Title: Riding the Roller Coaster (Part XVIII)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1195
Summary: Ever done a music video?
A/N: Hi y'all. Are you still alive? It amazes me how many chapters I have written for one single date. Oh well, I guess you can read the fic like you are watching a movie in real time with no editings. Sorry for not updating last night. Did a lot of brainstorming and some soul searching. Anyways, enjoy!
A/N 2: To refresh your memory, Katakoi Enka is Shizuru's character song in the Mai-Hime CD and Enka is a type of traditional Japanese song where a singer usually performs in a kimono.
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The rest of the magic show proves to be just as entertaining as the first half. But even the most spectacular stunt on stage cannot take Natsuki's mind off of her plan of revenge. Since finding out how Shizuru bribed the magician before the show, the blue haired beauty has been purposefully ignoring all comments from the Kyoto woman sitting next to her, to the point where the usually calm and elegant ex-student council president is starting to feel uneasy. The awkward silence follows the duo even after they have walked out of the amphitheatre, with Natsuki in front, and the chestnut haired girl trailing closely behind. That was until something catches the eyes of the fuming mayonnaise addict …
Squinting green eyes read the flashy billboard next to a huge flat screen on top of a strange looking building ahead of the girls. Free studio recording! No purchases necessary! Live your dream as a pop star! Services include recording your own song and customizing your own music video …This is it! The answer to my quest for revenge!
A small clearing of the throat from the blue haired girl immediately catches the sulking Kyoto woman's attention. Are you not mad at me anymore, Natsuki? I hope I haven't gone too far this time …
"Look, Shizuru. I'll be lying if I say that I'm not mad at you."
"Oh …" Even the queen of drama cannot hide the disappointment in her voice.
"So to make up for what you put me through in the magic show, I think I'm entitled to make you do something in return." The blue haired girl replies with a crooked smile and clasped hands on her back.
"What is it that you want me to do, Natsuki? I promise I'll do it as long as it's not too out of line." The chance to receive Natsuki's forgiveness instantly dissipates Shizuru's initial disappointment.
You better say yes to this. "Sing and dance for me."
"What? Here?" Worried crimson eyes look around at all the people walking around the duo. I don't want to see my heartthrob image going down the drain!
A soft chuckle is followed by a roll of green eyes. "C'mon, I'm not that evil." Bwa ha ha ha. "I'm going to be the only person who will see you sing and dance. Look! There's a studio over there where you can record a song and a music video for free. Why don't we go give it a try?" JUST SAY YES!
Well, if it is only in front of Natsuki, I guess that's ok. "Alright. But do I get to pick what kind of song and dance I do?"
"Sure." I got you. "Let's go!" The Fuka High School ice princess lets out her best imitation of a sweet smile and starts dragging the chestnut haired girl towards the odd looking building.
Okaaaay, Natsuki is doing her insane smile again. Something is definitely not right. I just can't quite put my finger on it …Unable to shake the doubt in her mind, Shizuru nevertheless follows Natsuki into the building.
"Welcome. How may I help you two today?" A smiling receptionist greets the two girls at the entrance.
"We would like to do a recording of a song and a music video, please. This is all free, right?" Suddenly worried about her empty wallet, Natsuki had to make sure that she wouldn't be paying for even a penny in her revenge scheme.
"That is correct. You only pay if you wish to buy a tape of your music video afterwards. You can also purchase a cassette with your song in it in case you are not satisfied with the music video. Here is a binder that contains all the songs we have. We also lend out costumes for free for the music videos. Just let me know when you are done with your selection."
As the Kyoto woman flips through the song binder, her eyes sparkle at the discovery of Enka songs at the back. Hey, I know 'Katakoi Enka'! I wonder if I can borrow a fan and a kimono for the music video. Later an affirmative nod from the receptionist further puts her mind at ease. Great! This is not too bad. Just like one of those dance recitals I used to do to entertain my father's guests.
"Here is a sheet of lyrics for the song you picked, miss. Please use the first recording room to your left. You will get to record the song three times. Just put on the headphones and start singing into the microphone. Any more questions?"
"Nope. That was loud and clear. Thank you." To Shizuru's surprise, it was Natsuki who answered the question, and she is currently pushing the next 'Japanese Idol' towards the recording room in lightning speed. As soon as she shoves the chestnut haired girl into the room, her hand is already clasping the door handle. "Shizuru, I'm just going to wait for you outside. I don't wanna mess up your recording. See ya."
"But Natsuki, how are you going to hear …" A door slam cuts off the melodious Kyoto-ben. Oh well, I guess she can probably hear my singing when we do the music video.
Actually, anyone who is in the lounge area outside the recording room can hear the person singing inside. The moment Natsuki closes that door, the blue haired girl beings to march back to the receptionist. "Excuse me. Is it possible to get my friend's music video up on the flat screen on top of the building? It's her birthday, and I would really love to surprise her." Try to be casual, Natsuki. SMILE!
"Well … it is not the amusement park's policy …"
The slightly annoyed girl tips her head down a little and gives the receptionist an icy glare powerful enough to freeze the Sun. "Maybe you didn't hear me correctly. I said, it is my friend's BIRTHDAY, and I would REALLY appreciate your help to surprise her." This is a matter of getting back at Shizuru. I can't let some stupid policy stop me now.
Fearing more for her life than breaking the standard protocol, the receptionist replies with a louder than normal voice, "Sure, miss. It is your friend's birthday after all."
"Thank you." Feeling satisfied that her vendetta seems to be running smoothly, Natsuki flops herself down on the sofa outside the recording room. For the first time since Shizuru had gone into the room, she is paying attention to the voice coming out of the overhead speakers. Wow, her voice …it's beautiful …SHIT! This is not the time to admire her voice. Shizuru is supposed to be tone deaf so that I can make fun of her song afterwards! God, I need to come up with an alternative plan …
Perhaps God really is listening to Natsuki's plea. A sudden ruckus at the entrance brings the pensive girl back to reality.
"Yo yo yo! What's up, biatch? You got a rap song for Daddy-O here?"
The blue haired girl can only roll her eyes at the rapper wannabe. Wait, a rapper … HA! That's it!
TBC.
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A/N 3: Just wanna do a shout out to everyone who gave me reviews for this story - Darkredeyes, sakuraharunosrival, Kimiko Li, Shezaei-neko, jordan.D, Tahimi, Icy-Windbreeze, Kioni, niwasatou, CSCJ, Uchiha-chan, Naolin, hii dollface and HimeISM! (passes out goodie bags containing tea leaves blessed by Shizuru-sama (in reality it is ficeler37 wearing a Shizuru mask, but close enough) and mayonnaise packs (the same brand that Natsuki uses))