Arashi: Red Shift (01)
FANDOM: Arashi
PAIRING: Sakuraiba
RATING: PG
DATE: December 27, 2009
WORD COUNT: 1,280
NOTES: I don't own Arashi, nor do I know much about them - this fic is entirely AU and fictional. This is for arashic0804!
START | Chapter Two
CHAPTER ONE
Redshift: A shift in the lines of an object's spectrum toward the red end. Redshift indicates that an object is moving away from the observer. The larger the redshift, the faster the object is moving. [Source]
“One, two, three, four!”
Even before he finished counting out, he could hear the beginnings of Aiba’s bass. The melody was fast, smooth, but almost insidious in the way it hooks the audience every time they play it live. After awhile, Nino and Jun joined in, twin guitars competing with lick after lick, driving the energy of the song higher. More intense. He took a quick glance at the faces of their current audience. By the time his drums joined in the beat, Ohno knew that the record deal was going to be theirs.
By the time the song was over, the band grinned at each other, knowing they did well. Ohno stood up, and stuck his drum sticks in his back pocket. “What do you think?” he asked, addressing Yamanaka-san.
The ex-star and current big-shot producer at Voyager Records answered with a smile. “It was good. You were good.” He gave a small laugh, before continuing, “but then again, you wouldn’t have gotten this audition if I hadn't known at least that much. We’ll talk about this later tonight, at dinner. My assistant will handle the details.” He waved, once, and left the room.
“What the hell does that mean?” Jun asked, turning to Ohno. Aiba was looking at him, too, but didn’t say anything. Nino’s mouth was hanging open, as if he couldn’t believe that Yamanaka-san could be so blase after they played so well.
“I guess it means... we’ll find out at dinner.” Ohno frowned, wondering if he was off in his judgement. He thought that the band played their best, put everything they’ve got, in that one song. But Yamanaka-san acted like it wasn’t anything special at all. Ohno shook his head, and told himself that nothing was decided yet, and that he had to keep the morale up for everyone. He looked around at his band mates. “If the song wasn’t enough, we’ll charm him at dinner for sure.” He hoped. “And close your mouth, Nino, before something flies into it.”
})i({
“Here’s the thing. I know that Red Shift has been around for a couple of years. I know that you’ve worked hard, and now you’ve gathered an impressive fan base. I know that your demo, that you released yourselves, was a hit despite the less-than-great production quality. I know that you put on great live shows, and from what I heard during your audition, I know that you are good musicians.” Yamanaka-san stopped, and looked around the dinner table as if to gauge their reactions.
“But. There is a but, isn’t there?” Ohno was the only one who spoke out.
Yamanaka-san nodded. “But you are not as experienced as I would like. You’ve been around for a long time, and the fact that you've only released one record in that whole time is against you. And Matsumoto-san,” he said, at which Jun snapped to attention, “while you have a good voice, I’m not sure if I would say that you have the star power to pull Red Shift through.” Noticing that rest of the band wanted to protest, he quickly said, “I don’t mean to say that you’re no good as a vocalist, or anything like that. You’re perfectly adequate.”
“But I’m not good enough to debut on a Voyager Records album,” Jun concluded quietly.
“You are, too, good enough!” Nino exclaimed, incensed. Aiba nodded vigourously in agreement.
Ohno just nodded, making the rest wonder who he agreed with - Nino or Jun. “I see what you mean, Yamanaka-san, and I’m glad that you’re being honest with us. However, if what you’re suggesting is that we replace Jun, then we would rather continue as we are.” He smiled at his band members, hoping to reassure them. “We’ll manage, even without a deal with Voyager. As for Jun’s singing, maybe he’s not exactly there yet, but I know that he has something special. A quality that, with time, will improve and shine brightly.” What am I saying? he wondered. I have no idea if what I said even made sense. But he believed that Jun will be a great singer one day, with all of his heart.
“Oh, I do not disagree,” Yamanaka-san said. “In fact, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“You want Jun to take singing lessons? Like an idol or something?” Aiba asked, earning him a dirty look from Jun.
Yamanaka-san chuckled. “Not exactly. It’s just... what do you think about bringing in a second vocalist for your first album? Matsumoto-san will still be vocalist, but we’ll change the arrangements of the songs to suit a second vocal. And to make the songs more marketable, of course. The harmonies would definitely work better...” he murmured the last sentence, as if talking to himself.
“A second vocal? One of us?”
“No. Not a Red Shift member, but someone else managed by Voyager. Someone who is already well-known, someone whose presence would also generate a lot of interest in your band.”
Aiba looked at Jun, concerned about how his band mate would be feeling if they did such a thing, but Jun looked as if he was seriously considering it. He turned to Nino, who looked displeased with the idea, and to Ohno, whose expression he couldn’t read.
“Jun,” Ohno said.
“Mm?”
“What do you think?”
“Well,” Jun replied, “I think it’s a good idea. And if we get a record deal out of it, why not?”
“I’m asking what you think, not if you think it’s good for the band.”
“I know what you mean, Oh-chan,” Jun said, his voice a little testy. “After all, we’ve been friends forever. Yes, I think it’s a good idea. If we bring in a well-known vocalist for our first album, it means I could learn from them, right? And,” he continued, addressing Yamanaka-san, “it’s only for this one album, right?”
Yamanaka-san nodded. “Yes, if you’ll agree to the terms, we could start a basic contract, and the chosen vocalist would only be with you for the duration of your debut album. Anyway,” he said with a dry voice, “he would most likely want to go back to his own career soon after.”
“So who is he?” Nino asked.
Yamanaka-san looked at his watch. “He should be here soon, I think.” He glanced at the door of the private dining area, and right on cue, it opened.
“Sorry, Yamanaka-san, I got held back at my last meeting. I’m running late the whole day, it seems.”
“It’s fine. We had a lot to discuss anyway. This, here, is Red Shift.”
“Hi there, pleased to meet you all. We’re going to be working together, so I hope we get along.”
No one answered the greeting. All the members of Red Shift stared at the newcomer, dumbfounded. Then Nino gave a low, barely audible curse. Ohno looked like he wanted to laugh. Aiba just stared, his eyes wide. Jun ignored the newcomer and said to Yamanaka-san, “but - he’s some kind of pop star!” He said the word 'pop' like it was an insult.
Yamanaka-san just raised an eyebrow, as the newcomer took a place at the table.
“Ne, Yamanaka-san, you didn’t tell them? How naughty of you.” He then turned back to the group, gave a light bow, and a mischievous smile. “I’m Sakurai Sho, pop star extraordinaire.”
Yamanaka-san snorted when he heard Sho’s introduction, but quickly regained himself. “Ahem. Where was I? Ah... yes. The company has decided to request Sakurai Sho as the vocalist for your album - he is one of our biggest names, and,” he said, looking pointedly at Jun, “despite being a pop singer, he could teach you a thing or two.”
~ to be continued ~
START | Chapter Two
Marineko's Notes:
So... what do you think? My first ever Arashi fic. Actually, my first ever fic based on actual people. *shudders* I should probably scrap this, but this is for arashic0804 so I hope she likes it!
PAIRING: Sakuraiba
RATING: PG
DATE: December 27, 2009
WORD COUNT: 1,280
NOTES: I don't own Arashi, nor do I know much about them - this fic is entirely AU and fictional. This is for arashic0804!
START | Chapter Two
CHAPTER ONE
Redshift: A shift in the lines of an object's spectrum toward the red end. Redshift indicates that an object is moving away from the observer. The larger the redshift, the faster the object is moving. [Source]
“One, two, three, four!”
Even before he finished counting out, he could hear the beginnings of Aiba’s bass. The melody was fast, smooth, but almost insidious in the way it hooks the audience every time they play it live. After awhile, Nino and Jun joined in, twin guitars competing with lick after lick, driving the energy of the song higher. More intense. He took a quick glance at the faces of their current audience. By the time his drums joined in the beat, Ohno knew that the record deal was going to be theirs.
By the time the song was over, the band grinned at each other, knowing they did well. Ohno stood up, and stuck his drum sticks in his back pocket. “What do you think?” he asked, addressing Yamanaka-san.
The ex-star and current big-shot producer at Voyager Records answered with a smile. “It was good. You were good.” He gave a small laugh, before continuing, “but then again, you wouldn’t have gotten this audition if I hadn't known at least that much. We’ll talk about this later tonight, at dinner. My assistant will handle the details.” He waved, once, and left the room.
“What the hell does that mean?” Jun asked, turning to Ohno. Aiba was looking at him, too, but didn’t say anything. Nino’s mouth was hanging open, as if he couldn’t believe that Yamanaka-san could be so blase after they played so well.
“I guess it means... we’ll find out at dinner.” Ohno frowned, wondering if he was off in his judgement. He thought that the band played their best, put everything they’ve got, in that one song. But Yamanaka-san acted like it wasn’t anything special at all. Ohno shook his head, and told himself that nothing was decided yet, and that he had to keep the morale up for everyone. He looked around at his band mates. “If the song wasn’t enough, we’ll charm him at dinner for sure.” He hoped. “And close your mouth, Nino, before something flies into it.”
})i({
“Here’s the thing. I know that Red Shift has been around for a couple of years. I know that you’ve worked hard, and now you’ve gathered an impressive fan base. I know that your demo, that you released yourselves, was a hit despite the less-than-great production quality. I know that you put on great live shows, and from what I heard during your audition, I know that you are good musicians.” Yamanaka-san stopped, and looked around the dinner table as if to gauge their reactions.
“But. There is a but, isn’t there?” Ohno was the only one who spoke out.
Yamanaka-san nodded. “But you are not as experienced as I would like. You’ve been around for a long time, and the fact that you've only released one record in that whole time is against you. And Matsumoto-san,” he said, at which Jun snapped to attention, “while you have a good voice, I’m not sure if I would say that you have the star power to pull Red Shift through.” Noticing that rest of the band wanted to protest, he quickly said, “I don’t mean to say that you’re no good as a vocalist, or anything like that. You’re perfectly adequate.”
“But I’m not good enough to debut on a Voyager Records album,” Jun concluded quietly.
“You are, too, good enough!” Nino exclaimed, incensed. Aiba nodded vigourously in agreement.
Ohno just nodded, making the rest wonder who he agreed with - Nino or Jun. “I see what you mean, Yamanaka-san, and I’m glad that you’re being honest with us. However, if what you’re suggesting is that we replace Jun, then we would rather continue as we are.” He smiled at his band members, hoping to reassure them. “We’ll manage, even without a deal with Voyager. As for Jun’s singing, maybe he’s not exactly there yet, but I know that he has something special. A quality that, with time, will improve and shine brightly.” What am I saying? he wondered. I have no idea if what I said even made sense. But he believed that Jun will be a great singer one day, with all of his heart.
“Oh, I do not disagree,” Yamanaka-san said. “In fact, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“You want Jun to take singing lessons? Like an idol or something?” Aiba asked, earning him a dirty look from Jun.
Yamanaka-san chuckled. “Not exactly. It’s just... what do you think about bringing in a second vocalist for your first album? Matsumoto-san will still be vocalist, but we’ll change the arrangements of the songs to suit a second vocal. And to make the songs more marketable, of course. The harmonies would definitely work better...” he murmured the last sentence, as if talking to himself.
“A second vocal? One of us?”
“No. Not a Red Shift member, but someone else managed by Voyager. Someone who is already well-known, someone whose presence would also generate a lot of interest in your band.”
Aiba looked at Jun, concerned about how his band mate would be feeling if they did such a thing, but Jun looked as if he was seriously considering it. He turned to Nino, who looked displeased with the idea, and to Ohno, whose expression he couldn’t read.
“Jun,” Ohno said.
“Mm?”
“What do you think?”
“Well,” Jun replied, “I think it’s a good idea. And if we get a record deal out of it, why not?”
“I’m asking what you think, not if you think it’s good for the band.”
“I know what you mean, Oh-chan,” Jun said, his voice a little testy. “After all, we’ve been friends forever. Yes, I think it’s a good idea. If we bring in a well-known vocalist for our first album, it means I could learn from them, right? And,” he continued, addressing Yamanaka-san, “it’s only for this one album, right?”
Yamanaka-san nodded. “Yes, if you’ll agree to the terms, we could start a basic contract, and the chosen vocalist would only be with you for the duration of your debut album. Anyway,” he said with a dry voice, “he would most likely want to go back to his own career soon after.”
“So who is he?” Nino asked.
Yamanaka-san looked at his watch. “He should be here soon, I think.” He glanced at the door of the private dining area, and right on cue, it opened.
“Sorry, Yamanaka-san, I got held back at my last meeting. I’m running late the whole day, it seems.”
“It’s fine. We had a lot to discuss anyway. This, here, is Red Shift.”
“Hi there, pleased to meet you all. We’re going to be working together, so I hope we get along.”
No one answered the greeting. All the members of Red Shift stared at the newcomer, dumbfounded. Then Nino gave a low, barely audible curse. Ohno looked like he wanted to laugh. Aiba just stared, his eyes wide. Jun ignored the newcomer and said to Yamanaka-san, “but - he’s some kind of pop star!” He said the word 'pop' like it was an insult.
Yamanaka-san just raised an eyebrow, as the newcomer took a place at the table.
“Ne, Yamanaka-san, you didn’t tell them? How naughty of you.” He then turned back to the group, gave a light bow, and a mischievous smile. “I’m Sakurai Sho, pop star extraordinaire.”
Yamanaka-san snorted when he heard Sho’s introduction, but quickly regained himself. “Ahem. Where was I? Ah... yes. The company has decided to request Sakurai Sho as the vocalist for your album - he is one of our biggest names, and,” he said, looking pointedly at Jun, “despite being a pop singer, he could teach you a thing or two.”
~ to be continued ~
START | Chapter Two
Marineko's Notes:
So... what do you think? My first ever Arashi fic. Actually, my first ever fic based on actual people. *shudders* I should probably scrap this, but this is for arashic0804 so I hope she likes it!