Chapter Five: All the Scions in the academy, feel the tension in the air!
Date: April 7th, 2012.
Time: 8:00 AM
Early on a Saturday morning, Asami was decked out in a casual outfit consisted of a red t-shirt quoting, "Hate too love me. Love too hate me.", and a pair of white jeans. Although she wasn't wearing her combat boots this time, instead she wore a pair of black worn out sneakers. On a day like this when she didn't have classes to attend, she chose to dress casually and well, very comfortably. Her hair was back to its slightly spiky style since Chi had gelled it around 7:30 AM, before leaving for her own class. Asami had whined that Chi didn't need to fuss over her hair. But as usual Chi had told her "a ladies hair is most important." Knowing Chi too well, it was useless to keep up the whining act. Wandering a hallway aimlessly, Asami instantly heard voices coming from a music room. The voices definitely belonged to STARISH. Sure enough it sounded as though the voices were angry. It wasn't that Asami had meant to listen in, since the door was halfway open.
"Jinguji, because of you our new manager has already attained a bad impression of the group."
"~Now, now. Hijirikawa its useless to…"
"Jinguji!"
Deciding that it was time to intervene, she entered the music room, startling the whole group. Asami had her eyes on the two scions, her expression half sarcastic and half serious.
"If you two want to start a fight go outside. Way too loud. For sure other students can probably hear the bickering."
There was a gap of awkward silence. Finally, Otoya spoke up.
"G-good morning, Asami-sempai."
"Please…just call me, Asami. Drop the 'chan' and the 'sempai'. Anyways-good morning. Er…awkward. Now why are those two over there were scrapping like alley cats?"
Tokiya frowned, "Akai-sempai didn't your uncle tell you that he…"
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
SLAM!
"Saotome-san, you and I need to talk!"
Disruptive entrance. No sign of the principal sitting behind the desk. Only Yuudai Huang sat in the principal's chair, looking over the profiles of STARISH. Asami sighed, taking a seat in a recliner, which was located next to the desk.
"Asami, your uncle isn't here. If you're wondering where he went off to, it just so happens that he left last night, right after we discussed business," Said Yuudai before pouring a cup of tea for Asami.
"Oh…~ well then I'll just…"
"He won't be back soon. He's gone overseas."
"Overseas, where too?!"
"Canada. Not for business but for a relaxing vacation…don't give me that look. I know what your thinking, so no. I don't have any knowledge to when Saotome-san will come back."
"So he left you in charge of the academy, even with the charge of being the new manager for STARISH?"
"No to the first, as for the second…I took it up on my own decision."
"Well, "Asami took a sip of her tea before continuing, "if you weren't left in charge, why are you in the seat of power?"
Yuudai sighed, "I needed a place to work, since I'm looking over your rivals."
"Hyuuga-sempai might kick you out for being in the seat of power."
"Asami, I'll have you know that I'm older that your so-called idol-sempai," Yuudai smirked, "Besides I've met better actors than him in the entertainment industry."
"Hey! Hyuuga-sempai is the number one action star in all of… Ow,ow! Stub bulling my…cheefs!"
"Seriously your admiration for hasn't faded. Yet your talkative more than ever before."
"Oww…Yuudai that… hurt!"
Seeing that Asami's cheeks were turning a bit red, Yuudai slightly chuckled. It had been such a long time since he had last teased Asami. Yuudai placed the papers in his black briefcase before setting it under the principal's desk. Asami still felt the pinching pain, rubbing her cheeks she glared at Yuudai.
"I apologize for teasing you like that."
"~Meanie."
"Still a child I see. Did you have breakfast yet?"
"…Not really."
"Asami, I think I might have to have a little chat with your new manager. After all there a few things she should know about," Yuudai smirked, "For example…your eating habits."
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
"A rose for a rose."
"Lame. Jinguji, what are you doing?"
"My sweet rose I am making you a crown of flowers. ~What does it look like I'm doing?"
"I…uh… don't know. But I don't want to see Hijirikawa's expression when he finds out about what you're doing to his precious flower garden."
"Don't worry about him, besides he had plenty more to go around."
"Uh…yeah. I'll leave you to you're…artistic creation."
"Don't you want the crown, my sweet rose?"
"No thanks, Jinguji. The stone by the koi pond can have it!"
A young Asami in her teens left Ren in the backyard of the Hijirikawa household, which was located somewhere in Kyoto. She passed by one of the numerous servants before entering a room, which belonged to Masato. The young blue haired teen was sitting on a black cushion, positioned in front of a traditional Japanese lacquer table, folding a sheet of silver paper. Being curious, Asami took a spot beside Masato.
"What are you doing?"
"Origami. Would you like to try?"
"Umm…I would but from seeing you're various models. I don't think I could."
"I can teach you a simple creation. How about an origami heart?"
"Sounds simple enough. ~ Teach on, sensei."
It was simple. Through the lesson taught by Masato, Asami had her own blue origami heart at the end of the lesson. She practically squealed in joy. Masato told her that she was pretty good for a beginner before setting aside his own red origami heart.
"That's only because I have an awesome sensei. Thank you Hijirikawa, I've learned something new. Oh shoot, I have to go! Don't want to be late for my Guzheng lessons with Yuudai."
Asami quickly pocketed her origami heart, giving Masato a kiss she left. Asami's voice yelling at Ren followed afterwards. Already Masato's face matched the color of the origami heart that was left on the table.
~ Fssst, fssst, fssst ~
Past memories already resurfacing. Masato sprayed a vase of flowers that he had placed in his room, using a small green spray bottle. His mind a bit occupied at the moment, full of past memories. All revolved around Asami. How time flies by. The relationship between Saotome and Asami, another professional rival band, and a new manager. Surprises unleashed for a whole new year. Masato felt the feelings from the past break through the barrier, when he saw Asami back at the office. Sure enough he knew that the feelings were a whole lot different from what he felt for Haruka. First? Second? Asami was definitely his first love. But it was no problem for him to act normal around Haruka. Confusion. Around Asami, Masato felt those heart pounding awkward sensations. He sighed, placing the spray bottle on his desk, he took out his booklet. The red origami heart almost faded in color marked its spot between the pages of the booklet.
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
"Oh boy, 'EKSTASIS: DAY & NIGHT', just by saying it I think it sound more like of a movie title rather than the title for a photo booklet. Don't you think so too, Asami?" Asked Masumi Li.
"Sort of. At least the whole theme is a whole lot different to what we did back then for our debut photo booklet. You won't be complaining about the cold this time."
"Yes," Masumi raised his fist, "Hooray for no pool themes! Hate the cold. So what time do we have to be ready?"
"Well Kento-san emailed me yesterday, detailing that the photographers would be arriving early tomorrow. Should be around 6 AM. The email from Kento-san outlines the whole schedule."
"Oh great…I can totally visualize the amount of coffee that I'll need. Was there anything else important from our Flaming ACE?"
"Nothing else besides the photo shoot schedule. You might as well go to bed early tonight. The photo shoot will definitely be a long one."
"I could totally see it now…our morning pictures of how we really look like every morning to a picture of the group sweating it out in the dance room."
"You think you look bad in the morning?! Every time I wake up I always see Chi with a facial mask on. God, I nearly had a heart attack this morning!"
"~Now that is a hilarious sight to see."
Masumi laughed out loud from the thought of Chi wearing a facial mask, only to have Asami throw one of his stuffed toys at him. Instantly a mini war began between the two, in Masumi's room. When Masumi grabbed one of his pillows, Asami took the chance to dash out of his room, along with his favorite stuffed toy, a green turtle.
"Noona, that not fair!" Masumi yelled, all the while running around a small table, trying to catch Asami, who ran to the opposite side.
"Speaking in Korean won't help you get Yamato back," Smirked Asami holding the stuffed toy behind her back.
"Oh yeah?! Well then… think fast!"
Masumi jumped over the small table, tackling Asami to the floor, which caught her off guard, surprised she shrieked. The stuffed toy along with the pillow had landed under a sofa. Already the two had forgotten about the toy, since Masumi was now focused on tickling Asami. It was no use, Asami couldn't fight her way out, and being ticklish was one of her major weak points. Just like the other members in EKSTASIS, Masumi knew that Asami was the most ticklish around her rib area.
"Eeep…Masumi, stop…it…now!"
"Hmm? Sorry, can't hear you over your squealing!"
"Masumi…eeep!"
Even though the teasing had started, it had to end sometime. The door to the dorm suite opened in which Alexander, Otoya, and Tokiya entered. Upon seeing Masumi on top of Asami, the scene looked a bit awkward. Eyebrows were raised. But Alexander knowing the Asami and Masumi well enough wasn't too surprised to walk in on such a scene.
"Ok…you two. What happened this time?" Asked Alexander not bothering to raise the tone in his voice over Asami's squealing.
"Alex…help me!" Pleaded Asami trying to wiggle away from Masumi.
"Masumi stop tickling Asami. Fun time is over."
"Sheesh…ok. I guess it really did look pretty awkward."
Asami got up from the floor after Masumi headed back to his room with his stuffed toy and pillow. Asami realized that she wasn't the only person alone in the living room with Alexander.
"Now there's no need to jump to conclusions," Asami raised her hands, "What you two saw…well…um… to the point I guess you can say that Masumi and I are the most childish in the group."
"Asami-sempai, again you haven't changed at all."
"Touché, Toki-kun."
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
"~ zuó wǎn shuì dé tài shǎohēi yǎn quān zhē bù diào
bèi shuí shāng yǒu diǎn zāowú suǒ wèi bù zhòng yào…- Cause I'm such a Miss Chic. ~ You've reached Chi's cell phone. But I'm not able to answer your call. So please leave your name and number after the funky beep. ~"
* BEEP *
"Seriously that has to be the worst voicemail for your cell phone. Anyways, I'm in the area nearby. I know what your thinking, but too bad I'm coming to the academy tomorrow. ~I heard about the fascinating news from Nakamura-san. See you tomorrow, little sis."
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
Time: 4:00 PM
Ren sat with his back against a marble bench, flipping through one of his textbooks, not that he was really studying the course on the history of pop music. He wasn't too keen on it at the moment. His interest was set upon Asami, who was sitting across from him, with her own textbooks open. Only she had fallen asleep a while ago. Ren wondered if she had fallen asleep because of what she had been reading or from the cause of the warm weather. Then again the rooftop wasn't such a bad place to fall asleep. A light breeze passed by rustling the pages of their textbooks. Quickly Ren caught a paper that flew from one of Asami's opened textbooks. Instead of placing the paper somewhere safe, Ren glance over the details that were printed on the paper.
"EKSTASIS: DAY & NIGHT"
[PHOTO SHOOT SCHEDULE]
[LOCATION: Shining Saotome Academy]
5-7am: Waking up to getting prepared solo shots
7:30am: Breakfast at the cafeteria solo shots
8:30am-12PM: Attending Classes group shots
12:05pm-1pm: Lunch at the cafeteria solo shots
8pm-10pm: Dance rehearsals in the dance studio, group shot
10:30pm-11pm: Light's out! [Solo shots]
[Group photo in front of S.S.A will be taken around 1:30 PM]
Ren placed the paper in one of Asami's textbooks before closing it so it wouldn't fly away. Asami looked pretty peaceful in her sleep. Ren took off his academy jacket before placing it over her shoulders. He could get back to studying, for it would be impolite to wake Asami up from her peaceful slumber.