"Like hell I'm scared!" Kuon admonished as he grabbed one of the songbooks and started flipping through the pages.
Maemi looked on trying to hide her disdain for the younger woman. She had done what all the others had failed to so far. She had managed to make Kuon want to sing solo. Damn that Kyoko! Natsu watched Maemi from the corner of her eye since this was her territory. She knew Kyoko had needed her help to sing as she had done and now Natsu was waiting to see just how much of a threat this woman was.
Maemi leant over Kuon as he read through the songbook. Natsu knew what she was trying to do. If Kuon looked a little to his right he would see right down her top. Natsu smiled at the blatant display. Kyoko certainly wouldn't have noticed but Natsu did and she liked the way Kuon seemed completely oblivious to her attempts. Natsu slowly faded and her also went those type of thoughts. Now Kyoko shifted in her seat uncomfortably since she had never really sang in front of other people. Growing up with Sho of course she had to know a little about music so she had read all of the library books about the subject at school. She had been hoping one day Sho would ask her to join him in his quest for musical fame. With that in mind she had practised alone when working and cleaning. In "Corn's Clearing" she had also found she quietly enjoyed it there though of course Sho never wanted her.
Sho had seen this of course. These days, he had been watching every program possible where Kyoko would be taking part. His free time was spent viewing every all of the available live web streams flicking through the cameras to find her in his free time. He even went so far as to buy an Ipad tablet with a live TV feed to watch the shows from his dressing room or whereever he happened to be at that time. It just so happened tonight he had been sitting backstage waiting for his turn to promote his new single on Bridge Rock. The moment Kyoko opened her mouth, Sho's jaw hit the floor. He had never known she could sing. Hell she could sing really well! Sho realized Kyoko could not only sing well, but with a little help she could very well break into the music industry herself. This frightened Sho and as he watched the woman he believed he knew better than anybody alive, he suddenly understood just how much he really had missed out on and just how much he had thrown away.
Maemi watched Kyoko as her confidence from a few moments ago had slipped. She was now the girl she always was. Being an actress herself Maemi wondered just how Kyoko seemed to change at the drop of a hat the way she did, it was uncanny. Being a classical actress of course she knew of method actors. Maemi was aware Kuon was a method actor, but how could a newbie such as Kyoko be the same. It shouldn't really be possible.
"Ah Ha!"Kuon suddenly exclaimed as he slammed the book shut and grabbed the remote. The sparkle in his eyes made Kyoko's heart leap as he turned his most heart wrenching smile towards her.
"I'm going to make you eat your words." Kyoko let a little of Natsu out as she smiled back.
"I look forward to it." She smiled a sexy smirk as Kuon punched in the number and then grabbing one of the mics he stood before the screen as the title in English read.
"The Way You Look Tonight: Frank Sinatra"
Kyoko read the title a few times racking her brain and trying to think if she had heard this song before or if she even knew the artist. But as the music kicked in she knew it was something she had not heard before. As Kuon's voice kicked in, Kyoko knew he had picked a song perfect for his own style.
Someday, when I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
The way Kuon smiled and clicked his fingers made Kyoko smile as his eyes never left hers. Kuon winked before doing a simple little foxtrot with his feet which had Kyoko laughing. She wondered how many people would be able to understand the song?
Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight
Kyoko thought the type of music fit Kuon's voice. It was so deep and soulful, no wonder all the pop songs the women had been having him sing were not his style. This explained why he hadn't been happy singing them. But this...this was something new and Kyoko fell more in love with every word.
With each word your tenderness grows
Tearin' my fear apart
And that laugh..wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart
Lovely ... Never, never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight
Kuon smiled at the two women and did a few tap dancing steps as Kyoko laughed outright.
"Swing?" she questioned with one word.
Kuon nodded and smiled. "It was always Dad's favourite. He was especially fond of Sinatra." Kuon smiled at his own memories.
Kyoko knew before he continued with the song. It was as if they were alone together and Maemi knew she she needed to get Kuon's attention back on her but how?
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose
It touches my foolish heart
Lovely ... Don't you ever change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you
a-just the way you look tonight
Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm,
Just the way you look tonight
Kyoko and Maemi both clapped and Kuon bowed to them both as all eyes turned to the screen that read "96%. Congratulations."
Kuon sighed, but smiled at Kyoko as he said, "I concede defeat."
With a bow he reclaimed his seat and smiled at her. For the next 20 minuets with both Kuon and Kyoko's consent Maemi took over the 'stage' singing song after song but never reaching the 90% mark. Kyoko didn't mind since she was happy enough with listening. It was what she had always done with Sho, though at this moment she did find herself being a little critical over her performance in her head.
"I've done a duet with Maemi-san so how about we do one together Kyoko-san?" Kuon asked leaning across the table toward her.
Kyoko looked at him for a moment and then decided it wouldn't be so bad to sing together as long as she took Kuon's voice style into consideration. She personally didn't know any swing songs herself, but maybe one of the more baritone type singers would do. Picking up the songbook, she skipped to the English section and looked for something she recognised that would also work for Kuon. Maemi who had finished her song and was unhappy with the lack of response from her audience decided to up the ante. While walking back to her seat Maemi tumbled right onto Kuon's lap. Caught by surprise as he went to catch the actress, his hands grabbed one of Maemi's breast which made Maemi moan happily at his touch.
Kyoko almost choked on her drink as she quickly excused herself to the ladies room. Kuon also looked like he wanted to excuse himself. Maemi smirked at Kyoko as she sat down next to Kuon apologising. She was almost like a split personality Kyoko thought as she walked slowly to the bathroom not really wanting to go back. How could the sweet girl change so much? At one time she had almost been a friend. Maybe it was simply the fact she had proved she could sing? Or was it because Maemi wanted time alone with Kuon? Why had Maemi helped her before? Kyoko sighed. She truly didn't want to have to think about it at that moment. Kyoko had just finished when her phone beeped. Flicking it open she read the email and smiled. It was from Honoka.
' For you and Kuon try number 238!'
Kyoko wondered how Honoka would have been able to see the songbook, but her question was answered almost instantly as she looked at one of the Karaoke venue posters advertising that you could check and request your favourite songs to be added online. Kyoko smiled as she replied with a simple 'OK thanks.' to the email before pushing the door open wondering if maybe she should have knocked first. It wasn't necessary since Maemi was sitting in her seat with her arms folded. As she read through the songbook Kuon was standing at the phone ordering drinks and snacks. When he saw Kyoko he mouthed the words 'Green Tea' to which she nodded. Kyoko sat down immediately and keyed in '238.' She trusted Honoka and even if she didn't know the song she could gauge the music and read the lyrics off the screen. When Kuon had finished on the phone and their drinks were delivered Kyoko smiled at Kuon.
"So are you ready for our duet?" Kyoko asked waving the remote in her hand at Kuon who smiled a dazzling smile.
"What are we singing?" Kuon asked as he grabbed the two mics and handed one to Kyoko.
She smiled a cheeky smile and said, "I have no idea, it's a surprise." The shocked looked on Kuon's face made her smile. "This venue offers an online songbook plus song request system. Honoka has sent a song number to me so that's what we are singing." Kyoko stood bravely by the TV awaiting Kuon to come and join her.
"But what if I don't know the song?" Kyoko smiled at the worried man.
"The words come up on the screen so I'm sure you can manage."
The look she gave him was pure Natsu and he couldn't help but gulp slightly. A lamb being led to slaughter was the feeling that overcame Kuon as he looked at her sexy smile and into those smouldering golden eyes. Kyoko pressed the start button on the remote and smiled again at Kuon as they both watched the screen, when the name of the song popped up they both smiled. Honoka really did know them both too well
"Everything Has Changed"
They both knew this song since it had been used in a drama they had both been a part of. Kyoko was one of the main actresses while Kuon made a quick appearance in 5 episodes. They looked at each other and smiled. This song was actually a collaboration written and sang by American and English singers and songwriters. Together, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran sang a song about childhood friendship and how all feelings change to something else, sometimes even love. As the first verse kicked in Kyoko couldn't help but think how perfect the song Honoka had chosen for them really was when it came to herself. Kuon also felt it was the perfect synchronisation of his feelings in the words.
[Kyoko]
All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before.
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago
Is green eyes and freckles in your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel right
Kyoko smiled across at Kuon as she sang beautifully. He saw no sign of Natsu as she smiled at him whilst singing. She was probably thinking what good promotion this was going to be for the drama, Kuon thought, but even this couldn't prevent him from smiling back.
[Kyoko]
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
Kuon really couldn't help smiling as he took a few deep breaths. He knew it would be his turn in a moment and this time he would have to harmonise with this woman beside him who sang so beautifully. He just hoped beyond hope he wouldn't make a fool of himself.
[Both]
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
Kuon cringed slightly. Harmonising with Kyoko and with this song was more difficult than he thought as he tried breathlessly to match her effortless voice. It was the smallest touch on his stomach that made him almost jump. Kyoko whilst still performing wonderfully now showed him with her touch and her own actions what Kuon was doing wrong. She touched his stomach and he watched Kyoko take a nice, deep breath from her diaphragm giving her voice the power it needed for the song. Kuon smiled as he realised she was giving him singing tips whilst singing like a professional. The lesson had sunk in and Kuon began the next verse with her and his now correct breathing. He almost wanted to sigh with relief at how much better it sounded.
[Both]
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello."
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Now came Kuon's big challenge and he knew it. Kyoko's encouraging smile was like an elixir to him as he breathed deeply and correctly before starting the next line. Luckily it was the only time he would be singing alone.
[Kuon]
And all my walls stood tall painted blue
And I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you
Kyoko smiled and nodded happily at Kuon as she rejoined him.
[Both]
And all I feel in my stomach is butterflies
The beautiful kind, making up for lost time,
Taking flight, making me feel right
[Both]
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
Their eyes were locked on each other now, neither of them needed the screen or the aid of the scrolling text as they sang out their feelings for each other. They were both believing the other only saw the drama promotion when in truth it was the farthest from either of their minds.
[Both]
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello."
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
And you'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Come back and tell me why
I'm feeling like I've missed you all this time, oh, oh, oh.
And meet me there tonight
And let me know that it's not all in my mind.
Kyoko couldn't help the way her heart flipped at the smile Kuon gave her.
Really that smile could be used as an energy source if only someone could find a way to bottle it and reproduce it. She thought as she almost stuttered into her next solo line. The song was meant to be rather breathy at this point so not many people noticed.
[Kyoko]
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
They were both lost so deeply in the song that neither noticed the evil glances Maemi was throwing the singing up, she grabbed the songbook. She would not lose to this woman, she had decided she wanted Kuon and there was no way she was going to lose now.
[Both]
All I know is we said, "Hello."
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Everyone watching was almost as entranced as the two performers. Kuon had gone from caterwauling, as Yashiro called it, to something closer to singing. Kyoko had never missed a beat or seemed not to though she would have said differently. As the song was winding down Kyoko couldn't tear her eyes away from Kuon. In that moment she secretly hoped he would really see she was singing to him and his heart. She wished she really could be the girl he loved, like the girl the song sang about. But in her mind this would never be true. As she put her heart and soul into singing the lyrics, all of Japan sat in wonder.
[Kyoko]
All I know is we said, "Hello."
So dust off your highest hopes
All I know is pouring rain and everything has changed
All I know is a new found grace
All my days I'll know your face
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
As the song ended Kuon prayed to any god or angel or spirit or whatever listening that Kyoko would one day realise just how much she meant to him, but he hardly dared hope. As the night continued, Maemi sat again with Kuon a few times while Kyoko sang alone and also with Maemi but not with Kuon again. When they left and returned to the mansion and got into their beds that night, they both knew nothing compared to the song they sang together even if the score was only 64%.