Hehe, I am back. Hoho.
I guess this is part of that mini-series I mentioned before.
Hehe.
Enjoy~
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Inside Looking OutLife can be surprising sometimes. It throws the things you least expect at you, and it sometimes hits at an angle that you never thought it could possibly come from. It gives no warnings, takes no prisoners, and before you know it, you're already in the situation wondering how it all got to that point in the first place.
"Gaki-saaaaaaaaaaan~" Eri was whining loudly as she tugged on Risa's arm. I flick a glance at them neutrally as Eri badgered Risa to go out to a new dessert place with her, before returning to my own reflection in the mirror with a serious eye.
Hmm, should I go with their pair of earrings or the other one? I hold up one set against the other, studying both with a critical eye. Behind me, Reina was paying careful attention to her own hair, turning to Sayu and asking if it looked fine. Naturally, the resident bunny gave a positive answer. I suspect Sayu would almost always will give someone what they want to hear unless it's obvious that a lie cannot possibly be perpetuated in the situation.
"Tanaka-san!" Aika's voice rings clearly in the dressing room; the girl had gotten more outspoken after settling in. I guess that's a good thing. I would hate for anyone to feel left out.
"Linlin, do you think I should go with this set of earrings or the other one?" I found myself asking the young Chinese girl next to me. Pausing in her own makeup, she turns to scrutinize my face with exaggerated care.
"The pink one." That was not Linlin's voice. I did not turn around, instead staring at Reina's reflection in the mirror. She had one arm thrown casually around Aika's shoulders, the two of them looking like old time pals from way back. Somehow, the thought of Aika being a yankii in any shape or form at one point or another made me want to giggle and shrink in horror at the same time. Don't you think so too? I chuckle to myself, drawing strange looks from more than one person. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with the rest of them. Can't they see the obvious? Hmm. How strange.
Linlin looks like she is about to voice her alternative opinion, since her eyes were still fixed on the shiny dangling earrings in my other hand, but apparently she didn't feel like disagreeing with Reina, so she didn't say anything. I guess that's only normal. Reina doesn't take disagreement very well.
"Pink huh..." I find myself saying as I lifted the pink accessories. They aren't so bad. A bit loud and almost childish, but then again, considering some of our stage costumes this time, it wouldn't look too terribly out of place. With a shrug, I put down the metallic earrings and start fastening on the pink ones. At least they look cute.
Reina turns away, chattering to both Aika and Koharu at the same time. I wonder how she keeps track of multiple conversations at the same time. I find it somewhat exhausting to even keep up with one sometimes. A bright flash makes me blink. Another picture? They sure do love taking pictures of themselves in the dressing room. Oh well, keeps the fanclub happy.
"Ai-chan! Don't just sit there~" Sayu hops over to my side, spinning me on my chair to face outwards, positioning herself next to me as she held her phone up.
"Say cheese~" Before I could even think up a response, I am staring blankly up with bemusement, one hand still clutching my other earring, and the other in an instinctive peace sign next to my cheek. Camera-trained, I guess. It's for work, after all.
A click and whirr, then Sayu detaches herself from me with a grin, showing me the shot she just took. Hmm, I suppose I look alright...could be better though. Sigh. I wish I looked better in photos...
"Mou, Ai-chan, are you done yet?" Risa's voice. She must have gotten free from Eri somehow. I glance around. I hadn't noticed, but Eri was now with Junjun. That was quick.
"Yeah I'm just checking my makeup now..." I reply, giving myself another once over as I swung back to face the mirror. I guess I don't look too terrible. I quickly fasten the other earring on before standing up.
"What's up, Gaki-san?" I don't call her Risa at work. I don't know why. I must have called her Risa-chan at some point, early on in our career. Somewhere along the way, it just happened. Things just change. And now we find ourselves standing at the head of the team. I guess that's just how it is.
"Manager-san wants to talk to you outside." Ah, she must have been told on her way in, because I don't remember being told beforehand. I came into the dressing room early after all.
"Alright." I glance around the room. We are as chaotic and noisy as usual, in our own little dressing room that we share as one group. It really does feel like family, in its own way.
Risa stands next to me. She has a motherly air to her, I notice. And what does that make me? I run one hand through my hair. It's getting longer, but the higher-ups would have a fit if I cut it off again without consulting with them. I sigh. Back to having to deal with hair sticking to my neck during concerts again, I guess. How annoying.
"I'll take care of the kids while you're gone." Risa smiles indulgently at the rest, and at me too, I suppose. Sometimes I feel like a child. Sometimes I
want to be a child. Oh well.
"I leave everything up to you then." I smile at her gratefully. Genuine gratitude. If she had not been here to support me, if everyone had not been here to support me, could I have been able to go on in this role of mine? Even now, sometimes I still feel like I'm not ready. Can this wavering heart really be one of a leader? Somehow, I doubt it.
She smiles back at me. I nod and turn away, heading for the exit. Behind me, I hear Eri latching on to Risa, with Junjun in tow this time. I hear Reina trying to force Aika to eat chocolate again, with Koharu most likely stealing sweets from them in the meantime. I hear all my girls, my colleagues, my friends, all behind me, even if I'm not that much of a leader and don't have much of a commanding presence. Would anyone notice if I slip out of the room otherwise?
"Oi Ai-chan, can you help me with my nails later?"
"Reina~ I can help you with it~"
"Sayu! I don't want bunnies on my nails!"
"But they're cute~"
"Maa, Michishige-san, I think Tanaka-san wants a different opinion, don't you think?"
I laugh at them, then shake my head helplessly as I open the door, leaving them behind as I step outside.
Closing it behind me, I lean briefly against it, my back covering the sign that says "Morning Musume" on it. Head bowed, I am still smiling.
It's nice to be noticed. Still smiling, I straighten up and walk off.
Time to get down to work.
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One more facet.
Everyone sees things differently.
Ai is always in her own little world, don't you think?
Comment freely~
Topic: Estrea's Sandbox [6/4 - Treat] (Read 239251 times)