Track 01 - BathRoom

WARNINGS: -none-

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All of the girls had seen the guys staring at Kai, much as to say 'well what are you waiting for?' so they all made puppy-dog eyes at Kai to add to his guilt. Finally when Kai gave in and left, they smiled brightly and high-fived each other. They knew the best way to get through to a guys soft side was to look helpless or innocent. Then they began chattering about how exciting it was they were so close to going to the practice. Kikyo mentioned looking forward to 'possibly' seeing the guitar solos up close, which was exactly what Uruha had thought of. Kira just wanted them all to stand in the front row and act like it was a real concert - with waving arms and jumping. Megumi was hoping to explore the detail of the stage to see how the technicians programmed everything. Ai had one thing on her mind - to actually get a better look at the inside of the concert hall without the audience and when the lights were on. Mika was just excited to get to request some favourite songs - maybe if she requested BathRoom, Ruki would sing to her again - this time because she knew what the song was about.
Anyway Mika smiled at him when he pat her hand reassuringly, before the flashing light blinded her. She blinked a few times and looked around, also confused about the odd clicking sound and wondering what the heck that was. She tilted her head slightly before she finally tuned into the conversation the others were having. She looked at Ruki then at the others, trying to figure out what's going on until she realised they were deciding on dessert. Mika shook her head - she was too full from the main dinner.

"Oh me me me~! I want something too, please Reita-kun~! Umm ... maybe a large Manju bun with roasted pork in the middle if they have them", Kira said brightly as she held up her drink and agreed with Reita, which caused Kikyo and Megumi to laugh a little, "But if they don't have any size at all, then just a slice of sponge cake with cream~! I can see a sponge cake over there ..."

Finally Kira got a chance to stick her tongue out at Kikyo and Megumi for laughing at her. Kikyo and Megumi then turned to laugh at each other before shaking their heads at not wanting any sweets. Ai looked at Aoi oddly and laughed at what he did to Reita. She found it strangely cute, even for a guy in his late twenties. Then when Aoi asked her what she wanted, she scrunched up her nose in thought. Ai took a quick glance at the sweets trays and tried to decide on something. Finally she just gave up and turned back to him with a little smile.

"I think I will just have the same as you, Aoi-san. There's really nothing else there I feel like having, and I do like chocolate very much. Especially cake", Ai said with a little laugh and she clasped her hands against the edge of the table when she heard Uruha's request, "My, you certainly seem to be an Alcohol Connoisseur, Uruha-san. I've never heard of anyone requesting something so specific, you must have had them before"

Ai said as she looked at Uruha with genuine interest. She remembered seeing the footage again during the 'Road to Nameless Liberty' of when he was talking about his 'Sake Corner'. She had laughed when he was trying to act professional when talking about 'Moet & Chandon' Champaign. Kikyo was too far away to swat Ai for almost teasing Uruha so she said Ai's name sharply under her breath and stared at her. Ai just looked at Kikyo and shrugged while mouthing 'what?' - she wasn't teasing Uruha, she'd just never heard of a Brandy Purin before. Anyway, when Kai finally came back, Megumi, Kikyo and Mika were now talking about whether they could make it to the practice seeing they were allowed to go.

"Well it's agreed we can come! We wouldn't miss it for the world. Oh, I almost forgot, is the practice on the weekend? Because if it isn't we may have trouble getting time off work", Megumi said after she discussed the situation with the other girls and they'd all come to an agreement, "On that note, what time would we have to be here? Well I doubt we should be here too early because you guys will need to get organised first. We'll just arrive a little while after whatever time you guys get here".

"Yeah, then we won't distract you while your setting up. And seeing some of us are usually late sleepers on some mornings, we'd better allow for those people", Kikyo teased as she glanced at Ai and Mika in particular; both of them blushed when Kikyo looked at them and continued, "But which way do we come in? Through the front entrance like this afternoon? Or will we have to find the side-entrance or back-entrance? Thought it might be good to ask now just in case we get lost on the day or even get caught by fans. There's no way we can tell anyone about this, we'll get attacked".

"Megumi, Kikyo, you guys worry too much~! I really doubt they'd have a practice session on a weekday, especially when the week is reserved for other business. Everything will work out fine, just have faith", Mika pipped up, now a little embarrassed about her sudden out-burst before cleating her throat and continuing, "And why would we tell anyone? Just so the fans can mob and/or kill us, if they're those crazy fan girls that are scary and possessive about their favourite bands, I mean".

Mika had spoken that fast sentence so fast she was now letting out a really long deep sigh, like she was calming down. Kikyo, Kira, Megumi and Ai just stared at Mika - where did all of that come from. Oddly enough everyone agreed with Mika for once because she was never this direct. Even though in their minds they were thinking what the hell was going on today? Somehow Mika had gotten them back-stage to sit with the Gazette, she was being flirted with by many crazy fan girls dream-guy, and they had just agreed with it like that? Today was definitely not a normal day but they liked it. Maybe Mika was right, there wasn't a lot of sense in having the practice on a Friday, especially when they thought about what Mika said. And they were sure the guys would have it on a day when all of the girls could be there. And maybe they could actually get a chance to thank their manager for even letting them watch in the first place - there was nothing worse than pushing your luck with the Manager of a Major music company.

* * *
Ruki, Uruha, Kai and Aoi were quite amused at how excited the girls were to be able to see them practice. But then again this was the first that ever let anyone outside of the staff team watch. Uruha nodded when Kikyo said she wanted to watch the guitar scores. The guys also laughed when Kira said she wanted to jump around in the front row again. Kai wondered if the technicians would be bothered if Megumi got to at least see how the stage was put together. Aoi also agreed with Ai when she said she wanted to at least get to see the main hall when it wasn't so dark and crowded. Because of course the guys also had never seen the main hall before the concert that night - and they were still impressed about putting on a great show despite. When the girls started asking about what day and what time, also worrying about time off work Kai made a shocked face and then laughed.

"Oh I'm really sorry I never told you what day or anything. Mika's right, it's not during the week so you girls won't have to worry about your work. It is actually on next Saturday", Kai explained as he folded his arms and leaned on the table, "We'll all be here fairly early, around nine in the morning. But because we have to actually set up first you don't have to be here that early. But if you do actually want to see the set-up then by all means come early, I don't think there will be a problem".

"Did I just hear you girls say you could all make it? All right, that's what I wanted to hear~! Ah that's great you can all come, I hoped you would all agree~!" Reita beamed and the guys almost jumped when they heard him speak out of nowhere, "Okay people, I've got sweets all over me so do me a favour and find what's yours ... I really don't know who's is who's at the moment".

Reita had decided at that point to return to the little group conversation with several plates sitting on his arms. The way he was carrying them you would have thought he was a waiter - apart from stumbling a little from being slightly intoxicated. And the girls found it amusing when he frowned, saying he had no idea what sweets were what. He was certainly doing a good job of entertaining them - he reminded them so much of Kira, that it was like watching a male version of Kira ... now that's a scary thought. Anyway Aoi noticed Reita wobble and reached for his and Ai's plate, handing Ai her chocolate cheesecake with mint ice cream just like him.

"Well we won't be asking you in the morning what you ate tonight. I think you should sit down, Reita. We'll end up wearing our food if you don't. Ah it's been ages since I last had one of these", Uruha joked, as he pinched the two little shot glasses of Brandy Purin that sat in Reita's hands and showed one to Ai so she could see, "Ai-san, see the darker swirl around the edge of the glass that surrounds the caramel? That's the Brandy part. It's not exactly an alcoholic sweet, just the thin swirl for flavouring. And the cream just adds a little velvety taste".

Uruha made a greedy little smile at the first shot-glass before throw his head back and spilling the whole lot into his mouth. Aoi laughed as he watched his fellow guitarist make a face like he was in sheer bliss - he obviously really liked them. Then Kai obliged in taking Kira's plate with the large Manju bun she asked for, which he reached over and gently sat it down for Kira as Reita slumped into his seat between Ruki and Kai. While the guys were now just softly talking about their next practice to the girls, an official came up behind Ruki to get his attention. Speaking in complete Japanese, he mentioned that all the staff were starting to pack up and that the girls were to be escorted back out to the main hall by a guard. Of course the girls had to make their own way out fro there. Ruki nodded and turned back to the group.

"Saa ... it seems the after party is almost over, he just told me everyone is packing up now. That went much quicker than I would have hoped for", Ruki said as he happened to glance at Mika for s second before smiling slightly around to the other girls, "But don't rush off just yet; Kira you can finish eating first. They're not expecting everyone to pack up straight away so you can stick around for a little bit longer if you like".

"What we have to leave already? I feel like we've only just sat down ... I was really hoping we'd be here longer than this, it's barely past ten o'clock", Aoi said leaning back in his chair and slowly chewed on a piece of his cheesecake, staring at his plate, "It's actually really nice just taking to our fans rather than the press for a change. I kind of wish we'd done it sooner, but at least we made some new friends, ne?"

Aoi smiled as he leaned forward in his chair again to take another mouthful of his cake. It sounded weird to him after saying that - they'd made new friends? Was it even possible for these girls as fans to be friends with a major band and not have repercussions? Well there was sure to be some problems if other fans eventually found out, because there would be debates about why it hadn't been them? Uruha had the same idea - the girls were a sign for them to loosen up, and Reita and Kira had their personalities in common too. Kai got the feeling that Megumi was the 'mother' of her group of friends while Kai was the 'go-to-person' among the band members. And of course there was Ruki who began thinking about what Aoi just said - new friends ... he'd never really had a lot of time to think about finding new friends outside of his band, let alone a girl. He was beginning to have that weird feeling ... was this sudden notice of Mika a 'love at first sight' thing? That taking the time to get to know her, and her to know him ... that it could lead to a happier life and make him stronger? He really hoped to find out.

* * *
Mika smiled proudly after Kai explained that she was right; the practice was in fact on the Saturday. She had the look of 'I told you so' as she looked around at her friends. Kikyo nudged her into Kira and laughed as Kira flailed her arms a bit, being slightly off balance from drinking. Megumi giggled and held Kira's shoulder to stop her from falling over. Ai was laughing as well - okay Mika got points for guessing it right. This was definitely an unusual evening - all of the girls had alternate personalities~! Anyway all of the girls except Kira, who wasn't paying attention, jumped a little when they heard Reita come back with their sweets. They laughed at him when he mumbled something about not knowing who had what. It was then that Kira focused on the bass player with plates lined up in his arms. She found it really amusing in her drunken state and clapped with a little laugh. Reita seemed like a very nice person to the girls - kind of like that clown of the group and he always made them laugh. Well now it was his turn to make the girls laugh - it was working.

"Ah I don't think I want to wear anyone's food, including mine~! Good food shouldn't be wasted, especially if it's sweets. Hmm yummy~! It's rich too, I love rich chocolate~!" Ai said when Aoi handed her cake to her and she could finally cut a corner with her fork and she ate it before glancing at Uruha's Brandy Purin, "Ah I see, I thought the caramel part was Brandy flavoured. Gee that's really smart, I will have to try one some time".

"Yeah me too, I've never heard of a Brandy Purin. I've always only had the regular caramel one on it's own. That one you have looks really sweet too", Kikyo said, nodding in agreement with Ai before leaning in over the table a little to look closely at Uruha's other shot-glass, "How do they make that? It looks hard to get the swirl around the edge of the shot glass. The cream looks tasty too ..."

Kira tilted her head and stared at the plate as Kai sat her large Manju bun down in front of her. That was the biggest Manju bun she had ever seen - it was slightly bigger than her clenched fist. She smiled brightly up at Kai and thanked up as she quickly cut the bun with her knife. The roasted pork inside smelled so nice that Mika was almost drooling as she picked one on half and bit into it. As she chewed on the half bun, Kira made a relieved sigh.

"Ohh this is the best Manju bun I've ever had~! The pork is really sweet and tender, the bun is also soft and fluffy~! I love the person forever who made this~!" Kira said after swallowing her mouthful and then looking closely at the bun in her hands, "Reita-kun, thank-you so much for getting this for me~! I wasn't expecting there to be any, but you've just made me the happiest girl in the world~!"

"Kira, I'm guessing you haven't had a Manju bun for a while? Your fawning over that thing so much, we'd think you were talking about a pet or something", Mika giggled as she leaned closer to Kira to see the bun closer before reaching up to pinch a small piece of pork, "Hmm that is really sweet~! Who ever made these must be a really good chef. My mother used to make these for me when I was a kid, I got so excited each time".

Mika had a big smile when she mentioned her mum used to make them when she was younger. Of course she still made them but not as often as back then. While they watched as Kira and Ai had their sweets, Kikyo, Mika and Megumi happened to glance up when a staff member came over to speak to Ruki. Even though the man spoke in complete Japanese, of course they could still hear what the man was whispering. He said the staff were packing up and that they were advised to do so as well. Kikyo, Mika and Megumi pouted at each other at the thought of having to leave already. Kira and Ai however were still engulfed in their food to notice. It was when Ruki mentioned they had to pack up soon that Kira and Ai looked up. Well at least they got to finish their sweets first, so they kept eating. Also when Ruki looked at Mika for a moment, she felt herself blush slightly at his comment about time going too quickly - he really was sweet.

"Ah that's a shame we have to leave already, we've had so much fun tonight. And we thought just seeing you guys performing was enough, yet we got to meet you in person", Megumi commented after Aoi spoke and she thought it was really nice comment about making friends of the girls, "Aww that's a really nice thing to say you think of us as friends, Aoi-san. I don't think my friends and I could feel more honoured to know all of you behind the scenes. It's kind of cool actually".

The girls all nodded in agreement - their luck was just through the roof that night and nothing could spoil how happy they were right now. Soon enough Kira and Ai had finished their sweets and piled their plates together. Seeing the staff were packing up the girls decided they should organise their stuff too. Each one of them thanked the guys with much appreciation at letting them stay as they stood up and bowed slightly - they were all brought up with manners. Except Kira was hampered a little by the drinks she'd consumed during the dinner. Then they pushed their chairs in and quickly retrieved their bags from under their seats, so they were ready for when they were escorted back out to the hall.

* * *
By the time the Aoi had finished with their cheesecake, everything like the food trays, plates and drinks was packed up and cleared away while only the staff remained. They just leisurely stood around chatting quietly about the success of the concert, not in any real hurry to tell the guys to hurry up. After all, the band had guests so they thought it was more polite to wait for them. While the guys waited for Kira and Ai to finish their sweets, they just kept chatting about music. Uruha even obliged to let Kikyo try the second Brandy Purin, much to her surprise, he noticed. He got her to lean forward a bit as he actually held the shot glass for her to drink. The guys had been teasing Ruki about flirting with Mika, so what was Uruha doing? The exact same thing with Kikyo. Anyway, Ruki stood up while Kai was nice enough to gather up their dinner plates and stack them on a trolley near-by. Uruha, Reita and Aoi also stood up as Ruki spoke up.

"Well, this is been a really good after-party. I am glad all of you liked the concert and that you came back-stage to eat with us. Not bad for our first fans backstage", Ruki said with a smile as he flicked a strand of hair from his face, "And Ai-san, it also now gives me the chance to say thank-you for not giving away Aoi, when he walked into your store to ask you for directions..."

He gave a side glance at Aoi, who promptly shut his mouth as he was about to say something. Uruha and Reita laughed to themselves while Kai came back and pat Aoi's shoulder after over-hearing what Ruki just said.

"Yeah we kind of saw the whole thing from our van out on the side of the road and Ruki knew straight away that he had blown his cover", Kai mentioned as he gestured with his thumb over his shoulder, referring to that afternoon as the Uruha and Reita again snickered at Aoi, "Anyway it was great to meet all of you and we really hope to see all of you back here on Saturday. It'll be an interesting experience for you I'm sure".

"Hai hai, it will be GREAT fun, ne~?! And if you're REALLY lucky you may even get to meet your Manager. He's a little scary sometimes but a real softy", Reita said cheerfully as he reached over the table and took hold of Kira's hands, swinging them side-to-side with a silly smile before he perked up suddenly, "Hey I have a great idea~! Before you go home, let's take some group photos together~! Then you all have a souvenir~!"

Kai, Aoi, Ruki and Uruha were trying so hard not to laugh at Reita, they both stood hunched over each-other with hands over their mouths and trying to hold in their laughter. It didn't work very well, as they burst out laughing much to Reita's confusion.

"That actually sounds like a really nice idea, for once he makes sense while drunk. We shouldn't let the girls go home without some kind of proof that we all got to meet in person", Aoi joked as he decided to save Kira's hand from Reita in case he accidentally dislocated her arms; he was quite strong, "The last thing you girls want to do in the morning is wake up and think it was all a dream. I know I'd be upset because it's been fun".

"True ... and we haven't exactly got any special gifts around here so if they at least get a group photo each, then it's better than nothing", Uruha agreed, seeing he didn't want the girls to go away empty-handed either, he looked over to where their official photographer was standing and gestured for him to come over, "Sumimasen, could we bother you for a moment before you leave? We'd all like a photo taken together with the girls, so that each of them have their own copy".

The photographer glanced up and smiled before quickly walking over to the group. While he fiddled with his camera settings, the guys all left their side of the table and filed around to where the girls were standing. Uruha stood beside Kikyo and placed a hand on her opposite shoulder to where he was. Kai stood beside Megumi and held a hand up to his face like a salute. Reita stood behind Kira and held out a peace sign over her shoulder. Aoi moved over to Ai and placed a hand on her shoulder, making a Rock-on signal with his other hand. Ruki on the other hand decided to be bold. He stood behind Mika and loosely wrap his arms up around her shoulders, position his face next to hers and sticking his tongue into the corner of his mouth - opposite to Mika's head of course. The photographer took five separate snap-shots of each of the girls and, because they were Polaroids, he was able to hand them out straight away.

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NOTES:
1) Invite to practice: Just like inviting fans backstage, it's un likely the band would invite people to watch either
2) Possessive fans: Not all fans are like this with their favourite band, but it is known there are some who are

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