Digimon World Tour
Digimon Adventure 02, Digimon Adventure, Digimon Data Squad, etc. 1999-2014 Toei Animation, Akiyoshi Hongo, Studiopolis, Saban Brands, etc.
Chapter 7: New Year's
T.K.
The head of Ki/Oon Music wrote passes for us to get out of school so we could get some last-minute rehearsals in for Kōhaku. Our teachers loaded us up with the assignments and the material we'd miss, which was OK. This would be worth it.
December 30th was the night of the Japan Record Awards, and as far as the label was concerned, it was a black tie affair. That meant I had to wear a tuxedo, and I quickly discovered I had trouble with the cummerbund. Our biggest issue was getting Rika into a dress. Kari went to work on her.
Kari
One of our biggest issues for this award ceremony was getting the tough tomboy Rika in a dress. If anything, she was worse than Sora or Yolei. I visited her at her house and looked through her closet. She didn't have a single thing that was feminine in there, with the exception of a nightgown that was starting to collect moths. "Omigosh. This is a true emergency, Rika," I told her in complete seriousness. "Uh, no it's not. I've got a rep to protect," she insisted. "That's not going to work. Come on, you need retail therapy. I know just the place." "Sorry, I don't think so. There is no way you are getting me in a dress." "You wanna bet? Come on!" I grabbed her by the arm as we walked to the subway. Rika started chanting feminist mantras and Pat Benatar lyrics on the way there. I grabbed my cell phone and called a friend. "Sora? Hi, this is Kari. I've got a difficult case here. We've got to bring the woman out of Rika Nonaka before the JRAs. Would you help us out?" I paused, then smiled. "Great! I'm on the subway now with her. We're headed for Shibuya. [...] Thanks, Sora. You're the best! Bye." I hung up.
We finally met up with her at Takeshita Street, one of the trendiest pedestrian malls in Shibuya. "I won't do it! I won't do it! Nobody gets a cheap shot at Rika Nonaka!" Rika kept protesting. "Rika Nonaka?" someone asked, and that was all they needed. One mention of her name and a large group of fans started screaming and chasing us down the street. One of those disadvantages to being famous was that everybody wanted your autograph. I don't mind writing my name, but after about 2,000 signatures at a Giants game, my hand started to cramp. Rika grabbed my wrist as she led us down the street to hide.
We stopped in at ATOMICBOXX, where Sora and I took turns trying on new outfits. Rika, in the meantime, listened to her mp3 player. She behaved just like T.K. when I took him on shopping trips, bored. I personally bought her a cute skirt, and then we went to another store. She once cast her eyes on a dark-teal leather top with spaghetti straps, so I convinced her to give in to her feminine side and buy it. She did, even opening her own wallet. Shocked at that, Sora and I decided to buy her a somewhat androgynous clutch. Once, when we walked into a store, one of the employees recognized us and offered us a 95% discount. "Hmm... maybe there are benefits to being famous," Sora thought out loud with a grin.
Awards night was a success. T.K. and Thomas wore tuxedos, Greg decided to go for a business suit, and Marcus and Matt wore a casual suit without a tie. I chose a delicate, light-pink dress with a wavy waterfall of a chiffon skirt and a strapless sweetheart bodice, without a bra. Rika wore the dark-teal leather top and a skirt to match. "Nobody's gonna know this, but I'm wearing compression shorts so nobody gets a cheap shot at me," she whispered in my ear.
We didn't win any awards that night, but Thomas and Kazuki did get to do some networking. Plus, we had a good time.
T.K.
We'd spend all of New Year's Eve at NHK Hall in Shibuya, where the acoustics were perfect. Dad took us out for breakfast, then we drove to the hall. When we walked into the main hall, we were surprised to see the others there so early. There was one group in particular that gave us quite a shock. It was an all-female band. As we got closer to them, we could see more of their details. The lead guitarist had wavy strawberry-blonde hair, light-peach skin, and light-blue eyes that didn't give anything away. She wore a light-green hoodie with rolled up sleeves with dark-purple cuffs, magenta pants, purple shoes with white detail, and purple fingerless gloves.
The drummer had a flat stomach, dark skin, coal black hair with a relaxed quality in a low, loose ponytail, and brown eyes. She was wearing a forest-green quarter-sleeved shirt underneath a white shirt, a forest-green skirt, green high-tops, brown leggings with white socks, dream-catcher earrings, and a brown armband on her right arm.
Another young girl, maybe Cody's age or just a few years older than that, was bouncing around behind a microphone, practicing her arpeggios when she should've been practicing her scales. She had a smoothly round face, creamy skin, big chestnut-brown eyes, and long, blonde hair in waves. Her parents must've been wealthy because her clothes looked a bit fancy. She had a sleeveless, collared icy-blue shirt, wavy pink skirt, white tights, and pink Mary Janes. I wondered to myself, "What kind of a girl still wears shoes like that?"
One particular girl caught my attention. She had vivid deep pink hair (with a scruffy and textured touch), a round face, clear skin, purple eyes (I'm thinking it was those colored contact lenses), and a slim body. She wore a cyan-blue halterneck over a creamy-white, knuckle-sleeved, turtleneck sweater, a pair of blue jeans with a brown belt; and white sneakers. Kari had to nudge me back into reality, to which I sheepishly chuckled.
The biggest surprise was the young man who was helping set up the drum set. I knew that blue vest and striped shirt anywhere. The goggles just gave him away. Marcus recognized it, too. "DAVIS!" he shouted from across the hall. That caused the girls to turn toward us.
The bouncing girl behind the microphone squealed, and then motioned for us to come closer. Some of us went faster than others. "All right, what the heck is going on here, Motomiya? You thinking of upstaging us?" Marcus demanded to know. "Sheesh, cool your jets, Damon. It looks like you're not the only DigiDestined with an act. Ladies, I'd like to introduce you to my friends, The Teenage Wolves. Matt, Thomas, T.O., Marcus, Greg, Rika, and Kari. Guys, this is my newest discovery. PurityxSpirited. On lead guitar and bass, although not at the same time, the tough yet fair Sadie Shimazaki." Sadie cocked her head. "'Sup, mates," she greeted us. Matt understood and responded in kind. I detected some sort of Australian accent.
Davis continued, "On the keyboards and lead vocals, the motherly, sensitive, spectacular, Naomi Honda." Naomi shyly waved. "Hello. It's nice to meet you all," she said. Thomas immediately went to kiss her hand, which she graciously accepted.
Davis went on. "On drums, formerly from the soulful city of Chicago, Charisse Matthews." "Hey there," Charisse greeted us, with a clever smile. "And finally, on backup vocals and tambourine, Lily Livingston," the gogglehead concluded. "Hi! Hi! Hi! Are you guys going to be in the show, too?" Lily eagerly asked us while she kept bouncing.
I nodded. "Actually, girls, my name's T.K., as in Ta-Keru," I said, correcting Davis. "Yeah, we know. Davis has been blabbering on about you for months now," Sadie flatly answered. Lily cut in, "Have you heard our latest maxi single? It's 'I'll Set You Free', and it's really, really good! We're going to be singing it tonight. Can you believe it? We've only been together for four months, and already we're making our big debut here!" She pulled a CD case out of her bag and gave it to Kari. "Oh... thank you," she said, accepting it. She turned the case over to read what was on the back, and I got a good look with her. Sure enough, the maxi single had the radio edit, the extended version, the Japanese radio edit, the Japanese extended version, and a club mix.
Marcus
That Lily chick must've had wayyyyy too much sugar, but something about their story was awfully fishy. "Now wait just one moment here. Are you saying you guys have only been together four months with one maxi single and you made it to Kōhaku?" I asked suspiciously. They nodded. "I guess we're just lucky," Naomi supposed, smiling. "Lucky? Girl, we're not lucky. We're talented. My daddy said so the first time he listened to that song," Charisse insisted. "Bloody oath!" Sadie grunted, with a firm nod of the head.
"So, Davis... how'd you find this act?" Greg asked. The gogglehead started talking.
"All right, you guys are probably wondering how I discovered these girls. Well, it's long and complicated. While B.A. and his friends were busy with their band, I went to camp like I do every summer. It was there that DemiVeemon and I discovered Naomi, Sadie, Charisse, and Lily in the rec room practicing their instruments. They decided that since they had so much in common, including their love of Paisley Underground and power pop, they'd form a band and swear eternal loyalty to each other. I listened to them practice one of their songs."
["If She Knew What She Wants"
Written by Jules Shear
Performed by PurityxSpirited
Lead Vocals: Naomi Honda (Christine Marie Cabanos)
Backing/Lead Vocals: Charisse Matthews (Gina Bowes), Lily Livingston (Sandy Fox), Sadie Shimazaki (Shelby Lindley)]
The rec room has the TV unplugged and a number of power strips plugged in so it can fit all the equipment. Charisse taps out the beat as they begin.
Naomi:
Hoooooooo
If she knew what she wants
(Backing: He'd be givin' it to her)
If she knew what she needs
(Backing: He could give her that too)
If she knew what she wants
(Backing: But he can't see through her)
If she knew what she wants
He'd be givin' it to her
Givin' it to her
Sadie proves herself to be just as competent as Matt at the bass guitar.
Naomi:
She wants everything
(Backing: He can pretend to give her everything)
Or there's nothing she wants
(Backing: Butshe don't want to sort it out)
He's crazy for this girl
(Backing: But she don't know what she's lookin' for)
If she knew what she wants
He'd be givin' it to her
Givin' it to her
I'd say, "Her values are corrupted
But she's open to change"
Then one day she's satisfied
And the next I'll find her cryin'
And it's nothing she can explain
If she knew what she wants
(Backing: He'd be givin' it to her)
If she knew what she needs
( Backing: He could give her that too)
If she knew what she wants
( Backing: But he can't see through her)
If she knew what she wants
He'd be givin' it to her
Givin' it to her
Charisse/Lily/Sadie:
Givin' it to her
Naomi uses her free hand to snap her fingers during the transition to the bridge.
Naomi/Sadie:
Some have a style that they work hard to refine
Naomi:
So they walk a crooked line
Naomi/Sadie:
But she won't understand
Why anyone would have to try
Naomi:
To walk a line when they could fly?
During the instrumental break, Lily swivels her hips around as she prances back and forth three steps at a time with her neon pink microphone in hand. Davis watches on in amazement.
Naomi/Sadie/Lily (with Naomi on lead):
No sense thinkin', I could rehabilitate her
When she's fine, fine, fine
She's got so many ideas travelin' around in her head
She doesn't need nothin' from mine
Naomi:
If she knew what she wants
(Backing: He'd be givin' it to her)
If she knew what she needs
( Backing: He could give her that too)
If she knew what she wants
( Backing: But he can't see through her)
If she knew what she wants
He'd be givin' it to her
(Backing: Givin' it to her)
She wants everything
(Backing: He can pretend to give her everything)
Or there's nothing she wants
(Backing: She don't want to sort it out)
He's crazy for this girl
(Backing: But she don't know what she's lookin' for)
If she knew what she wants
He'd be givin' it to her
Givin' it to her
Sadie/Charisse/Lily:
He'd be givin' it to her
He can give her that too
But he can't see through her
Naomi:
Ooh, givin' it to her
Givin' it to her
The song ends, and Davis cheers from his hiding spot, startling the girls.
Davis
They were great, so I told them about my friends, The Teenage Wolves. That would be you guys. After camp, I secretly took them to DATS and asked Commander Sampson to give them the same deal you guys had. He thought it over.
"Hmmm... ladies, I'm afraid we don't have any partner Digimon for any of you, but we do have some experimental technology. One of our researchers, Dr. Spencer Damon, happened to stumble upon spirits during his recent studies in the Digital World," Sampson explained. "Spirits? You mean like g-g-g-ghosts?" Lily stuttered, hiding behind Charisse.
Kudamon filled them in. "Not necessarily. These are relics which are entrusted with the power of the Legendary Warriors, Mega-level Ancient Digimon that existed only in the distant past and represent the ten elemental attributes. Our organization has found all ten, but has found four extras. Those would be the Pure Spirits of Wood, Water, Earth, and Steel. If you qualified and your bodies were found to be compatible, you could transform using these spirits and then fight evil Digimon threatening to take over our world. We'd help you make it possible to travel the world and neutralize these threats. Not only would you spread your music to the world, but you'd also make the world a better place."
Sadie was the first to step forward, slamming her fist into her palm. "Sounds like it's worth a go. I'm in," she decided. Charisse pulled her back in. "Now wait just a minute, Sadie. We've gotta think this out first. What risks are there? Could we potentially die from this?" "That depends. It's always a possibility, but not a very high one if you know what you're doing," Sampson replied. "Aww what are you worrying about? Things like this just require a bit of intuition," Sadie argued. Naomi nodded. "I would think that if we're being possessed by spirits, they'll make sure nothing happens to us." Kudamon agreed. "Indeed. Based on research we've conducted, when a defeated Hybrid Digimon releases their Fractal Code, any Spirits they possess are presented first, and they must be taken before the user's natural Fractal Code can be absorbed. So there should be nothing to worry about."
So, the girls signed up, and pretty much went down the same path you did, only we were just luckier. I guess.
Thomas
"You mean my dad helped you girls become part of our team? That's awesome!" Marcus cheered. I had bigger issues. "Hmm... what slightly bothers me is the fact that Commander Sampson didn't tell us about you. There must be a reason. I'll make sure to ask him at the next opportunity," I informed the others. Matt put his hand on my shoulder. "You do that, Tommy boy. You do that. But first, we've got some last-minute rehearsals," he said. Then, he turned back to the ladies. "It was nice meeting you guys. Break a leg." "Chookas," Sadie said. I nodded, and we walked away. "Hey, Thomas... what are chookas?" Marcus asked. "Chickens. It's an Australian theatrical thing." "Oh."
Rehearsals were all right, I suppose. From what we could tell, the Digimon enjoyed it inside their Digivices. At the dinner break, we went into a private dressing room so we could let our Digimon stretch their legs. "Patamon/Veemon/Gabumon/Agumon/Gatomon/Renamon/Gaomon, realize!" Beams shot out of our devices as the Digimon appeared out of data and looked around. "Wow... so this is an actual dressing room. Pretty nice," Agumon said. Patamon flew around the room while Gaomon did some shadow boxing.
After we changed our clothes into our performance outfits, Matt gave our partners their final instructions for the night. "OK, so there's food and drinks in the fridge. The TV's tuned to the show. There's a bathroom behind that door over there, and try to stay out of trouble. OK?" "We promise," they vowed in unison. Gaomon looked to me. "Sir, in bocca al lupo!" he said. I grinned. "Crepi il lupo!" I returned.
"Yeah, good luck, Boss," Agumon added. The moment just after that came out of his mouth, Gaomon and Veemon covered it. The dinosaur pushed their hands away. "What? What'd I say?" he whined. "Agumon, you're not supposed to say 'good luck' on opening night," Gaomon informed him. He turned away. "Hmmph, it sure sounded better than what you were saying." "Translated from Italian, what I said was 'into the mouth of the wolf'. Master Thomas replied, 'may you kill the wolf'. It just so happens that this is used by opera singers the world over." "But I don't want the Boss to kill a wolf. I just want to wish him good luck."
"Then what you say is, 'break a leg,'" Veemon chimed in. "But I don't want him to break a leg either! That sounds awful!" Marcus went to his partner's side. "Agumon, I know what you meant. It's all a bunch of theatrical superstition, and I think it's stupid. Thanks." He gave his partner a playful punch on the shoulder, and the Digimon responded in kind.
Now for those of you who have never heard of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, the program divides the most popular music artists of the year into competing teams of red and white. The "red" team or "akagumi" is composed of all female artists (or groups with female vocals), while the "white" team or "shirogumi" is all male (or groups with male vocals). The Teenage Wolves had predominately male vocals despite having two female members, so we were part of the white team. Davis' band, PurityxSpirited, was part of the red team. The winner is determined through an overall head count, all from cellphone, ISDB-S viewers, 1seg users, and the NHK Hall Audience (including guests).
From backstage, we watched the girls perform on a monitor.
["I'll Set You Free"
Written by Eric Lowen, Dan Navarro, and Susanna Hoffs
Performed by PurityxSpirited
Lead Vocals: Naomi Honda (Christine Marie Cabanos)
Backing/Lead Vocals: Charisse Matthews (Gina Bowes), Lily Livingston (Sandy Fox), Sadie Shimazaki (Shelby Lindley)]
The band appears with their instruments as Charisse plays a forceful intro on the drums. A spotlight shines on Naomi as she starts the song.
Naomi:
I remember eyes that shined
As they looked so hard back into mine
Naomi/Band:
Now it's just a memory
So I'll set you free
The lights fully come on as the band plays. Naomi's wearing a gold headset microphone, suiting her "persona" as a DJ. Her outfit consists of a turquoise top with thin straps tied into bows on her shoulders, a ruffled neckline and a ribbon tied around her waist, a turquoise skirt made of sweatpants material and detailed with gold trim, and pink pumps with pictures of geishas. Charisse is steady as a rock on the drums. She's decided to go for a strapless dress in a deep forest-green color with origami-style petals highlighted with a vivid lime-green stretched across the front and an elegant shape hugging her body. Her ears are sporting bulky triangular-shaped gold hoops, and she's made the somewhat controversial choice of wearing brown sandals on her feet.
Naomi:
I hear you through the wire
The words all sound like noise
What happened to the fire in your voice?
Don't try to hide the distance
It's just too big to ignore
We work it out like business
It won't work anymore
Naomi/Band:
I remember eyes that shined
As they looked so hard back into mine
Now it's just a memory
So I'll set you free
(Sadie: I'll set you free) (Lily/Charisse: Ah) I'll set you free
Lily struts from side to side about four steps at a time as she provides backup vocals. She's switched out for a light-turquoise ballet outfit with an off-the-shoulders neckline and long sheer sleeves, an elaborite white-trimmed bodice and a long, sheer skirt cut in different layers. Quite daring for an 11-year-old. She's also wearing light-pink ballet shoes with satin ribbons laced around her ankles. Sadie is much more conservative and masculine with bright light-green sequined shirt that is loose on her with a lop-sided neck, dropped short sleeves and a black strap over her right shoulder. She also wears pink zebra-striped skinny jeans and purple ankle boots. Naomi looks straight ahead and smiles at a random person in the audience, a common tactic used to counter stage fright. From backstage, the Teenage Wolves look impressed. Greg and Rika even manage to get an impromptu dance in.
Naomi:
Still sometimes late at night
Moonlight comes into my window
I can make believe it's how it used to be
We made it look so easy
You never tried to resist
Somehow you stopped believing
Somehow we've come to this
Naomi/Band:
I remember eyes that shined
As they looked so hard back into mine
Now it's just a memory
So I'll set you free
I remember words that fell
Like coins into a wishing well
This was never meant to be
So I'll set you free
(Sadie: I'll set you free) (Lily/Charisse: Ah) I'll set you free
Naomi:
So now I must go on
What more can I do?
What good is being strong
Naomi/Band:
When all I ever really want is you?
It looks like the audience is enjoying it. The girls are looking especially good on ultra-high-definition television. Lily is just playing it up for the camera, and the crowd is loving it. Sadie gets a good run in on her guitar. Now we return to the beginning for a bit.
Naomi:
I remember eyes that shined
As they looked so hard back into mine
Naomi/Band:
Now it's just a memory
So I'll set you free
I remember words that fell
Like coins into a wishing well
This was never meant to be
So I'll set you free
(Sadie: I'll set you free) (Lily/Charisse: Ah) I'll set you free
Charisse/Sadie:
I remember eyes that shined
(Naomi: I remember)
As they looked so hard back into mine
(Lily: All I want is you)
(Naomi: All I want is you)
Charisse/Sadie:
(Naomi: I remember, ahh)
I remember words that fell
Like coins into a wishing well
(Lily: All I want is you)
Naomi:
'Cause you want what I want, 'cause you want what I want-aaay-oooh
ohh ohh
Charisse/Sadie:
I remember eyes that shined
(Naomi: I remember)
As they looked so hard back into mine
(Lily: All I want is you ooh, all I want is you)
As the song fades to an end, the audience cheers.
Matt
"Not bad. Not bad at all," I said to myself. They certainly had talent, and brought The Bangles into the 21st century. It was hard to believe, but Davis had actually done something right with these girls.
After they'd had their chat with the hosts, the show went to a commercial break. We had two performances until it was our turn, so we had time to congratulate them. I just stood there with my arms folded and a half-grin, half-smirk on my face as they walked by. "Not bad, ladies," I said. Sadie walked up close and brought my chin up with her finger. "You really think so? Let's see you do any better," she said, letting my chin go and walking away.
Greg just smiled. "Dang. Why didn't you get her number?" he asked. "Because I'm already spoken for. Her name's Sora, remember?" "Oh." "Why don't you get her number?" "I think I just might." So, he did.
Gaomon
I found PurityxSpirited to be quite spirited indeed. They had their talent, and I would be more than happy to produce them. We found our dressing room to be quite spacious, so we took advantage of it. I even locked the door just for extra security.
Agumon checked the fridge. "Aww man, they don't have any fried eggs," he complained. Patamon chomped down on an apple, while Gatomon and Renamon shared a bottle of milk. Veemon split up the non-refrigerated junk food with Gabumon as the two chowed down.
Matt
It was almost our turn, so we made a last-minute strategy. "T.K., I'm taking you off the guitar solo and off backup vocals. Thomas, Greg, you're in," I decided. "But Matt, you said I could have the guitar solo," T.K. protested. "I've changed my mind. In case you've forgotten, little brother, this is my band. The audience needs to know that." Marcus shook his head. "Man, that's cold. Jealous much?" he asked. "Quiet, Marcus," I snapped.
We made our way on stage. This was it, our big moment. I was determined not to let my little brother take it from me.
["If You Could Only See"
Written by Emerson Hart
Performed by The Teenage Wolves
Lead Vocal: Yamato "Matt" Ishida (Michael Reisz)
Backing Vocals: Greg Logan (Doug Erholtz) and Thomas H. Norstein (Crispin Freeman)]
The performance starts with a dark stage. Suddenly, a spotlight shines on Matt, while T.K. plays the acoustic guitar part in the darkness.
Matt:
If you could only see the way she loves me
Then maybe you would understand
Why I feel this way about our love
And what I must do
If you could only see how blue
Her eyes can be when she says
When she says she loves me
Suddenly, the lights flash on as the entire set up starts playing, with Kari vigorously on percussion, Rika on keyboards, and Thomas stepping from side to side by his mic. Greg plays the electric guitar part while T.K. switches to an electric. Matt joins in on bass, and leans into the mic. They're in the back, because a group of dancers dressed in costumes that could best be described as "Dawson's Creek chic" surround them on the sides and on the stage above them in their passionate routine. The lights behind them flash in various colors.
Matt:
Well you've got your reasons
And you've got your lies
And you've got your manipulations
They cut me down to size
Sayin' you love but you don't
You give your love but you won't
Matt/Backing:
If you could only see the way she loves me
Then maybe you would understand
Why I feel this way about our love
And what I must do
If you could only see how blue
Her eyes can be when she says
When she says she loves me
The dance action moves now to a young man and a young woman, who appear to be chasing each other down in some sort of paso doble/slap slap kiss routine.
Matt:
Seems the road less traveled
Shows happiness unraveled
And you've got to take a little dirt
To keep what you love
That's what you gotta do
Sayin' you love but you don't
You give your love but you won't
You're stretching out your arms
To something that's just not there
Sayin' you love where you stand
Give your heart when you can
Matt/Backing:
If you could only see the way she loves me
Then maybe you would understand
Why I feel this way about our love
And what I must do
If you could only see how blue
Her eyes can be when she says
When she says she loves me
T.K. gets a guitar solo of his own, wowing the audience. He waves to Greg to hold off, deciding to take fate into his own hands. Matt looks livid at this, but soldiers on as if he'd planned it all along. Sora, who is sitting in the audience, is just loving this, as she claps in rhythm with the rest of them. The dancers continue on. This looks like it's going to be a major success.
Matt:
Sayin' you love but you don't
You give your love but you won't, she won't
Sayin' you love where you stand
Give your heart when you can
Matt/Backing:
If you could only see the way she loves me
Then maybe you would understand
Why I feel this way about our love
And what I must do
Matt:
If you could only see how blue
Her eyes can be when she says
When she says she loves me
The crowd cheers as the band humbly bows. As Matt's and T.K.'s eyes meet, the older brother has daggers in his.
T.K.
The white team ended up winning the whole thing, and the entire experience was really fun. I got to meet all kinds of new friends in the music industry, snagged some free CDs, and even took a few great photos. Even Matt seemed happy... until we rode home in Dad's van.
"I can't believe you, Takeru! I specifically told you not to take the guitar solo, and what did you do?! You took it anyway! This is my band, you hear me!?" he ranted. "Matt, knock it off," Dad sharply told him. "Yeah, you're starting to sound like a butt-hurt brat," Marcus added. "You shut up! To think, I was betrayed by my own brother!" Matt went on.
Dad pressed hard on the brakes and pulled over, then turned back to my brother and laid down the law. "All right, now listen up. You were just part of Japan's biggest music program. Your team won that, and now you're acting like this? I thought you wanted to be different. I thought you didn't want to get caught up in the hype. You need a huge serving of humility, so that's why you're grounded for two weeks!" "Ground me? You've got to be crazy!" "No dates with Sora, no hanging out with the guys, just your obligations and school. You come straight home after work and complete the housework." "Screw you!" "In that case, a month!" "What!?" "Yamato Youto Ishida... you are still 17 and still a minor, and I am your father. I don't care how much of a star you are, you have no right to talk to me like that!" Matt just snorted. "Whatever. It's not even my fault." He carried that sullen pout with him the rest of the way home. He didn't even look at me when I got out. I was shocked. I'd never seen Dad be that stern with him, ever.
I had to wonder, what was happening to Matt? This wasn't like him at all. So, before I went to bed, I left a message on his phone. "Hey, Matt. Happy new year. Look, I'm sorry about disobeying you. I know this was your big moment, but it was mine too. It belonged to all of us. But, you are the leader, and that is no excuse. I'm really, really sorry." I laid back on my bed. "I'm worried about you, too. It's like you're going back to those moments in the Digital World, right after I trashed Puppetmon's place. I hope you and I can make things better. I really do. …. Stay strong, big bro. I love you." Then, I hung up and let out a sigh.
Patamon flew to my side. "Is he gonna have to find himself again?" he asked me. I shrugged. "Maybe. I just don't know. We've been through worse things before, but never like this. I truly, honestly, hope, that he comes to peace with himself." I rubbed my partner on the head. "Me too, T.K. Me too."
A few days later, Dad forwarded me a video on YouTube. "Thought you might like it," he had typed. I clicked on it, and Patamon and I watched together.
The video starts with Hiroaki Ishida sitting at his desk at Fuji TV, with his feet on the table. He thinks about lighting up a cigarette, but decides against it. "Hi, Matt, and all of Matt's fans. This is his father, Hiroaki Ishida, ace reporter for FNN Supernews. The reason I'm here is that on the morning of January 1st, after the 63rdKōhaku Uta Gassen, you started ranting and yelling at your little brother T.K. over a guitar solo. In effect, you were acting like a jerk, even shouting 'Screw you' at me. Now, I've never disciplined you for something this harsh before. I mean, we've had our differences, but usually we get along quite famously. That's not surprising since you and I are the only people in the apartment. Yet, ever since your band, The Teenage Wolves, rocketed into stardom, you've changed. I don't understand why. I've never let the fame of working at Fuji TV go to my head, but you've let this get to yours. And worse off, you yelled at your brother. I know for a fact you'd do anything for him, and I've seen that many times.
Maybe T.K. was in the wrong to take that guitar solo when he wasn't supposed to, but you need a major lesson in humility. As a reporter, I read a lot of news stories on my downtime. That way, I can stay informed. One of my favorite sections is entertainment, because I look for you. Up to now, you haven't done anything questionable. You haven't gone to rehab or been arrested, and I'm proud of you for that. In fact, I'm so proud, I want to keep it that way. Now that you're in the public eye, you have to accept the responsibility of being a good example to teenagers around the world. Your mother and I named you and your brother after Yamato Takeru, a Japanese legendary prince of the Yamato dynasty." He chews on a pencil. "What really gets my proverbial goat is the amount of disrespect I have seen come from you, especially after I've done so much for you. It was me who suggested your music for one of Fuji's shows. I managed to get you on Music Fair, the longest running music show in Japan. In fact, you probably wouldn't have made the Kōhaku without my help. I've sunk to the very depths of nepotism for you, and you think you have the right to disrespect me? I don't think so." He straightens up.
"Now, Matt, I realize that when I put this video up on YouTube, for everyone to see, I'm going to contribute to this media circus. I'm perfectly aware that there's no such thing as bad publicity. I work in the media, so I know what 'Succès de scandale' is. If anything, this little talk will probably boost sales. You have to consider what kind of a public image you want to create for yourself, Yamato. Once it's created, that image will be hard to shake. You'll have to live with that for the rest of your life. Now, luckily for you, nobody knew about this incident. Until now. I want you to call your brother and apologize. Then, I want you to post this apology on T.K.'s fan page, because I know he has one. You'll also post it on yours, because you have one. I'm going to repeat to you what I said that night. You are grounded until February 1st, 2013. No dates with Sora, no hanging out with the guys, just your obligations with the label and school. You come straight home after work and complete your household responsibilities. If anything like this happens again, I will have a word with your manager.
And Matt, just so you know, I spoke with your mother. She claims T.K. apologized to you, and I believe him. She feels the exact same way I do. Just because we're not married doesn't mean we don't work together on matters like this. So, you just think about this carefully. Think long and hard. I wouldn't do this if I didn't love you. Goodbye for now." Then, he gets up and turns off the camera.
Author's Notes:
The apparel descriptions came largely from IrishDreamer4.
As of this chapter being published, the white team has won 35 of the 64 Kōhaku Uta Gassen contests.
I got the idea for Hiroaki's video from a video posted on YouTube by Tommy Jordan. Her daughter posted a rather nasty message to her parents on her Facebook wall. Mr. Jordan found out, read the letter out loud, addressed it, and then shot her laptop with a .45 all in a video. As of this writing, the video has 38,970,869 views.