Sorry about the late release for this chapter. Stuff keeps coming up and I'm having a tough time finding the time to write this thing.
Chapter 6
If Minami is born to run, then John is destined to fail
Minami Iwasaki-
Nero's initial moment sent a chill down my spine. From his look, he didn't think I could play. Actually, he didn't think I could hold the guitar. Everyone else was equally surprised. Yutaka's eyes grew larger than melons; she was the most shocked. Hey, just because I do a lot of refined things like Miyuki-san, doesn't mean I can't have one bad girl tendency… Ok fine, I wasn't some crazy girl with the ability to rock out load. I hated loud music, and I could tell these guys liked it loud.
"Yes," Dean cheered, "My plan worked. I knew we would fine someone who could play. Everyone tell me that you love me!"
"Fuck you, Dean" Nero scolded. He directed his attention to me. "You can play?"
I nodded. "I haven't picked it up in a while, but I used to play all the time. My fingers are still callused from when I stopped." I showed them my hands. Though the skin had smoothed out over the years, some spots were rather rough. Nero reached out and shook my hand; his palms felt every which way.
"Having callused fingers doesn't mean shit," he muttered.
"Wow, Minami-chan," Yutaka jumped in, staring deeply at the instrument, "I didn't know you played."
"I said I hadn't played in a while," I reminded. Having her comment like that made me smile. At least someone seemed to care that I took this old thing out. Patty threw her arms around me, picking at my guitar strings with her free hand. Her chest pushed up against mine. Yea, this was kind of insulting…
She grinned. "Wow Minami, you have you own Ho-kago Tea Time!" What did that even mean?
"How long have you played?" Tsukasa posed.
"About six years, well, I stopped in ninth grade."
John smiled. "Can we hear you play something? I'm sure if we hear you, Nero can decide to let you join the group." Nero rolled his eyes. I became quite familiar with his eye rolls. They meant to piss off or else.
"Just because she's played for six years doesn't mean shit!" he shot, "I know a guy who played all his life, and he makes Dragon Force look like they have skill."
"I love Dragon Force," Dean piped in, "Don't insult them."
Nero shot his friend the finger. "And this is why you are not in control of anything dealing with the band." Like lightning, Nero swiped the guitar from me. He plucked at a few of the strings. The thing had been in storage for so long it could have been out of tune. He cocked his head back and forth, admiring the expensive instrument.
"Why don't you give her a chance?" Kagami posed, "Will you lose something?"
"Nero's always taken new members seriously," Randy explained, "When I joined, he threatened to set my instrument on fire if I was faking my playing ability. Lucky for me, I wasn't."
"So if he doesn't like her, you don't have to use her…" Kagami muttered.
Patty added to my defense. "Wouldn't John get final say? He is the manager." Thank you so much Patty. I always considered you to be overly obsessed with anime and care for nothing more. It turns out you do have a heart.
"Kagami, you don't get it," Konata started. Why is she fighting against us? "It's about passion. Nero has passion, and I don't mean basic passion that some people have over things. I mean full force ready to kill passion. If Nero could, he would summon forth judging powers, and when Minami played, he would yell "Objection" at the top of his lungs." Don't write me off so early. Yutaka's cousin cut into me with her words. People should take John's advice and let me at least play one song.
"I don't know what the fuck you just said, but I like it," Nero commented. He placed hands on my shoulders. Our eyes met for the first time. I don't know why, but he seemed horribly cruel. "Look Minami, I think it's great that you want to help, but I honestly can't see you fitting in with us. We're loud and stupid; you're nice and…lacking in the chest region."
John stepped forward. "That shouldn't be a reason not to let her try out!" Several of the other girls and Dean voiced their agreement. If Konata was right, flat chested girls had a place in society to. Yutaka jumped to her feet, glaring at Nero. She placed her face right up to his despite her being a head shorter.
"Minami-chan will be the best. You gotta let her try." Yutaka was scary when she was got angry. In the year I've known her, I never saw her get mad at anyone. If anyone got mad, it was Patty, who threw fits anytime someone said something not to her liking. Yutaka's unexpected boost of confidence threw Nero for a loop. He burst out into laughter.
"Come on dude," John said, silencing him, "We have nothing to lose by letting her play a few notes. Jake isn't here; don't be stingy!" Nero pushed his friend away. From the group of instruments, he pulled out an electric guitar.
He tossed it to Randy. "Set up the amp."
"Ooh, this is exciting," Patty cheered, "Who will win, the forces of good or the forces of evil."
Nero shouted, "Don't make me the fucking forces of evil." While Nero and Randy situated everything, Dean sat me down on a nearby chair. His long blonde hair swayed along my guitar; his eyes kept following my fingers.
"Are you nervous?" he asked. I nodded my head. I figured everyone would jump up and cheer when I brought the old guitar down. Instead, They forced me into a war with nothing but a pop gun and a box of doughnuts. Dean patted my head. "It's ok. Nero's really desperate so even if you suck dick; he'll prolly let you join."
"Hey Dean!" Nero yelled, overhearing his friend, "Why don't you go fuck off before I shove something so hard up your ass that you'll be shitting metal for a week?" My fingers twitched as Dean fled back to his original seat. It was do or die…
Vvvvvvv
John Martin-
Minami's revelation threw me for a loop, but I wasn't overly freaked out or shocked. I knew so little about the girl that anything seemed physically possible when it came down to it. I wished Nero wasn't such a hard ass about the whole issue. Konata was right; Nero held a special passion for the group. However, that special passion was really fucking with our dynamic. We were down a member. I didn't think we could complain considering what we were just offered.
I turned to Yutaka. "You said you had no idea that she played guitar?"
"Um…yea," Yutaka replied, "Minami always played piano, so I thought she liked classical kind of instruments." I then looked to Kagami. Out of everyone, she could give me the most reliable information.
She held her hands up defensively. "Don't look at me… I haven't known her that long nor do I hang out with her that much." Konata shrugged when I targeted her. If Kagami didn't know, Tsukasa probably didn't know either. Patty…she would have mentioned something when we explained our original problem. Then again, she was the type to reply with "You didn't ask." Out of the entire group, not a one knew Minami played guitar. Great friendship going on here…
"What do you think Cock Face?" I posed.
"Why not?" Good, we shared similar tastes. "It's not like we have much of a choice."
"Guys, we still got a while before the big show," Nero reminded, "I mean, we can keep looking around."
Minami spoke up for once. "What problem do you have with me?" She sounded meek, which wasn't a good thing around Nero. He would devour her if she didn't stand up tall and strong. That was Nero's specialty, making those who suck feel like they suck more.
"Call it my Nero's intuition," my white haired friend began, "You look nothing like a rocker. You sound nothing like a rocker. You aren't a rocker. You're a little girl, with no boobs, and no personality. To be honest, most guys won't give a fuck about personality, but boobs, they care about a lot." Ok Nero, she's going to cry. Yutaka jumped into the fray. Her cheeks puffed up as she confronted Nero for a second time.
"You don't know anything about Minami-chan!" she yelled, "I bet she can rock harder than you."
Nero laughed. "First off, nothing is harder than the Nero. Second, I'll shit bricks if this girl can even play a note." A guitar note rocked through the air. Nero turned to see if Dean or Cock Face were messing with him. There instruments were still in storage; Minami held her fingers firmly against her guitar. She played it.
"Looks like you have a bet to pay up on," Konata joked.
"Shut up, you can teach a monkey to play a note," Nero shot, "You can teach a monkey to play an entire song."
"Then why don't you just get a monkey…" Kagami replied. Nero stomped his foot in an attempt to intimidate. Yea, it worked about as much as intimidating a five year old with a teddy bear. Seeing Nero's constant reluctance, Minami plucked away at her guitar strings. I wasn't quite sure if she hit the notes properly, but Cock Face nodded his head in satisfaction. Nero's eyes even widened. Going with my gut, I'd say she's got still.
Patty said, "Wow Minami, I never knew you were so good."
"Thank you…" Minami meekly replied, "I'm not that good."
Nero stepped forward. "No, you're not good." Everyone's eyes went to him. From what I heard and that response, she was good. Minami's eyes turned to slits; those were fighting eyes. She played a few more notes, creating a mini tune. Nero shook his head in dissatisfaction.
"What the hell!" Kagami yelled, "What is your problem against her?"
"Oh Kagami." Nero stuffed his hand in his pocket. "I think I got something for you in here. Let us see…oh here it is." He whipped his hand out; a giant middle finger smacked Kagami right in the face. Minami scowled as she realized Nero wasn't letting his guard down. Her melody turned into a song. Dean tapped his foot to the beat. Considering he was the drummer, he already created a suitable beat. What am I saying? This was Dean; he probably danced to the sound of elevator music in his head.
"Minami-chan, you're really good?" Yutaka asked.
"Would everyone stop praising her!" Nero screamed. Minami ignored both of them. She continued strumming, and Nero kept shaking his head. He started laughing as he saw her dedication.
He asked, "What do you think of yourself? How do you feel when you hold that guitar?"
Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Minami Iwasaki-
Nero posed a very interesting question. How did I feel about this thing? I remembered loving the lessons and the teacher, but the boys always made fun of me. Then again, they were stupid little boys; what did they know about stuff like guitar or me? Sure, my fingers got rock hard and guys like girls with softer hands. Yea, maybe my boobs weren't as big as they should be. When I held this guitar, I felt powerful for the few minutes that I played. If the world came at me, I could take them on. Nero threw me some nasty looks; I wanted to bash his brains out with the instrument. How dare he laugh and mock me? The other guys thought I was great, so what made him so high and mighty that he needed to insult me? My hand shook as it began playing on its own. Note after note flew through the air, birthing my own little melody. This one surpassed all the other's I played. If he didn't like this one, he was fully out to get me, and there was no pleasing him. The faces of my friends sparkled like the stars. This was my all. My fingers fluttered along the fret. My fingers ached as I reached an unimaginable speed. If blood wasn't running down my hand, I was a god send.
I finished; everyone went speechless. Nero's eyes were wide, and a smile stuck to his face. It was the look of victory… He let out a long chuckle. "That was it. Jesus, you suck." I…suck? I let out my heart with that play. Dean and Randy nodded their heads in approval. John was impressed. Yutaka bobbed up and down in pure excitement. Patty looked ready to scream with joy. Kagami and Tsukasa glanced at each other in shock. Konata was…well indifferent to most of it. She shot her thumbs up.
Nero wasn't finished. "I don't know what you guys are saying. Minami has no skill. My penis could play better, and he doesn't have fingers."
"Fuck you!" I yelled. My hand shot to my mouth. What did I just say? Oh my God, what just happened? I seriously said that…and it felt good. Much like with my playing, everyone was taken aback. I thought Yutaka might faint. Ok, calm down Minami. This was just a dream. I never said anything of the sort.
"What did you just say?" Nero inquired. I bit my lip. He knew what I said, but I sure didn't want to repeat it. This was my house; my mother would kill me if she heard such language coming from my mouth. My eyes met with John; he gave me a reassuring wink.
He pushed Nero. "She said to fuck off."
"I know that," he replied, "I want to hear her say it."
"Don't do that!" Kagami commanded. Nero flicked another finger at her. All eyes were on me. What was I supposed to say? The only person I could turn to was Yutaka. She was my best friend; she should be able to help me here. With big eyes, her chin touched her color bone; she reminded me of a hurt puppy. Time seemed to stop; it was just the two of us. Yutaka looked up at me, and with a smile, she smiled and gave the word.
I looked Nero right in the eye; time resumed. "I said fuck you. I'm a fine player. What do you know? Who made you the God of rock?"
"Holy shit," Nero muttered, "Now that's what I'm talking about!" Everyone cocked their head. "I was testing you. You needed more confidence, so thought I'd insult you some and see what happens." There was a long pause as everyone slowly sucked the air out of the room. Nero glanced around to look for approval. We gave him done.
John smacked the back of his head. "You bloody liar!"
Vvvvvvvvv
John Martin-
Minami busily hung up the shirt I asked her too. After my successful attempts to assure her spot in the band, she acted internally gratefully. Ok, I thought and acted like she was eternally gratefully but that's complete shit. Come on, who wouldn't love the opportunity for a sweet, high school girl to help them unpack. Don't get me wrong, my heart still belongs to Patty. I was using this as a sort of test to my own seductive skills. That was what Nero told me to do anyway. Actually, I probably shouldn't have asked his opinion, but he was the only one offering any.
Downstairs, a slightly more interesting turn of events was taking place. Konata, Yutaka, Kagami, and her sister decided to shove off, leaving us to attend to our luggage. Dean and Cock Face lounged around the great room while the TV kept their mind occupied. Like a true gentlemen, Nero decided to see them off, which meant he either wanted something or was trying to get a peek up their skirts before they left. I went with the later of the two.
"You gals have a safe trip home," Nero said as he opened the door for them.
"Wow, you're the last person I expected to hold the door for us," Kagami commented. Nero's eyes rolled with pleasure almost like he expected the challenge. He and Kagami hadn't stopped all night when it came to the bantering.
"Well, I do have a heart," Nero replied, "Mine might not be as a cold and bitchy as yours is, but I do try." He waved to Tsukasa as she left. Instead of following her sister like a good girl, Kagami grunted, ready to punch Nero right between the eyes. The only thing that stopped her was a group of guys that decided to form at the edge of the property. Her eyes lowered before she slammed the door on her sister. Tsukasa was locked out and Nero suffered a near concussion from the incoming door. I sprinted out after hearing the commotion; Minami was close on my tail.
She looked at me. "I wonder what was going on." Don't ask me. Like I have any idea what would cause such a reaction unless Nero said something really stupid, which was a possibility.
After seeing his life flash before his eyes, Nero yelled. "What the fuck! You seriously almost killed me." Perhaps Murder was Kagami's forte. I chuckled at the thought. Kagami would make a pretty cute axe murderer.
"Those guys don't know I'm here…" she stuttered. Thunderous pound came from the door. "Don't open it!"
Nero didn't listen. As the door swung open, Tsukasa came sprinting in. The total number of guys beyond Minami's fence grew to a big ten. I'd say about five had cameras.
"You don't have to worry about them," Konata assured, "They're our fan club." She grinned at the world. I recalled many animes where females would procure a fan club of nameless guys, who served to act as an antagonist to the main characters. I guess this was the opposite.
Yutaka cocked her head. "What do you mean by fan club, Onee-chan?"
"They're some Yuri fan boys who witnessed me grope Kagami at some of the school festivals. They're all into it now."
Of course, Nero was the first to comment. "That's awesome." Yea, that was pretty awesome. I wished I was there. Hell, I'd probably end up in the fan club.
"It's not awesome!" Kagami slapped her friend, "They creep around and it's really weird."
"It's not weird, it's natural," Konata reminded. She looked to Nero. "After all, guys love that sort of stuff." She recalled the porn incident, lovely… That was one moment I wanted to see dashed from our memories
Nero nodded. "She's right. If I could have sex with a lesbian, I would in a heartbeat." He patted Kagami on the shoulder. "You should go for it." With evil eyes, she brushed him.
"Go to hell…" Taking the panicked Tsukasa by the hand, she stormed out the door, ignoring everyone one else in fear of saying something stupid. Konata followed with her chest puffed out; Yutaka bowed, thanking us for the great time. Much like her cousin, she vanished in a flash. Left alone with Nero, I let out a long sigh. This had been one hell of a long day…
"Dude, you think Konata's," Nero asked with a few hand gestures.
I shrugged. "I think she's teasing." Just to make sure, I pushed the window curtains to the side. Why did the sight not surprise me? Kagami fled from her obnoxiously perverted friend, who had tried something. Yutaka and Tsukasa tried to keep the pace, but a horde of men trampled them into the ground. The feeling of "this is going to be a long summer" ticked around and around in my mind.
Patty appeared out of nowhere not long after that. Like an illusionist, she flashed in, standing firmly next to me. I went flying into the air when I saw the locks of her hair fluttering near my face. My heart thumped around in my chest. She could at least warn me for the love of God.
"Where have you been?" I posed.
"Bathroom." And that was all she said before heading home.
Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
The next morning, after Minami left for school, Dean called for a meeting in my room. He acted unusually pump though I never paid too much attention to Dean's actions as they revolved around the nonsensical. She said he had something good to give us, and I prayed it was better than the surprise birthday he planned for Nero. I really didn't want another transvestite stripper to jump out at me. By nine in the morning, he gathered around the bed to discuss the secrets Dean brought.
"Ok guys," he started, placing his hand on his chests like a Soviet general, "I have prepared for us something that will blow your mind. This will make you shit bricks. This will cause an aneurism. This will cause the earth to tremble. This will-"
Luckily, Cock Face cut him off. "It's not another transvestite stripper?"
"If it is, I will kill you Dean," Nero shot, "I have whip marks from that still, and if I have to endure it all again, I will hire an assassin to rip your brains out. I will pay someone to rape you. I will set you on fire. I will feed you to a shark." Though Nero mocking Dean's speech was rather comical, I ended it there. I partially wanted to see what he got us. I better be cool, or I'd join Nero in setting Dean on fire.
"All right Dean, what did you get us?"
Calmly, our less than smart friend continued. "You will be glad to know that it is not a transvestite stripper." He reached into his pockets. The tension mounted…not really. He drew out four small plastic cards. He handed one to each of us; they contained our pictures. "I present to you, fake IDs."
"Dude," Nero said, "This is great. Maybe you're not as dumb as I thought. Congratulations Dean, I upgraded you from fucktard to just plain retarded."
"I am honored," Dean replied. The structure of the ID was solid. He constructed it from good quality plastic and the pictures looked real…for American Licenses. As I slowly studied it, I thought popped into my mind. Does Japan even accept American licenses? I learned from a class that some countries make you apply for their license. If I recalled right, a US licenses was useless in Japan.
Cock Face voiced the other major problem. "Dean, can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"Why is my name General Tao?" Nero and I quickly looked at our names. My heart sank as I realized John Martin wasn't written there. Instead, Dean opted to give us all Asian names. I could knick pick at all the problems in doing that, but I'll save it to only a few.
Dean went into explanation mode. "I got a story for you. You were in the army since you were twenty two, and you're the youngest general in the history of forever. You were even younger than Hitler."
"First, Tojo was the general for the Japanese in World War II," I pointed out, "Second, Hitler wasn't young when he came to power." I just had to start. Who wouldn't want to complain when everything was so blatantly dumb? I was being nice about it. Nero, with his evil grin, prepared for the field day of insults.
However, Cock Face needed to finish his complaints. "Dean, it says I'm twenty one years old. That means I've been in the military since I was a fetus…"
"I also believe Japan doesn't really have a military…" I added. There were three strikes for Dean, and we hadn't even gotten to Nero's or my license. I sought to wreck my friend emotionally for this level of bull shit.
Now, it was Nero's turn. "Dean, I just demoted you. You've gone from retard to what the fuck…" He handed his license to me. Though everything else checked out for American licenses, the name still presented a major problem. Nero became Chong Ching Chu.
Dean smiled at his…accomplishments. "Isn't that a pretty good Asian name?"
"It sounds more Chinese than Japanese," Cock Face muttered.
Nero slapped him up the side of the head. "It doesn't sound like anything. This is bull shit. What do you think I'm going to do with a name like this?"
"I was thinking strip clubs and lap dances." We ignored him.
"What name does have on it?" Cock Face asked. Speaking of which, I hadn't looked at it. Much like the other IDs, everything was beautifully done. The name was good too if I lived in the 1600s.
I laughed. "It says Miyamoto Musashi."
"I read about him. He's a famous samurai," Dean assured. The very fact that Dean read something was impressive.
"Yea, the problem is everyone will recognize that name!" Nero yelled, "Are you this fucking retarded?"
I asked, "What name did you give yourself?"
"Jet Li." Lovely, another Chinese name made its way in. We'd be arrested before the rest of us could show our IDs. Taking center stage, Nero gathered up all the IDs. Dean panicked and began chasing after him. From below, I heard a small fight in what sounded like the great room, the dining, room and then the kitchen.
Dean let out a shriek after that. "Why did you cut up the IDs? I paid good money for those." Cock Face and I merely sighed.
Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Minami Iwasaki
Feeling satisfied with myself from yesterday's event, I sat proudly in my seat the next day. I, Minami Iwasaki, broke out of my shell for once in my life. That's an accomplishment worth noting. My ego expanded even more as Yutaka sang my praises and told Tamura-chan all about my exploits. I let on a small smile, wanting everyone to know that despite my outward appearance, I was in a good mood.
However, my pride was doused with water when the front door to our classroom slid open, revealing a blonde girl with slightly tanned skin. She was slim and pretty; her hips rocked as she stepped past the other first years. This girl was no first year; she was a second and one of Tamura's close friends. With striking yellow eyes, she gave us a wink, ignored the staring boys, and sat on Tamura's desk. Her legs were kicked open enough that I saw a flash of pink.
"Ko-chan-sempia," Tamura began. Her face went white as she shuffled through pages in her note book. "I don't quite have the stuff done yet, but I'm sure I can show you what I do have. Oh, where is it?" She began tearing books, pens, and papers from her bag. They scattered all over the floor, creating a snowfall of drawing supplies.
Ko Yasaka was the club leader for the Animation Research Society aka the Anime Club. Unlike Izumi-san or Patty-chan, she kept her cool and enjoyed chilling more than anything else. I only met her twice before this and that was with Tamura-chan. She rarely came to visit our class either. My eyes watched her left hand as she flipped a poker chip in and out of her fingers. She was girl who wasn't afraid to bet it all at once. The more you gamble, the bigger you win.
"Hiyori," she said, picking up a few of the papers, "Calm down, there's no need to freak out. I'm not here for that." Tamura-chan fell face first on her desk; Yasaka-sans words zapped the energy right out of her. Like a Medusa, she turned me to stone as her eyes locked onto me. The sniper readied her fire.
Bang!
She grinned. "Hiyorin tells me you got something interesting going on at your house?" I had no urge to let anyone know about the group of guys staying at my place. Even from yesterday, my classmates figured we were only friends. Letting anyone know that two guys were crashing at my place would end with dire consequences.
"What if I am?" Smirking at my reply, she presented two six sided dice. Ko flicked her wrists; they toppled on the desk. Bouncing about madly, the numbers of the dice looked like the black streaks. They came up as a four and a six.
Ko pushed them towards me. "Are you a betting girl? If you can't roll hire than ten, I'll leave you alone and give you two tickets to the local amusement park. However, if you roll lower than ten, you have to tell me everything. Of course, it will be our little secret." She winked at me. My hand shot out to push the dice away. No way would I bet something like that. My hand froze when Yutaka's eyes went bright. We talked about going to an amusement park for a while. My teeth tore into my lip; my hands scooped up the dice. With a toss, I listened to them rock against the desk. My eyes clamped shut. Yutaka let out a gasp.
Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Finally, chapter six is done. What has it been two week now? I literally had no time to work on this, so forgive me. Working on my original novel (which is in the final stages of editing than it's on to finding an agent for publication) I do hope everyone will enjoy chapter six; this is probably one of my favorite chapters.
Also, thanks to anyone who reviewed. Your comments are always appreciated. Writing in a Light Novel format is harder than I expected especially when I used to be rather in depth with my works. Well, cheers to me.