Chapter 4

Under the Spot Light

Part 1

Hikaru's point of view

My hand were warm and my arms were shaking. My heart was beating faster than ever before. I can feel the sweet adrenaline shooting through my veins as my glassy eyes watched in anticipation for the show to start. The lights dimmed and all around me the world froze. In this moment, everything was perfect. In this small moment, before the curtain opens and the lights come on, nothing else matters. Every problem, every concern disappears. These are the moments I live for.

With my guitar in my hand, I walk up to my spot next to Kaoru, who stands in the center of the stage. I love standing up here, next to him. I love being on stage, in front of everyone. I love the audience and how their excitement fills the whole auditorium. I love that feeling of having all of their attention. Most of all, I love how it all makes me feel. The nervousness before the show, the excitement during, and the calming aftermath. All of it is just so intoxicating.

I look out past the stage to see a huge auditorium full of screaming teenagers. Quite a few of them are holding up sings and posters with our faces and names on them. I watch Kaoru as he walks up to the mic, and takes hold of it. He is really an amazing singer and I love his beautiful voice. Although our DNA is absolutely the same, our voices are still sightly different. Kaoru has a smooth, sweet, calming voice that makes you want to listen to him. Were as my voice is a bit louder, angrier, and huskier. Together our voices make a perfect harmony, and I would know because we tend to say the samethings at the same time pretty often.

Because our voices sound so well together I also do duets and backup singing for Kaoru. I love singing with him! It's really fun getting to perform on stage with my twin, because it makes me feel closer to him and I love that feeling!

I try to regain my focus as the music starts. Mori starts up with his base until I hear my cue and began to strum along on my electric guitar. Getting into the music, Kaoru shifts from one foot to the next, preparing himself to sing. Then, right on cue, he opens his mouth and sings the first verse.

"Every clock is ticking faster
Taking trips around the sun
Another year, another chapter
5 and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1"

As expected he sang the first verse perfectly and even added little dance like movements to excite to the crowd even more. I prepared myself to sing the next verse with him. Although I do sing, it's usually just small parts, since I still get nervous singing in front of other people.

K: "Drop your calls, lose your keys"
H: "Before the drinks are gone"
K: "Get yourself out your seat"
H: "Oh oh"
K: "Quit bitch-in move your feet"
H: "Until the break of dawn"
K: "Cause nobody gives a damn about the day that you were born"

After the second verse Tamaki begins to play on his electric keyboard, bring in cool sound effects to our song, giving it a modern pop feel. He also uses it to manipulate Kaoru's voice a little, also giving it a cool electric sound.

"Except for everyone who ruins your birthday
You gotta party like it's not, party like it's not
This songs for anyone who is having the worst day
You gotta party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh"

At this point all of us together play our instruments in sync with each other, finally meeting the climax of the song. This is the point were we all give it our best and play/sing our hearts out for the crowd. Along with Kaoru, we all sing the course together, giving the song an exciting, party feel. Honey on the drums, Mori on the base, Tamaki on the keyboard, me on the lead guitar and Kaoru singing. All together we make a wonderful family!

A: "Party like it's not, party like it's not"
K: "Like it's not your birthday"
A: "Party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh
Party like it's not, party like it's not"
K: "Like it's not your birthday"
A: "Party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh"

When we all work together like this, I think we make pretty great music. It's too bad that Kyouya refuses to play anything with us, I'm sure he'd make a great rhythm guitarist or tech guy, so Tamaki can focus on the keyboard and piano. Well, at least he makes a great manager! He always sets up all of our shows and interviews and prepares everything for our music videos and albums. He truly is a mastermind at planning and organization.

"Take a sip of the high life
Chase it down until you fall
365 nights
Why just one if we can have them all"

We usually write all of our songs together, but it's most of them are written by Tamaki and Honey, which is why most of our songs are so up beat and happy. Kaoru writes all the time, but he never lets anyone see them and I never hear him sing them either. It must just be that my sweet little brother is shy, but that never stops me from trying to read what he writes!

K: "Drop your calls, lose your keys"
H: "Before the drinks are gone"
K: "Get yourself out your seat"
H: "Oh oh"
K: "Clap your hands, move your feet"
H: "Until the break of dawn"
K: "Cause nobody gives a damn about the day that you were born
This songs for everyone who ruins your birthday
You gotta party like it's not, party like it's not
This songs for anyone who is having the worst day
You gotta party like it's not, party like it's not"
H: "Oh o oh"

And once again we all come together and sing the course.

A: "Party like it's not, party like it's not"
K:"Like it's not your birthday"
A: "Party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh
Party like it's not, party like it's not"
K: "Like it's not your birthday"
A: "Party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh"

I refocus on the song as my rap solo comes up. I nervously step up next to my brother, who step over to share his mic with me. Knowing just how nervous I am, he gives me a sweet reassuring smile to boost my confidence. I love my brother, he is always there for me. I smile back at him as I take hold of the microphone in my hands.

"Ok lets lose control
I wanna see everybody on the floor
Well go and send your invitations
Do it now 'cause time is wasting
Life is tough so fill them cups
One life to live, so live it up
Drinks go up, drink em' down
Turn it up, wake up the town
Ok, Check it out, here's the plan
We gonna dance till we can not stand
Move your feet to every beat
O Crap, bring it back, put it on repeat
We are going to party till the break of dawn
I don't even know how i'm getting home
It's alright it's ok
It's not even my birthday"

After my solo is over I release a silent sigh of relief. I did it! The whole thing! Without even screwing up! I can't believe it! I look over at Kaoru to see his expression. When our eyes met he smiled proudly at me and I felt a small flutter of pure happiness in side my chest and I could feel a small blush spread across my checks. Kaoru is the only person who can make me feel this way. I'm not sure what this feeling is, but I know that making Kaoru happy always makes me happy too. This time the course is only sung by Kaoru and I, to calm down the crowd a bit before the ending of the song, that a way it doesn't end too abruptly or something.

H:" Party like it's not, party like it's not"
K:"Like it's not your birthday"
H: "Party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh
Party like it's not, party like it's not"
K: "Like it's not your birthday"
H: "Party like it's not, party like it's not
Oh o oh"

Then with one last burst of energy we all sing the ending together and we all play our instruments together to end the song on a good note.

"This song is for everyone who it ain't your birthday
You gotta party like it's not, party like it's not
This song's for anyone who is having the worst day
You gotta party like it's not, party like it's not
oh o oh
(Like it's not your birthday)
Party like it's not, party like it's not
(Like it's not your birthday)
Party like it's not, party like it's not
oh o oh
(Like it's not your birthday)
Party like it's not, party like it's not
(Like it's not your birthday)
Party like it's not, party like it's not
oh o oh"

As we all bring the song to it's end the crowd goes completely wild! Once again, a perfect song. I look over at Kaoru, who gives me a questioning look. That's right, he and I have some unfinished business to attend to after the concert. I give him one of our all famous HikaKao smirks.

He looks down at the ground in a failed attempt to hide the growing blush on his cheeks. Then a second later I noticed that he was still looking at the ground. His eyes were unfocused and he was just staring at some empty space in front of the stage. He looked so sad that I completely forgot about the cheering crowd and walked up to him and placed my hand on his solder. He looked over his solder at me and I gave him a great big smile to remind him that everything was going to be okay. In return he gave me a sweet small smile to tell me that he was fine, just tired. I rolled my eyes at him to say yeah, right. He giggled at me, rolling my eyes. It's so great that he and I can communicate so well with one another, just through looks and glances. I suppose thats the outcome of us constantly excluding ourselves from others when we were younger. Well, whatever it was that was bothering my brother, we only had one more song to do and I would find out what it was soon enough.

~Aki Autter

Author's Note

So, I just thought I should mention, I don't own this song at all. Totally borrowed it from Allstars Weekend and I recommend you listen to their song untitled "Not Your Birthday". Also, sorry I haven't updated in a few days, school suddenly got really busy. Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter. I felt that the story needed a happy upbeat chapter :3

Not Your Birthday
by Allstars Weekend