This one is pretty intense, I guess…but I hope you will enjoy it and remember comments are love
Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes but my eyes are already red and swollen in a second I will lose my eyesight
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Track 3. JealousThe atmosphere in the studio was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Girls’ faces adopted gloomy, tired look as the silence between the two “opponents” was prolonging into endlessness. However, just minutes ago everything was perfectly fine. After eight hours, they had finally ended the recording of their single and the feeling of accomplishment was drawn all over their faces as they attentively listened to the fruit of their work. Tension and stress gathered during the recording, disappeared as if with a wave of a magic wand. But now…
Wrinkled forehead, knitted eyebrows, eyes that wanted to burn a hole in you, small lips tightly shut and crossed arms. There was no mistake Risa was angry and that was putting it mildly because to be honest she made an impression of fury boiling inside of her and waiting just to be released what probably would result in crushing the nearest object within her reach and that happened to be her guitar…
Ai hoped that Gaki’s love to the instrument was much bigger than the wrath she felt. At the same time, a bit intimidated vocalist who nervously was biting her lips while avoiding her sub-leader’s glare was desperately trying to figure out what had she possibly done to offend her friend and turn her into enraged
something that surely wasn’t her best friend. It couldn’t be because she’d forgotten to mention something so irrelevant, could it?
Gaki sure liked to overreact but that was too much even for her. She could at least wait until they were alone…Speaking of which did someone intend to help her?
Discreetly she glanced over her band mates but none of them showed any intention of saving her from this hopeless situation. Reina was idly waving her legs while sitting on the control console behind Risa’s back, Sayumi lent against the glass door with bored expression and next to her stood Eri who was staring into nothingness, waiting for everything and nothing at the same time.
Ai sighed in her mind,
“thanks guys” . She was done, when it came to dealing with angry Risa she always didn’t know what to do or say, especially when she was the object of her anger and when she had that strong feeling of not doing anything wrong.
“But…” She finally broke the silence which fell after Gaki’s outburst. “I thought it wasn’t that important, so I didn’t mention it earlier. Besides, girls seem to like the idea.” She wasn’t sure whether this line of defense would work but hoped that maybe someone would finally break the silent conspiracy and admit her right.
To her relief Reina’s heavy boots landed with a hollow thud on the floor as she jumped off the console.
“Geez, Gakksan chill out, ‘kay?” Reina coolly patted Gaki’s shoulder. “Tellin’ you wouldn’t change anything so let it drop.” She tilted her head toward the doubting guitarist, fearlessly looking her in the eye and waiting for her to confirm her words.
“It’s not the point.” Risa answered curtly much to Reina’s displeasure. She threw her arms into the air and rolled her eyes. “Here we go again.” She muttered resignedly.
“I simply would like to know earlier about such plans.” Gaki continued in her flat tone.” Especially, when those plans concern
me.”
Ai though got an unclear feeling that there was something more to this but since the whole situation was getting pretty tiresome, not only for her but for the rest too, she decided to cut the topic short.
“I’m sorry Gaki-chan. You are right, I should have asked about your opinion and decide together with you.” She deeply looked into her friend’s eyes, noticing in them the inner war Risa waged with herself. Luckily, good always win…
“Okay, I agree. “ She muttered reluctantly. “But we are back before the midnight, I’m tired.” She quickly added, unwarily putting off Reina’s enthusiasm which started to grow in her after Ai’s earlier announcement. Her jaw dropped and she couldn’t believe her own ears. She stuck her eyes on Ai expecting her to disagree with Risa and her ridiculous rule. However, knowing what drummer had in her mind Ai made just that “I’m sorry” face again.
“Sure, no problem Gaki-chan.”
Apparently, it was a situation in which someone had to stay unpleased with the final outcome. She hoped Reina would understand that she had no other choice but to appease Risa.
The same moment the small crisis was prevented to the room entered Miki.
“Everyone ready? Can we go?” She asked rubbing her hands and grinning from ear to ear.
Ai gave Risa a puppy look, forcing some kind of response coming from her and Reina once again held her breath whether in suppressed anger or anticipation, no one really knew.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Risa hid her guitar into its black bag and sling it on her back. She then took Ai by the arm, still keeping that stern look and they left the studio.
Ai was wondering what possessed her friend as Gaki almost painfully clung to her arm. One thing was for sure, Gaki needed to relax just like Reina had stated. So, maybe the little celebration at Miki’s place would sooth her nerves eventually…?
~♪ ♪ ♪~
Ai was sitting at the back seat of the black jeep, observing the passing by pictures behind the glass. She would sit at the front but for some reason Gaki strongly insisted on sitting next to Fujimoto. Not wanting to start another pointless argument, Ai agreed not asking anything. Actually, it was fun to sit at the back. Next to her sat Reina who judging by the things she whispered to Sayumi was highly excited about the whole
rock’n’roll party how she called it.
“Nee, nee Sayu, think she lives in some fancy villa with pool and all that rich stuff like crystal chandeliers and panthers kept in cages?” Reina’s eyes were sparkling with excitement as she spoke to her friend in a hush tone.
Nevertheless, the bassist seemed to take her behavior as an effect of a chocolate overdose. She giggled and teasingly poked Reina’s forehead which immediately wrinkled. Ai observed the whole situation sideways, smiling inwardly.
The jeep, trademark clothes and the fact that Fujimoto worked for them completely for free, stating just that she had enough of money, surely had to stimulate their youngest member’s imagination. But honestly, Ai was also curious about where their manager lived and how her home looked like. Did she have any animals? And if yes then what kind of, a dog, a cat maybe fishes? Did she actually live in a house or an apartment and what kind of view she had from her windows? Yeah, she also felt a tingle of excitement but noticing Gaki’s eyes in the back mirror pointed at her, she sunk deeper into her seat and stopped grinning dumbly. Somehow, she didn’t want to bring Gaki’s attention at her, at least until she was sure that Risa got back to being herself again.
The journey ended soon but Ai being lost in thought, didn’t even realize they’d arrived until Reina tugged her sleeve. She left the car and couldn’t believe her own eyes.
The steel blue structure shone in the orange rays of the setting sun which reflected in its windows. Looking at its last floor for few minutes long could result in serious neck ache as it almost reached the sky. Was it here where Miki lived…?
“Osam…” Reina blurted, looking at the huge building before them.
“Yeah, but unfortunately I still didn’t get myself a cage with a panther…” Miki added offhandedly with disappointed grimace drawing on her face.
Girls looked at their manager startled by the serious tone of her words. Suddenly, they felt kind of awkward at the thought of spending their time at this place.
“You are coming or are going to stay here and stare the whole evening?” Miki set off, waving at the girls to follow her. They hesitated a while before Reina made the first step, gushing with some alarming wicked grin.
“I have some bad feeling about this…” Gaki muttered under her breath but Ai grabbed her palm and with encouraging smile, followed the rest of their friends.
They entered the lobby and saw Miki talking with the porter; she then headed for the elevator showing girls too hurry up. The impressive inlay just flashed under their feet as well as the shining chandelier on the ceiling and the elevator’s doors shut.
The silence fell between girls. Risa leant in the corner with crossed arms, suspiciously scrutinizing Miki for what she gained a disapproving look from Ai, Reina was already so agitated that one could almost here the happy jingle of her pins and studs which decorated her leather vest and Eri fooled around with Sayumi, poking her shoulder which was to cause Sayu fall onto their manager. Finally, the bell ring and doors opened, Ai just glanced at the number and discovered that they were on a 30th floor that somehow made here wonder was she ever so high above the ground…?
Miki opened the door to her apartment and let girls in. They found themselves in a long corridor with white-grey tiles; quickly they left their shoes in the shoe closet and followed Miki like tourists following their guide. They passed bathroom to the right dressing room to the left and kitchen also to the left, before they finally walked in to the living room. Speechlessly, they stood before the huge window which displayed breathtaking view of the city’s panorama bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun.
“It looks even better from the balcony.” Miki pointed at the opened door and encouraged girls to check it for themselves.
Knowing how high they were girls felt a bit scared but couldn’t resist the view and so they walked to the balcony. It was worth it as now they could fully see the Kitanomaru Park with cherry blossom trees as well as the National Showa Museum but of course the most important was…
“BUDOKAN!” Girls shouted in union, pointing at the concert hall.
“Yeah…”Miki didn’t even giggle as if expecting them to act like that.” As you can see it’s not far from here so after your concert there you can sleepover at my place.”
“Eeeee~…”Girls laughed at how confident their manager was of both their performance in the famous hall and them wanting to stay over the night at her place.
But Ai stood silently, gazing at the grey octagonal roof that from up here appeared so small. Nippon Budokan, dream of all Japanese bands. Once you got there you could say you’d achieved everything and she knew just everything about it. How high it was, how many people could hold, what bands had appeared there, even information connected with martial arts. If there was a quiz about Budokan she most definitely would win it, although she’d never gotten a chance to actually be there…
“One day, we will perform there, nee Leader?”
She heard Eri’s quiet voice. The guitarist stood next to her looking into distance with the same dreamy eyes. She wondered if the turtle could read her mind…
“Yeah…surely we will…” Smile spread across Ai’s face, it would be a long road but she would give her best to stand there on that stage and perform with her band…
The sun set and night started its rules…
“And you two what? Waiting for UFO to capture you? Come on, we have champagne.” Miki took their hands and led them back to the room.
In the middle of the room, on the glass table stood small bucket filled with ice and a bottle of champagne. Surely it was an alcoholic one but even though most of them were underage, Ai didn’t really pay attention to that thinking about their future performance. How would the stage look? Would the tickets be sold out? What she should wear? And what about the setlist? She finally came back to earth when Miki gave her the glass.
“I must admit you did awesome job in the studio.” Manager started ceremoniously raising her glass. “So, here’s to Nanaironoiz and their first single! Cheers!”
“Cheers!” Girls followed and their glasses clinked in the midair.
Everyone was in high tension, laughing and talking about their upcoming live houses. Ai could sigh with relief seeing smiling Gaki again but that was until…
“So…who’s gonna give your manager a kiss for arranging the recording of your first single?”
Conversations stopped and girls’ eyes wandered to their manager’s grinning face.
But before anyone could answer and Miki add whatever she wanted to add, hands grabbed her shirt and her lips were successfully shut.
Girls’ jaws dropped…It actually was a miracle that none of the girls let her glass from her hand as they all gaped at their bassist who was deeply penetrating their manager’s mouth…
The passionate kiss ended with a wet smack and triumphant grin of the mischievous bunny. Miki though for a second stood with closed eyes as if not knowing what just had happened.
“What?” Sayumi asked innocently noticing her friends’ stares. “
Fun is no harm, right?” She quoted her manager’s already famous phrase.
“Eto…Sayumi, I think we should hang out more together…”
Sayu said nothing to her manager’s proposal but seemed to have nothing against the idea as she maintained the cute smile. She must have been extremely proud of catching Miki off-guard earlier.
“Yuck! That was gross!” Reina bluntly commented her friend’s action making a wry grimace of disgust.
“And you what? Jealous? Wanna a kiss too?” Suddenly, the cute smile on Sayu’s face was replaced by the salacious smirk as she eyed her next prey. The instant change of her character was kind of creepy and made the rest wonder which one was the true Sayumi, the cute bunny or the evil hare?
“What?! Are you out of your mind?!” Yankee shouted, giving her friend a sneerful look and handed her glass to Eri as if she was preparing for something.
“Oh you don’t have to pretend…” Sayu made a few steps toward Reina visibly invading her personal space and ever so slightly licked her lips, eliciting another groan of revolt coming from the drummer.
“Stay away.” Reina hissed through her gritted teeth, slowly backing away but immediately Sayu came closer again. “Make me…” And just as she was to reach for her victim’s vest, Reina acting on instinct ran away at safe distance.
Of course Sayumi ran after her and so the pair started chasing each other around the table, the brown couch and the three perplexed girls who had no idea what was going on.
“You damn rabid hare! I swear I’ll kill you when we are back!” “Try your luck! But I’m afraid that I’ll be first to capture you!” They were yelling, provoking each other when the most terrible thing Reina could have ever imagined, happened to her. She stumbled over her own leg and with loud thud landed on the brown carpet. The rest just winced at the painful sight.
“Oh my god, Reina are you alright?” Ai ran to the flatten person on the floor and knelt next to her.
“Had Reina died and gone to heaven?” Yankee muttered, rolling onto her back. Apparently, she mistook Ai for the heaven’s descendant… “Nope, but in a second I’ll take you there.” She jerked hearing the teasing voice and rested on her elbows. Seeing as Sayumi straddled her still smiling wickedly, she must have realized, she hadn’t deserved for heaven…
“Nooo~!”She turned on her stomach and desperately scratched the carpet, trying to get out from under her assailant but it was all futile.
“Ano Sa-yumi…I think she has enough…” Ai wanted to somehow stop the bassist but was too scared to really get between the hare and her prey and obviously words didn’t reach her as she leant forward to Reina’s ear.
“You know what Reina?” She purred quietly.” You are damn cute when you act so desperately…” The body under her froze and anxiety shimmered in Yankee’s brown orbs as she slightly flushed. She wanted to say something, probably some curse but then Sayumi moistened her lips and ducked her head even more to…nip Reina’s ear.
Drummer’s body strained at the touch, she bent her head backwards and her face crooked with some unspoken agony but just as the contact was over her eyes rolled and…she fainted…at least it looked like that…
“Reina?” Ai took the lifeless body into her arms, giving Sayu disappointed look as she fled to the three other girls. “I told you she had enough.” She scolded, shaking gently Reina’s body.” Reina wake up.”
“Has she really fainted?” Risa curiously peeked from behind Ai’s shoulder.
“I don’t know…”Ai delicately slammed Reina’s cheeks but her eyes remained closed which made leader seriously worry.
“Reina stop pretending, Ai won’t hold you like that forever.”
And so, Sayumi’s nonchalant remark miraculously resurrected Reina as she stood up, throwing daggers from her eyes at the bunny again.
“Just wait till we’re back.” She growled but the other girl was unmoved by the threat. “Whatever.” She waved dismissively and drank up her champagne.
“Thank you for the little “show” guys, it was highly enjoyable.” Miki joked, clapping her hands. “I think now we will move on.” She came closer to the small mahogany cocktail cabinet under the huge plasma TV and swung open its door.” So, who wants a drink?” Miki moved away so that girls could see the cabinet’s interior which consisted of bottles in different colors, shapes and sizes.
“Nice…” Reina muttered, bearing her fangs in a toothy smirk but just as she wanted to make a step forward someone grabbed her collar, preventing her to do so.
“Where are you going? As far as I remember you are just 16, show me your ID first and then we may talk about alcohol.”
Reina raised her eyebrow, looking behind her back at her sub-leader who still held her collar.
“I’m not a kid and you ain’t my mom to tell me what I can do and what I can’t. “ With that she not so gently removed Gaki’s hand from her vest and ostentatiously adjusted it. “Fujimoto-san is the oldest and our manager and she lets me, right?”
“Well, just a bit won’t do harm I guess. Besides, you drank champagne.” Miki shrugged and winked at Reina. She seemed to like the rebel attitude of the youngest member and decided to support it.
“But it was just a little and because of the special occasion, right Ai-chan?” Risa most definitely didn’t want to give up. Although she also was in the category of the underage, she acted as if being beyond it reprimanding her friend.
“Reina, I’m afraid Gaki is right.” Ai said with a bit of resentment in her voice. If Reina was an adult it would be okay but now she was simply worried about what might have happened if Reina drank alcohol.
The drummer looked Ai straight in the eye, biting the inside of her cheek and clenching her fists.
“Sure she is right!”She snapped at Ai. “She always is! God dammit Ai, when will you finally start having your own opinions! And you,” she turned her glare at Risa, “stop telling her what she should do and think!”
After that outburst an awkward silence fell in the room. Ai could see tears starting to appear in Yankee’s eyes, in comparing to them the words she had said, became irrelevant.
“Reina…” She whispered not knowing what to say next but Risa helped her out.
“Don’t change the subject. It has nothing to do with me or Ai but with your age.” Without sentiment Gaki clearly stated that she wouldn’t let Reina touch anything which contained alcohol.
Before a teardrop fell from Reina’s eye, she walked out of the room. Ai wanted to follow but felt hand on her shoulder.
“I’ll handle that.” Sayumi reassured her. “Mhm…” Ai nodded knowing that despite their constant fights, Sayu was good at getting to Reina while she wouldn’t really know what she should say.
“Geez, Gaki you seriously need to relax.” Miki said as if afraid of Risa not having any ability to have fun without worries but the guitarist just threw her a fleeting glare and walked away to the balcony.
“Gaki-chan…” Ai trailed, seeing off her friend with her eyes but Gaki didn’t intend to stop. Eri went to look for Sayu and Reina and Ai helplessly watched as her band scatters. Not able to bear it she plopped in the couch and hung her head, feeling tears forming in the corner of her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Miki joined her at the couch, ” seems like I screwed up everything…” She said with a note of regret in her voice and gently stroke Ai’s back.
“It’s not your fault… “Vocalist quietly sobbed and looked up at her. “They will make up eventually…” She smiled weakly.
“Yeah…” Looking into Ai’s wet eyes, Miki softly wiped off with her thumb a lone tear that ran down her cheek. “I’m sure they will.” She smiled back.
Ai just sat there, speechless and unable to move as she gazed into woman’s eyes. She wasn’t sure what she was seeing in them, was it sympathy? Consolation? Or maybe none of those. Nonetheless, she felt drown to them, mesmerized and desperate to solve their mystery…who was the person hiding behind them…? However, now she was also desperate to make things work within the band…
“Excuse me, I…have to go to Gaki…” She slowly stood up, realizing that her cheeks were strangely heated.
She walked to the balcony and let the night’s breeze cool her down before she would confront Risa again. At this hour the view was even more beautiful as the whole city was glittering with lights as if sky would fall upon the earth. Tokyo never slept; actually it woke up at night. Ai once found that a bit scary. Being a country girl from Fukui, she couldn’t get used to such a lifestyle at first but she hadn’t had much choice, concerting at late hours was a norm. However, now after over a year, rather than fear she felt respect and fascination toward the huge city. It could make you big one second but bring you down next…
She looked over Gaki; the girl was leaning against the balcony’s barrier looking up at the flickering with stars sky. Ai came closer and glanced upon her face but couldn’t read anything from it.
“Gaki-chan, what’s wrong?” She asked but received only a shrug in response. “Are you mad at me?” She continued in a sad tone.
“At you? Why would I?” It was an honest answer though the girl didn’t bother to look her best friend in the eye as she admired the starry sky. On the other hand, Ai kept her gaze patiently at Risa.
“Well, I don’t know you tell me…” She said without any malice. She honestly wanted to know what made Risa act like that.
“I’m sorry for that thing in the studio.” The apology came with a note of guilt as Gaki lowered her gaze, she really regretted her earlier behavior. “I don’t know what has gotten into me.”
“Gaki-chan, you don’t like Fujimoto-san, right?”
It was an obvious conclusion but just now Ai realized it. Gaki always changed when Miki was somewhere near. That glare she was giving her, those venomous retorts and the fact that she didn’t want to come here, now everything made sense, just the episode in the car misled her because why would she want to sit next to someone who she didn’t like…?
“Don’t like her…” Risa mused quietly.” And you, do you like her?” She turned to her friend smiling but there was something odd about that smile, it looked as if the guitarist was amused by her own question.
For a moment Ai wondered what kind of answer the girl expected from her, what she wanted to hear and why but no matter what it was, Ai just said what she really felt…
“She is taking a good care of our band. Sure, she likes to fool around but she has a kind heart and she did nothing what would make me hate her, so yes I do like her and want to regard her as one of my friends.”
Risa snorted a laugh averting her eyes and keeping them still at the balcony’s tiles. That must have been exactly what she thought Ai would answer…
“Don’t you think it’s a bit strange that she doesn’t want anything from us?” She asked this time completely serious.
“Maybe she has her reasons, judging by the house she must be rich.” Ai quickly countered her friend’s attack.
“Sure but what if she wants something else…” Apparently, Gaki wanted to hint Ai something with those words, something she might have been afraid to say or admit but if so then she failed miserably…
“Like what?” Ai asked cluelessly.
“Nothing…” Gaki sighed with obvious resignation. “Let’s say I just don’t trust her.”
“Listen…” Ai grabbed Gaki’s arm forcing her to finally look her in the eye. Risa just rolled her eyes and doubtfully faced her friend.” I don’t know her reasons but I do believe she likes our music and has good intentions. I know, I know,” she quickly added seeing as her friend wanted to cut in, “nothing in this world is given to you for free but just this one time take things as they are without dwelling much on them, okay?”
“See? Because you’re such an awful optimist and idealist there must be someone who brings you down to earth, forgive me that this someone is me.” Risa tousled affectionately Ai’s short hair, smiling this time heartily.
“Eeee~? I’m not an awful idealist.” Leader pouted, playfully poking her friend’s shoulder. Again she felt as if Risa was the older one because to tell the truth she had her right. Ai was the dreamer while Gaki was the realist though it wasn’t always like that. When they were kids they both were dreamers, everything changed when they arrived to Tokyo…
“Nee, Ai-chan are you cold?” Gaki looked with concern at Ai who rubbed her hands against her arms. Her loose white-pink blouse served as a poor shield against the night’s chill.
“It’s okay, I’m fine…” The reassurance sounded terribly unconvincing since her teeth chattered as she spoke.
Risa just shook her head and unzipped her red hoody sweatshirt “Come here.” Shoving her hands to her pockets, she spread her arms in an inviting gesture.
Ai could feel her cheeks slightly flush again but since it was Risa it was okay She loosely wrapped her arms around girl’s slim waist and snuggled into the warm body. She could hear the rhythmically beat of her heart and smell the fruity scent Gaki was giving off.
“I could fall asleep like that…” She blurted and immediately lit up like a red traffic light but Risa just merely giggled.” Well, if you can sleep standing then go ahead.”
Ai smiled burying her face into Gaki’s shoulder. It felt nice to have someone this close, especially that she didn’t remember when was the last time the two of them shared such a moment, guess when they were kids and were having sleepovers almost every night…
Unfortunately, the sweet moment was interrupted when in the balcony doors appeared timid turtle.
“Uhm…” Eri murmured, wandering with her eyes everywhere just not to look at the hugging friends. Girls quickly realized that it must be their position which made her feel so awkward and so with note of reluctance exchanged in their gazes, they stepped away from each other. “Fujimoto-san is calling you for a meal.” She announced what she had to announce and hid back to her shelf.
Ai and Gaki followed her to the room…not letting go of each other hands…
On the brown carpet beside the table sat Eri, Sayumi and Miki, all focused around the small cooker on which pieces of meat were already sizzling. They seemed to be very engrossed in eating but Ai noticed the strange glance Miki gave her when she and Gaki entered the room. She stared at their laced fingers so intensely that at first Ai wanted to let go of Risa’s hand but that didn’t happen until they sat.
“Where is Reina?” Ai asked not able to hide her concern about their youngest member.
“A wounded heart will fade away~”Loud wailing resounded as groggy Reina entered the room, holding some empty bottle in her hand.
“The love is destroying you~”“She is totally smashed…” Sayumi rightly noticed. “Yeah, completely wasted…” Miki added not able to restrain herself from laughing. “But what the hell is she singing?”
“Oh, Dir en grey’s Jealous. They are one of her favorite bands. “Sayumi answered and Ai provided the further explanation. “They were first visual kei band whose song she’d heard.”
“Yep, and they helped her to overcome her anger making a better use of it. She started to punch cymbals instead of people faces. You could say that thanks to them she didn’t end up in reformatory.” Sayumi in her emotionless voice continued. “Well, actually it also was thanks to Ai-chan, I guess…” She added after as second thought.
“Mm-e?” Ai babbled holding a piece of meat in her teeth.
She had heard about Reina’s achievements in breaking people’s noses, some of them she even saw during the school camp but she had no idea what kind of role she played in the socializing process of the young Yankee. She always thought it was thanks to drums that those events never repeated again.
“Yeah, you will understand one day…maybe…” The last word Sayu muttered to herself though the rest heard it well which made Ai want to continue the topic but then someone entwined arms around her neck and leant against her back…Reina reached her goal…
“In full bloom with the flowers~”She continued her “singing” just a bit quieter as if concerned about leader’s hearing.
“Are you okay Reina?” Ai asked glancing behind her back. Yankee tilted her head and with bored expression drawled,
“Jealous~” and slid against Ai’s back to the floor.
“Sayumi…” Gaki began calmly, “how exactly did you deal with her?”
“Let see…I figured it out that the best option was to give her what she wanted.” She beamed a radiant smile and Miki patted her shoulder. “Good job.” She winked amused by girl’s honest answer.
“I can’t believe it! Have you all lost your mind? She is just a kid!” Gaki snapped standing up. Meanwhile, the person in question was peacefully drooling with her head still leant against Ai’s back, making her unable to move and calm down her sub-leader.
“Honestly, Risa what’s your problem?” When Miki stood up Ai knew it was too late to stop any of them. ”Are you her mother or something? So what she got drunk? Tomorrow she will get a hangover and learn her lesson. She won’t touch alcohol until she turns twenty so spare us your nagging!”
“Oh right, forgive me for acting responsibly and caring for my friend!” Risa yelled back sarcastically.
“If you care so much for her then where were you when she was getting drunk, huh?”
That was the last straw…
“You…” Gaki hissed and Ai could swear her friend would lunge at Miki but she just couldn’t let that happen.
“Enough!”She shouted so loud that even Reina woke up hearing the low manly tone but it worked and both Gaki and Miki stopped in their tracks. “I think we should get going.”
No one questioned leader’s will and girls started gathering their belongings.
“I’ll call for taxi.” Miki suggested seeing as girls were trying to make Reina stand straight.
“We…would appreciate…” Ai breathed out as Yankee’s body again hung on her neck.
“At least she stopped singing…” Sayu chuckled, helping her friend putting on the black vest which Yankee somehow managed to lose.
After ten minutes, they said their goodbye’s and were off to home…
~♪ ♪ ♪~
“Reina? What are you? No, no, no just not here!”
Too late…Ai’s scream wasn’t able to prevent the inevitable….Reddish collage became a decoration of taxi’s green upholstery terribly contrasting with it and the next thing girls saw was the driving away car as they stood with their instruments on the dark corner street.
“Well, at least we didn’t have to pay…” Eri’s words were poor consolation for them as they looked at worn out Reina whose face was as pale as the shinning above them moon and what was even worse, she still had problems with standing and walking.
“So…eek…rry…” Obviously with talking too. The world was spinning in circles and instead of one Ai she saw three which actually wasn’t that bad.
“It’s okay Reina, we forgive you.” Ai felt bad for the kid. Though it wasn’t her fault that Reina was in this stated she couldn’t forgive herself that she hadn’t gone after her back then because she might have dealt with her better than Sayumi did.
However, it was all too late now and it wasn’t worth to ponder about what if so instead of wasting time, Ai decided to take all responsibility.
“Gaki, help me with putting her on my back.”
“Are you sure you’ll be aright?”
“Yeah, we aren’t that far from home and you already carry your instruments, trust me I’ll be fine.”
“If you say so…” Risa helped her friend with crawling on Ai’s back.
“Hold on tight, okay?” Reina gave a slight nod and rested her heavy head on her leader’s shoulder, wrapping hands around her neck.
“Ai-chan, tell me when you’re tired so I’ll take your place.” Sayumi offered and Reina’s grip tightened even more.
“Re-ina…you’re str-angling…m-e…” Ai wheezed but Reina quickly loosened her arms so that Ai could properly breathe again and they could continue their homecoming.
Sayu, Gaki and Eri were marching together, holding each other by arms and quietly humming one of their songs
“Let’s shout! From the top of your lungs~ Let’s shout! From the depth of your heart~” “Let your voice overflow and sing with us~”Ai murmured under her breath not wanting to wake up Reina who fell asleep on her back. Her cute sleeping expression brought back smile to her face. She always was acting tough but now she looked like a little harmless kitten and then she remembered her words as she’d snapped at her and Gaki.
When will you finally start having your own opinions! And you, stop telling her what she should do and think!Why Reina said something like that? Did she really mean it? And was it possible that she really relied too much on Risa? Seemed like from Reina’s point of view yes…
But Reina was an individual, a lone-wolf, enough to say that she ran away from home when she was fifteen. She was definitely different from them. Listening to punk, hard rock or even metal, she didn’t really fit to the band which had never written a completely sad song. That’s why for someone like Reina, her strong attachment to Gaki might have appeared as a weakness. But Gaki cared not only for her but also for Eri, Sayumi and Reina too. The drummer just needed to understand that relying on your friends wasn’t a bad thing. Besides, though different, Ai couldn’t imagine the band without her so she hoped she could make her realize that she could count on them and trust them no matter what…
“Thank you…Ai-chan…”
Ai abruptly stopped as quiet whisper brushed her ear. She looked upon calm sleeping face on her shoulder.
Talking in her sleep?She thought and heard Gaki’s voice asking her if she was alright.
“Yeah I’m okay, don’t worry.” She answered confidently and started marching again.
Needless to say…she carried the rebel delinquent all the way to their home…
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N/A: So the title is Jealous taken from Dir en Grey’s first single. Reina sings the intro which translation I took from wiki lyrics and the song girls sing is actually something I came up with
it supposed to sound like lyrics from some oshare kei song so something light and fluffy
And if someone is interested here’s link to full Jealous lyrics
http://lyricwiki.org/Dir_En_Grey:JEALOUS and the song [noembed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWYxbnMLXEY&feature=related old live ver[/noembed]
Topic: Out of Tune[Track 3. Jealous] (Read 69407 times)