Amara wasn't returning my calls, but the Helens' singing had improved. Unexpectedly Anya and Haia's singing had become the most passionate. For the first song, we were able to record their version of vocals and instrumentals in peace before finally moving onto the next song. Thankfully, they carried that energy when recording other songs. And we were nearly halfway through the album when I began to lose my sanity. Amara... left my message on read. When I showed up at her place of work, she didn't work today. So I went to her home. No answer. Then... the place I really didn't want to go... Amamiya-san's hair salon. Amamiya-san was surprised but pleased to see me. "I see you're looking good these days, Kagami-kun."~ "A-ah... thank you!" Her words made me feel less nervous as I approached her. There was other staff of her ethnicity and some fellow Japanese as well. I was surprised to see more Americans and Japanese in here, to be honest. It felt like a pleasant blend... how to pu
Amara wasn't kidding when she said Claire might burn down the house. Her carefree way of cooking left me flustered as she nearly put dishwashing liquid into the bowl, and put the bowl of batter into the oven. I assumed she couldn't read Japanese despite being able to speak it....as for the bowl...Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. As I followed the instructions I found on the internet, I found making the macadamia cookies surprisingly easy. Claire chewed on the nuts, while she watched me after I had exiled her there to the bar stool counter. "Do you bake a lot?" "No... actually, this is my first time." "Forreal? I thought you might know how to make chocolate for like Valentine's day or something." "... That's a girl thing." I didn't quite know what she was talking about but I took a guess. "Then you've never celebrated white day?" "I mean... I usually just bought something for my Mom." Her eyes curved at me. "Don't tell me, your Mom is the only one who gives you choc
My mouth opened but no sound came out. Finally, I just nodded. Somewhere without realizing it, Claire had swiped all the cookies and had already planted herself at the tv, watching something... Huh... seems like she could read Japanese after all. My thoughts were buffering too, so I had to look for such things around me to distract me. Amara began to take out the pots and pans when she suddenly stopped and slowly stood to stare at me. "Kagami... thank you for today. But.." Amara folded her lips for a second and blinked at me a couple of times. "Get out of my kitchen." "Ah..." "You're distracting me." Her gaze gravitated to the floor then swept over the things on the table. "I... I could help." "I don't even know what I'm going to cook!" She smiled then frowned and furiously shook a bucket of KFC. "That's why I cheated and bought some fried chicken!" Why did she seem so adorable as she angrily chucked the bucket at Claire, who cried out, at first but then squeaked at the sight
Another bubble of mine had been popped. Unexpectedly, chicken and waffles... it was good. Well, everything was good but the chicken and waffles were the most surprising and unexpected combination, or maybe its because the chicken itself is so crispy and flavorful... Claire's mashed potatoes were also a favorite of mine. It was loaded with so much... While we dined the front door opened and in came Amamiya-san, some foreigners; A couple of blacks, a blonde caucasian and an Asian guy. He looked at me, pointed, and waved. I think... perhaps we're both the only Asians. He looks Chinese though... I blinked and awkwardly held up a hand. I would later learn that he's Claire's Dad. Amamiya-san traced his gaze to us. Her lips curled up and her eyes shimmered. "Awww, how cuuuuuuuuuuuute!" But as she walked over her face frowned and when she squinted at our plates, she suddenly ran to the kitchen, almost stumbling in her high heels, she caught onto the kitchen island for support. I nearly
All the things left unsaid, were revolving in my head the entire morning. As I left the boy's bathroom at school that morning, I bumped into someone on my way out. It's the last possible person I expected to see. "You go here?!" Akemi was just as surprised as me. She followed me when I ignored her. "So, when can you come to practice with us?" I couldn't return to the classroom like this, she might clash with Amara. Well, I don't know if she's calmed down from last night anyway... I also... for some reason don't want the two of them to meet. "Soon, I think. We're almost finished with the album." "Really? About time!" She clapped her hands together and looked genuinely excited. "You better be ready to bring it, because we've been leveling up without you!" "You're a gamer?" "Huh? No! It's just a phrase." "Okay." When I went silent she seemed ticked off. "Anyways you better hurry up and finish." She walked away. Only then did I return to class. I couldn't tell if it's becau
The revised three songs were accepted, as well as the rest of the four tracks. It seems as if the company now plans on re-introducing the Helens to the public by starting off with a solo album first, but at least those other songs are sitting on the back burner. Performace-wise, the rest is up to them. Good luck girls. The Helens all greet me when they all see me outside the practice room now. On my way to ours, I spotted Hayashido-san, she was the quietest but she still dipped her head. I dipped back as I entered our practice room. "Fukuda-san!" "About fucking time!" I was met with a liveliness that was unexpected. This only made me nervous. I practiced the song on my own, but I know band practice was different. They've also been practicing without me and are probably way ahead but well... It's been two years since I even played in a band. I had even given up on performing and just wanted to make music. Here I am again. As I thought the synergy between the band members was on
With Claire, Aunt, Uncle, and their entourage gone... I could finally breathe again. Once I used to envy Claire. She had been good at learning languages since young due to her parents' different backgrounds, smart, and obnoxiously confident. Even if Aunt had been a mistress, at least her husband doted on her... even though I'm sure Claire and her mom were ostracized by his family and she clashed with her cousins a lot... I don't think I'd be able to handle that and smile like she does as if nothing is wrong. Where does that strength come from? What inspires her to persist so? Mom's Dad... doted on Aunt too after Divorcing Grandma (Mom's mom was the first wife but she died of cancer long before I was born. The Grandma I know is Grandpa's second wife), even though he ended up cheating again on her, creating my uncles. They're nothing like Mom. You can tell with just a glance. Droplets of love, perhaps if a child is watered that hope and positivity set them up to tackle life? Is that
A comment popped up in the feed of my suggestions one day. The blog I had started became a little popular when I wasn't looking. I have 103 followers now. It was surprising. It was my day off and I had nothing to do, studying made me light-headed and I was so sick and tired of being cooped up in the salon that I felt like bashing my head against a wall. That was when I suddenly remembered it. Anon: [I heard there are a lot of weird things in Japan? Is that true?] Did I say I was going to Japan? Ah, my last post mentioned it. Hmm... Weird things. I also heard things like that in the past. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to explore the area. Camera, tripod, selfie-stick I packed it away in a bag and ventured off. Ahhhh! It didn't take me long. I snapped a picture. [Weird Thing #1] A vending machine dedicated to bananas. For some reason reading those words made me smile. What the hell? That's so random. This unexpected find made me giddy. I bought one and took a selfi