Bittersweet Melody
Second Arc: Act Two
"Welcome music and Beyblade fans! Today we open the Bakuten Shoot Beyblade tournament with a very special performance by Cat Greco! This year is sure to be intriguing; will Kinomiya take the title for a third year or will one of his former teammates take the title? Stay tuned for more!"
Takao looked up at the large flat screen television that hung above him with wide eyes. Kyoujyu, Hiromi, Hitoshi and Daichi stood by his side huddled around the screen inside their tiny locker room. This was the moment he was waiting for, the opening ceremony. Was he looking forward to Cat Greco's concert? Of course not. The opening ceremony meant that the tournament was underway, that was what he was looking forward to.
"It's about time!" Takao snorted, his eyes still fixed on the screen hanging above him.
"Wow, to think we haven't seen Cat in one whole year." Kyoujyu placed his hands on his hips and smiled.
"I really wonder whose team she'll be on." He turned to the computer whiz with an excited expression. "I think she'd be great on the PPB All-starz."
"Well," Kyoujyu removed one hand from his hip and brought it to his lip. "I think she might be better suited on a more serious team. Her support would be a great asset."
"Hey, I never thought of it that way." He poked out his lower lip as he thought deeper into the subject.
"Don't forget," Hiromi stepped in. "Cat's also supposed to reveal something about her career."
"So what?" Takao lifted his shoulders in a shrugging motion. "I just want to know what team she'll be on."
"I don't really care either way," Daichi let out a loud yawn. "I just want to get on with it all ready."
"Hm," Hitoshi folded his arms on his chest. "It's too bad we couldn't be in the concert hall to see the performance. Only paid fans could see the concert live."
"It's not that big of a deal anyway," Takao shook his head from side to side. "As long as we hear what team she's gonna be on, that's all that matters."
"Takao!" Hiromi barked, causing said boy to flinch.
Daichi let out a second yawn, so the smallest BBA member wasn't excited to see Cat Greco live? Eh, as long as she revealed what team she was on that's all that really mattered. Takao didn't think he could keep in his excitement any longer. This was something that he would remember forever. All of his closest friends fighting against him in his tournament? In most ways, he couldn't wait for it.
XoXoX
"It looks like they're just about ready to start the ceremony."
Max looked up to his mother as she spoke. She had led the team into their locker room, feeling confident in their new abilities as a team. His mother had come a long way, training the PPB All-starz and she was ready for anything anyone had to throw at her. All her months of training and analysis would not be in vain.
Max's attention then shifted over to Rick, who had made himself comfortable on the red couch at the far end of the room. He had to let a sigh pass him by as he looked at his new partner. What was he to do with Rick; the two were polar opposites in every way. The blond had to wonder, why did his mother choose Rick? Anyone would have been better, even Michael. Max watched as the tanned male shut his eyes, what was his problem?
"You're not going to watch?" Max narrowed his eyes at Rick.
"Of course not," He replied, moving his arms behind his head. "It's just some girl dancing around and screeching into a microphone."
"Hey!" Michael shouted, causing the team to turn in his direction. "Cut it out, this is the opening ceremony show some respect."
Max stepped in front of Michael with both hands lifted in defense. "Michael calm down. Just ignore him."
The skilled baseball player growled under his breath before turning his back to the group. "Fine. Rick, you're lucky to have Max here to defend you."
Rick snickered, his eyes still shut tight. Ah, he knew the older male enjoyed causing inner drama within his own team. Annoying his stuck up teammates brought him nothing but joy. To watch them struggle with his arrogance was nothing but a game.
Max let out another tired sigh and took a seat on a wooden bench that stood in the center of the room. What would happen? Would Cat really reveal which team she had picked? Or was this nothing but a performance?
The idea of a live performance from Cat was exciting without a doubt! He had only seen her perform once on tape, this would be different surely. But of course the real question that burned in his mind was, what team would she choose? Bai Hu Zu? Neo Borg? BBA Revolution? Each held their own strengths and weaknesses but which would she chose?
He knew for a fact that Cat had connections with all four teams so any one could be a potential team for her. He also knew that Cat would not be a part of PPB All starz that much was obvious. Which team, which team? It was like Takao, Kyoujyu, Rei and Kai were sitting beside him, all watching and waiting to see which team would be chosen. He could feel their eyes on the television screen, waiting.
XoXoX
The stage lights flickered. A bright pink center light then shown. In the tinted light stood Cat Greco. In her right hand she gripped a microphone. As the camera zoomed in on her, she lifted the microphone to her lips to speak. Takao watched without so much as a blink.
"Hello everyone and welcome to the Bakuten Shoot Beyblade opening ceremony!" She spoke to the large crowd, her voice echoing into the locker rooms containing her former teammates. "I am Cat Greco and I will be your performer for this year's ceremony. At the end of this performance I will be announcing my team for this year's tournament and my next career move." His eyes focused in on Cat as she spoke aloud before the large audience. "Please enjoy the show." With a delicate bow, she lowered her head.
The room fell silent for a moment. Another set of flickering lights highlighted the band behind Cat Greco. The light then dimmed on the band behind her and a loud beat began to rumble through the concert hall. She began to tap her feet to the heavy beat and lowered the microphone from her mouth. As the beat became louder, the singer took it as her cue to begin singing. Her mouth opened wide as the lyrics fell out and matched the rhythm of the background music. As she continued to sing, her body fell into the beat and she began to dance on stage. The lights above her began to flicker and change in a set of different colors.
Daichi sat with his mouth wide open; Takao was left to assume he had never seen such a sight before in his life. What a wondrous set of colors and what an amazing beat. Daichi began to tap his feet on the floor as he stared wide-eyed at the television screen. The two timed-champ couldn't help but feel proud; this was his old friend on television singing her heart out. It was so strange to see his friend perform like this, almost unbelievable.
The music continued while the dancing continued and Cat's voice echoed through the hall. Just as quickly as the song began it then came to a halt. The minutes passed like seconds and before Takao knew it, the opening ceremony performance had ended. He felt the urge to clap but resisted. His felt his body become light as Blader DJ made his appearance on stage. It was time, the moment he had been waiting for.
"All right ladies and gentlemen it's time for Cat Greco to reveal her two secrets!" Blader DJ placed one hand on Cat's shoulder.
Cat lifted the microphone to her mouth and began to speak in a delighted tone. "I first wanted to tell everyone what I plan to do with my career," Takao felt his body grow heavy once again, hating the idea of waiting any further. "From now on," Her voice caused the crowd to grow silent, "I will no longer be performing as a solo artist. I have decided to form a band."
She then stepped to one side, allowing to figures to walk on stage. Takao felt his mouth drop open as two females walked on screen. The two girls appeared to be younger than Cat as they stood beside her.
"Please welcome Rumi," The camera shifted over toward the taller of the two girls who sported a thick, orange ponytail. "And Yumi." The focus then changed to the smallest of the girls, a young female with short blue-tinted hair.
The crowd let out a loud roar, causing the three girls on stage to smile. It appeared as if this had pleased the crowd. Takao, however was not satisfied with the announcement, finding it uninteresting and dull. It was as if he could feel the other's blader's spirits while they sat dormant in their locker rooms. This was not important; this had nothing to do with Beyblading or the tournament. Who cared?
"And now," Blader DJ stepped to one side as he spoke. "Greco, whose team will be accompanying you in this year's tournament?"
Rumi and Yumi stood to one side along with Blader DJ, making way for the team who was soon to appear on stage. Cat let a smile engulf her face as she moved her arm outward to spotlight the team who stood in the shadows. With a single burst of light, the stage lighted up with the mystery team.
"The Saint Shields!"
Takao nearly fell off his feet at the sight of Ozuma and his team standing on stage. The television was clear, the audio was right, but this could not be correct. The Saint Shields? Memories flooded his vision, memories of Ozuma trying to steal his Holy Beast. Why would Cat choose The Saint Shields as her team?
He felt his whole world become hazy. Sounds and movements seemed to slow and he had a sudden pinch in his gut. Oh this feeling, he hadn't had it in one whole year. He chewed on this inside of his cheek, it had been so long since he last felt this type of sickness and he had forgotten how horrid it was. He moved his left hand over his gut and clenched down on his yellow shirt.
"The Saint Shields?" The words fell out of his mouth slowly.
"Ah!" Hiromi and Kyoujyu threw their hands over their mouths in shock, what kind of cruel joke was this?
Daichi and Hitoshi looked at the three shocked teens with confused gazes. The redhead stepped toward him and poked at his arm in an effort to bring him back to reality.
"The Saint Shields?" He muttered again.
"Yes!" Daichi shouted up at the boy. "Didn't ya hear her, she said The Saint Shields!" He then proceeded to tug on his jacket sleeve.
"Yes," Cat spoke once again into her microphone. "This year I will be participating with The Saint Shields. I have been given the honor to represent the team with our captain Ozuma this year."
She turned to her new team leader and handed him the microphone to speak into. Ozuma took the small handheld device and put it to his lips. "This year we will be honored to compete with every team. We do plan on winning this tournament, so remember our faces." His voice boomed within the small chambers of the concert hall.
Click
Takao flipped the television off. This caused the rest of the group to shout and holler. He turned his face away from the team and crossed his arms over his chest. Kyoujyu and Hiromi reached out for the remote, only to have him pull it further out of reach. He couldn't stand watching the ceremony any longer; it was just too strange so he took it upon himself to switch the program off.
"Takao!" Hiromi and Kyoujyu shouted together.
"It's just too weird!" Takao wrapped his arms around himself and shuttered. "I can't watch that."
"What's the big deal?" Daichi scratched his head.
"It's just a bit…depressing." He admitted aloud. "To think that Cat didn't want to choose any of our teams to be with." He then let out a sigh. "I should have expected it. Everyone else left."
"Oh get over it." Daichi snorted while he shrugged his shoulders. "It's not like you expected her to be on our team."
Hitoshi bent down toward his younger brother and snatched away the remote control. Takao let out a yip as the device left his hands. He turned up to look at his older brother with an angry glare. Hitoshi then looked to Daichi and moved his free hand up to silence the youngest boy. The older sibling lifted the remote control up toward the television and pressed down on the power button.
"Watch." He said with a simple tone, his eyes fixed on the screen.
The TV switched on with a low clicking sound. The image of the concert stage came into view but Cat and The Saint Shields were nowhere to be seen. He cocked a brow as he narrowed his eyes on the screen. Blader DJ stood center stage with the microphone held close to his mouth. Team BBA's ears opened as the host spoke.
"Now with the ceremony over," The DJ spoke, excitement clearly heard in his tone. "We wait for tomorrow's tournament! But before our teams leave today, a photo shoot will commence."
Takao felt his hand lift to his face. Another photo shoot? He was sure that every sport magazine in existence had interviewed him once or twice all ready. The first few interviews and shoots were very exciting but now they had become a chore, something that took too much of his time.
"I hope all of our bladers will give our guest photographer a warm welcome," Blader DJ's voice continued exited the room's stereo system. "Yuki Hayashi will be our photographer this evening. You all my recognize Yuki as Cat Greco's boyfriend!"
His mouth dropped open wide. Boyfriend? His went numb, since when? Hiromi threw her hands over her mouth in shock while Kyoujyu lifted one hand to his forehead and shook his head back and forth in disbelief. This was more than strange. Since when did Cat care about romance in the least bit?! In all the time that he had known the girl, the only thing she cared about was singing. What was with the sudden love interest?
"Gimme that!" Takao reached outward and pulled the remote from Hitoshi's hands. "I can't watch any more of this!"
Click
The television screen flickered off. Takao then folded his arms over his chest, remote still in hand. Hitoshi let his eyes roll before letting both arms hit his sides. Oh, so his was going to give him the 'older brother glare', was he? He was far passed that! This was weird and everyone knew it! He refused to believe it!
Hitoshi lifted his hands and clapped them together. This caught the team's attention and caused them to look in the manager's direction. "Yuki should be here any moment now, get ready guys." He said before placing his hands to his hips.
"I can't believe she has a boyfriend!" Takao lifted his hand to his head and began to scratch his scalp with one finger.
"She's too much of a tomboy to have a boyfriend." Hiromi blinked in confusion.
"It's just too odd." Kyoujyu let out a short laugh.
"I don't see what the big deal is!" Daichi's loud voice caused the team to look down at him with confused expressions. "It's not like Takao should really care or anything," he teased, giving Takao a sly look. "It's not like you like her or anything, right Takao?"
"Hey!" The champ snapped at the younger boy, slamming open palm on the boy's head. "Keep quiet!"
"Come on guys, calm down." Kyoujyu flipped his hands in a waving motion toward the two boys.
"I wonder what he looks like," He removed his hand from Daichi's head and placed his index finger beneath his lower lip. "He's probably the real tough-type. Muscles, tall and tan!"
"Sure," Daichi snorted before giving him a shrug of his shoulders. "He's probably a nerd."
Knock, knock
Takao flinched as the knocking caught him off guard. He and the rest of his team turned to the exit door to see the knob was turning. His dark eyes widened, it must have been Yuki. He felt his whole body become tense with anticipation, what would he look like? The door popped open and a figure pushed his way through the door. The light hit the figure revealing every part of his body.
A snow-white head was the first thing he saw. A head covered with white hairs hung off the boy's head. A large pair of glasses covered most of his face. The boy wore a denim jacket with denim jeans. In his jacket pocket sat a pen protector and notepad. Around his neck lay a huge professional camera.
He couldn't help but snort at the sight of the boy. What a nerd! He felt his hand slap on his mouth in an effort to conceal his snickers. This couldn't be Yuki; he was far too strange looking. He had to assume that this male was Yuki; because of the camera he was carrying. To think, this was the boy Cat had chosen!
"Hello everyone!" The boy spoke as he entered the room completely. "My name is Yuki Hayashi and I'm here to take your pictures."
"Wow Daichi, you really guessed that one." Takao slouched down while giggles and snorts slipped through his mouth.
"Takao!" Hiromi snapped at the laughing boy with anger.
"Takao?"
His snickers came to a complete halt. That voice, that voice was far too familiar not to remember or recall. He felt his stomach flip upside down. This pain. It must be her. He straightened out his back and lifted his head to peer over Yuki's thin shoulders. Standing behind the white-haired male stood Cat Greco. Her hair dangled in front of her face, loosely trailing in the wind.
"Cat!" Kyoujyu exclaimed.
"Hey!" Takao rushed forward, pushing Yuki to one side. "It's been awhile!"
"Uh yeah…I know." Cat replied in a slow tone, her eyes on the ground.
"Hey over here!"
A small voice caused Cat to look left then right. The voice called out to her once again and finally she looked downward to see a small redheaded boy standing beside her. She looked at the boy with wide eyes. Daichi's green eyes widened as they stared at one another.
"Hello," Cat said, bending down to speak to the boy face-to-face. "You must be Takao's partner."
"Yep!" He stuck his tiny chest out with pride. "I'm Daichi!"
"I haven't seen you in a long while."
Cat's body came a complete stop that voice. She jerked upright as if someone had stuck a hot pipe down her spine. She turned to the call of her name to see Hitoshi standing before her. Her eyes grew wide with shock and her cheeks began to glow a bright shade of pink.
Oh yeah! Cat had long time crush since childhood on his older brother, hadn't she? But it was so long ago and she had since renounced her love for him, perhaps it was those old butterflies stirring up trouble in her gut?
"Hey," Takao leaned in toward Cat and began to whisper in her ear. "Remember when you had the biggest crush on Hitoshi?"
Her back stiffened and the blush on her face became deeper. "Anyway!" Cat shook her head from left to right, trying her best to shake off her red cheeks. "Have you met Yuki?"
"We haven't had the pleasure," Takao's eyebrow twitched with irritation, his focus returning to Yuki.
"I'm guessing you're Kinomiya Takao?" Yuki closed his eyes before presenting his open hand for shaking.
He twitched as he looked down at Yuki's hand. Curling his lip, he reached out and shook the white-head's hand. He then retracted his arm and stuffed it into his jacket pocket. Kyoujyu stepped forward and bowed before Yuki, a delightful smile on his face.
"I'm Kyoujyu."
"Nice to meet you!" Yuki then gave Kyoujyu's hand an enthusiastic shake.
"And I'm Daichi!" Daichi made a quick dash toward the photographer and yanked on his hand.
"My name is Hiromi," The brunette stepped toward the four-eyed male and dipped her head downward.
"It's a pleasure." Yuki took Hiromi by her delicate hand and gave it a soft shake.
Hiromi's cheeks began to flush as she retracted her arm. A small, warm smile spread over her lips just as Yuki departed from her to Hitoshi. With his arm extended out to the manager, the two males shook hands in greeting. They shook for a moment or two before breaking away from each other. Yuki then turned around to see Cat still standing in the doorway. He stepped toward the dark-haired brunette and placed his hand on her shoulder. He pulled Cat into the group before wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Kyoujyu, Hiromi," Cat smiled at the couple as they stood side by side. "I've missed you guys."
"We've missed you too." Kyoujyu smiled.
"Things haven't been the same without you," Hiromi added to Kyoujyu's greeting with a compliment of her own.
"I just came in to say hello," Her voice lowered as her eyes landed on the ground. "I should really get going. I shouldn't keep Ozuma waiting."
"About that," Takao lifted his arm to Cat only to have the singer shake her head back and forth.
"No, I should go." She blurted out at once.
She released a small awkward laugh before placing her left hand on Yuki's arm. She lifted the boy's arm off from her shoulder and moved away from him. Her boyfriend watched as she then backed away from the group, her awkward giggles still passing through her lips. She made a dash for the exit door. She ripped the door open and passed her body half way through before turning around to address Yuki.
"Good luck with those photos, Yuki!"
"All right," The soft spoken male gave the female a nod of his head before waving her off. "Good bye, honey."
"Honey?" Takao felt another laugh crawl up his throat.
The door slammed shut, causing the team to flinch. Yuki then returned his eyes to the team; he lifted his hand and pointed his index finger toward the wall, instructing the team to stand against it. He then crouched down on one knee and placed his camera in front of his right eye.
"Just stand very still." He said as he adjusted the camera to his desired function. "This'll be over soon."
A small click caused Takao to flinch. No flash. He blinked for a moment, surprised that Yuki would refuse to use a flash when taking his photographs. He looked at the slender male for a moment after the photos had been taken. What was with the sudden dislike for him? Ugh, why didn't he like this guy? Just looking at him made him feel sick for whatever reason. They just met, it didn't make sense! Maybe it was his 'fan boy' appearance or perhaps it was odd mannerisms. Either way it was something he didn't want to get used to.
Act End.