FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

August 19th: The Music's Feelings

The morning red sun shines my widow, waking me up and yawed. I feel dry and tired. I don't feel happy or motivated. My long-lost brother lives so far away from home, and I found him. And I can't do nothing more. I take a shower and start fresh, no more fake smiles. Today, I'm going to Kazenari mall, according to Toshi, is a new mall opened two weeks ago. Kouya and his band are going to perform there soon. I think that mall are still celebrating their grand opening, and the band got contracted, I guess.

I got dressed and have breakfast and leave the room locked. Walked down stairs to the lobby and saw Hiroyuki leaving and closing the door, while keep walking up through the lobby, a voice stopped me from moving.

"Kelly, wait! Don't leave." Toshi-san is behind the desk, holding a phone, and talking to someone. "Yeah, he's here with me... Alright, I'll tell him." He hangs the phone and face me. "Kouya is coming to meet you here so don't take the bus for now, okay? He's coming on his motorbike." He said.

"Alright..." I wasn't expecting that, but... that's okay.

"Hey, are you okay? You have a long face." Toshi asked. I said nothing. With a puzzled look and thought, "Was it what I said about the other day? I was just joking."

"Oh-no... is not that. You were right about it."

"...Huh? Wait, you mean..." the sound of a motorbike roars outside of the building. Toshi turns his head and see the husky-man with a helmet. "That was fast." He surprised said and turned to me. "Your ride is here."

"Thank you, Toshi-san." I said as I leave the building. Approaching to Kouya he lifts his helmet off, and gives me smile.

"Good morning, Kelly, how'd you feeling?" He greets.

"I'm fine, Kouya." I softly gave him a smile.

"You sure? You're still low." He said.

"I know, I know... I'm trying to be optimistic, alright?" I sighed.

"Right, come on, hop in." He ordered and sat behind him, he handed me a helmet and put it on. Kouya's motorbike accelerates and follows the road.

A quite long ride from the village to the bigger town nearby, Kouya parked his motorbike. I get off from the seat and see a large building. Kazenari Mall is just about a few yards from me. The mall is pretty huge, two story high, modern style architecture. Once inside, the hallways are wide and insanely long. With a large variety of stores. There was a map of the mall that contains the two floors. As I try to get a good picture on the layout of the building; there's the main atrium, the food court, the water show fountain, and an in-door rock climbing wall.

"My bandmates are at the atrium, that's where we're going to perform." Kouya said.

As we walk the endless hallway that leads to the main atrium. I asked Kouya. "Kouya, why did you take me along with you? Did you thought I was not going?"

"Um... I was just wanna be sure that you're okay. That's all. And I thought it could be much quicker if you come with me." He said.

"You didn't want me to come all the way here by myself, right?" I pointed it out, I think. Kouya didn't replied and looked away. "Kouya...?" I called him, no replies.

"Kouya! There you are!" The familiar loud mouth voice, is none other than Keisuke Hirama. His big smile is unmistakable. He approach to us and he smiled at me, I better keep my spirits up. "Kelly-kun! You made it!"

"M-Morning, Keisuke-san, is great to see you." I greeted as possible.

"Did Kouya gave you a ride?" He smirks.

"Y-yeah, he offered it before I would have asked." I explained.

"Come on, guys. Let's get going." Kouya cried abruptly and we continued to the atrium.

"Yuuki-kun, and Jun-kun are already at the backstage, we won't be starting till at 1:00 PM." Keisuke announced. "They've told us to be here more earlier so they could get everything prepared."

"Who are 'they'?" I asked.

"The managers of this mall, they're really stressed. They're still celebrating the grand opening." Keisuke explained.

The three of us arrived at the center of the mall; the atrium, it's a large opened room with a sky dome above, bringing natural light to the area. At the center on the first floor there's an already built stage with black curtains and large amps and other equipment. We walked behind it to the back stage and there's Yuuki-san and Jun-kun.

"Kouya, you made it," Yuuki then turn to me, "Kelly-kun, hi!"

"Hi guys, I told you I would come." I said. Jun-kun nods.

"We better get inside, before we piss again those mall managers." Yuuki said.

As we enter the backstage, I was stopped by a security guard and a manager.

"It's okay, he's with me." Kouya said to both.

"Sorry, I'm not allowing anyone who doesn't work in this stage." The manager said.

I sighed, "Sorry Kouya, I would like to hang out with you guys. But, I'll see you at the audience, okay?"

"It won't start till one-a-clock." Kouya reminded me.

"Well, is it okay if I wander around? Maybe the time will pass for me, okay?"

"Well... if that helps you."

"Alright, I'll see you on stage."

Alright, it's 10:20 AM. The show starts the afternoon. For me, is best to stay away from Kouya's friends so they don't notice my depression from yesterday. I better get myself refreshed as soon as possible. I'll find a way to cheer myself up, Kouya said that to me before I left the backstage.

So now I'm here, so, let's see what I can do for fun... I wish...

I entered a clothing store and lets see what's offering. I usually wear casual or smart casual, those are my favorite styles. In the store there's a lot to choose from and I can make up what to combine, thanks to my sister's professional advises of hers. While looking around, a familiar cat-man I spot not so far.

"Shin?"

"Hm? Oh, Kelly-san, what a surprise." He simply said, he then looks at what I'm holding. "Doesn't look your thing, but I see you're trying."

I sighed, "Without my sister, I'm totally lost with a lot of variety of clothes."

"Hm... well, maybe I can help you, if you want to." Shin offered.

"Do you know more about smart clothing?"

"What do you think I'm wearing now?" Shin said, taking a look of what he's wearing now, I have no doubt.

"Okay, you can help me."

"You don't look happy, is something wrong?"

"N-Nothing, I'm fine, I'm... I'm a little home sick, that's all." I said, yes I know, I lied. What differences does it make?

"Homesick would be 'living in japan', you're only visiting." He said. He got me.

"Well, it's been almost two months and that's something, right?" I said.

"Yeah, pretty much, now then, shall we?" he said.

In the store, Shin and I surfed around the aisles, and then I went to the dressing closet.

"Are you done?" Shin asked. I opened the door and reveal myself. I'm wearing white shoes, white pants, white jacket, unbuttoned, showing the light blue t-shirt.

"How do I look?" This is just like the day I was looking for a yukata.

"One last touch..." Shin added me a long, light gray scarf around my neck and then a trilby white hat with a light blue ribbon on it. I look at the mirror and see this new suave appearance.

"Huh, not bad, I like it, thanks Shin."

"No need to thank me." Shin replied. I wonder what event I can wear this?

After changing back my attire and purchase my new clothes and Shin bought also himself some clothes. The store had some good deals anyways! We left the store and then Shin-kun speaks.

"Kelly, can you do me a favor?"

"A favor?"

"I saw Hiroyuki earlier, he's wandering around the mall, with a desperate face. He didn't noticed me, by 2 feet, he seems to be looking for something or hiding himself. Have you seen him?" Shin spread the words. But, now that he mentioned it. I did saw him leaving the inn in a hurry, but I didn't saw him after that. I didn't know he went to the mall. I replied to Shin.

"No, I haven't seen him all day, not even yesterday. So, what's the favor?" I asked.

"Can you find him? And asked him what's his deal?" he said.

"You want me to spy on him?"

"No, just find him. I got other things to do, I'll see you at the food court." Shin said and left.

So, Shin went around and now he wants me to find Hiroyuki. Well, it does sound serious, so I better find him, and what's he's doing? Maybe there's a... well I don't know. Lets find him.

There's one problem, this mall is huge! And, how can I find an 18-year-old Japanese guy, who is also wandering around. Well, I lost sight of Shin and there's still time to do some other things around before Musikus' performance. Lets take a tour around the mall, maybe I'll bump into Hiroyuki later.

...

I feel like I've walked like "20 miles" in full lengths of the mall. I passed the movie theatre, the indoor rock climbing wall, the grand fountain show (cool water colors though), some food samples and cologne samples, staring at the giant LED screen for new upcoming movie trailers, and many other things. No signs of Hiroyuki though.

I sighed and rested on a bench at the atrium, looking at the giant sky dome above me. I look at the time and is only... 10:55 AM? Wow, time is really playing on me. Ooh, I'm tired of walking! Trying to kill time, I look at my smartphone and checked the calendar, then play some games, but... questions began to rose up in my mind, for some unknown reasons, I want to call... my old man. I fetched the satellite phone in my satchel, is kind of big with a fat antenna, I tapped the buttons and wait. It was kind of awkward while holding it, people who saw me, thinks I'm still in the 80's or 90's, which it was a time when mobile phones were its early days. Maybe talking to him may cheer me up.

"Hello? Sullivan residences, who is speaking?" My dad answers.

"Hi, Dad."

"Kelly? Is that you? How are you, son!?" His voice is cheery.

"I'm fine Dad, is been a while." This is the first time I'm calling him since July. "Did you get the postcard?"

"Oh...! Y-Yes...! How did you know I was going to Dubai?"

"Your secretary came to our house three days before we left for Japan, and she gave it to me and I asked what was inside the little package, she told me it was plane tickets to Dubai and I say nothing and kept myself in silence since you weren't sharing us your summer plans with Mom." I spilled it out. "I don't think you and Mom are having a special vacation, more like big plans you're having in your hands. So... what are you planning about?"

My father is the president and CEO of a family owned international shipping company, and comparing with Henry as a VP's assistant of a pharmaceutical company. For a long time since they were born, there was an existing rivalry between Dad and Uncle Henry. Right after they graduated from college, these two have the same goal: Become a professional business man of a company. Well, Dad reached it first by taking over my grandfather's shipping company. Uncle Henry went another way but fell rank while working and ended up as an assistant, he never told this to us until Sylvia and I came here.

"Is nothing special, I'm just planning on going to Nagasaki shipyard next month to sign some contracts for our next cruise ship." He proposed. Dad and his shipping company operates 15 ocean liners all across the Pacific Ocean.

"Are you going to name your boat 'Julie of the Seas'?" I teased him. He always wanted a ship named after Mom! This shows how much he loves Mom!

"How did you know that?" He shockingly said.

"Oh, come on, Dad, you know I spend some times with you at the HQ, I sometimes wander around your office and I found a list of names and all of them are marked in 'X' until I found a green circle, and I thought it was the perfect name for Mom and the new boat." I revealed.

"Alright, alright, you're embarrassing me." He said. "How's Henry doing?" Dad changes the topic, I can hear a serious tone in his voice. Let's see how I can... explain...

"Oh, he's taking care of us well, so nothing to worry about." I said.

"Are you sure?" I feel like he just raised an eyebrow.

"Well, Ashton is a good guardian too, and that makes things easier. He's older, you know."

I hear him sighing and said, "Alright, maybe I'm getting a little paranoid about your safety since your brother left home. I know how much you have felt when Konnor left home. Sylvia just told me you're recovering well, is that right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Dad. I really feel well..." I really don't want them to worry about me.

"Alright..." Then I hear Dad talking to someone. "Kelly, your mother wants to talk to you, I'm handing the phone to her." Dad said. I replied okay and waited a short moment.

"Hi, Kelly. It's been awhile, how's my second born?" She cheery said... Oh, Mom...

"Just fine..." I don't know what to say more.

"I'm glad you called, I was feeling a little worry about you."

"You don't have to worry about me Mom, I'm fine."

"I just couldn't stop thinking about your ordeal after your ex cheated on you." She's still remembers that.

"Well, this vacation is just what I needed, I'm ready to move on."

"I'm glad to hear that. We still miss you back home, we feel kind of lonely without you and Sylvia and even Konnor..." She sighed. Then a thought came in my mind to change the subject. I don't wanna hear her sobbing.

"Hey, Mom...?"

"Yes?"

"How you and Dad met?" I've never asked that question until now.

"Oh... uh... I... this was sudden... uhm... I met your father in college." That's typical. She continued. "I used to live in San Diego like I told you. While your father in Seattle."

"You... two... were having a long distance relationship?" I said.

"Yes... your father was a shy one," she giggled, "he confessed me and I love him. He really wished that I can live with him in Seattle, but my parents, your grandparents, were unsure about our relationship."

"How did you..." I automatically said, but Mom continued.

"I got pregnant at 19, so without my brothers' and sisters' supports, I would've never made it to where I am right now. I reached my career and married your father and we have Konnor." My mom's a lawyer. I'm surprised on how she got a lot of troubles for just to be with Dad.

"Wow, Mom, I've never knew you've been through a lot."

"Well, like you said, 'there's a million ways to fall in love', right?"

"Yeah."

"So, what gave you the idea to ask me that question?"

"You did told me that you have family in San Diego, and most of the Sullivan's society lives in Seattle. So, it's obvious." I made up an excuse.

"Did you met someone in Japan?" Somehow, Mom figured it out. I blushed in a panic.

"Love you, Mom!" I hanged up and sighed.

Really, learning how Mom and Dad met, really inspires me! If my parents understands my new feelings, maybe they will understand, Sylvia and others could support me. Maybe I can visit Japan anytime as possible to be with the person I have now a crush on. Really, long-distance relationships are really tough.

I wonder what will be a good time to tell him. Now that I'm thinking about him, my heart is rising more and more. I'm having a sweet feeling in my head, my stomach is having butterflies inside right now. Then, a familiar human sits next to me, snapping out my thoughts. He looks exhausted.

"Hiroyuki? There you are." I found him.

"Huh? You were looking for me?"

"Well, no, but Shin-kun asked me to find you. He saw you earlier here, and you were running around in a hurry. But... I see now that you're now satisfied." I said to Hiro, he went shopping the whole time.

"Yeah, I am. I bought some present for Torahiko's birthday." He said.

"Really!? When?" That explains everything.

"Uh, today...." He embarrassingly said.

"Today!? And you haven't been keeping everything organized?" I cried.

"Well, that doesn't even matter. I already bought the gifts."

"What did you bought?"

"This one will be for his birthday." Hiroyuki showed me the first gift.

"An... apron? And... you're expecting he will wear that?" The front part of the apron has an image of a muscular torso on it.

"It'll be more like a 'joke gift', he'll laugh about it."

"Okay, what about the other?" I asked, is kind of small.

"This one will be for our first anniversary since we began dating. I'll reveal it at the party." He explained.

"...You're too young to be married, Hiroyuki Nishimura...." That's the first thing that came to my mind! HA!

"NO, that's not it!" Hiroyuki freaks out and blushes.

"I'm sorry! I'm kidding!" I laughed. That really made my day.

"P-Please, don't say that. I'm not even that far."

"I know, I know." I said. "So, is it some kind of matching wrist band for you two can wear?"

"Y-yeah, something like that." Hiro said. "So, where's Shin-kun?"

"He's on the food court, wanna join?" I offered.

"No thank you, I really need to go back to Minasato. Torahiko's birthdate starts at four of the afternoon. I'm hoping you can come. I forgot to tell you."

"Sure, but first, I promised Kouya to come here to see him performing today." I told him.

"Huh... so, Torahiko was right." Hiro muttered.

"Huh?"

"Oh nothing, I'll see you at the party!" Hiroyuki left.

At the food court on the second floor. I rendezvous with Shin. Looks like I'm late, he already finished his food he ordered from one of the food stalls in the area.

"You're late." He said with zero expressions.

"I know, but I did found him." I said as I sit down and facing him.

"What was he doing then?" Shin asked.

"Not sure if you were informed, but today is Torahiko's birthday. Hiroyuki was wandering around to buy him a gift."

"Oh, yeah...."

"What were you been thinking at first?"

"Nothing serious. So, I better get going, I'll see you later. Hm... you look now happy, what's with you?"

"Uh, good news?"

"Later...." Shin walked away. Now that I'm here, I better get something to eat. It's almost lunch time. I think the band have their own food buffet at the backstage, keeping them really busy.

I'm kind in a mood for sushi, that'll cheer me. I ordered some and find an empty seat. Is 12:25 PM, in minutes the show will start.

Eating in peace it calms me down, but being here by himself kinda sucks. And I'm sitting here and eating here and waiting, but anyway, back at my topic; I'm still having a ticklish feeling in my stomach, man this is the same feelings I have from my previous lovers, but this one is a little different. Maybe because...

"Mind if I join you?" A deep voice said.

"Hm?" I snapped out from my daydream, and look in front of me across the table was... "Oh! Aotsuki-san! S-Sure, I-I don't mind." I said.

"Thank you." He sits down across the table.

"So, did you came here to see Kouya's band perform?" I asked.

"Yes, it's been a while since I haven't see him performing." He said.

"You must be proud, he's really talented." I complimented.

"Yes, I am. So, you came to see him too, huh?"

"Y-yeah...."

"I'm a little curious... are you two... you know, having a 'close friendship'?" Aotsuki asked.

"Uhhh...." I got blank on the inside and red on the outside of my head.

"W-well, I mean... is that Kouya, the other night at dinner, he talked about you and his tail was wagging a lot." He explained...okay...?

"Uh..." this is so awkward. I'm not even... you know... that part after friend zone. He's only asking, right?

"I-I-I... I... I..." I'm shrinking away.

"My apologies, I shouldn't have asked." He said. I feel relief, I didn't answered him, even if he knows just now. Then he tried to change the subject. "So, how's your family? You've been away from them since the accident. How they been holding?" He said.

"My family? Yeah, they're fine, they're not worried, and I'm still keeping in touch with them. They will come here in a matter of days. My sister, she's a little anxious of reuniting together again. I miss her too, and she really worries about me." I said.

"I'm glad you have a family that look out for you." He said.

"Thank you." I slightly smiled. We chat a little more until I saw the giant clock above in the center of the food court. Is 12:55...

"Oh, crap! The show starts in five minutes!" I said and finished up my meal and take my shopping bags with me and run ahead.

I have made it to the atrium, where the show is held. There was a huge crowd on the first floor, good thing I have a better view on the second floor, I can see the stage, a countdown LED light placed above, and they haven't started yet, Whew!

"You're one energetic human, kid." Aotsuki-san walked by and stand beside me.

"You have no idea." I said as I place my hands on the rail.

A few minutes later, the show starts, the host came first and said, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen", and then introduced the band, "Musikus", and the four beastmen appeared on stage. The crowd cheered in excitement. The four waved at the audience. I waved if Kouya can see me that I'm up here. He waved much quicker in the moment he saw me, I think.

"Three, Two, one, GO!" Keisuke yells and the song plays, this was a different song, not the one I heard in the rehearsal. Yuuki sings the lyrics and then Kouya added more, giving additional taste. The crowd cheered more and more. The first song ends, the audience applauded and cheered. I clapped my hands and whistled. Then, they started the second song, which was the one I heard. This was giving me a lot of excitement that I'm holding in my guts.

Then, the third song came. This time, Kouya is singing it with his guitar in place with his both hands. Kouya softly sings, listening what he's saying, I'm starting to feel butterflies in my stomach again.

It must be a coincidence, but that song really touches my heart. There was a lot feelings in my heart that I could not expressed it this way. Those were the words I'm been looking for, and he found it. A tear leaked from my eyes. It feels like he's outside of my house and I'm looking down from the window and seeing him playing the song, just for me. Kouya finishes the song and everyone in the crowd cheered and applauded and I just simply clapped and smiled.

After hearing 6 songs, the band finished their duty, and went backstage.

"That was amazing, right, Aotsuki-san?" I said.

"Well, I don't know about music, but it was really good." He said.

"Aren't you going to congratulate him?"

"I'll leave it you, he'll be happy to see you, smiling." He said and walks away and disappears into the crowd of shoppers. Wait! How did he... Oh, leave it.

I walk down stairs to the ground floor and arrive the backstage. I really wish I had a backstage pass, so I can get in. Before I could ask the security guy, the four beastmen are already in my view.

"Hey, guys! That was radical!" I brought a real smile at the four members, especially Kouya.

"Thanks, Kelly-kun. I'm glad you enjoyed it." Keisuke said and the others appreciated it.

"Kelly-kun, where have you been? And... why you were with my Dad?" Kouya said. He did saw me on the second floor and Aotsuki was next to me.

"Oh, nothing, I just bump into him at the food court and he was also going to see you performing." I explained.

"So, where is he now?"

"I don't know, he went somewhere around." I said.

"Don't mind about it, he usually does that."

"So, what are we gonna do now, guys? We're done our duty. We can now hang around and do something." Keisuke said.

"I thought we were going to the movie theatre, after our show, Keisuke." Yuuki said.

"I did? Oh, yeah, I did!" He cried. Yuuki-san sighed.

"Kelly, wanna go to the movies with us?" Kouya offered... Uh? Did I heard that right? Oh wait, he said "with us", not "with me". Silly me, I'm really now hallucinating when I stare at him. "Kelly, you there?" Kouya snaps his fingers.

"Huh? Oh! S-Sure." I snapped out. "Shall we?" I keep smiling.

The five of us went to the movie theatre, we got ourselves some popcorn and drinks then taking some seats. Before the movie started, Kouya whispers.

"How you feeling now, Kelly? You're now like yourself." He said.

"Yeah, I feel more better after hearing your solo, it was really... touching." I whispered back.

"I'm glad you're okay, Kelly." He said and smiles and ruffles my hair.

"Hey, watch my scar." I softly chuckled.

"I really want to see you happy." He whispered.

I couldn't say anything, the only thing I can do is smile and blush and look at the screen, the movie started.

...

After the movie, the band split up and say goodbyes to each other. Before Kouya could take me back to the village. I bought three basket gifts for Hiroyuki, Torahiko and Tatsuki. The pair is for thank them for saving me. For Tatsuki, is for their work on the statue. We rode back and assisted on Tora's birthday at the restaurant.

At the restaurant, everyone gathered and having fun, and so was I. I gave the couple and the dragon the gift baskets and they appreciated it. We sang "Happy Birthday" in Japanese to Torahiko. Hiroyuki kisses Torahiko on the lips, and I accidentally launched a small confetti canon at the pair, all covered in confetti... sorry... hehehehe....

While chatting with the couple, Tora talked about how he won today's swimming tournament and showing his golden medal. Then, Kouya interrupts and wants to speak with me. For some reason Torahiko and Hiroyuki did not mind and left us, with some smiles that I don't know about. But somehow I know why.

"What is it, Kouya?" I asked.

"You know the Bon Festival that's coming in a few days, right?" he said.

"Uh-Huh."

"Well, I've been thinking and..." He's blushing.

"Yeah...?"

"How about... we could hang out... and show you around there, and... besides, going all by yourself would suck." Is... he... asking me out? My heart goes nuts. A silence fell upon me... "So, what do you think?" He said.

I blushed at the idea, but I smiled, "Y-Yes, of course, I would like to."

"Really?"

"Y-Yeah." I reassured him.

Kouya's tails wags and smiles, "Well, see you at the festival, Kelly."

"Yeah, same to you. Oh, Kouya?"

"Yes?"

"Do I look good on that yukata?" I asked with a smile.

He said nothing and blushes. "I'll s-see you at-at the f-festival, K-Kelly." Kouya said and walks away, and I just simply chuckled.