Reaching for the Stars

Part II, Chapter 9

Nearly two months have passed since I landed my job at Super Kanoya, and with spring finally in full swing, things for me have never been better. With my job at the supermarket and the working student scholarship Minori and I applied for, I finally had enough money for an unfurnished apartment. A futon and a fridge would probably be the only things I would need... so I guess I could manage that. Also, in a couple of weeks, I would be attending Ohashi High with my two new friends and I was really excited. Back when I still lived with Ritsu in Osaka, I would always rely on them for everything. Now, I was self-sufficient... if only they could see me now, though that'd be impossible at this point.

However, I still felt that lingering wisp of emptiness within my chest. It wasn't like I was lacking an internal organ or whatnot... I just felt like there was something missing in this life I had made for myself. Try as I might, I couldn't get myself to figure out what it was. One fateful Saturday though, it would come back to me as clear as day.

March 9th, 9:57 AM. Saturday. Minori, the manager, the weekend employees and I were huddled around in a circle at the break room of Super Kanoya. We had three minutes before opening time but this Saturday was unlike every other Saturday we had encountered. This Saturday, Super Kanoya was holding a canned good sale - an 80% sale, and the crowd turnout was overwhelming.

"We are at war, ladies and gentlemen." Minori said acting like a general, biting a Pocky* stick like a cigar "The shopper is your enemy and they are here for our canned tuna... there is nothing we can do to stop them, but that doesn't mean we're not going to make them pay!"

Though she was trying to psyche us up, the reference was a little... graphic, but it seemed appropriate enough. Whatever floats her boat, I figured.

"Our mission then is to sell every last canned good we have!" Minori continued, chomping up the stick aggressively "Are you with me?"

The break room then exploded with cheer, putting a smile on Minori and the manager's face. The clock then struck 10AM and the employees of Super Kanoya marched out of the break room to tackle the impending invasion.

"Satoshi-kun, you're with me." Minori said, leading me to the express counter. "Just remember, we have to be fast on this lane."

"I know that." I replied, "That's why it's called the express lane after all."

"Yup." Minori nodded, "You man the register, I'll do the bags, okay?"

"Sure thing."

"So," Minori said counting the paper bags anticipatively, "let's give these shoppers a show, shall we?"

"Of course!"

Minori and I then got behind the counter, wearing the widest smiles we could muster. Then, the clock struck ten, the sliding glass doors slid open and the torrents of people flooded the supermarket. The thunderous stampede headed for the canned good section struck fear into some of the employees, but Minori and I stayed calm. Before long, the customers got what they came for then scoured the rest of the supermarket before charging towards the checkout counters. It was time for us to make our stand.

The frantic tapping of keyboards, the chime of cash registers busting open, the repetitive beeping of machines and the occasional PA system promotion. All of these sounds filled the once silent, semi-peaceful supermarket and the place was alive. In the midst of that medley of sounds, that phantom that had been nibbling at me finally revealed itself. I was tapping the keys of the register keyboards when an insatiable urge formed in the back of my head... a drum beat.

It started with a customer buying a single tin; tap, ching, '19.95 kinsu'. Then, two tins; tap-tap, ching, '39.90 kinsu'. Then, three tins; ta-pa-tap, ching, uh... darn, I never really was good in math. Anyways, before I realized it, I was tapping the keyboard with an intoxicating rhythm and I couldn't stop. Minori stole glances at me from where she stood as the rhythm became more and more noticeable.

"You're energetic today." She noted with a smile, "Was that a four-beat?"

"Yeah. But there's more." I replied, tapping on the keys faster now, "Eight-beat!"

"Awesome!" Minori said in awe, "Guess I'll have to put some energy into it too.!

With that newfound energy, Minori thanked each and every customer as she handed them their groceries and the two of us worked noticeably faster. Soon enough, the seemingly endless wave of people dried up along with our supply of surplus canned goods. The last of the cans were sold and and the cheers replaced the erratic sounds of the sale madness. We had weathered the storm after all and were still in one piece - though one or two of our fellow employees had to take a break in the middle of it all. Our shift however wasn't over just yet. As we celebrated the achievement we had thought impossible, another customer, a lady, came to the express counter with a single item. Not paying much attention to her, I just tapped a button once then transferred her over to Minori without another word.

"Uhm... excuse me." She corrected, "I'm buying pudding, not corned beef."

"Uh... ah... argh!" I groaned, quickly tapping a number of keys to correct the transaction, "Sorry about that, I got carried away."

"You and your partner were having fun." She smiled, "Don't worry, it's all good."

"Oh, I see." I said, finally getting the transaction right, "There you go ma'am, one pudding. Uhm... 14.45 kinsu."

"Here." She said, handing me exact change (faster than I ever thought possible), "So tell me young man, are you a drummer by any chance?"

"Me?" I asked, pointing to myself, "I guess you could call me one... I'm just an amateur though."

"I don't think that's the case." She said shaking her head, "The way you moved, the complexity of your rhythm... you give off the aura of a drummer."

Ergh... I remember my sister telling me that Yui-senpai said that same thing about her. Coming from Yui-senpai though, it meant she thought she was impatient and restless... are all drummers really like that?

"Tell you what young man." The lady offered, "I'm a hostess at Vaisravana's Heaven - a nightclub-slash-karaoke bar. We're looking for a drummer for our jazz band and... you're more than welcome to try out."

"B... band." I repeated almost as if entranced by the word, "Y... y... you mean, a live performance band... band?"

"Eh... I don't think I follow." She laughed amused

"I mean, a band that performs live." I clarified, "A band that plays before an audience... that plays and practices together... that..."

"Yes." She said with a smile, "That kind of band. So come on down anytime you feel like trying out, okay?"

"I'd be happy to!" I said, graciously accepting the offer.

"We're open after nine." The lady said as she left, "And if your friend here can play an instrument, you can bring her along too."

"W... would you like me to put the spoon in the bag?" Minori stuttered in the face of the offer, shakily throwing the pudding into the paper bag

"Ah, that'd be great. Thanks. The name's Mirano by the way - tell the bouncer you're trying out when you come."

The lady then walked out with the bag, leaving Minori and I at a loss for words.

"What just happened Satoshi-kun?" Minori asked, still shocked by the ordeal

"We just got offered a job..." I said, unable to believe what had just happened. My heart skipped a beat as soon as it slowly sank in. This was a chance to realize my childhood dream - I wanted to be a bandsman. Minori however seemed less than excited.

To Be Continued

Pocky - biscuit stick snack usually covered in chocolate