Chapter Three: Relations Unraveled & So Much More…
"This is cute. Oh and this one too!"
"Chi-chan I know you wanted to tour the school grounds to find Asami-chan, but the cat stickers… can't they wait?"
"Masumi-kun you sound a lot like Yoshi-kun at the moment… ah – wait…"
"Stop pulling my arm daft women!"
"Shh! Those two individuals in the next aisle, don't they look familiar?"
"Oh those two. They're also part of the band STARISH that Natsuki-kun and Ittoki-kun are also in."
"I know that! I remember seeing their faces in a TIMES magazine, but I admit that I forgot their names."
"You forgot the names of our rivals? Even the name of one of our classmates?"
"Shut up!"
"I'll just take that as a yes. Anyways the individual standing on the right who seems to be interested in the green tea is Masato Hijirikawa-san. I think he was the one who sat near the front in class this morning."
"Hijirikawa-san… now I remember, those two are scions to separate financial groups. Ah, that would mean that the figure standing on the left is…"
"Yes, none other than Ren Jinguji-san."
"Hmm… overly dressed in the latest clothing brands and has no problem capturing the hearts of females. I dislike playboys."
"Uh… Chi-chan you might want to take note that the playboy that you speak of is in the same class as Asami-chan."
"…"
"Do you still want to buy those cat stickers?"
"No. I think right now at the moment we should meet up with Alexander-kun outside, then we can continue the search for Asami-chan."
"Finally! Chi-chan, try not to get distracted by such childish things."
"Ha, I should be saying the same thing to you. After all you are the child of the group."
"I'm not a child!"
"You can't D – E – N – Y it, Masumi-kun. Too bad that you're fans already labeled you to be the child in the group."
"La, la, la. I'm not listening!"
"Pssh, you're such an immature brat."
"Oyy I'm not a brat!"
"You so are the… oh… looks like Ringo-sensei showed up."
"Ah, you're right. You know I have to admit that I envy Ringo-sensei sometimes."
"It's the hair, isn't it?"
"Yup, ah it looks like she's heading this way."
"Oooo… I have a feeling she wants to speak with us."
Asami walked down a hallway that wasn't so crowded with other students. Her arms were full of textbooks, each pertaining to the courses that she was registered in. Arts, Drama, English, History, and Legal Studies, she would have to take a lot of notes down in the future. Even though the textbooks were all hardcover editions the books were different in size. The pages of each book ranged 200 – 450. Asami knew that at what she would learn in the academy would become of aid to her in the future. Her goal at least would be to graduate obtaining a B.F.A. She turned right upon entering another hallway that led to the entrance of the cafeteria. It was already lunchtime since students were lined up at the front, ready to order various selections of delicious lunch combos. Placing her books on a table that was next to one of the glass stained windows, she took out her student card from her side right jean pocket. Her card was an important item since she would need it whenever she purchased a meal in the cafeteria, or from the school store.
"Judging by the appearances of those textbooks looks like you've got a lot of notes to write down."
Asami turned around, already knowing the familiar voice that belonged to the person who had spoken.
"A few of these courses I've already taken before. But then again, you can't judge a book by its cover now, can you Hyuuga-sempai?"
"Ha, ha… that's quite true. Have you signed up for any clubs yet?"
"Yes, I managed to sign up for the cooking club when Tokiya-kun and Syo-kun were both giving me a tour of the academy."
"Cooking club… I do recall that the principal told me that you're quite a chef at creating authentic Chinese dishes."
"Ah, yes. But I prefer baking sweets rather than cooking sometimes. Truthfully I'm a total chocoholic."
"Maybe in the future you could open up a café."
"Ha, maybe just maybe I might do such a thing… is there a reason to why you're down here? Aside from the fact that it's already lunchtime."
"Oh about that, you wouldn't need to worry about purchasing lunch for now. Since I've come to escort you to Saotome-san."
"So much for using my student card for the first time."
"Don't worry Asami-chan, Saotome-san prepared food and drinks in his office."
"I'm not surprised… but I'm a bit… annoyed."
Everything was going accordingly well just as Saotome had planned out. He sat comfortably in his black leather chair behind a mahogany desk. The black sunglasses he always wore still hid the true colors of his eyes. At least they matched the color of his formal black suit along with a tie that illustrated the academy's logo. Ringo stood off to the side next to Haruka, who was seated in a black recliner next to Chi. In the center of the room, four red sofas were occupied by both EKSTASIS and STARISH, there was only one space left unoccupied. A silver 4-leveled food cart stood by the door, filled with delicious mini sandwiches, cakes, cookies, and canned sweet drinks. Everything was untouched at the moment, since Asami hadn't shown up yet. Only awkward silence could fill the gap or more likely that everyone in the room was waiting for the principal to speak. It was hard to say since Saotome sat with elbows on the desk with his hands supporting his chin, staring at the direction of the door.
"This is really awkward… no one has said a thing. What should I do?" Thought Haruka as she twiddled her thumbs nervously.
She nervously looked around catching Yoshio staring right at her. He winked at her instantly making her blush. The teasing gesture didn't go unnoticed by the members of STARISH. Yup… Yoshio had a lot more male enemies to add onto his never-ending list. Yoshi whacked his younger brother on the head only to scold him for making such a flirtatious gesture towards Haruka. EKSTASIS and Chi were partially amused at the sight between the two twins. Siblings… you can always count on the older one to scold the youngest. Suddenly the door opened, with Hyuuga and Asami entering the elaborate office. Shining Saotome stood up from his seat, handing over a stack of black booklets to both Ringo and Hyuuga, afterwards he sat back down. Both teachers were in the process of handing a booklet to each student. Asami sat down between Alexander and Masumi before taking a booklet that was given to her by Ringo. She had placed her textbooks underneath the glass coffee table. The bold golden title on the front cover of the booklet "EKSTASIS Feat. STARISH", stood out. The students didn't say anything at the moment but Saotome knew that the words were just sinking in. It was already 12:35 PM when the teachers decided to set out the food and drinks on the glass coffee table, for they knew the students must be hungry or at least thirsty. Saotome motioned with his right hand to the students that they could get started on the lunch set out before them. Collaboration or rivalry between the two bands, there was more to this. Asami held the booklet in her right hand, walking up to the expensive mahogany desk. She was a bit annoyed, hungry, and damn it… she wanted crystal clear answers from this crazy uncle. Instead of a labyrinth of riddles handed to her on a silver platter. Damn it to hell, she would get her answers! It was all too sudden; she practically threw the booklet at Saotome, in which it slightly bounced off his chest. For more dramatic effect she slammed both of her hands down on the desk, her eyes burning with annoyance. Everyone was a bit startled although the teachers had a moment to sweat drop. All the while Saotome was smiling.
~ Asami's P.O.V ~
"Saotome-san, what the hell is the meaning of this?"
I had practically yelled this out, startling a few of my members including STARISH and the young composer. I didn't know how Chi-chan was reacting since my back was to her and right now I was completely focused on my uncle. My outburst didn't seem to faze him at all since he just sat behind the desk smiling. I had hoped to start my day out as "normal" as possible, if there was every a normal day for my band mates and me. I had hoped to see Masato and Ren elsewhere rather in my uncle's office. But no… he just had to start on another crazy idea of his. Lovely, Asami you just had to make a dramatic impression in front of everybody, including two best friends that you haven't seen for at least 5 ½ years. Ugh… I should've let Yuudai talk my uncle into letting me attend another girl's academy overseas.
Too late now… I'm trapped damn it, damn it, damn it! Yuudai, please hurry back from your business trip in Texas!
"The meaning? My dear Asami-chan, the title says it all. The pages that you'll be reading, detail for what I have in mind. Aside from that, I hear that you have an upcoming album to release."
"Saotome-san that is beside the point."
"I knew you'd say that. I'll start explaining a few things in detail while we're all having a bit of lunch. Even to why Chi-chan is here."
Shit, he's definitely got me hook, line, and sinker. I could only give an annoyed glare at my uncle before taking back my booklet that I had threw at him. Mother in heaven I now understand where I got my temper from. He already knew the progress of my album. I was already finished with the songs, photo shoot for the front cover, and the music videos were the only things that were incomplete. Ah… so that's what he's getting at. I sat back down in the sofa between Alexander and Masumi. "EKSTASIS Feat. STARISH"… oh boy looks like we a lot more work cut out for us. Across from where I was sitting a few members from STARISH were either eating or drinking soda. I know that uncle is amused. At least for now I could worry about my empty stomach, grabbing a red China plate I took a bit of everything. Everything was changing into a big board game of who would get to the finish line.
"Now that everyone is here we can begin the meeting."
Cue drum roll including myself rolling my eyes once. Uncle, seriously where did you get the whiteboard from? Yes, we're in a meeting but you don't have to have a whiteboard with big words "MEETING IN SESSION" written on it with red ink.
"Ah, before I forget… Ms. Nanami including STARISH, I would like each of you to know something. Personally this must be kept confidential until I decide the right time to tell everyone else in the entire world…"
Well, well, well this got everyone's attention. Too bad that I already know what you're going to say. A lot of things have changed but I don't know if those two can take the news. Ugh… I'm so wishing that I were back in my room watching a horror movie.
"... So casting aside rumors but only to bring out the real truth. Since I am coming to that age where I am close to retirement. Akai SIREN… no, no, no I should be saying Asami Lee is… my niece."
Oh boy… everything… is in total silence now! I swear I'm hearing imaginary crickets chirping. Hmm, at least the reaction isn't so bad compared to the reactions I got from my band mates from long ago. But I'm getting a lot of stares in my direction especially from Masato and Ren. Sorry guys, I never told you the truth to when we first met. But it was for a very good reason.
"Now that you have that done with. Saotome-san why don't we get down to business?"
"Stubborn as always just like you're mother. First things first, a test."
Haruka was definitely surprised. Asami Lee was the niece of Shining Saotome. She could see that EKSTASIS and Chi Tsukiyomi weren't so surprised at the news at this she could tell that they already knew of the relation. Looking closely at Asami's face Haruka could see the relation between the two by the color of Asami's left eye, it was just like Saotome's. Even their personalities were slightly similar. Who knew that a young celebrity like Akai SIREN would be the niece of Shining Saotome? Haruka broke out of her thoughts when Saotome spoke about a "test" towards his niece.
"And what test may that be, Saotome-san?" Asami said, holding a fork at hand over a sweet chocolate cake.
"Slight profile 101 of STARISH."
Asami chuckled once before placing her fork and plate down on the table. Haruka saw a hint of a smirk appear on the corners of Asami's mouth. A chill went up her spine.