I'm gonna add a little bitta twista da lemin (my spelling's [intentionally] off) by adding Sayo here. At this point, the band is forming, and suddenly, Usagi comes around. Ho boy…
Enjoy! -UH Local Boy
************
The Platform Surfers
Chapter 4
Audition
"Ran, Mami, you're saying that both of you, me, and Miyu are gonna form a band?" Aya was feeling a bit skeptical on this. "But, where are the other instruments? I want to play bass, but…"
"Here you go, Aya," Mami replied, handing the girl with the long shaggy hair what she requested. "Oh, and to your right, Miyu, is a couple of old keyboards. Hand-me-downs, if you will."
"Cool." Apparently she had a couple of piano lessons when she was 6, before the word "gang" entered her mind. "It's been a while, though."
"Don't worry, we have our trust, man," Ran said, plucking a few notes on her Kotocaster.
"What should we play," Aya said. "I think we need to find some sheet notes…you know…that thing."
"WHAT THING!!?" the others yelled.
"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know!!!" Aya yelled, waving her arms like a chicken. "I can't play music without some notes to look at!"
"Relax, Aya," Rei said with a chuckle. "Just try to jam a few chords or something."
"Yeah, Aya, entertain us for once," Yuuya added.
"Hmmm…"
Everyone was silent for about 10-15 minutes when…Usagi's van honked, making them jump.
"Geh, don't scare me like that, you baka driver!" Ran yelled, waving her right arm. "Anyway, who are you?"
"Tsukino Usagi-san," came the cheery response. Upon hearing that name, Ran jumped back three feet. That name sounded pretty familiar. Tsukino Usagi!!? That that means she's that girl her fans call her as…
"You're…S…S…S…Sai…"
"DON'T SAY IT!!!" Aya covered Ran's mouth, as she started to go crazy. Usagi had a confused look. Everyone stared at Ran, who basically had a half-drunk, half-insane look on her face. Finally, after a minute, Ran calmed down.
"What's wrong with Ran-chan?" asked Yuuya to Mami.
"That Kotobuki girl still has her sanity swept away," came the reply with a snarl.
"Anyway," Usagi said, "I'm here to provide you guys with a deal to become stars and build your own future, after what I saw in your, um, exotic garage…"
"It's not exotic, it's elaborate, Tsukino-san, and it cost me 10 million yen to construct it!" Mami yelled, waving her arms.
"You mean your parents constructed it, Mamirin," said Ran.
"Don't say things like that, Kotobuki!" she yelled back, still waving her arms. "Wait a minute…"
"WE'RE GONNA BE STARS!!?" asked all the girls, stars in their wide eyes. Usagi grinned.
"Come," she replied. "Bring your instruments, and put them in my van. I'll take you to my studio."
"Sure!" said the girls in unison.
"WAIT! MATTE! CAN SAYO COME TOO???" said a voice.
"YEAH! AND MASATO AND NAOKI?" said two others.
Ran looked behind her back, and it was…"Sayo? Masato? Naoki? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU KIDS DOING HERE!!!!!? And you, Sayo! I thought you were supposed to stay at home, where you are safe!" Ran was very livid.
"No, no, no! Sayo wants to join you guys and sing, sing, siiiiiiiiing!" She was also waving her arms and crying like a lost child.
"See what you've done, Kotobuki?" said Mami. "You hurt your little sister's feelings. (Even though she's acting weird, too…damn these Kotobukis…)"
"We also want to join you guys too!" said Naoki.
"We can play!" said Masato, with his game face on.
"Hey, Ran, let the little tykes in, will ya?" Miyu, grinning from ear to ear, was pulling Ran's leg. (author: No, literally! Really!)
"They would make good singers," pondered Aya.
"I could use a little money. I can play too," said Rei to himself.
"What was that, Otohata-kun?"
"Um, nothing…" he said, a sweat drop coming down his usually dry forehead.
"It would be great to also help out too," Yuuya wondered. "Hey, if you let your little sister in, Ran-chan, can I join too?"
"Number two…" Ran still hadn't lost her touch.
"Let's all join!" said Miyu.
"Hey, Ran-pyon, don't forget me!" It was…
"Tatsukichi!" said Ran, hugging him. "Are you gonna help out too?"
"Anything to please Your Majesty, Ran-pyon!"
"Hey, minna," Ran said. "As co-leader of this group, along with Mamirin, all of you are now members of my group. Not everyone can fit in Tsukino-san's car, but since Tatsukichi also has a car, he can carpool, right, Tatuskichi?"
"Um…uki?"
"I'll take that as a yes. All right, we're going to her studios to get this going. Everyone with me?"
"YES!" replied everyone else, raising their hands.
"Okay, let's go! Oh, and Sayo?"
"Hm?"
"Act your age, Sayo."
"Okay, I will! Tachuuuuuu!"
*********************************
Serenity Studios was a tall, 5 story building located in the Azabu-Juban district, located just 3 minutes away from Usagi's house. It consisted of 15 recording rooms, each of the same size, a visitors center, a room where many collectibles by aidoru singers were kept for viewing, and the offices of Usagi, and her husband of 6 months, Chiba Mamoru. Both of them were given control of the studio from the late father of their close friend Furuhata Motoki. Motoki and his little sister Unazuki obviously were very busy with controlling the Crown Game Center, and had no time to foresee operations of Serenity Studios, so it was given to Usagi and Mamoru instead.
At this point, the two of them had just begun setting up the studios. Motoki's father began Serenity Studios just less than a year ago, but his failing health prevented him from signing the first artists. This group that Usagi and Mamoru encountered was their first try at making something happen, as they failed many times, and if they did not find a suitable artist, Serenity Studios would either need a new owner, or fold.
It was 2 in the afternoon, when the group entered Serenity Studios Recording Studio 1.
"So, Kotobuki-san," asked Usagi to Ran, "what instrument do you play?"
"This," she said, showing her Kotocaster.
"Oh. Is it a shamisen?"
"No, it's actually my mom's Kotocaster."
"Kotocaster? What's a Kotocaster?"
"It is an instrument that looks like a shamisen, but the neck is slightly wider, has twice as much strings, and you can either pluck it with the bachi that goes with it," she explained, showing her bachi lying in her Kotocaster's case, "or with the hand. My bachi is smaller than a shamisen's bachi, in which it allows more precise plucking and strumming. Bascially, a shamisen with the acoustics and feel of an electric guitar. With a whammy bar, too. I could car less about the bachi, so I just use my hand to pluck and strum it. Also, when I press this reddish pink button," she said, pointing to it, "it becomes a small koto. But I rarely use it as a koto, so…"
"Who made it?"
"Fender. They tried to make it for use in Japan, but they only made one copy, a proto one. I have it. It's in my hands." Tears of drunken happiness flowed down her googly eyes.
"I…see. Well, let's get started. Do any other of your friends know how to play. Well, I know Honda-san plays the drums."
"I can play bass," said Aya.
"Rhythm guitar, and synthesizer," said Miyu.
"We can also play guiitar, and other percussion," said Rei and Yuuya.
"Backing vocals," said Sayo, Naoki, and Masato.
"Excellent," said Usagi. "Yamazaki-san, Hoshino-san, everyone else, your instruments are located next to me. Please feel free to practice for about 30 minutes. We will be recording a demo tape of two songs, which me and my husband, Chiba Mamoru-san, will review to see if you are any good. The songs is your choice, but it must not exceed 10 minutes. I'll see you guys later in 30." She then left to another, closed area of the studio, which was her office. All was quiet for a few minutes.
"Okay, what do we do now?" asked Aya.
"Well," said Mami, "I found this pretty cool song by dicot called Aitsu. I have sheet music for this, I think it sound familiar to you."
"Oh, I know that song, Mamirin!" exclaimed Ran. "My mom always sings that every time she does the dishes after work!"
"Don't forget…Sayo sings that one too, tachuu!" exclaimed the girl with the two thick pink meshes.
"Sayo…"
"I think I know this song too," said Aya. She hummed the melody, and suddenly, it clicked.
"Me too, I think this song is in my neck of the woods," pondered Miyu as Mami set up the drums and Ran plucked a few notes from the song. "But I can't play it on synthesizer or guitar well…hmmm…"
"Well, I can," said Yuuya.
"Since when do you listen to a band like dicot, Yuuya?" said Rei with a straight face.
"This is a dicot song?" squealed Ran.
"I'll show you how the melody goes. I think it's like this." Rei took a studio guitar, and played the "Trailblazer" melody and the chords with it. Mami kept rhythm. Suddenly Ran caught the flow and joined in too. Aya improvised on bass, smiling. Yuuya played the melody for the synthesizer.
"YEAH!" shouted Mami. "I think we know how to get this A-side on the road!"
"You think so, Mamirin?" asked Ran quizzically.
"You better you bet, Kotobuki."
"Well, I think we're ready. Tsukino-san, are you there?"
"I just heard your jam," said Usagi. "Dicot? Aitsu"
"Uh-huh," said the rest.
"All right, I guess we're set! We're ready…one, two…"
*******************
The band opened up with Rei drilling an riff that sounded like a balalaika strumming, and then Ran took it higher, and Ran, Miyu, Aya, and Sayo sang, with Mami, Yuuya and Naoki backing up…(here is the translation in English, courtesy of Tetris No Miko, sankyu…)
(Ran, Miyu, Aya, Sayo)
Lately, whenever I've tried to do something, that guy's face pops up out of nowhere.
He's got me on my guard around the clock.
Okay! Now I can finally begin my work. But that guy shows up and interrupts me.
I'm a hard, hard, hard, hard-working woman.
But he's got my whole world turned upside-down.
No matter what I try to do, I always end up thinking of her.
I'm crazy about that guy.
The way things are now, I can't operate unless he's by my side.
That guy has taken over….
My mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind!
(Ran)
I think I'll try to get my mind off him for a bit.
(Miyu)
So I go to the beach.
(Aya)
I made a firm decision
(Sayo)
to make some time for myself today.
(Ran, Sayo)
But the force of the waves knocks me down.
And then I get a vision of that guy in my mind.
(Miyu, Aya)
To my shock, I realize I want him there at the beach with me.
I knew I couldn't stop thinking of him. He's all OK!
(Ran, Miyu, Aya, Sayo)
Bloom! Bloom! Burst forth with blooms, you lovely guy.
Your blooms will never wilt.
With meaningless and boundless dance steps,
That guy tuns around in circles.
(Miyu)
Keep coming, baby!
(Ran, Miyu, Aya, Sayo)
No matter what I try to do, I always end up thinking of him.
I'm crazy about that guy.
The way things are now, I can't operate unless he's by my side.
That guy has taken over….
My mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind!
***********
"Wonderful!" said Usagi, after the demo tape was finished. "Do you want to put in a B-side song, too?"
"Should we?" asked Ran to the rest.
"Yeah!" was the response.
"Okay, we'll give you six minutes to play your tune," said Usagi. "I'll be up in the booth, tell me when you're ready to play the B-side."
"Okay, Tsukino-san," said Miyu. Usagi went upstairs.
"Well, what should our song be?" asked Aya.
"I was thinking, maybe we can put in a kid's song, cause I love kids," said Yuuya.
"Not the thing," said Ran, punching him.
"Itai!" whined Yuuya.
"I got this riff from the Ziggens, and it goes a bit like this," said Rei. He played the a little bit of the melody (think Ziggens' Surf Guitar).
"Sugoi!" yelled Sayo. "Can I add some saxophone to it, too?"
"Can you play it?" asked Miyu.
"Tachuu!"
After a few more minutes of rehearsal, Ran said, "We're ready!"
"Okay," said Usagi, "we're rolling, three, two…"
At that moment, the band played an original, yet dancy rendition of the Ziggens' Surf Guitar. When the song finished, Usagi was still, mouth open, drooling, seemingly drunk.
"Tsukino-san…what…" Ran looked up at the booth where Usagi was in. A few seconds later she snapped out of it.
"E-e-e-e-excellent job, everyone! You folks will sign the record deal tomorrow first thing in the morning. I forgot to ask you, though, what is the name of your band?"
The group huddled together, then shouted in unison to Usagi, "The Platform Surfers!"
"Platform Surfers? Nice name. Very eclectic. I will see you folks here in a month to begin first recording for your next album. Congratulations!"
A cheer went up from the group, and all went home.
*****************
"So, how was your day, Ran?" asked Taizou, drinking coffee. Kiyoka was busy cooking. Sayo was asleep, while Yamato was busy checking his e-mail. (author: busy lives indeed…) It was 9:24 P.M.
"Oh, not much, Dad," came the response. "Managed to since with Endymion Records up in Azabu."
"Looks like that Kotocaster of yours is put to good use. I'm impressed." A pause, then, "Well, you know that if this music career of yours isn't working out, you may have to work with your older brother on the world…" He was waving a finger, snickering. Ran had a blank expression.
"Like I would want to try that…" Old habits never die, to an extent. Suddenly, her cell phone rang. "Hold on, Dad, I'm going to my room." She rushed upstairs, and turned it on. "Moshi-moshi?"
"Ran? It's me. Remember me?"
"R-Rie? How…are you? How's Toudai?"
"Okay. Listen, Ran, I have some bad news to tell you."
"Bad news? What bad news?"
"It's about Satsuki."
"Sa…tsuki? What happened to her?"
"Well, she basically failed the entrance exam at Waseda, got kicked out of school due to that, and lack of funds and can't find…you know…a job or another place to learn in. She's thinking about doing…enjo kosai."
The news struck Ran like a lightning bolt. This was basically out of proportion. Tears began to fall down Ran's eyes.
"N-NO! What the hell is she thinking? Satsuki would never do stuff like that, would she? Rie, I had to deal with a similar problem with Aya, now Satsuki? What in the name of…" She put her hand in her hair, stressed from this happening. Satsuki…a prostitute. A classmate and best friend, even before Miyu arrived…and now a prostitute? This was so hard to bear.
"She does have…one other option…"
"What's that?"
"She wants to return to Shibuya, and live with your family."
"But…my mom, dad, aniki, and Sayo can't bear to see a stranger living in my house. Rie, why did you…"
"Look, Ran," Rie said with a firmer, serious tone, "You changed many lives, now can't you save another one's life, before she loses it through penetration by pedophiles, and abortion, and then…her own doom. I mean think about it, Ran. She's your best friend. She was your best friend before Miyu arrived You've got to help her through this!"
Ran began to sob, but through her choked voice, she said, "Rie…I'll try to do my best to help Satsuki. I won't lose her."
"Thank you, Ran."
"Rie, does she know the directions to my house? I'll ask my parents and aniki if they will let her in."
"Yes. I'll tell her that you offered assistance."
"Don't mention it, Rie, we're still friends right?"
"Tachuu!"
"Hey, that's my sister's line!"
Rie let out a giggle. "See ya Ran."
"Bye."
Ran put down the phone, and slowly thought, thought again, before drifting out to visit the sandman for tea.
*******************
END CHAPTER 4
OMG! Satsuki is a broken person! Very uncharacteristic of her! This could make things twisty…Chapter 5 coming next. Now that the Platform Surfers has been born, how will Ran handle having to take care of Satsuki…and maintaining order to the band? Find out soon!
Enjoy! -UH Local Boy
************
The Platform Surfers
Chapter 4
Audition
"Ran, Mami, you're saying that both of you, me, and Miyu are gonna form a band?" Aya was feeling a bit skeptical on this. "But, where are the other instruments? I want to play bass, but…"
"Here you go, Aya," Mami replied, handing the girl with the long shaggy hair what she requested. "Oh, and to your right, Miyu, is a couple of old keyboards. Hand-me-downs, if you will."
"Cool." Apparently she had a couple of piano lessons when she was 6, before the word "gang" entered her mind. "It's been a while, though."
"Don't worry, we have our trust, man," Ran said, plucking a few notes on her Kotocaster.
"What should we play," Aya said. "I think we need to find some sheet notes…you know…that thing."
"WHAT THING!!?" the others yelled.
"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know!!!" Aya yelled, waving her arms like a chicken. "I can't play music without some notes to look at!"
"Relax, Aya," Rei said with a chuckle. "Just try to jam a few chords or something."
"Yeah, Aya, entertain us for once," Yuuya added.
"Hmmm…"
Everyone was silent for about 10-15 minutes when…Usagi's van honked, making them jump.
"Geh, don't scare me like that, you baka driver!" Ran yelled, waving her right arm. "Anyway, who are you?"
"Tsukino Usagi-san," came the cheery response. Upon hearing that name, Ran jumped back three feet. That name sounded pretty familiar. Tsukino Usagi!!? That that means she's that girl her fans call her as…
"You're…S…S…S…Sai…"
"DON'T SAY IT!!!" Aya covered Ran's mouth, as she started to go crazy. Usagi had a confused look. Everyone stared at Ran, who basically had a half-drunk, half-insane look on her face. Finally, after a minute, Ran calmed down.
"What's wrong with Ran-chan?" asked Yuuya to Mami.
"That Kotobuki girl still has her sanity swept away," came the reply with a snarl.
"Anyway," Usagi said, "I'm here to provide you guys with a deal to become stars and build your own future, after what I saw in your, um, exotic garage…"
"It's not exotic, it's elaborate, Tsukino-san, and it cost me 10 million yen to construct it!" Mami yelled, waving her arms.
"You mean your parents constructed it, Mamirin," said Ran.
"Don't say things like that, Kotobuki!" she yelled back, still waving her arms. "Wait a minute…"
"WE'RE GONNA BE STARS!!?" asked all the girls, stars in their wide eyes. Usagi grinned.
"Come," she replied. "Bring your instruments, and put them in my van. I'll take you to my studio."
"Sure!" said the girls in unison.
"WAIT! MATTE! CAN SAYO COME TOO???" said a voice.
"YEAH! AND MASATO AND NAOKI?" said two others.
Ran looked behind her back, and it was…"Sayo? Masato? Naoki? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU KIDS DOING HERE!!!!!? And you, Sayo! I thought you were supposed to stay at home, where you are safe!" Ran was very livid.
"No, no, no! Sayo wants to join you guys and sing, sing, siiiiiiiiing!" She was also waving her arms and crying like a lost child.
"See what you've done, Kotobuki?" said Mami. "You hurt your little sister's feelings. (Even though she's acting weird, too…damn these Kotobukis…)"
"We also want to join you guys too!" said Naoki.
"We can play!" said Masato, with his game face on.
"Hey, Ran, let the little tykes in, will ya?" Miyu, grinning from ear to ear, was pulling Ran's leg. (author: No, literally! Really!)
"They would make good singers," pondered Aya.
"I could use a little money. I can play too," said Rei to himself.
"What was that, Otohata-kun?"
"Um, nothing…" he said, a sweat drop coming down his usually dry forehead.
"It would be great to also help out too," Yuuya wondered. "Hey, if you let your little sister in, Ran-chan, can I join too?"
"Number two…" Ran still hadn't lost her touch.
"Let's all join!" said Miyu.
"Hey, Ran-pyon, don't forget me!" It was…
"Tatsukichi!" said Ran, hugging him. "Are you gonna help out too?"
"Anything to please Your Majesty, Ran-pyon!"
"Hey, minna," Ran said. "As co-leader of this group, along with Mamirin, all of you are now members of my group. Not everyone can fit in Tsukino-san's car, but since Tatsukichi also has a car, he can carpool, right, Tatuskichi?"
"Um…uki?"
"I'll take that as a yes. All right, we're going to her studios to get this going. Everyone with me?"
"YES!" replied everyone else, raising their hands.
"Okay, let's go! Oh, and Sayo?"
"Hm?"
"Act your age, Sayo."
"Okay, I will! Tachuuuuuu!"
*********************************
Serenity Studios was a tall, 5 story building located in the Azabu-Juban district, located just 3 minutes away from Usagi's house. It consisted of 15 recording rooms, each of the same size, a visitors center, a room where many collectibles by aidoru singers were kept for viewing, and the offices of Usagi, and her husband of 6 months, Chiba Mamoru. Both of them were given control of the studio from the late father of their close friend Furuhata Motoki. Motoki and his little sister Unazuki obviously were very busy with controlling the Crown Game Center, and had no time to foresee operations of Serenity Studios, so it was given to Usagi and Mamoru instead.
At this point, the two of them had just begun setting up the studios. Motoki's father began Serenity Studios just less than a year ago, but his failing health prevented him from signing the first artists. This group that Usagi and Mamoru encountered was their first try at making something happen, as they failed many times, and if they did not find a suitable artist, Serenity Studios would either need a new owner, or fold.
It was 2 in the afternoon, when the group entered Serenity Studios Recording Studio 1.
"So, Kotobuki-san," asked Usagi to Ran, "what instrument do you play?"
"This," she said, showing her Kotocaster.
"Oh. Is it a shamisen?"
"No, it's actually my mom's Kotocaster."
"Kotocaster? What's a Kotocaster?"
"It is an instrument that looks like a shamisen, but the neck is slightly wider, has twice as much strings, and you can either pluck it with the bachi that goes with it," she explained, showing her bachi lying in her Kotocaster's case, "or with the hand. My bachi is smaller than a shamisen's bachi, in which it allows more precise plucking and strumming. Bascially, a shamisen with the acoustics and feel of an electric guitar. With a whammy bar, too. I could car less about the bachi, so I just use my hand to pluck and strum it. Also, when I press this reddish pink button," she said, pointing to it, "it becomes a small koto. But I rarely use it as a koto, so…"
"Who made it?"
"Fender. They tried to make it for use in Japan, but they only made one copy, a proto one. I have it. It's in my hands." Tears of drunken happiness flowed down her googly eyes.
"I…see. Well, let's get started. Do any other of your friends know how to play. Well, I know Honda-san plays the drums."
"I can play bass," said Aya.
"Rhythm guitar, and synthesizer," said Miyu.
"We can also play guiitar, and other percussion," said Rei and Yuuya.
"Backing vocals," said Sayo, Naoki, and Masato.
"Excellent," said Usagi. "Yamazaki-san, Hoshino-san, everyone else, your instruments are located next to me. Please feel free to practice for about 30 minutes. We will be recording a demo tape of two songs, which me and my husband, Chiba Mamoru-san, will review to see if you are any good. The songs is your choice, but it must not exceed 10 minutes. I'll see you guys later in 30." She then left to another, closed area of the studio, which was her office. All was quiet for a few minutes.
"Okay, what do we do now?" asked Aya.
"Well," said Mami, "I found this pretty cool song by dicot called Aitsu. I have sheet music for this, I think it sound familiar to you."
"Oh, I know that song, Mamirin!" exclaimed Ran. "My mom always sings that every time she does the dishes after work!"
"Don't forget…Sayo sings that one too, tachuu!" exclaimed the girl with the two thick pink meshes.
"Sayo…"
"I think I know this song too," said Aya. She hummed the melody, and suddenly, it clicked.
"Me too, I think this song is in my neck of the woods," pondered Miyu as Mami set up the drums and Ran plucked a few notes from the song. "But I can't play it on synthesizer or guitar well…hmmm…"
"Well, I can," said Yuuya.
"Since when do you listen to a band like dicot, Yuuya?" said Rei with a straight face.
"This is a dicot song?" squealed Ran.
"I'll show you how the melody goes. I think it's like this." Rei took a studio guitar, and played the "Trailblazer" melody and the chords with it. Mami kept rhythm. Suddenly Ran caught the flow and joined in too. Aya improvised on bass, smiling. Yuuya played the melody for the synthesizer.
"YEAH!" shouted Mami. "I think we know how to get this A-side on the road!"
"You think so, Mamirin?" asked Ran quizzically.
"You better you bet, Kotobuki."
"Well, I think we're ready. Tsukino-san, are you there?"
"I just heard your jam," said Usagi. "Dicot? Aitsu"
"Uh-huh," said the rest.
"All right, I guess we're set! We're ready…one, two…"
*******************
The band opened up with Rei drilling an riff that sounded like a balalaika strumming, and then Ran took it higher, and Ran, Miyu, Aya, and Sayo sang, with Mami, Yuuya and Naoki backing up…(here is the translation in English, courtesy of Tetris No Miko, sankyu…)
(Ran, Miyu, Aya, Sayo)
Lately, whenever I've tried to do something, that guy's face pops up out of nowhere.
He's got me on my guard around the clock.
Okay! Now I can finally begin my work. But that guy shows up and interrupts me.
I'm a hard, hard, hard, hard-working woman.
But he's got my whole world turned upside-down.
No matter what I try to do, I always end up thinking of her.
I'm crazy about that guy.
The way things are now, I can't operate unless he's by my side.
That guy has taken over….
My mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind!
(Ran)
I think I'll try to get my mind off him for a bit.
(Miyu)
So I go to the beach.
(Aya)
I made a firm decision
(Sayo)
to make some time for myself today.
(Ran, Sayo)
But the force of the waves knocks me down.
And then I get a vision of that guy in my mind.
(Miyu, Aya)
To my shock, I realize I want him there at the beach with me.
I knew I couldn't stop thinking of him. He's all OK!
(Ran, Miyu, Aya, Sayo)
Bloom! Bloom! Burst forth with blooms, you lovely guy.
Your blooms will never wilt.
With meaningless and boundless dance steps,
That guy tuns around in circles.
(Miyu)
Keep coming, baby!
(Ran, Miyu, Aya, Sayo)
No matter what I try to do, I always end up thinking of him.
I'm crazy about that guy.
The way things are now, I can't operate unless he's by my side.
That guy has taken over….
My mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind, my mind!
***********
"Wonderful!" said Usagi, after the demo tape was finished. "Do you want to put in a B-side song, too?"
"Should we?" asked Ran to the rest.
"Yeah!" was the response.
"Okay, we'll give you six minutes to play your tune," said Usagi. "I'll be up in the booth, tell me when you're ready to play the B-side."
"Okay, Tsukino-san," said Miyu. Usagi went upstairs.
"Well, what should our song be?" asked Aya.
"I was thinking, maybe we can put in a kid's song, cause I love kids," said Yuuya.
"Not the thing," said Ran, punching him.
"Itai!" whined Yuuya.
"I got this riff from the Ziggens, and it goes a bit like this," said Rei. He played the a little bit of the melody (think Ziggens' Surf Guitar).
"Sugoi!" yelled Sayo. "Can I add some saxophone to it, too?"
"Can you play it?" asked Miyu.
"Tachuu!"
After a few more minutes of rehearsal, Ran said, "We're ready!"
"Okay," said Usagi, "we're rolling, three, two…"
At that moment, the band played an original, yet dancy rendition of the Ziggens' Surf Guitar. When the song finished, Usagi was still, mouth open, drooling, seemingly drunk.
"Tsukino-san…what…" Ran looked up at the booth where Usagi was in. A few seconds later she snapped out of it.
"E-e-e-e-excellent job, everyone! You folks will sign the record deal tomorrow first thing in the morning. I forgot to ask you, though, what is the name of your band?"
The group huddled together, then shouted in unison to Usagi, "The Platform Surfers!"
"Platform Surfers? Nice name. Very eclectic. I will see you folks here in a month to begin first recording for your next album. Congratulations!"
A cheer went up from the group, and all went home.
*****************
"So, how was your day, Ran?" asked Taizou, drinking coffee. Kiyoka was busy cooking. Sayo was asleep, while Yamato was busy checking his e-mail. (author: busy lives indeed…) It was 9:24 P.M.
"Oh, not much, Dad," came the response. "Managed to since with Endymion Records up in Azabu."
"Looks like that Kotocaster of yours is put to good use. I'm impressed." A pause, then, "Well, you know that if this music career of yours isn't working out, you may have to work with your older brother on the world…" He was waving a finger, snickering. Ran had a blank expression.
"Like I would want to try that…" Old habits never die, to an extent. Suddenly, her cell phone rang. "Hold on, Dad, I'm going to my room." She rushed upstairs, and turned it on. "Moshi-moshi?"
"Ran? It's me. Remember me?"
"R-Rie? How…are you? How's Toudai?"
"Okay. Listen, Ran, I have some bad news to tell you."
"Bad news? What bad news?"
"It's about Satsuki."
"Sa…tsuki? What happened to her?"
"Well, she basically failed the entrance exam at Waseda, got kicked out of school due to that, and lack of funds and can't find…you know…a job or another place to learn in. She's thinking about doing…enjo kosai."
The news struck Ran like a lightning bolt. This was basically out of proportion. Tears began to fall down Ran's eyes.
"N-NO! What the hell is she thinking? Satsuki would never do stuff like that, would she? Rie, I had to deal with a similar problem with Aya, now Satsuki? What in the name of…" She put her hand in her hair, stressed from this happening. Satsuki…a prostitute. A classmate and best friend, even before Miyu arrived…and now a prostitute? This was so hard to bear.
"She does have…one other option…"
"What's that?"
"She wants to return to Shibuya, and live with your family."
"But…my mom, dad, aniki, and Sayo can't bear to see a stranger living in my house. Rie, why did you…"
"Look, Ran," Rie said with a firmer, serious tone, "You changed many lives, now can't you save another one's life, before she loses it through penetration by pedophiles, and abortion, and then…her own doom. I mean think about it, Ran. She's your best friend. She was your best friend before Miyu arrived You've got to help her through this!"
Ran began to sob, but through her choked voice, she said, "Rie…I'll try to do my best to help Satsuki. I won't lose her."
"Thank you, Ran."
"Rie, does she know the directions to my house? I'll ask my parents and aniki if they will let her in."
"Yes. I'll tell her that you offered assistance."
"Don't mention it, Rie, we're still friends right?"
"Tachuu!"
"Hey, that's my sister's line!"
Rie let out a giggle. "See ya Ran."
"Bye."
Ran put down the phone, and slowly thought, thought again, before drifting out to visit the sandman for tea.
*******************
END CHAPTER 4
OMG! Satsuki is a broken person! Very uncharacteristic of her! This could make things twisty…Chapter 5 coming next. Now that the Platform Surfers has been born, how will Ran handle having to take care of Satsuki…and maintaining order to the band? Find out soon!