Chapter 8

The next night I began to feel more attached to Taira again, because of what I told Ryusuke. We were sat in a circle trying to figure out how much recording a CD will cost. The day after that Ray went out somewhere. I put on the CD Eiji gave me and listened to it fully for the first time. A crystal clear voice started the song of. In tune and perfect. I wondered who had recorded with Eiji, and then I remembered. That crystal clear voice was me. I sung with him and we made a demo CD as a couple. Eiji Kimura and Ayane Lee. Together Forever was the first song,

'We will be together forever, no matter what people say, your smile makes me tumble and fall again' rang out of the CD player. Then Eiji joined in with guitar. The song continued, and I curled up in a ball and cried. I heard the front door open and close and someone trudged into the living room as mine and Eiji's voice rang out 'And I will hold on to you, to the end'

'Ayane?' said the voice. I looked up, and there he was. Eiji Kimura.

'Eiji? What are you doing here?' I asked, wiping away my tears

'Sneaking into your house to talk to you'

'Oh' I looked down 'Sorry about Mark' I mumbled 'Eddie told him not to mention me but…'

'Sorry Ayane' He kneeled next to me 'I really am, I know about Taira and Ray though, I saw Ray take your hand with Taira on the other side.'

I gasped. 'No…' I groaned 'this is it I'm moving to America' I stood up and moved to try and pack my bag, but Eiji took my hand 'Ayane, Talk to me later' He let go and left. I switched off my CD player and sat in silence. When Ryusuke returned I didn't tell him about Eiji appearing in our house, just acted like normal.

The next day, Taira, Ryusuke and I went to see Koyuki at his school's cultural festival. Taira and I were linked in arms, smiling and laughing. It felt better. We went around with Ryusuke behind, girls pointed and giggled at the two handsome men, as we went past all the stalls 'Ciel bleu' I told them 'the name of the band' I looked at the band names on a list 'Ciel bleu, blue skies in French'

'Wow, who'd have thought them being romantics' Ray interjected

'Tanabe came up with it, the singer they have' I told them, as we were ushered into the Gym where the bands were playing. We sat at the back and listened to the crap bands that were on first. Masaru Hyodo's group went on second to last.

'Those guys are too good for High school' Taira said now stood up.

Ciel Bleu went on last, I stood up for their performance, and it interested me more. They didn't even play anything and the whole crowd was booing them off. They weren't even on the stage yet, they trudged on to the stage, singerless. Ryusuke got up and left.

'shut the hell up!' I heard Ray's voice projected. Ray was stood on a box at the back 'Listen all of you; this is the first and last chance you'll ever have, to hear Koyuki perform in a crap-ass gym'

'If that's not motivation for Koyuki, I don't know what is' I told Taira as Saku started a drum solo. Ray returned.

'Come on Taira, let's get nearer' I told him, he shook his head.

'Your loss' I told him skipping a bit away from them and breaking into dance, as the guitar came in and Koyuki sung. The song finished, I thought Koyuki did well for a song like that singing wise. I returned to Taira 'Should have joined the dancing' I told him. He shrugged. Ciel bleu won the competition. I went out back to see Masaru get beaten up. School life sucks I thought as I walked away from the action to where Taira was.

The next day Ray and Koyuki went fishing to talk, I think it's about Maho and Koyuki. I didn't pay attention really I was too busy singing and making up new songs.

Koyuki went of to find Maho afterwards. The band came and I immediately stopped singing and ran up to Taira. Saku showed Ryusuke a newspaper whilst Chiba complained about Koyuki not being at practice. Everyone went home as it was late.

The day after they came over again, Ryusuke sat rereading the article in the paper I hadn't had a chance to read yet, about one of Eddie's ex's. Whilst he talked to the band I sang indoors away from everyone. They came indoors quietly; I had my back to the door so I couldn't see. I heard a shuffling so I stopped singing and turned around. I saw them all there, staring at me. I blushed and almost ran out of the room but kept my cool 'Oh hey guys, I didn't here you come in' I smiled at Taira and hugged him 'Warn me next time, okay?'

They nodded, they had the look of wanting to say something but didn't.

'I'll get some drinks' I told them walking out of the room.

The next day Chiba and Ryusuke got into an argument about lyrics, they wanted the record label to accept them but they turned down the CD.

'Not an album, the album one the record company can't ignore' Ray told them. 'Ayane' He turned to me sat on a chair 'some of the songs you will sing on'

'Urm…'

'We all decided' Taira told me encouragingly

'Well' I looked at everyone, 'go on then'

'We've got a song to learn that someone wrote'

He handed it out, I saw the lyrics. I stood up immediately 'No, Ryusuke, not this song' I told him running to get them back 'No' I had them all and hid them in my bag.

'Why not, babe?' Asked Taira

'Because I don't want you to' I told him sticking my tongue out then running to go burn all of the sheets of paper.

The next week I went with Taira to meet up with everyone.

'I tell you Ryusuke is a perfectionist, he's going to die a lonely old man' Chiba told everyone as Koyuki appeared sneezing. We went inside and covered him in a blanket, Chiba measured his temperature. I t was 39 degrees.

'Damn' commented Chiba

'No way he could handle an all nighter' interacted Saku

'Yeah probably kill him' Chiba said.

He tried to tell us he was okay, we let him then.

We went to practise; Koyuki struggled the whole night though, poor kid.

Koyuki got his guitar bit messed up and Ryusuke started shouting at him. Ryusuke was seriously feeling upset at that time, about everything, he was possibly too passionate about the band.

Winter came and the album was complete, I still hadn't told Taira and nothing really exciting happened. We sat at home and listened to the CD. Chiba started crying, Saku bobbed his head. Taira hugged me tight, Ray read his book and Koyuki listened intently.

Snow started to fall; my first kiss was in the snow with a guy from America in our school. He was nice and cared for me, treated me right, I hear he's already married from Eddie; he was two years above me and my first kiss.

Winter went and I still hadn't told Taira, I saw the cherry blossoms on the trees and knew today was the day; I called him up to meet up. I brought Ryusuke to hide in the shadows in case it goes badly.

'Hey Taira' I greeted him as he ran up to me sitting on the edge of the lake.

'Hey babe' He sat down next to me 'what did you want to tell me?'

I gulped 'Well, you see' I looked at my fingers 'I'm sort of going out with Ryusuke as well as you…' I looked at him after a deep breath, Taira stood up

'What?'

'Please sit down, here the rest' I told him pulling on his sleeve

He sat down.

'Ever since I met Ryusuke, I've fancied him, I gave up after I knew he didn't want me then he met Eiji after I moved back here with him and Eiji and I got on well so I started dating him forgetting about Ray' I took a breath 'then he quit Serial Momma and met you, I fell in love with you forgetting Ray once more, and you asked me out so I was happy more than anything…then after the Dying breed show Ryusuke took me away from everyone and told me about how he felt. He told me he loved me and I accidently blurted out I loved him…and…and we kissed, and I've sorted been seeing him, but after I told him I couldn't stand the cheating on you, it sort of settled'

I looked at him, I felt my eyes fill up with tears; this wasn't how I wanted everything to be. Taira stood up.

'Is that all?'

I nodded, He pulled me up and hugged me tight 'Ayane, you are so fragile and fall in love way too easily' his words were choked 'But whoever you fall in love with I'll still be here if you need someone again' He told me.

'Taira, I'm sorry' I cried 'I love you more than anything!'

'Shh, it's okay, don't cry, I forgive you' He hugged me tight.

I looked up from Taira's shoulder and saw Ryusuke stood behind us, arms in pockets staring at the floor, our gazes met and he ran off quietly.

At practice everything was okay, Beck practiced so hard, it was cute to see them all trying desperately. After practice, Koyuki was telling them about his guitar. They're going shopping later 'Hey Ayane and I will tag along later' Taira told them. Taira and walked into a guitar shop later on, 'Show off' we said in unison as Ryusuke finished as solo. 'That's was weird' I told Taira 'Lets not do that again'

Taira and Takuno talked. Koyuki had gone so we went to find him. Well Taira and Ryusuke travelled along the shop nearer the front.

'So your Taira's new bird' Said Takuno.

'Ayane did you see him leave?' asked Ray

'Nope' I told them walking up to them. I spun around 'But I think he's over there' I told them pointing to the kid staring at fenders. We went over to them. He liked the Yellow Fender Telecaster.

I went off to look at the Stratocasters. The other assistant asked me if I want to buy it.

'Can I see if we mesh?' I asked he nodded and handed me the Guitar. I sat on a stool and started playing a song I had written the day before. I closed my eyes and played. I wrote it after I told Taira. I stopped 'It's good, how much again?' I said looking up, Taira was there. 'Babe, when did you get so good?' he asked.

'Oh, the times of being alone in the house, Ryusuke's a crap teacher' I laughed and put the Strat. down.

'Can I get it tomorrow?' I asked the assistant 'Left my money at home'

'Sure' the assistant said as we trudged out.

That Eddie called. Someone had sent him bullets my immediate words 'EDDIE GET OUT OF THERE IF YOU GET KILLED I WON'T HAVE ANYONE!!' I thought them. Not out loud. 'Give me the phone' I told Ray he passed it to me.

'HEY! EDDIE! IF YOU GET MURDERED-'

'Ayane, calm down, it'll be fine, and remember you get everything if I go so-'

'No I don't your guitars go to a museum'

I heard a laugh 'See you soon sister' click

Later on he called again,

'God, Eddie! You alright, man?' asked Ray

'Tell him to move and make sure no one knows where he is' I told Ray

'Ayane's freaking out' is what he told Eddie. 'Uh huh, okay' He moved from the phone 'Eddie says, calm down. He'll be fine'

'Like I'll believe that' I told Ray then went inside.

The next night Taira and I went to the classy restaurant where Koyuki worked. I saw Maho.

'Hey! Maho!' I waved and ran up to her, as Taira followed 'How are you doing?'

'I'm doing, great, how about you, I got told about Eddie…' she drifted off.

'Well, I'm fuck worried, never get any sleep and completely lost my ability to shout, but great all the same' I laughed. Then looked across the table. 'Whose you friend?' I asked.

'Oh, Ayane this is Yoshida,' she motioned to him

'Oh yeah, that actor in that TV program, like watched it once' I laughed 'Nice to meet you, Yoshida, I'm Ayane Lee' I winked. 'Well see you guys, we need a table Taira' I laughed again and we sat down.

Taira leaned forwards 'this is expensive' he whispered.

'That's why I'll give you the money to pay so we look good' I told him passing him my purse. He held my hand.

'How couldn't I guess you'd say that' He told me.

'Duh'

We went to Ray's afterwards; every record label has turned us down.

I stood up enraged 'STUPID EIJI! I HATE THAT SLIMY BASTARD!' I brandished my phone. 'Listen to this text, "Ayane seeing as Beck is going no where even with your voice you should go back out with me again as our band is getting somewhere" SLIMY BASTARD!'

Taira stood up 'Calm down Ayane, deep breaths'

I fell down 'he's an idiot' I told them all, Taira sighed and put his arm around me.

The next night Maho invited me to a party for her Friend Kristina, met her once, I saw Koyuki outside, getting burned by Yoshida.

'Hey Koyuki, you invited to the party too?' I smiled.

Yoshida looked at me. Then grabbed the flowers of Koyuki and slammed the door.

'Yoshida's a bitch, he's horrible, he doesn't know that Beck is her brother's band and all' I put my hand on Koyuki's shoulder 'keep pushing on no matter what dude' I got a text. 'STUPID EIJI, N-O SPELL'S NO!' I shouted at my phone.

'Sorry Koyuki, Ex's are stupid' I told him running off 'I have to go can't be arsed with this stupid party' I waved and disappeared.