Edit: (H) Okay, went through the story again and fixed small spelling errors and such. It just...bothers me...seriously, tell me if you guys see anything. PM us or something, but tell me D:
Warning! This chapter is long. Really long. As in longer than the first chapter. Keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle, ladies and gents. This is gonna be one helluva ride.
Hoshi Byul was taking college classes in the summer, so I was all alone most of the time. Why didn't I take them too, you ask? Because I'd have to get a shot. HA! They're funny. I'll take them when we're OUT of high school. Thank you very much.
Byul Hoshi has an extreme case of trypanophobia.
Hoshi I FREAKING HATE NEEDLES. They scare me to death. Only doctor's ones though D:
Byul Put this girl in a room full of sewing needles and she'd be happily poking away at her skin.
Hoshi But if you get just ONE freaking shot near me, I will not hesitate to try and mess you up.
Byul What is it that you don't like about them anyways?
Hoshi Well, it's not the pain. I couldn't give a flipping fuck about that. I've broken so many bones I don't even care anymore xD
Byul Then why?
Hoshi I don't know why! That's why it's a phobia. It's an irrational fear.
Byul Didn't you cry and try to escape last time you had to get a shot? They had to tie your arm down.
Hoshi Don't judge me :C
Byul Wouldn't dream of it buddy :snickers: Hey look, I found an ant pile!
Hoshi :gone:
Byul hehehe
Show Biz: Act I
Scene VIII:
But O, How Bitter a Thing It Is to Look Into Happiness Through Another Man's Eyes
Finally. At last, Kanda had some alone time with the moyashi. That stupid rabbit was dragged away by the panda geezer to do some commercial. He secretly thanked whatever deity that may exist for giving him this small victory.
Kanda was currently standing next to Allen, who was sitting at the desk in their room. The contract from the studio was spread out before them. It had already been finalized, but Kanda had been wanting to go over it with Allen, just to be sure they both understood the terms.
"Hey Kanda, where is this percentage specified? I can't find it..." Allen muttered to himself.
Kanda put a hand to the left of Allen to support himself, and leaned closer to see what part the moyashi was pointing to. Allen unconsciously shied away from the older man. Kanda noticed this, and decided to test something. He leaned just a little bit closer and his eyebrow twitched as he saw Allen stiffen up a lean just a bit farther away. He leaned down to try and see Allen's face, but the stupid moyashi just looked away and twiddled his fingers.
Why you I oughta... Kanda thought. Okay, that's it.
Kanda put his other hand down on Allen's right side, effectively trapping him and earning a satisfying squeak from the teen. Kanda used his foot to kick the chair the moyashi was in to make it spin and face him.
"Moyashi..." he growled, "Why have you been avoiding me?"
"I-I...I..." Allen stammered, shocked that Kanda was being so upfront, and paralyzed by his close quarters.
Holy crap...he's...he's right there. Too close. Too close too close too close! was all poor Allen could think as Kanda's eyebrows furrowed. Allen always hated when that happened. Not that it made Kanda look unattractive, goodness no, but because the man was upset. It irked Allen even more that, this time, he was the cause.
"What are you staring at Moyashi?" Kanda muttered.
And before Allen could stop himself, he reached up and poked the little crease between Kanda's eyebrows to smooth it out.
Kanda blinked. Allen blinked. Once. Twice. Then a little nervous smile appeared on Allen's face. "Uh...there was a wrinkle? Hehehe...you...look better this way."
Then, miraculously, Kanda laughed. It was a bit quiet, and deep in his chest, but it was a laugh. And it made Allen smile that unique smile that he reserved specially for Kanda.
Kanda had never witnessed this up close. He was left in awe at the brightness before him. Sometimes, Kanda would catch the moyashi with an unusually quiet, almost gloomy, air about him. As if he was constantly thinking of things he had no hope of changing. Things from his past, Kanda assumed. It made Kanda want to know more about the moyashi. He...dare he think it? He wanted to help. Help Allen get rid of whatever burden was on his shoulders, or at the very least lighten it a little. It wasn't pity, no, he just wanted Allen to be able to be himself. He wanted to see the true Allen. It was moments like these, when Allen smiled at him, that Kanda thought he could see that. Allen's true self breaking out from behind a wall. Even if it was only for a moment. It was then that Kanda decided to make Allen smile more often. It was definitely worth it.
Allen was left wondering what exactly Kanda was thinking. Neither of them spoke afraid to break this rare and comfortable silence. Allen couldn't help but stare into Kanda's eyes. They were so dark and deep, but Allen could see a light somewhere in there. It was warm and amazing. Allen mused about the source of that light, never even guessing that it was him. One thing that Allen knew for sure was that he wanted more. It was an addicting sort of warmth. He wanted to draw more and more of it out. He still didn't even know much about Kanda, but he sensed that the rest of that light was hidden behind something else. He didn't know what first made the small hole it was now coming from, but whatever – Or whoever... He thought grudgingly – it was, he was grateful.
Unconsciously, both of them had drifted closer and closer to each other. Now their faces were less than half a foot apart. Their breaths came in light inhales and exhales, slowly ghosting their way towards the other.
They leaned closer. Hesitant. Tentative. Drifting.
They're eyes started to drift closed.
Closer.
Then there was a knock at the door.
"Allen, Kanda, did you finish reading the con...tract...yet? What's up with you guys?" Lenalee said as she entered without waiting after knocking.
Upon hearing Lenalee's knock, Kanda pushed himself away from Allen, landed on the edge of his bed, crossed an ankle over his knee, and started to examine his nails as if they were completely fascinating. All in a split second.
Allen had spun the chair around to face the desk again. Leaned on his elbows and started whistling the tune to one of their songs.
"Hm? Us? What do you mean?" Allen answered as nonchalantly as he could. He couldn't help the blush that was already on his face though.
Thankfully, Lenalee didn't seem to notice.
Lenalee walked down the short hall to room seven. She just got a call from the studio. They were almost done setting up, so they needed to get ready and go over there.
She was about to knock when she heard something really...strange...
Laughter, but...oh my gosh, that's Kanda laughing! I've never even heard him chuckle.
She wondered what could be making him laugh like that...then she shrugged it off and knocked to let them know they should shout if they were changing or something. Only a second passed by until she let herself in.
"Allen, Kanda, did you finish reading the con...tract...yet?"
And she saw it. Not the actual moment, but she noticed how Kanda and Allen tried to cover something up.
"What's up with you guys?"
"Hm? Us? What do you mean?" Allen asked her smoothly.
She raised an eyebrow when she saw the blush on his face and decided to let it go.
"Never mind. The studio called. I was on my way up to tell you guys to get ready to go out, but it looks like you already are. So, c'mon boys, let's head over there," she said.
Allen got up and walked out followed closely by Kanda.
And as Kanda passed her, that's when she noticed. Kanda was faintly blushing. Blushing. Kanda. Kanda and blushing. The Kanda. And it clicked.
Oooooooh myyyyyyyy goooooooosh...I did NOT see that coming, she thought. Then a mischievous little smile spread on her face. Well, ain't that something?
She closed the door and followed them down the hall as she hummed a merry tune.
Kanda looked back at her and said, "Che, what're you so happy about?"
"Nothing much~" she said. She sped up to get to the car first, and as she passed Kanda she winked and whispered, "I'm rooting for you!"
It actually made him freeze and stare at her aghast. She just pumped her fist and mouthed, "Fighting!*"
As they drove to the studio, Allen's mind was in complete turmoil. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened back at the Order.
That just can't be what I think it was. I mean, as far as I know, Kanda isn't even homosexual. Or bisexual. Or any sexual for that matter. He...no, he's said it too many times. He doesn't do relationships. Even if he...if we were about...to ki...kiss...he was probably just curious. I mean, I'm not blind. I'm okay looking underneath it all... He probably just wanted to make sure whether or not he could be attracted to someone of the same sex. No way would he consider me as an actual option...That...doesn't mean I can't hope though, right? People change... Allen concluded with a glance at Kanda.
Meanwhile, although Kanda was his usual frosty self on the outside, it was a completely different story on the inside. Kanda's mind was going through some major reconstruction.
Shit, what was that Kanda? You? Lose control? Get a grip! Che, people will think you're going soft. If you go soft, they take advantage of you. They worm their way into your heart and leave. You're just begging for another Alma, Kanda berated himself.
Che, that wasn't love. You were just close that's all, a reasonable part of him countered.
Too close. Wait, this isn't love either! This...I...I just don't know...maybe. Che, since Alma...I guess I never stuck with someone long enough to know what love is. It's been hard, but it's made me stronger.
Not stronger, just blind, that reasonable part interrupted again.
...Che, they say love is blind. Maybe...I hate to admit it...but maybe this will be a change for the better, Kanda finished thinking as he took a quick look at the moyashi, only to see him glance his way.
Upon being caught with their hands in the same cookie jar, Allen and Kanda looked away flustered.
By this time, they had arrived at the studio. Instead of parking in front, Lenalee park in the back of the building. She looked briefly at the two in the back and motion for them to get out. Wanting to ask, but being a bit apprehensive to, Allen and Kanda just got out and waited for further instructions.
"I'm a bit ashamed as a manager to have missed this. But yesterday night, I realized something extremely important. Can either of you guess what it is?" Lenalee asked them suddenly.
Allen and Kanda looked at each other in confusion, shrugged, and shook their heads as they came up with nothing. They had no idea where she was going with this.
"...Well, I've heard you sing, Allen. And I've heard you sing, Kanda...but, I've never heard you two sing together. I want to hit myself for not realizing sooner."
"Don't."
Surprisingly, it was Kanda who offered this bit of encouragement. "You've had a lot on your plate. Don't berate yourself for something that can easily be remedied."
Lenalee gave him a smile and, in an act of something only she could do, she reached up to give Kanda a pat on the head.
"Thank you."
Kanda just looked away and mumbled something that sounded like, "Yeah whatever."
Lenalee chuckled and told Allen, "He's rather shy, isn't he?"
A playful glint appeared in Allen's eyes as he said, "You have no idea."
"Oi, moyashi* have no say in this," Kanda huffed playfully.
"Shut up, Bakanda," Allen bantered back.
Lenalee watched in amusement and said, "So, I'd like to hear you guys sing now, if it's possible."
Kanda stopped in the middle of his response to Allen. He just looked at his partner, who seemed to have an idea.
"Kanda?" Allen asked.
"Hm?"
"Do you know the song Just Hold Me Close?"
Lenalee tried her best not to show her shock. Allen was choosing to sing a MANA song? With Kanda? Maybe these two are closer than I thought...but I don't think Kanda knows just how much this means to Allen...
"Yes. Of course," Kanda replied quietly.
Allen and Kanda gave each other a look of simple understanding, then Allen closed his eyes and started to sing. In a silent agreement, Allen sang the melody and Kanda sang the lower harmonies.
Lenalee covered her mouth to quiet the small gasp that escaped her lips. Because, although she was amazed and in awe of how beautifully their voices complimented each other, she was focused on Kanda.
Kanda was looking at Allen with...this look in his eyes. As if Allen was the only thing in the world he could see, and he didn't care. That kind of look was what she saw in her brother's eyes when he looked at Reever...and Bak's eyes as he looked at her. It was a gaze full of love and compassion. And it made her...happy. So happy, just to know that at least one of the young men that she now viewed as family, almost like sons, had found happiness close to home. She still wasn't sure about Allen's feelings, but she had this fluttering in her gut telling her that Allen and Kanda would be perfect for each other. A new determination arose within her to make sure these two were happy.
All these emotions along with the beautiful symphony was enough to coax more than a few tears out of her amethyst eyes.
After Allen made a fuss about making Lenalee cry and insisted that he help her clean up, she laughed and made a joke about finally having a gay friend, which made Allen blush and stop insisting so much. Once Lenalee had composed herself enough, she told Allen to go in and wait in the small lobby just inside the doors. When he looked at her, confused, she just waved him on.
"I just need to talk to Kanda about something."
Allen still looked confused, but just shrugged and resumed his journey.
Kanda, on his part, was left in an awkward position, semi expecting what she was about to say next.
"So~ you like Allen, huh?"
"..."
"You like him a lot more than you may think," she said a bit more seriously. "I just want to let you know that the company doesn't have any policies concerning dating. Not that you would care if they did," she continued as she saw Kanda about to protest.
"Che, I don't even know if he likes me like that."
Oh, I have a feeling he does, she thought to herself.
"Just don't hurt him, okay?"
He looked at her for a second and nodded his understanding. "Now...what did you really want to talk to me about?"
Lenalee just sighed and grumbled, "Sometimes, you're too sharp for your own good."
Kanda just stayed silent, urging her to continue.
"Kanda, what do you plan on doing after this?" Lenalee asked as she crossed her arms.
"After...this?"
"After we finish recording. It will only take until the end of this month. It may just be my bias as his manager, but my gut is telling me that Allen and Lavi got the part. The results should be in by the end of the week. That puts us at July 10th. Once they start filming, Allen will be booked going back and forth from here to the film site. Once we finish recording here he'll be at the site practically day and night. You'll need to find something to do. Allen will be busy, and you'll...what? Just hang at the Order? That's not how show biz works, Kanda."
"I know that," Kanda said solemnly.
"I have an idea...but something tells me you and I are thinking the same thing."
"Che? How would you know if I even have an idea?"
Lenalee just shrugged. "Despite my familiarity with you two, I'm still your manager. I make it my business to know you inside out...although I have to admit, I didn't notice you liked Allen until just this morning," she teased.
"...! Che! Anyways, what's your idea?" Kanda tactfully changed the subject.
"I was thinking you could do a solo album, and help with the soundtrack for the second season of The Demon."
"I'm way ahead of you on that first part. I didn't think about The Demon though. Two seasons huh..."
Lenalee hadn't fully expected this.
"Anything you want to tell me?"
"Ah. I wrote a few songs without Allen knowing. I didn't want to ask him for help. And plus, it would...be...awkward..." Kanda finished with a mumble.
"Aw, you just didn't want to remind him you'd be apart soon~ Kanda has a soft spot for Allen~"
"Che, I'm not damn soft," Kanda said, not even fully believing it himself anymore. What the fuck is this moyashi doing to me? he thought angrily.
"Sure...Anyways, it's good that you already have songs. I was thinking you could do a mini album. Three songs sounds good."
"Perfect. I already have two."
"Even more perfect. I wanted the third song to be a cover of one of you and Allen's songs, but with only you singing it."
"Sounds good to me. Now what is this about a season two soundtrack?"
"I'll tell you about that later. For now, we've kept Allen waiting for long enough," Lenalee said, smiling as she looked over Kanda's shoulder at something amusing.
Kanda's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to see what was so funny.
There, through the glass, in the lobby, sitting on a chair and surrounded by girls, was the moyashi.
What the? Kanda thought as he immediately started walking towards the lobby's entrance.
This will be fun~Lenalee thought as she followed a ways behind.
Allen was currently in a tight situation.
When he was out of uniform, he wasn't up to handling this many women. One or two at a time he could manage, but not the dozen or so female studio staff members that were currently crowded around him.
"So you're here to record?"
"You're new, right?"
"You're kind of odd. I like it."
"Are you busy after this?"
"Aw, he's shy!"
What the hell is taking them so long?
Allen could only mutter a small yes or no for each rapid fire question. Then, an unthinkable horror happened. One of them reached out to touch his hair, and managed to do it before he stood up to try and avoid it. However, that one little touch set them all off. Suddenly, they were everywhere, clinging to his arms, trying to get a photo with him, managing to touch his hair a few more times...it was crazy. Allen tried to walk away from them, but they followed him wherever he tried to escape to.
I need to back towards the doors! he thought desperately. He managed to back up a few paces that way until he noticed it was a futile attempt. He tried to back up one last time and he bumped into something. Then that something wrapped a strong arm around his shoulders and pried him away from the clinging hands. Allen twisted his head and saw Kanda standing there, glaring at all the girls trying to get to Allen.
"Kanda! You're here," Allen said with a relieved smile. The girls all backed off a bit to admire the new hottie that had just appeared. One girl giggled, and Kanda managed to glare at her over the top of Allen's head. Allen didn't know what was wrong with these girls, but even more of them burst out into giggles. It was as if they thought Kanda's glare was...cute. Allen thought that was ridiculous. Kanda's glares could melt ice...but then Allen turned a bit to see Kanda's face...and giggled.
"Eh? What are you laughing at stupid beansprout?" Kanda said in Japanese. He'd done it once or twice already when he was off guard.
"Your face...I never noticed that..." Allen also responded in Japanese out of habit.
"Noticed...what?" Kanda growled menacingly.
"Your scowl mixes with a pout a little bit when you glare...pfffft!"
And Allen couldn't help it anymore. He burst into a fit of laughter. Kanda's jaw dropped. His hand came up to cover his mouth. Last time he looked in the mirror, his glare was perfectly menacing. This moyashi was messing with him in ways he didn't even know! This had to end!
"Che!" Kanda ticked as he let go of Allen and crossed his arms and managed to put a real scowl on his face.
"Oh, are you two foreigners? Is that why you couldn't really answer our questions earlier?" one girl asked Allen.
However, thanks to Kanda, Allen had managed to get is cool back.
He ran a hand through his hair and responded smoothly, "No, we're fluent in Korean. I was just overwhelmed having so many young women talking to me at once."
Then he shot them a smile and they swooned as Lenalee finally decided to step in. "All right boys, enough with that. Time to start what we came here to do."
"Yes ma'am!" Allen mock saluted. "Goodbye," he said to the girls as he and Kanda went on their way.
Once they were out of earshot Kanda said, "Che. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you were straight. What the hell was that back there?"
Allen shrugged. "When they all stopped scaring the shit out of me by going crazy, my old habits came back."
"That bar job must have messed with you. To think you're more devious than I already thought," Kanda mumbled.
"What was that?" Allen asked, not hearing the last part.
"Che. Nothing, moyashi."
"You boys wait here while I talk to the studio director," Lenalee told them as she left them in the cozy mixing room.
Allen looked around and said, "This is nice. Wood walls, thin carpet, couches. Roomy enough, but not too spacious."
It really was a beautiful studio all around. The walls that weren't covered with soundproof foam were a beautiful mahogany, polished to perfection. The floors were a thin but smooth dark brown carpet. All the furniture that they'd seen so far was a nice cream color. The crew they'd seen on the way were busy setting up chrome mic stands and beautiful instruments. The mixing room had a huge glass window looking into the singing room. On the opposite side of the main room for recording the singing, there were smaller recording rooms for the instruments. These also had large glass windows in order for the ones in the mixing room to see them. Not to mention that in the mixing room there was...
"Whoa, no way! Is that a Fairlight? The last studio I went to only had an MX9000," Allen ranted as he leaned in for a closer look at the massive studio mixer. "Man this thing is amazing!"
"How do you even know all this? What do you mean 'the last studio' you went to?" Kanda startled Allen by saying it right next to him.
"...Wh-what...?" Allen asked, berating himself for letting all that slip out.
Kanda stepped closer and continued his barrage of questions. He knew he should probably stop, but now he couldn't help it. "What's with all the secrecy? Why don't I even know your last name? What about your arm?"
Kanda reached out a hand towards Allen's face, but Allen flinched away and Kanda's hand stopped in midair.
"Who did this to you?" he asked quietly, sounding...angry. And surprisingly emotional.
At this point, Allen was backed against the wall, anxiety and fear etched in his eyes. Kanda instantly regretted pressuring his partner. He hadn't meant to take it so far. He let his hand drop to his side as he turned away.
"Nevermind. Just...forget it..." he said dejectedly as he sat down on one of the smaller couches.
Allen watched as the man brooded, obviously regretting his actions. It was these rare moments of emotion that Kanda had which captivated Allen in a way...he just wished they weren't all aimed at finding out about him...
Allen found himself walking to the couch and sitting next to Kanda.
"I'll tell you...someday. When I'm ready."
And Allen meant it.
Kanda glanced at Allen, then let out a sigh and relaxed backwards on the couch.
Allen did the same and laced his fingers over his belly, leaning his head back to stare at the ceiling.
"Yeah...if it's you, I can tell you..."
Kanda's eyes snapped open and he twisted to look at Allen. "Oi, moyashi, what do you mean if it's-"
But Allen was asleep with and idiotic smile on his face.
Kanda threw his hands in the air in exasperation. Quietly. He didn't want to wake up the moyashi and have an awkward silence.
This silence was nice. Peaceful.
I'll tell you...someday. When I'm ready.
And for Kanda, that was enough.
It's not like it was a big studio. It was relatively small, actually, compared to others they had in Korea. This was a studio for music only, so it didn't need as many rooms. Still, Lenalee was getting fed up looking everywhere for the director, so after a minute she gave up and asked a random assistant where he might be. She had just missed him. He had gone to one of the guitar recording rooms.
She finally managed to spot him. When he saw her, he stopped what he was doing to greet her.
"You must be Miss Lee," he said, shaking her hand.
"Yes sir. We just arrived. The boys are waiting in the mixing room."
"Wonderful."
"Don't sound too excited or anything," Lenalee said, getting slightly annoyed when she caught the sarcastic tone in his voice.
"No offense against you Miss Lee, but I've seen this happen a dozen times. Pretty boys with an okay voice come in and expect to make it big overnight. Then they just up and quit when they decide they can't make it. Don't be too angry at me. I'm old. I'm tired. And if you'll excuse me, I need to reteach this idiot back there how to properly set up a mic. I'll be with you shortly."
And on that rather chipper note, the man just...left.
No one leaves Lenalee Lee feeling like some kid who just got told that Santa was only her dad all these years.
Lenalee thought frustratedly as she made her way back to where Allen and Kanda were, No. Nu-uh. This guy is going down.
Lenalee stormed in bringing all the fire and brimstone she could. Allen and Kanda snapped awake shamefully, since they were technically caught sleeping on the job. They were a bit nervous until they realized that her fury wasn't directed at them.
"Lenalee? What happened?" Allen asked in concern.
"It's that...stupid...ugh! That director is such an ass!"
Allen's mouth formed a little 'o' and Kanda's eye's widened as he whipped around to face Lenalee.
She had just cussed.
Lenalee never cussed...ever.
"Lenalee calm down and tell us what happened," Allen said. His eyes took on a steely glint. "He didn't hurt you did he?"
"No," she answered.
"Did he do anything to you?" Kanda pitched in.
"No! He's just...rude!" Lenalee said in a rage. "And it pissed me off that he insulted you guys before even meeting you. He thinks you're just another couple of wannabe's."
"Then all we have to do is prove him wrong," Allen said briskly. "Kanda, can you sing like you did before?"
"Che? Of course, stupid moyashi."
"Then we're fine."
Lenalee smiled and Kanda smirked. Leave it to Allen to accept this sort of challenge. He could be nervous for anything else, but when it came to singing he was always confident. It was just another thing that made them love the gentle boy.
"Perfect timing," Lenalee muttered as the doorknob started to turn.
Kanda and Allen both gave small bows when the director entered along with his assistant.
"Hello, sir," Allen said as he smiled coyly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The director was taken off guard by the polite nature of these two. Not that most rising stars were rude, but they tended to get a bit full of themselves. And it's not that he liked being mean, but the director was a naturally gruff man. He saw it as a side to his job to bring the stars' egos down a notch. Looks like that wouldn't be necessary with these two.
"Nice to meet you too..."
"Sorry. This is Allen, and that's Kanda. They're under my care.*" Lenalee said as she introduced them both.
"I see. Nice to meet both of you. Now let's get cracking. Let's start with the drums, shall we?"
"That's where I come in," Kanda said. Since Allen just knew piano and guitar, he was assigned the role of drummer. He had learned drums as a child as part of a music program in the orphanage and had been practicing again more recently, so it worked out fine. Most people thought drums were unrefined. Indelicate. Not...beautiful, as Kanda would put it. However, Kanda saw and learned about the sleek and sudden beauty of drums. They were strong instruments, drums were, and if there was something that Kanda liked almost as much as beauty, it was strength.
Kanda entered the small recording room where the drums were set up for their first song. He grabbed some 7A wood tip drumsticks and adjusted a few of the toms and cymbals as he saw fit when he sat down. Once he was situated, he grabbed the headset hanging by a hook on the wall.
Once he put the headset on he heard the manager tell him. "Alright, can you hear me?"
"Yes," Kanda responded. The mics in the room picked his voice up and carried it to the director's headset.
"Good. We'll start recording the beat for the verses once you give us the go."
"Che, I'm ready. Go ahead and start recording."
"Alright then, here we go."
These kids continued to...slightly impress him. The director had just seen them play every instrument on their own. That broody samurai-looking kid could play the drums rather well, not to mention the lead guitar. The silver haired boy played rhythm guitar and base, too. To top it all off, they wrote all this themselves? It was nearly unheard of.
Usually, recording even one song was a long and tedious process. Changes were made along the way and errors needed to be fixed. But these two...it was as if they'd done this all their life. They cooperated with everyone, took critiques well, and hardly made any mistakes. Their song didn't need any changing either. A few tweaks in a chord here or there, or the removal and addition of a few notes when one of them felt it was off, but nothing major. So far, the director could even say he genuinely like the song.
And that boy, Allen, seemed to know what he was doing. Although he let the director do his job and mix the song and levels properly, when they listened to the final take, Allen asked, "Excuse me, can you bring down the drums a bit on the verses? And bring down rhythm guitar on the chorus?"
The director and his assistant just looked at each other and he said, "I don't see why not. But what level do you want it at exactly?"
Surprisingly, Allen got up from the couch and walked over to the mixer to stand between the director and his assistant. He pointed at the board and said, "May I?"
The director looked startled. His assistant was about to protest but he said, "Sure. Just let me save these on a preset."
After the director had saved all the current settings – no use losing all the hard work he'd done if the kid messed up – Allen reached out and adjusted a few things. Very minor changes, the director thought.
However, when they listened to the end result, it sounded extremely different. And, the director admitted to himself, better.
He looked at Allen, nodded his approval, and saved the new settings instead.
Was there anything these kids couldn't do?
And now they were both about to sing. At the same time. He had told them that it was probably a better idea to record each of their parts individually, but they insisted on singing together. He got a bit miffed about it, but decided to let them learn the hard way that singing at the same time usually ended in catastrophe. Most singers just didn't sync that well with each other.
"Okay boys, I'm playing the intro, can you hear it? Good. Start singing when you're supposed to come in, we're already recording."
Allen and Kanda nodded. Looked at each other. And sang. Allen started off with a gentle melody.
"I have to say
honestly
I wasn't one for love
I told myself
that fairy tales
were all just a bluff"
"I fooled myself to thinking
that my love was for me
then someone special came along
and taught me differently"
"Love isn't something
you keep for yourself
love is a present
you give to all the world
and someday, if you're lucky
and you give out enough
somebody else
will return all that love"
Everyone in the studio was in awe. This was...impossible. But it was happening right in front of their eyes. These two young men, who seemed so different from each other, were in perfect tandem. Allen had started perfectly on time, and Kanda had entered on his cue for the second verse. And the chorus. The chorus was a perfect mix of their two voices. Th director doubted if he could have mixed them that well individually. And now, Kanda started off the third verse.
"It's different now
somehow
I feel so alive
It's as if
my eyes were closed
all of this time"
"Every time I see your face
my smile never fails
it's as if you're full of magic
and it's really a fairy tale"
"So take it from me
Love isn't something
you keep for yourself
love is a present
you give to all the world
and someday, if you're lucky
and you give out enough
somebody else
will return all that love
Ah ah ah ah
Oooooo somebody love me
Ah ah ah aaah"
Lenalee was extremely proud of her boys. The director had accidentally hit the switch to broadcast it on the speakers, and the duo had effectively silenced everyone in the studio. Now, growing quiet, Allen softly started.
"I have to say."
"Honestly."
"I wasn't one for love."
"I told myself."
"That fairy tales."
"Were all just a bluff."
"But thanks to you
I know that's not true
Love isn't something
you keep for yourself
love is a present
you give to all the world
and someday, if you're lucky
and you give out enough
somebody else
will return all that love
Somebody else
will return all that love."
Silence reigned as the last chord of the song rang out. The director stopped recording. Everyone started moving again. A few went up to congratulate the duo on a job well done, earning a few che's and thank you's.
"Miss Lee, I must apologize for what I said earlier."
Lenalee recognized and appreciated that the director was being the bigger person about it and said, "Bygones, sir. It's fine."
"You should be proud of them. The last time I heard a song that good was nearly nine years ago. Music just hasn't been the same without that man."
Lenalee nodded, "I don't know about you, sir, but I've already rested my hopes on these two. They haven't let me down yet."
"Well, I guess I can hope too."
And so, the days came and went. The recording was going smoother than expected and they were already half way done with their album.
Finally, it was time.
The results were up.
Allen and Lavi were driving with Lenalee to the audition site, and Kanda had stayed behind at the studio to talk to the director about the mini album he'd be doing. Allen had felt a bit down, but that was wiped away when the nervousness set in. He was itching to see those results. It was already the end of the day, so they were probably some of the last ones to see them.
Finally, after a drive that seemed to stretch on forever, they pulled into the parking lot.
Allen, Lavi, and Lenalee got out and started to walk towards the doors. Allen could see the paper with the results from here. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest. His breathing was getting fast. He felt stiff and anxious. Then Lavi squeezed his shoulder and gave him a reassuring look. Allen smiled and most of the anxiety faded away. And they were there.
Allen and Lavi looked at the list and...there...at the very top...
Demon Slayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allen W.
Demon Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lavi Bookman
Allen couldn't believe it. They had done it. They had really, really done it.
Lavi let out a relieved chuckle, as did Allen. Then they burst out laughing and all of them ran to each other for a group hug.
"I knew it! I just knew you guys would get the part!" Lenalee squeed in happiness.
"Well, I wish you could have told us then, I was practically pissing myself back there!" Allen joked.
"I'm so happy I could kiss you guys!" Lavi said, earning playful gags and protests from the others.
"Let's get back and celebrate! I can't wait to tell Kanda I got the part," Allen said as he walked back to the car.
"Whoop-dee-doo," Lavi muttered, now slightly deflated as he followed Allen.
Lenalee noticed and caught herself before dropping her jaw. Wait, Lavi...? …Well...I wonder how this will turn out?
On the ride back, something Lavi noticed kept bothering him. Something about the results. Every other person, including himself, had their last name listed...so...why did Allen have just a "W"?
Allen practically flew into the dorms, up the stairs, and into his room. As soon as he saw the proud figure sitting straight in a chair in front of the desk, Allen ran over and hugged Kanda around the shoulders.
"Kanda! Kanda, you were right! I got the part!" Allen said gleefully, flashing him his Kanda-smile.
Startled at first, Kanda reached up with one hand and grabbed Allen's arms, then realized who it was and looked up to see Allen's smiling face.
He smirked and said, "Che, what did I tell you, moyashi? You worry too much."
Allen smiled playfully and muttered, "Bakanda. Seriously, how hard is it to say two syllables? Even toddlers can handle that much."
"Che, whatever," Kanda growled halfheartedly.
Allen's smile dimmed when he saw what Kanda had been working on...
"That's...your recording contract?"
"Che, what moyashi? You look like your puppy just died."
Allen winced as a hazy memory of snow, a clown, and a small grave floated to the front of his mind.
Kanda stood up and patted Allen's head, "Come on, it's not like you at all. Where'd that annoying grin go? Agh, it really is annoying! So so annoying that I have to stop looking at the contract and go downstairs for some soba. Che, and that stupidly large appetite of yours is annoying, too. I might as well steam some sweet buns so you won't annoy me later."
And with that rant Kanda walked out of the room, into the hall, and out of sight, leaving Allen to follow after him grinning like a fool.
And so the arrangements were made. Lenalee, Allen, and Lavi met up with the director of The Demon. It turns out that he was the one who auditioned them. And he was much nicer outside of the audition room. And he tended to pull practical jokes. When they first met him, he had them convinced that there had been a typo and they were supposed to be minor characters. Poor Allen was halfway to tears before the director started laughing.
"I'm joking," he chuckled. He continued in a warm baritone, "Sorry for scaring you both. My name is Jon Castilleja* and as of now, I'm officially your boss. The first official cast meeting-slash-filming is this upcoming Monday! I'm giving you the scripts for the first episode now, so you'll have time to memorize and practice with each other. I know you're both new to this, so I'd like it if you'd trust me. And I'll trust you. That's what a cast is all about, right?"
"Right," they both replied, a bit stunned that the scary man that had auditioned them turned out to be this friendly and docile.
"Okay, so here are your scripts," he said, handing Lenalee the packets. "Are there any questions you two may have for me?"
Allen and Lavi couldn't help smiling in the comfortable atmosphere the man had set. They were actually sad to go once they asked a few more questions.
"That was surprising!" Allen chirped as they all got into the car.
"Yeah, he was totally stiff and intimidating at the auditions. No expression at all. Just there like a robot," Lavi rambled, doing a little impression at the end, making Allen's laughter ring throughout the car. After this kept going, Lavi joked, "Oi, what's so funny, huh?" Then he started tickling Allen around the ribs, making him laugh even harder.
"L-Lavi! AhahahahaIahahahacan'tahahaBREATHE! AHAHAHAHA! S-stop it ahaha I'm warning you! PfffftAhahaha I-I have no ahahahaha control! I'm gonna end up-" and then one of Allen's flailing limbs connected with Lavi's head. "- hitting you..."
Kanda had met with the studio manager earlier in the day and now the schedule was settled. Both of them had agreed that recording should start bright and early tomorrow.
Kanda entered the dorms exhausted and craving soba, only to find the moyashi there on the couch. This would have brightened his mood considerably, if it hadn't been for an unwanted addition in the scene.
"Geeze, Lavi, you seriously shouldn't have tickled me," Allen pouted, continuing the coversation he'd been having without noticing Kanda in the doorway. He was applying an ice pack to the left side of Lavi's head (which Kanda couldn't help but laugh silently at).
"Sorry sorry, I just couldn't help it. You're too cute!" the dumb rabbit chirped.
Why that little! Kanda thought.
"Yeah, yeah, now hold still," Allen say playfully as he readjusted the ice pack.
"Don't wanna!" Lavi replied stubbornly as he leapt at Allen's unprotected rib cage.
"Ahahahaha L-Lavi stop it! Ahahahaa!" Allen said as he flailed about causing them both to fall off the couch and onto the floor.
They lay there for a second, laughing and being silly, before Allen saw a hand enter his view.
"Come on, moyashi, you're dirty enough without laying on the floor like that."
Allen just smiled and looked up to see Kanda scowling there. He smiled, took the hand that was offered, and got up. "Kanda! When did you get back?"
"Just in time to see you two acting like idiots," Kanda said as he walked towards the stairs. Then, when he noticed Allen wasn't following he turned his head and said, "You coming?"
After nodding his head vigorously, Allen ran after Kanda and upstairs to their room, leaving Lavi there feeling left out. He just looked at the ice pack, lying forgotten on the couch and picked it up. After placing it on the side of he said, "That's cold."
[Scene end.]
T. B. C.
Byul I can't believe we EVER thought this was going to be under ten chapters...
Hoshi They should put us in straight jackets. We were crazy.
Byul Nah, they can't do that. How would they get the next chapter?
Hoshi Hire a scribe? Or something.
Byul Stop giving them ideas.
Hoshi Good point.
Byul :reading over the chapter: Of course you'd go into details about the drums.
Hoshi I. Love. LOVE. Drums. And my dad is sold my set D: not cool.
Byul Quit yer whining and get to writing the next chapter!
Hoshi :ignores Byul: A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR MY DRUMS!
Byul I will slap you SO HA-
Hoshi :covers Byul's mouth: SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHhhhhhh...shhhhh...a moment of silence o _ e
Byul :smack:
*Fighting = Not actual fists flying people xD For those more familiar with Japanese than Korean, I guess you can say it's like "Ganbatte". Basically, it means to work hard and not give up. Something along the lines of "Let's do this!" and "Si se puede!" That's the gist of it anyways.
*moyashi = quick Japanese lesson. You know how English has words that are both plural and singular? Like deer. "That is a deer." and "Those are deer." No need to add an "s" because it's understood from context or other parts of the sentence. This is how all Japanese nouns are. So the phrase "Oi, moyashi (not moyashis) have no say in this." is actually correct c: Not that any of you told me it wasn't c: You guys are awesome fans. Which is why I wanted to give you a mini lesson haha So yeah translation: "Oi, beansprouts have no say in this."
*under my care = not as in she's taking care of them, but as in she's their manager, so they're technically her responsibility.
*Jon Castilleja = pronounced Cah-stee-yeh-hah. Based on our Theatre teacher, Mr. Cast xD we even got his permission to use him as an OC ahahaha
DEAR LORD I HAVE NO AMMOUNT OF APOLOGIES THAT CAN EVEN BEGIN TO COMPENSATE FOR HOW UNEXCUSABLE THIS UPDATE TOOK D: