Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango.
Chapter 5: F4 and New Beginnings
"She's what?!!!" Tsukasa, Akira and Soujiro exclaimed in chorus, causing some people in the club to glance towards their table. Rui had just told them the news about Shizuka.
"She's leaving for the States in two weeks," Rui said blandly. Obviously his three friends weren't taking the news well, not that he expected they would.
"She can't do that! What about the band?" Tsukasa bellowed, emphasizing his displeasure by slamming a fist on the table.
"She believes we'd do well on our own."
"That's crazy! Most of the songs we do need a female voice. Heck, everything Tsukasa composed was written so it'd be sung together by a male and a female." Soujiro remarked. Tsukasa nodded in agreement.
"So we'll find someone to replace her. Look, she's already made up her mind about this, and you know how stubborn she can get once she's made a decision. Hell, don't you think I tried to change her mind about all this?" Rui could feel his frustration welling up again.
"I can't believe she's doing this to us," Akira shook his head in disappointment.
"So how are we going to find another singer?" Soujiro asked, now resigned to the fact that they needed to find a replacement for Shizuka.
"We put an ad in the paper and hold auditions. That's the fastest way I guess. We can't just wait around until we come across someone suitable," Rui was all business now. More than anything he wanted to prove to Shizuka that the band was going to be okay without her. That he was going to be okay. "I'll go to the newspaper office tomorrow and place an ad."
"Fine. Are we gonna change our name or anything?" Akira asked.
"We're already known as F4. And we will still be F4, with or without Shizuka." Tsukasa declared.
"To F4 then," Soujiro said as he raised his glass in a toast. The other three followed suit and they all clinked their glasses together. "And to new beginnings!"
==============
The following Thursday, Tsukushi was tending the bar when Kazuya approached her in a panic.
"Yuki's down with the flu and can't sing tonight!"
"And you're telling me this because. . .?" she countered, unconcerned. She already knew about Yuki being sick since her friend called her up earlier.
"Tsukushi," Kazuya spoke as he went around the end of the bar to join her on the other side. "We need someone to take her place. You're the only one who can help us. Please Tsukushi, you've joined us for a few songs before. I know you can sing well. Please sing tonight."
Tsukushi looked at him incredulously. "Kazuya, that one night I sang with you guys there were only a handful of customers here in the club. It was a really slow night and we were all bored. Tonight we've got a full house. You're talking about a real live audience here! Besides, I'm on duty right now. Who's gonna tend the bar if I go up there?" she asked Kazuya pointedly.
"I will. Hideo has agreed to play on keyboards tonight. He and I alternate every other week anyway. Tsukushi, I am begging you. Please. You're the only one who can help us and you know it."
Tsukushi narrowed her eyes. "I don't know Kazuya. . ."
"I'll make it worth your while. I'll do double shifts this weekend so you needn't come to work."
"Friday and Saturday night?" Tsukushi bargained. The thought of having the weekend off was just too tempting for her.
Kazuya paused to consider. "Fine. Just sing tonight or the boss will have my hide." Jam nights was Kazuya's baby and he didn't want anything to go wrong, especially now that the feedback has been very good since they first started.
Tsukushi thought about it for a few minutes while she busied herself mixing a few drinks. Heck, it was only gonna be a few songs anyway. And she was gonna have two nights off. Already she was thinking of how she'd spend the precious time off. And so she made her decision.
"Okay, I'll do it," she told Kazuya when the skinny bartender approached her again for her answer.
"Yes! Thank you! You're on in five minutes, so you better get ready."
Tsukushi took that time to change out of her uniform and into her street clothes. She went up the slightly-raised dais where the band was set up and discussed the repertoire for the night with Kazuya and Hideo. It consisted mostly of light pop tunes that were currently popular, plus some standards which the audience usually requested.
Tsukushi was thankful that the glare of the lights directed on the small platform prevented her from seeing the distinct faces of the people seated before her. At her nod signalling she was ready, the band began playing the starting strains of their first song. Her voice was shaky at first, owing to her nervousness, but she slowly got into the groove of things when she reached the refrain. The warm applause that greeted the end of that first song did a lot to rid her of the jitters she had felt at the outset, and she started singing the next song on a firmer, surer note.
They were already halfway through their third song when Soujiro and Akira came in, making good on their promise to Kazuya to come that night and watch the amateur band play. Tsukasa wasn't with them because he was feeling unwell after rehearsals, while Rui, of course, was with Shizuka, spending as much time as possible with her before she had to leave.
The two goodlooking men were oblivious to the admiring glances thrown their way by the female half of the club's population while they went about looking for a table, although their trained musicians' ears were already assessing what they were hearing. The band was not bad, but they clearly lacked the polished sound of professionals. The voice of the woman singing onstage, though, was a different thing altogether. Her range was impressive, effortlessly hitting the high notes of the song, and the timbre was very pleasing to the ear. It had a golden clear quality about it. Her timing was a little off, but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little practice. Clearly this was a diamond in the rough, and the two playboys looked at each other excitedly, both thinking the same thing. They had found Shizuka's replacement.
As the band finished the song, the two men made their way close to the stage where fortunately a small table was just vacated. They took their seats and turned their attention to the band in front of them, which had just started the next song. Their jaws dropped when they finally recognized the girl singing in front of them. Who'd have known that their favorite bartender was hiding such talent within her!
They waited impatiently for the band to finish the set. At long last Tsukushi announced that they were singing their last song for that night. Amidst the loud applause that met the end of the song, Akira and Soujiro waved their arms maniacally, trying to catch Tsukushi's attention.
Tsukushi smiled warmly as she recognized her two favorite patrons. She stepped down and joined them at their table.
"Waaah, I'm so embarassed! I'm sorry you had to be subjected to my singing. I hope you haven't been here long," she said as she wiped the beads of sweat on her forehead.
"Are you kidding?!" Akira exclaimed, his eyes widening in admiration. "All these months of coming here and I didn't know we had a great singer in our midst!"
"You were great out there. Honestly," Soujiro remarked as he squeezed her arm.
Tsukushi blushed, unaccustomed to such praise. "Thanks," she grinned, feeling warm all over. "But I don't think I'll have the nerve to ever do that again. Man, I thought I wouldn't stop shaking! I was just doing Kazuya over there a favor," she said as she tilted her head towards the bar where Kazuya was busy attending to orders. "My friend Yuki, their regular singer, was out sick. Anyway, I've got to get back to work. Looks like Kazuya's being swamped right now. Good to see you guys again." She rose from her seat.
"Wait," Akira placed an hand on her arm and pulled her back to sit. "We have something we need to talk to you about."
"It's a business proposition," Soujiro interjected as she looked at them questioningly.
"What's up?"
Akira and Soujiro told her about the band's situation, and that they were currently holding auditions to find a new female vocalist. Tsukushi listened quietly as they expressed their frustration on not having found a suitable candidate yet, despite holding auditions everyday for the last five days.
"So, we'd like to invite you to audition tomorrow, or whenever it's convenient for you. If it were only up to the two of us, I'd hire you here and now. But we still have our two other bandmates, Rui and Tsukasa. It's Tsukasa whom you've got to really impress because he would have the final say. After all, it's him you'll be singing with."
Tsukushi shook her head vigorously. "I'm really sorry guys. Tonight was just a last minute thing. As I said, I was just doing Kazuya a favor. Before tonight, most of my singing was done in my bathroom. And that's just how I like it. I'm not a real singer. Sorry but I'm not the one you're looking for."
The two friends looked crestfallen. Then Akira spoke. "That's okay, Tsukushi. We don't want to force you. But hey, if you change your mind, just come over to my house anytime from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We're holding auditions daily at my basement where we also have our rehearsals." He fished for a pen and a slip of paper from his shirt pocket and scribbled down an address. "Here," he said as he handed it to her.
She took the paper reluctantly and said, "Thanks, although I doubt I'll take you up on this. Good luck anyway. I hope you find someone soon."
And with that she left them at the table to join Kazuya behind the bar.
**************************
A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas, and here's wishing we all have a great year ahead.
I hope you guys liked this chap, 'cause I really enjoyed writing it. Points for those who guessed that Tsukushi sings as well, and is a possible replacement for Shizuka. Egad, I write such predictable stories. LOL. I hope you'll be patient if updates are a bit slow. I don't know wtf I was thinking, posting this up before I had it all written down. Writing on the fly is much harder than I thought. I have to wait 'til an idea hits me before I can write up a new chap. Please bear with me and I hope you don't lose interest.
ToinKs: Hey girl, good to see you're back reviewing. Did you get my e- mail? Well, I still can't promise 'fireworks' for when Tsukasa and Tsukushi meet again. Actually, I can't promise anything for that matter, since I still haven't thought up how to write it. Any suggestions? I did enjoy the concert, thanks.
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Well, I will try to make everything work out for the best. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Sailor Angie: Well, at least Tsukasa made an appearance in this chap, even if it was only for a short time. But he will definitely have more exposure later on. How could he not? He's Tsukasa!
just a reader: Hi! It's always nice to hear from new readers (or not so new but first time reviewers) like you. I hope to hear more from you as the story unfolds.
Well, this'll be my last update for the year. Hopefully I'll be able to post a new chap shortly after New Year's Day. Please leave a comment if you have time!
Chapter 5: F4 and New Beginnings
"She's what?!!!" Tsukasa, Akira and Soujiro exclaimed in chorus, causing some people in the club to glance towards their table. Rui had just told them the news about Shizuka.
"She's leaving for the States in two weeks," Rui said blandly. Obviously his three friends weren't taking the news well, not that he expected they would.
"She can't do that! What about the band?" Tsukasa bellowed, emphasizing his displeasure by slamming a fist on the table.
"She believes we'd do well on our own."
"That's crazy! Most of the songs we do need a female voice. Heck, everything Tsukasa composed was written so it'd be sung together by a male and a female." Soujiro remarked. Tsukasa nodded in agreement.
"So we'll find someone to replace her. Look, she's already made up her mind about this, and you know how stubborn she can get once she's made a decision. Hell, don't you think I tried to change her mind about all this?" Rui could feel his frustration welling up again.
"I can't believe she's doing this to us," Akira shook his head in disappointment.
"So how are we going to find another singer?" Soujiro asked, now resigned to the fact that they needed to find a replacement for Shizuka.
"We put an ad in the paper and hold auditions. That's the fastest way I guess. We can't just wait around until we come across someone suitable," Rui was all business now. More than anything he wanted to prove to Shizuka that the band was going to be okay without her. That he was going to be okay. "I'll go to the newspaper office tomorrow and place an ad."
"Fine. Are we gonna change our name or anything?" Akira asked.
"We're already known as F4. And we will still be F4, with or without Shizuka." Tsukasa declared.
"To F4 then," Soujiro said as he raised his glass in a toast. The other three followed suit and they all clinked their glasses together. "And to new beginnings!"
==============
The following Thursday, Tsukushi was tending the bar when Kazuya approached her in a panic.
"Yuki's down with the flu and can't sing tonight!"
"And you're telling me this because. . .?" she countered, unconcerned. She already knew about Yuki being sick since her friend called her up earlier.
"Tsukushi," Kazuya spoke as he went around the end of the bar to join her on the other side. "We need someone to take her place. You're the only one who can help us. Please Tsukushi, you've joined us for a few songs before. I know you can sing well. Please sing tonight."
Tsukushi looked at him incredulously. "Kazuya, that one night I sang with you guys there were only a handful of customers here in the club. It was a really slow night and we were all bored. Tonight we've got a full house. You're talking about a real live audience here! Besides, I'm on duty right now. Who's gonna tend the bar if I go up there?" she asked Kazuya pointedly.
"I will. Hideo has agreed to play on keyboards tonight. He and I alternate every other week anyway. Tsukushi, I am begging you. Please. You're the only one who can help us and you know it."
Tsukushi narrowed her eyes. "I don't know Kazuya. . ."
"I'll make it worth your while. I'll do double shifts this weekend so you needn't come to work."
"Friday and Saturday night?" Tsukushi bargained. The thought of having the weekend off was just too tempting for her.
Kazuya paused to consider. "Fine. Just sing tonight or the boss will have my hide." Jam nights was Kazuya's baby and he didn't want anything to go wrong, especially now that the feedback has been very good since they first started.
Tsukushi thought about it for a few minutes while she busied herself mixing a few drinks. Heck, it was only gonna be a few songs anyway. And she was gonna have two nights off. Already she was thinking of how she'd spend the precious time off. And so she made her decision.
"Okay, I'll do it," she told Kazuya when the skinny bartender approached her again for her answer.
"Yes! Thank you! You're on in five minutes, so you better get ready."
Tsukushi took that time to change out of her uniform and into her street clothes. She went up the slightly-raised dais where the band was set up and discussed the repertoire for the night with Kazuya and Hideo. It consisted mostly of light pop tunes that were currently popular, plus some standards which the audience usually requested.
Tsukushi was thankful that the glare of the lights directed on the small platform prevented her from seeing the distinct faces of the people seated before her. At her nod signalling she was ready, the band began playing the starting strains of their first song. Her voice was shaky at first, owing to her nervousness, but she slowly got into the groove of things when she reached the refrain. The warm applause that greeted the end of that first song did a lot to rid her of the jitters she had felt at the outset, and she started singing the next song on a firmer, surer note.
They were already halfway through their third song when Soujiro and Akira came in, making good on their promise to Kazuya to come that night and watch the amateur band play. Tsukasa wasn't with them because he was feeling unwell after rehearsals, while Rui, of course, was with Shizuka, spending as much time as possible with her before she had to leave.
The two goodlooking men were oblivious to the admiring glances thrown their way by the female half of the club's population while they went about looking for a table, although their trained musicians' ears were already assessing what they were hearing. The band was not bad, but they clearly lacked the polished sound of professionals. The voice of the woman singing onstage, though, was a different thing altogether. Her range was impressive, effortlessly hitting the high notes of the song, and the timbre was very pleasing to the ear. It had a golden clear quality about it. Her timing was a little off, but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little practice. Clearly this was a diamond in the rough, and the two playboys looked at each other excitedly, both thinking the same thing. They had found Shizuka's replacement.
As the band finished the song, the two men made their way close to the stage where fortunately a small table was just vacated. They took their seats and turned their attention to the band in front of them, which had just started the next song. Their jaws dropped when they finally recognized the girl singing in front of them. Who'd have known that their favorite bartender was hiding such talent within her!
They waited impatiently for the band to finish the set. At long last Tsukushi announced that they were singing their last song for that night. Amidst the loud applause that met the end of the song, Akira and Soujiro waved their arms maniacally, trying to catch Tsukushi's attention.
Tsukushi smiled warmly as she recognized her two favorite patrons. She stepped down and joined them at their table.
"Waaah, I'm so embarassed! I'm sorry you had to be subjected to my singing. I hope you haven't been here long," she said as she wiped the beads of sweat on her forehead.
"Are you kidding?!" Akira exclaimed, his eyes widening in admiration. "All these months of coming here and I didn't know we had a great singer in our midst!"
"You were great out there. Honestly," Soujiro remarked as he squeezed her arm.
Tsukushi blushed, unaccustomed to such praise. "Thanks," she grinned, feeling warm all over. "But I don't think I'll have the nerve to ever do that again. Man, I thought I wouldn't stop shaking! I was just doing Kazuya over there a favor," she said as she tilted her head towards the bar where Kazuya was busy attending to orders. "My friend Yuki, their regular singer, was out sick. Anyway, I've got to get back to work. Looks like Kazuya's being swamped right now. Good to see you guys again." She rose from her seat.
"Wait," Akira placed an hand on her arm and pulled her back to sit. "We have something we need to talk to you about."
"It's a business proposition," Soujiro interjected as she looked at them questioningly.
"What's up?"
Akira and Soujiro told her about the band's situation, and that they were currently holding auditions to find a new female vocalist. Tsukushi listened quietly as they expressed their frustration on not having found a suitable candidate yet, despite holding auditions everyday for the last five days.
"So, we'd like to invite you to audition tomorrow, or whenever it's convenient for you. If it were only up to the two of us, I'd hire you here and now. But we still have our two other bandmates, Rui and Tsukasa. It's Tsukasa whom you've got to really impress because he would have the final say. After all, it's him you'll be singing with."
Tsukushi shook her head vigorously. "I'm really sorry guys. Tonight was just a last minute thing. As I said, I was just doing Kazuya a favor. Before tonight, most of my singing was done in my bathroom. And that's just how I like it. I'm not a real singer. Sorry but I'm not the one you're looking for."
The two friends looked crestfallen. Then Akira spoke. "That's okay, Tsukushi. We don't want to force you. But hey, if you change your mind, just come over to my house anytime from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We're holding auditions daily at my basement where we also have our rehearsals." He fished for a pen and a slip of paper from his shirt pocket and scribbled down an address. "Here," he said as he handed it to her.
She took the paper reluctantly and said, "Thanks, although I doubt I'll take you up on this. Good luck anyway. I hope you find someone soon."
And with that she left them at the table to join Kazuya behind the bar.
**************************
A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas, and here's wishing we all have a great year ahead.
I hope you guys liked this chap, 'cause I really enjoyed writing it. Points for those who guessed that Tsukushi sings as well, and is a possible replacement for Shizuka. Egad, I write such predictable stories. LOL. I hope you'll be patient if updates are a bit slow. I don't know wtf I was thinking, posting this up before I had it all written down. Writing on the fly is much harder than I thought. I have to wait 'til an idea hits me before I can write up a new chap. Please bear with me and I hope you don't lose interest.
ToinKs: Hey girl, good to see you're back reviewing. Did you get my e- mail? Well, I still can't promise 'fireworks' for when Tsukasa and Tsukushi meet again. Actually, I can't promise anything for that matter, since I still haven't thought up how to write it. Any suggestions? I did enjoy the concert, thanks.
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Well, I will try to make everything work out for the best. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Sailor Angie: Well, at least Tsukasa made an appearance in this chap, even if it was only for a short time. But he will definitely have more exposure later on. How could he not? He's Tsukasa!
just a reader: Hi! It's always nice to hear from new readers (or not so new but first time reviewers) like you. I hope to hear more from you as the story unfolds.
Well, this'll be my last update for the year. Hopefully I'll be able to post a new chap shortly after New Year's Day. Please leave a comment if you have time!