What's up?
Nothing better than going home
after a long and disturbing flight.
Find out what it was like to go back to Japan...
Chapter 6 - Return
POV OFF
The plane is preparing to land, so everyone stops talking to adjust their seats. The seat belts are buckled, securing them, and the seats return to their upright position, as all safety measures dictate.
Even though they had traveled by plane many times before, the moment of landing was always an insecurity. Uruha is holding Aoi's hand and his other hand is firmly gripping the armrest of his seat. Of all the people there, he is the only one who is still frightened by the dream, his skin is still cold and he is still sweating.
Now it's because of the normal turbulence that the plane goes through to descend onto the runway. Ruki and Reita, who are sitting in the seats behind them, are also apprehensive and stand firm, trying not to show that they are afraid.
On the other side of the aisle, Kai seemed much calmer and was already holding his belongings. He got ready and put on his glasses and his trusty black hat. Next to him was the translator who had buckled his belt. He was trembling with fear and was praying to show the leader that he was afraid too.
A few minutes of anguish and apprehension are felt, until the pilot announces that a perfect, safe landing has been made, causing all that fear to dissipate. Uruha and Aoi let go of each other's hands and begin to collect their electronics and hand luggage.
They got up one at a time and headed for the exit corridor, always thanking the stewardesses for taking care of them during the flight and helping them after that nightmare. Being very nice, they reciprocate by leaning towards them.
As they make their way to the exit door, their legs are still a little numb, so they walk more slowly than usual, but the expressions on their faces are still frightened.
As they descended the stairs, they noticed that it was already getting dark. The sun on the horizon was about to disappear, giving way to a large moon. They made their way to the airport's main entrance to collect their bags.
The entourage consisted of seven people, so they put on their sunglasses, masks and hats, because as soon as they passed into the arrivals hall there were always some fans waiting to welcome them. They had to wait for the staff to guide them to the van without causing too much commotion and confusion.
As always, they are greeted by the fans and are always willing to thank each and every one of them who was there, waiting just to see them for a short time. Some gifts and cards are placed in the trolleys and others are thrown to them, which they quickly pick up, as the security guards and staff make them go straight to the van.
The last to enter is Uruha, who manages to wave and blow a kiss, causing some fans to hug each other and fall into tears. After all, a single gesture of affection from them is very important to the sixth member of the band, and then the van drives away.
(...)
The staff who is driving is the producer's new hire to follow them for the short time they've come to stay in Japan.
The young man looks young, around twenty. He's of medium height, has green eyes and blond hair that's frayed. He wears a ring in his right ear and some earrings in his left, as well as some rings, bracelets and his nails are painted black.
He has a tattoo on his wrist of the Ankh, the well-known ansata cross, which in Egyptian hieroglyphic writing is the symbol of life. He's wearing one of the black zippered sweatshirts with symbols of the band and The Gazette on the back, a white T-shirt underneath and jeans and black boots.
- Wow, I've missed my country, even though the tour has been great," exclaims Uruha excitedly.
- But nothing's better than being able to go home for a while," says Reita, looking out of the van's window, feeling anxious to be back.
- I'll be able to rest in my bed with my pillow, " celebrates Aoi, feeling nostalgic.
- It's too short a time. Ten days go by fast and we've already lost two just on the plane - laments Kai, analyzing how little time they have before returning to the tour.
- Don't get too excited, we've got some appointments already booked during this stay - reminds Ruki, spoiling the joy of everyone in the van.
- Taka, you're extremely annoying. We haven't even arrived yet and you already want to work," grumbles Reita, already wanting to punch Ruki.
- A little peace is good for you. "On the next tour I'll put together our schedule," said Kai, taking the printed sheet from Ruki's hand.
- With more time to get to know the countries we play, please. So far we've only seen the pyramids in Mexico. - Uruha remembers the only tour they did was in 2013 when they started taking The Gazette to other countries.
- This routine of shows, rehearsals, concerts, photos and video editing is too tiring. I want a vacation and a bit of rest," says Aoi, wishing she had time to practice her hobby of fishing. But with so much work, he hasn't had the peace to do that for a long time.
They continue to discuss the schedule, rehearsals and other things about the next countries the tour will pass through. The journey from the airport to the first residence takes almost an hour, and they're visibly tired and a lot less terrified, because they don't even remember the nightmare they had.
- Don't forget, there's a rehearsal at the record company in two days' time, and it'll be early in the morning. Get a good night's sleep, okay? Three days later we'll go to the radio station, the one with the glass. We've been invited for an interview and then there'll be a cocktail party. - Ruki goes over the schedule with them again.
- I don't care about any of that. I just want to eat and go to bed. - Aoi is tired of Ruki just talking about work.
- Takanori, you need to get more sleep, love me more and worry less, " Reita warns, holding Ruki's hands with one hand and holding her chin towards him with the other.
- "Yuu, after you've left your things in your apartment, could you buy us some food for dinner at home? I don't have anything to eat, " asks Uruha in a somewhat tired and sleepy tone.
- I'll see if there's anything left in the fridge, I want to cook a bit. I want to make some home-cooked food because I'm tired of eating fast food. - Kai reinforces his taste for cooking his own dishes.
(...)
Some time later, the van arrives at its destination, a neighborhood a little away from the center of Tokyo. The cameras and the translator stop there, get off with their luggage, say goodbye and go on their way.
The van heads towards the center where Ruki's apartment is. It's a very beautiful building, all mirrored and with many floors. It was built and designed recently and yes, it has luxurious apartments with only two per floor.
It has two suites, a closet for clothes and shoes, followed by two bathrooms: one with a Jacuzzi and the other with a vertical shower. There is a large kitchen and a living room with three areas: a TV room, a dining room and a guest room.
Your apartment is on the rooftop next to the pool with a beautiful view of Tokyo. There is a studio on the first floor with the latest technology for famous musicians and artists. It's just north of Reita's apartment. Takanori bought his penthouse after his last tour.
As soon as the stop is made, Ruki says goodbye to everyone, as they won't meet for rehearsal for another two days. He starts to gather his belongings, the staff hand over his luggage and he walks into the lobby, turning to wave at the van that is driving away to its next destination.
A couple of blocks ahead, we see a building that isn't as luxurious and new as Ruki's. Its design resembles old buildings. Its design resembles old buildings from Japan's imperial period, but it has now been renovated and has more vibrant and modern colors.
It has only ten floors, with four apartments per floor, but anyone who thinks they are small is mistaken: they are very spacious with a living room, two bedrooms with bathrooms, a laundry room, an office area and a large kitchen with a view of the lights of Tokyo's bustling center.
Reita moved in a while ago. She also has a covered garage to store her new car, as in her old apartment her car was outside in the rain, sun and snow.
Like his colleagues, he comes down with his belongings. The staff take his suitcase out of the trunk, hand it to him and then, wishing him a good rest, he says goodbye and enters the building, assisted by the doorman.
It would be better if they lived closer to each other, because since they left the airport, they've been driving around in vans for almost two hours on this route. There was still Aoi, who lives in an apartment to the east of Ruki's, which is also in the city center, and to the west of Uruha's house, which is in a family neighborhood a little away from the noise and lights of the city center.
Kai, on the other hand, has a colonial-style house in a gated community to the south of the center. A wooded area contrasts with the buildings, lights and movement of Tokyo's streets. He is the next to get off the van. This residential complex tries to recapture the models of typical Japanese houses, with wooden floors and rice paper doors, dividing the rooms into two bedrooms, a living room and dining room opening onto a balcony with a winter garden.
The kitchen is fully equipped with the latest appliances, a fridge with an LCD display, internet connectivity and a screen so you can see inside without opening the door, an electric cooktop, a microwave and a dishwasher built into the marble sink and a marble counter with four velvet chairs around it for meals.
He says goodbye to his colleagues and enters the condominium with one of those electric trolleys, the doorman puts his luggage inside and they both head for the house.
Only Aoi and Uruha are still in the van, which is heading towards the brunette's apartment. His building looks modern, as it is located in the center, but it is not very tall. There are large windows in the bedrooms which offer an incredible view of the city of Tokyo, a very spacious suite with a king size bed with lots of pillows, a wardrobe with sliding doors with a mirror on one of the doors, a bathroom with a bathtub and a space that should be a closet where he leaves his guitar to practice and go over the songs from the show.
The living room has more rustic wooden furniture with decorations and ornaments about fishing. The kitchen isn't very big, followed by a laundry area with a balcony. Aoi recently moved into it to be closer to the studio and the record label.
Meanwhile, in the van, Aoi and Uruha talk about the food.
- Yuu, is Konbini* still open? - Uruha asks.
- Shima, I think so, because it just got dark. It only closes after 10pm," replies Aoi.
- Yuu, don't take too long then, I'm very hungry," murmurs Uruha sweetly.
- What would you like to eat, Kou? I'm also going to buy a portion of dango, momiji manju and a soft drink, maybe I'll order some ramen," says Aoi.
- You know that my favorite is mentai korokke bento and bubble tea, but if you don't have any, it can be lámen and a soft drink, " said Uruha, shaking his shoulders.
- "It'll take me about an hour to do the shopping and get to your house," says Aoi, looking at the time on her cell phone.
- All right, I'll put my luggage away and have a shower while I wait for you to arrive. Don't forget to take a copy of your key, " says Uruha, looking at her boyfriend.
The van arrives at its destination, stopping in front of a very nice building with a few floors and a large blind on the façade, a guardhouse with a doorman and an awning leading to the entrance door. Aoi bids farewell to the staff who were driving and as soon as they hand him his luggage, he waves to Uruha and says he'll be there soon with the food. The doorman comes to meet him and takes care of his bags, taking them into the building.
Finally, only Uruha is left in the van. The journey home will take another 15 or 20 minutes.
Final Notes
Konbini _ is the name of a grocery store in Japan.
That's how I imagine where they live in Japan.
Did you like each of their homes?
Leave your theories in the comments.
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Translated with DeepL