From: pvallado@waynesworld.ucsd.edu (Paolo Valladolid) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUGAWARI ORANGE STREET A KOR universe fanfic By FOS Project http://waynesworld.ucsd.edu/ICR/users/pvallado/fos/fos.html ftp server.berkeley.edu /pub/anime/KOR/fanfic/FOS/ Introduction: Fugawari Orange Street is a new fanfic series set in the world of Kimagure Orange Road. Its origin was a simple message on the KOR mailing list, which somehow evolved into a discussion of what might have happened to the original characters. Specific comments about Kazuya, and the mention that he is probably around the age Kyousuke was during KOR, led to the proposal of creating a fanfic to follow him as he travels through Kouryou High School. FOS is set in the manga universe, and attempts to follow its specific details and timeline as closely as possible. However, details on characters other than KOR's Big Three are sketchy, and ten years have passed since we last saw these characters. If you disagree with the liberties we've taken, send us comments. For convenience's sake, send comments to the main authors, for this episode riiya@aol.com and pvallado@waynesworld.ucsd.edu. FOS was originally to be released biweekly, in real time. However, the real world has impeded these lofty plans. In any case, we will continue to set stories approximately two weeks apart, and we hope you'll read this episode and all which eventually follow. As is the case with many fanfic series, {word} represents thoughts and [word] represents action within script dialog. |Word| represents English dialog. Fugawari Orange Street is based on the characters and situations of Kimagure Orange Road, created by and copyright of Izumi Matsumoto; new characters and situations created by and copyright of Tony Chen, Greg Dreher, Daniel Lee, Paolo Valladolid, and Jeoff Wilks. Episode text copyright of Greg Dreher and Paolo Valladolid. "Never Can" lyrics written by Greg Dreher; additional lyrics by Tony Chen. Any use of copyrighted or trademarked material should not be construed as a challenge to these statuses. Congratulations to Marc Seebass, winner of the "Name Madoka's Hit Tune" contest, for "Midnight Angel"! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode 11 "Pulling at my heartstrings! The music of love?" A certain scene from that morning kept Kazuya worried. Emi had been trying to get him, along with Maiko, to sign a guarantee of good behaviour as a condition of the two of them joining her band... Maiko: Go on, Kazu-kun! Let's just sign whatever stupid contract she draws up! Kazuya: Oh, alright... although I insist that it isn't necessary, since as my best friend, Maiko knows how I feel about you.... Kazuya spent the remainder of the school day worrying if he had said the wrong thing, since Kyouko happened to be watching at the time. He did not talk to her much before they separated that afternoon after school. However, when they reunited later that evening at Emi's penthouse apartment for the now-complete band's first jam session, Kyouko seemed happy as she set up her keyboards and other electronic gear. "Ready?" Kyouko pressed a button, activating a computer program that began playing a synthesizer riff that somehow sounded familiar to Kazuya, followed by a percussion fill, then an arrangement of bass line, percussion parts, and chords on her synthesizers and samplers. After listening for a few bars, Maiko and Phil improvised live percussion while Kazuya, having figured out the bass line by ear, began playing with them. Kyouko added various colors with her keyboards. After a few more bars, Emi finally began to play, unleashing a fiery improvised solo on her violin. Now comfortable with the basic bass line, Kazuya began having a little fun with his part, tastefully adding occasional slaps, pops, and fills from his bass guitar to complement the synth bass. He could see Phil and Maiko looking at each other and grinning--apparently, they were clicking well as a percussion section. He glanced over at Kyouko, who was now engaging in an improvised call-and-response with Emi. Lost in admiration of their musicianship as well as their beauty, Kazuya continued to play... even after the rest of the band had stopped playing. Phil: I think Kazuya intends to end this jam with a |cool outro|! Kyouko: Like Jaco Pastorius with Weather Report? Kazuya: [Finally noticing] Oh! [Stops playing and puts hand behind head] Say, Kyouko-san, that music sounded familiar... What was it? Kyouko: That was the closing theme from the "Wings of Honneamise" soundtrack. Maiko: Remember we watched that movie here with Kyou-chan, Kazu-kun? Kazuya: {I fell asleep in the middle....} Phil: Kyouko is a big fan of Sakamoto Ryuichi*! *Composer of the Wings of Honneamise soundtrack Emi: Interesting choice of music for jamming, Moriyama. {Kasuga-kun would watch that kind of movie? Hmm....} I wanted to see if we could play together as a band. Maiko: And? Emi: Surprisingly, even with _you_ in the band... Maiko shot a wicked glance at Emi. Emi: (continuing)... we play together pretty well! In fact, we could probably do all instrumentals for this festival. Still, though, I'd like to have one actual song.... By this time, Kazuya had approached one of Kyouko's keyboards. He started playing a riff that caused Maiko to laugh in recognition. She immediately began to sing, "Yappa pa yappa pa, iishanten...." As Maiko continued singing the lyrics to the first-season opening theme for the Ranma 1/2 TV show, Kazuya switched to bass while Kyouko and Phil joined in on their instruments. Emi stared at Maiko in wonder before adding her own violin part. Shortly, the band finished the tune with everyone, including Emi, immediately burst into fits of laughter. After wiping the tears from her eyes, Emi once again turned to Maiko. Emi: You're not that bad a singer, Asagiri! But can you handle a serious song? Maiko: What song do you have in mind? Emi: What song do you guys know? Kazuya: How about this ballad my cousin loves so much... "Ano sora o dakishimete*?" *"Embrace The Sky", a pop song by Wada Kanako Kyouko: Hey, I think I know that song! Maiko: Me too! Madoka-neechan loves that song too... She used to play that song a lot, and Kazu-kun and I would jam along! Kyouko sat at the piano and began playing. After the opening chords, Maiko began to sing. Emi's jaw dropped as Maiko hit each note perfectly on pitch, infusing it with a controlled, yet tangible, passion. After the two girls had finished performing the song, the others applauded. Emi: That was... unbelievable! Now, I was thinking for the festival, the band should play something current.... How about the theme to that new drama, "Nighttime of Love?" Kazuya: Oh, you mean "Midnight Angel?" Emi: Yes, that's it! It's a perfect song... fresh, full of emotion.... It's written by that hot new songwriter, Ayukawa Madoka. I wonder if the sheet music is available yet? Maiko: [Grinning] I don't know, but I bet we can get it! Kazuya: [Glancing at Maiko] Just leave that to me! Emi: [A bit puzzled] What are you two up to? Are you planning on giving me fake sheet music to make me play badly? Maiko and Kazuya: Nope! Kazuya: I'll get a perfect copy tomorrow! Emi began to look frustrated and angry, for it was a rare occurrence for her to not be in the know. Emi: Then what is it? It's not like you could know Ayukawa Mado... wait, did you just say, "Madoka-neechan?" Maiko: N! Emi: [Happily] This is great! Not only will we be playing a great song, we can get the songwriter to teach us its intricacies! Kasuga-kun, you can do this, right? Kazuya: Well.... [Standing tall] You bet! Emi: Fantastic! Now let's work out a song list for the show. Phil: Let's open the show with an upbeat instrumental to showcase our skills! Emi: A jazz standard? Phil: N! Since we have two percussionists, let's do something Latin... something like... "Spain!" Emi: That sounds good. We'll close the show with Ayukawa-san's song since that will be our surprise treat to the audience. Any other suggestions for the songs in-between? More instrumentals would be okay as long as they have a catchy beat... but we should also take advantage of Asagiri's singing talent. Kazuya: Something by the Boredoms or Zeni Geva! Emi: No no no... We don't want to scare our audience away with that irritating noise music! Besides, I would prefer Asagiri _sings_, rather than screams! Maiko: Cibo Matto's songs are pretty catchy... how about "Beef Jerky?" Emi: But can you handle the English lyrics? Maiko: I'm sure Kyou-chan or Phil or even you can coach me on pronunciation. Besides, the song requires backup vocals, so you and Kyouko can help me there! Kyouko turned a bit red at hearing her named as a backing vocalist, but Maiko, busy planning with Emi, didn't notice. Emi: Fine. Any more? Kyouko: How about Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island"? It was remade into a big rap hit in America called "|Cant-A-Loop (Flip Fantasia)|" by the group Us3. It has a nice catchy beat. Emi: Okay... it looks like we have enough tunes to fill out the time slot I've allotted for the band. The next step is prepare the arrangements! * * * * * The next day, Kazuya wasn't scheduled to work. He took advantage of this break and hopped aboard a bus, which took him to a fairly distant residential area. "I haven't been here in a while," Kazuya thought as he stepped off the bus. He quickly gained his bearings and spotted a house that looked somewhat familiar. As he approached the front gate, he heard a brief excerpt of piano music. He heard the piece played a couple of times afterwards, changing slightly each time. Finally, there was a long pause after the fifth iteration. He verified that the kanji engraved on the wall by the front gate was indeed that of the Ayukawa family. He pressed the intercom button. A familiar voice asked "Hai?*" through the speaker. *Yes? Kazuya: It's me, Kazuya. Voice: Ah! Come in! Moments later, Kazuya stood at the front door as Madoka was opening it. Madoka: Kazuya-kun! What brings you here? Kazuya: I've got a favor to ask, Oneechan! Madoka had known Kazuya for far too long to not worry when Kazuya talked about a "favor." Still, she smiled sweetly and said, "What is it?" Kazuya: Well, I joined a band which is going to play at the school festival.... Madoka: I'm glad you're putting all my lessons to good use! Kazuya: Yeah, and one of the band members suggested we play "Midnight Angel." Madoka: Why, that's such an honor! Kazuya: So we're going to need the sheet music for the song, and.... Madoka: Yes? Kazuya: It would really mean a lot to someone if you would come and show us how to play the song like it's meant to be played. Madoka: No need to be so hesitant, Kazuya-kun. I'd love to play with you. In fact, I'll be speaking with my publisher and some A&R representatives tomorrow. I can get sheet music for all of you! And I'll make time to play with your band. Kazuya: Really? This is great! Madoka: How does 7:00 tomorrow evening sound? Kazuya: That'd be great! I'll make sure we're scheduled to practice then. Madoka: Well, good luck. I'd invite you to stay for dinner, but I'm not cooking. Kyousuke isn't coming home until late.... Kazuya: Thanks anyway, Oneechan! Ja ne!* *See ya! * * * * * That evening, Emi and Kyouko sat in Kyouko's living room, holding pencils and poring over music paper. Emi: Whew... "Spain" is done. What shall we do next? Kyouko: It'll have to be "Cantaloupe Island." Mai-chan is coming later to drop off her Cibo Matto CD, and Kazuya should be getting the sheet music for "Midnight Angel" pretty soon, already arranged by Ayukawa-san. She pressed the "Play" button on the stereo's CD player as Emi began transcribing the melody line for herself to play on violin. The two girls finished writing out the chord chart, bass line, and percussion parts for the tune just as Maiko rang the doorbell. After little more than an hour, the three of them finished arranging "Beef Jerky" and began working on transcribing the lyrics. Maiko and Kyouko watched Emi's face in amusement as she incredulously read a part of the lyrics in English that had caught her attention: "|Who cares? / I don't care! / A horse's ass is better than yours.|" Emi: [back in Japanese] Unacceptable! I won't allow such a word to be sung at one of _my_ Spring Festivals! Nice try at yet another stupid prank, Asagiri! Maiko: My English comprehension isn't as good as yours, so don't think I suggested this song just because of the word-- Emi: You don't have to say it! Maiko: |Ass!| Emi: [groans and throws up hands] Just find a way to change the lyric! Since we're now done with all the music arrangements to most of the songs-- except for Midnight Angel, which Ayukawa-san will be arranging on her own--I'll retire for tonight. Besides, I need to finalize changes to the play. Moriyama, please make copies of all the final arrangements for me, okay? Kyouko: Hai! Emi: Thank you, everyone, for helping out. I'll see you all tomorrow! With that, Emi took her leave. Maiko opened her bag and pulled out her cassette recording of "Midnight Angel" and a sheet of paper on which she had written the lyrics to the song. Maiko: I just recorded Midnight Angel off of the TV . I wanted to get a jump on learning the lyrics and I thought we should all hear how the original artist interpreted the song. As Maiko looked over the lyrics, softly singing them to herself, Kyouko produced the same notebook of unfinished compositions Kazuya had returned to her the other night. She flipped through the pages to a piece Kyouko suddenly felt inspired to begin writing upon her return from the trip to Sami Beach. However, her inability to complete it continued to be a frustrating experience. She began the play the piece on the piano as written in the notebook. Arriving at the end of what she had written so far, she stopped and thought, "Mou... I still have no idea of what to do here...." Maiko: That was beautiful! Kyouko: I don't know... something is missing.... Maiko: Why don't you play it again? Maybe something will come to you. Kyouko: I don't know.... Say, shouldn't we be working on the vocal arrangement for "Midnight Angel?" Maiko: Your song touched me... I want to hear it again. COMMERCIAL BREAK [Title on screen: "Miyuki-chan in McDonaldLand"] Miyuki: Kyaaaa! I'm late! I'm late! Mama, no time for supper! I'll get some fast food later! Ittekimasu! * *I'm leaving! Miyuki is running and occasionally checking her watch. Down the street, a big double arches comes closer into view. Miyuki: I'm almost there! Maybe I won't be late this time. Miyuki hears her stomach protest loudly. Miyuki: Hmmm, I think I already saved some time. Alright! Let's eat! Opening the door to the restaurant, Miyuki is surprised to find herself in a clearing surrounded by red-yellow trees as far as the eyes can see, with golden rainbows everywhere and stars within her hands' reach. Turning around, she sees the door blinking out of existence. Miyuki: Wawawawa! This is not the fast-food chain where I used to go! Woman: You're right. This is McDonaldLand. Miyuki: Aa! Oh no, a-another strange world? {Where did she come from? A clown in red with white stripes leotard? Strange woman.} Woman: Strange? It's perfectly normal. C'mon, let's meet my friends. Make a gate. Miyuki: A gate? But... I can't do that! I'm just a normal girl! I can't make gates out of thin air. Woman: Nonsense. Everyone can do magic in McDonaldLand. Just draw two big arches in the air, and snap your fingers. Miyuki: THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I can't do magic! Woman: Never mind, I'll do it. Easy as licking sauce. By the way, what is your name? Miyuki: Mi-Miyuki, obasan*. *Literally aunt; a title of respect for an older woman Woman: Miyuki-chan. Waaah, such a cute name for a cute girl. No, no, obasan just won't do, call me Ronnie. Well, once we go to my house, we can get to "know" each other better, ne? Voiceover: McDonald's, introducing our NEW Deluxe Lines.... March Deluxe was just the beginning. Now for the first time in our history, McDonald's is introducing a whole new line of products for the grown-ups. Come to McDonald's. Fun, for the grown-up taste. Miyuki and Ronnie step out of the golden arches into a strange house' yard. Ronnie: Welcome to my house. Miyuki, these are my friends. That one in the purple leather bodice, playing with a whip, is Grimacia. Grimacia: Kawaii. Ronnie-sama, when are we going to "play" with her? Ronnie: And the little fairy girl holding an umbrella is Birdie-chan. Birdie: Hurray! A new playmate. We can play strip now! Miyuki: S-s-strip? But I'm not married yet! And you're not even clothed! Voiceover: Yes! McDonald's. Fun, for the grown-up's taste. Writer's note: Standard Disclaimer. END COMMERCIAL BREAK The next evening, the band assembled at Kazuya's home for its first official rehearsal. Each player faced a music stand, each stand having a stack of sheet music representing that player's part in each song. Kazuya and Maiko sweated as they gazed at their respective parts. Emi: Okay everyone, let's run through the songs in order! On the count of three... one two three! Emi, Kyouko, and Phil played the intricate opening melody line to Spain in perfect unison while Kazuya and Maiko merely watched them. The other three musicians stopped and looked at the two. Emi: What's the problem? Kazuya: Uhh... I can't sight-read this fast... so many notes.... Emi: What!? And you call yourself a musician? Kyouko: Please be patient with Kazu-kun, Shimada-san. Not being classically trained like us, he can't be expected to sight-read and immediately perform a piece of music he's never played before. Besides, he seems to be adept at learning music by ear. Emi: [to Maiko] I take it you're a slow sight-reader too. Maiko: [Laughing nervously] I can't read music at all! After Emi, Kyouko, and Phil picked themselves up off the floor, Kyouko loaded the CD containing "Spain" into the stereo. "I suppose all of us who are _real musicians_ will have to wait for you music illiterates learn your parts," Emi fumed, ranting in the general direction of Kazuya and Maiko. "Would you shut up!?" Maiko yelled back. "I'm trying to listen to the percussion part of the song. Or have you forgotten already, Shimada-san?" "Let's not argue," Kazuya returned. "Let's get a feel for the songs. Madoka-neechan should be by in about an hour to play her song with us!" "What? You actually managed to get her to come?" Emi said, surprised. * * * * * Kazuya and Maiko were jamming along nicely to "Spain," having picked up their parts quite ably. The look of frustration had long since disappeared from Emi's face. Everyone was so into their groove that even Kazuya was surprised when someone knocked on the door. "Ah, Madoka-neechan is here!" Kazuya said, remembering. Kazuya happily strode to the door and opened it. Madoka stepped in, looking uncharacteristically sad. Kazuya's happiness was soon replaced by a look of puzzlement. Madoka hadn't brought her saxophone, or any instrument! Kazuya: Is something wrong, Neechan? Madoka: Kazuya-kun, I'm sorry. I... well, I talked to my publishing agent, and he said that he couldn't allow this kind of unauthorized exhibition of the song. Emi, Kazuya, Kyouko, and Phil: What? Emi: How could they? Madoka: You see, it is of course a violation of copyright law to perform a published song without paying royalties, and JASRAC* is starting to crack down on these kind of performances. *Japanese publishing organization; the equivalent of ASCAP or BMI Kyouko: We won't be able to play "Midnight Angel?" Kazuya: Can't you just say we have permission? Madoka: I wish I could, but I can't go against the policy. I'm still a fledgling songwriter, and I can't fight the company at this time without hurting my career. I'm sorry; I wish I could do more. Maiko: I guess it can't be helped. Emi: Wait a minute... We're performing songs by Chick Corea, Cibo Matto, and Herbie Hancock! Madoka: I'm sorry, but please understand that "Midnight Angel" is part of the yet to be released Nighttime of Love soundtrack album and is about to be released as a single as well. The record company is relying on this single and airplay of the promo to launch the career of idol singer Hasukawa Aiko. They simply don't want this song to be performed live by anyone until they launch this campaign. Madoka turned and left, leaving the five teens in a state of bewilderment, expressions of confusion and sadness on their faces. Emi was the first to collect her thoughts, her expression becoming one of determination and energy. Emi: We can't just stand around here! The festival is in three days, and we need to find another powerful love song! Kazuya: Do we have time to choose another song, arrange it, and make sheet music for it? Emi: We must! The band must have the song for its performance to be worthy of inclusion in my school festival. Maiko: I know a solution. Kyou-chan has composed a beautiful song. "Really?" Kazuya said, turning to face Kyouko. Kyouko, blushing, looked down at her feet. "I...." she started to say before getting interrupted. Emi: We can't have an amateur work at my festival! We have to look elsewhere. Maiko: SHIMADA! Phil: Emi, why don't you listen to it first? Kazuya moved over to Kyouko, who looked as if she wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. "Kuso*," Kazuya muttered under his breath, "I can't let Emi treat Kyouko like this!" *Swear word Kazuya: Kyouko-san, please play your song! I know it's good! Kyouko: Well.... Kazuya: Onegai!* It would mean so much to me.... *Please! Kyouko: Hai.... [blushes even more] With Kazuya watching over her and Emi looking in disdain, Kyouko went about the task of setting up her keyboards. "It's not really finished," she said as she started up a rudimentary synthesized bass line. A few seconds later, she began playing a simple melody with one hand. She began to embellish this with a second melody line that harmonized with the first. She slowly continued adding melody upon melody, spinning a gorgeous web of melodies that occasionally came together to form chords. Emi, Kazuya, and Phil listened, enraptured. Maiko moved closer to Kyouko, standing next to one of her synthesizers and facing the other three. She took a deep breath and began singing, her words fitting beautifully with the music. Maiko: I want to travel to infinity I want to wander with your hand in mine I want to live there forever and on If only I can I want to hold you in my tender arms I want to take you everywhere I am I need to tell you I only love you But I never can I never can Kyouko continued playing after Maiko stopped singing, but she was interrupted by loud clapping and cheering coming from Kazuya and Phil. Kazuya: That was beautiful, Kyouko-san! And you too, Mai-chan! Phil: I said Kyouko is the best keyboardist in town! Maiko: [To Kyouko] I hope you don't mind, Kyou-chan.... I was impressed by the beauty and power of your song. It touched me, and these words just flowed from me.... Emi, who had been standing in stunned amazement at the breathtaking impromptu performance by the duo, went over and clasped Maiko's and Kyouko's hands in hers. Emi: I think we have our final song! Kyouko: Thanks, Shima.... Maiko: I don't think we should perform this song. Kyouko, Kazuya and Phil: Huh? Emi: [Simultaneously] WHAT? Maiko: Well, this is just an amateur composition, and you _know_ we can't have anything like that at the school festival.... Emi: But I said it's a wonderful song! Maiko: Well, I guess we could play it, on one condition. Emi: What is it? Maiko: Apologize. Emi: WHAT??? Maiko: You ran your mouth in anger, like you ALWAYS do, and not only did you end up looking like a fool in front of all of us, you hurt Kyouko! I'm hurt too, you know... these lyrics have a VERY personal meaning to me. So why don't you say you're sorry? Emi: .... Maiko: Well? Emi: [Looking down, in a soft voice] Go-gomenasai.* *I'm sorry. (polite) Maiko: Louder! Emi looked at Maiko with her most evil glare. Maiko was wearing a smug expression which kept growing smugger and smugger. Emi: Fine. I'm sorry that I hurt you two. [Pause] Are you satisfied? Maiko: You should also admit you were wrong. Emi: WHAT?????? Maiko: Go on now. Emi sighed, a look of defeat on her face. "Okay, I was wrong to think that your composition would be substandard," she began. "High school students can create wonderful things, too. I mean, take the screenplay I wrote for the drama club...." * * * * * After Emi and Phil had left, Kazuya high-fived both Maiko and Kyouko. Kazuya: You guys were great! I had no idea you were working on a song of your own! Kyouko: Thanks. To tell you the truth, I didn't even know my music would have lyrics until tonight. [Smiles at Maiko, who returns her smile] Maiko: [To Kazuya] When I first heard Kyouko's music, I realized it harmonized with my... She abruptly turned away from Kazuya as she blushed. Kazuya: Mai-chan? Maiko: Anyway, we sure showed Shimada! Kyouko began to giggle as she pressed a few buttons on her keyboard. She pressed a key on the keyboard, producing Emi's voice stating "High school students." Then, she pressed the highest key, making Emi sound like Chibi-Usa. Next, she pressed the lowest key, making Emi sound like a Tibetan monk. The three friends nearly passed out in laughter as Kyouko proceeded to play Strauss's "Blue Danube" with Emi's voice. * * * * * That Sunday was warm and sunny, a great blessing for everyone who worked towards making the school festival happen. Despite serving Emi last year as one of many Student Council volunteers, Kazuya felt for the first time that this festival was partly his. He thought to himself that Emi could never learn just how much he liked all the work he put into this year's festival. If she ever found out, he knew he'd never be free of her demands again. Kazuya strolled through the school grounds, one of many visitors to the school grounds this day. The festival was a popular neighborhood attraction, and the fine weather brought out even more of the local families. He checked out the many booths which now dotted the plaza and fields. Most clearly were amateur efforts, flimsy kiosks which would be threatened by any wind more powerful than the light breeze which currently countered the sun's noontime rays. One structure stood out among the festival's makeshift buildings. The outdoor stage dominated the whole school grounds, occupying one end of the plaza, set up in order to catch the afternoon sun's rays perfectly. The curtain was a brilliant scarlet fabric, and the wood floor of the stage looked just like that of the school building's proper stage. It was immediately evident that Shimada Emi played a significant role in the arrangement of these facilities. And why wouldn't she? Not only was her play being staged there that afternoon, but the band she arranged and joined would close the ceremonies there come evening. As Kazuya stared at Emi's handiwork, he noticed a light tugging on his sleeve. He looked to see one of Emi's new flunkees, a cute 10th-grade red-haired girl he had seen some time before at one of Emi's functions. "Kasuga-sempai, Shimada-sempai* is looking for you. She's backstage now," she said cheerily. *Term of reference to an older associate in the same organization "Okay. Thanks, Mi-," Kazuya said, stumbling on her name as his memory lapsed. He remembered that her given name was Hiroe, but he didn't dare address her with such familiarity for fear of attracting a follower like Hikaru-neechan in her high school years. Hiroe led Kazuya behind stage, where Emi was barking orders to the stagehands. Maiko, Kyouko, and Phil were already there. "There you are!" Emi yelled to Kazuya. "You should have gotten here quicker, so we could run through the set an extra time." "Practice? Now?" Kazuya queried. "Aren't you responsible for the play?" "I'm just the screenwriter, executive producer, and Drama Club representative," Emi returned. "Mizusawa here is the director." "Uhhh, hai" the girl who found Kazuya replied. "So, I don't actually need to be here," Emi continued. "The play's in the hands of a very skilled student of drama. I _know_ she'll handle things to my satisfaction." Mizusawa Hiroe, along with two other drama students backstage, looked shocked and bewildered. "Well, let's go," Emi said to her bandmates. "I've managed to secure access to the orchestra's chamber inside." As Emi left, followed by the four others, Hiroe stood motionless, focusing on Emi as she left. She snapped out of her daze after a few moments, and turned to one of the other girls. "Sempai, I thought you said Shimada-buchou* did everything in the club." *President Shimada, here president of the drama club "She's never done anything like this before," the 11th-grader replied. "Ummm... so, sempai, what do I do to direct a play?" "I don't know either." The two girls looked at each other, then at the third. "We'll have to hope that everyone knows their lines, what to do, and where to go," the third student replied. "If they don't, well, then...." All three girls shuddered simultaneously at the thought of experiencing Emi's wrath. * * * * * Maiko sat in the women's powder room applying makeup as Kyouko, fully made up, entered. Kyouko: Are you done yet? We have to hurry up.... Maiko: Chotto matte ne*... I need more blush. *Wait a minute... Kyouko: Ok... but rush it a li....GE!!!! Kyouko gasped at Maiko's ghost-white face, really purple lipstick, green eyeliner and blotches of rouge everywhere... Kyouko: What are you doing?!?!? Maiko: My face looked a bit too white...so...umm...this stuff looked like my skin color and umm.... I thought the purple would look nice, but I forgot I put on the green eyeliner... but this peach number 9... Kyouko suddenly lost her footing and fell to the floor. As Maiko stared at her in puzzlement she groped for a mirror and held it in front of Maiko. Maiko: .....eh.... She blinked for a few seconds at her clownish reflection before screaming in horror. Maiko: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH?!!!!!!!!! MAZUI!!!!!!!!!!!* *BAD/TASTELESS!!!!! Kyouko: [patting Maiko's head and sighing] Let's start all over, ne? Maiko: [Eyes spraying water everywhere] Baka, baka, baka, baka... Kyouko: You've never used makeup before, have you? She looked at the mirror and screamed again as she began running around the room with her hands in her hair, crying "Baka, baka, baka, baka, baka..." She desparately turned to Kyouko. Maiko: Doushiyo?!?* *What do I do? Kyouko: [gently taking Maiko's hands] Wash your face and I'll help you, ne? Kyouko's beautiful, reassuring smile seemed to wash away Maiko's distress. * * * * * Yukio sat in the audience with a smug grin as he watched Phil set up his drumKat and cymbals. Yukio: {While that gaijin was busy playing around, I've been putting in good hard work at improving my game!} Yukio closed his eyes and relaxed with his arms behind his head as he relived the past few afternoons filled with the sweet sounds of his bat cracking the ball for home runs and girls squealing in delight at every hit and brilliant fielding play he made in practice. The sounds of the girlish cheers in Yukio's head changed into the sound of the audience clapping around him as the curtain began to rise. He gasped as he saw who stood on the front center of the stage. It was Shimada Emi in full makeup and a short red dress. All thoughts of baseball were erased from Yukio's mind as Emi smiled and raised her violin and bow. The instant she lowered her instrument the band launched into "Spain". As Kazuya was playing, he searched the audience. A big grin formed on his face as he spotted the objects of his search. His cousin Kyousuke returned his smile and nodded back from his seat in the audience as Emi began to improvise a solo. He turned to the lovely woman seated next to him. Kyousuke: The violin player seems to be pretty good. Madoka: She has great technical skill, but it's pretty obvious to me that she's not very good at jazz. Kyousuke: How so? Madoka: She sounds like other classical violinists who've tried to play jazz. She has a tendency to just play scales and arpeggios really fast without fitting her playing with the rest of the band's rhythm. My old jazz professor would say, "|She doesn't swing.|" Kyousuke: How about that keyboard player? She's really cute.... I wonder.... Madoka gave Kyousuke a dirty look as Kyouko began her solo, using a synthesized piano sound on her keyboard. Kyousuke: [Holds up his hands] I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Madoka: Baka....* [Elbows Kyousuke playfully as she listens] Ahh... this one is really good. I hear a strong Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans influence in her touch and phrasing. She too has great technical skill, but she also displays sensitivity and taste. *Idiot.... After the band ended "Spain" with virtuosic improvised flourishes, Emi once again stepped up to the mike, but was intercepted by Maiko, who snatched it away before Emi had a chance to announce the next number. Maiko: Minna-san, please feel free to get up and dance! Emi briefly glared at Maiko before signaling Kyouko to start up the opening synthesizer riffs to "Beef Jerky." She began to improvise a violin line complementing the sampled horn and saxophone then stopped in sudden worry as Maiko began to prance around the stage with surprising enthusiasm, mike in hand, rapping the lyrics in heavily accented English. Two girls immediately jumped up to accept Maiko's invitation. Pink-haired Girl: Yayyy! Blue-haired Girl: Dansu! Dansu*! *Here she's trying to speak English: "Dance!" Once the two girls pulled up the ever-popular Yukio to dance with them, a significant portion of the audience joined them. Emi: {Asagiri has been using the A-word in rehearsals just to tease me! But now that we're onstage, she'd better not!} Maiko: [rapping] |Who cares? I don't care!| Emi: {Don't you dare, Asagiri!} Maiko: |A horse's grass is better than yours!| Emi groaned, despite her relief, as Maiko winked at her, then playfully bumped hips with Kazuya as he happily pumped out a funky bassline. By the time the band was finishing performing "Cantaloupe Island," with another firebreathing solo by Emi and a faux-piano solo by Kyouko that managed to be both virtuosic and irresistably danceable, the entire audience, including Kyousuke and Madoka, was up on their feet dancing. Everyone, that is, except for one couple Kazuya noticed. Umao-san: Ushiko-san. Ushiko-san: Umao-san. Umao-san: Ushiko-san, wherefore art thou Ushiko-san? Ushiko-san: Umao-san, wherefore art thou Umao-san? When the band had finally fallen silent, Maiko once again stepped away from her congas and cut off Emi's approach to the mike. However, the playful grin on Maiko's face was completely gone, replaced by a solemnity that caused everyone in the audience to sit down. Maiko: This is a song composed by our keyboard player, Moriyama Kyouko... She paused to indicate Kyouko, who blushed and appeared to study her keyboard as everyone clapped and cheered. Maiko: ...with lyrics written by myself. It's called "Never Can." The audience fell silent as Kyouko opened the song with her keyboard intro. Soon, she added a synthesized percussion line to fill in for Maiko's absence. Phil, Kazuya, and Emi joined in shortly thereafter. Maiko: [Singing] All my years of love, one-sided love My thoughts are of you, but you don't know A distance apart, growing more close But what can I do to make it show? That I love you so is true, I know All the words were there, trapped in my head But my breath just stopped, my tongue got tied And the words of love were left unsaid I want to travel to infinity I want to wander, your hand in my hand I want to live there forever and on If only I can I want to hold you in my tender arms I want to take you everywhere I am I need to tell you I only love you But I never can I never can Will I be with you? Will I lose you? And still there are words I need to say No matter how close, we stay just friends And my thoughts of love, thoughts they will stay I want to travel to infinity I want to wander, your hand in my hand I want to live there forever and on If only I can I want to hold you in my tender arms I want to take you everywhere I am I need to tell you I only love you But I never can My thoughts of love Are left unsaid I never can I never can I need to show them I need to speak I never can I never can I want to travel to infinity I want to wander, your hand in my hand I want to live there forever and on If only I can I want to hold you in my tender arms I want to take you everywhere I am I need to tell you I only love you But I never can I never can I never can.... As Maiko repeated the last line of the song, Kyouko and Phil cut off their percussion parts, and Emi stopped playing her violin, leaving only Kazuya's bass and Kyouko's synthesizers, softly playing notes as tender as Maiko's words. Maiko's final iteration of "I never can" was sung at almost a whisper, with only a few wisps of music accompanying the words. By this time, all the couples in the audience, including Umao and Ushiko, and Madoka and Kyousuke were holding hands and/or embracing blissfully. Pink-Haired Girl: [Leaning on Yukio's right shoulder] That was beautiful. The blue-haired girl leaned on Yukio's other shoulder, wiping tears from her eyes. Blue-Haired Girl: So romantic! [Sobs again] Despite being flanked by these two cute young ladies, Yukio's thoughts were full of someone else, someone who happened to be on that stage, making music almost as beautiful as herself. After the music stopped, the audience stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity--several beats of Maiko's heart. Then, the audience broke out into thunderous applause, their standing ovation keeping alive the passion Maiko felt deep within herself. * * * * * "Mai-chan! Let's get over to Abcb!" Kazuya yelled from behind the closed door. "Master has a table reserved for us, but I want to beat the crowds!" "Hai!" Maiko replied from within the stage's girls' dressing room. She was the last person in the room. She had already changed, but instead of packing her stage outfit, she was looking at a photo. The photo, taken by Kyouko, showed her and Kazuya standing together by the net where they had played volleyball on the sands of Sami Beach. "No matter how close, we stay just friends / And my thoughts of love, thoughts they will stay." "I hope he heard me...." Fugawari Orange Street Episode 11 Credits | Release Date: 5/14/96 ------------------------------------------------+----------------------- Lead writers: | Greg Dreher | Paolo Valladolid Additional writing: | Tony Chen | Daniel Lee "Never Can" Lyrics: | Greg Dreher | Tony Chen Editing and pre-reading: | Tony Chen | Greg Dreher | Daniel Lee | Paolo Valladolid | Jeoff Wilks This series would not exist if it weren't for: | Matsumoto Izumi-sama ------------------------------------------------+-----------------------