[Fanfic] A Beautiful Mess (Chapter Fifteen - VIP Room Special Part One)
Update!! Ideas just keeps coming for this VIP Room part and I can't seem to stop from writing. Sorry it took some time as I have to re-watch the past VIP Room episodes for reference.
This chapter is full of my crazy mind working. I'm having so much fun imagining this happening in real life. LOL. This is just part 1 because like I said earlier, I just kept on writing until it reached pages 13 now! AND I'M STILL NOT FINISHED! :)) I don't know if this will reach part 3 or 4, it really depends on what I will write more. I will update part 2 (and maybe part 3) tomorrow or the day after so keep watch for it.
As always this is unbeta-ed so tell me if you spotted errors. Comments, suggestions, reactions and critisisms are gladly welcome. Please talk to me~! LOL. Happy reading, everyone!
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - VIP ROOM SPECIAL PART ONE
The screaming and clapping of young girls fills the studio as the five members of Arashi enters the vivacious and sophisticated VIP Room set joined by their regular co-host, Nakajima and Matsushima. Today wasn’t a normal VIP Room recording, at least for one of the members… or two.
They were told in a meeting a few days ago that today’s recording is going to be a one hour special, a first for VIP Room. The staff says that with such important guest, it is only proper to give her the entire timeslot, especially with how they’ve been trying to get her to guest for the past year or so.
“Tonight’s VIP Room is starting!” Sho started with such energy as the clapping gets louder. “About tonight’s guest… I have this impression that she’s don’t go to variety shows that much.”
“This is her first, actually.” Jun chips in, earning ‘Ehhhs’ from the audience and the other members.
“Normally, we just see her on music shows, CMs and magazines but not on a talk-variety type of shows, ne?” Aiba said.
“It seems like we barely know something about her private life. There’s no image of her talking, ne?” Matsushima added.
“She has the mysterious aura about her, very artist-like, in my opinion.” Sho said and the rest nodded except for Nino and Jun.
“You say those things but conversely, she talks so much in private, she can’t seem to stop her mouth from talking.” Nino states, Jun is laughing beside him.
“Ehhhh?” The audience reacted.
“Nino is working with her in a drama right now.” Sho informed.
“She’s a very interesting person.” Nino began talking. “She can be a bit weird, sometimes she’s unpredictably nice, sometimes she’s hyper like a kid and sometimes, when she’s not in the mood, she doesn’t even utter a single word on set besides her character’s lines.” The audiences laughed along with him.
“It’s the gap, ne?” Jun asked.
---
“Tonight’s guest has the following impressions of the Arashi members.” The narrator started as the VTR starts to roll in.
“Her impression on Sakurai-kun is…” A clip from the drama ‘Yamada Tarou Monogatari’ where he entered a classroom and was greeted by a hoard of girls was shown.
“I would love to go to high school with him.”
“Hontou?!" Sho is amused. "I went to an all-male high school though…” He informed but he is smiling widely.
“Her impression on Ohno-kun is…” Clips from their various shows where Ohno is spacing out in the middle of the filming was shown.
“The first time we properly met… he didn’t speak to me until someone told him to do so.”
“Ohhh, I remember that!” Sho recalls.
Ohno maintained his calm expression and just nods a few times but there’s a small smile on his face.
“Her impression on Aiba-kun is…” A scene from his solo on Arashi’s 5x10 concert when he came out from behind the cloth, tied in a rope as he fly around Kokuritsu was presented and then another one of him laughing forcefully after hearing a lame pun.
“He’s cool and his laughter is infectious.”
“Ehhhhh...” Another reaction from the crowd.
“She said I’m cool.” Aiba raised both his thumb towards his chest.
That impression erupted negative reaction from the other four members but Aiba remains smug.
“Her impression of Ninomiya-kun is…” A clip from ‘Mote Arashi, Dame Arashi’ where he is complaining towards the female guest and another one where he is walking on the Berlin Film Festival red carpet was shown.
“He’ll forever be… the bratty Mr. Hollywood.”
“Well, well, well… look who’s talking, she’s a brat herself.” Nino growls back.
“Her impression of Matsumoto-kun is…” The VTR shifted to a scene from his solo in their first Kokuritsu concert, walking down the stairs, wearing sunglasses and ruffling his hair, another one from the same concert where he turns around to remove his shirt.
“Jun-kun. ♥ ”
“Ohhhhh…” The audience reacts with suspicion.
“Ehh? What does that mean?” Jun is smiling.
“Jun-kun and a heart mark.” Sho reiterated as his two index fingers drew a heart in the air.
“Somehow, the heart mark is intriguing.” Aiba commented.
“The guest with these impressions of Arashi… is this person!”
The narration ended as everyone’s attention is focused on the silhouette behind the pink curtain. Moments later, it opened along with the gold strips bursting from above. The spot light is on her as she flashed a smile to everyone.
Matsumoto Jun is mesmerized with that sight. As always, she’s stunningly perfect, wearing a low cut v-neck satin top, a light brown tailored jacket and white, high-waisted flowy shorts that’s flawlessly emphasizing her long legs. Her hair is down with soft curls and her make-up is naturally done. She positioned herself between Jun and Nino, feeling a bit overwhelmed at how the crowd, who is mostly Arashi fans, warmly welcomed her. She swiftly gave a smile to Jun beside her and he smiled back, extending his hand to remove the gold strips on her hair.
“Today’s guest is Izumi Yana-san!” Nakajima stated as the clapping gets louder.
“She’s finally here, ne?” Sho said. “We’ve waited for so long…” he added as the others nod in agreement.
“Somehow, I’m very sorry about that.” Yana bows slightly.
“Well, let’s head straight to the impressions.” Sho keeps the flow going. “This is interesting, you’ll love to go to high school with me?”
“Sakurai-san gives the impression of someone who’s very intelligent and a consistent honor student. I would love to be your seatmate, your lunch break buddy and after school study groupmate.” Yana gives her reason.
“To make it simple, you want be his girlfriend, ne?” Aiba concluded.
Sho gapes at her, clamping his hand on his mouth.
“Eh… Yana-chan, he’s a bit boring, to be honest. High school is not going to be fun with him.” Nino spoils Sho’s moment.
“Oi!! Don’t come ruining my moment!” Sho accusingly points at Nino.
“Next one is Riidaa, ‘The first time we properly met… he didn’t speak to me until someone told him to do so.’ What is that about?” Nakajima inquired.
“Ano… Nino introduced me once to everyone and we were all comfortably talking and chatting but Ohno-san is just really quiet the whole time. When I was about to go, Nino told him to speak to me…” Yana explains.
“And those words he said are…” Jun said and glances at Ohno to finish his sentence.
“Take care on the road. It was nice to meet you.” Ohno shyly says, earning laughs from everyone. “I was shy!!” He admitted, his tone is almost mad.
“Why are you shy?” Nino puts their Leader on the spot.
“Her presence is overwhelming.” Ohno answered flatly.
“Somehow she gives that kind feeling, ne?” Aiba agrees.
“Next is Aiba-kun. ‘He’s cool and his laughter is infectious.’ Where did you get this impression, Izumi-san?” Sho continued with the other member’s impressions.
“This is probably the first time someone calls him ‘cool’.” Nino snarkily commented.
“Oi!” Aiba slaps Nino’s shoulder. “I want to hear her reason, I want to hear her reason.” he rubs it in.
“From watching your shows, he gives off positive energy even if it’s just from the television that’s why I think it’s cool, affecting other’s lives cheerfully through your shows.” Yana states her explanation.
“Ahhhhh…” The audience seems to agree as they nod at her.
“Excuse me, Izumi Yana-sama but why is my impression ‘bratty Mr. Hollywood’?” Nino barks in.
“Because you’re a brat. Everybody knows that.” Yana flatly drops it. “But you’re a talented actor, hence, Mr. Hollywood.” she added, making Nino blush a bit.
“Is that impression comes from working together in the drama?” Sho asked.
“Yes. He’s just very professional during takes, like he suddenly switched on his actor mode. I’m still a newbie but Nino’s been acting for so long now. He never hesitated once to help me on set.” Yana said as Nino is starting to act all smug with her compliments.
“But sometimes, praises gets in his head, like what is happening right now.” Yana wittily said as laughter erupts on set.
“Oi!” Nino playfully pushes her but she lost balance with her high heels, Jun is quick to grab her by the arm.
“Oi! Don’t push her, she’s our guest!” Jun snaps at Nino, still holding her arm.
“Ah, gomen!” Nino quickly apologizes as Yana tried to release her arm from Jun’s grip.
“This is the most interesting one though, ‘Jun-kun’ with a big heart mark. What do you mean by that, Izumi-san?” Sho inquisitively asked.
“Please explain the heart mark, Yana-chan.” Aiba added while grinning.
Jun is pursing his lips to avoid excessive smiling.
“He asked me before to start calling him Jun-kun.” Yana started as everyone is reacting wildly with her statement.
“First name basis, all of a sudden?” Sho bantered, Jun turns his back on the camera as he walks towards the couch in embarrassment. He doesn’t want everyone to see his flustered cheeks.
“Somehow, it’s new, Matsujun asking someone to call him by his first name.” Aiba joins in.
“EHH? Nande?” Matsushima asked. “We don’t have the impression that you two knew each other in private.” she asked as soon as Jun settled calmly in his position.
“We do actually. She’s a friend of Akanishi Jin and we were introduced, Oguri Shun is also a common friend of ours.” Jun explains the confusion as composedly as possible. “We’re good friends, ne?” he asked Yana for back up.
“Yes.” Yana quickly responded followed by a laugh. Jun is desperately trying to salvage everyone’s questioning impression of their friendship.
“What’s with the heart mark?” Even Ohno is curious he suddenly joins the conversation.
Yana catches Jun’s intrusive gaze before speaking. “He makes me feel doki doki with his kindness.” Their eyes met for a few seconds before she looks away. It was the first time that they felt this whenever they look at each other’s eyes, like there was an overflowing release of emotions. Jun couldn’t react freely, especially that everything that’s happening now is being filmed and just the slightest reaction will not slip through these prying eyes.
“EHHHHHH??” That’s by far the loudest reaction yet.
Not only is Jun the lone speechless out of the eight people on stage, even the dependable Sakurai Sho is flabbergasted with the exchange of intense gazes between their youngest member and their guest.
“Ano… I don’t think that’s very appropriate for broadcast.” Nino commented cleverly. “Staff-san, cut this, cut this.” He’s signaling to the staff behind with his fingers and everyone starts laughing again.
---
As everyone settled in the long red sofa, Jun, Yana and Nino are engaging in a small talk during the quick break before the recording starts again. Jun pulled himself together, keeping in mind that this is work and whatever it is that’s happening between him and Yana during the impressions talk earlier will have to wait until the recording is over.
“Yanyan-” Nino started and Yana gave him a death stare.
“Yanyan?” Jun stops Nino midway, this is the first time he called her that.
Yana rolls her eyes, “He’s been calling me that lame nickname since yesterday.”
“I like to give you a nickname, Yana is too boring.” Nino gives his reason. “Anyways, Yanyan, don’t talk much about private lives, unless you want stupid rumors hoarding you starting tomorrow.”
“That’s true.” Jun agrees with Nino.
“And don’t talk about those kind of intriguing things. Are you even listening to the pre-show briefing by the staff?” Nino scolded her while tapping her shoulders.
“I am!” Yana cried. “They asked me for explanation and I just answered honestly. I just got carried away with the talk.” She tried to look at Jun from the side of her eyes and she swears he is forcing to stop smiling.
The staff began the countdown to recording and everyone started to get ready for the take.
A VTR where in Yana is strutting the catwalk starts playing as the narrator begins her spills. “Tonight’s guest is the multi-talented, Izumi Yana. Her career started in 2004 when she began modeling for the famous fashion magazine, Cancam. She was consistently modeling for four years until she was offered a recording contract in 2008, her first single quickly reached the number one spot in the Oricon charts, since then, every release of hers is a sure fire number one hit. Not only are her songs famous in Japan, she gained lots of supporters from other Asian countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan and Thailand. Last year, she starred in her debut drama, her acting prowess were quick to notice by the masses and is now acting on her second drama alongside Ninomiya-kun. She is truly an all around artist, being active in the modeling, singing and acting world. Izumi Yana is slowly creating a buzz throughout Asia that she is now being addressed as ‘Asia’s It Girl’. Let’s find more about her tonight!”
“As mentioned in the VTR, she’s an all-around artist, ne?” Nakajima started when the VTR finished. “We’ll talk more about her various works and a bit more about her private life tonight as well as a special project with Arashi later on the show.”
“Just to clarify, tonight is a VIP Room special, right? One hour full of Izumi Yana?” Sho asked.
“Yes, yes. Because everyone wants to get to know her better and we wanted to make her first appearance in a variety show a memorable event, we put a lot of effort in tonight’s episode.” Nakajima stated. “First off, we’ll have this corner, ‘Izumi Yana’s Stark-naked Database’!” The clapping continues.
“Well have Sakurai-kun ask the first question.” Nakajima said as Sho stood up from his seat and stood beside the life-size picture board.
“Let’s ask this question first.” Sho points to the question on top. “What leads to her debut.”
Sho peels the question and reads, “Scouted in Ginza.”
“I was 19 years old that time and I came to visit my grandparents here in Japan during Christmas break from university. My grandmother took me shopping in Ginza one day and a scout came over and gave me his card.” Yana shared.
“Amazing! What did the scout told you?” Aiba asked.
“He said that he’s working for a fashion magazine and they are looking for fresh faces to grace the pages and he said that I have the potential to be a model.”
“Your figure is very model-like, you know. You look so cool standing from a distance.” Nino puts in.
“And your legs are very long.” Aiba added, everyone laughed while Nino slaps him in the head.
“Are you interested in the entertainment industry during that time?” Jun asked.
“Not at all.” Yana quickly answers. “During that time, I was doing my best in university so my mind is all about studying.”
“What did you take in university?” It was Sho’s turn to ask.
“I was a business management major but I didn’t get to finish it.”
“Do you have other dreams during that time?” Ohno suddenly asked.
“I originally wanted to study music but my grandparents opposed to it so I took a more practical major.”
“But now, you’re in the music industry, right?” Nino pointed out.
“Yes.” Yana smiled. “I’m glad I’m doing what I love best.”
“Let’s move on, next we have Matsumoto-kun, please.” Nakajima continues with the next question.
“This one looks good, ‘One interesting fact about me’.” Jun strips it off and reads, “I lived in 10 different places since I was born.”
“That’s really amazing, experiencing different cultures at such a young age.” Sho said.
“For reference, we have this.” Nakajima pulled out a cardboard from behind. “Here are the places she lived in for the past 25 years.”
Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan and Prague are only few of the listed places.
“Sugoi…” A dazed reaction came from the audience.
“You were born in… Los Angeles?” Jun clarified and she nodded. “And then after that?”
“My parents and I moved to Chicago when I was 5. A year later, my parents separated and because of my mother’s profession of being an orchestra conductor, we moved to different places a lot.”
“What’s amazing is that it’s mostly European countries, you lived in the key cities of Europe already.” Sho can’t hide his astonishment in this fact.
“Which place is your favorite?” Ohno spoke suddenly.
“I will always choose Los Angeles no matter what, Tokyo will probably the next in my list.”
“Because it’s the place of your birth, right?” Jun asked and she smiled while nodding.
“Do you learn their language as you move places?” Aiba asked.
“I don’t learn intensely since all the schools I go to as I move are international schools and their medium for learning is in English but I can speak a little of each. Like for Italian, Spanish and French, I can use it for basic conversation, for Czech and German I can catch the main points. The only language that I can speak fluently is Japanese and English.”
The Arashi members tried to get her to speak all the language she knew, they even tried to mimic her but everyone’s tongue got really tied up when they reached the Czech and German language, causing laughter from the staff and the audience.
“Let’s go to the next one, Ninomiya-kun, please!” Nakajima proceeds.
“I’ll pick this, ‘Entertainment world number 1.’ looks interesting.” Nino peels off the layer and reads the words underneath. “‘The person I Want To Learn English From rank number 1’ and ‘Natural Beauty rank number 1’.”
“Actually, Izumi-san has rank number one in many polls conducted before. For one, a survey was asked to a group of female high school students, ‘The Person I Want To Imitate’ and she won by a landslide. Another ranking is the ‘Most Stylish Celebrity’ in which she topped for two consecutive years already.” Nakajima reads from her script as the audience began cheering, another round of ‘Sugoi’ is heard.
“There’s a very big impression of you speaking English.” Sho pointed out. “But now I changed my mind, you’re a multi-lingual genius!” he can’t hide how impressed he is.
“She does speak English whenever she’s upset about something so that the people around wouldn’t understand that she’s already cursing under her breath.” Nino strikes.
“I am not!” Yana playfully slaps his arm. “I tend to speak English when I’m panicking, like when I left something important at home or when I forgot my lines, I unconsciously utter English expression.”
“Like ‘Oh my God!’ or ‘Oh shit!’ or the latest one I heard ‘What the fudge!’, that’s her usual expressions, she says that all the time.” Nino shared and Yana is burying her face in her palm.
“What the fudge?!” Sho is laughing so hard he can’t breathe anymore but it seems like he’s the only one who gets the meaning of that.
“The natural beauty ranking is no surprise, ne? She’s very beautiful, especially in person.” Matsushima commented as everyone agrees with her.
“Right, she doesn’t look very Japanese, right? Could it be because you have lived in many places?” Aiba asked innocently and everyone laughed.
“Aiba-san, her living in many places doesn’t affect how she looks like. She’s pure Japanese!” Nino puts in.
“But there’s a certain air on your face that screams ‘haafu’.” Aiba insists.
“Could it be the fairness of her skin?” Jun asked. It intrigues him at how her skin is so fair, not the yellowish-Asian fair type, it’s paler like those of the Europeans.
“Or maybe the intensity of her eyes.” Ohno prompted.
“Do you get mistaken for a haafu most of the time?” Sho asked her.
“Yes.” Yana answers. “They think I’m half-European or something but I am pure Japanese. I think Ohno-san and Jun-kun are right. It’s the skin color and eyes that gives that impression away.”
“I know this is very redundant already but your height is not normal for a Japanese woman. You’re almost as tall as I am!” Sho cried out.
“She’s wearing heels.” Jun pointed out.
“When barefooted, she’s as tall as I am.” Nino informed. “That’s why during filming she always wears flat shoes and I have to step on a platform to make it look like I’m taller than her! That really affects me mentally!” An eruption of laughter fills the studio.
“Do get into troubles with your height?” Ohno asked.
“Whenever I’m in America or Europe, my height is really normal but when I’m here in Japan, I’m considered taller than the average. Sometimes, when I buy jeans, they don’t have the right length for my height so most of the time the jeans sold here are only until my ankle.” Yana shared and everyone reacted.
“So that means you don’t have much jeans on your wardrobe?” Sho questioned.
“Yes. I’m more into shorts and skirt or dresses.” Yana answered.
“But it suits you. Shorts and skirts.” Aiba snorted like he was thinking of something else before Nino slaps him on the shoulder.
“Aiba-kun, let’s head for the next one, please.” Nakajima moves to the next question and Aiba stood up.
“I want to know more about this.” Aiba points to a more personal question. “Her views on love.”
Nino started the kyuuuuu-ing and the rest follows.
Aiba slowly pulls it off for excitement. “I lack experience in love.” He reads and a series of ‘Ohhhhh’ breaks out along with their surprised faces.
“It’s rather surprising that someone as pretty as you lack experience. I’m sure you have lots of admirers.” Matsushima said and the audience agrees.
“Somewhat, it’s more of a choice. I don’t get into that kind of romantic involvement.”
“Nande, nande?” They all asked at once.
“Before, I admit that I’m a bit of a man-hater but now I think it’s more like I’m scared of it.” Yana honestly shared in a more vague sense.
“You never had a boyfriend in the past?” Ohno obliviously asked. Nino and Jun waited for her reply anxiously.
Yana smiled. It’s probably the fakest smile she ever made. “So far, I only had one but it didn’t end up nicely.”
“I think you’re focusing on career than love as of the moment, right?” Jun came to the rescue just when Aiba was about to ask something related to the boyfriend topic.
“Yes.” Yana smiled at Jun, it’s more like a ‘thank-you-you-saved-me’ kind of smile and Jun quickly gets it. “The one I love right now is my career.”
“Seeing that you’re scared of it right now, do you think things will change someday?” Sho turns the topic into a vaguer one.
Yana shifts her head to one side and thinks. “Maybe.” She answered. “I am not as skeptic as I used to be when it comes to love matters so I think someday I will get over the fear.”
“That man will be very lucky, ne…” Jun mumbled quietly but it didn’t escape the other’s ears as the four Arashi members are grinning mischievously.
The show continues as they peel off the remaining questions. They ate her favorite food, talk about what she does during her day-off, her new found hobby which is photography and chat about how she wanted to learn more about the entertainment industry from behind the scenes perspective.
“For the last question, let’s have Ninomiya-kun, please.” Nakajima said and Nino obliged by standing up.
“The thing I want to do with Arashi no matter what.” Nino reads the lone unpeeled question. “I want to play dress-up with Arashi.” He reads again.
The audience began cheering excitedly as Yana claps her hands.
“Like I said earlier, we have a special project tonight with Izumi-san and Arashi.” Nakajima began introducing the next segment. “As we all know, Izumi-san began her career modelling and she’s been named the ‘Most Stylish Celebrity’ two years in a row. She requested the staff during the meeting that she wanted to coordinate clothes for the Arashi members.”
“Ehhh…Is this a Mannequin Five special?” Sho questioned while crossing his arms on his chest.
“A different edition, you can say that…” Nakajima answered. “But we have a surprise for our special guest…”
“Eh?” Yana mutters in surprise.
“The five members of Arashi also prepared their own coordination for you.” Nakajima explains.
“Sugoi!!” Yana beamed excitedly.
“Because Izumi-san is a very special guest, we prepared this for her, douzo!!” Nakajima pointed to the other end of the set and a big red curtain was detached, revealing the revamped Mannequin Five set. There were numerous racks of clothes, shoes and other accessories for men and in the middle were five mannequins covered by a pink cloth. In the aisle that’s separating the audience in half, is a catwalk connecting the VIP Room set and Mannequin Five set.
This chapter is full of my crazy mind working. I'm having so much fun imagining this happening in real life. LOL. This is just part 1 because like I said earlier, I just kept on writing until it reached pages 13 now! AND I'M STILL NOT FINISHED! :)) I don't know if this will reach part 3 or 4, it really depends on what I will write more. I will update part 2 (and maybe part 3) tomorrow or the day after so keep watch for it.
As always this is unbeta-ed so tell me if you spotted errors. Comments, suggestions, reactions and critisisms are gladly welcome. Please talk to me~! LOL. Happy reading, everyone!
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - VIP ROOM SPECIAL PART ONE
The screaming and clapping of young girls fills the studio as the five members of Arashi enters the vivacious and sophisticated VIP Room set joined by their regular co-host, Nakajima and Matsushima. Today wasn’t a normal VIP Room recording, at least for one of the members… or two.
They were told in a meeting a few days ago that today’s recording is going to be a one hour special, a first for VIP Room. The staff says that with such important guest, it is only proper to give her the entire timeslot, especially with how they’ve been trying to get her to guest for the past year or so.
“Tonight’s VIP Room is starting!” Sho started with such energy as the clapping gets louder. “About tonight’s guest… I have this impression that she’s don’t go to variety shows that much.”
“This is her first, actually.” Jun chips in, earning ‘Ehhhs’ from the audience and the other members.
“Normally, we just see her on music shows, CMs and magazines but not on a talk-variety type of shows, ne?” Aiba said.
“It seems like we barely know something about her private life. There’s no image of her talking, ne?” Matsushima added.
“She has the mysterious aura about her, very artist-like, in my opinion.” Sho said and the rest nodded except for Nino and Jun.
“You say those things but conversely, she talks so much in private, she can’t seem to stop her mouth from talking.” Nino states, Jun is laughing beside him.
“Ehhhh?” The audience reacted.
“Nino is working with her in a drama right now.” Sho informed.
“She’s a very interesting person.” Nino began talking. “She can be a bit weird, sometimes she’s unpredictably nice, sometimes she’s hyper like a kid and sometimes, when she’s not in the mood, she doesn’t even utter a single word on set besides her character’s lines.” The audiences laughed along with him.
“It’s the gap, ne?” Jun asked.
---
“Tonight’s guest has the following impressions of the Arashi members.” The narrator started as the VTR starts to roll in.
“Her impression on Sakurai-kun is…” A clip from the drama ‘Yamada Tarou Monogatari’ where he entered a classroom and was greeted by a hoard of girls was shown.
“I would love to go to high school with him.”
“Hontou?!" Sho is amused. "I went to an all-male high school though…” He informed but he is smiling widely.
“Her impression on Ohno-kun is…” Clips from their various shows where Ohno is spacing out in the middle of the filming was shown.
“The first time we properly met… he didn’t speak to me until someone told him to do so.”
“Ohhh, I remember that!” Sho recalls.
Ohno maintained his calm expression and just nods a few times but there’s a small smile on his face.
“Her impression on Aiba-kun is…” A scene from his solo on Arashi’s 5x10 concert when he came out from behind the cloth, tied in a rope as he fly around Kokuritsu was presented and then another one of him laughing forcefully after hearing a lame pun.
“He’s cool and his laughter is infectious.”
“Ehhhhh...” Another reaction from the crowd.
“She said I’m cool.” Aiba raised both his thumb towards his chest.
That impression erupted negative reaction from the other four members but Aiba remains smug.
“Her impression of Ninomiya-kun is…” A clip from ‘Mote Arashi, Dame Arashi’ where he is complaining towards the female guest and another one where he is walking on the Berlin Film Festival red carpet was shown.
“He’ll forever be… the bratty Mr. Hollywood.”
“Well, well, well… look who’s talking, she’s a brat herself.” Nino growls back.
“Her impression of Matsumoto-kun is…” The VTR shifted to a scene from his solo in their first Kokuritsu concert, walking down the stairs, wearing sunglasses and ruffling his hair, another one from the same concert where he turns around to remove his shirt.
“Jun-kun. ♥ ”
“Ohhhhh…” The audience reacts with suspicion.
“Ehh? What does that mean?” Jun is smiling.
“Jun-kun and a heart mark.” Sho reiterated as his two index fingers drew a heart in the air.
“Somehow, the heart mark is intriguing.” Aiba commented.
“The guest with these impressions of Arashi… is this person!”
The narration ended as everyone’s attention is focused on the silhouette behind the pink curtain. Moments later, it opened along with the gold strips bursting from above. The spot light is on her as she flashed a smile to everyone.
Matsumoto Jun is mesmerized with that sight. As always, she’s stunningly perfect, wearing a low cut v-neck satin top, a light brown tailored jacket and white, high-waisted flowy shorts that’s flawlessly emphasizing her long legs. Her hair is down with soft curls and her make-up is naturally done. She positioned herself between Jun and Nino, feeling a bit overwhelmed at how the crowd, who is mostly Arashi fans, warmly welcomed her. She swiftly gave a smile to Jun beside her and he smiled back, extending his hand to remove the gold strips on her hair.
“Today’s guest is Izumi Yana-san!” Nakajima stated as the clapping gets louder.
“She’s finally here, ne?” Sho said. “We’ve waited for so long…” he added as the others nod in agreement.
“Somehow, I’m very sorry about that.” Yana bows slightly.
“Well, let’s head straight to the impressions.” Sho keeps the flow going. “This is interesting, you’ll love to go to high school with me?”
“Sakurai-san gives the impression of someone who’s very intelligent and a consistent honor student. I would love to be your seatmate, your lunch break buddy and after school study groupmate.” Yana gives her reason.
“To make it simple, you want be his girlfriend, ne?” Aiba concluded.
Sho gapes at her, clamping his hand on his mouth.
“Eh… Yana-chan, he’s a bit boring, to be honest. High school is not going to be fun with him.” Nino spoils Sho’s moment.
“Oi!! Don’t come ruining my moment!” Sho accusingly points at Nino.
“Next one is Riidaa, ‘The first time we properly met… he didn’t speak to me until someone told him to do so.’ What is that about?” Nakajima inquired.
“Ano… Nino introduced me once to everyone and we were all comfortably talking and chatting but Ohno-san is just really quiet the whole time. When I was about to go, Nino told him to speak to me…” Yana explains.
“And those words he said are…” Jun said and glances at Ohno to finish his sentence.
“Take care on the road. It was nice to meet you.” Ohno shyly says, earning laughs from everyone. “I was shy!!” He admitted, his tone is almost mad.
“Why are you shy?” Nino puts their Leader on the spot.
“Her presence is overwhelming.” Ohno answered flatly.
“Somehow she gives that kind feeling, ne?” Aiba agrees.
“Next is Aiba-kun. ‘He’s cool and his laughter is infectious.’ Where did you get this impression, Izumi-san?” Sho continued with the other member’s impressions.
“This is probably the first time someone calls him ‘cool’.” Nino snarkily commented.
“Oi!” Aiba slaps Nino’s shoulder. “I want to hear her reason, I want to hear her reason.” he rubs it in.
“From watching your shows, he gives off positive energy even if it’s just from the television that’s why I think it’s cool, affecting other’s lives cheerfully through your shows.” Yana states her explanation.
“Ahhhhh…” The audience seems to agree as they nod at her.
“Excuse me, Izumi Yana-sama but why is my impression ‘bratty Mr. Hollywood’?” Nino barks in.
“Because you’re a brat. Everybody knows that.” Yana flatly drops it. “But you’re a talented actor, hence, Mr. Hollywood.” she added, making Nino blush a bit.
“Is that impression comes from working together in the drama?” Sho asked.
“Yes. He’s just very professional during takes, like he suddenly switched on his actor mode. I’m still a newbie but Nino’s been acting for so long now. He never hesitated once to help me on set.” Yana said as Nino is starting to act all smug with her compliments.
“But sometimes, praises gets in his head, like what is happening right now.” Yana wittily said as laughter erupts on set.
“Oi!” Nino playfully pushes her but she lost balance with her high heels, Jun is quick to grab her by the arm.
“Oi! Don’t push her, she’s our guest!” Jun snaps at Nino, still holding her arm.
“Ah, gomen!” Nino quickly apologizes as Yana tried to release her arm from Jun’s grip.
“This is the most interesting one though, ‘Jun-kun’ with a big heart mark. What do you mean by that, Izumi-san?” Sho inquisitively asked.
“Please explain the heart mark, Yana-chan.” Aiba added while grinning.
Jun is pursing his lips to avoid excessive smiling.
“He asked me before to start calling him Jun-kun.” Yana started as everyone is reacting wildly with her statement.
“First name basis, all of a sudden?” Sho bantered, Jun turns his back on the camera as he walks towards the couch in embarrassment. He doesn’t want everyone to see his flustered cheeks.
“Somehow, it’s new, Matsujun asking someone to call him by his first name.” Aiba joins in.
“EHH? Nande?” Matsushima asked. “We don’t have the impression that you two knew each other in private.” she asked as soon as Jun settled calmly in his position.
“We do actually. She’s a friend of Akanishi Jin and we were introduced, Oguri Shun is also a common friend of ours.” Jun explains the confusion as composedly as possible. “We’re good friends, ne?” he asked Yana for back up.
“Yes.” Yana quickly responded followed by a laugh. Jun is desperately trying to salvage everyone’s questioning impression of their friendship.
“What’s with the heart mark?” Even Ohno is curious he suddenly joins the conversation.
Yana catches Jun’s intrusive gaze before speaking. “He makes me feel doki doki with his kindness.” Their eyes met for a few seconds before she looks away. It was the first time that they felt this whenever they look at each other’s eyes, like there was an overflowing release of emotions. Jun couldn’t react freely, especially that everything that’s happening now is being filmed and just the slightest reaction will not slip through these prying eyes.
“EHHHHHH??” That’s by far the loudest reaction yet.
Not only is Jun the lone speechless out of the eight people on stage, even the dependable Sakurai Sho is flabbergasted with the exchange of intense gazes between their youngest member and their guest.
“Ano… I don’t think that’s very appropriate for broadcast.” Nino commented cleverly. “Staff-san, cut this, cut this.” He’s signaling to the staff behind with his fingers and everyone starts laughing again.
---
As everyone settled in the long red sofa, Jun, Yana and Nino are engaging in a small talk during the quick break before the recording starts again. Jun pulled himself together, keeping in mind that this is work and whatever it is that’s happening between him and Yana during the impressions talk earlier will have to wait until the recording is over.
“Yanyan-” Nino started and Yana gave him a death stare.
“Yanyan?” Jun stops Nino midway, this is the first time he called her that.
Yana rolls her eyes, “He’s been calling me that lame nickname since yesterday.”
“I like to give you a nickname, Yana is too boring.” Nino gives his reason. “Anyways, Yanyan, don’t talk much about private lives, unless you want stupid rumors hoarding you starting tomorrow.”
“That’s true.” Jun agrees with Nino.
“And don’t talk about those kind of intriguing things. Are you even listening to the pre-show briefing by the staff?” Nino scolded her while tapping her shoulders.
“I am!” Yana cried. “They asked me for explanation and I just answered honestly. I just got carried away with the talk.” She tried to look at Jun from the side of her eyes and she swears he is forcing to stop smiling.
The staff began the countdown to recording and everyone started to get ready for the take.
A VTR where in Yana is strutting the catwalk starts playing as the narrator begins her spills. “Tonight’s guest is the multi-talented, Izumi Yana. Her career started in 2004 when she began modeling for the famous fashion magazine, Cancam. She was consistently modeling for four years until she was offered a recording contract in 2008, her first single quickly reached the number one spot in the Oricon charts, since then, every release of hers is a sure fire number one hit. Not only are her songs famous in Japan, she gained lots of supporters from other Asian countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan and Thailand. Last year, she starred in her debut drama, her acting prowess were quick to notice by the masses and is now acting on her second drama alongside Ninomiya-kun. She is truly an all around artist, being active in the modeling, singing and acting world. Izumi Yana is slowly creating a buzz throughout Asia that she is now being addressed as ‘Asia’s It Girl’. Let’s find more about her tonight!”
“As mentioned in the VTR, she’s an all-around artist, ne?” Nakajima started when the VTR finished. “We’ll talk more about her various works and a bit more about her private life tonight as well as a special project with Arashi later on the show.”
“Just to clarify, tonight is a VIP Room special, right? One hour full of Izumi Yana?” Sho asked.
“Yes, yes. Because everyone wants to get to know her better and we wanted to make her first appearance in a variety show a memorable event, we put a lot of effort in tonight’s episode.” Nakajima stated. “First off, we’ll have this corner, ‘Izumi Yana’s Stark-naked Database’!” The clapping continues.
“Well have Sakurai-kun ask the first question.” Nakajima said as Sho stood up from his seat and stood beside the life-size picture board.
“Let’s ask this question first.” Sho points to the question on top. “What leads to her debut.”
Sho peels the question and reads, “Scouted in Ginza.”
“I was 19 years old that time and I came to visit my grandparents here in Japan during Christmas break from university. My grandmother took me shopping in Ginza one day and a scout came over and gave me his card.” Yana shared.
“Amazing! What did the scout told you?” Aiba asked.
“He said that he’s working for a fashion magazine and they are looking for fresh faces to grace the pages and he said that I have the potential to be a model.”
“Your figure is very model-like, you know. You look so cool standing from a distance.” Nino puts in.
“And your legs are very long.” Aiba added, everyone laughed while Nino slaps him in the head.
“Are you interested in the entertainment industry during that time?” Jun asked.
“Not at all.” Yana quickly answers. “During that time, I was doing my best in university so my mind is all about studying.”
“What did you take in university?” It was Sho’s turn to ask.
“I was a business management major but I didn’t get to finish it.”
“Do you have other dreams during that time?” Ohno suddenly asked.
“I originally wanted to study music but my grandparents opposed to it so I took a more practical major.”
“But now, you’re in the music industry, right?” Nino pointed out.
“Yes.” Yana smiled. “I’m glad I’m doing what I love best.”
“Let’s move on, next we have Matsumoto-kun, please.” Nakajima continues with the next question.
“This one looks good, ‘One interesting fact about me’.” Jun strips it off and reads, “I lived in 10 different places since I was born.”
“That’s really amazing, experiencing different cultures at such a young age.” Sho said.
“For reference, we have this.” Nakajima pulled out a cardboard from behind. “Here are the places she lived in for the past 25 years.”
Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan and Prague are only few of the listed places.
“Sugoi…” A dazed reaction came from the audience.
“You were born in… Los Angeles?” Jun clarified and she nodded. “And then after that?”
“My parents and I moved to Chicago when I was 5. A year later, my parents separated and because of my mother’s profession of being an orchestra conductor, we moved to different places a lot.”
“What’s amazing is that it’s mostly European countries, you lived in the key cities of Europe already.” Sho can’t hide his astonishment in this fact.
“Which place is your favorite?” Ohno spoke suddenly.
“I will always choose Los Angeles no matter what, Tokyo will probably the next in my list.”
“Because it’s the place of your birth, right?” Jun asked and she smiled while nodding.
“Do you learn their language as you move places?” Aiba asked.
“I don’t learn intensely since all the schools I go to as I move are international schools and their medium for learning is in English but I can speak a little of each. Like for Italian, Spanish and French, I can use it for basic conversation, for Czech and German I can catch the main points. The only language that I can speak fluently is Japanese and English.”
The Arashi members tried to get her to speak all the language she knew, they even tried to mimic her but everyone’s tongue got really tied up when they reached the Czech and German language, causing laughter from the staff and the audience.
“Let’s go to the next one, Ninomiya-kun, please!” Nakajima proceeds.
“I’ll pick this, ‘Entertainment world number 1.’ looks interesting.” Nino peels off the layer and reads the words underneath. “‘The person I Want To Learn English From rank number 1’ and ‘Natural Beauty rank number 1’.”
“Actually, Izumi-san has rank number one in many polls conducted before. For one, a survey was asked to a group of female high school students, ‘The Person I Want To Imitate’ and she won by a landslide. Another ranking is the ‘Most Stylish Celebrity’ in which she topped for two consecutive years already.” Nakajima reads from her script as the audience began cheering, another round of ‘Sugoi’ is heard.
“There’s a very big impression of you speaking English.” Sho pointed out. “But now I changed my mind, you’re a multi-lingual genius!” he can’t hide how impressed he is.
“She does speak English whenever she’s upset about something so that the people around wouldn’t understand that she’s already cursing under her breath.” Nino strikes.
“I am not!” Yana playfully slaps his arm. “I tend to speak English when I’m panicking, like when I left something important at home or when I forgot my lines, I unconsciously utter English expression.”
“Like ‘Oh my God!’ or ‘Oh shit!’ or the latest one I heard ‘What the fudge!’, that’s her usual expressions, she says that all the time.” Nino shared and Yana is burying her face in her palm.
“What the fudge?!” Sho is laughing so hard he can’t breathe anymore but it seems like he’s the only one who gets the meaning of that.
“The natural beauty ranking is no surprise, ne? She’s very beautiful, especially in person.” Matsushima commented as everyone agrees with her.
“Right, she doesn’t look very Japanese, right? Could it be because you have lived in many places?” Aiba asked innocently and everyone laughed.
“Aiba-san, her living in many places doesn’t affect how she looks like. She’s pure Japanese!” Nino puts in.
“But there’s a certain air on your face that screams ‘haafu’.” Aiba insists.
“Could it be the fairness of her skin?” Jun asked. It intrigues him at how her skin is so fair, not the yellowish-Asian fair type, it’s paler like those of the Europeans.
“Or maybe the intensity of her eyes.” Ohno prompted.
“Do you get mistaken for a haafu most of the time?” Sho asked her.
“Yes.” Yana answers. “They think I’m half-European or something but I am pure Japanese. I think Ohno-san and Jun-kun are right. It’s the skin color and eyes that gives that impression away.”
“I know this is very redundant already but your height is not normal for a Japanese woman. You’re almost as tall as I am!” Sho cried out.
“She’s wearing heels.” Jun pointed out.
“When barefooted, she’s as tall as I am.” Nino informed. “That’s why during filming she always wears flat shoes and I have to step on a platform to make it look like I’m taller than her! That really affects me mentally!” An eruption of laughter fills the studio.
“Do get into troubles with your height?” Ohno asked.
“Whenever I’m in America or Europe, my height is really normal but when I’m here in Japan, I’m considered taller than the average. Sometimes, when I buy jeans, they don’t have the right length for my height so most of the time the jeans sold here are only until my ankle.” Yana shared and everyone reacted.
“So that means you don’t have much jeans on your wardrobe?” Sho questioned.
“Yes. I’m more into shorts and skirt or dresses.” Yana answered.
“But it suits you. Shorts and skirts.” Aiba snorted like he was thinking of something else before Nino slaps him on the shoulder.
“Aiba-kun, let’s head for the next one, please.” Nakajima moves to the next question and Aiba stood up.
“I want to know more about this.” Aiba points to a more personal question. “Her views on love.”
Nino started the kyuuuuu-ing and the rest follows.
Aiba slowly pulls it off for excitement. “I lack experience in love.” He reads and a series of ‘Ohhhhh’ breaks out along with their surprised faces.
“It’s rather surprising that someone as pretty as you lack experience. I’m sure you have lots of admirers.” Matsushima said and the audience agrees.
“Somewhat, it’s more of a choice. I don’t get into that kind of romantic involvement.”
“Nande, nande?” They all asked at once.
“Before, I admit that I’m a bit of a man-hater but now I think it’s more like I’m scared of it.” Yana honestly shared in a more vague sense.
“You never had a boyfriend in the past?” Ohno obliviously asked. Nino and Jun waited for her reply anxiously.
Yana smiled. It’s probably the fakest smile she ever made. “So far, I only had one but it didn’t end up nicely.”
“I think you’re focusing on career than love as of the moment, right?” Jun came to the rescue just when Aiba was about to ask something related to the boyfriend topic.
“Yes.” Yana smiled at Jun, it’s more like a ‘thank-you-you-saved-me’ kind of smile and Jun quickly gets it. “The one I love right now is my career.”
“Seeing that you’re scared of it right now, do you think things will change someday?” Sho turns the topic into a vaguer one.
Yana shifts her head to one side and thinks. “Maybe.” She answered. “I am not as skeptic as I used to be when it comes to love matters so I think someday I will get over the fear.”
“That man will be very lucky, ne…” Jun mumbled quietly but it didn’t escape the other’s ears as the four Arashi members are grinning mischievously.
The show continues as they peel off the remaining questions. They ate her favorite food, talk about what she does during her day-off, her new found hobby which is photography and chat about how she wanted to learn more about the entertainment industry from behind the scenes perspective.
“For the last question, let’s have Ninomiya-kun, please.” Nakajima said and Nino obliged by standing up.
“The thing I want to do with Arashi no matter what.” Nino reads the lone unpeeled question. “I want to play dress-up with Arashi.” He reads again.
The audience began cheering excitedly as Yana claps her hands.
“Like I said earlier, we have a special project tonight with Izumi-san and Arashi.” Nakajima began introducing the next segment. “As we all know, Izumi-san began her career modelling and she’s been named the ‘Most Stylish Celebrity’ two years in a row. She requested the staff during the meeting that she wanted to coordinate clothes for the Arashi members.”
“Ehhh…Is this a Mannequin Five special?” Sho questioned while crossing his arms on his chest.
“A different edition, you can say that…” Nakajima answered. “But we have a surprise for our special guest…”
“Eh?” Yana mutters in surprise.
“The five members of Arashi also prepared their own coordination for you.” Nakajima explains.
“Sugoi!!” Yana beamed excitedly.
“Because Izumi-san is a very special guest, we prepared this for her, douzo!!” Nakajima pointed to the other end of the set and a big red curtain was detached, revealing the revamped Mannequin Five set. There were numerous racks of clothes, shoes and other accessories for men and in the middle were five mannequins covered by a pink cloth. In the aisle that’s separating the audience in half, is a catwalk connecting the VIP Room set and Mannequin Five set.