CHAPTER 4 – The Start of Mikan's Career
Its early in the morning although Mikan admitted to herself that she wants to sleep more because of last night but being a soon to be star is no excuse. She lazily went out of the bed and proceeded to taking a bath and brushing her teeth. It's a good thing that she already packed her belonging days ago. She changed to her clothes which is a pair of jeans, white razor back shirt and a pair of white flipflops. She took her belongings and went down to the dorm's lobby where she will be picked up by Narumi.
"Its only 6am I bet they are all asleep from last night. But its okay if I won't be able to see them, 'coz I know I will be back hehehe…" Mikan thought while dragging her bags down on the stairs.
"What made you think people can sleep when you're so noisy dragging you're bags Mikan." Mikan was shocked and scared and she accidentally let go of her bag which fell down into the floor. Mikan felt as if Hotaru read her mind specifically.
"What made you think you can leave without saying goodbye to us." Sumire added. Mikan looked at Sumire, trust it to her friends to clearly saw what's on her mind just now. She looked at both and them and was shocked to see that "The Gang" were all there. The guys took Mikan's bag and carried it for her while the girls cling to Mikan like there's no tomorrow. When they arrived at the lobby, Narumi is already there waving his hand. Mikan let go of her friends and walked to Narumi, the guards took Mikan's bag from the boys. Mikan looked at them and smiled her biggest and warmest smile ever only reserved for her friends. Then she waved goodbye before walking out of the lobby. Her friends also waved goodbye and others are shouting to bring them back presents. "The Gang" were so proud of their Mikan. And they will wait for her return after 3 months.
Mikan entered the limousine with Narumi and she cried a little and Narumi said to cheer up because she will see them again after 3 months. Mikan tearfully smiled and agreed. Then they are off to go.
In the Philippines
Natsume is wearing a sleeveless white shirt and a pair of shorts and a Havianas Cartoonista slippers. "I can't believe its so hot here, with my alice, its twice the heat. Phew…" Natsume whispered to himself while walking in the street, he noticed that in this country there's so many small stores in every corner and the other's are blocking the way of the cars. He noticed an old man, he seems different in what he sells, he looked closer to the items that he was selling… He saw that its jewelries – customized! It's a block of letters in steel that can be chained and forms a word. He asked the man how much it is (oh they can speak different language due to an alice machine invented that they can understand and speak in a language with the use of it).
"Magkano to magpagawa ng ganyan?" (How much does making of that cost?) Natsume said while still eyeing the item. The old man looked at him and smiled.
"Para ba yan sa kasintahan mo, sa tingin ko hindi ito magugustuhan ng isang lalaki na tulad mo." (Is it for your girlfriend? Because for me, I'm sure that a guy like you won't like it.) The old man replied. Natsume nodded. The old man gave a paper and pen to Natsume and asked him to write the name so he can make it. Natsume knows well how to write using letters so he didn't need an alice machine for that. He took the paper and the pen, and wrote M I K A N – N A T S U M E and handed it back. The old man smiled and said its kind of long for a wrist of a woman. Natsume then took back the paper and pen and instead wrote, M x N ALWAYS, the old man said this will do and asked for the design to be used, Natsume chose the plain steel. When it was finished, the man gave it to him, when Natsume was about to pull his wallet, the old man stopped him.
"Libre nalang sayo, naalala ko sayo ang kabataan ko." (Its for free for you, I was reminded of myself when I was young while looking at you) Natsume gratefully said his thanks and left, now, he thought that this can be a great gift for her 18th birthday. And he sighed when he remembered its still after 3 months and that is if he can give it personally – he hoped.
Back at the hotel
When Mikan and Narumi arrived, Mikan wasn't given a chance to rest, she was informed she will be having her recording now specially she was given a time inside the academy to review the songs given to her. She then went to the recording station across the hotel with Narumi with her.
Inside the Recording Room, Mikan closed her eyes and feel the beat of the music in her headphones. (The song is Three Wishes from The Pierces)
We'd
be so less fragile
If
we're made from metal
And
our hearts from iron
And
our minds from steel
And
if we built an army
Full
of tender bodies
Could
we love each other
Would
we stop to feel
And
you want three wishes:
One
to fly the heavens
One
to swim like fishes
And
then one you're saving for a rainy day
If
your lover ever takes her love away
You
say you want to know her like a lover
And
undo her damage, she'll be new again
Soon
you'll find that if you try to save her
It
will lose her anger
You
will never win
And
you want three wishes:
You
want never bitter
And
all delicious
And
then one you're saving for a rainy day
If
your lover ever takes her love away
You
want three wishes:
One
to fly the heavens
One
to swim like fishes
You
want never bitter
And
all delicious
And
a clean conscience
And
all it's blisses
You
want one true lover with a thousand kisses
You
want soft and gentle and never vicious
And
then one you're saving for a rainy day
If
your lover ever takes her love away
Mikan sang the song beautifully from her heart. She did it perfectly like she practiced a million times before. The director informed her that she is extraordinary afterall. Because of her great performance, she was given an early break to rest in her room and will resume tomorrow.