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 Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:07 pm
Aki turned, watching Hayato for a long moment. "We agreed not to turn over the video evidence to the police or a lawyer, but if you don't remember what you did to Akihiko... I can gladly refresh your memory."
As if on cue, Yuuji walked into the room with a laptop. He placed it on the table in front of Hayato. All the man would have to do was click play...
"I'm tired of watching you hurt people I care about." Takagi spoke calmly. "So the next time... believe me... I'll put a bullet in your head before you can so much as raise a finger." the man moved around the sofa, going to stand near Aki at the windows.
There was still a gun in his hands... just in case. "You're pledging your loyalty to Koyasu-sama... that just makes me sick."
Aki raised a hand to silence Yuuji before speaking. "You were in over your head with Izo. I understand that. He was feeding the beast within you. What you need to do now, is realize ALL of your sins. Only then can you start to atone for them."
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:13 pm
Let the Memories of the Evening be...
the first think that you think of------------------------------------------------}:-  Tanaka Michi
Physical Therapist
Fingertips...walking up your spine...a tongue sliding right behind..
"Yeah you were being honest but still." Michi sighed and listened to the rest. So now he understood and it seemed like the office politics had been a little more tangled than Michi had perceived. Of course, Michi never dealt with much office politics since he work with his mother mostly and with clients he didn't really get a chance to see their world. "Ok, I get it. I didn't connect Ishi-san and him in that way."
"I know you're not in a good mood but the lashing out part...well you probably could have said it better. And I know...he's taking Ishi-san's place even if isn't trying to fill his shoes. But, still it is all a part of moving on. Even if you're not ready yet, one day you will have without even knowing it. That seems to be the way life goes." It was an honest answer as he also looked at his sandwich and took another bite.
Michi really didn't want anyone else taking Ishi's place either. It seemed almost unnatural but things were changing so fast. He had to some how keep up with it all even if he wasn't ready for it.
-:{------------------------------------------------when you open up your smile and see me.
...Dark Star.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:23 pm
"Change is a process." Akihiko relied, taking another bite of the sandwich. "You can't expect me to act a saint overnight. Hell, the old me would have stood up and decked him... thrown him out the door on his a** if he was lucky."
Turning around, he pressed another button, stopping the music. He was ready to go and start recording again. "Enough about my anger issues and Nezumi's easily bruised ego... I want you to help me record. I need some backup vocals and I was hoping you would provide them."
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:31 pm
Let the Memories of the Evening be...
the first think that you think of------------------------------------------------}:- Tanaka Michi
Physical Therapist
Fingertips...walking up your spine...a tongue sliding right behind..
"You a saint? Hah! Impossible!" he laughed and set down his sandwich to take a drink. "Ok so the old you would have been a bit more aggressive on the physical front. I'll agree. And yeah, I know everything takes time."
When the music stopped Michi looked over at Akihiko, "You want me to help you? Wow. I'd love to help you if you think my voice will fit in." His smile was one of eager but still freshly unknowing. He had a lot to learn about the business yet, but happy enough to learn from his friend.
-:{------------------------------------------------when you open up your smile and see me.
...Dark Star.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:39 pm
Pulling a page from a stack of papers, Akihiko handed it to Michi. "I need you to sing those, like this..."
He took a quick breath, then semi rapped, semi screamed the lyrics that he wanted Michi to perform.
Gin no yume, tsumugu ame no shirabe
Kimi no ushiro ni tatsu no wa dare?
Mou ichido, meguri au tame
~ ~ ~
銀の夢、紡ぐ雨の調べ
君の後ろに立つのは誰?
もう一度、巡り逢うため
Smirking slightly, Akihiko motioned to the other room. "Come on. I want you to sing the parts that I circled on that page, while I sing the rest. Together, ne?" he asked, leading the way into the recording room. "We'll practice it a couple times before recording. Think you can do it?"
(((OOC: Song: Dybbuk Artist: GACKT)))
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:48 pm
Let the Memories of the Evening be...
the first think that you think of------------------------------------------------}:- Tanaka Michi
Physical Therapist
Fingertips...walking up your spine...a tongue sliding right behind..
"Sing these..." he took the papers then read them over for sec only to look up and watch the man sing them. Taking in the sound, Michi nodded and tried to mouth the words to feel how they'd come from his own lips.
"Alright, together sounds good. Do it? Well, if I can't do this one verse then, I'm really going to suck trying to do a full concert right?" he felt more comfortable working with Akihiko than trying to manage doing this stuff on his own yet. Actually, he hadn't gotten quite used to the idea of trying to become a star so far. There were so many other things going on that he wasn't able to digest his future clearly. It would take some time and he'd feel better once he was away from Hawaii. But since Akihiko couldn't fly for awhile, he'd not go back to Japan yet.
-:{------------------------------------------------when you open up your smile and see me.
...Dark Star.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:55 pm
I can no longer return to those days free of bloodshed
These deep scars rooted within me will not disappear...
 Refresh his memory? Jun knew exactly what was going to happen before Yuuji got in the room. They were going to make him watch it. As much as he didn't want to, he knew protesting was not an option. He hardly had the right. "Thank you..." he whispered as Yuuji said he would kill him if he hurt anyone again. He only bowed his head as the man sneered at him in disgust. "Very well...play it." Jun spoke solemnly, looking up at the screen. Takagi played it, and Jun watched. It was indeed most certainly him in this video, and the things he did were absolutely sickening. He could barely believe it was he who had done it. Sure, he had used similar tactics before, in his past, but never with such brutality. By the end of the video, Jun had grabbed the trash can near the table and begun to empty his stomach into it. Hide it, Hide it
Hide me...
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:08 pm
Aki didn't bat an eyelash, but Yuuji... Yuuji could tell that hearing the video hurt the elder man.
It tore at him too... hearing Akihiko yelling at Jun, calling him crazy and struggling to break free. But the man didn't beg or plead... at least, not until AFTER Hayato had given him the last dose of drugs.
It was obvious that Narcissus had no idea where he was or what was really happening... he was delirious, talking about the promise for the concert he'd made with Shou.
When the video was over... when Jun had finished throwing up in the trash can, only then did Aki speak.
"Do you understand now what you put him through? I take it you don't need reminding of your crimes against Izzy Lucky, do you Jun?" walking forward, Aki pressed down on the computer screen, closing the laptop and looking directly into Hayato's eyes. "From what you've told me, I understand why you are the way you are. Your brother and Matsumoto both destroyed your soul. I know what you were responsible for Naoko, and no doubt the poor boy is probably crazy as well, especially if Shou is truly Sai... I can see the mental instability there. But I'm warning you, Jun... if they are alive... you WILL break off your relationship with Shou-san."
Yuuji stepped forward. "Koyasu-sama wants to sign Shou to Ohayou, to get him away from Matsumoto Izo both for business and personal reasons. If Izo could turn you into that, Hayato-san... then imagine what he could do to Shou-san if he tried." the gun was now in a holster at Takagi's side as he spoke. "But Koyasu-sama won't sign Shou... if you're part of that bargain. You need to break off your relationship with him... or else resign yourself to the fact that Shou-san is working for a monster... and you won't be able to protect him from that."
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:18 pm
Smiling slightly, Akihiko nodded. "Well you're not REALLY singing... more like talking, but I think it'd sound better if someone else was doing those vocals than myself. I could do them separete then record the other audio... but I thought this might give it something a little more special." Narcissus replied, making sure Michi was in position in front of his mic.
He gave the other man a headset, before putting his own on.
"You'll hear the music through here, just watch me do it first, then you try, got it?" he asked as the music began.
At the appropriate spot, labeled on the paper in front of Michi, Akihiko sang the same section of lyrics.
"Now, after you sing it, I'm going to sing a few words, then you'll go right into the other part. Just make sure you check the time on your sheet, and the time on the clock." Akihiko pointed to the clock that was tracking the position in the song. "We have to get the timing perfect, ne?"
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:25 pm
I can no longer return to those days free of bloodshed
These deep scars rooted within me will not disappear...
"I understand...please...don't make me see anymore...I can't bear what I've done..." he barely spoke, hanging his head. He had been responsible for such horrors. Aki was right...he had probably driven Naoko so mad that the blond would never be right again. What the chairman said next cut through him like a thousand knives, though. If, by some miracle, Shou had made it through and was alive somewhere out there...he would have to go and lose him...all over again. Still, what the man said was true. Koyasu-san could take Shou out of the danger zone, protect him, give him what would be infinitely better in the end. Something Jun knew he really couldn't do. He loved Shou more than his own life...that was a fact. If that would be the only way...then so be it. His hands were tied. And his heart was broken....twice. "Honestly...honestly I cannot imagine that he's alive, that he's alright out there somewhere...but if he is....then very well. I'll end it....for his sake." the tears fell like rain as Jun cried, his face contorted in misery, the sort of anguish he knew he deserved but could hardly bear. After a long moment, he spoke again. "I will do that, for Shou, and for you, but please...please do one thing for me. Just one, even though I know I don't deserve it. Please take Naoko out of there with Shou. Ryuukaze, even. Naoko is a stunning pianist and Ryuukaze is a violin prodigy, not to mention a great solo artist since his voice came back. Their Shou's backup band, anyway...and they've been through enough. Save them, please, Koyasu-san." Jun said, trying to steel himself though he was shattering inside. If it were all he could do, then he would do it, giving up everything for the sake of love. Hide it, Hide it
Hide me...
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:28 pm
Let the Memories of the Evening be...
the first think that you think of------------------------------------------------}:- Tanaka Michi
Physical Therapist
Fingertips...walking up your spine...a tongue sliding right behind..
"Ok so I'm talking but its kind of close to singing." he smirked and re-read the lines. "Ummm...hey, it may take me a few times so don't expect me to get it right the first time. Ok?"
He crossed his fingers as Akihiko put the mic in front of him and set him up. It was awkward at first getting used to the headset and how he was going to actually be recorded. But he nodded and listened as Akihko sang the same section of lyrics.
"Got it." he said as he looked up at the clock then down at the sheet of paper getting the times into his head.
But following along, Michi didn't get things quite perfect the first few times because in the begining he was nervous. It took a few more times after that then he started coming around and his voice settled in to what Akihiko was striving for. Michi's voice did have quite a bit of character when he got over the first hurdle and soon he was hitting the timing just right.
Afterwards, he grabbed a towel close by to wipe off his forehead and get a quick drink, "How was that one?"
-:{------------------------------------------------when you open up your smile and see me.
...Dark Star.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:30 pm
Aki smiled softly, "I already planned to sign both Naoko and Ryuukaze, Jun-san. They are, as you said, Shou's backup band... and I wouldn't have him parting ways with something that works. Especially not after I saw them at the charity benefit."
For a moment, the older man said nothing. He simply watched as Hayato fell apart or, perhaps rather, he just broke.
If Aki knew that Naoko was responsible for Chiyou however... he never would have agreed to the mere idea.
"You act as if Naoko and Ryuukaze are in danger, Jun-san. Tell me... has Matsumoto made threats against them? Threats like, no doubt, he's made to you?" the chairman asked, sitting down in a chair across from Hayato now.
Yuuji stood silently in the background.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:44 pm
"That last one was a lot better, Michi-kun." Akihiko spoke, sipping from his own water bottle.
Sure, it had taken the physical therapist a few tries... but in reality, it'd taken a few just for Narcissus to get the words onto the page to fit into the time allotted in the music!
Michi really was a quick learner, which made Narcissus even more happy that he had pushed his friend into a career in music.
Now to make sure Hiroki didn't run him ragged.
"Okay so this time, I'm going to add in my vocals and we'll flow right into the second section. Alright?" he asked as they got ready to go at it again.
Michi's voice rang out perfectly, and then, taking his own very high pitched lyrics onto the song... came Akihiko's suddenly very VERY feminine voice...
Me wo tojita... ~ 目を閉じた
Then the song was flowing into the second section, and again, after Michi's voice, came that same high pitched vocal of Akihiko's...
Mitsumete iru... ~ 見つめている…
Once finished, blue eyes focused on the man beside him. "Want to run through that a couple more times before going on?"
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:46 pm
I can no longer return to those days free of bloodshed
These deep scars rooted within me will not disappear...
The discussion had become much more personal now...far deeper than he had ever imagined delving. Of course, even as distraught as Jun was, he knew he had to tread carefully, for Naoko's sake. He didn't know what the blond had or had not done, for sure, but he knew Izo had his filthy fingers on his ex-lover, and the pianist had fallen into a terrible mess because of it. "Yes. Yes, sir, they are in danger. Grave danger, even. Matsumoto has already hurt Naoko...for refusing to cooperate with him, if memory serves. He's also tried hooking him on drugs to keep him docile and obedient, but...but I took the drugs from him. I think he's clean, now...I know he's trying to fight Izo, but it seems to me that he's been threatened with the safety of his lover, Ryuukaze if he doesn't do as he's told. Like I said...I don't know all the details, but Naoko is a good person, he wants no part in any of this, and Ryuukaze, well...that man has the soul of an angel...they need to be protected. Matsumoto...well, in SMASH...he's like a spider in a web. Anyone in his web, if he can find any weakness in them...he will devour them. That's why Naoko has to get out of there, along with Ryyukaze, as soon as possible. To be honest...depending on how valuable he views them...if they piss him off enough, he might just kill them. Honestly...sometimes I wonder why he hasn't taken me out, yet. Probably because he needed Shou...and Shou loved me. I don't know...just...I don't...know..." he felt so weak and helpless, feelings he hadn't ever wanted to feel again after he had killed Hayato the first time, but he was experiencing on a daily basis since coming to Hawaii. Hide it, Hide it
Hide me...
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:51 pm
"I see..." Aki nodded, glancing at Yuuji who also nodded.
It seemed they both thought the same thing.
"Well then, regardless of if Shou-san is alive or not... I'll sign both Naoko and Ryuukaze to contracts with Ohayou. I... assume your contracts run out at the end of the year?" he asked, picking up his water glass and taking a sip.
"Seeing how it is December and the holidays are soon... I'll have the paperwork drawn up as soon as we return to Japan. Of course, losing so many musicians may put quite the mean spirit into Izo. Are you prepared to deal with those consequences, Jun-san?"
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