Ranma Half Moon 2: Phrase White - Chapter 4 - The Power of Gravitation - Part 4

Earlier that day:

Aino Minako stands in front of the hotel where she had her idol singer audition. Wow, twenty-five rejections in a row. And, I am not getting any younger. Minako sighs dejectedly.

"Oh, excuse me?"

Minako turns to see a fashionably dressed older girl. "May I help you?"

"I just want to say that I was very moved by your audition performance."

"Thanks, but it wasn't enough to win."

"I also got to the finals, but it was because of my looks. In the end, it wasn't enough either."

Wow, first that Mio Kuroki girl last month. Now this girl. Usually auditions are really lonely affairs, but this is a welcome change. Minako nods. "Have you auditioned many times?"

"Seventy-six times. I am tempted to just tell my father to buy a talent agency."

Minako laughs. "Well, even if I could do that, I wouldn't want to. If the talent agents don't think I am ready, then they are probably right. What if I was chosen and I really wasn't ready? That would be the worst to debut and put on a poor showing."

The girl nods. "Wow, I have never thought of that. You are really wise. What is your name?"

"Minako."

"I am Mizuki. It's written with the kanji for spirituality. Hey, I know a place where we can go that will definitely lift your spirits. My spirits are always lifted when I go there."

"Is it expensive?"

"Yes, but it will be my treat."

"Okay, I guess."

...

Minako and Mizuki enter the study hall. They see the six members of the Host club fawning over someone that they cannot see because the members tightly surround this person.

"Hello?"

Tamaki slips away from the group. "Princess Mizuki. Your presence is always a blessing for this club. And, you have brought a friend?"

"My name is Minako."

"Minako, what a beautiful name. Let me introduce you to the other host club members."

"Host club? This is a high school, right?"

"We are the Ouran High School Host Club." Tamaki introduces Minako to the other members by their first names.

"And, who is that guy?"

Ranma partially breaks out of the group and he and Minako see each other for the first time. Both get an overwhelming sense of deja vu.

Tamaki smiles. "This is an honored guest of ours, Ranma."

Ranma uses this as an opportunity to escape the grasp of Hani and Mori. "Well, thanks for the hospitality, but I really must go to the cafeteria."

Tamaki points to a back door. "One left and down a flight of stairs. It will be right there."

Ranma runs off before the Host Club members can surround him again.

Minako stares in wonder. "He is very lively."

"He is a great martial artist. Many members of the club are his fans. Now, which member of the host club do you want to be your host?"

Minako looks over the group. She points to Hani-chan. "How old is he?"

"I'm seventeen."

Minako nods. "Well, I would like to play along with this game, but I think there has been a misunderstanding somewhere. I think that you guys could get in a lot of trouble having me here."

Tamaki looks troubled. "Why is that, princess?"

"I'm just finishing seventh grade. I'm thirteen years old."

The club members face plant.

Tamaki regains his composure. "Princess, you misunderstand the club. Nothing inappropriate goes on here. We merely have tea and cake with our clients and flirt with them."

Mizuki nods. "It's true. None of the clients expect to get anywhere with the hosts because the hosts are so out of our league."

Minako ponders this. Wait a second. Maybe I am not passing the auditions because I lack the "out of your league" quality? Maybe if I hang out a bit, I can pick up some tips. "Well, if it's just that, then I will be happy to stay."

"Wonderful. Now, who will you pick?"

"Well, I have always thought it would be cool to have two boys fawn over me. How about the two guys who look like twins?"

"We are twins."

Tamaki giggles. "This is Hitachiin Hikaru and Hitachiin Kaoru."

"Great. I choose them."

...

Ranma climbs up the stairs to the elevated platform of the F4. Only Jadero is waiting for him. "You have another challenge?"

Jadero nods and invites Ranma to sit down. "Yes, but not a challenge to fight. Zoiki just wanted you to read some more of his lyrics and give your honest opinion."

"If I say that they suck, will I get red carded?"

Jadero bursts out laughing. "You don't go to this school. What good would that do? Besides, the whole red carding thing is an elaborate scam."

"What?"

"The parents of one of our friends had to move to Europe for business. Our friend wanted to go as well since he didn't really fit in with the school very well. We offered him a large amount of money to endure hazing for one day. He then pretended to disrespect the F4 openly and loudly. We put the red card on his locker and then had several students on our payroll spread the news that he had to be punished and that anyone who didn't punish him would be red carded as well. It worked pretty well. After it was over, our friend said that he enjoyed the experience. The next day he moved to Europe, so everyone thought that the red card experience caused him to drop out of school. After that the legend took on a life of its own, even though we never red carded anyone again."

"Slick."

"Now, on the other hand, I cannot say with certainty that nothing bad will happen to you if you say that Zoiki's lyrics are crap. And, that's not because I would do anything, because I would not. But, Zoiki is a passionate artist, and it is conceivable that he would go after you."

"A lot of good that did him last time."

Jadero laughs. "Indeed."

"So, I might as well look at them."

Jadero hands him the lyrics.

Ranma looks at the lyrics carefully. He tries saying them in his head and then tries to see if he can find a rhythm to the syllables. Finally, Ranma shakes his head. "These lyrics suck."

Jadero takes back the lyrics and looks at them closely. "For what it is worth, I agree with you. However, I would watch your back."

"No problem. Oh, by the way, a friend of mine wanted your autograph."

Jadero laughs and signs the autograph notebook.

...

Minako goes to leave. "Thanks so much for your club. I forgot all about not winning the idol audition."

Kaoru smiles. "I'm sure that you will succeed next time."

Minako giggles. "Who knows? Maybe I will win, become an idol, transfer to this school, and join this club as a host?"

Kyoya smirks. "A girl in the host club? That will be the day."

Mizuki comes up to Minako. "Let me walk you out."

Mizuki and Minako leave the host club room.

"You were so cool! Hey Minako, do you have an agency?"

"Why would I have one? I've failed all my idol auditions."

"No, for modeling. Here's a business card for the agency that I'm in. Even if you don't get any work, it makes you stand out in an audition if you give them your modeling card."

"Me? A model?"

"The agency does a lot of cool and offbeat stuff. I think you would fit in."

"Can I think about it?"

"Sure."

To Be Continued