Chapter Eight

"...when did you start becoming friends with lawyers?" asked Mami as she sat at Rina's dining table. Rina's daughter, Yuki, sat next to her and was listening intently to the conversation.

"Since I knew someone who needed to get their daughter back from their evil ex-husband."

Mami flushed in embarrassment.

"Don't be so proud," said Rina. "You needed help and we gave it to you."

Mami was silent for a moment.

"And plus, I feel like I owe you," she continued. "After the way I treated you."

"Thank you," said Mami quietly.

"If I heard what I thought it was then you're welcome," said Rina her head bent over a bowl of steaming udon noodles.

They were silent for a moment.

"Why does Auntie Mami need a lawyer?" asked Yuki.

"Because she has a little problem that needs fixing," replied Rina now putting the noodles into seperate bowls.

"When can I see Haruka again?" she asked. "I miss playing with her."

Mami smiled at her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Soon, Yuki," replied. "Very soon."

Rina placed a bowl of Udon in front of her and Yuki. They waited for Rina and Ota to join them before they began eating.

"How was he?" asked Ota. "I hope he was helpful."

Mami nodded as she tucked into her noodles.

"Yes," she said. "He seems to think I have a good case."

"You've done nothing wrong Mami," said Rina. "You'll get Haruka back soon."

Mami gave a small grin of gratitude and returned to eating her noodles.

"I guess it was painful to talk about it to a complete stranger?" said Ota sympathetically.

"Quite," said Mami. "But it's a chance, and that's all I need. A chance."

They ate quietly for another few moments.

"What happens now?" asked Mami, resuming the conversation.

"The lawyer will file your notes and then he will approach your ex with your demand for custody, obviously he's going to refuse and you will have to go to court."

Mami sighed in disbelief and fear.

"Don't worry Mami," said Rina sootingly. "We're behind you every step of the way."

Haruna stood in the recording studio, dressed in her signature high-heeled boots and denim skirt. She was engaged in conversation with the Sony executives. Their topic of discussion was the band she was managing. She bowed her head as they discussed her performance with her. She nodded and bowed once more as they turned away. Haruna stood on the spot for a moment before she turned towards her studio. The door opened and she entered in a morose sort of way. She flopped down into her chair and stared at the carpeted floor. The door burst open and her band entered along with her assistant. They all seemed in high spirits.

"Hey Haruna!" called the lead singer. Haruna looked up and grinned at him as the band walked past her into their soundproof studio. Her assistant took a seat next to her.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

Haruna looked at him and looked away quickly.

"I overheard the executives talking in the lobby," he revealed. "Is it true they will fire you if the album isn't a success?"

Haruna nodded slowly.

"I see," he said. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's no problem," said Haruna. "Just hope these guys can be a success."

She signalled the 'ok' through the glass. The band struck up a slow, mournful ballad. The bass had the same notes as 'Namida no regret'. Haruna listened intently to their song. She moved a few equalizer sliders up and a few of them downwards. The lead singer went into a powerful guitar solo which brought a tear to Haruna's eye. This band had passion, she could feel that. Such passion was hard to find in modern music.

The song finished as Haruna and her assistant applauded in celebration. The band smiled and laid down their instruments. They exited the studio and approached their manager.

"Well done boys!" she said with a tone of success in her voice. "I think you got it."

They shared a high five and the band took off for a break. As they were leaving, a runner entered the room and dropped a sealed envelope on Haruna's chair. He left with the band and the assistant just as Haruna spotted it. She scooped it up.

It had the NHK logo on the front. She flipped it over and ripped it open. Her daerk eyes scanned the contents carefully. Her facial expression changed from confusion to surprise as her eyes dived down the letter. She lowered it and her eyes fell upon the soundproof studio in front of her. All the instruments were laying abandoned by their owners.

A spontaneous idea hit her. She placed the letter on her chair and her legs dragged her irresistably towards the studio. She closed the door and picked up the lead singers ESP. She ran her hand along the woodwork. She felt all the imperfections, the grooves and the smoothness of the varnish. She slid it over her back and held it in place. She grabbed a pick and held it against the strings. The guitar felt heavier then her Fender, but it had been a while since she had picked that up as well.

She placed her left hand against the strings and began to play. The second she began her first note a feeling of intense euphoria filled her every fibre. Something that she had enjoyed so much but for such a long time she had denied herself to enjoy this simple, yet complex pleasure. Without realizing it she was playing 'Haruka' and had even started singing. They band and assistant had returned from their break and paused at the door watching Haruna commandeering on of their guitars.

After several minutes, the band silently entered the studio and after they had picked up their instruments began jamming with her. Unaware of her new temporary band mates she entered into a guitar solo, closing her eyes as she played to feel the notes she was playing. The band continued jamming with her, not missing a single beat. She opened her eyes and stopped abruptly as she saw all the band around her. The band stopped suddenly and each shared an expression of embarrassment and surprise.

"Sorry," she muttered apologetically. "Got carried away."

"No problem," replied the bass player. "It was an honour to play with you."

Haruna handed back the ESP and smiled in gratitude for his comment. She turned to leave. Something came to her and she turned around.

"I was playing Haruka," said Haruna. "And you were all following me without a single mistake."

"We know all of your songs," said the bass player. "We used to cover your songs before we got famous. But it wasn't the same without a female singer like you."

"But your singer is male," observed Haruna.

"Yes," replied the drummer. "But he was no match for you so we hired a male instead. Singing SCANDAL doesn't sound the same with a male singer."

The lead singer sang a sample of Shunkan Sentimental. Haruna wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Yeah," she said. "I get it."

He stopped singing.

"Why did you quit?" asked the guitarist. "You girls were an inspiration."

Haruna sighed.

"It's a long story," she said. "Now, let's get back to that album."

Tomomi was bent over a bath tub. She was performing her weekly clean of Mrs. Kanagawa's apartment. Not that it was dirty but she liked to keep it clean. She threw her sponge into a bowl of water and detergent. She picked up an old rag and carefully dried the bath tub. As she was finishing up there was a naucious feeling in her stomach. She tried to ignore it but the sensation grew stronger and stronger.

She raised herself to full height. Without warning there was a lurch in her stomach. Tomomi dashed to the toilet, she raised the seat just in time. In an instant, she was violently sick directly into the pan. She stopped and vomited once more. She breathed heavily a few times before concluding she was finished. She flushed the toilet and stood up. Tomomi ran the taps in the sink and threw water over her pretty face.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror to find Mrs. Kanagawa glancing at her from the door.

"Tomomi?" she asked. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Mrs. Kanagawa," replied Tomomi. "You're back."

"You were throwing your guts up," said Mrs. Kanagawa.

"I'm fine," said Tomomi. "It's probably just a reaction to the cleaning products."

The elderly lady looked at her.

"I'll be fine," dismissed Tomomi. "Don't worry."

Mrs. Kanagawa looked at her suspiciously.

"Do you still need your washing done?" asked Tomomi changing the subject.

Mrs Kanagawa nodded.

"Alright," insisted Tomomi. "You go have a rest and I'll take these to be washed."

She went over to the wicker laundry basket, picked it up and carried it to the door. She sidled into the corridor and towards the laundry room. As she walked her mind buzzed something had occurred to her. Was she pregnant? Her and Keisuke had been at it like rabbits, he'd shot at least two loads inside her every night this week.

She wondered when her menstral cycle would start again. She stuffed the items into an avaliable machine. It began it's cycle as she pulled out her iPhone. She opened the calender, it was four days until her next mestral cycle. She would have to wait until Saturday to see if her suspicions were correct. She watched the washing machine and tried to put the matter out of her head.

The door of the Lawsons chimed as she entered. Haruna grabbed a basket and prowled up the aisles. She was hungry, but had no idea what she wanted to eat. Her feet lead her down the instant noodles section. She bent down to look at the products on the bottom shelf. She grabbed a few packets and threw them into her basket.

She stood up suddenly and collided with a young woman who was passing. Haruna wacked her head on the bottom spilling its contents everywhere.

"What the...?" asked Haruna.

"I'm so sorry," gasped the young woman.

Haruna bent down to help the woman pick up her items. A curtain of long hair was covering her face. The young woman moved her hair out of the way. Haruna stared at her in astonishment, it looked like...

"Tomomi?" asked Haruna incrediously.

Tomomi looked surprised, that voice sounds familiar.

"Haru!?" replied Tomomi with a sprinkle of surprise. "Long time no see."

"Quite," said Haruna stiffly. She hadn't forgotten their history between them.

Tomomi began piling her items into her basket. A magazine, several candy bars and a pregnancy testing kit. Haruna bend down to help her, rather reluctantly. They both grabbed the tester at the same moment. Haruna's eyes fell upon it, she frowned. She picked it up slowly.

"It's for my colleague," said Tomomi hurridly. "She's embarrassed."

Her fictional colleague might be embarrassed but Tomomi's face was burning up so much she was starting to radiate heat.

Tomomi snatched it from her and tossed it into her basket.

"See you at practice," she said quickly. She covered her mouth in shock at what she had just said. She leapt up and dashed towards the counter. Haruna stood up slowly and watched her. She watched her pay and hurry away.

Haruna paid for her goods and left the store. Out in the car park she passed a red Nissan Cube en route to her NSX. She glanced into the vehicle to see Tomomi sat in the driving seat. Her hands were on the steering wheel and it looked like she was bracing herself for something. Tomomi looked up and saw Haruna staring at her through the window.

Without warning she started the engine, rammed the gear stick into 1st and sped off. However, as she wasn't paying attention she gave it too much gas and ploughed straight into the back of Haruna's Honda NSX. She jammed the brakes and screamed in shock.

"Oh no!" cried Haruna. She dashed over to her car just as Tomomi was exiting her vehicle very slowly.