Chapter 10
✦ ✦ ✦
...I’ll send all my loving to you.
Kento finished singing. The vibration of the guitar strings gradually died down and disappeared into the silence of the studio. The MC, Tawara, snapped out of his trance and began to clap.
“There you had it! ‘All My Loving’ sung by Kento Yamashiro!” He then looked at the other MC, Matsukawa. “Well, Matsukawa? What did you think of his guitar?”
“It was goof,” Matsukawa said, raising one thick thumb.
“Whoa, Kento, did you see that? You got approval from the Matsukawa!”
Kento sensed Matsukawa staring at him, looking like he wanted to say something. But instead, he silently bowed his head and took the guitar strap off his shoulder.
“Alright, then, let’s hear about the song we’re going to hear today in the studio!”
“Our first album goes on sale in March,” Oka said as the leader, looking at the camera. “This is one of its songs, and it placed tenth on the Oricon billboard charts. ‘What Love Is’. Enjoy.”
The song was already a pre-recorded video which would be edited in before the show went on air. Once Oka finished introducing the song, the assistant director flashed a board from where he was squatting on the ground. Wrap up, it said.
“So there you had it, this week’s MVG, Chronos!” Tawara said when he saw the sign. He raised his hands and went into wrapping up the show. “So, all the good boys and girls out there, and the naughty ones too, and all the gramps and grans watching this show at home, see you all next week!” he said, garnering laughs with his comical attitude.
“Same channel, same time!” Matsukawa, with his contrasting rugged look, pointed at a thick index finger straight at the camera and pretended to shoot a pistol. It was Music Map’s classic close. The ending song faded out.
“That’s a wrap! Good work, everyone!”
The scorching lights went out at once.
The group of four, including Kento, heaved a great sigh.
“I was sweating like mad from nerves!” Oka stood up and bowed his head to Matsukawa. “Thank you for everything. Alright, guys, let’s get out of their way.”
Kento got to his feet before Matsukawa stopped him.
“You hold on a minute,” he said. When Kento turned around, Matsukawa was looking at him with penetrating eyes. “I caught that. I’m not a Beatles fanatic for nothing. You messed up that spot on purpose, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Kento nodded honestly. Matsukawa approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You learned that from that person you love, too?”
“Yes.”
“You must really love that person.”
“I do.”
Matsukawa nudged Kento’s shoulders with both hands and scratched his head fiercely. “I’ll get them to air that part without cutting it. I hope she gets your message. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Thank you.”
Kento lapsed into thought as he watched Matsukawa’s retreating back as he strode away. He thought of when he had just started learning Beatles songs when he had gotten good enough on the guitar. He had been practicing ‘All My Loving’ when Orihara told him that there was a playing mistake recorded on the LP.
“That’s why real Beatles fans make a mistake on purpose here, to copy Paul.” Orihara’s smiling face rose in his mind.
I haven’t forgotten about you.
If Orihara were to see this show on air?if he were to see Kento play his guitar?would he get Kento’s message? He didn’t know. But Kento was prepared to bet on the small possibility that he would.
✦ ✦ ✦
After the recording, the group found Manager Shimoda waiting for them in the dressing room.
“Time to head out for the office. We have a meeting to get to,” he said.
“Aww, already?” Tomoya complained. “I was gonna go to Kagurazaka to buy a green-tea Bavarois while we were in the area!”
Oka laughed as he pulled out his Nike backpack. “I bought souvenirs, so you’ll have to settle with these.”
“Yay!” Tomoya cheered.
In the car, Shimoda began talking about plans for a TV special during the Golden Week holidays in May. The sports-themed special was to be aired on Children’s Day on May 5 at the National Stadium, where stars competed against each other in different sports.
“And we get to be on that show?” Tomoya leaned forward eagerly, but Manager Shimoda shook his head.
“Nishimura is the only one from Chronos who’s entering the competition. I have something else planned for the rest of the group.” After mentioning that they would officially be assigned their roles later on, Manager Shimoda specifically pointed Kento out.
“We’ve already decided on the perfect spot for you,” he said. It was a feature that was going to be played between competitions that got up-close and personal with athletes aspiring to enter the Paralympics.
“Everyone knows that your debut was delayed because of your leg injury. That’s why we thought it’d be perfect for you to be a reporter.”
“But my injury wasn’t that serious,” Kento protested. “Are you sure I’m fit for this part?”
“Well, I know you might not like it because it seems like we’re cashing in on it, but…”
“Then why do I?“
“You’ve debuted now,” Oka interrupted. “You’re going to have to do a lot of things. This will be a good experience.” Oka had gotten signed with the agency before any of the four members, and had a wealth of experience in the entertainment industry. His argument stood firm, and Kento had no choice but to agree.
“You know, I’ve had to wear gorilla masks and rabbit suits before,” Oka said ruefully, which made everyone roar with laughter.