Sophie found her sister on Sunday afternoon rummaging through her music. The cd's were scattered on the floor as she went through them.
"What are you doing Steph?" she asked, "Looking for a song to sing tonight?"
"Yea. I just can't find the right one yet" Stephanie stood up with a grin, "I've been looking all afternoon" she sighed and stretched since her back was kind of stiff.
"You'll find it. You always do."
"I know. It's just finding the right song is just so tricky."
"Well what are you in the mood for?"
"Hmm. I'm not sure" she shrugged as she stared at the cd cases.
"Don't you usually pick it based on what you're feeling?"
"Yes I do. But I'm not exactly sure how I feel today. I'll keep looking" she knelt back down.
"Don't take too long" Sophie replied, "It's almost sunset time."
Stephanie smiled and chuckled.
"That's still two hours from now. I'll have a song by then."
"Okay. I think I'm gonna go get a drink from downstairs. Do you want anything?"
"No. No thanks."
"See ya later!" Sophie called as she ran from the room and downstairs.
When she entered the kitchen she saw that Sam was there after eating a sandwich.
"Hey Squirt! Where's Stephanie?" he said.
"She's upstairs trying to find a good song."
"Oh right. It's Sunday again" he replied rolling his eyes, "I really wish that she wouldn't do that."
"Why not? She loves it. Besides it's not like the neighbors have been complaining. In fact a lot of them have complemented her even though they don't speak English."
"I know, but it's so embarrassing" he sighed.
"Only to you. Personally I love Sundays!" she said pouring a cup of milk for herself, "It makes her happy and that's all that matters."
"Yea. Yea" he replied wearily.
"I'm gonna go back and help her!" she said running out of the kitchen.
"Little sisters" he muttered with a shake of his head and another sigh.
(Next Scene)
Finally about ten minutes till the sun was to set Stephanie had found the perfect song and had placed the cd in the player on the balcony. She strolled over to the edge and looked down around her as the music began. Meanwhile walking near the park on his way home from shopping, Reiji heard the music too and paused as she began.
I used to think
I had the answers to everything
But now I know
Life doesn't always
Go my way, yeah...
Feels like I'm caught in the middle
That's when I realize...
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
All I need is time
A moment that is mine
While I'm in between
His eyes became wide as he saw her and as she continued he closed his eyes, leaning against the tree contently.
I'm not a girl
There is no need to protect me
Its time that I
Learn to face up to this on my own
I've seen so much more than u know now
Don't tell me to shut my eyes
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
All I need is time
A moment that is mine
While I'm in between
I'm not a girl
But if u look at me closely
You will see it my eyes
This girl will always find
Her way
I'm not a girl
(I'm not a girl don't tell me what to believe)
Not Yet a woman
(I'm just tryin to find the woman in me, yeah)
All I need is time (All I need)
A moment that is mine (That is mine)
While I'm in between
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
All I need is time (is All I need)
A moment that is mine
While I'm in between
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
When she finished he sighed happily and smiled to himself as he walked home, humming the tune he had heard and an idea running through his head at the same time.
(Next Scene)
The next week arrived and the idea wouldn't leave Reiji's head. On Friday at the school shop he talked to Stephanie about it and she enthusiastically agreed to help while he said that he would talk to Katsuya about it. So on the next Sunday afternoon he invited Kaye over. When Katsuya arrived at his house he knocked on the door but nobody came to answer it. Instead he heard the piano as he leaned his ear into the door and decided to enter in.
"Reij! I'm here!" he called as he entered and took off his shoes.
He then walked into the sitting room where he saw Reiji sitting at his father's piano playing the tune that had been stuck in his head all week.
"Reiji? Reiji!" Kaye replied practically shouting so loud that Reiji stopped playing.
"Oh hey Kaye" Reiji smiled, "I didn't hear you come in."
"Since when do you play the piano? I thought you hated it."
"I don't hate it. I just don't prefer it. I was just playing a song that has been stuck in my head most of the week."
"But you don't have any sheet music" Kaye observed.
"Oh I know. I'm playing from memory. Just like my dad. Actually that song is kind of the reason I wanted to see you" he stood up.
"Huh?"
"Come on over" he replied sitting down on one of the couches, "Mom made refreshments before she left with dad for their gig."
"Uh okay" Kaye nodded, "What's going on Reiji?" he asked sitting down on the other couch.
"Well I was kind of curious but did you know that Miss Kamiya could sing?"
"Huh? Yea, she told me a long time ago. How did you know?"
"Because I heard her."
"What? What do you mean heard her?"
"I was walking past the park last Sunday and I heard this beautiful music on the wind, so I stopped naturally. You know how I feel about music?"
"Yea?"
"And then I heard a voice like an angel. I mean I know my mom can sing great and so can yours but she was incredible."
"How did you know it was her?"
"Because I saw her on her balcony. She's not hard to miss. She looked amazing" he replied but then noticed Kaye's jealous expression, "You mean you've never heard it?"
"No. She says it's a skill she likes to keep to herself. That she's embarrassed by it."
"I don't see why. She's got a great voice. You really ought to hear her."
"I'm afraid that's impossible unless she sings for me."
"Well today's Sunday."
"What's that got to do with it?"
"I heard from one of her neighbors that it's a common thing for her to sing on Sunday evening. Just as the sun sets. We could go listen to her tonight."
"Uh. I don't know about that Reij" Kaye shook his head, "I feel like I would be invading her privacy."
"Come on you want to hear her don't you? She'll never know we're there. C'mon what could it hurt?" he added when he saw his cousin's conflicted face.
"Well, I am curious."
"So let's go" Reiji replied, "And then you can hear and see for yourself just what I was talking about."
"Yea" Kaye nodded still undecidedly.
(Next Scene)
Reiji and Katsuya arrived near the park five minutes till sunset. On her balcony Sophie who was enthusiastic like always for the evening's performance accompanied Stephanie. Some of the neighbors opened their windows so they could hear her better as the music began. Kaye watched mesmerized at her appearance as the wind blew through her hair and she began to sing.
I hear a baby crying
A sad sound, a lonely sound
I want to take her in my arms
And then I'd dry away all her tears
I see a boy who's frightened
A young boy with cold eyes
I long to say you're welcome here
You can be happy now that you're born
We're all a part of one world
We all can share the same dream
And if you just reach out to me
Then you will find, deep down inside
I'm just like you
Our voices raised in anger
Speak harsh words, such cruel words
How do they speak so selfishly?
When we have got so much we can share
So let your hearts be open
And reach out with all your love
There are no strangers now
They are all brothers now
And we are one
We're all a part of one world
We all can share the same dream
And if you just reach out to me
Then you will find, deep down inside
I'm just like you
We're all a part of one world
We all can share the same dream
And if you just reach out to me
Then you will find, deep down inside
I'm just like you
Just like you!
When she was finished the sun had set and Kaye leaned against the tree quite surprised as his cousin smiled at him.
"I don't believe it. She's incredible."
"I told you so."
"I don't know if it's possible but Reiji" he looked straight at him.
"Mhm."
"I think I've fallen in love with her all over again. I'm more in love with her than I ever was."
Reiji nodded and the two of them moved down the street talking about the performance. Meanwhile in a nearby red truck a pair of binoculars disappeared as the tall teenager started up his engine smiling menacingly like always as he drove away from the park.
(Next Scene)
At school the next week Katsuya felt very nervous around Stephanie and she wondered why so on Wednesday she confronted him outside the building after the last class. He confessed entirely to her about hearing her song the other night and instead of the reaction he had expected she simply giggled.
"So you heard me?"
"Uh yea" he nodded, "Reiji and I were in the area and we happened to hear you."
"Oh really" she nodded back not really believing him.
"How come you don't seem more upset about this?"
"Because I'm not. I probably shouldn't have kept it from you in the first place."
"Well I admit that I was jealous when Reiji had said that he had heard it first."
"You have no need to be jealous Kaye."
"You know what you're right. Hey I have an idea," he said cheering up.
"Hmm?"
"I want to take you somewhere. Come with me" he took her hand gently.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he pulled her down the street.
"It's a surprise. Come on" he led her with a smile.
He entered the main house gates and then led her to the back of the houses stopping finally at a man made waterfall.
"Oh" she gasped, "It's beautiful."
"It's been in my family a long time" he explained, "Ever since the old days" he sat down, "It's hasn't been running like this of course. It just got started up when they all arrived. I found it when I first saw the estate. What do you think?"
"It's amazing" she nodded with a grin, "But I've been thinking."
"Hmm?"
"About what you said earlier. About being jealous. Maybe you wouldn't be so inclined to feel that way if I gave you a private performance."
"Huh?" he replied stunned.
"Would you like for me to sing for you Katsuya?"
He stared at her for a moment and then nodded so she closed her eyes and cleared her voice. At the same time Akito was reading his book not too far away and heard the music, so he went to investigate only to be surprised when he saw the owner of the voice.
I try but I cant seem to get myself
To think of anything
But you
Your breath on my face
Your warm gentle kiss I taste the truth
I taste the truth
We know what I came here for
So I wont ask for more
I wanna be with you
If only for a night
To be the one whose in your arms
Who holds you tight
I wanna be with you
Theres nothing more to say
Theres nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you (yeah)
So Ill hold you tonite
Like I would if you were mine
to hold forever more
And Ill saver each touch that I wanted
So much to feel before (to feel before)
How beautiful it is
Just to be like this
She danced around Kaye and he watched her lovingly as Akito stared at her memorized on the spot, his book falling to the ground.
I wanna be with you
If only for a night
To be the one whose in your arms
Who holds you tight
I wanna be with you
Theres nothing more to say
Theres nothing else I want more than to feel this way
(I wanna be) I wanna be with you
Oh baby
I cant fight this feeling anymore
It drives me crazy when I try to
So call my name
Take my hand
Make my wish
Baby, your command?
Yeahhh
I wanna be with you
Theres nothing more to say
Theres nothing else I want more than to feel this way
(I wanna be)I wanna be with you (I wanna be with you)
I wanna be with you
Wanna be with you (Yeahhh)
(I wanna be with you)I wanna be
I wanna be with you
(I wanna be)
(i wanna be)
(I wanna be with you) Yeahh
(I wanna be with you)
I wanna be, I wanna be baby
I wanna be
(I wanna be with you)
I wanna be with you yeah
I wanna be with you
I wanna be with you
When she finished she held out her hands and Kaye took them, pulling her down into his arms. She giggled a little and he brushed her hair from her eyes.
"Thank you" he whispered.
"You're welcome. Now it's your turn."
"Huh?" his eyes became wide.
"You don't think you can get off the hook that easily do you" she teased, "Reiji already told me you have a natural singing talent as well."
"Reiji said what? Wait a minute" Kaye suddenly frowned, "You knew we were standing there didn't you?"
"Uh huh" she chuckled some more, "He talked to me earlier in the week, last week. Said that he heard me and that I was good and also mentioned your talent."
"Why did he do that?"
"Oh I suppose he just wanted to let me know in case we ever did something like Karaoke."
'Karaoke?"
"Mhm."
"Well uh" Kaye stammered, "Unlike you I get very nervous singing in front of other people."
"Even me?"
"Uh well. Yea. I'm afraid so. I don't think I'm that good."
"Hmm" she replied with a casual grin as she stood up and began to walk away, "I suppose I'll have to be the judge of that."
"Huh? What do you mean?" he asked standing up.
"Reiji is organizing a Karaoke day so, I guess I'll discover the truth one way or another."
"A karaoke day? Wait a minute" he followed her out the woods, "What do mean by that? Stephanie."
Akito watched as they departed and frowned. But though he was frowning he still couldn't get the image of her out of his head and suddenly found himself smiling instead of frowning.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: That's it till tomorrow!
Note One: Songs are
Britany Spears: I'm not a girl, not yet a woman
Chloe: One World
Mandy Moore: I wanna be with you
Next Chapter: A Step in the Right Direction
Kaye and Sakura have more big news that spurs a new kind of development in the Kamiya household. See what happens next time!