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 Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:21 pm
 
As soon as Shou turned, Azriel let go of the man's shoulders. His smile remained however.
Had he really proven himself or had he just startled Shou into accepting?
"Yare yare... now I'm tired." Katsumi teased, walking toward the end of the stage. "And there's still so much work to be done. Two PVs in one day was a stupid idea... why did I ever come up with it?" he spoke, more to himself than anyone else. Carefully Mi-chan got off the stage, but then he started laughing at seeing his friend.
"Enthusiastic is one way to put it." Azriel spoke, that smile still in place. "Ne, Kaito-kun. Was it really THAT good?" he asked with a wink before looking back up to Shou on the stage. "Mmm... good point. Team 3 is still undergoing a transformation after all and I'd rather not steal your Team for my set... they're going to be busy enough with yours. BUT I did demote the biggest troublemaker in my team so... maybe Kaito-kun can pull them together to put on a good show for once?" he asked, looking back to his new stage manager. "Ready to put some of what you've learned into practice or do you still want to keep training for a while?"
Azriel's voice had lost that girly edge ever since the scene was over, and while he still looked like a princess... he sounded more like a cross-dressing prince.
Walking over to Kaito, the bat put an arm around the other man's shoulders. "If you're not ready, just let me know." his nature to flirt was about to get the best of him... but instead of making a virgin joke he just smiled. "You're learning a lot in a short time. I don't want you to fail because I pushed you too hard too fast."
  
"Stockholm syndrome happens when someone is kidnapped or taken as a hostage. They end up falling in love with their captor. Obviously I think this is what's happened with Hiroki-san." Yuuji spoke seriously, looking across the coffee table at Izzy. "He dropped off the radar, and my radar is pretty damn big, Lucky-san. I've no doubt that Izo and Katsumi were behind the abduction... though why I'm still confused on. If they wanted to throw Ohayou into chaos, then setting him free was a mistake. Unless they're counting on his 'love' of Katsumi to keep him from being too big a thorn in SMASH's side. After all... would he want to piss off the man he loves? I don't think so." Takagi sighed however, closing his eyes for a moment. "But perhaps I'm just being cynical. Hiroki-san is in love... maybe I envy it... and maybe I envy what you and Akihiko have as well. I used to be so happy, you know..." he sighed again, shaking his head. "But... maybe you're right. Perhaps I should take some time for me now that Hiroki-san is on the mend. I'll still need to fill in for him at the office... but I don't have to spend all my time there. It really was nice to finally sleep in my own place for once... even if it was just on the sofa." the man spoke with a slight smile before leaning forward and taking his coffee cup in hand once more, sipping the now luke-warm contents.
"Just take things slow with Akihiko. Remember what he used to be like and try to keep him from seeing things in that sort of light. He needs to be focusing on his next move in the industry right now... not worrying about all the other crap out there. And I know he is. The man listens to critics far too much and I've heard some of the harsher things they had to say about the club gigs. Things that weren't televised."
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:29 am
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do------------------------------------------------}:-  SHOU
No escaping when I start .traeh ruoy nwo I ni m'I ecnO
Beautiful Dreamer
"Two PVs in a day? Ha....even I won't do that." said Shou as some of his team came out of the backstage and started working on parts of the theme now that Mi-chan's audition was done.
"You won't do that because I'm smart enough to keep your schedule." called out Yamada as he came closer to the stage and pulled out his Ipad. "Between your costumes and everything else. Two PVs would be more than what one day would allow...ever."
"You were convincing..." blushed Kaito as he watched Azriel walk closer. But then the conversation about Team 3 started up and he didn't know what to say, "Umm...I can try."
"You cannot try...you can only do...And Kaito-kun isn't ready yet, Azriel-san." pointed out Haru as he turned from the stage to the two younger men. "However, since Team 5 is going to be doing most of the heavy lifting, we can't be doing the opening act and Shou's main act by ourselves. So they will have to participate. And Kaito....you will have to jump in the fire and be a task master as tough as me or Shou because on stage Mi-chan will be depending on you. These next couple weeks will be a challenge for you. But on the tour, I will have Team 5 check Team 3's work so we don't have any stage errors. That way, Azriel-san and you can find out where things are going wrong. And Mi-chan won't have an accident on stage."
"Thank you, Yamada-san." Kaito said while the comfortable arm around his shoulder. Inside, Kaito was worried. He wasn't sure he could pull all this off. However, his friend was depending on him and he had a great mentor. "I guess I'm going to be a real stage manager soon enough." he said softly to Katsu.
Izo said nothing in the back as he headed towards the exit. Seemed like Team 5 would keep Team 3 from making a mockery of the tour. Yeah he expected that. Team salaries were performances based and Team 5 certainly had their fair share of raise and bonuses. Team 3 was changing little by little. Katsumi made a good selection for his stage manager even though the young man was still building his character.
One of Team 5's members looked up as they spoke of Team 3. "You really should put Kuro back on engineering. He's only on lights because that former stage manager wanted to put his friend in a higher paying job. Kuro's my younger brother. "
"He's the one that put in for a transfer to Team 5 because he couldn't get along with the idiot?" asked Yamada as he glanced down at his tablet pulling up a profile record. "Yes...that's the one. I was still reviewing that transfer. Ah...he the one that substituted for you while you were down with the flu. Well, since the management of Team 3 has changed maybe your brother will find things a bit more promising."
Yamada walked over to Azriel and Kaito then handed the tablet over so they both could read the profile, "I'd recommend that to be your first change. Kaki-kun is Kuro-kun's older brother. They're sons of a former engineer that worked here several years ago. A lot of experience. Kuro-san probably got shafted by the previous stage manager because he was cutting cost and promoting friends."
Kaito peered at the tablet and looked at the name then credentials "I've met Kuro-san. He never says much just sticks to the lights and stays out of peoples way. I didn't even know he knew about engineering." Kaito glanced over at Azriel wanting his thoughts. They really needed to change Team 3 but he also wanted Az's input. Team 3 was such a mess and Kaito was just beginning to learn why.
Meanwhile Shou was hooked into the wires an started rising off the stage, "Ok...so I think I'll need a slow ascent to accentuate the full costume flow...I'll have my arms spread here and then my flight should......" Shou was deep into his work now forgetting the men in the audience. "Ah yes, and we will have to rig the costume. It will be a little heavy and possibly reflective. So the lighting will have to be adjusted...."
-:{------------------------------------------------Cause it’s about to get rough for you
I’m here For Your Entertainment What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:-  Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"Sou ka...." Izzy's frown broadened as he finished the first cup of coffee before getting up to claim the second one. "So...you think they want to use 'love' as a factor to keep Hiroki-san from doing his job at some point. I guess we need to be careful then. Hiroki-san is a little more relaxed about work since he came back from that....disappearance but...he still seems very much in Ohayou's court. Although I'm not sure how he'd react with enough pressure. Maybe we should have him get some psychological help under pretense of the gunshot wound to make sure he's mentally fit. At least, Katsumi-san couldn't say anything about that since Hiroki-san was shot and he is in a high profile position."
"But you're right, he does seem to be happier. And...mm....that does seem something to keep in mind as well. However, as for yourself. I know you know to be happy. I know you used to have a lot of things that several of us could be envious. Having a family, a child...I know that it seems hard right now. But, you can obtain those things again. While Hideo is slowly improving, you need to improve too. Clean out your mental closet and explore your needs. You can be a better father by being a better you. Love...live...and don't be afraid to explore new relationships." Izzy had a lot to say on those things because so many people he knew struggled with love and finding the right path in life. Yuuji seemed to be one of those people right now so Izzy was thinking about ways to help him. His first call would be to Michi. Even if the flirty therapist gone star was busy, Izzy knew that Michi would take a few minutes to talk.
"But... as for Akihiko, I'll take it slow...and I'll pull out my potato peeler and go to work on that lump head of his. Eventually, I'll find Akihiko-kun under all that Narcissus. And this time I will make sure to throw the peels out in a place that Akihiko can't find them." Izzy smiled for a short moment before that smile fell. He had heard some of the news but the album seemed to be selling. He was certain a couple would make it into Oricon too once the PVs came out. "The critics were harsh. I think they liked the music but....yeah something didn't come across well in the translation. They had high praise for Shou though....Sometimes I wish I hadn't asked Shou for help. But Ohayou needed to make the money. I'm sure that Akihiko feels like he's not competing well enough with his rival. I told him though that this album wasn't about competing with Shou though. I told him it was about expressing himself. But I think he really doesn't feel comfortable with not being on top."
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:24 pm
Azriel smirked slightly, "Well then, I suppose that would be the best course of action, ne? Team 5 will check Team 3's work prior to performances and I will have um... Kuro-san, back on engineering." he glanced at Kaito. "I'll let you chose who to place on lights for the first few run through sets, just to make sure they know what they're doing. We're going to have a LOT of practices once I decide just which songs to do, you know. I expect you to improve. Not to be perfect on the first go around. Failure in practice is fine, Kaito-kun. Failure on stage though, that's something I can't abide. Though... I suppose you know that." the bat winked with a slight giggle.
That giggle could've been menacing or not... just depended on how Kaito wanted to read it.
"But really? You thought we were convincing?" Katsumi smiled. "Arigatou, Kaito-kun. Guess my acting comes in handy after all. BUT... now I have to go back to work. We're about halfway done with the first PV. I want it finished by 2:00pm at the latest. Lunch. Then work on the second PV." he put that arm around Kaito once more, his voice lowering to a whisper that even the other man had a hard time trying to hear. "Would you mind, after work, checking on Asato-kun? I won't get home till probably midnight or later."
Of course... it was at this time that Naoko, with Ko in tow, finally arrived at the rehearsal stage. At first he took no notice of the koakuma ageha styled woman.
Laughing, he pointed up at Shou. "Look, Ko-kun. Maybe one day we can rig you into the harness and let you fly around a bit, ne?" the blond smiled before finally his amber eyes lighted on the figure a few feet away.
For a moment, Naoko just stared at Azriel. Then he laughed. Flat out bent over at the waist cracked up laughing.
"You look ridiculous, Katsumi-san!" the blond gasped between bouts of laughter.
Unlike the others... he could tell it was Azriel in a heartbeat.
After all, they were brothers in arms when it came to cross dressing it seemed.
Azriel stuck his hip out and put his hands on his hips in a very girly pout. "I think I look rather beautiful." but then he smirked slightly. "Want me to dress you up too, NAKO-san?"
"Hell no!" Naoko spoke, raising his hands in defense. "I can make myself look girly without sparkles."
At this, even the bat laughed.
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:39 pm
"I don't presume to know what Matsumoto thinks, Lucky-san. He's... tricky. But I think if Hiroki-san was deeply in love with Katsumi... so in love that he'd do anything for him... there's that chance that he would betray Ohayou for that love. If Matsumoto buys out the partners... buys their stocks completely... there's only yourself, Akihiko, and Hiroki-san who hold the company left. I trust you and Akihiko to not sell. But if Hiroki-san were to sell... there's a very real chance that Matsumoto would gain the majority of the company. WHICH is partly why I've been trying to buy some of the company's stock myself just in case... some of our partners are selling thanks to the financial crisis we're in... and I've been able to buy up a nice chunk of that with my own savings. But it's only a safety net. There are other things that could be done that could hurt the company through Hiroki-san... which is why my trust in him is... wavering right now. I'm going to apply to be his secretary though when he gets back to work full-time. That way I can at least keep an eye on him. And I'm telling you this because your family has taken a big risk with the company. You and Akihiko both need to know this... though my cousin isn't quite as distrusting. Hell, I think he's secretly thrilled at the entire existence of Katsumi as a whole."
Sighing, Yuuji stood, walking back into the kitchen and getting the other two cups of coffee, handing one to Izzy. "You did what you had to do in regards to Shou-san, Lucky-san. And you're right. That album wasn't about selling or competing. It never was. I think Akihiko forgot that somewhere along the way with Ohayou's financial trouble. It was about expressing the pain he felt when he lost you. It wasn't about making fans happy or critics happy. It was self expression in it's rawest form. WHICH is probably why he's using more new material in preparation for his tour. Least that's what I've seen from what he's been doing in the studio."
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:53 pm
Grabbing a bottle of water, Akihiko sat down once more at the sound board in the recording studio.
He had given Yammi and the crew a few new songs, which they were working on now, and he was recording their attempts and trying to playback spots where the songs needed work. His vocals were already laid, something he had done at home, and so the young tiger could easily play his vocals without having to stand there and sing while they played.
That would come later.
"That run through sounded better. Take a break, guys. Yammi-san looks like he might explode if he doesn't get a smoke soon." Narcissus teased, de-pressing the button that let him talk to the men behind the glass.
Suddenly someone walked up behind him, "Um... are you sure about this, Koyasu-sama?"
Blue eyes flickered to the gopher... well she was quite literally a gopher because all she did day in and day out was buy things or fetch things for various stars and staff.
"I'm sure. I want you to buy one of everything and have it delivered to my house. Here's the address..." Narcissus handed her a slip of paper that had his address on it, along with a credit card that he had registered under a pseudonym for just such occasions.
After all, delivers to the residence of Koyasu Akihiko might spark fans to stand outside his door... if his address became completely public.
"Ha...hai, Koyasu-sama." the woman took the paper and card and bowed.
"Make sure it's there before five." he added before she dashed off.
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:28 pm
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do------------------------------------------------}:- SHOU
No escaping when I start .traeh ruoy nwo I ni m'I ecnO
Beautiful Dreamer
Yamada watched as Kaito slightly paled with that giggle that came from Katsumi's lips. Maybe the younger man just knew what was at stake or maybe it was something else. Well of course getting fired for a screw up would scare anyone. And Yamada hoped that Kaito would be up to the task.
"I'm going to do my best, Katsu-san...." answered Kaito although he surely wasn't certain how he do it. He'd be up late....every night for the next few weeks just so he wouldn't make any...mistakes.
"Yeah...I did. I mean you both looked like I was watching a drama. Real enough to me. And that kiss...wow." Kaito smiled at his friend and tried to not get too worked up about the future events. Yamada-san was training him and he was working hard too. Things had to work out.
When Katsu leaned in, Kaito nodded and whispered back. "Of course I will...If I'm out before you. Seriously, Katsu...we've been here really late every night." Which was very true. Team 5 was putting in amazing hours. Little Ko was sleeping on a cot when he tuckered out in the evenings. Everyone was busy.
Ko glanced up at Uncle Shou and clapped his hands, "Uncle SHOU!!! I wanna ride too!"
Shou glanced down from above and waved at Ko, "You do? Well maybe if you get 100% on that quiz today, I'll let you take one ride up here."
"REALLY???!!!" squeaked Ko practically dropping his book bag with the idea firmly planted in his head. "Wait...I still get points right? For the tour right?" He didn't want to lose out on his other things if he managed to get 100%.
"Of course, I won't cheat you out of your points." laughed Shou as he stretched out and slowly turned in the air facing the stage again. "Bring me down." he called back to the stage and he started to slowly descend.
Ko then peeked over at Katsumi after hearing Naoko's words. "Katsumi-niisan! You're in girl's dress!!" He set down his bag fully and ran across to give the bat a hug right at the belly. "You look kawaii! Why are you in pink? Why are you a blond? You going to be around today?! The cafeteria people are going to have Katsu-don for dinner! It makes me think of you! Will you eat with me?? Oh yeah...and one of the cafeteria ladies is bringing in homemade chocolate chip cookies! Do I get to hear you sing music today?"
Ko was filled with questions that exploded from his little form as he hugged the bat. He was highly energetic and some of the Team laughed from the engineering box. "Hey Ko! We brought in the two grand piano today. You gonna test them out for us?"
"OH...the white and black! Yes! Oh yes!" Ko wriggled around and looked up at the stage not quite letting go of Katsumi. "Look, those are both made by the same company on the same day. They're brothers. Uncle Shou wanted two piano that had the same sounds."
-:{------------------------------------------------Cause it’s about to get rough for you
I’m here For Your Entertainment What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"Mm...I wonder if Matsumoto has been buying any of the stock that has been freeing up. Great...always something. But...from what it sounds like we have at least a year until, Matsumoto will make any real moves. And in that time, I am hoping that beyond bolstering the defenses we can come up with a real plan to be offensive. in some way that makes the man back down or respect Ohayou as a company again." commented Izzy as he pondered the near future. He'd have to speak with Rukuro and try to set up a strategy against the spider. They had to master this side of the board...somehow. "We will just have to make sure that...Hiroki-san is watched...If your his secretary, you can keep track of his business moves. Will he hire you?"
"And of course Akihiko is thrilled about Katsumi. I think that just having something that reconnects him with a blood relative actually gave the man a feeling that he still has a family. Yeah...I know it's not how I think he should look at family but he's still stuck in Koyasu Aki's values in many ways." Izzy sighed and took the cup of coffee. Happy to have another hot one to sip upon.
"Yes...well I just want Akihiko to realize that. He's so pissy about the critics even though he should realize that this music wasn't made for them or his fans. The problem is even though Akihiko says he doesn't care about his fans or the critics. He does care about their opinions." Izzy opinions he knew wouldn't get through to Akihiko but he could express them to Yuuji...
"And..mm...I think that Shou's acceleration to tour...and some of his recent stuff is making Akihiko antsy to challenge Shou again. I don't think he's ever felt like he's been able to challenge Shou since they first got to meet for the Charity event. I want to see Akihiko shine on stage again. I know that Shou seriously doubts that his rival is his rival anymore. That is probably fueling his desire for new material as well. He can't take all those raw painful emotions on tour. The crowd wouldn't be able to take that sort of bleeding for 2 hours." Izzy took another sip of the coffee before glancing up at the ceiling, "Now...should I ask to see this bit of video that you planned to show me...get it out of the way so I can get on with my life?"
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:52 pm
"Old habits die hard, Lucky-san. When one is raised a certain way... a part of them always retains that knowledge or habit. I'm just glad he's not stuck on 'Must marry girl. Must have son.' like the Koyasu line had been before him. Just watch out with Katsumi... We know nothing about him except that he's Izo and Kaori's son... and that he's Azriel of course. He's an enigma. Where'd he come from? Where's he been? Am I the only one that finds something about him a little... creepy?" Yuuji asked seriously, pulling out his laptop and a flash drive.
He went about setting it up, entering passwords and the like, because that flash drive was encrypted out the a**.
"Akihiko will figure out what he needs to do as far as his tour. I've faith in that. He always knows what he wants from a musical standpoint. It's just sometimes it takes him longer to figure it out than others. BUT that's why you're around Mister Manager-san." he teased with a wink.
Carefully Takagi turned the computer around so Izzy could see. "I wasn't following you when you were attacked, Lucky-san. For that I still feel guilty. But I had enough sense to shadow Akihiko after your incident... and... well... I got what would have been damning evidence had it been able to be used. The first video is what happened to Akihiko. The second... was a conversation between Aki and Akihiko's attacker... in Hawaii."
Without explaining that important detail... Yuuji let the first video play. It was taken from very high up above the scene, but within the same building. Yet another telling reason why Akihiko called his cousin a ninja. It had audio too... unfortunately.
"I didn't realize until later just what he was being given." Takagi spoke once the video was over. "If I'd known such a deadly drug combination I would've acted and not just recorded the evidence. But my orders weren't to keep Akihiko safe. They were to find out who had attacked you. We had to have proof. Izo learned of that proof and thus what happened to Hideo. Obviously though, it does little good now because we can't even question Hayato further about the incident if it went to court. The other video however..." Yuuji dialed it up. "He gives some testimony... but to be honest, it's still not enough to act against Izo. After all, he can just claim it was Hayato's own doing. Then of course what happened to you and Akihiko would be plastered all over the media and Izo would just be hit with a few nasty rumors and nothing more."
The second video was when Hayato had spoken with Aki in regards to having Shou move to Ohayou... as long as Hayato wasn't part of the bargain. In all honesty, Yuuji wasn't too sure that this conversation hadn't played a part in the musician's untimely demise.
After all, Aki had basically told the man to throw his love away.
Why was that damned tiger so good at destroying happiness?
Azriel almost toppled over in his heels, but luckily he was still holding onto Kaito at the time. Smiling, the musician knelt down carefully in the dress, looking more like Little Miss Muffet on her Tuffet at the moment.
He reached out and put a finger on Ko's lips. "Hold on, let me answer." the bat laughed. "I'm in pink with blond hair because THIS is a new me. But you have to keep it a secret, Ko-kun." he winked conspiratorially. "You know how I sing and it's scary and I'm called Azriel? Well, this is Katsumi or Mi-chan. Like this, I'll sing and it will be pretty and happy AND it's what I'll eventually be doing that song contest I told you about for. As for me being around, I'm afraid I have to go back to work. I'm filming PVs. But..." Azriel tapped his cheek for a moment, thinking. "I suppose I can stop and have dinner with you if you let me know what time, ne? Even I have to eat after all." he giggled before standing back up fully, letting Ko continue to cling to him. "Maybe after your quiz you can stop by my PV shoot, ne? My new song's rather cute. Might make you hungry though." he winked again before looking to the pianos. "They're beautiful."
"And expensive." Naoko commented walking over to stand beside Ko and Azriel.
He didn't completely trust Ko with a stranger... even a semi-stranger.
"How are you preparations for our bet going?"
The bat blinked, "Oh, I'd forgotten about that... I suppose they're going fine then, hehe."
Naoko rolled his eyes. "Ko-kun, why don't you go into the office. I bet Ishihara-san is waiting for you."
"Making him wait. 'Tsk tsk. You better hurry, Ko-kun. Least the quiz get harder!" Azriel teased.
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:57 pm
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do------------------------------------------------}:- SHOU
No escaping when I start .traeh ruoy nwo I ni m'I ecnO
Beautiful Dreamer
"The new you?" Ko's lips quieted when the finger was placed upon them. His small lips were soft like flowers. and he was surprised when Katsumi told him. "So...I have to keep it a secret. Ok...I keep lots of secrets good!"
"So you're not going to be scary? I've never seen your scary stuff. Uncle Shou won't let me watch your videos. He says I'm not old enough." he pouted a little then smiled brightly. "So I can watch your new stuff? OOh!! So I can enter that contest for your new you! YAY!!"
The Yays continued as Katsumi told him he'd come for dinner with Ko, "Yayayaya!! I eat at 6 pm sharp. Because the crew always breaks at 6 so people can eat with family here. Lots of Team 5 has married people. So their families can come to the studio until 8pm." This was a little different than some of the other Teams. Most of them didn't have this sort of family time built into their schedules. Shou's team had a very unique scheduling compared to others. Maybe that was the reason so many wanted to be a part of Team 5. Seemed like Yamada made it easier on the Team in certain areas when there was tons of overtime.
"We can have Katsu-don together! Oh..and with Uncle Naoko and Uncle Shou too! Ooh....can I go see his PV after my quiz, Uncle Naoko?" Ko asked and looked up hopefully at his Uncle.
Then Ko paused as Naoko and Katsumi mentioned his Sensei. "Oh...alrriiightt. No. I don't need my quiz any harder than it is!" Ko let go of Katsumi and ran toward the office then turn back around and ran towards the book bag he had left on the ground. Before he was able to turn back around and go to the office, Shou scooped up the boy and gave him a kiss on his forehead.
"Ganbatte, Ko..." Shou said with a smile before setting him down and patting him on the butt sending the boy on a dead run for the office. Ko turned and waved before exiting.
"I hope he gets 100% I really do want to send him flying above." Shou smiled as he looked at the two other men, "So you like the two piano? Care to try them out Naoko-kun? Katsumi-san?"
-:{------------------------------------------------Cause it’s about to get rough for you
I’m here For Your Entertainment What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
Izzy went as cold and quiet as a stone as he watched and listened. The only warmth was the steam from that coffee cup tightly held in his hands. His eyes never left the computer even though most might have looked away. There was a certain intensity about his face that was assuredly angry but so controlled that his other thoughts could not even be conceived by a glance.
When the videos were over, he sat there. And then closed his eyes before taking a very deep breath. Internally, he didn't know if he should be screaming or crying...or punching. Somehow violence wasn't the right answer. But now he knew who....had caused him such pain and almost killed him.
However, even beyond his own agony, there was the suffering Akihiko went through, the fact that Shou had dated this man. Both of those things caused his forehead to wrinkle under the braids that draped down. Akihiko has spent time in the hotel...during the Tsunami. Heck they both had spent time having drinks with Shou and Hayato before the Tsunami.
And obviously Shou didn't know because the Star would never have stayed with such a monster. Shou was crazy...but...he wasn't an idiot.
With those closed eyes he shook his head just trying to put all this together. Then his eyes flicked open, "Yuuji, I'm not going to yell at you...but...somewhere in all of Koyasu Aki's orders, and all his intentions for Akihiko to take his place, I have a feeling that protecting his blood would have been above recording evidence. But....he's dead...Hayato's dead. And..mm...I'm not sure what else to say about your involvement...and inability to be involved." He was honest with his feelings because he knew that this man for all his warmth for his son was still warped in many ways. Redemption was a very slow painful process and he hoped that Yuuji could find that through love and...his son.
"But as for Hayato..." he sighed and turned his head away. "It hurts to know that someone I thought to be a good person....was a monster as horrible as Matsumoto himself. He...hurt me...he hurt Akihiko...He was dating my best friend for god's sake! He went out drinking with us....and was with Akihiko during the Tsunami. I just can't imagine what went on in that monster's head."
His head fell and he stared at the coffee mug. "And after all, poor Shou was so sad...after he died. I was there to console him. And now I'm glad the b*****d is dead! Although I get no Justice...no one gets any Justice!"
"And...what am I suppose to say to Akihiko....Shou... I can't tell Shou about this. I'm sure it would break his heart." Izzy lifted his head and took a long drink of his hot coffee. He needed to feel the sensation of warmth as a slow tear trickled down his cheek. "I'm so disgusted...."
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:14 pm
Yuuji didn't say anything as he put away the laptop and the flash drive. In fact, he didn't say anything for a very long time... even after Izzy had finished speaking.
"You've every right to hate me, Lucky-san. I'm not a good man. I haven't been for a long time. But... I am honest. And watching what Akihiko went through... it hurt. When he went so still... I almost just tossed the camera aside and ran to him. But by then Hayato was already dragging him from the building and I knew I had to follow. I couldn't lose sight of him. Every time I watched the two of you, a part of me hated you both for a long time. But another part felt unbelievably guilty. I've let go of the hatred... but not the guilt. It was part of why I did... what I did at the estate. Part of why I made sure Akihiko didn't suffer needlessly anymore." standing, Yuuji walked over to the apartment's window, looking out and watching the traffic far below.
He couldn't face Izzy right now... it was too painful a scar on his own soul...
Because he'd stood there and watched...
He had done nothing...
"Sometimes I wonder if, to me, Akihiko is more than a cousin... or a brother. He's someone I want to protect. You, Lucky-san, are someone I want to protect... though perhaps more for his sake than yours, which I know is cruel and selfish. Gomen." the man sighed slightly. "Don't tell Shou-san. It wouldn't end well. He'd want to see the proof and... don't shatter what hope he held for that dead love. Hayato didn't deserve Shou-san. He didn't deserve the mercy Aki showed him either. Never have I wanted to shoot someone so badly..."
Turning from the window, Yuuji smiled softly. "As for my cousin. Tell him the truth. Hayato attacked you both and now he's dead. There's no justice to be had because there is no one to seek justice on... leastways no one we can touch right now. However... I don't think you and Akihiko were Hayato's first victims. Someone has to learn how to be that cruel, Lucky-san. Who knows how many he broke and destroyed before he laid hands on you... men like that make me sick."
He walked back over to the chair, taking his coffee once more in hand, though he just stared down at it instead of actually sipping it's hot contents.
Katsumi smiled, "Then keep my secret really well, Ko-kun. Both of them." he added with a wink, making a mental note about 6pm.
"You can see it. I'll take you myself. BUT only if Ishihara-san gives the okay because it's his class time." Naoko spoke, ruffling Ko's hair for good luck before the boy was swooped up by Shou then sent on his way.
The blond turned, "I would LOVE to."
"I... can't play very well." Azriel replied, waving his hands to decline. "Gomen. I'm just learning and I wouldn't want it to sound horrible compared to NAKO-san."
Naoko rolled his eyes, "So modest. Flattery gets you nowhere, Mi-chan." he teased, heading in the direction of the two piano.
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:07 pm
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do------------------------------------------------}:- SHOU
No escaping when I start .traeh ruoy nwo I ni m'I ecnO
Beautiful Dreamer
"Then go at it...." said Shou to Naoko as he let the men start dragging off the rest of the work costume he was wearing. Underneath was a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. A very dressed down Shou to stay the least except for his face which was always a fantastical array of makeup if not a mask.
"Mm...even if you're just learning, Katsumi-san you should at least put your fingers on one of those pianos. They are perfectly in tune and I bet your ears will love the sounds from either of them." said Shou as he stretched out a bit. "Ah...that rigging costume is so hot. I'm so thirsty!"
"Here's your mug...." said Yamada as he handed Shou the GIANT plastic mug. "I still can't believe you purchase this and brought it home to Japan." Yamada rolled his eyes as Shou too a huge sip from the plastic straw. The mug probably held two quarts or more.
"Where would I ever find one of these in Japan. I can have a tub of tea or water in this!" Shou smiled brilliantly as he showed the mug to Katsumi. "Super-Sized!" The star's crazy mood obviously returned and he glanced back at the piano as soon as Naoko sat down at one.
Naoko would find that the keys were about as perfect as one could buy. Each one so smooth and fluid with a sound so precise but warmed by the wood surrounding it. The sound was something to fall in love with. "So what do you think?" asked Shou as he watched Naoko test out the keys.
-:{------------------------------------------------Cause it’s about to get rough for you
I’m here For Your Entertainment What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
Izzy didn't know if anything could blot out the blackness that had been smeared across Yuuji's soul. He listened but he couldn't feel...it was hard to feel for Yuuji even though the man had saved his and Akihiko's chances to be together. Murder wouldn't really clean up any that blackness either. So he didn't address it. He could tell by the way Yuuji was reacting that the guilt probably was everything Izzy couldn't say.
"You and Akihiko act like brothers....even if you both aren't willing to admit it." Then he glanced up, "No...it wouldn't end well...you're right. Shou wouldn't take it well. Shou needs to move on...Maybe I'll look around and see if I can find a nice person to introduce to him. If I can't tell my best friend about Hayato, I want to at least help him move on." Izzy couldn't even console himself of the ideas that Shou had dated the scum of the earth and there was no way to tell the man without making a million other thing blow up.
"But....as for telling Akihiko, I think he will want to see...this proof. And....I'm not sure how he will take it. I...really don't want to show him this. Nor do I want him to suffer so soon after suffering about his grandfather. I don't want him to suddenly have another issue with you...Because while right now I'm really finding it difficult to be cordial, I don't want him devastated. I'm already having to work on bringing Akihiko out Narcissus. What the heck do you think is going to happen if I tell him this? I'll need a chainsaw rather than a potato peeler to get him to open up." Izzy was frustrated because it felt like he was dealing with a rolling crap list of stuff that was never ending. He hated it and sincerely wanted to just tell the world to go screw off.
"I am sure that we weren't his first victims. I remember Shou saying that Hayato dated Naoko-san. Now I have to wonder....But Shou never mentioned anything about Hayato hurting him. Except when he rejected him after Hawaii. I guess what Koyasu Aki did at that time has some thing to do with why that happened..." Izzy's face contorted into a frown that even the sweetness of the coffee couldn't console. He had only shed one tear because throughout all this misfortune, he learned from the Tsunami that only the tough survived. He was alive and Hayato was dead and probably in Hell somewhere. Good riddens to bad rubbish.
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:26 pm
It was palpable... the frustration and the anger and the disgust that simply radiated off of Izzy Lucky in waves. Yuuji knew he deserved this man's scorn, and it was a miracle to him that the manager hadn't just gotten up and decked him right there.
Akihiko would. He knew his cousin would the moment this video was shown to him.
'To do nothing...'
Inwardly sighing, Takagi shook his head. "Don't tell him now. Heavens no. He needs to calm down and get his head in gear right now. Maybe after his next tour... when his life isn't such a mixed up nightmare. But not now. I showed this to you because you were the most innocent in this entire affair... and because I knew you could handle it. Though I'm rather surprised I don't have a black eye by this point." he added with a half smile, though it never reached his eyes. "Lets spare my cousin for just a bit longer, ne? Besides, I thought what with you being Shou-san's friend and all..." but then the man blinked.
Hayato had dated Naoko?
Had Naoko known that side of the man?
Yuuji was tempted to ask... and yet... why?
Hayato was dead. What reason was there to question things now? What good would it do?
Then again...
His son was being taken care of by the two men closest to Hayato...
"I can trust Shou-san... can't I?" Takagi asked suddenly, looking to Izzy for honesty. "Hayato dated both Shou-san and Naoko-san... and, well with Hideo part of their lives... you can see why I might be a bit worried, ne?" but then the man shook his head. "Gomen... I... I know I can trust Shou-san... to be honest, Lucky-san... he's um..." the man rubbed the back of his head in a bit of embarrassment. "Shou-san is the other person aside from Michi-kun... the one that I said I felt might be just too big a convenience... Guess this makes me look even worse now... One thing had just lead to another at Akihiko's that night and..." Yuuji shrugged. "I don't want to use Shou-san. He doesn't deserve that because he's been nothing but helpful to Ohayou and a friend to you, even with the crap Akihiko's pulled."
Walking up to the white piano, Naoko sat down and let his long fingers lay on the keys for a moment. He didn't say anything to Shou, even after the man asked, because right now his amber gaze was focused on the ivory beneath his digits.
It was flawless... beautifully perfect...
"I really get to play on this?" the younger Oumori asked in a whisper almost too soft to be heard.
Taking a deep breath, Naoko closed his eyes and began to play.
The music that came from those glorious keys...
Azriel just stopped and listened, too transfixed to do anything or say anything in regards to Shou and his super-sized cup, though he had thought it humorous...
And had secretly wanted his own for Jasmine Green Tea...
Blue contact eyes fixed on Naoko and the piano as the bat cocked his head to the side ever so slightly, listening... focusing... analyzing... remembering...
When Naoko finished, the bat walked up beside him. "Sugoi... it's beautiful but..."
"But?" the pianist asked, amber gazed fixed immediately on Azriel.
Katsumi smiled slightly, "But it isn't loved. The piano, I mean. It's beautiful and new and shiny and the sound it produces is golden... but the love is missing."
"The love?" Naoko asked, perplexed.
"It isn't like a piano with years of love and care... those produce a different sound altogether. A more nostalgic melody... But this piano... this piano produces heavenly notes. I suppose it depends on what feeling you want to invoke, NAKO-san."
The blond didn't say anything, but he did glance at Shou. To him, that made sense. Songs written on the piano that his brother had gotten for him... a piano still at his apartment even now... always felt a bit warmer than anything he made in the studio.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 1:18 pm
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do------------------------------------------------}:- SHOU
No escaping when I start .traeh ruoy nwo I ni m'I ecnO
Beautiful Dreamer
Shou rolled his eyes with Katsumi's evaluation. "These pianos are new and of the finest quality. Of course they aren't loved yet. That's what comes next...the loving and caring. When you play these twins it brings love and life to them. The soul that you pour in to them is what brings them to life. They are perfect twins right now but one day, we will see the differences between them. Because each instrument will gain a personality based on the person playing them."
And then Shou shook his head, "Nostalgia is only in the ears of the artist. Most of the fans will never experience nostalgia...If I brought a well loved piano to the tour, the only people that would truly understand the quirks, the slight changes in tune or the tremble of certain keys would be the...artists. The fans might think of it as a piano out of tune or a less than perfect attempt. "
He smiled and pointed at Azriel. "Go sit down at the black piano for a moment. You don't have to play but put your fingers upon the keyboard."
If Katsumi complied, one of Shou's team posing as the photographer for the day took a snapshot of Naoko and Katsumi at the pianos together. Shou smirked as he watched the two, "I'm collecting images for the photo book. Fans love to see what we do behind the scenes. Because this is what they never can experience. I'm even having snapshots taking of my PV creation. I hope your team is doing the same thing for your PV if you're going to market a photobook on the tour."
But then he glanced over at Naoko and crossed his arms over his chest, "You get to play one of these two on the tour...so take a little time to get to know them. I'm sure that they will tell you many stories."
-:{------------------------------------------------Cause it’s about to get rough for you
I’m here For Your Entertainment What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"I'm not Akihiko. Violence against you isn't going to change what has been done. And it won't solve anything. Your own guilt will do more than my fists." Izzy said with a slight sigh. Releasing his anger with his fist would have felt good. Even if completely useless.
"Aye...I won't be giving Akihiko any such information right now. Not until he's able to get through a tour...get his life back together." But then he noticed Yuuji's surprise and immediately he responded firmly as he straightened up in his chair, "Shou would never do anything to harm Hideo. He loves Hideo as much as a parent would. I trust Shou even if he is a bit crazy, he's a good sort of crazy. As for Naoko, I've not seen him with Hideo as much but from everything the child says so far, he thinks highly of his 'uncles'.
But the biggest shock from Yuuji's mouth was yet to come. No...Izzy didn't see that one not in a million years. Even if he and Akihiko had planned on throwing the two together at dinner. They had both be totally blind to this. "Wait. You and Shou?! Seriously?" Oh it was probably a good thing that he and Akihiko hadn't done the dinner party. He took a drink of his coffee to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"Seriously?" he asked again, then added to the question, "Mm....why too convenient? Because Hideo is there? Is Shou just someone you're fooling around with? Do you like either men for more than that?" Ok so maybe he wasn't going to call Michi just yet. He wasn't exactly sure what Yuuji really wanted if anything!
"Nothing is wrong with fooling around if both parties feel that way Yuuji. I doubt Michi has any problem with one night stands. And...I know Shou's fooled around with his fair share. So...he might not be expecting anything out of it. But that does make me wonder what you're looking for. Michi and Shou don't have a lot in common. Well, ok so both are good looking and can sing. They probably have different...styles in the intimacy department. Michi must be a hard habit to break because Akihiko surely has had a hard time letting it go." Actually Izzy seriously doubted that Akihiko had let go of Michi deep within the tiger's soul. Akihiko was only monogamous because of his own fears of someone else gaining Izzy's attentions."And Shou...I expect...he's probably very creative. Mm...but what are you looking for Yuuji? Have you even signed those papers yet concerning Aya? Is there any chance of reconciliation if you both got counseling? Or has it gone to far for that? Does she want to even see Hideo?"
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:09 pm
Within the Darkness of the Pit on level 7, The Doctor scheduled the round of examinations that he'd allow Ono Takashi to perform. He typed up the notice and pressed the button of said email.
Upstairs, it arrived in Soto's office and he frowned. Was it already that time again? Well the New Year's was over and it was best to get this done as soon as possible. He hated the Doctor...but his opinion of Ono Takashi hadn't reached the depths of hate that he felt for the Doctor. He'd tolerate his presence in the realm above.
So...Soto sent back his own email okaying the 'visit' as long as there were Soto's men present. The Master of the upper realm wanted to be certain none of his 'pets' were harmed. Although he never could be too sure, he wasn't a doctor. However, even the Doctor didn't want disease in the pit. So...thus far, nothing foul had occurred during these examinations. It wasn't like Soto could send the pets for regular physicals as a local clinic.
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:44 pm
 
Everything was perfectly and painstakingly prepared.
Ono could easily go from floor to floor taking the necessary blood samples. They would return with him back to the lab for testing... and it would be quite simple to inject the proper 'bacteria' into the sample, cultivate it, and then present it as evidence that Oreo needed to be quarantined and treated.
Of course Takashi had also made sure to coat one of the syringes in a bit of virus that would present itself as a mild flu. After all, if Oreo was feeling fine then something would be thought of as off.
Thus, Ono began his rounds, all the while mindful of the special syringe that was intended for his target and that man alone. He wore a pleasant smile on his face as he worked, not caring in the least that Soto had men watching him. When it was Oreo's turn, Takashi took out the specially prepared syringe, pupping the cap off as he asked the man to sit down comfortably.
"You'd be amazed how many there are down here that are afraid of needles, Oreo-san." Takashi spoke pleasantly as he took the man's arm and carefully began to poke around with his thumb for a good vein.
"Well yes... I do suppose that's true..." Azriel said softly, thinking over Shou's words.
Fans certainly had different expectations than artists it seemed.
Sitting at the piano, Katsu didn't think anything of it until his picture was taken. Of course the bat didn't exactly mind either because he knew that it was going to good use.
Naoko smiled, "One of these, ne? Mmm... guess I'll need to give then equal attention until I choose. Or have you already chosen for me, Shou-san?" the pianist asked with a raised eyebrow.
For his part, Katsumi was mulling over the photobook idea. He had done a few pictures, mainly for the CD single's cover of his dual PVs... and while the ideas of his Azriel photobook were still in his head (because yes he hadn't forgotten that brain storming session with Hiroki oddly enough... the bat wasn't exactly sure how to approach a girly photobook.
"Fan enjoy seeing the process, ne?" he asked, tapping his cheek as he thought about it further. "Then maybe I should have a photographer follow me around at the studio. And since YOU, Shou-san, are using this photo of NAKO-san and I at the pianos... I claim dibs on a photo of dinner tonight." Mi-chan teased with a wink.
"When you get back to Akihiko's then, you should think about using the punching bag in his gym to let off a little steam. My cousin will just think you're still pissed at him so he probably won't question it." Yuuji spoke reasonably, knowing for certain that his own guilt over the entire affair really WAS a worse punishment than a black eye or two. "I..." Takagi frowned then actually blushed slightly. "Well yeah. Hideo lives with Shou and so a part of me feels bad being with Shou as a means to get closer to my son. But then again... the couple of times we did it... really had nothing to do with Hideo at all."
Yuuji looked away, rubbing the back of his head slightly. "Um yeah... Shou's rather inventive... to put it mildly... and Michi just... has really sneaky fingers when he's giving a massage..." the man spoke, obviously embarrassed about both of his times with the two men.
He'd been with Michi three times... Shou twice...
And yet...
The man blinked suddenly, sitting back down. "Aya... I told her I got Hideo back and that he's safe but... she didn't take that as well as I hoped. She wanted him with her now and I tried to explain that he was still in danger... which lead to another round of yelling at me for getting 'her son' caught up in something I couldn't handle. But no... I haven't signed them. They're actually in Aki's desk since that's where I've been working from lately."
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:05 pm
Do you know what you got into
Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do------------------------------------------------}:- SHOU
No escaping when I start .traeh ruoy nwo I ni m'I ecnO
Beautiful Dreamer
Shou smiled with Naoko's question, "Love them equally...and we will see which one fits you best." He had his own thoughts about the matter but he wasn't about to express them now. He'd wait until Naoko saw....the PV.
The photographer snapped a couple other photos of the two young men sitting there. Just in case the first one wasn't good.
"Of course they enjoy it." Shou spun around and pointed to the stage. He was really in his chaotic mood as he spoke but it was filled with dreams and vision. "Young fans can't even fathom what sort of work we go through to make a fantasy come to life. But when you offer them pictures of this world and tell stories about this hard work, they get to feel like they are even better connected with your world."
Shou loved his Bees. That much was obvious. He had a certain vigor when it came to the fans. And it probably was a key factor in his success as as star. "Yes...I would if I were you. See...part of the fun everyday here is to see who gets photographer duty. Of course I have a professional photographer here for some things, but candid shots like this aren't in need for a pro to be around all the time."
Then Shou laughed. "Ok...Ok...you get the dinner shot for your book. I've several dinner shots of little Ko already. Oh....and I'll have even more cute shots once I get him into his costumes. Ah...I'll have to make arrangements with his Sensei to have a different hours for class that day. My designer is bringing in a load of materials....Mm...Maybe Ishihara-san can teach while Ko is being pinned into his costumes. Mm...and Naoko-kun and the band members get to be pinned in to costumes too. Ah...really long day...."
Suddenly Shou clapped his hands, "I'm keeping Katsumi-san much to long. Your PV is waiting and Hamu is stamping his foot. Seems like play time is over!"
With that the team scrambled to their stations. Very different from Team 3. Everyone was back to work without fuss and fully prepared to move to the next mission. "Since Naoko-kun is here now, let run though the effects with him involved. Starting from the top.... Naoko-kun come sit over here with me. And watch the effects and lighting. Then we both get back into the protective suits and go through it together. I've already been through it once with the other band members...."
-:{------------------------------------------------Cause it’s about to get rough for you
I’m here For Your Entertainment What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
Izzy agreed internally with that idea. Well...maybe. He didn't use the punching bags like Akihiko did. He'd probably work out...lift weights. Maybe even some cardio. "Well, then you really can't say that Hideo was the instigator of your interest in Shou so that's a good thing."said Izzy as he got up from his chair and walked over to get ANOTHER danish. Now he really needed the sweets. His brain had been overloaded with too many thing that either pissed him off, worried or frustrated him.
"So do you have a preference? I mean...both are interesting. But are your more interested in playing the field or having someone closer than that? There are other men out there...so what are you thinking for yourself?" asked Izzy as he peeked in the bag thankful to see there were more danish to enjoy.
"Mm...giving Hideo to her right now wouldn't work very well with his memories as they are...and with his musical talent. He's not going to take jumping back to a normal life easily. His eyes are on the stars...Shou...Akihiko...Naoko-san. So many around him showing him the road. When he remembers being Hideo, he surely won't want to leave behind all that being Ko has offered him. Although, I'm sure he will want his father and mother in his life. I have to wonder how Shou will fit into that. Did you even tell her the situation?" Izzy breathed in the scent of danish before sliding his hand in and plucking the sweet goody out. Oh....Akihiko would probably be wincing with the amount of sugary sweets he was consuming this morning. Mm...he missed Akihiko's breakfasts...so lovingly prepared. His handsome....wife....
"Do you want to sign them? Do you think...you and she can reconcile? You probably need to take a little time to think about it but I'm sure you know the answer inside."
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
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