Track #006: Understanding a little something calls, Love

-[Mika’s apartment]-

Ken’s car pulled over in front of the building. The silence between Mika and Ken became intense.

Mika:
Um… Thanks.

Ken:
Huh?

He glimpsed at her.

Mika:
About earlier… I bet it must be very awkward for you. Thanks for the act you pulled-

Ken:
I wasn’t acting.

Mika:
Huh?

Ken:
I love you.

Mika:
<chuckle> Stop playing around-

Ken reached his arm and held her hand. Mika looked at him.

Ken:
I’m serious…

He looked into her eyes.

Ken:
I’ve always loved you. You were to blind to see it.

Mika:
But…

She looked down her fingers. As Mika lifted her head up, Ken leaned his body close to hers. He continued to tip closer and closer toward her. Mika stopped him.

Mika:
No…

She avoided his eyes.

Mika:
I still love that person… I can’t… I feel like I’m cheating on him…I just can’t…

She closed her eyes tight. Ken pulled himself back. Mika opened her eyes.

Ken:
I understand. I’ll wait until you forget that person.

-[Next]-

-[Bar]-

Yamada sat at the bar, stared blankly at the empty glass. Takeshi settled down beside him.

Takeshi:
<sigh> Why did you let her go like that?

Yamada:
He’s right… Mika isn’t a thing that to own. I can’t keep something that wanna leave.

Takeshi:
How do you know she wanna go? What if she wanna stay?

Yamada:
After what I did to her? <scoff>

Takeshi:
You know… Love doesn’t happen in one day. It takes patience and time to build love. Sure, there might be obstacles in the way, but you have to surpass it. You have to experience the sweet and bitter side of love to understand it.

Yamada glanced at him and back at the empty glass.

Yamada:
<sigh> Why is it so complicated?

He rested his on the table.

Takeshi:
If you love her then show it. Keeping your pride is irrational. Good luck.

He padded him n his shoulder as he stood up.

-[Next]-

-[Mika’s apartment]-

Mika stepped into her room and closed the door behind her. She sat down on her bed.

<flash back>

Ken:
I love you.

Mika:
<chuckle> Stop playing around-

Ken reached his arm and held her hand. Mika looked at him.

Ken:
I’m serious…

He looked into her eyes.

Ken:
I’ve always loved you. You were to blind to see it.

<flash back>

Mika:
<sigh> My head hurts.

She fell back on her bed.

-[Next]-

-[SMEJ Studio]-

Mika stepped inside the studio.

Mika:
Ohayou~

Takeshi:
Oh! You’re here!

Mika:
Huh?

Takeshi:
I want you to meet someone. Stand up.

A man sat on the chair stood up and faced Mika.

Takeshi:
This is Kenji Matsuya.

Kenji led his hand out. Mika grabbed his and lightly shook it.

Kenji:
I’m Kenji. Nice to meet you.

He bowed.

Mika:
Pleasure to meet you.

Takeshi:
He attended at the same college as I do.

Mika:
Oh really?

Kenji:
Hai. Takeshi is my inspiration. I was very surprise to received a call from him <nervous chuckle> Frankly speaking… I’m still a rookie so…

Mika:
Oh don’t worry. I’m also a rookie too.

She smiled.

Kenji:
Oh, I didn’t catch your name…

Mika:
Oh! How rude of me. My name is Mika Tanaka.

Kenji:
Mika… Tanaka. How come it sounds so familiar?

Takeshi:
Because it’s everywhere in the news lately.

Mika:
Yeah, nice move.

Kenji:
<nervous chuckle> I think I heard your name somewhere but I couldn’t remember where it was.

Takeshi:
Well… I think we should start on this project. We only have 3 more weeks until the due date.

Kenji:
Oh yes! We should begin.

-[Next]-

-[1 month later]-

-[Music Station]-

Yoshie:
Singing her new single, Today I… Please welcome, Mikki.

The camera view Mikki in a long vanilla dress. The sweet piano entered and then the warm violin appeared. Mika took a deep breath and lifted her voice.

♪Close my eyes
And open my eyes again
But I couldn’t see you
Watching people pass me by
Hand in hand, they look so happy
I wish I could have that feelings again.

Yesterday, the color of the sunset glow so vibrates
Tomorrow, the sky will fill with gray clouds.
The day after tomorrow, rains will falls from the sky
And I will feel very lonely
But today I… cry.

My heart…
Why do I feel so unease?
Your hand…
Where did it go?
The warmth of your touch still lingers
And yet… you’re not here.

Yesterday, the color of the sunset glow so vibrates
Tomorrow, the sky will fill with gray clouds.
The day after tomorrow, rains will falls from the sky
And I will feel very lonely
But today I… ♪

Tears dropped down her eyes. Mika stopped and looked away from the camera and swept her tears.

♪Yesterday, the color of the sunset glow so vibrates
Tomorrow, the sky will fill with gray clouds.
The day after tomorrow, rains will falls from the sky
And I will feel very lonely
But today I… cried.

What will happen tomorrow?
I honestly do not know
But just for today I wanna cry. ♪

The crowed applauded while Mika covered her mouth and bowed.

-[Next]-

-[Film Set]-

Unknown #1:
What a sad song~

Unknown #2:
Uh…

Yamada sat near where the two girls stood. He overheard the two as he consumed food.

Unknown #1:
I wonder why she cries.

Unknown #2:
Maybe she just broke up with her boyfriend or something.

Unknown #1:
Isn’t that super hot model?

Unknown #2:
Him? I’m not sure.

Director:
Ok! Break’s over!

Everyone rushed to their places.

Yamada:
<sigh> Baka…

He mumbled.

-[Countdown Station Radio]-

Host:
We have a very honor guest here with us today. Please welcome Mikki.

Everyone in the room clapped as Mika bowed.

Mika:
Onegashimasu. Onegaishimasu.

Host:
Your new mini-album, EMPTY, just came out a week ago… How do you feel about this mini-album?

Mika:
Well… I’m very excited because my manager and new producer and I worked so hard on this. Therefore, once it was released… all of us was relieved that it’s finally done.

Host:
Your single name, Her Perfume, became #1 on the Oricon chart when it was release so congratulation.

Mika:
Arigatou.

She bowed.

Host:
On your last single, you were more on the bright side and now this single is more about anger and betrayal… Why did you decided to go that direction?

Mika:
Hmm… When Takeshi presented this song to me, I fell in love with it. I told myself I have to write something that has a strong and powerful like the feeling of being betrayed.

Host:
Oh, I see… The song, Today I… however, was a ballad instead of R&B.

Mika:
Hai! I actually wrote that song by myself.

Host:
Speaking of which… can you explained the reason you cried on stage last night at Music Station?

Mika:
<chuckle> You already know that?

Host:
It’s everywhere in the news. A lot of people were wondering why you’d cried during that performance…

Mika:
<chuckle> Oh god, this is so embarrassing.

Host:
So tell us the real reason why you cried.

Mika:
Well… I didn’t planned to cry like that in the middle of the song… but I guess thinking about people betraying me and had hurt me, and all the things made my sad… I just cried.

Unknown:
Cheer up, Mikki! We love you.

A fan outside of the studio shouted.

Mika:
<chuckle> Arigatou.

She smiled.

Host:
You have such supportive fans. They’ve been waiting for you since 6 in the morning until now.

Mika:
Really?

She turned and looked at her fans.

Mika:
Arigatou gosaimasu. Gambareru!

She bowed.

-[Next]-

-[SMEJ Studio]-

<knock> <knock>

Takeshi:
Come in.

Ken peaked his head in.

Takeshi:
Oh! You’re here. Where’s my breakfast?

Ken:
I got it right here.

He held up a bag and stepped toward where Takeshi sat, and placed the bag down on the table.

Takeshi:
What do we have here?

He looked within the bag.

Takeshi:
Alright! Onigiri.

He grabbed the onigiri out of the bag. Ken looked around the studio.

Takeshi:
She’s not here today.

Ken:
Huh?

Takeshi:
She’s at a photo shoot and a T.V appearance so stop looking around. You only brought this here to see her, huh?

Ken:
No one knows me better than you.

Takeshi:
I am your uncle.

Ken:
<chuckle> I guess I’ll get going now.

He took a step, heading toward the door.

Takeshi:
Mika isn’t like the other girls…

Ken stopped and looked back.

Takeshi:
I don’t know whether you’re serious or just playing, but let me tell you something… Mika isn’t an easy type like the other girls you’ve dated. She may seem strong on the outside but it’s a different story on the inside so… consider her feeling too.

He looked into Ken’s eyes.

Ken:
I understand.

-[Next]-

-[Yamada’s car]-

Yamada stared blankly on the road. Akira looked outside the window at the gray clouds above.

Akira:
Today is a little cloudy, isn’t it Yamada?

He looked Yamada but he didn’t give any reply.

Akira:
Yamada. Yamada.

He shook Yamada.

Yamada:
Huh?

Akira:
Are you ok?

Yamada:
Yeah… Yeah. I’m ok.

From afar the light on the street switched from green to yellow. Akira looked at Yamada, who continued to look dumbfounded. As his car passed the white line the light turned red.

Akira:
Hey. Hey!

Yamada’s car zoomed pass the red light.

Akira:
Oh god…

He looked back behind him and saw a few angry people shouting and cursing.

Akira:
Yamada… I think I should drive instead.

Yamada:
Huh?

He glanced at Akira.

Akira:
Did you notice that you almost got into a car accident?

Yamada:
Oh, really? When?

Akira:
Yeah. I think I have to drive.

He unbuckled his seatbelt.

Akira:
Pull over.

Yamada:
I’m fine. I was a little distracted.

Akira:
But still, I think I should drive.

Yamada’s car pulled over in front of a jewelry shop. Yamada glanced at the white gold shooting star necklace on the display. Akira opened the door and stepped out. As he shut the door, Yamada rolled down the window.

Yamada:
I’m sorry but I gotta go somewhere.

Akira:
Huh?

Yamada stepped on the accelerator and zoomed away.

Akira:
Where are you going?!!

He shouted.

Akira:
<sigh> How am I gonna explain to Johnny-san.

-[Next]-

-[Photo shoot]-

Photographer:
Ok… Yup! Good. Nice.

<shutter> <shutter> <shutter>

Mika sat on under the tree in the dark long baby-doll dress, looking into the camera in front of her.

Photographer:
Ok, last frame.

<shutter>

Photographer:
We’re done.

Mika stood up. She tipped over and about to fall. A hand held her back. Mika looked at the person.

Ken:
Be careful, idiot.

Mika:
Ken.

Ken:
Good. You’re not an idiot after all.

Ken pulled her back.

Mika:
Thanks. My legs were asleep.

Ken:
<chuckle> I can tell.

They walk and talk.

Ken:
Are you hungry?

Mika:
Hmm… A little bit.

Ken:
When will your next event be?

Mika:
Around 6.

Ken:
Then we have enough to grab a bite.

Mika:
<chuckle> Ok.

The cold wind drifted by Mika, giving her a chilling feeling. She shrugged. Ken took off his jacket and placed it on Mika’s shoulder. She looked at him.

Mika:
Oh no… I couldn’t-

Ken:
Just wear it. I don’t wanna receive an angry call from my uncle complaining that you have an terrible cold.

Mika:
<chuckle> Ok. I guess I’ll wear it for now.

As the two lifted their heads up, Mika and Ken saw Yamada stood in front of them. The awkward atmosphere entered. Yamada marched toward the two and grabbed Mika’s arm.

Yamada:
We need to talk… privately.

He glanced at Ken. Mika swing his hand away.

Mika:
We have nothing to talk about.

Yamada:
I can explain everything.

Mika looked at him.

Mika:
<scoff> No need. I saw everything so you don’t have to waste your energy to explain to me.

Yamada:
I love you.

Mika:
I’m sorry but I don’t.

Yamada:
Then tell me why you cried while performing that song? It’s how you feels now, isn’t it?

Mika:
I don’t have to give you a reason.

Yamada:
Fine! Tell me why do you still wear that necklace I bought for you, huh?

Mika glimpsed down the silver shooting star necklace on her neck.

Mika:
You mean this?

She pulled the necklace out of her neck.

Mika:
You can have it back.

Yamada:
No… I don’t want it.

Mika:
Fine! I guess I’ll throw it away.

She swings her arm and threw the necklace. The necklace landed in the middle of the street. Yamada glanced at Mika. He ran toward the street.

Mika:
<scoff> Baka.

She whispered. Yamada bends down and grabbed the necklace on the solid ground. From a far, Mika saw a truck headed toward Yamada. Her eyes grew big.

Mika:
Yamada… Yamada!!!

She shouted as she ran toward where he stood. Yamada turned around and faced Mika.

Mika:
Yamada!!! NO!!!

The bright light shine at the corner of his eyes. Yamada turned around and witnessed two bright lights headed toward him.

<honk>

He glanced back at Mika, who almost reached him; Yamada pushed Mika off the street. Mika fell down on the side of the street.

<car screech>

Mika quickly turned around.

Mika:
Yamada!!!

She screamed.

To be continued…

Mika\’s Mini-Album, [EMPTY]