Her Quartet Night
Chapter 6: "HideMind"
Nami walked around different stores to look for some material for her next clothing she was going to work on. She had already finished two of the members solo songs for the group and she was down to two more. The last two were Ranmaru and Reiji. Unfortunately, Nami and Reiji haven't talked for a week, due to what happened during her stay at the hospital. It has been awkward between them that they didn't even bother to talk, if they needed to talk, it was only about work and then they would walk away from each other. She wasn't expecting it to hit the both of them hard when they both knew Aine. Aine was her brother and Aine was his best friend who he can't even see again when he is just in a coma at her uncle's place. Nami didn't want Reiji to worry about her brother so she had to lie that she didn't know where he was. She knew for a fact that it wasn't the best choice but she did say so herself that she can't let Aine's location to be known because then it would cause an uproar. Her mind was clouded and she literally bumped into someone and hurt her head.
"ow…" When she looked to the direction she bumped into, she see's Ranmaru holding his bass guitar case behind him. He gave her a scowl and Nami just stared at him. She made a small dent on his case by accident but he just shrugged it off.
"Sorry, Ranmaru." Nami apologized. Ranmaru gave out a sigh and put his hands in his pockets.
"So, what brings you around the shops?" Ranmaru asked her.
"Well, going to work on some outfits for a friends cosplay event and send it to them once I'm done. Oh! I will also be attending a small performance today. Didn't expect you to be around the plaza. What brings you here?" Nami asked him.
Ranmaru looked away for a bit and then crossed his arm.
"I'm debating to give my bass away. I'm probably going to give up rock and just continue with Quartet Night the way I should be."
Those words made her curious and then she tilted her head to the side.
"Why do you need to quit something you already love? Wouldn't it be a waste to throw it away if you are just going to come back to it later in life?"
Nami was right about what she said and Ranmaru sort of agreed. He looked down to his shoes and had his moment of silence. He sat at a nearby bench and just placed his case down and Nami decides to sit next to him. He was usually quiet or yelling when he was around the group but when it came towards talking to Nami, there was a different vibe around him. This was their actual first conversation they had together since all the times Reiji and everyone else was in her face. Nami went to grab something out of her bag and pulled out her phone. Ranmaru just watched her and stared at her. He never really got close to a woman before, besides his fans but he wasn't this close to someone like this. He was noticing how pretty she was and he looked away fast when she looked at him.
"Something wrong?" Nami asked while still looking at her phone, she noticed Ranmaru giving her an interesting stare so she tried to tease him a little bit without even laughing. She was good at acting out stuff so this time she stopped looking at her phone and moves in closer to Ranmaru. Ranmaru was backing away little by little and Nami finally stopped.
"Are you not used to being close to a woman? Just be glad I didn't try to do something else. Especially out in public."
Ranmaru went red and then he started to yell.
"WHO TOLD Y-YOU TO DO THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!" Ranmaru rubbed the back of his head after he yelled at her. Nami giggled a bit and then clenched at her chest. Ranmaru's hands went on her shoulders and he looked at her.
"Hey, don't pass out on me right now."
"Nah. I'll be fine." Nami stood up and tried to jog in place, Ranmaru stood next to her.
Nami was trying to be strong and active but Ranmaru was strong enough to sense what she feels. He pats her head.
"You need to take care of yourself more instead of working too hard. This is why you go through this, idiot." Ranmaru tells her and ruffles her head. Nami gave him a short glare and Ranmaru sticks his tongue out. Nami wrapped an arm around his and started to pull him out of the area.
"Wha—Hey-Where are we going?"
"I'm gonna let you take back those words you had just said earlier. Come join me, I need some company going to that performance anyways."
Nami brought him to a punk rock bar and paid their ticket to get in. Nami held onto Ranmaru a bit tighter and they entered inside. It was surrounded by a lot of people who were interested in rock and there was a band already playing. Ranmaru looked interested but then would think he was better at playing on stage. He watched as the members were in sync with their songs and was actually looking forward to watching the rest of the bands play. There were bands called Kyohso, Apple-Polisher, Reve-Parfait and Liar-S, just playing their songs for the crowd before some big event where the judges will choose who had a better song. Nami looked at the lead singer of Apple-Polisher and Kyohso and started to wave a hi in the air. Ranmaru looked at Nami who was smiling wide and looked at who she was saying her hello to. He crossed his arms but stayed by her side. What does those guys have that he doesn't? Well, the one from Apple-Polisher was a bit young. There were two girls that ran up to Nami all of a sudden and they instantly hugged her right away.
"Whoa. Whoa. Hey there!"
"NAMI! OMG! We didn't recognized you at first but Narumi kept saying he saw you in the crowd." A girl with brown hair with blue highlights hugged Nami pretty tightly while the other girl just ruffled Nami's hair. The other one had the same features as the one with blue highlights except she was more taller and she had purple hair.
"It's been awhile ms. Kisaragi, we haven't seen you around these areas since you stopped making outfits for us." The one with purple hair said and she looked at Ranmaru up and down and raised an eyebrow.
"Who's this handsome rock star? Is this your boyfriend?"
Nami went red in the face and raised her hands.
"No no. Kira! He is a member of Quartet Night and I'm the composer of his group."
Both girls went "ohhh" and started to smile and wrapped their arms around Ranmaru's.
"Sorry Ranmaru, these twins are named Akari and Kira. They are pretty much a terrible bunch when it comes to rockstars."
"Get them off me please."
Nami slaps both Akari and Kira in the butt and they backed off. Nami grabs a hold of the two girls as if she was a man and after that started laughing. Ranmaru actually smiled at the way Nami's personality showed brightness while she had a serious story behind her. He thought about what Reiji said and about how Reiji knew her brother. He remembered that Reiji was still hurt at the fact he couldn't be there for his best friend and that he thinks it was his fault for not being around. Seeing Nami, triggers those memories and his reasons were understandable.
"Ranmaru, I'm going to stay away from Nami for a bit until it is my turn to work on my solo with her. If you bump into her, start working with her and make sure she has a smile on her face. I think it would be good for you to show her more happiness while you rock out somewhere."
Ranmaru scratched the back of his head.
"I was planning to just sell my bass guitar and just continue work with Quartet Night."
Reiji gave out a sigh and leaned on the wall with his arms crossed.
"That's not going to happen, Ran-Ran. You have a big heart in that tough ego of yours. I'm pretty sure with Nami, she won't let you give up on your rockstar ways. Alright. I'm heading off."
Ranmaru watched as Reiji had left the building and just looked at his guitar case and picked it up to leave somewhere also.
"Ranmaru?"
Ranmaru blinked his eyes and he looked down at Nami who looked like she was curious to know what he was thinking about.
"Where did those two girls go?"
"Well, they went back stage to help out with Apple-Polisher, since they are next up to perform…Oh. I asked them if you can perform tonight."
"EH?!"
Nami raised up lyrics and it said it was from Nanami. Ranmaru looked at it for a bit and read over it. He would rather be singing what Nami was going to make but he had to wait on it. What was Nami trying to aim for? He kept the lyrics with him and Nami held his hand to bring him in the middle of the crowd. She took the lyrics away from him and put it in her bag. There was a guy in red hair who whispered into her ear and grabbed her bag.
"Thanks Yorito."
"No problem, my lady."
Nami gives a small kiss on his cheek and Ranmaru raised his eyebrow at that. Nami was sure a charmer when it comes to that point. Apple-Polisher was about to perform and one of the guitarist was already starting to play. The vocalist was already getting into the beat and he started to dance a bit. Ranmaru watched as the crowd around him started to dance and rock out to the interesting sound of the tune. The vocalist pointed at Nami and Ranmaru watched.
"I had to bring this song out just for her! I'm glad she came to visit. I want to say she had helped out composing this song. So, this is for you Nami. Let's dance!"
When the vocalist started to sing, something went through Ranmaru's heart like a bullet. The guy had style on the way he sung the song and it felt like something Ai would be interested in, due to their taste in music was the same. It was upbeat and strong, and the guys voice sounded well when he hit the high notes. He watched as the guitarist, basist and drummer were in full sync. This was rock in a sort of different way.
(GO LISTEN TO Dynamic chord's APPLE-POLISHER "Against the rules", if you are wondering what I'm talking about. And it's by Shouta Aoi xD)
The vocalist had mention that Nami had made this song for them and Ranmaru looked to his side and see Nami dance to the music. Nami notices his stare and she grabbed both Ranmaru's hand and started to dance up against him. Ranmaru was watching the way she moved but she moved in a certain way she can hypnotize you. The music got louder and Ranmaru was already feeling the beat and he was now dancing with Nami. Rave lights started to go around and a lot more people started to dance to it.
"What is that guys name?"
"His name is Narumi, but everyone calls him NaL"
Ranmaru and Nami were in sync when they danced and the crowd was going wild at the way they moved. Ranmaru and Nami were having fun at the same time. Nami laughed at the way Ranmaru moved so she came in closer and held him by the waist. They both started to shake their hips in unison and people were literally screaming. After the song ended, Ranmaru and Nami were totally out of breath. They both started to laugh together and high fived each other. Narumi jumped down off the stage and gave a big hug to Nami. It was now Ranmaru's turn and Narumi had handed him the mic. At first Ranmaru was a bit nervous out of nowhere and Nami touched his hand and just nod.
"Sing to your hearts content, I'm showing that you can like any type of music as long as rock still lives within you. Plus, when I get to composing your song. You are going to have more fun."
Nami pushed him up and she climbed up on the stage as well.
"What are you doing, Nami? You shouldn't be on stage."
"You are really going to underestimate me like before again? Narumi! Hand me a guitar please."
Ranmaru see's her touch the guitar strings like a pro and started to play it.
"Sing for me, Ranmaru."
Ranmaru just nods and then he starts to play. Nami winked at the group at the side.
"Let me show you a better show!"
They both started to play and more girls started to run up to the front of the stage and they started dancing. Nami played the guitar in sync with the way Ranmaru was playing and singing at the same time.
~Kako no jubaku chuuto hanpa na DIRTY BEATS~
The curse in the past, the unsatisfactory dirty bearts
~CHANGE IT. CHANGE IT. Kusubutta GROOVE~
Change it. Change it. The smoldering groove
~Kudaranee to haita serifu wa nazeka~
"Don't bullshit" was vomited as my dialogue
~Munashisa dake nokoshita~
For some reasons, it only left me with emptiness
Ranmaru and Nami stood next together and matching their dance and smiling together. The groups that performed before Ranmaru were completely amazed. The crowd was definitely going wild at Ranmaru's performance but having a girl stand by his side was the thing that brought a lot together. They were both so in sync that no one could lose their eyes on them. Even though Nami didn't sing she knew her guitar skills were completing this performance really well. Nami didn't want Ranmaru to lose this other side of himself even though she barely knew of him. They got along pretty well and easy.
~Mitsuketa ONLY ONE subete no kako wa~
I found my ONLY ONE, everything in the past
~Seou koto de norikoerareruto~
Everything that burdened will be overcome
~Sukutta no wa omae no ai~
Your love was the one who saved me
("Only one" by Ranmaru Kurosaki/Tatsuhisa Suzuki, UtaPri Revolutions ep. 7)
The night had ended and Ranmaru and Nami sat outside the bar. They both were having a beer and continued to laugh together. Nami leans her head on Ranmaru's shoulder and rests for a bit. Ranmaru rested his head on the wall as they sat together.
"That was too much fun. I haven't rocked out so hard like that before."
"You still need to watch out for yourself. I never knew you can play guitar."
Nami hits him lightly on the head.
"You have seen the room in my house. I almost had every instrument in there; I can be easily knowledgeable to know each one. "
Nami started to give out a pout face and Ranmaru just smiles at her. They both looked into each other's eyes and looked away instantly, both blushing. They were silent for a good few minutes and then Ranmaru started to speak.
"I haven't told you what my thoughts are to why I wanted to quit trying to love Rock, have I?"
Nami shook her head and then she listens to Ranmaru speak.
"I was part of a rock group before I met with Quartet Night. I loved to play the bass and always thought that the group and I are able to achieve our goal just to reach the fame in rock music. But after all that, we had to go our separate ways and just broke the group apart. It's been stuck on my mind for so long and there is a part of me that thinks being in a group is hard to be in. I compared it to Quartet Night, and its one hell of difference."
Nami gave a look of concern and then she put a hand on his hand and held it in her grasp. Ranmaru's face turned red and then Nami held his hand towards her chest.
"You see this here. This is the heart that can continue to love something or someone. We use this heart to live on forward and not let anything stop us from doing what we love to do. You see..for a good example, I have a passion for cosplaying and being around a whole group of people who love cars, and I'm always there to be there for them. Here I am being a composer for a group I barely knew in a year and got along with you well. It may seem like it something I don't even like doing it but you know what, I have to live my life forward and be able to do many things, bringing along with me the passion I kept in my heart. You should do the same Ranmaru."
Ranmaru was wide eyed with her answer and was lost for words at what Nami had said to him. Nami just smiles and then she let go of Ranmaru's hand.
"I never really give good advice to people, but I think it would be best for you to follow that Ranmaru. Once I get your song written out, I want you to sing it with your hearts content because I am not seeing a member lose interest over something he still loves and tries to force himself to not being able to have it with him. I want you to keep it."
Nami stood up and stretch out her arms, when she did Ranmaru had hugged her from behind. She looked behind her and he spoke.
"Thank you, Nami."
Nami pats Ranmaru's head and they both start to leave to go home their separate ways. Nami didn't decide to go back to her house yet so she went to see her brother, Aine. Her uncle let her in and she quietly enters the room where Aine was left in. She held onto his hand and lays her head on the side of his bed. She felt his breathing and just listen to how slowly he was breathing in and out. Nami was remembering the few events that were happening and she see's Reiji in her vision. She thought about the moment they were at the hospital when she was hospitalized.
Everything was completely quiet between them and Nami see's Reiji stand up and faced his back at Nami.
"Nami….we can't be too close anymore."
"Huh?"
Reiji didn't even look back at her. There were thoughts completely taking over his mind that he clenched his hand and suddenly punched the wall next to him. Nami was wide eyed at his reaction and started to speak.
"Are you mad at me?"
"No…I'm not."
"Then what is your problem? Why can't we be able to talk like normal like we used to?! Just because you suddenly found out about Aine being my brother, your whole personality changes. Are you insane in that little brain of yours?"
"Quiet Nami."
"No! I will not be quiet."
Reiji comes closer to Nami and pulls on the hospital shirt she wore. Both of their eyes glared at each other and then Nami decides to speak up.
"Just because my brother went missing and to suddenly realize I'm his damn sister. I didn't expect such a man from Quartet Night to look like a coward in front me. Or should I say you did something to make Aine go away?"
Reiji went wide eyed and he let go. Nami continued to glare at him and clenched her hands.
"I'm still trying to find out why he had to be like that. I feel as if it was my fault but since you know about him and thinking that whatever you did was so sad, it could have been both of our faults."
Reiji and Nami stayed in silence and Reiji just walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Nami woke up from her thinking by a hand on her shoulder, and she see's her uncle in front of her.
"You look really exhausted. You should go home and get some sleep. You must be busy with the next song. Plus, you should take a day off on your own special day."
"Thanks for your concerns uncle. Take good care of him. I'll come visit him again."
Nami walked out and headed home right after. She wasn't expecting herself to think about Reiji this whole time and when she looked at her phone she had realized his birthday was tomorrow. It was now July 13th and from what her uncle had mention, she almost forgot about her own birthday which was coming up. The next day, Ranmaru and Nami had practiced Ranmaru's next song together and worked things out. Ranmaru noticed something off about Nami for the day and he pulled the pencil out of her hand. Nami just blinked at him and gave him a look.
"Give me back my pen, I'm not even done composing the last bits of it."
"You are spacing out, though."
Nami clears her throat and forces to take the pen away from Ranmaru and starts finishing the last part to his song. When Nami gave him the paper, he figured out this song was mostly talking about a friend. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He started to hum. Nami walked over to her drums and listen to Ranmaru hum the song out. She started to play the rhythm of it on the drums and Ranmaru instantly opened his eyes and walks over to Nami, hugging her from behind.
"I'll sing this. Hopefully this can get your mind off a lot of things. Let's rock this song out."
All Nami did was nod and puts the drum sticks down and just lightly pushes Ranmaru for being so close to her. Reiji who entered Nami's house saw the two being pretty close to each other and tilt his fedora hat downwards. Once he was about to walk away, Ai got his shirt while Camus blocked his path.
"You are not going anywhere, Reiji.
"We have an event to head to, and Ranmaru is ready."
Nami and Reiji's eyes met. Nami didn't want to think about the small argument they had and just rolled her eyes. Today was Reiji's birthday and right now didn't seem like a good time to work things out. She looked at her watch and picked up the stuff and grabbed a hold of Ranmaru's wrist.
"We have to get going! It's almost time. We will see you guys at that club event. So, meet us there."
Nami and Ranmaru rushed to the club event, while they met up with the bands members that Ranmaru had made friends with. They all started patting his back and Nami grabbed him by the shoulder and nods her head. That was the sign that she wanted to see him sing the song she had made him. He gives his smile to everyone and heads up stage. At first, Ranmaru felt like this song was a bit sad but at the same time this was telling how much feelings Nami had within herself. When he thought about Reiji, it felt like both Reiji and Nami are going through the same emotions as of right now and seeing how the both of them just eyed each other, he wanted their relationship to actually go back to normal. Quartet Night was starting to feel a bit quiet since Reiji hasn't been his hyper idiotic self lately. Ranmaru takes the mic and looks at the crowd. He was up on stage alone but when he turns around. Nami had brought in his old crewmates from his old band and he was wide eyed. What was the meaning of this? Nami came out as well with a guitar. Ranmaru took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Nami started to play the tune and the others had followed. This song had a different approach. It was was more English than in Japanese and Nami was showing Ranmaru how to mix in different language if you are able to rock out on stage just in case Ranmaru would like to perform in other countries. He started to sing and he spots Ai, Camus and Reiji in front of the stage while the crowd had continued cheer.
Run away~
Hide Mind~
Replace~
Hide Mind~
With evny and betrayal
I might have hurt someone ~
I don't even care~
Neither does someone~
Do you know how hard it is to know each other~
I can't say~
When Reiji had listen to Ranmaru actually having a much more toned down voice, he looked up at Nami this time who kept her eyes on Reiji. There was a connection vibe coming from both Reiji and Nami. Nami was trying to bring a point out to him so he wouldn't worry about Aine. Sure, they have had a fight over Aine but they are partners, they work together and they shouldn't be making things difficult, especially for the both of them
Hey friend, how you doing?
Hey friend, can you see me now?
Hey friend, I wanna talk, just talk with you?
"Nami…" Reiji calls out, and then he looks down to his feet and all of a sudden the band, Nami and Ranmaru get the crowd going when the song had more sound and it was loud. This time he rocked out a lot more this time. His voice was loud enough to break windows. When it came like this, Reiji knew he could see the real Ranmaru. This was the Ran-Ran he wanted to keep in Quartet Night. Ranmaru's voice had taken over the place.
Hear my voice
Take it to you
I'm about to say
That I will change!
Sekai wa mitsumete ita~
The world is watching us
Nani mo atae wa sezu~
Without handing anything out
Ranmaru was already sweating and he wasn't at the end of the song yet. Nami was also getting hot over the lights rays shining on them but she had to continue doing what she doing.
REMIND NOT HIDE YOUR MIND!
("HideMind" by Tatsuhisa Suzuki)
Once the performance had ended, a lot of people were crowding all over the place around Ranmaru and Nami walked out of the scene. She didn't want to be part of the talk or even be around at the moment, thanks to her being the guitar woman on stage. Ranmaru was actually smiling towards his fans. Nami entered the dressing up room and took something out of the fridge. It was a little box and she walked out immediately just to find someone. She walked outside and found him.
"Reiji!"
Reiji had turned around and he see's Nami running up to him, with her hands behind her back. She finally got a hold of her breath and then fixed up her bangs. She suddenly puts both of her hands out in front of her holding a box. Reiji gave a weird look to her and then he opened the box while it was still in her hand. There was a small cake that was inside that said happy birthday. Today was July 13th and he didn't realize how the time flew by so fast, especially forgetting his own birthday. He was so busy with his own work and his own negativities and out of all people that he had told not to talk to was the one who actually went up to him and gave him something on his special day. It may have been little thought but this tugged his heart strings. He put the cake down and hugged Nami instantly. It was a good thing no one was around to see himself embrace him.
"Happy Birthday, Reiji…I'm sorry about the other day."
"No no no…it's my fault…it's my fault."
They both held too much emotion for just one person in their brain and they almost would have hurt each other. Reiji raised Nami's face towards his and he saw tears in her eyes. Nami could see it in him as well. He got closer and his hand had brought her body towards his and he kissed her on the spot. Nami was wide eyed and she pushed him away immediately.
"WAIT! What…R..Rei..Reiji…"
"Ahh…uh….I…"
Nami's heart felt like it was pounding for a while and she felt through her hair and she walked away from Reiji. That was unexpected. Reiji his his head and went next to the wall, putting his forehead on it, telling himself he was an idiot for doing that. Ai, Camus and Ranmaru come by and surround Reiji.
"Wow. You suck balls, Reiji. Is hat how you confess to the woman?"
"He didn't even do it with pure elegance and now she just ran off." Camus added in.
Ai looked at all three of them and felt his chest. He was learning about their language. He started to look at the direction where Nami had taken and just detected that she was at a lost for what Reiji was about to start doing. Ai was trying to find her destination but he taps Reiji's shoulder to go find her.
End Chapter 7 coming soon