Chapter Six: The Photo Shoot & The Annoying Older Brother…
Date: April 8th, 2012.
Time: 5:00 AM
'Oh my Super girl, ni shi wo de Baby girl
ta kan bu jian ni de mei li, ping fan bei hou de mo li
Oh my Super girl, wo shi ni de super man
ni de yan shen rang wo zhao mi
wei le ni wo shen me dou yuan yi…'
~ THUNK! ~
Asami hit the buzzer on her alarm clock that was left on her nightstand; opening her eyes she realized that she was back in her dorm room. She remembered meeting up with Ren at the rooftop yesterday afternoon to look over their courses and then falling asleep under the warm sun. She couldn't have dreamt about it since Ren's academy jacket was draped over her waist. Even her textbooks were on her desk, neatly stacked. Odd, just too damn odd. If Ren carried her back to her dorm room, how come there weren't any signs of his so called fan girls ready with deadly weapons in hand to murder her? Still too early to focus on the incident, Asami yawned before shaking her head, an action she did every morning to wake herself up. Once she was finished with her daily wake up routine, she got dressed out of her clothes from the day before into a pair of red yoga pants and a simple white t-shirt. She cleaned herself up in the bathroom, making sure that she wasn't going to gel her hair, since she knew that her assigned photographer for the photo shoot would show up soon. Showing a natural appearance without any hair products and makeup on was necessary for a morning picture. But truthfully Asami never wore a lot of makeup. Hair products were more of a demand for her. The most amount of makeup that she wore was when she had acted as the female antagonist when she had co-starred with Hyuuga in a movie. In her opinion, smoky eye shadow and black eyeliner just wasn't her thing. But the shade of black lipstick made her feel mysterious…dominating. Asami departed from the bathroom, the sound of her slippers against the hardwood maple flooring was loud enough for Chi to hear. On Saturday's and Sunday's, Asami had the habit of making her own breakfast; even when she had time to spare she would make her own meals. A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a plate of scrambled eggs would have to do at the moment.
"I'll have to give his academy jacket back without grabbing the attention of his numerous fan girls," Asami thought cracking a fourth egg into a white bowl, before mixing it with a little milk.
"Go~od morning, Asami-Chan, "Chi chirped, already full of energy so early in the morning.
"Good morning…- oh, no facial mask this time?" Asami asked placing a bit of butter on a pan, before turning the stove on.
"Not this time. I for~got that I used my final one last night. When I have the ti~me next week, I'll go shopping for more of my facial necessities."
"Chi, that is so unlike you to forget about the number of beauty products that you have in your room. Something's up, what's wrong?"
When Asami dropped the question, Chi sighed clearly distressed. The butter that was in the pan was halfway melted, sizzling sounds followed soon after. The mixture of the egg yolk and milk was poured into the pan. Chi could tell that Asami was willing to listen to what was bugging her.
"Well…yesterday when I was finished with my first drama class at the end of the day, I came back to my room…"
"Ok, I'm following you so far."
"When I came back, I checked my cell phone to see if there was any messages. It turns out there was one message."
"What did the message say?"
"Actually just by listening to it…ugh…why at this time of year?!" Chi groaned slamming her hands down on the countertop, startling Asami.
"Um…I take it that you either know this person or the message was quite disturbing?"
"Disturbing? No not at all. It's just that…Ikuto is coming…sometime today."
"Oh so that's what was bugging you. I thought it was something else."
Chi produced an expression of shock. How could the enchanting siren be so calm?! Asami didn't take notice of Chi's expression since she was flipping the eggs over forming an omelet.
"Asami-chan, this is about my annoying brother, who is coming over to the academy!" Chi exclaimed her arms flailing about.
"Ok, ok. So you're older brother is coming to visit. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Uh…hello earth to Asami-chan?! In case you don't remember, but when you met him, he was practically hitting on you!"
"Chi, don't jump to crazy conclusions," Asami sighed, "Besides he wasn't hitting on me. I do recall that the photo shoot with your older brother called for a lot of skin ship."
"Oh. God. Asami-chan you are so dense when it comes down to my older brother."
"Chi…I'm not that dense," Asami rolled her eyes, "You're brother maybe naughty like an alley cat but he's just not my type."
"~Oh, then who is your ty~pe? Hmm…would it be someone like, Ren?" Chi teased giving a playful wink.
"Just what are you trying to get at?!" Asami asked pointing the spatula directly at Chi.
"Oh no~thing. But Yuu-chan and Ren seemed pretty pissed off at each other when they dropped you off last night."
"Chi, I know what your thinking. No. There is nothing going on between Ren and I. We're friends nothing more," Asami sighed, "If we were in involved in an intimate relationship… the media would've sniffed it out already."
"Ok,ok…stop waving the spatula around! Sheesh, with that speed I should be wearing goggles to protect my eyes."
"Not funny. If I did poke your eyes out I know that I would have a very good reason for doing such an action," Asami smirked.
"Cruel, just too cruel."
Chi placed her hands over her bosom, acting dramatically as if she was wounded. Asami rolled her eyes knowing full well that Chi was always the drama queen. Well at least Chi was back to her old dramatic self instead of being down in the dumps. Asami turned off the stove placing the omelet on a red China plate. Since Chi was already up, she sliced the omelet in half using a small bluish-silver knife. It wasn't so bad of a breakfast for the two. Chi's fancy cutlery was put to good use.
"Break~fast early in the morning tastes so deli~cous. I wish I could cook eggs."
"Chi, we both know that your cooking and baking skills are horrendous. But your fashion skills are top notch."
"True…hey remember the time when I tried to steam dumplings back at our old academy?"
"Oh dear god, how could I not forget?!" Asami snickered, "Burnt dumplings, the terrible scent, and let's not forget about the smoke alarms that went off before setting off the sprinklers in the lower level of the academy."
"It wasn't that bad!" Chi pouted.
"Whatever you say. I recall that you were banned from the main kitchen that day."
"Ok, so I was banned from the kitchen. But now I don't burn my food. I've learnt my lesson."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you've improved. You still add too much salt or sugar to any dish when it's not required."
"I could improve by practicing."
"Ha, if you did it would be the most shocking headline of the century."
"Asami-chan, that's so cruel!"
"But it's the truth my dear vixen."
Chi crossed her arms, pouting to what Asami had said about her culinary skills. If she did improve maybe it would be quite a shock to a lot of people. But at least Chi's culinary skills weren't on the same level as Natsuki's. By the time the ladies had finished their breakfast there was a knock on the door. Chi answered, meeting a lady in her early twenties with short brown hair, blue eyes, quite a contrast to the white sports clothing that the lady was decked out in. Right away, Chi could tell that this lady with an expensive camera slung over one shoulder was here for Akai SIREN. The lady handed Chi a business card before entering the dorm suite with great enthusiasm.
"I'm Sophia Jennings, one of the photographers for the EKSTASIS photo shoot. I've been assigned to take pictures of the enchanting siren," Jennings paused for a moment before continuing, "My, my this is lovely! Lovely, just so lovely! Ah…- and it's great to finally meet the enchanting siren! You won't mind if I take a few pictures of you placing the dinnerware away? Fans all alike looove it when they see they're favorite idol in a moment of domestic chores."
Asami continued on with putting away the utensils, which she had thoroughly cleaned, acting natural for the camera. Chi, who stood behind the enthusiastic photographer made a gesture with her right hand. Crazy lady. Asami saw the gesture, she laughed, and only Jennings mistook the laugh as something different.
"Goood ~ hold onto what you're thinking! Show that bright carefree personality…excellent!"
Jennings knew what she was doing even though she was quite the genki type. Chi left the room deciding that there wasn't anything to do for now. She headed in the direction to where the Saotome library was located. The mini-clip on black hat that she wore went well with her black gothic Lolita dress, but every time she took a step the black hat would bob up and down.
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
Time: 6:10 AM
Yoshio Watanabe ran his fingers through a damp strand of his light blue hair. He had recently finished his morning shower. Already in his room he finished changing into his academy uniform before slipping on his white ring onto his left index finger. The black circular gemstone in the center gleamed under the sunlight that shone through the window in his room. He treasured the ring more than his infinity-shaped pendant necklace. After all, his older brother gave the ring to him. Even Yoshi, his older brother always wore a ring of similar design, one that Yoshio had given to him long ago. The bond between the two Watanabe siblings was more of friends than brothers. Yoshi Watanabe took after their mother while Yoshio took after their father. Ever since they were born the twins acquired different hobbies, talents, and taste in drink and food. Yoshio grabbed his black converse sneakers slipping his feet in carelessly before exiting his room. Already the photographer assigned to the Watanabe's was taking pictures of Yoshi, who was resting comfortably in the living room sofa. The twins were told from they're photographer, "Act natural and pretend I don't exist."
"Took you long enough," Yoshi said clearly acting as the nagging mother.
"Oh come on brother there is a lot of time before history class begins," Yoshio rolled his eyes before jumping onto Yoshi's back, "Hey, hey. Give me a piggyback to the cafeteria!"
"Stop…it! You're not five years old anymore!" Exclaimed Yoshi almost falling face first onto the floor from the sudden weight.
"But I want a piggyback," Pouted Yoshio giving his older brother an expression of an injured puppy.
"Fine," Grumbled Yoshi, "But only to the entrance of the cafeteria…god…you're heavy."
Yoshio smirked devilishly. Ha, the 'expression of an injured puppy' always worked on his older brother.
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
Time: 6:30 AM
Giggles. Squeals. Soft whispers. Masumi Li took a bite of the cake, which Alexander Takahashi held out to him on a fork. The two continued sharing the sweet breakfast while their assigned photographer clicked away. Such fan service early in the morning, sure woke up a lot of females from they're sleep. What a way to shine under the spotlight. Oh boy. Alexander yawned, closed his eyes then rested his head on Masumi's shoulder. Oh. Dear. God. STARISH, Haruka Nanami, and Shibuya Tomochika who crowded a table a few feet away tried to ignore the increase in the volume of giggling and squealing from all around. It was hard not too since the other members in EKSTASIS soon sat with Alexander and Masumi.
"Piggyback?" Asami questioned Yoshi, "I don't see how you made it all the way here."
"We didn't," Yoshi adjusted his necktie ignoring the onlookers, "Halfway through the trip we rubbed shoulders with the lockers."
Asami and Masumi laughed only to have Yoshio glare at them.
"It's not funny!"
"Oh come on," Asami snickered, "you have to admit it is quite funny."
"After all you're not five years old anymore," Masumi said slightly smirking, "You should be more careful."
"That's what I told him but he didn't listen at all," Yoshi sighed ruffling his younger brother's hair.
"Oh come on…not the hair!" Pouted Yoshio.
"Ok,ok. Well at least you've learnt your lesson."
"Where's the Aoi Vixen?" Masumi asked Asami clearly wondering where the fashionable diva was.
"Don't know. She left right after my photographer came."
"Talking about photographers," Said Yoshio, "Doesn't it feel like we're being observed like animals in zoo?"
"Quite…so…act natural," Alexander yawned rubbing his eyes a bit.
"Oh hey Hypnos you're awake," Smiled Yoshi, "Good morning."
"Hnn…morning," Alexander mumbled.
"I think we'll have no problem in acting natural," Laughed Yoshi.
"Also," Yoshio wrapped an arm around Asami's waist, "We could always tease our audience."
Oh. My. God. Cue blood loss from fan girls all around. Asami sighed, at times like these EKSTASIS'S Orpheus can be such a flirt.
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
Time: 12:30 PM
A group of females were crowded around Ren. Giggling and squealing at every little word that came from his lips. All the ladies in the group belonged to his fan club that had formed at the start of the New Year. Lunchtime was the time where the ladies could get the most out of seeing they're fave member in STARISH. Only Ren's fan club wasn't the only one blushing or fantasizing, on the other side of the cafeteria Yoshio Watanabe had his own group of females. The photographer who had been assigned to the Watanabe twins, a male in his late thirties, was having a friendly conversation with Yoshi. All the photos that were required to be taken for each member of EKSTASIS was already done. The 'DAY' part of the photo shoot was already done. Only the 'NIGHT' part needed to be fulfilled. Already ahead of the outlined schedule, the 'NIGHT' part would start around 7 PM instead of 8 PM. Alexander and Masumi were hanging out in the courtyard tossing a baseball back and forth. But they're assigned photographer was hanging out with Asami's photographer, somewhere in the academy. Chi was at the library reading up on the history of the academy, since she didn't want to mingle with the crowd of fan girls in the cafeteria. But it was probably the fact that she didn't want to meet up with her older brother. Asami was hanging out with Nanami and Tomochika by the lake, the three were resting on they're backs against the lush green grass, looking up at the clear blue sky. A young male with short blue hair with blue eyes to match entered the cafeteria. Around his neck he wore a choker set with a silver cross. His black academy uniform matched the violin case that he held in his right hand. It had only been a few seconds when the young male appeared, instantly most of the students in the cafeteria took notice of him. Ren also took notice of the young violinist, yet he couldn't help in overhearing a conversation between the violinist and one of the members from his fan club.
"Excuse me."
"Y-yyes?!"
"Do you know where I could find Asami Lee? My dear sister seems to be avoiding me at the moment so I have no clue as to where the enchanting siren is. I was hoping that you could tell me where Asami is."
"O-oh…sorry, but I don't know where Akai-sempai is at the moment."
The female bowed her head in apology before leaving the cafeteria. Ren stood up from his seat and walked over to the young violinist, tapping him on the shoulder to catch his attention.
"I couldn't help overhearing that you're a bit lost to finding Asami. You wouldn't happen to be one of her fans?" Ren asked only to have the violinist raise his eyebrows at him.
"A fan? No. I'm a close friend."
~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~
"…of course I never thought that Masato could be frightened that much. But when Ren released the bee that we had captured in a jar. Oh boy, that was the loudest that I ever heard him scream."
By the time Asami finished her story, Nanami and Tomochika were laughing. The three were now taking shade under the white bandstand. So far Asami had told stories of the past to Nanami and Tomochika, about the most hilarious moments that occurred in the past between Masato, Ren, and herself.
"Just by hearing you're stories I can't believe that Masato would have an image like that," Said Tomochika wiping the corners of her eyes, tears had formed from the amount of laughter.
"Well, Masato has changed from what I've seen so far. Ren is still his flirtatious self," Asami said.
"Now, now…what is this that you're saying about me after all these years?" Asked Ren showing up so suddenly with the young violinist in tow.
Asami didn't answer Ren's question, instead she jumped up from where she was sitting, squealing in joy she hugged the young violinist. The violinist hugged Asami back wrapping his left arm around her waist before smiling. Nanami, Ren, and Tomochika were quite shocked at the display.
"Ikuto, it's great to see you again! What in the world brings you to the academy, besides visiting Chi?"
"Asami, you never received the email from my uncle?" Asked Ikuto raising an eyebrow.
"Email from your uncle? No of course not," Asami was definitely confused.
"Oh dear. I guess I'm the messenger," Ikuto smirked, "Asami…my uncle signed me up. I'll be starring in one of you're music video's."