Written 1o.o4.o7

I CHANGED Yamato's jazz performance from Friday to Saturday in the previous chapter!

THANKS TO!! Waltz Turner, blue9989, chinkyeye, BoarderKC, pain herself, scorpion05, Karush, JyouraKoumi, nickygirl & Yamora Love n Friendship

Again, thanks for ALL your support. I'm really happy that people still read this story. HAHA. Thanks a BUNCH! I hope you enjoy this chapter!! Haha

- X -

My Funny Valentine

Chapter Seven

"So the idea is to construct a album with all of your different flavours. It's more of a fan-based CD…and I am more than definite that it well sell like crazy," insisted their manager, Kanji. "You get to have and compose your own track, but you have to bear to mind, that Yamato will still be singing to it."

Including Yamato, the four of the band members were seated circled around Kanji all battling to stay awake that early Friday morning. From the corner of his eye he could see the ever-so-arrogant, Yutaka, let out an enormous yawn that he didn't care to hide. For someone who was mad and intent for him to stay focused, Yutaka sure was a liar. As per usual, Takahashi was paying non-blinking attention to their manager and Akira was lost in some sort of a daze.

Takahashi rubbed his hands gather, in excitement, "So we get to compose it all on our own?" Yamato was sure that the bassist already had a bunch solos piled up already, waiting for his special moment to shine.

"That's what I said," Kanji nodded. "I'm giving you till the end of the day to come up with your own music so that we'll later hear it out as a group. Agree-?"

"Hold up!" Yutaka barked, suddenly awake. "You want us to compose by the end of the day? That's fuckin' impossible. We need more-"

"Which is the reason why I got you up early so that you'd have the whole day to get something done. Does everyone agree with me?"

Yutaka snapped, "Fuck no."

Kanji rolled his eyes and looked at Yamato for his opinion. He simply shrugged. "I'll try my best to."

"Same here," Takahashi added while Akira agreed as well. They had all woken up at four am just to come to the studio…that Yamato had no choice but to sleep early. The meeting in the morning was obviously important and he was quite excited to take on board construct his own music for the band.

"Well…this meeting has ended. See you tonight and good luck," Kanji bided them goodbye.

Yamato certainly didn't want to waste this opportunity. In his heart, he knew that he'd waited for this for such a long time to do his 'own thing' while writing lyrics that actually made sense – not just fan girls jumping, but people who would acknowledge their music for what it actually was.

He bent down and began carefully placing his guitar back into its case. He thought that everyone else had left, by now. So after he had slung the case's strap over his shoulder he marched out to leave, only to have a faint voice call after him. "You're not using the studio as well?"

The blond headed artist turned around to see the keyboardist planted on his chair, staring at the ceiling in raptness. It had been a while since he had last heard Akira speak up. Yamato pointed out of the window, "I think I'll compose in my own studio at home. I'm going to go outside for a bit too, to attain fresh new ideas…new inspirations. I'll come back here, in the evening, when Kanji calls me. I'm guessing you're staying?"

"Yeah…nobody's here anyway," Akira replied. He stood up from his stool and strode towards where he was standing. The keyboardist then took Yamato's left vacant hand and crushed a folded crumbled piece of paper into his hands. Procedurally, he then dropped a small tape into one of Yamato's leather jacket pockets. "See if this works. The lyrics are there too."

With that being said and done, Akira turned to walk away back to his instrument of keys.

"Thanks, Akir-" Yamato stopped thanking him when he realized that his friend had already put on his headphones and was already entranced playing, allowing his fingers to run up and down the keyboard.

Shrugging to no other but himself, Yamato left the building and later found himself in his own apartment. It was a good thing that he was calculative enough to purchase his apartment near his band's studio, unlike Takahashi who lived almost an hour away from it. He poured himself some black tea and led himself into his music room. In the middle of it shone his white grand piano. Even though he was not as good at Akira when it came to playing such keys, he was no amateur at it. With piano, his talents only laid at playing moderate to easy sheets of music.

Other than his piano, he had an extra electric guitar and Takahashi's bass guitar that he left over at his home whenever he wanted to practice in Tokyo. He also had a set of DJing deck equipment from his mother for his eighteenth birthday. It made him laugh of how little his mother knew about what he did as the leader of the band. He couldn't believe how clueless she was and actually thought he was a DJ. But the decks were still good fun to play with…and he knew that using them that day would also come across as helpful to the composing he would do. But the instrument that attracted him the most was his harmonica. It was an actually a present given to him from his grandfather…and was the beautiful thing that triggered him to fall in love with music altogether. Though, it saddened him to stare at it in its glass case considering it was rendered unusable since his high school years when Taichi had been dribbling his soccer ball inside their dorm and then…good-bye.

He winced at the memory. He had stopped speaking to his best friend for three weeks until Taichi finally thrust up the white flag, literally going on his knees and begging his forgiveness. Sure, it was hilarious…but he would always feel quite annoyed whenever he looked at his broken harmonica.

He sat on his piano stool, stretching his arms in preparation. He stared at the keys, not knowing what to do. His manager had said that they were able to compose whatever they wished. Now that he was given the possibility to do so…he wasn't sure if the other band members would agree with it. He let out a frustrated sigh. Two hours had already gone by, and he hadn't even written anything. He never used to get this frustrated because the music usually came to him. Perhaps it was because he didn't try as much when he was younger…and now, when he wanted to make a change, it was darn difficult. He finally understood his brother's whinging whenever he'd get the 'author's block disease.'

His phone suddenly disturbed his thoughts when it vibrated with a new message. Yamato fiddled it out of his pocket, reading 'Youd beter be practising…'

Yamato blinked when he scrolled down to see that it wasn't from Kanji or any of the other of his band mates. He then wanted the urge to inwardly hurt himself. Another message from Sora came in seconds later 'Oh, I 4got to tel u. The song youll be singin 2 is Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.'

Summer Wind?

He was okay with that song. Without thinking too much into it, he had accepted to sing for Alejandro because he knew that he owed her a favour considering that she was doing an enormous favour for him. He just was curious with what key he would be singing to. Hell, he shouldn't even be thinking about practising for Alejandro's event tomorrow evening…he could practise that during daytime anyway. Above all, he had to compose at least something since it would be due that night.

After trying to conjure something up, he gave in. Since he had received Sora's two messages, he couldn't help but think all about the song he would be singing at the bar. He couldn't help but think about which note he'd have to sing on and the speed and style Alejandro would be playing the song on the piano. Just accompanying Alejandro's singing truly was worth something…

Darn it.

He needed fresh air. Once he had left his home, he found himself facing the buzzing streets of Tokyo. The place was always busy. Perhaps it would lend a supporting hand to get him to forget the thoughts of tomorrow night to focus on the music that he really had to compose. It was already nearly noon and he had unconsciously sauntered himself off to a nearby park. Nature was always something that prompted him to gain some sort of creativity. Children chased each other around the playground; the sky was painted with different splashes of coloured kites. He strolled down a path all alone, looking around for any sort of inspiration that would capture his eye. And it eventually did…

"Higher, Uriyama!" a voice cried in a shaky high-pitched tone. "Higher!"

Amongst all the little kids, he noticed an elderly couple at a set of swings. An old man was diligently swung a small woman, her grey strands of hair whipping over her face as she let out an outrageous laugh. Yamato smiled. Old love really was fantastic. Other than the thought of being tormented by his grandparents about his love life, he adored knowing that they were a lovey-dovey couple at such an age. It was a great achievement in comparison with his own parents who had divorced when he was a teenager. He then wondered if he'd be alone at that age...he shuddered. Somehow, the thought of being alone scared him. He was fine being his own solitary person currently…but when he was older…would anyone be there for him? The thought made him quite insecure. But somehow…he found it more welcoming than being a hostile divorce. Was being alone what he really wanted?

He closed his eyes, enjoying the sunlight tingling onto his skin. His thoughts then drifted onto the breeze and inevitably back to the song 'Summer Wind.' His stomach turned. It was normal that he would get nervous whenever it was a day before a performance…but this time, it was different

He was going to be singing live at a low cover bar to an absolute different genre. Yet somehow…he wasn't as nervous. Perhaps because he already knew that he would be having some sort of delight performing to the music he was fond of. In other words, there was no way he would stop judging the outcome of tomorrow night. Giving in to his muse, he decided to check in at the bar to find Alejandro. There was no point singing for him when he didn't know which note he'd be singing in. He wondered if it was open during the early afternoon…

He gave one final brief glimpse at the elderly couple by the set of swings and abandoned the park.

- X -

The opening was shut. He was just about to pull the heavy wooden door open when someone tapped him on his shoulder. Leering eyes gazed down at him, but somehow he didn't feel intimidated. Perhaps being around Yutaka was something that intimidated him even more. The middle-aged man gave a croaky cough.

"We're closed, buddy."

Yamato recalled the many times how both Sora and Suzanne would chatter, or give snide remarks, about their boss. From their descriptions, it was evident that the person who had just spoken to him was he.

"But I need to-"

"Tough luck, we're closed," he growled, arms folding together. "Come back tonight when my tavern is actually open."

Yamato inwardly groaned at the man's sarcasm, he wasn't going to back out that easily. He had made an effort to come here, whether it was closed or not, to find Alejandro…and right now, the tavern's boss was the only lead to where he could find him. Sora had always mentioned to him that Alejandro practically lived at the tavern considering he was paid meals and accommodation to perform there every night. He wondered how Sora had landed a job here when the guy was a complete and utter bastard...

"Didn't you hear me, buddy?" the man was losing his patience, giving the blond-headed man a taste of some attitude.

"I need to see Alejandro."

Somehow, that strung something in the man's chord. His back straightened, and for once, looked at Yamato as a different person. An eyebrow arched, "Whatya need to speak to him for?"

"I'm going to be singing for him tomorrow night."

"My apologies," the man said gruffly, shaking his head. From just the mention of 'Alejandro,' the man was courteous and nicer to him. It appeared that even the bastard-of-a-boss respected the musician. He pulled out one of his many keys, after jingling for the right one, out of the pocket and unlocked the door. "He's upstairs – room 8. Just walk to the end of the bar and press in the activation code, #3852, and you should gain access to use the staircase. Sorry for the trouble."

"It's fine," Yamato shrugged it off, entering the bar. The man waved him goodbye and Yamato acknowledged it by nodding his head. For once, the place wasn't dark. The curtains were drawn open and light filtered the place. It hardly looked like the tavern anymore.

After dialling in the code, he walked up the flight of stairs and found room eight instantly. He knocked on the door. In an instant, it swung open to reveal an unshaven man who instantly ushered him in, shutting the door behind me.

"Want anything to drink?"

"I'm okay, thanks," Yamato said dumbfounded as he absorbed his new environment. The room wasn't even close to tidy – it was a pigsty. It appeared that his own roomed was a haven in comparison to the one in which he was standing in.

The bed wasn't made and the owner's CDs and personal items were either buried or on top of the clothes that hid the floorboards. So…it was a typical man's room…but even Taichi wasn't this insane. He couldn't really blame Alejandro for the state of his apartment because it wasn't only his belongings that made the apartment quite a mess…the wallpaper was tearing, the window was broken and there was water leaking from the ceiling.

Life as a starving artist…

He admired Alejandro for living like this so far…at least he didn't give in to doing something he truly hated. He stuck by his music…and now he would land himself a record deal for doing something he truly loved. And Yamato was going to assist him in doing so.

After Alejandro cleared some clothes off one of the stools, Yamato allowed himself to sit on it while Alejandro jumped onto his bed.

"Really, thanks for doing this for me, man. A rockstar…doing all this shit for little old me," the man laughed. His jet-black hair was like a mop on his head and his hazel eyes danced with amusement.

Yamato didn't know what to think or say. The guy had just welcomed him in his apartment…when they were practically strangers to each other. Sora hadn't even formally introduced them to each other – he didn't understand how he could be so relaxed and calm. He had only seen Alejandro play the piano from afar, but never met him personally. There was something about him that made him feel envious. Perhaps it was his free spirit and that nothing was holding him back – he wasn't sure. Behind the piano, the guy was genius. The guy was serious…Yamato just never knew he was so friendly and open when he wasn't with his instrument, or in that fact, instruments. There were times when Yamato had seen him play the saxophone too.

"You're really quiet, aren't ya? I really owe Sora for convincing you to do this – she said you had a good voice. I didn't know if she was telling the truth or not because she's so critical when it comes to music, ya know? No offence, but I haven't really heard your band yet. I'm not really into rock. I'm more of the Diana Ross, Lionel Ritchie kind of guy. I like my classical rock, though. Queen's good," the man continued to ramble.

It would take an idiot to not realize how much Alejandro was crazy about music. He also remembered that Sora had told him he gave him his old life and girlfriend just to fulfil his career. He wished he had his determination.

He suddenly jumped when he felt a couple of sheets fall onto him. He peered at the front and back of the sheets curiously to notice that it was the sheet music to 'Summer Wind.'

"I figured you'd come by eventually. A true singer needs to know what note he or she'll, mind you, be singing in," he said. "Especially when they're going to focus on the pianist tomorrow night. I recomposed and adjusted the music…because I need to make it original."

"Alright, thanks," Yamato grinned. "You really are something."

He shrugged. "There's always better people."

At least Alejandro wasn't self-conceited as some talented people were. He was humble. After talking about the weather, more music and exchanging each other's personal matters…Yamato decided to leave. It was about three in the afternoon now. He didn't want to take much of his time since he figured that Alejandro needed to practise as well.

He departed the pianist's apartment and walked steadily down the stairs. He paused midway. The dolce notes of the pianoforte drizzled up to him in a quiet melody. As he slowly went down a step, he heard a soft voice accompanying the tune. It was an average voice for a singer, but it sprung a sense of innocence and truthfulness with what she was singing. It sounded like a dreamer, immersed in a reverie. A dreamer lost in her own world. It was someone that he didn't expect to sing so elegantly and delicately. Her voice was so fragile that it was as if she'd scare the notes away. Simply beautiful.

"…Not at all

And I know by your smile it's you

Don't care for me, don't cry

Let's say goodbye, Adieu

It's time to say goodbye, I know that in time

It will just fade away, it's time to say goodbye"

The song was foreign to him, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was what he was witnessing. His feet had unconsciously led him to the last step and he was now leaning against the doorframe, taking in the scene in amazement. She was tilting towards the turning point of the music because she looked suddenly prepared for the next bit of the song. Her cheeks were now blooming slightly pink now and her eyes were closed, feeling the melody enrapture through her veins. Her fiery hair shone and sparkled in the sunlight over her face and he had to squint to just in tandem to see her lush red lips open to sing more…

"Oh how I love you so, lost in those memories

And now you've gone

I feel the pain, feeling like a fool, Adieu

My love for you burns deep

Inside me, so strong

Embers of times we had

And now here I stand lost in a memory

I see your face and smile"

She then proceeded with the piano solo, playing a string of difficult notes that floated in the air ever so smoothly. Unexpectedly, she snapped out of her daze and looked right through him. Her notes stumbled everywhere, stopping as she covered her mouth with a hand in shock. Her concentrated facial expression was eliminated in an instant.

"Yamato?" she blinked.

It was funny that she had used his real name in her state of fright, for once not resorting to call him by his alias name. He stood straight, sauntering towards her while applauding. A mischievous grin slid onto his face, "Sorry for intruding. I didn't-"

"Oh," she sighed, pointing a finger at him. "Don't you dare scare me like that!"

"Sorry," he apologized for the second time.

"I know I don't play as well as Alejandro or you play…nor do I have a fantastic voice as you do…so don't say anything!"

"Hey, I was about to compliment you! Sora, you were really-"

"No thanks. I don't like taking pity compliments," she retorted.

He chuckled. She refused to face him as if to save herself from embarrassment and humiliation.

"So you come here early to practice sometimes?" he assumed.

"I guess…well…not really. I don't play the piano. Alejandro only taught me how to play this song only…because, well. It's a special song."

"Why is that?"

She paused for a bit, opening her mouth, then closing it again. She seemed to find the best and appropriate way to answer his question. "My father dedicated this song to my mother."

Whatever it was, he knew she felt uncomfortable talking about it…so he let it go and changed the subject. "What's the song called?"

"Adieu."

"It's got a sad tune."

"It's a sad song," she said lowly. She shook her head. "What brings you here? This place doesn't open till after six."

Yamato flashed the sheets of music in his hands at her. She nodded, catching on and apprehending his reason from the single glance. He just then took account that her hands were now away from the ivory keys, as if the piano was contagious from a certain type of disease.

"You don't have to be scared of the instrument cause I'm here."

"No…it's just my fingers hurt a bit."

"Since you won't allow me to compliment you, I'll critique you then. Next time, make sure to curve your fingers more – like you're holding a tennis ball or something. It'll help you play more effectively," he said.

He bent down towards her and placed her hands into his. Yamato took her right hand and spread it open then curved her fingers as he placed her hand onto the piano. "Like this."

"Thanks teacher," she smiled.

He instinctively wanted to hit himself for not thinking before he had offered to 'teach' her. She was now invading his personal space and he could feel her breath trickling his neck and her hair grazing him…not to mention that they were-

"Holding hands, now?"

Both of them jumped, immediately letting go of each other's hands. There standing before them was his best friend with a ridiculous smile plastered on his face. He was glad that he didn't inherit any genes to blush easily. Unfavourably, the same couldn't be said for Sora whose face was currently a deep shade of scarlet.

"Tai?" Yamato said. "What are you doing here?"

"Same could be said to you."

"We were holding hands…because of my grandma thing," he lied. Sora rolled her eyes evidently knowing that he was such a terrible deceiver.

"Bullshit," Tai swore, still giving a crooked smile at them. "Surprised to see me? I was actually looking for you, man. You weren't at home, you weren't at the studio, you weren't at the music store…then I remember how you'd tell me you'd always go here in your spare time. So I figured you'd be here. I knew the place since you told me it's where you met Sora and I knew where she worked. I just didn't realize that it was open this early."

"It's not," the only woman there corrected.

"How'd you get in?" Yamato queried. He wondered what excuse Tai had made to get in.

"The door was wide open."

"Huh?"

"My fault," Sora said, suddenly aware. "I forgot to lock it. It's non-business hours, after all. Anyway, I should get to the bar. I need to check what alcohol I should restock."

She awkwardly made her way from the two men. She hollered as she left them, "You'd better practice, Yamato! See you tomorrow!"

Taichi and Yamato took their queue to leave, until the blond realized the three large bags his best friend was attempting to hold all at once. Without saying a word, he took one and carried it for the brunette.

"Practice for what?"

"I'm going to sing for Alejandro tomorrow," he responded tersely.

"I see," Tai said. "You're all close to Sora, huh?"

"I have to be…if I want this whole façade to succeed."

"Just don't, well, don't play with her."

"I'm not a player, Tai, you know me."

"Sorry…she's just like a little sister to me, I don't want her to get hurt," Taichi sighed. "She's an only child…she's never really had anyone to depend on. I feel like shit now because…Mimi…it's like I stole her away. Mimi's one of her only friends."

Yamato kept silent, taking a chance to observe Tai's face. He seemed reserved, and for once, not as energetic as he usually was. He was a bit pale and looked rather tired. Not to mention, he had noticed his friend's tone of voice change when he mentioned his girlfriend's name.

"Are you okay?"

"Fine," he replied a bit too quickly for his liking.

He'd wait for Tai to tell him because whenever something wrong happened…it didn't take long for him to break down and tell him everything that irked or worried him. "Where's your car parked?"

"Over at your house."

Now this made him feel suspicious. Whatever Tai was going to tell him seemed serious. The guy must have panicked since he did say that he searched everywhere for him…and leaving his car at his house…bringing three heavy bags along without thinking of leaving it in the car-

Out of nowhere, he dropped the bags onto the footpath they had been walking on. Yamato watched the grown man squat down like a young boy, running his fingers through his hair.

"Mimi kicked me out."

Yamato's eyes widened. "What?"

As far as he knew, Mimi and Taichi were practically married…and Taichi being kicked out? It was inexcusable! Mimi had to be well aware of the fact how much he loved her and – that was exactly why he loathed relationships with such anger.

Taichi stood up again, gaining his composure. He gave a weak smile, "Is it okay if I crash your home for a while?"

"Sure, Tai," Yamato said. He patted his friend's back. "Let's go."

Not only did he have no time to practice 'Summer Wind' that night…he also didn't realize that he would forget to produce an awaited song for his band. In due time, he eventually would find out…

- X -

And hello to the longest chapter so far! For once, I'm actually satisfied with this chapter. My favourite part that I enjoyed writing was the piano scenario where Matt is looking at Sora. There will be no titles for the chapters anymore because I find it difficult to name them.

The song I used was, as said, Adieu by Emily Bindiger (from the Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack). It's an amazing song and really fluffy with a melancholy tone to it. This song got me into the 'jazz' genre altogether.

Thank-you for reading!