Today was colder than yesterday. Dark clouds could be seen in the sky, threatening snow. A cold wind blew through the streets, creating a chill amongst the residents. Mami, was bend over her broom, sweeping as fast as she could before the snow began. She didn't fancy sweeping up the snow too, not in this cold. She made a small pile of sweepings on the tarmac. She was in the process of collecting it on her shovel when she spotted something. It was a large, A4 poster for the Comeback concert at Odaiba Stadium. She picked up and slid it into her pocket. She them grabbed her shovel and scraped the trash into a large dumpster.

She then dropped her broom and shovel into a small cupboard next to the dumpster. She locked the door and made her way home. Mami scrambled up the stairs and into her apartment. Without taking off her boots she dashed to the table and placed the poster on it. She smoothed it out onto the table and stared at it. It was advertising a collection of old Japanese rock bands for a one night concert. She scrolled down the list of names and noticed that Scandal was missing. Her heart sank.

Mami had a mental image of them all playing together on the stage. It was wonderful, lighting up the stage like the good old days. She went into her bedroom and took out a small black notebook. She flicked it open and began searching for a name. She stopped on "T" and read all the way down to "Tomomi." The book told Mami her phone number and where she lived.

She closed her book and threw it onto her bed. She took off her work boots and changed her clothes. It would be unusual to turn up in Tomomi's neighbourhood and be under dressed. She pulled a brush through her long dark hair. She pocketed the poster and her book before dashing out of the door. She bounded down the stairs and marched towards the bus stop.

It was evening. The large black GT-R and the small red Nissan Cube were parked outside the house. The lights were on in the lounge and bedroom. Mami stopped outside the house. She took out her address book and read the address of Tomomi's house. She had found the right place. She pocketed her notebook again. She took a deep breath and walked up the front drive.

She stood at the front door. She raised her fist to the door. She was about to knock, but then stopped herself. What was she going to say? She thought for a moment, but nothing came to her head. She raised her fist, paused and knocked on the door. Keisuke and Tomomi were sitting on the sofa. Keisuke was sitting but Tomomi was laying on him. The knock on the door made them jump. He looked over at the clock.

"Whose going to be calling at this hour?" he asked in surprise.

Tomomi stood up. She slid on her slippers and went to the get the door. Keisuke slapped her bottom as she past him.

"Don't be too long," he joked.

"I won't," she said.

She went to the front door and peered through the spy hole.

"Huh?" she asked as she saw Mami standing in the doorway.

She unlocked the door and pulled it open.

"Mami?" she asked with a puzzled expression. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighbourhood," she said. "Thought I'd stop by."

Tomomi chuckled.

"Do you want to come in?" asked Tomomi. "It's a little cold out tonight."

"Sure," said Mami. She wiped her shoes on the doormat and entered the house.

Tomomi closed the door as Mami entered. She removed her shoes and set them aside. She followed Tomomi into the lounge and sat on the armchair opposite the sofa. Keisuke sat up and watched her enter.

"You sit here," she said. "I'll make you some tea."

Tomomi shuffled out of the lounge and into the kitchen. Mami perched herself awkwardly on the chair. She smiled weakly at Keisuke who looked at her with interest.

"I read your book," said Mami as a way to start the conversation.

Keisuke smiled at her.

"Did you like it?" he asked politely.

"I did," she said. "Who was the character Ami based on?"

"You liked her did you?" he asked. "She was from a girl I knew, many years ago."

"Was she your girlfriend?" asked Mami.

He sighed as he remembered this girl.

"No," he said. "She was the one who got away."

They were silent once more. Tomomi came in carrying three mugs of steaming hot tea on a tray. She set it down on the coffee table.

"Thank you honey," he said as he took it from the tray.

Tomomi kissed him as a way of reply.

"So," began Tomomi. "What brings you here?"

Mami took a swig of her Tea before answering the question.

"I found something that I thought you might like," she replied at last. She set down her mug and began rummaging in her pockets. She pulled out the folded, battered poster from her pocket. She set it on the table and unfolded it slowly. The threesome stared at the poster.

"I saw one of these a few days ago," said Tomomi.

She looked at Mami.

"Why are you showing me this?" she asked. "I've already seen it."

"I thought..." began Mami.

"Thought what..?" asked Tomomi, although she already knew what was coming.

"Thought we could try it," said Mami.

Tomomi looked at her, as though she had heard her say an amusing swear word.

"You can't be serious?" asked Tomomi.

"I am," said Mami. "Think about it, it's a chance to return to the good old days."

Tomomi sighed and looked at her with that pained expression Mami knew too well.

"Mami," began Tomomi. "Look, it's been ten years...I'm not sure. I...we have our own life now."

"It's only for one night," said Mami. "Just one night."

"I know," said Tomomi. "But do you remember how popular we were in our heyday?"

Mami nodded.

"They couldn't get enough of us," said Mami.

"What if that happens again?" asked Tomomi. "We have to give up the lives we all worked so hard to build in the last ten years."

"Speak for yourself," said Mami bitterly.

"I'm sorry that happened to you," said Tomomi. "No one deserves that."

There was a silence.

"I understand why you want to do this," she said. "I really do. But I need to think about it."

Mami nodded.

"What about the others, Rina and Haruna?" asked Mami.

"I saw Rina a few days ago," said Tomomi.

"How's her little girl?" asked Mami. Her face lighting up with a smile.

"She's adorable as ever," said Tomomi.

Mami smiled.

"As for Haruna," said Tomomi. "She hasn't talked to me since..."

She turned her gaze towards her boyfriend. She gave her a small, forced smile.

"Just give her time," said Mami. "I'm sure she'll come through."

"Maybe," said Tomomi. "But even so, if you can convince me, it'll be hard to convince the others."

"Can you try?" asked Mami. "Please?"

Tomomi gave her a small smile.

"I'll do my best, okay?" said Tomomi. "But I need to think about it. It's a big decision."

Mami nodded slowly.

"I understand," she said. She drank some more of her tea, but it was in a depressed and morose sort of way. Tomomi rested her head on her boyfriends shoulders. Instinctively, he leaned over and put his arm around her.

Mami sighed and finished her Tea.

"I should go home," she said. "I'd hate to intrude on your valuable time any longer."

"You're not intruding," said Tomomi. "Stay as long as you like."

"It's okay," replied Mami. "I have to get up early. Work in the morning."

"Well if you insist," said Tomomi. "I'll drive you."

"I can get a cab," said Mami. "It's okay."

"No," said Tomomi. "I insist. I'll drive you home."

Mami gave up trying to argue, it was pointless.

"Okay," she said. "But you know, I saw that GT-R out there. You couldn't take me home in that could you?"

Tomomi looked Keisuke.

"It's not mine," she said.

But before she could finish the sentence, Keisuke threw her the keys.

"Just be careful okay?" he said getting up.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I don't want to wrap it around a tree or something."

"I wasn't talking about the car, I was talking about you," he said. "Just drive carefully. That's a lot of power and it's treacherous outside."

Tomomi kissed him lovingly.

"Thank you honey," she said.

She grasped the keys in her hand and led Mami out of the door.

"I'll let you know when I'm coming back," she said as she walked out of the door.

He watched them leave. Tomomi unlocked the doors and they climbed in.

She inserted the key into the ignition and turned it. The centre console lit up with the words "Good evening" and the dials lit up, bathing them in blue light. She pressed the "start" button. The starter turned and at once the enormous front mounted twin turbo V6 roared into life. It settled into a low rumble.

"This is a monster," said Mami.

Tomomi nodded as she strapped the four point harness into place. Mami followed suit.

Tomomi grabbed the stick and threw it into reverse. She backed carefully out of the drive and onto the road. She then shoved it into first and began to drive away. The engine roared in protest and she drove away. The dashboard beeped at her and an ice warning appeared under her speed gauge. A red line appeared at the 50kph mark.

"What's that for?" asked Mami.

"It's limiting my speed," replied Tomomi. "Cause it's rainy. Watch."

She floored the throttle. The engine roared in excitement. The car accelerated up to 50kph. It hit the red line and at once, the brakes cut in slowing the car down to below the speed.

"Amazing," said Mami.

"Yes," she said. "And if you need the bathroom it'll help you find your underwear."

They chuckled.

They drove in silence for a moment.

"You know," she said. "Just between us. I'm considering that concert idea of yours."

Mami's face lit up.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes," said Tomomi. "But I'm only considering it. It doesn't mean I'm going to do it."

Mami nodded.

It was several hours later, Keisuke and Tomomi were laying together in bed. He was on her back and she was resting her head on his chest. He had his arm around her and was hugging her tightly. In the darkness was the silhouette of Tomomi's MusicMan Stingray and Fender Precision Bass. Tomomi was looking at them from the corner of her eye.

"You miss it don't you?" asked Keisuke, watching her look at her guitars.

She looked up at him and sighed.

"Sometimes," she said. "I miss the feeling. It made me feel alive."

She sighed and lay back down.

"You could try," he said. "Even only for one night."

She sighed once more.

"I'm not sure if I could," she said. "I'm too old now."

"You're 34," he said. "You're not that old. You're still young."

She kissed him in gratitude.

"Maybe," she said. "But even so. I should be thinking about other things, more important things."

"Such as?" he asked her. He already knew the answer, but he wanted her to say it.

Tomomi pulled herself up. She then climbed onto him and sat on his waist.

"Such as marriage," she replied. "And also..."

She kissed him deeply.

"I'm wanting to hear the sounds of little Keisuke's running around," she said.

"I'd prefer little Tomomi's," he said. "But we'll see."

She kissed him deeply.

"Practise makes perfect," she said seductively.

"I like to practise with you," he said.

She kissed him once more.