Second song: going back
Note: Yes Symphonia is back in track! Sorry for pausing it, I hope you like it and somehow the wait was… at least not worthless. Enjoy!
A slight reminder:
Symphonia's cast
Natsuki: Main vocalist, Ace of Spades
Shizuru: Main vocalist, Natsuki's assigned partner, Ace of hearts
Jeanne: Bass/ supporting singer, Queen
Kaito: Drums, King
Ryû: Guitar, Jack.
Misaki: Manager of the band and representative
Shizuru got up early and proceeded to follow her usual routine. When she was done she headed towards the studio wondering how to act before Natsuki now that she knew what the younger woman had gone through.
Shizuru had the feeling of arriving a bit too early to the studio since it was quite empty, except for some staff running about. Just when the brunette was about to turn around to go out maybe to a cafeteria to get some tea she heard a faint sound resounding down the rather inhabited hallway.
Deciding to check it out she looked for its source, soon realizing it was the sound of faint beating of music. Following her ear's indications she reached a door which was a jar, and she could clearly hear the music now.
Peering in discretely she saw a spacious empty room brightly lit. And in the middle she saw Natsuki holding a microphone and dancing to the music being played by the music player behind her.
There was the sound of a guitar and then Natsuki brought up the microphone to her lips as she started to sing.
Step back I'm clearing my mind
Even if you don't believe
I am so selfish
How about you?
The guitar started again, and the blunette danced swaying her hips lightly waiting for her cue to start singing again
My god abandoned me,
So what's wrong with sinning like this?
Can't I just make you mine?
As you've done to me?
There was a second long pause in which the music stopped, and then played again with full force in which Natsuki started to pour her whole soul into the song.
Wear my eyes
Wear my blood
Wear everything that you want
Kiss me blind
Till I cry
Oh why can't I let you go?
Feel me, heal me; oh I don't want to let you go!
Natsuki turned her head and Shizuru watched in awe as Natsuki's raven blue hair moved slowly in the hair for a split second till it settled once more on Natsuki's shoulders.
Suddenly the music stopped which made the brunette pay attention to the singer's actions once more, and realized it had been Natsuki who had paused music, frowning slightly as she didn't approve of something. Then she pressed the play button once more, the song playing again from the very start as Natsuki took her position in the middle of the room again.
Step back I'm clearing my mind
Even if you don't believe
I am so selfish
How about you?
Natsuki suddenly shook her head in middle of her performance and started the music again.
Shizuru took this as a sign to walk away discreetly from the room without the singer noticing. She seems so immersed with her rehearsal… though she doesn't look as happy as that last concert….
The woman shook her head. It was best not to think of those things and focus to get Natsuki to acknowledge her as her partner.
"Ah Fujino-san" Misaki called out recognizing her in the hallway "Most of the band is in the studio's main hall, I'm heading to collect Natsuki now."
"Ookini" Shizuru gave Misaki a polite nod and headed towards where Misaki had told her the band was waiting. Indeed, Kaito, Jeanne and Ryû were all there.
Kaito was pretending to hit some invisible drums in mid air as Jeanne was sitting on a chair reading a book. Ryû was in a corner his arms folded immersed in his own mind to have noticed Shizuru entering the hall.
"Ah, Shizuru good morning" Jeanne said politely as she saw the Ace of Clovers come in.
"Heeeeeey! Kyoto-ben!" Kaito raised his fist energetically
"Kaito!" Jeanne snapped at him "Be nice."
"But I am!" he frowned. "I'm complimenting her cool accent!"
"You're a kid Kaito…."
"No I'm not! Ryû back me up here!"
Ryû looked at Kaito for a few seconds and then opened his mouth "You're a kid." He said repeating Jeanne's words which caused Shizuru to chuckle as Kaito retaliated.
Misaki came in with a certain blunette who was following her, though slightly reluctantly.
"So." The manager started rubbing her hands together "We all know we have till tomorrow to rehearse for the celebration. Apparently the director will be there so... I'd appreciate it if we keep scenes to a minimum" her eyes flashed dangerously at the Ace of Spades which gave her a shrug in response. "It will be the usual, get up there flash people with your songs, it shouldn't be hard since these songs you will be singing are from our previous albums so you are all familiar with them."
Everyone except Shizuru and Natsuki murmured in agreement.
"At the end of the celebration we will officially announce the recruitment of the new Ace and Symphonia's full return to the world of music."
"About time too!" Kaito gave an energetic punch in the air. "My drumming muscles are getting soggy; no one likes a soggy Kaito." Everyone in the room face palmed
"Yes I think it would be nice." Jeanne agreed as Ryû gave a short nod of approval.
"That being settled, we will now choose which songs will be interpreted. Fujino-san can watch the rehearsals so she can get familiar with our working environment. Fujino-san" Misaki turned to look at the singer "Make sure to watch closely since in two days you will be soon rehearsing on stage with them."
Shizuru nodded.
Jeanne handed Natsuki a microphone which the blunette took without much interest as they climbed up into the provisional stage.
"What should we rehearse?" Jeanne asked the others
"We should practice 'Silver guns' we didn't get much of a chance to play that one" Ryû suggested.
Kaito picked up his drum sticks and twirled them in his hand. Ok!" The king made sure that everybody was ready before shouting "One! Two! Three! GO!"
"That's enough for today" Misaki said smiling at them "Ok… let's see… Kaito" The boy looked up when he heard his name "You need to keep your strength constant, there was a moment in which the beating lost its vigor you need to work on that"
"Yes ma'am!" he said in his usual cheerful voice
"Jeanne, try to look at the audience more"
Jeanne nodded.
"Ryû, you did fine today, I'm very proud." Ryû seemed indifferent to this praise as if he already assumed it was coming.
"Natsuki…" As the manager mentioned the singer's name, a definite chill and tension fell upon the room. "You need to smile more."
Natsuki took a strand of hair behind her ear as she got off the stage and headed towards the door. "I'll smile for the real thing." She said right before leaving.
"Where is she going in such a hurry?"
"The usual" Jeanne murmured eyeing Shizuru from the corner of her eye in case she noticed something
"Ah that…"
Shizuru rose her eyebrows not understanding all the secrecy.
The day had finally come. Shizuru had watched the band work hard for this celebration so she wasn't especially worried about them. She was more anxious about herself; Misaki said she would be the news of the event... As she headed towards the studio the sight that met her eyes didn't help in the slightest. Even if the celebration had yet to start she saw a massive conglomeration of mass media, cameras and reporters.
She walked by them in an attempt to enter the studio unnoticed catching bits of their reports.
"Here we are live, before the studio in which the 20th anniversary of this historic studio Garderobe had been founded.
Even it's only two decades old, it's considered historic due to the many famous top singers and bands it has harbored along its short years such as: The Narcotics, Alive and soundless, Aki Murayama and also the famous band Symphonia which left the world of music without warning at the peak of its fame due to a certain incident three years ago.
Today, it is said that Symphonia will be the main dish of this special occasion in which they will officially announce their return along with other surprises…"
Shizuru finally reached the door in which a big man in a black suit with glasses stood watching Shizuru's every move carefully. "Excuse me" Shizuru began politely "I need to go inside…" the man just stood there with no intention to budge "Sorry ma'am my orders is to keep everybody out."
"But I work here."
"Yea, that's what they all say"
"But-"
"Michael, let her in she's saying the truth" came in Misaki saving Shizuru at the same time.
"Ah! She should have said…" he moved aside to let them in
Shizuru rolled her eyes as she entered the studio along with the manager.
"So Fujino-san… nervous?"
"A bit" she confessed walking besides the woman
"Don't be, you're talented and beautiful you will be of the public's liking." Misaki said waving her hand as she were waving away Shizuru's insecurities. Somehow Shizuru felt like it had worked somehow since she was feeling less nervous.
"Besides won't be the only one a bit nervous today"
"Ara?"
"Well, it's been a long time we have been in the shadows; it's a big moment for us all." I'm particularly worried about a certain person too… She didn't take in Shizuru's presence very well… I don't know what she could do in front of the media…
"Anyways, it will all go fine" she said trying to convince herself more than the brunette walking next to her.
"Wow, lots of people still love us!" Kaito said peering through the gap in the curtains.
"Yes it's amazing that so many people have come" Jeanne agreed giving the string of her bass a little jerk with her hand.
"Where's Natsuki?" Ryû asked noticing that the singer wasn't there. Everyone reacted the same.
"You don't think she would dump us…. Would she?"
"No Kaito! Natsuki doesn't do that."
"I don't do what?" asked a familiar voice behind them.
"Natsuki!" Jeanne exclaimed turning around to look at her then she turned to Kaito raising her eyebrow practically saying 'you see?' in a silent manner.
"So everybody is ready?" Natsuki asked adjusting her clothes slightly
"Yeah!"
Jeanne and Ryû nodded.
"Ok then… Bring it on!" Natsuki's mouth curved into a smile as the curtains moved to reveal the band to a lot of applause and cheering.
Shizuru watched everything from a corner amused that Natsuki could display such a kind smile almost effortlessly. Very much like the video… but not the same…
"Hello! Thank you for having us here" Natsuki started her green eyes twinkling in the spot light "as you all know this Studio was the one that help Symphonia enter the world of music, which we would very much like to do get into once again with this studio by our side" Natsuki shrugged like if she didn't care which cause her public to wonder why the singer would give such a contradictory gesture to her speech.
Shizuru's eyes travelled to Misaki who had stiffened in her seat.
"I'm sorry but I don't know if anyone here knows me well enough to know that I don't really care for all that courtesy emotional cliché speeches, I had to say it so my manager won't go berserk on me later" the public laughed at this. "Well now that I got that off my chest" more laughter followed this "Let's sing! Since I'm pretty sure you didn't come for corny speeches" the people clapped and cheered as the music started, and Misaki rubbed her temples. This girl will be the end of me…
Shizuru watched all this. Natsuki captured the people's attention and admiration like if it was second nature… its quite amazing.
"Now that this event is coming to an end we have some announcements to make."
"That's my cue" Misaki said getting up from her seat, she scanned the public quickly and spotted Shizuru and headed towards her.
"It's time Fujino-san… ready?"
"Y-yes…" Shizuru replied feeling her heart beat fast against her chest.
Misaki climbed up onto the stage as the band stood in the background.
"Symphonia" Misaki started as she adjusted her microphone "Symphonia is a band of two singers… two aces… today I would like to present our newest ace! The ace of hearts Shizuru Fujino!"
Shizuru climbed onto the stage as Misaki signaled her, the next thing she knew she was being blinded by the continuous flashes of cameras as she came back down from the stage a bunch of reporters surrounded her asking her questions.
"Why have they chosen you?"
"How soon will you start singing with them?"
"Fujino-san please tell us since when you have been with them!"
Shizuru somehow made her way through the mass of reporters closing in on her guided by Misaki who was trying to take the band away from the media.
However one of the reporters managed to get a grasp upon Natsuki who was following them last.
"Natsuki-san! What's your relation to your new partner?"
The raven singer stopped in her tracks and glared at the reporter who had asked the question, causing him to gulp in fear.
"There is no relation. And she is not my partner."
Note: ok this chapter was a bit… I promise it gets better; hopefully this chapter won't discourage you to keep reading this fic!
OMAKE:
Shizuru: Buaaa *sniffles*
Natsuki: *sweat drop* Oi…. It's not my fault it's the author's!
Shizuru: Buaaa *sobs uncontrollably*
Natsuki: … Seriously I don't hate you!
Shizuru: *sobs more* that is not true! You hate me!
Natsuki: Asuka! DO SOMETHING!
Asuka: Fufu… come here Shizuru I will COMFORT you
Natsuki: SO THAT'S YOUR PLAN!