Livin' the dream(currently editing, please don't read yet)

Part 1: Chapter 5: An old friend's visit

The next day, our practice went on normally. No Fuorame demons prowling about to bother us, which was good. No one was there to make our problem's even worse, since we don't really need any more of them. All four of us wore the same expression- frustrated and upset- when we realized something we shouldn't have. Practice wasn't enough for us anymore.
The girls and i realized this because, just mastering our instruments wasn't going to make us anymore like rock stars. Just like people that knew how to play music. Maybe that's what Fuorame saw in us, the we don't have the "it" factor to become rock stars. Maybe not yet, but i didn't have any idea how to get it. Nor do i know anyone who does. But, i do know one thing. We can't be a rock band if we don't. And i hope, we get it soon
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My Weekend mornings usually start the same way. It starts with me lazily waking up , finding myself wrapped around by my fuzzy wool blanket, all comfy and warm. The morning sun would shine on me, giving me a comfortable warm feeling. Then, i'll wrap my arms around my pillow, hugging it tightly as if there was some beautiful girl sleeping soundly beside me. And finally, I would fall asleep back asleep, relaxing in the softness of my own bed. Then, i'd wake up around noon, happily satisfied and energized.
But it wasn't like that this morning...
"Five more minutes...." i weakly moaned, irritated by the loud sounds of the alarm. I grab hold of my blanket, and swiped it over me-like a vampire would on his cape- and covered my ears, trying to shut out the noise and just sleep. But, the alarm wouldn't stop, keeping me awake..
"Shut...up..." i groaned weakly. But, its not like that would work listen. Why did i even thought it would a moment ago? Why does this morning have to be ruined by an alarm? Who's idea was it to even set up one?
Oh yeah, it was me. Now i remember.
I turned to my side, and crept my arm out of the blankets, as i tried to reach out for my cellphone- the source of the wretched noise. The thing that has been keeping me awake.
As i felt it, it took hold of it, retracting my harm back to me. I forced my eyes to open, which squinted as the display brightened up with white light by a touch of a button. It took them a moment to adjust, as i focused them on the screen. When they did, i slid my finger across the screen,ending the alarm and silencing the noise. I let out a sigh of relief, as i fell back on my backside. My body started to feel like a rock, as i tried to drift back to sleep. But, in no way was i still sleepy. My mind is now fully awake, even though i really didn't wanted it to be. My muscles still felt a bit stiff, making me feel lazy and weak. No way did i wanted to be awake yet. Just not yet. I slammed my arm on my blanket, for no apparent reason. Just felt like doing it, as i stared blankly at the white washed ceiling above. Fluffy stuff shot up into the air like a rocket, before slowly drifting back down. I gazed at them, having no idea why i was or what was going on in my head right now. It felt like my brain was still rebooting or something-blank and empty. A piece of fluff softly landed onto my nose, making it itch a bit. I tried blowing it off my face, and scratched the spot with my hand. wait a minute....What the heck am i doing?
My brain suddenly came back sane mode. I felt a bit idiotic about what i just did. "Watching fluff in the air...wooh, how fun..." I forced myself up-seeing how i cannot fall asleep anymore-and sat on the edge of my bed, pulling my sheets along with me. I rubbed off the stuff in my eyes, let out a big yawn, and stretched my sore muscles, like i usually did. Ah, that sure felt good, like it did every morning.
When i felt satisfied and awake, i turned back and felt for my phone under the endless folds of my blanket. When i felt a hard bump, i dug my phone out, and checked the display.
"Five miss calls..." i said softy read the words written on the display
"wait....Five missed calls?????" i repeated. I quickly unlocked my phone to check.
The screen showed up a menu shortly after. I pressed a button on the touch screen, and navigated it. With a touch, another menu popped out, and the words "Five missed calls: Atsushi" showed up on the display.
So, i didn't alarm? And it was his call was what got me away from my heavenly paradise on my bed? Great...
I raised my brow, as i noticed something strange. Atsushi calling me? at this time?
I looked up to the clock display on the top of the screen. "9:54 am" was displayed in bold text.
What would he be doing at this hour?
I tapped the big green call button on the screen, and placed the phone next to my ear.
The call got picked up by the third ring
"Good morning, Ren-kun" Atsushi greeted lightly, probably with a smile. He seemed to be wide awake, which raised my suspition on him
"yeah, good morning" i replied, still a bit groggy and a bit irritated
"hehe, i see you're awake. that's good"
"What's so good about waking me up?"
"Well, you see...hehe..." his voice trailed off, as if he wanted so say something but couldn't
"Out with it"
"Ok OK, fine. There's someone here who wants to see you" he said, hastily. And somewhat, nervous.
"Me?"
"yes, you."
"Who?"
"Well..." his voice trailed off again. Why can't he just tell me who?
"Yukari?" since he didn't answer, i guessed
"no" he responded flatly
"Mikka?"
"no"
"Ayumi?"
"n-no, of course not" he hesitated a bit, making me make a wild grin.
"Then who?"
"Well...its a guy, not a girl"
"A guy? Who would want to see me? And why won't you just tell me?"
"Just get over here and find out for yourself" he sounded like he was impatient for some reason, which is rare for Atsushi.
"Why not just tell me!?"
"Meet me at the Cafe Latte, where we used to hang out. And don't be late"
"Atsu-" i swallowed my words, as i heard the the phone being hanged up.
I shrugged-seeing that's the only thing i could do-and tossed my cell over my shoulder. It landed with a thud on the mattress with a sound, as i walked out of the room
I have no idea who wants to meet me, but i'm eager to find out for myself. Besides, i needed a break once in a while. Away from the girls, that is I took a quick shower, then threw on the first thing i could grab in my closet- a blue t-shirt with a stormtrooper helmet printed in white, and some baggy jeans- and headed out of the room. But, just as i stepped a foot out into the hallway, something suddenly came into my mind. I tapped my chest lightly. Feeling a sense of something missing,I looked back over my shoulder, to my sidetable sitting next to my bed, and thought for a moment. Should i get it? Or can i just leave it behind? I shrugged, and decided to get it anyway. i guess i just can't help it. I grabbed the dresser's golden handle. A cold feeling came on my hand, which crawled its way up my arm, making me shiver a bit. I hesitated for a moment, before opening the drawer. Inside was a messy pile of my stuff; just some watches, wallets, and a drawing pad and pencil i own, and other stuff i didn't really mind taking out. But, none of them is what i was looking for. I pushed the contents aside, and searched deeper. As i set eyes on it, i pulled it out, and hanged it in front of my face. It really wasn't much, just a silver chained necklace with a little yellow Gibson Les Paul junior guitar hanging on it with a ring. "I promised, didn't i?" i softly said to it, as i put it on my neck. I walked up to the mirror to see it on my neck. There on the mirror, i saw myself with the necklace dangling on my neck. A wild grin grew on my face. No, i know i'm not good looking, but at least I looked decent. I grabbed my necklace, using the mirror as my guide, and hid the guitar under my collar. I felt uneasy whenever people would see it, since it would only spawn questions. So, its become a habit of mine to hide it.But, i wonder why, cannot i break that promise. The promise i had made to her that day.... RING! The sudden sound suddenly agitate me, making me I flinched up on reflex, and dashed out of the room, through the halls, and down the stairs. I can't get caught up in memory lane now. I did the quick three tap check jammed my hand into my pocket, and felt for my cellphone. The pocket was empty, making me realize i had forgotten it back in my room. "Drumsticks" i cursed, and went up the stairs again. I headed to my room, reached for and grabbed my cellphone out of my bed, jammed it into my pocket, and went down-once again- down the stairs. I usually wake up around noon, so i expected to see food prepared by the time i arrived into the kitchen. But, i remembered it was still early, and my parents aren't awake yet. If only i realized that earlier, then i wouldn't have been disappointed when i made it to the kitchen. Since i'm in a hurry, i flipped open the bread keeper, and took out a pandesal to go. I grabbed it by my teeth, and took a sticky note hanged on the refrigerator door, and wrote on it. Went out with Atsushi, might not be back soon. But, i'll be back by dinner i posted the note onto the table, and headed to the front, where i wore my favorite black converse, took my keys and went out. I slowly closed the door- being careful not to shut it with a loud thud- and locked it with my keys, before hopping onto my bike and dashed off to the train station. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// By the time i got to the train station, i was a bit surprised. I never knew the train station was so big. I guess that's because i was never this early on a weekend. There were only a few people roaming in the station, making it feel so spacious. I don't feel like it's the same one i usually take. I took the next train heading downtown downtown. Even the train cart seemed so spacious. So many chairs to choose from, since there is maybe only two or three people with me on this trip. I decided to take a seat near the railing, throwing my feet onto the yellow hard plastic seating. It's kind of new for me to be so relaxed in this train, since i'm used to being crushed by people all round. I plugged in the earphones to my cell, and decided to listen to some tunes while i wait. The ride wasn't that long. Just an ordinary train ride for my from my home to downtown. Although, it was quite a blur for me, and we arrived earlier than i expected. Did i doze off? I guess i'm not as awake as i thought i was. The train stopped to a halt. When the metal doors swooshed open, i was the first to step off. I took in the air around me in one quick gulp, and headed out of the station. A beam of sunlight shined on me as i stepped out of the shade of the station, forcing my eyes to squint. The sun seems higher in the sky than i remembered it, making me wonder just how long was i asleep-if i did doze of. The walk to the cafe was torture. It seems hotter than i ever remembered it been. someone can cook egg on this sidewalk,literature. But, i endured it, Endured the heat, even if it felt like i was being fried alive. "Hey, Ren-kun" but as i heard Atsushi's voice, I lightened up a bit, since i knew i was there. I waved my hand to him, signaling him to stop. He was a couple of meters a way, and he wasn't alone. Someone was standing beside him, but the sun made it hard to distinguish who it was. "Hey, hurry up will you, Ren? I don't got all day!" the figure shouted impatiently, his voice deep and low. Right then and there, i knew who it was. A wild grin came on my face "Yeah yeah, Takumi. I'm coming" I hurried up a bit, running lightly to where they stood. "Took you long enough" he folded his hands across his chest, looking mighty impatient. Yup, i was sure it was him. Ecchino Takumi "Well? what are you waiting for? won't you say how much you missed me?" his face loosened into a light grin and let out a light chuckle. If i know Takumi, he must be all teary eyes inside, wanting to give the three of us a big bear hug. But, he doesn't want to let down his "cool" guy act for the ladies, and acts like he doesn't care much. "well,What are you guys waiting for? Let's go inside". On his command, we entered the cafe. The smell of coffee suddenly came to me, perking me up a bit. I suddenly had the urge to drink coffee. Maybe an espresso, grande size. The cafe didn't have as much customers as it normally did. Mostly just some guys in suits and some sweaty people in sweats, making us look a bit out of place. There are also some couples here to drink some coffee, and a bunch of free loaders trying to pick up the cafe's free wi fi. "I'll take our orders. What would you guys like?" "I'll take a Espresso"-me "And i'll take cappuccino"- Takumi "So, Espresso and Cappuccino" he pointed at us as he repeated, " Ok, got it. Now, you guys go look for your seats" Atsushi headed of to the counter right away, and gave our orders, while me and Takumi started looking for a good spot. We glanced around, scanning through the coffee tables, looking for a vacant one. "there's one!" i pointed towards a good spot: Three red covered chairs with armrests, a big enough table with a good view of the outside through a glass window. Takumi silently agreed, and decided to take our seats. Takumi was wearing his casual wear. But, to me, it didn't look that way. He wore a purple checkered polo with a white undershirt, fit blue pants with holes around the knees, and his favorite pair of purple vans. To him, what is casual is to me what i'd wear to a date. If ever i would have one. The only thing that didn't seem right was his spike styled black hair that a faded color of red on the top. "So Ren, got any girls yet?" He asked, as he flopped down to his chair, throwing his arms over the arm rests. I hesitated for a moment before i replied "Takumi...not this again..." "What? You haven't!?" "Well, its not that easy, you know" "Not easy?" he exclaimed "Why, its a man's nature to have the urge to want to seize the attention and affection of the woman his heart desires" And here he goes again, blabling about how important it is to have a girl by his side. To Takumi, being a playboy he is, a man's life is lived by grabbing girl love, and having a new girlfriend every week I look away, uninterested in whatever none sense he was, again, babbling. And i thought being in Kyoto for almost a year would change him. Turns out, it didn't. Not one bit of change. "Ren..." Takumi said, sounding somewhat Disappointed, " you'll never get a girl if you don't listen to -" I give him the finger without looking at him. He laughs it off. "F*ck you to Ren" he says jokingly, trying to contain his laughter. Normally, i would get grounded for a year-maybe even more- for doing that, or even learning that. But, i can't help it if i'm talking to Takumi. We used to always argue about stuff we never really agreed about, and he would almost always use one or more dirty words. I guess it just came off me as well, and before i knew it, i started using them as well. Luckily, i only talk this way to Takumi, and no one else. Atsushi came shortly after, carrying a hard plastic tray with our orders. He looked baffled at the sigh of Takumi toning down his laughter, and me glaring at him, looking displeased. He just flashed a warm smile at me, as he placed down the tray and took his seat. The three of us took our drinks in silence. I didn't feel like starting a conversation. Neither did the two. I took of the cap of my coffee mug. It was still steaming hot, with the sweet aroma of coffee drifting from my cup. I had the urge to take a sip, but i started to regret in a moment. "Ah!" i jerked the cup away from me, as i felt that soaring pain in my tongue. "What's wrong Ren?" Takumi asked, looking a bit worried "I fwink i bwumed vy twounge" ( i think i burned my tongue) the the two burs ted into laughter, even i did. Although the joke was on me, and at my expense. It started to feel like the old times again. How we used to be when we were back together. But, i knew it still felt that there was something missing. " i kinda miss Kyoshi. i said, trying to start a conversation, "How is he nowadays anyway?" "He's in the US, right?" Takumi was the first to respond. He took up his cup, and stirred his drink a bit with a thin plastic stirrer "That's what i heard. Have you guys been in touch?" Takumi flapped his hand at me, cocking it to one side "Don't bother try. Kyoshi's the kind of guy that stays silent-both online and offline" "But," Atsushi added, " Have you tried?" "Yeah-sure-i tried once. But, he didn't reply." "Was he online?" i asked "Yeah, for a moment. Then he went offline. His usual routine..." Takumi rolled his eyes, taking another sip to his coffee "I guess some things don't change, don't they?" i said softly, letting out a sigh "Yeah, like the fact you still don't have a girlfriend" But, Takumi shot me down in an instant, laughing his pants off yet again It lasted for a couple of seconds, slowly fading. I resisted the urge to throw my hot coffee at him. I really wanted to, but i just don't want to cause trouble again, when he calmed down, he spoke "Oh Ren, why not just go and try your luck on a girl? I heard my sis is in town, why not try her?" he sounded as if she wasn't his sister. Rude, yes. But, that's just how Takumi is. I sometimes even wonder if he still treats his sister any differently from any other girl. I have never even seem them together. Maybe he even flirts with his sister, or maybe... something popped into my mind, making my face hotten up. I quickly shook of the thought, feeling a bit ashamed of my perverted dirty mind "Your sister's in town?" Atsushi asked "She sure is," Takumi took a short pause to sip on his drink, "I heard she's living alone here. Even got enrolled and studies here. In Saint Claire's i think" "You mean that all girl school" "You got it..." Takumi flashed a wide grin like that of a perverted man "...Harem heaven..." he mutters softly, as if he was drifting off into one of his fantasies Takumi has trouble sometimes to stay focused. Especially if women is involved I waited a few seconds, before tapping him in the cheek, bringing him back to reality He shook his head furriously in shock. "Where was i?...oh yeah, at Natsumi's school, the all girl school-" "Wait," Atsushi suddenly blurted out, "Natsumi? Wasn't her name Tatsumi? You know, as in Tatsumi from the chaos angels?" "Oh, that..." Takumi slouches back, letting his arms hang from the twin armrests on both sides, "That's her stage name she uses for her band" "Stage name?" Atsushi asked again, eyes wide in surprise "Yeah, each of her band mates have their own stage name. Tatsumi, Nana, Yui, Kiko; all stage names..." "Wait, Yui's a stage name?" "And we have a winner!!!" he starts imitating a game show host to piss me off "I'm serious Takumi" "Were't you listening?" Takumi leaned in closer, "I said all names are stage names. Even Yui" he said, slow and low, before retracting and returning to his usual self All names are stage names...even Yui... Those words of his made me realize something. Yui isn't her real name That meant she could be anyone, maybe even someone i knew. Could she be... "Speaking of which," Atusushi decided to change the subject. he turned to me and said, "Ren, Didn't you a start a band not to long ago?" "You What!?" Takumi said suddenly, his voice sharp and stiff, thrusting quickly towards me, slamming his palms on the table. The table rattled with a THUD, causing me to get a bit startled "i-i-made a....technically...sort of...band" I was at lost for words. I didn't want to tell him, because that meant- "How!? Why!? How!?" -people would start asking questions "Ren made up a music club with Mikka, and they decided to make a band just a couple of weeks ago" Atsushi decided to fill me in. "Oh," he blurted, "Why didn't you say so before...." he slowly went back into his seat, flopping back to the red armchair. "so, tell me more about this band of yours" he rested his elbows onto the table, hands together, and rested his chin on top of them. His eyes clearly showed he was genuinely interested, which was quite new for me. His mouth grew into a gentle smile, which was even weirder for me. Takumi never really cared about anything more than girls, and anything else would have bored him to death. Maybe Takumi has changed. Even if its only a little, insignificant one. "Alright, but it really isin't much though" "Go ahead, i don't really hear any good tales nowadays. Just some crap that people with vivid imaginations have." "ok, then. it's starts out when me and Mikka....." And i went on to telling him all that had happened; the concert, the meeting, the hunting, the pathetic first practice, even Fuorame-san and my sappy excuse for a bass guitar. at first, i thought he was bluffing. Turns out, he wasn't. He was actually all ears, listening and commenting on what had happened. He was even genuinely surprised alot has happened since he left. "Kind of crazy idea, i agree. But, hey, your band seems just as imperfect as ours. But, i know you guys will do good, especially in your competition" "Why would you say that?" "Because i'll give you-this" He fished out something from his pocket, held it out in between two fingers, and threw it to me like a shuriken. A white square spun around as it crossed the table, avoiding the cups and other stuff on the table, and stopped just an inch away from falling off the edge. My eyes grew wide in confusion "A paper" "not just any paper, its folded" "Takumi...." i snarled "OK OK" he gestured his hands up in surrender, "Its-um-something that would help" "Help what?" "Your band" I raised a brow in suspicion. why would Takumi help me? and what exactly is this help he's talking about? i looked up to him. He just flashed a suspicious grin. i looked back down to the folded piece of paper, and decided to find out what exactly is the help he offered. I slowly took the piece of paper, and slowly opened it. "Wha-?" Something was written on the sheet of paper. And, whatever it was, it was written by Takumi's distinctively bad handwriting. But, it wasn't really the handwriting that caught my eye. It was what was written on it (obviously) I think, with this, we might just beat fuorame's group. Maybe even win the musicfest all together. "Takumi, are you sure about this?" i asked, as a rush of energy suddenly flowed through me. "Yeah. I got it from a friend of mine. He said that as long as you follow what's stated there, you guys will do fine" "And this guy is?" "a friend of mine from Kyoto, who is now a famous guitarist from a band there." "You sure about this Takumi?" "Positive. Playboy's honor" he let out his hand as he pledged Atsushi let out a snicker "yeah yeah, whatever" i just rolled my eyes. I refolded the piece of paper, putting my trust once more into Takumi, and placed it in my pocket. I tapped it lightly for reassurance. We ended up having some fun an laughs after that. Time passed by, people came and went. The sun had risen to the top of the blue sky. It was a great day indeed for me. But, as i was at the top of my game, brimming with happiness, something just had to ruin my day "oh yeah, Ren," Atsushi said, "don't you have work today?" ".....i do....?" "dude, its a Saturday. This is the last day of your shift, remember?" ".....i do!" i exclaimed. Oh man, i totally forgot! I checked again on my clock. The neon colored lead display showed it was already 12:23. "oh man! I'm late" i slapped my temple in realization. I knew this day was too perfect. I jolted out of my seat, pulled out my half of the bill, and slapped it on top of the table "gotta go guys, see ya!" i said hurriedly, making my way through the- now crowded- lobby area, and past the door. /////////// Ren dashed forth though the door, and onto the sidewalk. Atsushi and Takumi watched through the window, as he passed them, slowly growing smaller as he went further, until he was out of sight. "ren doesn't change that easily, does he?" Takumi said with a troubled expression in his face "same old Ren, i guess" Atsushi agreed, picking up his empty Styrofoam cup, and tossing it into the trash. The cup ricochets on the edge, but still falls into the bin. Takumi makes a smug expression. "Well, i guess its time for me to leave too" he said, standing up, and walked away, both hands buried in his pockets. "Hey," Atsushi called out, "aren't you going to pay?" "ohhh yeahhh...." Takumi said, eyes looking directly at the exit. "gotta go now" he sprinted for the door, leaving Atsushi behind "Takumi!" Atsushi shouted But Takumi continued out the door, nudging a incoming customer out of his way "Takumi!" Atsushi shouted again, but Takumi was already long gone. Seeing this, he gave up. He sank back in his chair, and looked blankly at the empty cups on the table, with coffee dried on the bottom. He let out a sigh, slowly shaking his head from left to right "some things never change...do they?"