Ride the Wild Surf

by Adri Mars

AU:: In a small beachside town of Nijibe, here is a story of a girl named Lucia, a boy named Kaito, and a surfboard... and everything else in between. #16 up--- NEED REVIEWS, THANKS!

14. Gorgeous Gidget

RIDE THE WILD SURF
a Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Fanfiction

by Adrimarie

Gorgeous Gidget

"Well, I guess I have no choice, Hippo. Let's talk."

Nicola moved back on the bed so she can lean her back against the wall. Just as she was about to she noticed the yellow shortboard hanging on to Hippo's wall. Not only that she was somewhat fascinated with the way Hippo displayed it on his wall but this particular shortboard had the initials C.S. right on the bottom shape. Along with its fresh and flowery custom design she caressed the glossy deck and provided a small smile on her face.

"This was my first shortboard, Hippo. I gave this to you when you were still very little when I graduated from this board. I started off from one of Dad's old longboards when I was around five or six. I gave this to you in hopes that one day you'll end up getting in to surfing as well. I didn't think about Lucia when I was a kid because all I wanted was to belong..."

Hippo rested himself on his bed, looking a lot more curious than ever. "Belong? Nicola, belong to what? Where?"

"I have low self-esteem, Hippo."

"Low self-esteem? Sis, you're the manager and practically the owner of Pearl Waters and we've been having really good success so far this summer... how could you have low self-esteem?"

"Hippo, let me explain. You have no idea how it feels to be the only child of two popular surfers in the surfing world, and on top of that, tandem surfing. Seven years since I was born that I was always raised by Aunt Taki and the late grandparents because Mom and Dad were always on tour all the time, going to surf meets and surfing exhibitions all around the world. In all honesty, I don't think I ever got to know Mom and Dad myself, simply because we rarely spent time together as a real family. Every time they make promises that we'd go on family trips or even go to school for my school activities, most of the time they always break those promises. They had me and they had the Rainbowside. They would always prioritize the Rainbowside over their own child. What the heck kind of parents who'd choose a sport over their own flesh and blood?"

Hippo sighed, crossing his arms. "Cole--- I mean Nicola--- I wish I knew more of Mom and Dad too but I was way too young when they perished from the Dainami-Oni. I didn't understand a thing. It feels as if I never knew who I really am as a person or where I came from. I wish I could say something about your plight but even until now I still don't know anything about your relationship with Mom and Dad."

Nicola shook her head and gave a sight. "My true reason why I wanted to surf in the first place was so I can have a chance to spend more time with Mom and Dad. I got to go to all their surf meets and exhibitions all the time and I got to hang out with their tribe friends' kids too. I wanted Mon and Dad to look at me and take me seriously as their daughter and becoming a professional surfer was my only key to becoming more connected with them. I guess you could say that I've always been lonely all my life."

"Lonely...?" Hippo asked curiously with a sad sigh. "But Nicola... you got us! Lucia and me... you know... your sister and your brother? What about us? Is that why we always hung out with Taro all the time during the summer? All because you were desperate to get Mom and Dad's attention and be in the Rainbowside so all their pals would pay attention to you?"

"It's not just that, Hippo! Because they're so in to surfing and the Rainbowside that they often forget that they're parents too and that they got children to take care of. When surfing is not in the usual season the only time we get to see them was at night and sometimes on the weekends. I know, you and Lucia were too young to realize that, but I was the only one who felt the loneliness and neglect from them. I had to snake in to the tribe like a noob kook that I was until I got the idea that if I showed my interest in surfing that I would also get Mom and Dad to notice me too."

Hippo took a pillow from his bed and clung on to it like a stuffed animal. "So, why were you trying to warp Lucia and me in to thinking that our family past was pure and innocent, not to mention who you really were before you became the manager of Pearl Waters? No such thing as a pure and innocent past, you know. I mean, you can always talk to Lucia and me whenever you feel down. We're family too, you know?"

"I know... and I'm sorry I lost my faith in you and Lucia, Hippo. But there's another reason why I decided to change things around and make you believe a lie rather than the real truth."

"Jeez, Cole, you really hate us that much that you'd lie to us big time?"

"No Hippo, that's not what I mean... It's just that... I killed Mom and Dad that day..."

Hippo's eyebrow raised up with suspicion. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"I shouldn't have conquered the Dainami-Oni that day. It was because of my historical ride of that thing that made Mom and Dad think that it was a challenge I threw against them for my revenge for their constant abandonment of their own children. After they were taken away from us, that's when I realized that I was the one that led them to their deaths. What I meant to say is that I didn't try hard enough to stop them or at least get them to use a tandem gun board to ride the Dainami-Oni as a pair of tandem surfers. I was... too scared to face the media, Hippo. I was too scared to tell them the story about their deaths. I can't say that everything was an accident, especially that we already knew of the Dainami-Oni. I can't say that Mom and Dad were very stubborn when it comes to surfing in general because I didn't want their fans to hate me. In fact, I don't want anyone to hate me, Hippo, most especially you and Lucia..."

Nicola burst in to tears with her hands on her face. Hippo's suspicious feelings faded right away and embraced his older sister. "That's not true, Cole. Mom and Dad love you very much. In fact, thinking about it, both of them feel that it's their fault for forgetting about you, being their first-born child and all."

"How could you know that, Hippo?"

Hippo released his sister and reached for his side table. He grabbed the red journal notebook and handed it to her. Nicola's eyes widened in shock to see the cover. "Here, Nicola. I got it from the archives and records floor at the library yesterday. I couldn't stand any more being out of the loop and I was a little intimidated confronting you about it."

"Mom and Dad's surfing journal..." Nicola stared at the notebook in shock and felt herself frozen solid, not reaching out for the journal.

"I read the entire thing yesterday. Lucia read some of it afterwards. I quickly grabbed it from her room after she left in case someone else sees it. So yeah. That's how I found out about the Nanami Family's connection to the legendary Seahart Surfers. Sorry for hiding it from you. But after reading their journal, I realized how much they actually cared for us. I mean, if you read it, you'll notice how every single entry that they wrote were all directed at me. They meant for me to read it someday, which was why their entries were always addressed to me. It was like... trying to communicate with me from the other side..."

Nicola nodded and through the tears came a smile. "I'm really sorry about all this, Hippo. It was stupid and childish of me. Even now I realized that disappearing from the surfing world limelight was also childish, but I still couldn't face the media on my own. I only became a celebrity of sorts simply because Mom and Dad were champion tandem surfers in the surfing world. If I wasn't related to any champion surfers I'd be a total nobody. Then again, I didn't want media attention at all. I just wanted to be with Mom and Dad as much as I can. Is that too much to ask, Hippo?"

"Well..." Hippo reached for the printout he printed earlier from the Surfer Styles forum regarding the dying girl wanting to see Cole Seahart in person before she leaves the world. He handed it to Nicola. "I printed this forum message from the Surfer Styles magazine forum. Maybe you can start coming out of your shell by fulfilling this poor girl's request. If you agree I can contact her via private message for details."

Nicola read the message from the beginning till the end and sighed. "Poor thing. Who would have thought that even the younger generation would also be familiar with me too? I guess that historical ride really did get a lot of attention."

"You're not that old, Nicola. I mean, if you don't show yourself to the public it'd only gain media attention, so much that they'll send out those weirdo Paparazzi photographers to search for you. But like I said, just read what I just gave you and make someone happy."

"Well. I guess it couldn't hurt meeting this poor girl." Nicola folded the letter and placed it in her pocket. Hippo attempted to hand the red journal to her, but instead Nicola placed her hand on the notebook and pressed it back to him. "You keep it, Hippo. Mom and Dad meant to give this to you once they were done with it. I don't need to read it."

"Eh?" Hippo asked curiously. "But Nicola... I thought you wanted to see for yourself about how much Mom and Dad really loved you then?"

Nicola just shook her head. "You know, I'll be honest with you. When I was Lucia's age, I used to sneak around Mom and Dad's bedroom and would secretly read some of their entries. Of course, I stopped afterwards, thinking that I had no hope in really winning their parental affection. I felt like I raised myself up since I was a kid, you know? But after realizing it and talking to you about it... I did learn one thing. Mom and Dad were sharing some of the love for you and Lucia like they did to me. I guess this was what fate decided with our family. I came out victorious form that tournament... at the cost of Mom and Dad's lives with the Dainami-Oni. I'm twenty-one-years old now, Hippo. I'm no longer a kid crying for attention anymore. It's time for me to grow up."

Hippo patted Nicola on the shoulder as the two siblings embrace each other. After they released, Hippo asked his older sister curiously. "So... we talked this over... and Lucia isn't even here."

"Lucia doesn't need to be here, Hippo. She's with her destiny right now."

"Destiny? You mean tandem surfing?"

"No, silly. Her beloved lost love, Kaikane."

Kaito Doumoto... Hippo gazed up at one of his pinups along with his debut pinup shot of Kaito doing an aerial on his surfing. Dang... I can't believe Mom and Dad wanted Lucia to be with the surfing world's most phenomenal champion of the world... what fate!

"Thinking about something, Hippo?" Nicola asked curiously, noting the boy's constant staring at the Kaito pinup on his wall.

"Uhh... um... so... what now, Nicola?" Hippo snapped out to reality and blurted out this simple question.

"Well, Hippo. I got some errands to do. Do me a favor, will you?" She reached for the printout again and returned it to Hippo. "Will you send a message to this person and let her know when would be the best time to meet them and where?"

"Oh!" Hippo exclaimed happily. "Sure thing! I'll do that just now! I'll let you know when I get the response back!"

"Thanks, Hippo." The two siblings embraced each other as Nicola walked out of Hippo's room. Just as she was about to step out, Hippo called for her again. "What is it?"

"Glad to see you again, Cole. Looks like the Gorgeous Gidget has returned... I hope..."

"This Gorgeous Gidget is ready to face the present time now, Hippo. Thank you."

A few hours later, the tandem surfing teams of Nijibe drove together on one of Masahiro's vehicular possessions--- a fancy dark green Hummer sport utility vehicle--- right in the town square area. Luckily for them, Taro Mitsuki was free that day that Masahiro asked Taro to be the driver of the vehicle. The vehicle was huge and roomy enough to fit ten people including Taro himself.

The three tandem surfing pairs, Masahiro and Rina, and Taro exited the vehicle after Taro found a good parking spot. The group were dressed in their usual clothes again after their session of practice surfing (and in Rina's case, her photo shoots and her short intimate moments with her new boyfriend). Once they exited, Taro spoke to the entire group first: "Alright, dudes and dudettes, you all should know what to do."

"We're very clear on our mission today, Taro!" Lucia cheered happily with her right fist raised up high.

"I already gave you pads of post-its. Just list down any surf shop that does custom tandem guns. Bugging Maki would be our final resort if you guys don't succeed."

"Taro, I don't understand why we couldn't just talk to Maki about his brother's surf shop doing custom tandem guns directly before we went in town?"

"Because it would be rude." Kaito answered immediately. "We can't just bug your cook about the tandem boards in the middle of his cooking. Besides, we're here to shop around--- and spend some time together, you know?"

"Alright, alright," Gaito interrupted, getting everyone's attention. "We split up in pairs. Mr. M, I think it's best if you go with Kaito and Lucia."

"What the---?" Kaito and Lucia gasped at Gaito's idea of having Taro Mitsuki hanging around with them when Hanon began to object.

"Eh?" Hanon exclaimed in shock. "Gaito, why the heck are you having Taro--- Mr. Mitsuki that is--- go with Kaito and Lucia? Nagisa and I are the youngest couple in this crowd here and we need... um... you know... a chaperone!"

"Hanon," Nagisa crossed his arms, frowning at her. "We don't need chaperones when we're shopping--- unless if you plan to shoplift or something weird like that. We're twelve and fourteen. We're old enough to look after ourselves---"

"But--- it's wrong!" Hanon suddenly grabbed Taro's arm and cuddled herself against it. "You can't go with Kaito and Lucia, Mr. M--- they're the hot tandem couple of the century and they need to be alone, you see?"

"That's the reason why I'm having Taro Mitsuki go with them, Hanon," Gaito raised an eyebrow towards the daffy girl.

"Oh for goodness sakes, Hanon, let go of Mr. M's arm!" Rina exclaimed with her annoyance on her expression.

"Uh... I think it'd be best if I stay here in the SUV, everyone," Taro answered humbly and yet Hanon still would not let go. "Houshou, please--- let go?"

Nagisa approached Hanon and began to drag her slowly with his arms around her waist. "Come on, Hanon, we don't have much time 'cause those dang surf shops close early! Come on!"

"But--- but Taro! We'll be all alone and unprotected without you beside me--- I mean us!" Hanon continued to whine as Kaito assisted Nagisa and succeeded in splitting Hanon from Taro. "Unhand me, you dirty-minded fiends!"

"Ouch... that hurt..." Taro rubbed his arm and shoulder from the pain Hanon caused from her clinging.

"Look, we can do this alone, Hanon," Nagisa continued insisting. "We'll be fine! I'm familiar enough with the surf shops here. We'll find our sponsor and shaper of our competition tandem board, okay?"

"Taro! Why...?" Hanon wailed like a spoiled child as Nagisa began to hush her down. The others turned their heads around, feeling slightly embarrassed at the situation.

"Oh jeez... this is just embarrassing..." Rina murmured her voice, shaking her head at the same time. "Just get over it, Hanon!"

"I never knew Hanon would be this emotional over Mr. M..." Masahiro sighed, trying not to say anything insulting.

"Okay, okay," Sara attempted to calm everyone down. "Well, it's only eleven-thirty in the morning so we got a few hours to shop around for surfboard sponsors before we head back to the beach for more practice... let's just hope the swell this afternoon would still be as strong as it is this morning."

"Well then. Let's go!" Gaito smirked as Sara placed her arm around him, making their way to their path.

Masahiro then turned to Rina with a smile, offering his arm. "Shall we go, Rina?"

Rina smiled humbly and took his arm. "Lead the way, Masahiro!"

Just then, Hanon jumped in excitement and nudged Rina on the side. "Aww... you two are truly in love--- and I love your surf nicks too! Leolani and Kaikane... so beautiful! I wanna have a Hawaiian name for a surf nick too!"

"Ugh, get with it, Hanon, I am not Leolani!" Rina exclaimed in chagrin. "Just give it up already! We are not Leolani and Kaikane!"

"Oh, you can't fool me, Rina! You're just saying that because you don't want to be popular like Masahiro Hamasaki here... and you shouldn't be afraid to show off your captivating surf nick too! I think Leolani is a pretty name! I swear, I need to look for someone who knows Hawaiian who'd give me the perfect Hawaiian name for my surf nick... I need it so I can use it as my competitive name for the tournament!"

"You really want a Hawaiian name for a surf nick, Houshou?" From out of the blue, Kaito interrupted the chatter. Hanon turned her head and faced Kaito, Lucia, and Taro staring right at their direction.

"What's it to you, Kaito? Every surfer has got a super-secret surf nick that makes them cooler than their coolness right now!"

Kaito burst in to laughter, leaving the others confused. "You forget Gaito and I were born and raised in Hawaii, so he and I know a little bit of the Hawaiian language. I got the perfect Hawaiian name for you, Houshou."

Hanon gasped and cheered happily. "Really, Kaito? You're so sweet! What name?"

"Halulu," Kaito answered immediately with a slight snicker on his face.

"Ha-lu----lu? Uhh... I don't know what that means but it sounds exotic! Halulu! I love it! Thanks, Kaito!" Right then she ran towards the surfer boy and gave a small kiss on the cheek. "You and Lucia should have surf nicks too--- preferably Hawaiian, you know? You'd seriously rock at the competition when you do!"

"Um... right! Sure!" Lucia chuckled nervously while Kaito shrugged his arms.

"Well, we better get going now!" Rina waved at Lucia, Kaito, and Taro as she is slightly being dragged by Masahiro forward.

"See you dudes and dudette later!" Nagisa gave a wave to the three as he took Hanon gently by the arm. "Come on, Hanon, let's go this way."

Just as the young pair were about to make their way, Hanon suddenly returned to where the remaining three were standing and turned to Taro. "Oh Taro--- Mr. Mitsuki--- are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

"Uh... ha ha..." Taro laughed nervously, gently scratching the back of his head. "You and Nagisa will be alright. Two is perfect and three's a crowd, you know!"

"Oh... well, okay then. We'll see you here then, Taro!" Hanon waved goodbye to the three as she continued her path with Nagisa next to her.

Taro then turned to Lucia and Kaito with a grin on his face. "Well, you two better get going. I'll be right here at the SUV waiting. Call me on my cell when you need something."

Lucia nodded with a smile. "Alright then, Taro. I guess we'll be---" Just as she was about to complete her response, Kaito interrupted.

"I think you better come with us, Mr. M."

"Eh?" Lucia blinked in surprise. "But Kaito... are you sure?"

"Are you sure about this, Kaito?" Taro asked the same question.

Kaito nodded with confidence on his expression. "Gaito's mind may be a little twisted, but I have a feeling something may happen to Lucia and me if we were alone, so it's best if there's the three of us."

Taro, still looking rather confused, shrugged his arms and locked the door of his SUV. He placed the keys in his pocket and walked his way towards the pair. "Well, if you insist, Kaito, I'll go with you two."

Lucia smiled and patted her older cousin on the side. "Thanks for coming with us, Taro!"

"Sure. No problem." The three made their way to the shopping area, searching for surf shops that may sponsor them on their tandem surfing competition.

As they strolled through the shops, Lucia quickly asked a question. "Say, Kaito... I have a very small, not so important question to ask you."

"Hm?" Kaito turned his head to the girl next to him. "What is it?"

"That... um... that name you gave Hanon... Hulala was it?"

"I think that was Halulu, Lucia," Taro corrected her.

"Right... Halulu..."

"Yeah? What about it, Lucia?" Kaito asked curiously.

"What's that mean? I know each name has a special meaning to it... right?"

Kaito snickered and answered. "Why? Jealous?"

Lucia gasped in shock. "No way! Me, jealous of Hanon just because you gave her an actual Hawaiian name? I gotta admit that Halulu is a very exotic name... but that's nothing to get jealous about!"

"Do you really want to know, Lucia? I gotta admit, I used to call her that when we used to date for a week months ago..."

Lucia sighed, feeling slightly jealous with the name, but still was curious about the meaning. "Well, why won't you tell us?"

"Well... I was afraid you'd be mad at me because Hanon Houshou is your friend and all..."

"No, I wouldn't be mad... in fact, Hawaii is the the royal capital of the sport of surfing and I'm interested in the Hawaiian culture too!" Lucia crossed her arms, feeling rather annoyed by Kaito at the moment.

"Well, to tell you the truth... Halulu is the name of a legendary Hawaiian mythological creature."

Taro chuckled softly. "You gave Hanon a name based on a Hawaiian mythological creature? What is it then... some kind of a bird?"

Kaito smiled and turned to the future teacher. "Why yes, Mr. M. It's a type of bird."

"Wow... must be one of those beautiful and exotic birds that turn to beautiful women at night or something... it's like... those mermaids..." Lucia began to contemplate to herself about the creature.

"Actually, Lucia... it's a man-eating bird." Lucia and Taro almost tripped in a startle to hear his response.

"What the--- Halulu is a man-eating bird?" Lucia exclaimed in shock while Taro prevented himself from laughing. "You gave Hanon the name of a man-eating bird?"

Kaito shrugged while displaying an innocent smile on his face. "I'm sorry, no offense, but she reminds me of that Hawaiian man-eating bird. I can't help myself!"

Lucia felt a slight relief within but instead decided to keep cool about it. "So... um... are you gonna tell Hanon what that means?"

"She didn't ask for the meaning, so no."

"What if I tell her what it means, Kaito?"

"Oh I don't care if you do or not. Hanon Houshou never listens to you anyway."

Lucia sighed and lowered her head. "Of course..."

Moments later, the three arrived at the shops that sold mainly surf equipment, supplies, and attire in a typical surf culture. Once they got there, Lucia gulped nervously at the shoppers around. Many of them were tanned, shirtless, macho-esque surfer boys and females with their two-piece bikinis and other swimsuit attire, and seemed as if they belonged to certain cliques of beach goers. The girl looked rather intimidated while these passerby shoppers recognized Kaito, exchanging their usual surfer greetings and provided some surfer talk.

She gazed at herself, wearing her usual cotton top and denim shorts, and even her attire was perfect for this sweltering hot summer she still felt somewhat left out of the crowd. Taro stood next to her, patting her on the shoulder.

"I feel so bad, Taro... I think we're both out of place here..."

"Lucia, we're pretty much in surf zone in the shopping center right now."

Lucia gazed at Kaito, who was practically mobbed by his fellow surfers back at the beach, both of the Rainbowside and of the independents. As a celebrity of the surfing world Kaito knew that being graceful and respectful to those who praised him was important. It was not a type of requirement of being a celebrity athlete, but it was also natural for him to support other surfers who had high hopes of being alongside his ranks one day.

After his moment with the crowd, he rejoined Lucia and Taro, who had been waiting for him so they can proceed. Once he got to them, he apologized first. "I'm sorry about that. I was caught off-guard."

"Don't worry about it," Taro said, patting Kaito on the shoulder. "At least it's with fellow surfers and not with your stalking fan club."

Lucia nodded in agreement. "Show respect for all surfers no matter what their skill level may be, right Kaito?"

"Heh, got that right," Kaito softly chuckled. "Well, let's get going."

The three proceeded to their first surf shop they spotted. Before they entered, Kaito turned to Taro, who had been walking behind him and Lucia. "Say, Mr. M... I'm a little curious..."

Taro blinked in confusion. "Curious? About what?"

"You know I always get stoked every time I hear you guys rip your jams on rehearsals and whenever. I'm wondering... what type of guitars do you guys use?"

Lucia answered first. "Well, I have an old Fender Strat that Nicola bought it off of some neighborhood flea market when I was around ten and she thought that music would be my main hobby and convinced me to learn how to play guitar along with my spontaneous singing. I haven't really replaced it yet because it still works, though I think it's losing its rich, pure sound. I'm still learning and I'm not nearly as good as Taro here."

"Same," Taro answered afterwards. "I have an old Fender Strat too that I bought it off of one of my old college classmates in music class, just for the heck of it. I kinda wanted to... well.. upgrade... to a more richer, in-your-face-sounding guitar. You know... something that would seriously hit you once you hear the lead chords on an fast-paced instrumental. A Fender Jaguar would be perfect for the lead guitar."

"Rihito has the expensive Fender American Deluxe P-Bass..." Lucia continued from where Taro left off.

"Ha ha... of course, Lucia! He's high-class rich maestro Rihito Amagi... what do you expect?" Kaito chuckled.

"He did offer to buy us some new instruments; replace the ones we have right now." Taro picked up from where they left off. "But at the same time I feel like we would be like a charity case because we couldn't afford the purest-sounding high-quality guitars around. I mean, with all my piano recitals and concerts back in college I only used my money to pay off of my college loans. Even with the pay I receive as assistant manager of Pearl Waters it's still not enough for me to purchase a Jaguar."

Kaito crossed his arms and answered. "Mr. M, even surf bands have sponsors. Ever thought of having sponsors? Like a musical instrument shop or something would offer you these same guitars for free? Or discounted even? I mean, if you didn't want Rihito--- or anyone for the matter--- to upgrade your current instruments then I think you guys should look around for sponsors too. Then again, knowing Rihito..."

Taro shook his head. "Rihito would not go for sponsorships, Kaito. I know him from inside out. The thing is that I don't want him to waste all his precious prize money from all the concerts he conducted just for a small-town surf band like the OC-5..."

Kaito signaled both Taro and Lucia to follow him at an empty corner of the shops so no one would overhear their conversation. "Mr. M... Dude... You're OC-5--- Oceanic Crib 5! You guys are gonna be representing our town and our tribe at the upcoming tournament and with no fully-charged instruments like those Fenders like you said earlier, you guys are gonna sound really weak by the time the surf bands contest arrive. The dudes I talked to earlier just now were telling me that they have been observing the... competition... surf bands included!"

Lucia gasped with her mouth covered. "You mean... the entire town is actually watching every single competition here and not just the ones who are actually competing?"

"Look, I got a tip earlier from the dudes just now. The bands that people are gonna be keeping an eye on are the Argonauts and Surfee Surf and the Surfites---"

"Eh? Surfee Surf and the Surfites...?" Lucia asked curiously. "What kind of a name is that? That sounds so cheesy!"

"Cheesy name, but a very good band, Lucia," Taro mentioned directly. "Yeah, I've seen them at their rehearsals. If it isn't going to be the surfers who's going to make Seiyo Valley on top of the tournament, it's going to be Surfee Surf and the Surfites. They got some serious fancy stuff going on with their jams and their instruments and equipment are just seriously slick. I heard they've got Jazzcasters instead of the standard Strats."

Lucia lowered her head, feeling a certain guilt within her. "I... I had no idea there were a lot higher quality guitars. Then again... not everything lasts that long." She turned quickly to Taro with worry in her eyes. "What do we do, Taro? I don't even know how much money Pearl Waters has at the business bank account. I mean, it'd be really awkward to ask Nicola to borrow money just to replace our old instruments, you know?"

Kaito stepped in and spoke his words. "Lucia, you're over thinking this. Why are you guys trying to be all proud and humble when you've got so many friends who are willing to help you out? What's holding you back?"

"I..." Lucia found herself blushing and gulped nervously. "It's just that... well... you know how a lot people think about the people behind Pearl Waters... I mean... we're like the hermit family. People don't really take us seriously... and really, who's really going to help us with issues such as having our instruments replaced with the best quality instruments out there? Just face it, Kaito--- we're cheap!"

Taro placed his arm around Lucia and hushed her. "Lucia, don't say that..."

Kaito gave a slight smirk on his face and answered. "You know what's funny... just when you said that, Lucia, you just reminded me of someone just now."

Lucia's eyes widened in surprise. "I reminded you of...?"

The surfer boy leaned himself against the wall with a slight smile on his face. "There was this girl I knew in the past---"

"One of your ex-girlfriends?" Lucia exclaimed with her eyes opened wide.

"Yo, lemme finish first, Lucia. You're jumping in to conclusions!"

"Oh! Sorry..."

"Well... it was nine years ago. Sure, I may be a total kook back then but hey, I was a kid. Go figure. There was this girl back at the beach who was like--- the coolest chick the entire beach has ever seen. She can rip those waves and ride the ocean like she's the damn mermaid princess or something. The Rainbowside just loved watching her--- even future surfer kids like me would just drop everything we're doing just to watch her take over the beach, man! As the wahine of the beach, every girl I knew then wanted to be like her. But personality-wise... well... she don't talk much. I may be just a kid then, being all babysat by Sara along with Gaito, but whenever she comes around when the Surf Cuties clique would call for her and have her hang out with them, but you know, she always denied their request and said that she's cool to just be on the beach on her own. Every time she'd say something like that I can tell by her eyes that she didn't mean it. She wanted something more than just a Yo, you're a totally rockin' surf chick!, but she was hesitant."

Lucia stared at Kaito curiously, wondering what type of girl he was just talking about now. "But... why would she be hesitant? She shouldn't be afraid to ask or talk to the people who give her praises. I mean, she knows she's not perfect and that she shouldn't feel alone no matter what..."

"Beats me. But you know, for once, I really hoped she would open up to the whole world and speak her mind instead of having people praise her to the masses and nothing else happens to her benefit." Kaito looked up right towards Taro and continued. "I think you know who I'm talking about, right Mr. M?"

Taro blinked his eyes in a startle at first, and then nodded. "Yup. I do."

Lucia sighed and lowered her head. "This isn't fair... I feel such a total kook. You guys know more about who's who in the surf scene than I do... even Taro knows who the girl you're talking about, Kaito..."

"Should I tell her, Mr. M?" Kaito asked curiously.

"Go ahead. It's just the three of us here."

Kaito gazed towards Lucia and leaned slightly closer to her, which made Lucia's heart beat rapidly. Then he moved his head to Lucia's ear and whispered: "Cole Seahart."

Lucia gasped and shrieked out: "Cole Seahart?!" Quickly Taro covered her mouth as Kaito hushed her immediately.

"Hey, lower down your voice, Lucia!" Kaito whispered. "We're not at Sector 7 Beach anymore. There could be spies from competitors here so we better not talk too much about our local secrets."

"Sorry..." Lucia answered with a sigh after she removed Taro's hand from her mouth.

"Although," Taro answered, "there is one thing you're wrong at about her, Kaito."

"Oh? What's that?" Kaito asked curiously.

"Cole wasn't always silent. She did open her feelings up one time."

"Hm? When did that happen?"

"When Cole confessed her feelings to Maki's younger brother."

"Oh..."

"Well then." Taro immediately changed the subject. "We better head to the surf shops right now and find your sponsors."

"Afterwards we can head out at the music shops not too far from here," Kaito added another suggestion.

"Hm? Music shops?" Taro asked curiously. "I think we've got enough fresh copies of blank music sheets for the music---"

"Mr. M, we're going to find sponsors to get your instruments replaced. If that doesn't work, then you dudes got no choice but to let Rihito and some of the filthy rich Rainbowside surfers pitch in some cash for those instruments. Of course, when we're there we'll call Rihito up or have him come here."

Lucia turned her head immediately towards Taro as the future school teacher shrugged his arms. "Well, worth a try."

Few moments later, they entered in a prominent-looking surf shop known as Tack-It-Up Surf Shop. The shop was one of the more well-known shops around, not just in Nijibe, but throughout their region. When they entered, countless classic and modern surf rock and surf pop blasted out at the ceiling speakers while shoppers in tanks and bikini outfits searched around beach apparel and surf gear sections. Lucia felt that same feeling from earlier about being isolated and standing out from the rest of the crowd. Though she noticed Taro looking somewhat out of place, his quarter-opened collared dark blue beach-motif printed shirt helped him blend in with the crowd.

"Tack-It-Up Surf Shop?" Lucia read the sign with curious eyes. "Wow... these surf shops sure got some weird names..."

"Heh, yeah. It helps them stand out, you know." Kaito chuckled. "Well, you guys can look around. I'll talk to the manager behind the counter."

"Okay!" Lucia and Taro split from Kaito and began to browse around the shop. Just as Lucia began to browse around the womens' swimsuit section, Taro looked out at the shop window and spotted three familiar figures just passing by their shop. Quickly he turned to Lucia and waved.

"What's going on, Taro?"

"I just saw Hippo, Rihito, and Michal outside!" Taro exclaimed. "Let me go get them."

"Okay!" Lucia waved at Taro as he headed his way to the exit. Kaito took notice of the teacher and gazed at him as he exited the door.

Once he got outside, he was immediately approached by the three. "Hey! I didn't know you'd be here!"

"Taro?" Hippo gasped with surprise. "Dude, what are you doing here? I thought you were gonna be waiting at the SUV while all the tandem pairs will be shopping around for sponsors?"

"Well... uh... Kaito and Lucia sorta... wanted me to come along with them..." Taro answered humbly with a soft chuckle on his face.

Michal cheered happily and with hope on her expression. "What? Kaito's with you? I can't believe this--- this is like--- destiny!"

"Well what do you know--- we found you, Mitsuki. Listen, I just got an email from the tournament committee about a few changes regarding the tournament and I think it's important."

Few moments later, Lucia, with Kaito following her from behind, exited the surf shop to see the rest of the OC-5 members, sans Rina, present at the doorway. "Hey guys!" Lucia cheered happily, waving at them. "Nice to see you---"

"Kaito! My prince in shining armor! At last we meet again!" Just as Lucia was about to complete her greeting, Michal ran to the entrance, slightly pushed Lucia aside, and embraced Kaito tightly to her. "Oh I've missed you so much!"

"H-hey!" Lucia shrieked with a frown on her face. "How rude!"

"Uh--- Michal... let go... I'm coming outside." Kaito slowly released himself from her tight grip as Michal set him free. Once he was outside she went back to embrace the deadly attractive surfer boy once more. "H-hey! Come on, Michal, let go!"

Rihito turned to Kaito and began to speak. "Kaito, I tried to get a hold of your bro but his cell's not answering. Listen, we got a bit of a problem with the changes in the tournament."

Kaito continued to struggle to set himself free from Michal's tight grip as he answered. "There's changes again? What now?"

"Well, it involves the surf band and the three tandem couples, Kaito. Originally in the surf bands contest we were only going to play seven songs. Guess what, they added another one for the end. The only thing is, though it'll be a fast track--- be it an instrumental or vocals--- the three tandem couples will have to do their pair dance as sorta like their intro to the tandem surfing contest. Apparently points will be generated for both the all three couples and for the band. They're going to be judging by the most impressive dance made by each pair and of course, the song that the band will be playing."

Lucia shrieked in surprise. "So you're saying we're playing eight songs instead of seven songs for the surf bands contest?"

"Dance..." Kaito trailed off, looking rather nervous at the thought of it. "Oh hell no."

Rihito nodded. "Personally I think the tournament committee is just overdoing it..."

"I agree with you, Rihito... but then again, they're the committee. You can't really argue against them unless if you're a committee member yourself."

Lucia realized Kaito's tone of his voice and turned to him. "That's right! You don't dance... well... in public..."

"Another problem with the changes," Rihito continued. "The committee requires all surf bands to have their instruments fresh and brand-new, one of a kind, high quality--- and personalized too. They'll be testing the sound level of each of our instruments before we can even compete. If the sound levels are weak against their provided amp machines, we can't compete. That would mean there should be some official engraving or label or something that has the band name and our names on them. This can only mean one thing--- we'll have to replace our current instruments with special personalized ones."

"Another expense..." Taro sighed deeply. "Is the tournament committee desperate enough for their contestants to waste their money just to compete? This is ridiculous, seriously."

Hippo crossed his arms in disappointment. "That's just lame. Why can't those tournament people buy better amps and sound equipment instead of requiring all the contestants to compete with brand-new instruments? I'm happy with my five-year-old Ludwig kit, dammit!"

Rihito shook his head and then turned to Taro. "Seriously, Taro, just let me take care of the instruments. I know how bad you wanted to have a Fender Jaguar instead of that old Strat you've got but you're not even giving me a chance to get you one."

Taro shook his head as his response. "Rihito, we're grateful you're part of the band and that you're working around Pearl Waters for free, but we're not going to ask you to use your money to do something for us. We're thinking of just finding a reputable music shop that would sponsor the entire band---"

Rihito also shook his head. "Sponsors? We're the one and only surf band existing in this town, Taro, and we all should be proud of that. I just think we're way too cool to have corporate sponsors like that. Just let me take care of the instruments, Taro."

"Hey," Kaito interrupted as he successfully freed himself from Michal's grasp. "Rihito, I can chip in with the costs--- well, Gaito and me that is... Maybe Masahiro may wanna chip in too..."

"Kaito, you don't need to do that!" Lucia exclaimed with concern on her eyes. "Please... it's okay. You guys need the money for more important things, plus you guys aren't part of the band. I mean, it's worth a try but right now we should stick to the plan. We visit some music shops after we deal with the surf shops and find sponsors. If not, we can ask Nicola to loan us the money to buy new instruments!"

"Lucia, do you have an idea how much those high-end Fender guitars cost?" Kaito asked curiously with his arms crossed. "Even if you use the money you profited from Pearl Waters you're gonna have a huge debt on those guitars. You guys don't want us to chip in, Rihito doesn't want you guys to find sponsors... what other options do you guys have? We're not doing this because you guys are charity cases or anything like that. We're doing this because we're pretty much a tournament family..."

The group ended up in an argument regarding the musical instruments while Hippo slowly stepped away, trying not to get himself involved. "Oh for heaven's sake... I ain't gonna get involved in money squabbles like that. Stupid tournament committee are so damn cheap to buy higher-end amps for the guitars so we don't have to spend anything! This is really lame..."

As Hippo was backing away slowly, he accidentally bumped in to another boy his age from behind. "Yo, watch it, dude!" The boy exclaimed as Hippo turned around to see a dark-haired, baseball cap donning boy with a stack of small flyers on his left arm.

"Whatever, dude! I didn't see you there!" Hippo glared at the other boy, just as the boy recovered his poise.

"Anyway, since you're here, my uncle's music shop has a special contest going on right now." The boy handed him a flyer to Hippo, which the tall lanky blonde boy accepted it.

"What's this?" Hippo began to read on the flyer as the boy explained.

"In celebration of the First Annual Surf Scenes Tournament, which also includes the surf bands contest within this major event, the Umioto Music Shop is also promoting the newest Fender Guitar series as the new addition to our products beginning the week of the tournament. However, as part of our promotion, we are holding a contest an hour later today for all guitar players--- band members or not--- to play a very intriguing, powerhouse surf rock instrumental using our newest high-end Fender guitar products that we will be selling in the near future. Whoever wins the promotional contest will win those high-end new Fender guitars for free--- personalized with your name is also an option!"

Hippo's eyes widened in surprise. Right then he already knew another alternative for their new musical instruments problem. He turned to the boy and grinned happily. "Dude, you are the man!"

"You mean you know someone who may be interested in entering our surf instrumentals contest?"

"Hell yeah!" Hippo grinned and patted the boy on the shoulder. "Say, do these new high-end Fender guitars may possibly include the... um... you know... a Fender Jaguar and the most top-of-the line P-Bass?"

"Of course! Those are the exact guitars that we will begin selling very soon!"

"Like I said... you are the man!" Hippo grinned and folded the flyer. "Thanks for saving my life today!"

"Uh... sure... um... see you at our store later for the contest and good luck!" The boy grinned nervously as the two gave each other a hi-five and made their own separate ways.

Hippo returned to the crowd, where they were still discussing money issues and the changes within the tournament. Before things could go ugly between them, Hippo silenced everyone by handing the flyer to Taro. "Good! Now I got everyone's attention!"

"What's this, Hippo?" Taro asked curiously as he began to read what was in the flyer.

"This is going to solve all our money problems in dealing with new instruments, dudes!" Hippo exclaimed happily. "Well--- that is--- if we do end up entering that contest and win..."

Taro's eyes opened wide as he handed the flyer to Rihito, which he quickly skimmed through to see what the flyer was about. Lucia stared at them curiously, wondering what they were looking at in the first place.

"So, what do you think, Taro? Rihito?" Hippo asked curiously.

The two college-aged men turned to each other. "Hmm..."

"What do you mean by hmmm?"

"Well then," Rihito smiled at the others. "Shall we head off to Umioto Music Shop?"

Moments later, Kaito, Michal, and four of the five members of the OC-5 arrived at the front of Umioto Music Shop where there was a huge stage right across from it. There was a long line that lead to the side of the stage. Majority of the ones on that line were teenage to young adult males appeared on rebellious styles from pure rockers to wannabes. Kaito and Michal sat at the front row of the stage, despite that Michal wanted to sit at the back so she can be truly alone with the surfer boy of her dreams next to her.

"Kaito... why can't we sit at the back? I... I think we can have a better view of the stage from the back!" Michal suggested once more, looking very hopeful that Kaito may change his mind.

"Michal, if we sit at the back, some taller dudes may come by and sit in front of us, blocking our view. Besides, when it comes to OC-5, I like to sit at the front. I mean, it's all about the music and our fellow tournament teammates, you know? Besides... a band member admitted to me that I'm their lucky charm. They perform better when I'm watching them."

Michal gave a rather curious stare at Kaito. "What do you mean by good luck charm? Who on earth would say that to you?"

Kaito scanned the long line at the side and spotted Lucia talking with Rihito, Taro, and Hippo, possibly discussing about what song they were going to play once they get on stage. They also noticed that the only instruments available on stage are three guitars--- most definitely be the high-end Fender guitar series--- and a drum set. There was no keyboard or sax or any other accompanying instrument on sight. On the other hand, the OC-5 fifth member Rina Touin was not present either. As he gazed at his tandem surfing partner, his cheeks began to blush slightly without realizing it.

"Kaito--- are you okay?" Michal asked, trying to get his attention, and asked the same question. "Who told you that you're the band's good luck charm?"

The surfer boy snapped to reality and turned to Michal. "Your brother did."

"Eh...? My... brother? He actually said that to you...?"

"Don't forget about my strong musical background, Michal. Though I'm not really practicing in to music anymore I still have perfect ears to listen to the perfect pitches of a musical piece. If I give them simple facial reactions they know that there's something good or something bad happening at their performance. That's why I have to be at the front."

Michal became slightly suspicious and crossed her arms. "You know what I think, Kaito Doumoto? I think you spend too much time with my brother's boss' sister a lot that I think the only reason why you sit at the front is because of her!"

Kaito glared at Michal and denied the assumptions. "You assume too much, Michal. Besides, so what if she was the reason why I'm up here? It's not like I'm in prison or something..."

"You're not telling me the entire story, Kaito!" Michal glared and slightly turned her head away. "Who are you to her?"

"And who are you to ask me such a question, Michal? Why is it that every time you catch me staring at some random girl you give your usual outbursts and acting like we're dating or something? It's just way too weird..."

"... Are you in love with her, Kaito?"

"... huh?"

"Are you in love with Lucia Nanami, Kaito?"

Kaito fell silent, but still had that same glare on his face. However deep inside he could feel his heart beating rapidly. No matter how much he tried to play things cool in regards to love, his heart already knew that he was indeed deeply in love. "We're not here to discuss Lucia, Michal. We're here to see the band do their best to win and get their new instruments for free. I mean we're talking about your brother here for goodness sakes! I care about you, Michal, but seriously, if you keep reminding me how supportive you are of the Nijibe team for this coming tournament, you're not exactly showing it. You would root for me but you would not root for your brother and the band?"

Michal tightened her fists, contemplating on how to answer Kaito. Few moments later, she found her answer. "Why do you always treat me like a child, Kaito? Of course I support the entire Nijibe team--- I mean I'm a Nijibe resident too! But seriously, you never look at me as a real woman, Kaito... I'm only a year younger than you and Hanon Houshou is flirting with a boy two years younger than her! I only care about boys who are older than me because I'm not as immature as she is--- I can't even believe you even dated her at one point!"

"Enough, Michal!" Kaito suddenly burst out his annoyance at her, which startled Michal right away. "If you seriously want to know, I picked Lucia for my tandem surfing partner. That's why she and I were at the surf shop earlier today when Taro saw you and the rest of the band heading your way to our direction. We were searching for shapers who would shape us two tandem longboards for the tournament. Why do you always trip like the world's gonna end if I end up falling in love with some girl?"

"Gah!" Michal exclaimed in shock. "Lucia Nanami is your tandem surfing partner? Why? She's not even beach babe material! She doesn't even like wearing bikinis! And she doesn't know how to surf!"

Kaito turned his head and faced towards the stage where a band was already playing their performance currently. "Reason why I picked her for my partner. Unlike the rest of the girls I know, she has a different goal set when it comes to surfing. She didn't become interested in surfing just because of me. Her entire family knows about the surf including her little brother, who's a year younger than you. She's the only girl I know in my life who shares the same passion for surfing as I do even if she doesn't surf. She wanted to know more about surfing because she knows she's no expert. I suggested to her that the only way for her to understand further about surfing was for her to actually experience it. Having her as my tandem surfing partner was the perfect way for her to experience the sport."

Michal sighed deeply and lowered her head. "I guess you have a point... I obviously have little or no knowledge of surfing, simply because it's not my thing... but I have strong interests in classical music, but surf rock? I can't believe Rihito would take a break every summer just so he can be in this silly surf band!"

"Michal, this silly surf band is the only surf band Nijibe has, and they're going to be the ones who have a quest for the championship title for Best Surf Band of the Year. This isn't just for Rihito's resume, but they're competing for our hometown. Whether your brother being a part of the band or not, you shouldn't look down on them."

"Kaito, I know about your strong classical music background. I still forgive you for giving up classical music for surfing. I guess that's why I was so drawn in to you so much..."

"Gaito, my twin, has strong classical music background too, but he's the same as me more or less. And don't forget your brother's college roommate, bandmate, co-worker, and friend, Taro Mitsuki. He has classical music background too--- and he's going to be a teacher in my school once the summer vacation's over. You gotta give these guys credit for having a broad taste of music, not just classical."

Michal frowned with her arms crossed. "Alright, alright, Kaito. I'm sorry for being impatient with you. You do have the right to do whatever you want, after all."

"Thanks for respecting that, Michal. I appreciate it."

Just as the two were finished their short argument, a few more familiar greets arrived at their row when Rina, Masahiro, Hanon, and Nagisa arrived on spot. "Aaah! Kaito, I knew that was you from far away! Man, you're so easy to identify from the distance!" Hanon giggled and sat immediately on his other side while Nagisa sat next to her. "Oh, hi Michal. Let me guess--- the entire OC-5 is here, right?"

Michal nodded. "Yeah. We came here to look for you guys. You see, there's a few changes regarding the surf bands contest and somewhat... the tandem surfing contest too."

"Really?" Rina sat next to Michal while Masahiro sat on Rina's other side. "What sort of changes?"

"The bands are required to sing eight songs now instead of seven---" Kaito answered Rina's question when the tall, dark-haired tomboy beauty shrieked in shock.

"What? Eight? That's too much! We'll be tired... out of breath by the time we get to the eighth song!"

"Well, Rihito hasn't provided the entire story yet," Michal said. "It was just a quick thing because the band ended up arguing about dealing with replacing the instruments in to a more higher grade ones. It became a requirement of the surf bands too if they want to enter the tournament."

"Then again we have been talking about replacing our instruments with newer, higher-end ones," Rina said with her fingers under her chin. "I feel bad asking you rich peeps to loan us the money to buy the instruments and I'd also feel bad asking Nicola if she can spare some of the Pearl Waters profits too."

Masahiro placed his arm around Rina and whispered on her ear. "You know I'd do anything for you, Rina. If it's new instruments the band needs, I don't mind funding you guys. Maybe the Doumotos and even the Amagis here won't mind chipping in too..."

"Masahiro," Rina sighed, "you don't know the Nanamis. They're a very proud family when it comes to money. Sure, they're not exactly millionaires but somehow they feel that they have to find ways to fund themselves to get that huge something."

"So, um," Nagisa interrupted with his hand waving at the others. "We got here because we got curious about this new instruments lineup promotions at that Umioto Music Shop place and they have a special surf bands contest right now. Whoever wins gets to have their instruments upgraded with the new product lines absolutely free."

"That's why we're here, Nagisa," Kaito said with a smile on his face. "The OC-5 members are in line, waiting for their turn on stage. The product lines that music shop that's going to start selling happens to be the exact models that they want, so this is a huge opportunity."

Rina gazed at the stage and noticed that there was no keyboard on sight. "The band can't call themselves OC-5 because there are only four instruments--- my signature one happened to be not present."

"Wouldn't that mean that they have to use another name when they have a sign up for this contest, since it's just gonna be Lucia, Taro, Rihito, and Hippo?" Hanon asked curiously.

"Looks like they're going to have to," Masahiro responded. "But I'm pretty sure it'll be a temporary name. Besides, I don't think the entire town is familiar with OC-5 just yet since not everyone in Nijibe hangs out at the beach or even at Kaigara Boulevard where Pearl Waters is located."

Hanon still looked rather worried and turned to Rina. "Rina, aren't you worried about the rest of the band members? I mean... I'm only seeing three guitars and a drum set and no keyboard! Does that mean you won't be playing with the band?"

Nagisa sighed deeply and answered: "Isn't it obvious, Hanon? There are only four instruments on stage, meaning there's a limit of four members in a band for this particular competition."

"I'm not worried at all, Hanon," Rina answered with a smile on her face. "Rihito and Taro did compose some instrumentals without keyboard accompaniment, plus all of the instrumentals we've been practicing can be played without the keyboard. The music arrangement itself is most important and it should drive some adrenaline for all the surfers once they listen to it. The keyboard isn't the main instrument of a surf rock instrumental you know."

"Well, I'm getting worried!" Hanon sighed. "Poor Taro... poor Rihito... okay, poor Lucia and Hippo too... I wonder what they're going to do with just the four of them...?"

"I'm not worried either, Houshou," Kaito joined in. "I know how much you love to drool on both Taro Mitsuki and Rihito Amagi---"

Hanon shrieked and spanked Kaito on his shoulder. "I am not!"

"Hanon! How could you cheat on me like that?" Nagisa gasped in shock.

"We're not even dating, Nagisa!" Hanon shouted right at her tandem surfing partner with a frown on her face.

"Ha ha..." Kaito chuckled along with Michal and went back on subject. "As I was saying, I'm not worried about the rest of the OC-5 or whoever they're gonna be when they step up on stage. You don't know Taro Mitsuki."

"You don't know my brother either, Hanon," Michal added. "I've seen how those two work very hard when it comes to music--- classical or surf rock--- they're pure geniuses!"

Kaito snickered with an eyebrow raised. "Michal, I thought you said you're not in to surf rock earlier today?"

Michal raised an eyebrow at Kaito with a frown on her face. "There is nothing wrong with giving praise to my brother's and his friend Taro Mitsuki's special talents in music. After all, it's still music no matter what."

"O... kay..." Kaito slightly steered clear from Michal and turned his head towards the stage. The first band to perform for the instrumental contest was about to perform.

Meanwhile at the line where all the other bands were waiting for their turn, Lucia, Hippo, Taro, and Rihito were in a bit of a disadvantage. Though there were a lot of shoppers and bystanders at the seats to watch the Fender High-End Guitar series surf bands contest, the four of the five OC-5 band members were all the way at the end of the line. Lucia and Hippo began to worry after having their own observations with the rest of the bands ahead of them.

"Oh no... this is so embarrassing!" Lucia sighed with worry. "I... I'm the only girl in this entire line who's actually gonna play on stage..."

"And I'm the only under-thirteen kid in this entire line..." Hippo added with his arms crossed. "Not only that, but compared to all these dudes dressed up like wanna-be rebel punks ahead of us, we look like a bunch of wimps."

Taro turned to his two younger cousins and hushed. "Don't worry about it. Real surf bands actually wear a lot decent and clean cut. If you do your research with surf bands, many of them wear matching uniforms too."

"He's right, you know," Rihito added, giving attention to the Nanami Siblings. "And we've got an expert musical schoolteacher in our band too. With his genius, he's gonna school the entire competition on what a real surf band should be!"

"Speaking of real surf bands, Rihito," Hippo changed the subject. "When you were signing in the application form for this contest, what name did you put us under? We can't exactly introduce ourselves as OC-5 because there's only the four of us and changing it to OC-4 would be pretty awkward if you ask me..."

"Oh don't worry. We're not going to introduce ourselves as the OC-5. I mean, so far no one here recognized us from our last public appearances at the beach and at Pearl Waters on Friday nights."

"So we've got a different name then?"

Rihito nodded. "You'll see. You'll know once we get on stage."

Hippo crossed his arms, looking slightly suspicious at Rihito. Once the first band began playing their instrumental track, both Taro and Lucia felt the high quality, rich, and pure twanging sound ringing right through their sensitive ears and through their spine. Right then, the two guitarists felt a slight chill within them and both their bodies were now still like ice.

"Holy cow..." Taro murmured softly. "That, my friends... is a real deal Fender Jaguar..."

"You're telling me, Taro..." Lucia sighed in bliss, just listening to the rather haunting sounds of the Fender Jaguar guitars being played by the band currently on stage. "Now I see why we just gotta have those Jaguars, Taro..."

"This is why we gotta win those Fender Jaguars for free, Lucia..." Taro whispered. "If we play with thundering, haunting, chilling sounds like the Jaguar, victory will be ours at the tournament..."

Rihito cleared his throat and said: "If we lose in this contest, you got no choice but to let us filthy rich dudes fund this band for those Fender Jaguars. Besides, I need to upgrade my P-Bass too. I need a bass that can match the purity of the Jaguars."

Taro shrugged his arms. "Fine, fine. I guess calling out for sponsors is out of the question."

"We don't need corporate sponsors, Taro. We're locally made, man. We get everything from the good ol' hometown."

"Alright then. It's a deal." The two males shook hands, closing the conditions if they lose this short band contest.

A few moments later majority of the bands already performed on stage. The audience grew larger when word was spread throughout the shopping center that celebrity competitors of the tournament were present. Kaito and the competitive Rainbowside surfers like Nagisa and Masahiro immediately drew attention of the others to the promotional surf bands contest. It was then that the general public realized how important cutting edge, adrenaline-rushing musical tracks can be a very important role to the surfers.

Gaito and Sara, with Sara's sister Seira tailing them from behind, arrived at the seats where they spotted Kaito and the rest of their crew sitting at the front row. Once they arrived there, Gaito called out for his twin. "Kaito! What are you all doing slacking around?"

The Rainbowside surfers and the girls turned their heads and spotted Gaito, Sara, and Seira from the distance. Nagisa jumped up and asked curiously: "What the heck are you doing here, Seira?"

Seira stuck her tongue out. "You punks left me behind! You and Hanon... and then Hippo next? I'm not gonna miss all the fun here! I had to had Maki drive me all the way out here so I can catch up to you guys! Luckily I found my sister and Gaito, so here I am!" She then gazed at the entire scene and smiled happily. "Ah, now I see why Hippo left---- OC-5 is going to enter this free high-end instruments contest thing right? I don't understand why he didn't ask all you rich dudes to sponsor them...?"

"Seira, you don't know the Nanamis," Hanon answered with her arms crossed. "Well, since you're all here, let's all stay here for awhile until the band peeps do their thing!"

Gaito, Sara, and Seira took the second row, sitting behind Kaito and the others. "Whatever happened to searching for surfboard sponsors, Kaito?"

Kaito turned and glared at his twin. "This is your fault, Gaito! You had Taro Mitsuki hang out with Lucia and me! We were doing what we're supposed to be doing but we bumped in to Rihito, Hippo, and Michal here--- and then the whole instruments problem emerged. That's why we're here now because OC-5 is going to compete and win those higher-end instruments for free."

"Except they're not going to enter as the OC-5," Masahiro added. "Only reason being is because there are only four instruments present on stage, meaning there's a limit of four members in a band. No keyboards."

"That's why I'm here," Rina continued. "But knowing Taro and Rihito, I'm pretty sure they've come up with a bunch of other instrumentals without keyboard accompaniment."

"Heh," Gaito snickered as he made himself comfortable on his spot. "I know how those two work when it comes to music, especially Mitsuki. He really was a true student of music. Rihito too, of course."

"Man," Kaito frowned, looking bored while watching all the punk-derived bands performing their own instrumentals. "Lame... loud, but lame..." One thing he noticed that each band had some kind of a shouting call in the beginning before they perform and wondered if OC-5--- or rather the four-member OC-5--- would also do a type of shouting call before they begin performing. He even thought that maybe the shouting call would be similar to a kiai.

"Hey!" Michal cheered, tapping Kaito on the shoulder. "The contestant waiting line is shrinking. It's almost time for my brother and the band to perform!"

Back at the line, there were only two bands left to go up on stage. While the four of the five OC-5 members waited, the band behind them stared at them with curious looks. One of them spoke directly at them first. "Hey--- the audience belong to the seats below the stage!"

"Uh duh, that's why we're here," Hippo quickly responded to them. "The audience sit there. The competitors are on this line."

The band before them burst in to laughter with an obvious assumption that they were prejudiced by the way they appeared right at them and call themselves a rock band. The contest did read surf rock instrumental contest. With another assumption, the band before them were obviously not from Nijibe. "Little dude, you four--- are actually a band? You're kidding, right?"

"So what if we don't look cool to you people?" Lucia exclaimed with a furious expression on her face. "Just because I'm the only girl here and my brother is the only kid here, doesn't mean we can't rock the house like all the other dudes here! Those Fender Jaguars mean a lot to us and we're here to win them, you hear?"

Again, the band before them continued to laugh and another answered. "Whoa--- poor attempt at trash talking, girl. You're too sweet and cute to be hangin' around here. Go back to your fellow chick friends and gossip about your boyfriends or something---"

"Why you---" With a very unexpected action, Lucia attempted to launch herself at the boys with the intention of getting in to fist fights, but the boys with her immediately pulled her back.

"Lucia! Calm down!" Hippo warned his older sister as he pulled her back. Taro and Rihito stood in front of the two siblings and faced the band in front of them.

"Hey, come on, keep it cool, keep it cool..." Taro hushed them as Rihito gave a grin to the band ahead of them.

"I'm assuming you dudes aren't from around here, are you?" Rihito asked calmly.

"What's it to you? We're gonna rock the entire surf bands contest at the tournament coming up once we ultimately win those fresh and slick Fender Jaguars. Watch and learn, dweebs!" Another one of the band members declared right at them.

"Here's the deal, bennies," Rihito began his return statement. "Since you're so determined to win those Fender Jaguars, if you win this contest, we surrender our guitars to you—-"

Lucia's eyes opened wide and shouted: "Rihito! Are you insane? I'm not handing over my guitar to those losers--- it has sentimental value to me!"

"Lucia, just keep quiet!" Taro whispered on her ear as the girl reluctantly became silent.

"And if you don't win this contest, you surrender your guitars to us. Then we call it even." Rihito remained grinning at them while Lucia, Hippo, and Taro glanced at him with puzzled looks.

"Hey Taro!" Hippo called to his older cousin in a whisper. "What the hell are we gonna do with their guitars?"

"I have no idea, Hippo... that's Rihito for you..." Taro returned the answer in the same whispering level.

"See, either way, it's a win-win situation for you bennies," Rihito continued on setting his deal with the band in front of them. "We got a Fender series as our current instruments. If you do win, you get our instruments along with your Fender Jaguars. You can even pawn our instruments for solid cash because we've got the higher grade instruments back in the years before the companies released newer higher-end instruments. They're pretty much antiques and I can guarantee you the pawn shops are gonna want our stuff. How does that sound to you?"

"Uh... that sounds kinda shady---" One band member was skeptical but the rest of the band immediately agreed.

"Deal!" Rihito shook hands with the entire band, as their name was already called to perform on stage. He, Taro, Lucia, and Hippo finally reached the stairway where there was a burly, tough-looking, over sized bouncer guarding the way.

The bouncer looked at his list and then to the final four and read the last name on the list. "So, you're Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas?"

"Yup! That's us!" Rihito grinned with a nod.

Hippo's eyes opened wide in shock and made his response: "What the hell kind of a name is that, Rihito? We sound more like sissies now than our appearances, man!"

Taro hushed Hippo and answered: "It's only a temporary name... not like we're going to use it for real."

"Still!" Hippo crossed his arms and glared at Rihito. "That name has gotta be the stupidest band name I've ever heard..."

The bouncer gazed at the rest of them and gave a nod. "Hey kid--- lemme guess--- you the drummer of this band?"

Hippo was startled at first when the bouncer asked the question, then answered. "Y-yes... I'm the drummer."

"Heh, good." The bouncer softly snickered. "I got a son who plays the drums--- my eight-year-old."

"Cool!" Hippo smiled happily. "I was seven when my sister enrolled me in to playing drums... and then in school I ended up in the marching band."

"Good for you, kid. I wish the rest of you luck up there when you take the stage. The band who's on stage now--- Surfee Surf and the Surfites, it says on this list--- are pretty cocky if ya ask me. Messing around with a nice young lady such as yourself..."

Lucia smiled humbly and waved her hand slightly. "Those losers are a bunch of prick punks... picking on me just because I don't look like some rocker chick..."

"Don't you fret, Lucia," Rihito answered with a smile on his face. "We're gonna send the entire competition back to music school and study more about surf rock. Taro could use his teaching credentials for that!"

"Yeah right!" Taro chuckled. "No. I'm a very responsible, diligent schoolteacher. I teach music enthusiasts, not wanna-be punk posers."

"Well either way, we're seriously gonna school them, that's for sure. Let's give these bands a little preview of their competition at the surf bands contest, shall we?"

The band before them, Surfee Surf and the Surfites, began performing their piece. Sure, it was loud, it was rushing, and the sounds of their instrumental truly affected the inner aura of every person in the audience, especially if they were either a surfer or a racer. Many members of the audience began to stand up and dance for the first time. There was no activity among the audience with the first few bands simply because the seats were not filled, but with the combined sounds of the bands surely attracted more bystanders and passerby shoppers in to watching this contest.

"Wow... they're... they're good!" Rina's eyes opened wide in shock. "They're what? Surfee Surf and the Surfites? Er... cheesy name but the track is far from cheesy... And it prompted everyone to get up and dance to it..."

Masahiro tapped Rina on the shoulder with a smile on his face. "Wanna dance?"

Rina scooted away from Masahiro with a glare on her face. "What the hell? You want me to dance to the song of the enemy? As if!"

"Ah, that's right... I forgot... I'm sorry..." Masahiro quickly held Rina tightly in to his arms as his part of his apology. "Well, either way, you guys will own this surf bands contest and the tournament's surf bands contest, that's for sure."

Rina sighed with worry. "I just hope Lucia and the dudes would come up with a better, ass-kickin' sound than these dudes on stage. It'd be pretty difficult to conquer this band's sounds without keyboard accompaniment--- ugh I'm so ticked they didn't include a keyboard there!"

"I don't know much about music, Rina, so I don't know anything encouraging to say except that... maybe in order to win those instruments that the band will have to seriously utilize its power and true sound of those instruments. If they do that, it'll just show the judges that they really want to win those instruments because they're putting heart in creating catchy tunes using the power of those instruments." Masahiro explained his opinion to Rina.

"That's exactly how Lucia and the dudes are going to take over this contest and win." From the side, the couple heard Kaito's voice.

"Eh?" Rina asked curiously. "Kaito, what do you mean?"

"These dudes on stage are okay. Pretty good jam but not very convincing for me if I were the judge. I don't know... their instrumental is lacking something."

"Lacking?" Masahiro asked curiously. "Their song is a pretty standard surf track, Kaito."

"Well, that's exactly what it is--- a standard surf track." Kaito continued with his explanation. "These dudes aren't really utilizing the power of those instruments. I mean, if I were the shop owner I'll have to demonstrate why these high-end Fenders are well-deserved to be purchased and should be used to play a high-quality, powerhouse monster track fit enough to be produced and recorded in to albums. They're promoting these instruments to be on sale later this week and people aren't just gonna by these instruments unless someone shows them what makes these instruments worthy of being purchased and used in all up and coming bands. That's the whole point of this contest."

"Hm, now that you mentioned it..." Rina murmured softly and continued on. "I'm hearing the lead guitar, but there's barely any licks and rolls. I could barely hear the rhythm guitar--- it's way too blended with the bass sound. I agree with Masahiro about this song being a standard surf track."

"I can never forget the things Lucia have been telling me about you guys, Rina," Kaito continued, recalling one particular quote Lucia said to him the first time she spoke about OC-5 weeks ago.

"I'm not as good with the guitar as Taro... He's the lead guitarist and I'm just following him along."

"If you guys have been paying attention with the formation of OC-5 ever since they debuted to the public weeks ago, what's one thing in common that all their surf instrumentals have?"

"I'm the keyboardist of OC-5. The answer's easy," Rina said confidently. "Taro is the lead guitarist, and his best skill in being a lead guitarists are the sweet licks and rolls he truly enjoys doing whenever we play instrumentals. Most of the legendary surf instrumental tracks have a lot of licks and rolls in there. It's like... that King of Surf Guitar gig, you know? Each real surf band should always have a lead guitarist with the King of Surf Guitar skills and for that to happen, they need to have the highest-end guitar..."

"Now I see why Taro was so anxious about that Fender Jaguar thing," Kaito nodded in agreement. "It's not the label or its value that he wants--- he wants its high-quality power it can deliver to the track and performance. He really is a true musician."

After a few moments, the current band on stage, Seiyo Valley's own Surfee Surf and the Surfites, finished their performance and they had a huge positive response from the audience. Once they stepped off of the stage, it was time for the four of the five OC-5 members to do their show. Taro turned to Lucia and whispered: "Remember what I thought you during rehearsals last weekend. We're playing that song..."

Lucia nodded with a smile on her face. "Ah... that song."

"Yeah," Rihito gave a wink. "Your dream dude is sitting up front. You know we made that instrumental for him. Show them your new skills, girl."

"I will!" When they reached the top of the stairs, the announcer on stage began to introduce their final contestant.

"Finally, we've reached to the end! Let's give it up for our final contestant of this very special contest--- our very own Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas!" The audience applauded as Rihito, Taro, Lucia, and Hippo took their positions and their assigned instruments.

Kaito raised an eyebrow of uncertainty while the others also gave mixed expressions on their faces. "Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas...?" Michal wondered curiously. "Where on earth Rihito came up with that name from?"

"How do you know your brother was the one who made up that crazy name?" Hanon asked curiously.

"He's my brother, Hanon. He's the only person I know who would come up with weird names like that."

"Although... I think I understand where Rihito got that strange name from..." Rina began her statement with a nod. "I think there's some kind of a ring to it."

"Seven Seas...?" Nagisa wondered curiously along with Hanon. "Why Seven Seas?"

"Because Lucia and Hippo's last name is literally translated as seven seas, Shiroi." Masahiro answered him quickly. "Rina's right. It does make sense. Rite-O and Sea-Moon are Rihito and Mr. M."

Just as the four-member Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas band began to tune and adjust the guitars, the announcer stood next to Rihito to ask a few introductory questions before they begin. "So, you four are our very own, right?"

"Oh yeah. We live by the coast, so that's why we're not so well-known in the inner side of Nijibe," Rihito answered the announcer, trying to remain calm and cool at the same time without being obvious that he was lying. "But even if that's the case, we got a jam to dedicate to all you Nijibe hotdoggers out there, and if you are a Nijibe hotdogger, get up from your seats and cry out---- Banzai!"

Right then, all the surfers, boys and girls, including Kaito, Masahiro, Nagisa, Gaito, Hanon, and Sara (due to tandem surfing), stood up from their seats and shouted along with Rihito: "Banzai!"

Once they cried that call out, the band began to play their track. The band have not come up with an official name for this particular instrumental, but for now they tentatively named it For Surfers Only. Once the intro chords were played, to a surprise to some people, Lucia stepped up and began to show off her newly-earned guitar licking and rolling skills on the lowest, bass-level notes on her assigned Fender Jaguar rhythm guitar. Just with the guitar licking alone immediately caught Kaito's attention.

You really are full of surprises, Lucia... you're seriously rockin' right now, girl! Kaito grinned as he found almost everyone getting up from their seats and began to dance. After Lucia's introductory lick, Taro took over, using everything that the Fender Jaguar provided him as he took command of the instrumental. The thundering, roaring, clean, loud, and at times mesmerizing sounds of the higher-end Fender guitars somehow brought the true definition and essence of what a real surf rock instrumental should sound like. Apparently for the OC-5, this particular surf rock track was just a small warm up for them. In other words, there was definitely more where that came from.

Kaito's prediction of Taro's intention with the Fender Jaguar was nailed to the target. The guitar licking and rolling of the Fender Jaguar lead guitar was so mesmerizing that the sound itself captured each heart and soul of the surfers getting themselves absorbed in to the song. At the same time for them, it was also an urgent call that the surf of their waters were getting up that they just had to rush to the beaches and claim their surf with their signature boards.

About two hours later at the parking lot, the boys brought the new Fender Jaguar set at Taro's trunk of his sport utility vehicle. Though the judges' decision was a close call, they were convinced that Rihito, Lucia, and Taro knew how to utilize the Fender Jaguars more than the guitarists of the Surfee Surf and the Surfites band delivered earlier that they gave their final decision to the temporary Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas band. It took about an hour or so for the newly-won Fender Jaguar set to be customized by the music shop guitar experts to engrave and print their names and the real band name, OC-5, on to the surface of the guitars' headstocks. Rihito explained to the owners why they used a different name other than their official name and the judges understood. The OC-5 name would not make sense with just four members.

"Oh man!" Lucia exclaimed happily as Taro and Rihito loaded their new Fender Jaguar set in the trunk. "I can't wait until the tournament! OC-5 is going to own the surf bands contest with the sweetest sounds of our new Fender Jaguars! I'm so excited! So anxious! So..."

"Stoked?" From behind, Kaito startled Lucia with a single answer.

"Um.. yeah!" Lucia chuckled right then. Kaito approached closer and gently gave a very light punch on her shoulder. "Hey!"

"You guys were seriously rockin' up there! I thought you didn't know how to do licks?" Kaito asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm picking up, bit by bit. Taro helped me out when needed and I thought it'd be a nice surprise."

"Yeah. That was a major surprise."

Taro closed the trunk door, all ready and loaded up. He turned to Rihito with a curious look. "So, Rihito... how'd you, Hippo, and Michal get here? I thought you can't drive?"

Rihito pointed his thumb to a very fresh, fancy-looking ivory-colored Rolls Royce along with the family chauffeur. Michal was already inside when Hippo opted to ride along with Taro and the rest of the surf band. "You know us Amagis--- we gotta head to all places with style, dude."

"Right..." Taro raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Rihito. Good thing no one noticed you peeps are from the high-class estates of Nijibe." Rihito responded to him with a grin on his face. The two friends gave each other a pump fist exchange as Rihito headed to his Rolls Royce where Michal was waiting for him.

Just as everyone was getting inside, Kaito gently dragged Lucia back for a few moments, away from everyone at Taro's vehicle. What Kaito did not notice was that they were slightly close to the Amagis' parked Rolls Royce, right at Michal's side, not to mention that regardless of the distance that those at Taro's vehicle began to eavesdrop by tailing the two quietly.

"Hey! What's going on?" Lucia asked curiously.

"I... uh..." Though Kaito looked rather confident with his intentions, he found himself stiff in nerviness again. "It's just that..."

"What is it, Kaito?" Lucia answered with her usual humble smile, keeping herself from becoming shaky at that moment.

"Uhh... what's your schedule like on Saturday before tournament week?"

Lucia gave a soft chuckled and answered him directly. "Well, I work, as always--- unless if there's going to be another important tournament-related event that I have to participate on--- like more band rehearsals... You planning on doing tandem surfing practice the entire day or something?"

Kaito shook his head. "You forget--- it's the Nijibe town summer festival. Remember?"

"Ah!" Lucia shrieked with her eyes opened wide. "That's right! I can't believe I forgot about that! It's the most happenin' celebration of the entire town! No Nijibe townsfolk would ever miss that event! We close Pearl Waters during festival day!"

"Guess that means you're free then." Kaito gave a light grin. "Anyway... I don't plan on any intense tandem surfing practice that day. I just thought that we should... you know... hang out together that's not... uh... surfing-related."

"Oh... wow..." At that moment Lucia's heart began to beat rapidly, wondering where Kaito was leading at. "Hang out... that's not... surfing-related...?"

"Well... yeah... not... surfing-related..." Without anyone else noticing at this moment, Kaito found himself blushing at the thought. "I mean... we always talk about surfing all the time... and whenever we hang out, there's always surfing involved... I guess you could say that... uhh..."

At that time, Hanon, who was hiding with the others behind parked cars, felt very anxious at this rather sweet moment, turned to the others. "Oh my god! Is Kaito asking Lucia out? This sounds like a D-A-T-E!" Quickly the rest of the eavesdroppers hushed her down. "Aww... but... but look... this is the moment!"

"Will you shut up and keep your voice down, Hanon?" Rina gritted her teeth, whispering right at her. Everyone fell silent as they continued to listen.

"Are you... are you... asking me... out...?" Lucia murmured nervously, trying to clarify what exactly Kaito's intentions were.

"What was that...?" Kaito asked immediately, who was also unclear with what Lucia was murmuring just now.

"Uh, that is... um... are you... um... well..." Lucia gulped nervously, still trying to keep herself cool and calm and not end up shaking. "Do you want to... I mean..."

Kaito then decided to answer her without the constant stuttering. "I'm asking you out on a date, Lucia---"

"Oh!" Lucia gasped with her hands on her open mouth. "Kaito..."

"Uh, look, Lucia, just forget about that part. I didn't mean to scare you---"

"No! Kaito--- of course, I'd love to go to the festival with you! I mean... I don't care what we do--- surf talk, song talk, people talk, school talk, competition talk... as long as I'm with you..."

"Yeah?" Kaito grinned blissfully right when he heard the latter from Lucia. "Really?"

"Um... well... you did say that if I stick with you, I won't fall... right?" Lucia quickly found her answer before she ended up confessing her true feelings to him. Though at the moment Kaito had no single reaction or some kind of recognition from her being Leolani, Lucia thought that maybe during the festival that she would finally find the courage to reveal herself as the long lost love he yearned for almost all his life.

"Heh... you're right. I did say that! Ha ha ha..." Kaito burst in to laughter as Lucia joined moments later. Afterwards, Kaito cleared his throat. "Well, we got a lot of stuff to train on with tandem surfing these coming days. You were strong and brave earlier today and I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks! I told you, I'll do everything I can to get things right before competition."

"That's the spirit, girl!" Right then, the two exchanged pump fists with each other just like any Rainbowside surfer would do with one of their own. "Well, we better head back."

"Eek!" Hanon shrieked softly, which startled all the other eavesdroppers. "We gotta head back now---"

"Hurry before they come this---" Nagisa was going to complete his statement when Lucia and Kaito appeared right in front of them. "Erm... that is..."

"What the hell are you pricks doing here? Are you spying on us again?" Kaito exclaimed with a slight furious expression on his face.

Just as the group began to contemplate and find a good excuse, Rina stood up and answered. "We weren't spying, Kaito! It's just that I lost an earring and that we're here looking for it!"

Lucia stared at Rina with a curious expression. "But Rina... you don't wear earrings..."

"Uhh..." Rina gulped nervously, realizing her mistake. "They're brand new--- and they're from Masahiro--- and I was just trying them on and I accidentally dropped it, so now we're... um... looking for it..."

"And uhh--- they're expensive too, so it's important we find it... Yeah!" Hanon added with a nervous grin on her face.

"Right..." Kaito lifted an eyebrow of suspicion at the two girls when from a short distance, Masahiro stood up and raised his fist.

"Found it!" Masahiro grinned, revealing a very tiny hoop earring between his fingers. "I found it, Rina. Come on, let's head back!"

"Uh... thanks, Masahiro! Thanks so much!" Rina quickly ran from Kaito and Lucia and joined Masahiro to the side. As the others went ahead of them, Masahiro slowly handed the stud earring to Gaito, who was walking in front of him.

"Thanks for the earring, Gaito," Masahiro whispered softly. "Whew, that was close! I owe you one!"

"Don't be so sure you're off the hook yet." Gaito whispered in return. "Kaito doesn't get fooled that easy."

Meanwhile, Kaito and Lucia followed the others from behind, with Lucia still looking puzzled while Kaito still remained suspicious. "Wow... I guess Rina does wear earrings after all... I mean she always wears her hair down so her long hair always covers her earrings..."

"I don't know... something's fishy... I'm not buying it..." Kaito muttered his suspicion. "This isn't the first time they did this to us, you know."

As everyone headed to Taro's vehicle where Taro had been waiting at the driver's seat and Hippo at the rear seat, back at the Amagi Rolls Royce, Michal expressed a slight glare on her face along with her arms crossed. "I can't believe what I just heard--- my beloved Kaito Doumoto actually asked that Nanami girl to the festival with him? He's got to be lying!"

Rihito, sitting next to Michal, gave a slight suspicion on Michal's reaction. "I heard it too, Michal. Kaito sure isn't very good at looking at the most private spots sometimes..."

Michal tightened her fist in chagrin and turned to her brother. "Are you deaf, Rihito? Kaito just asked Lucia out on a date to the town festival! That's just wrong! Who does she think she is--- that Lucia Nanami...?"

"Michal, Lucia had nothing to do with that. It was Kaito who asked her out and she accepted the invitation. I'll have to repeat it one more time if I have to just so that fact can get in your head."

"I won't have it!" Michal shrieked, shaking her head with her hands on the sides. "I don't care if it's Kaito who initiated the move—- I won't allow Lucia Nanami to date my beloved Kaito Doumoto, you hear me?"

"You're being ridiculous right now, Michal. It's only a one-day date! It's not like Kaito asked Lucia to be his girlfriend. And besides, you don't have a choice. They're a tandem surfing team. They can't be apart or else they won't do well at the tournament---"

"I swear, Rihito, I knew there was something fishy about that tandem surfing competition thing. It's like... a surfer's method of matchmaking... There's no way some simpleton like Lucia Nanami is going to win Kaito's heart. She's just way out of his league!"

"Why is that, Michal?" Rihito asked curiously. "Was it because she's not from the upper crust like us and Kaito's family? This is the reason why I continued to convince you to spend more time with me during our summers hanging out at the beach with all the dudes and everyone else several times in the past, but you were too stubborn and too stuck up to even consider this daily Nijibe routine. Majority of the Rainbowside surfer dudes are from the upper crust. Surfboards aren't cheap, you know."

"Ugh, whatever, Rihito. Obviously you are not being a good older brother to me at the moment!" Michal crossed her arms and turned her head away from him.

"And you're just being a spoiled, conceited little brat---" Right at that moment, Michal immediately slapped Rihito on the cheek. Though the pain stung his cheek, the older Amagi remained in his usual cool composure. After a few moments of silence between the siblings, Rihito turned to the chauffeur. "Driver... please take us back home. Michal needs to go home."

Once the band and the surfers arrived at Pearl Waters, the individual surfers who were currently working at Pearl Waters (while Kengo and Daichi remained lounging at the juice bar checking out girls passing by) became excited to hear the news of the band with the temporary name of Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas winning the contest that earned them their fresh, high-class Fender Jaguar guitar set. Everyone became anxious with how the guitars looked like from the shape, the functions, right to the color schemes.

"Dude, those are some sweet-lookin' Jaguars!" Kengo exclaimed in awe, staring at the ocean-themed colors that the music shop provided them for their prize. "And you competed in a small surf bands contest just to get these?"

"Those also included a lifetime warranty too!" Lucia answered proudly as she opened the guitar case that had her name on the tag. "This is mine--- ice blue metallic!"

The girls gathered around Lucia to have a closer look at her new ice blue metallic-colored Fender Jaguar. "Hey, this is a pretty nice color, Lucia!" Noel complimented the new guitar. "It's not too bright, not too dark. It's like... subtle, calm, and clean!"

"Blue doesn't suit you at all, Lucia." Hanon made a slight snide comment with a smirk on her face. "Why didn't you ask the music shop people to get you a pink one?"

"Because they don't have any pink Jaguars, Houshou." From behind her, Kaito answered with his arms crossed. "Not all Fenders come with a huge assortment of colors, you know. Do you have an idea how much work these people have put in perfecting the colors of one guitar alone?"

"Well, I like pink," Lucia joined in the conversation. "But I know that I can't own everything in pink. Guitars such as Fenders are one of the few exceptions, but I'm happy with this ice blue metallic color. Besides--- it has my name on it!"

Taro opened his guitar case and revealed a sunburst-colored Fender Jaguar. He took it out and began to examine its quality from the strings to the embedded Fender logo on a few parts of the guitar. As he was examining, Maki arrived at the stage area, curious at the commotion going on at the dining area.

"I see you have acquired new instruments, Taro." Maki said and sat on the edge of the stage next to the young musician. "I thought you had lack of funding to even afford these?"

"We won them in a contest earlier today." Taro answered him and showed him the flyer as well as other paperwork to prove that there was a contest going on and that the guitars were guaranteed free.

"Good for you, Taro." Maki patted him on the shoulder with a smile on his face. "I think today is a day of celebration. Nicola asked me to ask you to take over as manager for tonight's business hours until she returns."

"Hm? Really?"

Maki nodded. "Yup. She's meeting someone... she didn't exacty provide me the details."

"Huh, interesting. Must be business-related..."

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far, Taro. They're meeting at the beach."

Taro's eyes widened in shock. "Beach?!"

Maki nodded his head again. "And it's not just any beach, Taro." While the others were back in their usual business with the exception of Lucia trying to play a few soft chords of her new Fender Jaguar while Kaito, Hanon, Nagisa, Rina, and Masahiro watching her play, Maki looked around to be sure no one intentionally overhearing them. He then bent towards Taro's ear and revealed the location.

"No... no way..." Taro's eyes opened wide with surprise. "You're kidding... right?"

Maki shook his head. "Surfboard, wax, wetsuit, everything..."

"Wow... I wonder who she's going to meet over there..."

Meanwhile at the S-Cube beach, many of the remaining non-competitive Rainbowside surfers were packing themselves up and loading up their bus converters as the day of surfing was about to end. After the talk that she had with Hippo earlier about her personal intentions and the deal with the family past, Nicola knew that it was time to end this internal torture that she has been living with for the past seven years. She did not greet the younger generation of Rainbowside surfers or even showed herself as a stranger. She would rather arrive alone with no distractions.

After she waited in her pickup truck for fifteen minutes until the youngsters headed inside the headquarters, she stepped out, all donned in her steamer-style wetsuit. She carried her old longboard with her and a lei and trekked to the sands. Once she noticed that the coast was clear, she proceeded to the water. Just as she was about to touch her foot on to the water, she noticed two strangers appearing from the distance to her left side. As the two strangers got closer she determined that these were two young girls, one older than the other, but most certainly younger than her. The younger one looked rather pale and somewhat slow, however she donned a shorty-style wetsuit and her thinning hair short and in pigtails.

Nicola placed her lei on the sand next to her surfboard and approached the two girls. Once the three encountered each other, the older girl gazed right at Nicola's radiant, natural beauty, then slightly bowed to her. "Thank you... thank you so much for this meet."

"I'm glad you two made it." Nicola answered with a confident smile on her face. "You two did not get lost, did you?"

The younger girl shook her head with a grin on her face. "We had to escape the nurses so we can get out of here!"

"You must be Momoka," Nicola guessed her name. The younger girl nodded. "It's nice to meet you."

"I'm happy to meet you--- finally!" The younger girl cheerfully answered and embraced Nicola as if they knew each other for the longest time. "I think I'm ready to die now..."

"Momoka, don't say that!" The older girl, Mamie Matsumura, shrieked and placed her arms around her younger sister. "Please... don't say things like that."

"Oh Mamie..." Momoka giggled and returned her embrace. "I'm sorry. But you know... I want to be happy for the rest of my life--- that is--- whatever days I may have have left. I want to thank that someone who answered you on that Surfer Styles forum website."

"I'll pass the message to him," Nicola gave a simple answer and patted Momoka on the shoulder. She tried to prevent herself from shedding tears of heartbreak, knowing that very soon this young girl Momoka will finally surrender to the leukemia cancer and end her life. Though she knew there was nothing else left since there were no bone marrow donors available to save the poor child's life. "Well... are you ready, Momoka?"

"Uh huh!" Momoka quickly gave her older sister another hug as she ran next to Nicola. The two girls ran to the longboard when Momoka noticed the white jasmine lei next to the board. "Oh! I'm sorry..."

"Hm?" Nicola wondered what the girl meant. "What do you mean?"

"You have loved ones who drowned in the sea...?"

Nicola fell silent for a few moments and then gave a deep sigh. "Yeah. My parents. I was thinking of paddling out there... and say my final words to my parents' spirits... and drop the lei in to the ocean. It's a long story."

"You know... I know I'm going to die very soon. When that time comes... I want my parents to bury me down to the sea. Many of the surfing world's greatest surfers who passed away are scattered to the center of the sea, knowing that no matter what happens, these surfers will always be one with the kai for eternity."

"Oh Momoka..."

"My family and I were all born in the same house right across from the beach. And somehow, I feel that we're all connected to the mighty kai. My relatives--- most of them are surfers--- were all scattered to the sea when they die. I think it's a lot more beautiful this way than being buried under land. At least the sea is a lot cleaner than dirt..."

Nicola quickly shook her head and patted Momoka on the shoulder. "Well... um... let's not talk about death. Don't think about death. Right now, you're still alive, and you should live your life the way you want it. Today is a great late day for surfing, Momoka. The mighty kai isn't just calling for dedicated souls to it, but it also calls out for all surfers to come and encounter it and ride with it. So, ready to tandem surf?"

"Tandem surfing? Really? That's just so awesome!" Momoka giggled as the two carried the simple longboard to the sea and the two began to paddle right to the sea.

They stayed at a particular spot for a few moments until the breakers arrived. Once that happened, with Nicola's instructions, the two ladies rode the surf on one board. Momoka even asked Nicola to pretend they were in a tandem surfing competition, and playing the role of the male surfer, she lifted the very light twelve-year-old girl on to a knee stand as Momoka showed off her form to the sky. On land, Momoka's older sister Mamie watched them and waved right at Momoka, who simply was just having fun being on the wildest ride ever, just enjoying as the countdown began.

Minutes later, the three ladies rested on to Nicola's beach blanket, nibbling on some finger sandwiches Nicola brought in her picnic basket. The three talked simply about surfing in general, their favorite surfers in the surfing world, and of course, the tournament. Momoka did not want to talk about her condition, knowing that this may probably the last time she would ever hang out with her biggest surfing idol.

"I want to see the surf scenes tournament." Momoka said as she nibbled slowly on her finger sandwich. "I wish I would live long enough to see the tournament... I wanna hang out with you, Cole... and I wanna see all my other favorite surfers competing too! I wanna see Kaito Doumoto in person owning the boys' surfing competition and even in tandem surfing too! But..." Right then, she trailed her statement and found herself shedding tears from her eyes.

"Momoka, what's wrong?" Mamie asked with worry, trying to hold her tears back.

The sickly girl threw her arms around Mamie and cried on her shoulders. "I thought... I'm ready to die... but I'm not... I'm not ready to die, Mamie... I don't want to die... I want to live because... I want to grow up and have my chance to be a real surfer... I wanna be the next Gorgeous Gidget like Cole Seahart! I don't want to be just a spectator anymore, Mamie..."

"Momoka..." The two sisters had their moment of tears, comforting each others, while Nicola watched them.

"Mamie... I don't want to die... I want to be the next Gorgeous Gidget..."

"Gorgeous... Gidget...?" Nicola murmured the two words and began to recall that one special moment when she won the award and title for her victories at her past local surfing competitions and her dedication to promote the sport of surfing to all the girls in town. She did many other contributions she had forgotten because she was too focused on getting her parents' attention from all the hype and media for being one of the greatest tandem surfers in history. She did a lot more than just promoting surfing to girls her age. She remembered attending summer camps with all the local girls at different coastal locations and also recalled being an instructor to her fellow summer camp girls on how to surf. Because of all the things she accomplished, both as a competitor and as a dedicated surfer in life, not to mention her close relationships with the Rainbowside male surfers, she had won the title of Gorgeous Gidget of the Year at age twelve--- Momoka's age.

At that moment, she found herself shedding her own tears, as she began to think of her siblings, Lucia and Hippo. It was then that she realized that she had not been a good older sister to her own siblings, and seeing Mamie's future mourning for her younger sister, she curled herself and continued to cry silently. Of course... Momoka is twelve-years-old... and I was only twelve when I became that year's Gorgeous Gidget...

"One day, Momoka..." Nicola answered, wiping off her tears, as the sisters lifted their heads at her. "You will be Gorgeous Gidget of the Year. I want you to live longer too. I'll do whatever I can to find help..."

"But... the only way to save Momoka's life is a bone marrow donor that matches Momoka's bone marrow identity too..." Mamie said with concern.

"I know... and I think I have an idea on how we can get bone marrow donors..."

Night came and it was time for the three ladies to part. Nicola was interested in meeting with the Matsumura Sisters again. She thought about finding help in saving the poor girl's life after hearing Momoka's reasons why she wanted to live longer. When the three parted and she arrived back at Pearl Waters, she quickly headed to her office and began to dial the regional bone marrow transplant organization to find more information about saving someone's life from terminal illnesses such as leukemia. She remembered seeing an advertisement somewhere in today's newspaper and used the contact information to call the organization, which was why she had the idea she mentioned earlier to the sisters.

"Hello?" Nicola answered after the phone was picked up. "I... I have an idea on how you can get donors... Why don't you open up a booth at the regional surf scenes tournament and have sign ups and testing for those who are potentials?... That's right. You just need to contact the tournament committee for permission... Oh, my name?"

She paused right when the representative answered her phone. She began to think on how she was going to identify herself. She began to think about her fun earlier with the dying girl and the name she used to refer to her as. Furthermore, she thought of her talk with Hippo regarding hiding from the public and being in the comfort zone. At that point, Nicola knew that she cannot keep herself hidden from the public anymore that she turned back to the representative to answer the question.

"Seahart." Nicola answered. "My name is Cole Seahart. You know... the last--- no--- the current Gorgeous Gidget of Nijibe..."

---

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is © 2003 Pink Hanamori and Michiko Yokote. All songs used are © respected songwriters/owners. No copyright infringement intended.

RATED T for the VERY mild language and slight adult situations.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

A brand-new (and hopefully it'll grow in the near future) fan message board is now open! Come and visit Pearl Waters at (FFnet still won't link outside links...). Discussion about this fic will be in that forum, so I encourage all current readers to get together over there! Please join and spread the news to everyone! We could use some activity there. ^^;

#1 – Halulu – a legendary mythological man-eating bird (Hawaiian Mythology). It's also a common Hawaiian name that means "chatterbox" or "loudmouth."

#2 – Fender Guitar Series – The Fender (Electric) Guitar Series were used in surf rock from the late '50s, '60s, and even for indie (surf) rock bands today. The Stratocaster (or "Strat") is the most standard guitar used for both lead guitar and rhythm guitar in a surf band, but higher-end models such as the Jaguar, Mustang, and Jazzcaster have a richer, louder, and cleanly pure sound and are highly preferred. The most expensive, as well as the one that provides a very rich and "in-your-face" bass guitar, for the bass guitar is the Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass (or P-Bass for short). Fender Musical Instruments Corporation was founded in Southern California (Fullerton) in 1946 but moved its main headquarters to Scottsdale, Arizona.

#3 – Wahine – The female version of kahuna. If you remember what kahuna means, then a wahine is the female kahuna. Sometimes a wahine is the girlfriend of the kahuna, but that's not always the case. She could also be the "rival" of the kahuna himself!

#4 – Ludwig Kit – Ludwig is a popular drum kit product label. It was one of the most popular drum labels used by surf bands from the past and the present.

#4 – Umioto (Music Shop) – "umioto" (海音) = "ocean sound"

#5 – Rite-O Seamoon and the Seven Seas – Yes, a cheesy name, but this style is what a typical surf band name would be (even with the bands at the surf rock revival era of the '90s and today would have names like these no matter what country that band may be (Japanese surf bands also have names like these)). Obviously, the group name is based on Rihito's and Taro's surf nicks (Rite-O and Sea-Moon) and Lucia and Hippo's last name (Nanami (七海) = "seven seas").

#6 – Kiai (気合) – Applicable to all martial arts, the kiai ("HEEEEE-YAAAA!!" - for example) is the natural shouting call to release and build up power and energy of a warrior or practitioner when they strike (whether they were punching or kicking) a chosen target. In Korean, it's known as a kiyup (I had to mention because I trained in Tae Kwon Do back in college, but I only got up to a red belt though--- close to black belt). There's no term for a shouting call regarding surf bands though.

#7 – Bennies – Surfer term for non-local surfers or out-of-town visitors to the beach or a beachside town.

#8 – "King of Surf Guitar" – Originally the nickname of legendary surf guitarist Dick Dale. From what I picked up through the net, this is now generally a surfer nickname to a lead guitarist of a surf band who is very skilled with guitar licks and rolls. In the case of this fanfic, that would be Taro Mitsuki.

#9 – Hotdogger – a hardcore, die hard, super-skilled surfer.

#9 – Banzai! - A common Japanese war cry or patriotic cheer, first heard (to foreign ears?) during World War II by the Japanese Imperial Army. It was later adapted in Hawaiian and Californian surf cultures in the late '50s, in which surfers also cry this term out once they hear someone call out "Surf's up!" Banzai! is also an equivalent to the other surfer cheer, Cowabunga!

#10 – Steamer-style wetsuit – a full-body version of the wetsuit. In the MMPPP anime, Kaito usually wears steamer-style wetsuits, along with the shorty-style wetsuits (short-sleeved, short-pants) when he surfs for both competition and recreation.

#11 – Lei – If you're unfamiliar with the basics of Hawaiian culture (especially to all you fellow Americans out there...), a lei is a flower necklace or wreath. It's what you receive from the locals once you land on the airport at Honolulu and what you receive everywhere in the islands.