Reaching for the Stars

Part I, Chapter 6

Central Train Station [ S ]

Two days had passed since that day in the mall. Today was the day I had long feared would come. Francis and Kouji, the two friends who had been at my side since elementary were about to take a train out of the city. Kouji would be taking the train to the countryside where he would live with his relatives while Francis would take it all the way to Tokyo to catch a flight to Vancouver, Canada. This would be the last time I would see them for a long time.

Kouji, Francis and I were silent as we waited in the cold, open-air station, seated on the stone benches that lined the station platform. Snow fell in a mild flurry as the wind gently brushed against our faces. The train they were taking would start boarding in about ten minutes, which wasn't that long from now. Those ten minutes however proved to be the longest minutes I've ever had to wait in my life.

"So Satoshi," Francis then said, breaking the silence, "you ready for the make-up exam?"

"Yeah… I think so…" I mumbled half-heartedly

Indeed I was prepared for the exam. For the past two days, my friends have been helping me study for that exam. All-nighters abound and insane numbers of practice-sheets answered, I think I was pretty damn ready. The only thing that bothered me though was that the people who had helped me wouldn't be there to see me overcome my troubles… It wasn't a very pleasant thought, and I tried not to think of it as much as I could. That fact, however, became harder and harder to deny as I watched the train crew prepare the train and the other passengers line up to board.

"I guess this is it Satoshi," Kouji said with genuine concern, something you don't hear coming from him too often, "we've gotta go now."

"Yeah." I said as the three of us stood up from where we sat, "Bye guys. I really hoped you could've stayed…"

"Don't worry Satoshi," Kouji reassured, "we'll be in touch, okay?"

"That's right," Francis added, "you can send us an email or chat Ohayo Messenger*"

"I know, I know." I said as I walked with them to the line, "I'll be fine."

Slowly but surely, the people trickled into the train. The line grew shorter and shorter… it was excruciating.

"Oh yeah," Francis said just before they boarded the train, "there's something I've been meaning to give you Satoshi."

He reached into his knapsack and pulled out a pair of familiar-looking drumsticks.

"Drumsticks? Hey… those are…"

"Yeahp," Francis said handing them to me, "those are the drumsticks that came with the drum set over at the house."

"Wait a minute… you're bringing those instruments over to Canada for your brother's band right? Then why are you giving this to me?"

"They're just drumsticks Satoshi," Francis said casually as always, "my brother's band has loads of those. Besides, I think it would be a suitable farewell gift."

"Eh…?"

"Anyways," Francis said ruffling my hair, "this train's gotta move. Until we meet again Satoshi!"

"W… wait!"

In an instant, the train's automatic doors quickly shut and a wall of glass and steel separated me from my friends. They were only a few feet away from me, but at that moment, they already seemed so far away.

"Please step away from the train kid," one of the security guards said, pulling me back a bit.

"Ah… sorry," I said taking a good pace back. Before I knew it, the train was already in motion and moved out into the snow-covered distance. Francis and Kouji waved from the glass and I waved back, watching as we drifted further and further apart. Soon enough, they were out of sight and the train disappeared into the white palette of snow. Sighing, I turned around and headed out of the train station.

"Drumsticks huh…" I said to myself as I held on to the well-made, polished drumsticks. I slid the sticks into my pocket and paced towards the exit. There, my sister, Azusa-chan and everyone else were waiting for me.

"They're gone already?" Ritsu asked

"Yeah…" I said with a hint of remorse. Turning to Azusa-chan and the rest, I said, "Thanks for coming guys, I'm sure Francis and Kouji appreciated it."

"I hope so," Yui-senpai said caringly, "even though we've known them for a short while, the friend of a brother of a friend is a friend of ours."

That was surprisingly logical…

"Anyways," Mugi-senpai said as Yui-senpai, Mio-senpai and Azusa-chan joined her, "we have to be going now. We'll see you later Ritsu, Satoshi-kun.

The bassist, lead guitarist and keyboardist bid us farewell, leaving Ritsu and I alone on the station gates.

"Let's go home Satoshi-kun," Ritsu said putting her arm over my shoulder, "it's getting dark."

"Yeah…" I muttered, watching my breath fog up before me. As we walked through the thick snow, the harsh cold didn't bother me a bit but my sister's consoling arm lent me no repose either. The only thing I could think of were my friends… I was all alone now…

Tainaka Household, Satoshi's Room

Thursday Night

Textbooks, notebooks and paper laden with messy handwriting littered my study desk as I tried going over some of the practice sheets and handouts. Little progress was made though as I found myself twirling my pen around and lazing on my chair. I've gone over these things before, but none of them seemed to register on my mind.

Things weren't any better at school earlier today either. The empty seats beside me in the classroom which previously belonged to Francis and Kouji were now empty vacuums of space. Things were a lot quieter as there was no one to talk to during class and to good off with anymore. Despite this solitude, I couldn't understand a word my teachers were saying. At the back of my head, I knew I had to be listening, but I simply couldn't concentrate.

Even now, as I reclined in that chair, I couldn't wave my friends away from my mind. I took out the drumsticks Francis had given me and stared at it under the light of my lamp. Turning the sticks around, I watched every detail of the sticks, taking note of the smooth texture and the thin layer of shiny varnish that coated it when a particular detail caught my attention. On the side of one of the sticks, the name 'Satoshi Tainaka' was engraved.

Though it wasn't exactly a neat engraving (since there were tiny scratch marks around the name) it was nice to know Francis went through the trouble of adding that little bit. There and then, I came up with the greatest idea to cure my procrastination. I quickly dialed Francis' cellphone number and hit the call button without second thought. In two rings, the Japanese-Canadian answered, "Hey Satoshi-kun."

"Francis, what's up man?"

"Oh, I just got past the airport security at Narita and ooooh it was such a hassle."

I've never been through airport security before, but from watching all those Hollywood movies on the internet, I had an exaggerated image of what my friend went through; sucks to be him.

"How do you like the drumsticks by the way?" he asked cheerfully,

"I noticed the engraving…" I joked sarcastically, "great handiwork there Francis…"

"Hey! Don't blame me!" Francis lashed, "I never liked Workshop class, and Workshop class never liked me!"

"Just kidding," I chuckled, "I appreciate the effort."

"No problem." Francis replied cheerfully, "It's a farewell gift my friend, giving you two plain sticks is no fun. It's like French fries without Poutine* dude!"

Uhm… what?

"Never mind…" Francis apologized, "Canadian expression… I meant that I was just trying to make it special"

"Oh-kay…" At least he didn't smother the sticks in gravy and melted cheese curds. That would've made his Poutine reference way too literal for comfort.

"Speaking of Poutine," Francis said happily, "I'll be sure to let you try some when I come back!"

Poutine huh… I've eaten some strange things before, but the very thought of French fries with gravy and cheese is gut-wrenchingly mortifying (though I admit it sounds intriguing).

"I'll… uh… look forward to that." I said trying to find middle ground in my conflicting reactions, "anyways Francis. I've been meaning to ask you… why'd you give me drumsticks of all things?"

"Well," Francis said in thought, "you're a drummer dude, so I added two and two together there and thought I'd give you drumsticks."

"You could've gotten me a whole drumset," I poked

"Keep dreaming…" Francis sneered. He cleared his voice and continued. "Anyways, for the second reason, let me ask you a question… will you be able to play well using your sister's drumsticks?"

"Erm… you lost me there a bit Francis. I think I can play decently well with my sister's drumsticks! Remember the time when I snuck you and Kouji into Ritsu's room so we could try out her drum set a few years ago. I didn't play half-bad!"

Francis chuckled. It seemed I wasn't getting his point, leaving me confused as ever.

"You know Satoshi," Francis continued, "when you played the drums at my house with those drumsticks, you seemed to play differently."

"Eh? I played just as I always did…" I said, remembering that chance performance, "I didn't really do anything different from when I was practicing on Ritsu's drum."

"But that was the first time you played an actual song." Francis reminded.

"Oh right…"

"Also, you were the first one to use those sticks." Francis said, "So, being the first actual user, you made those sticks your own."

Grasping the drumsticks in my hand, I remembered sitting behind the drums in Francis' basement and picking up these very sticks I had now. I felt an affinity for them the moment I held them and the beats came almost naturally.

"What I'm trying to say Satoshi-kun is to take hold of your life." Francis explained, "Though it's nice to have a sister who is willing to lend you a helping hand, you can't completely rely on her. Work hard and learn to stand up on your own feet as well!"

"I see…" Somehow I was starting to grasp the message.

"The same goes for Kouji and me." Francis added, "Though you tried to hide it, you seemed quite down when we were about to leave. Have faith in yourself dude! Kouji and I won't be there to help you, but we'll be rooting for you! Okay?"

"Okay." I said a little bit cheerier than earlier

"Oh, and I'm sure your girlfriend wants you to do well too!" Francis prodded

Just before I retort else, an airport announcement rang in the background.

"Argh," Francis groaned, "my flight's already on last call! Hey, I gotta go man…."

"Alright," I said, "I won't be keeping you any longer then. Have a safe trip!"

"Thanks. I'll offline message* you on Ohayo messenger when I land in Vancouver!" Francis cried as I heard run through the airport hallways, dragging what seemed to be a wheeled suitcase along with him. A light traveler I guess. Francis hung the phone and I let out a sigh of relief.

Turning to the textbooks, I set the drumsticks aside and picked up the ball pen I've been twirling all night. I held on to the pen firmly as I started some practice questions and worked into the night. Francis… Kouji… Ritsu… Azusa… and everyone else too… All these people were rooting for me and want me to do well. This exam is for them. I'll work hard… I'll take hold of my life. I'll show my parents that I can play my own melody too. I won't let you guys down.

To Be Contined

*Ohayo Messenger – A parody of Yahoo Messenger. Notice thati if you move an 'o', the 'h' and the 'a' of Yahoo to behind the 'Y' in that order, you have 'ohaYo'

*Poutine – A Canadian French-fry topping. It consists of a layer of gravy and melted cheddar cheese curds over French-fries. Oddly delicious, I must say!