all at the moment. All she saw were crimson orbs staring back at her and the feeling of soft body flushed against her which warmth she can still feel despite the clothes she was wearing on.
"Natsuki is forgetful." The superstar whispered in her lust-filled voice before diving again for another passionate kiss, her being the dominant again. Her right hand started roaming over the young director's clothed body, earning her a moan from the latter. She deepened the kiss as the woman's body arched towards her. Her right hand slid down towards the latter's short and started unfastening the button therein which she found no difficulty to accomplish. She went on unzipping the latter's short but her hand was halted in its movement.
"I remember now, Shizuru." The young director broke the kiss as she stared on crimson orbs. Her left hand was holding the superstar's left hand. "I also remembered saying to take things slow." She added in her husky voice as she kept gasping for much needed oxygen.
"I want to do it with Natsuki now." The superstar insisted and to prove her point, she dove in for another passionate kiss.
"Shizuru, listen to me." The young director said breathlessly as she held the superstar's face in her hands. Her emerald orbs were looking at the darkened crimson ones. "Honey, it's too soon and I know that you are tired. For now, let's just sleep. Okay?" She said before kissing the superstar's forehead. "No more buts." She said firmly looking at crimson orbs.
The superstar buried her face on the young director's neck as she nuzzled her. "Ara, Natsuki is mean." She said before a yawn escaped her, earning her a chuckle from the young director.
"And you are sleepy, Shizuru." The young director commented as she wrapped her arms around the superstar's body above her.
"Natsuki…" The superstar called out in her sleepy voice.
"Yes, Shizuru." The young director asked as her right hand started caressing the superstar's back, lulling the latter to sleep.
"How did Natsuki know about Harada-san's problem with her wife?" The superstar asked as she shifted in her position to make herself more comfortable.
"Ah, that. She kept twisting her wedding ring, Shizuru." The young director explained then, another memory flashed back to her and she continued. "Plus, I unintentionally overheard her talking on the phone during commercial break. She was saying sorry and bowing like an idiot. She's so whipped." She finished, smiling as she remembered the event.
"Ara, isn't Natsuki the same? She's not on top now as she prefers it to be. If my memory serves me right, she chose top when Harada-san asked her to choose between top and bottom." The superstar stated in her sleep-filled voice. The young director's ministration made her more sleepy and tired.
"Says the virgin Shizuru-Ojousama." The young director commented lightly before chuckling, her right hand was still caressing the superstar's back.
"Ara, that is still the case because the experienced Natsuki does not want to do it with me now." The superstar retorted before another yawn escaped her.
"And that is because you are already tired and sleepy, Shizuru." The young director commented before chuckling. "Go to sleep now. Goodnight." She said before kissing the superstar's left cheek.
"Goodnight, Natsuki." The superstar replied with her eyes already closed.
"Shizuru?" The young director called out, looking at the superstar in her arms.
"Hmmnn?" The superstar hummed on the crook of the young director's neck.
"Are you really sleeping on top of me, Shizuru?" The young director asked as her emerald orbs glanced at the woman in her arms but the superstar just snuggled closer to her.
"Shizuru, I really don't want to die young of suffocation." The young director protested before gently guiding the superstar's body to the left side of the bed. Slowly turning her around and making herself hovered above her instead.
"Sleep now, Shizuru." The young director whispered to the superstar after gently kissing her on the forehead and lying on her side of the bed. She went on zipping up her short with her right hand and expertly buttoning it again.
"Natsuki is mean." The superstar drawled in her sleep-filled voice as she wrapped her left arm around the young director's upper torso and rested her head on the latter's left shoulder while snuggling closer.
"Yes. Yes. Shizuru-Ojousama." The young director closed her eyes as she herself succumbed to oblivion.