Under My Umbrella: Runaway Cinderella
Disclaimer: Tenshi Ja Nai! belongs to someone else, man! Her name’s Takako Shigematsu, obviously not me (pouts).
Story: Hikaru Takabayashi just wanted to be normal. Her love life is crazy (nonexistent to her) and now her biggest secret is out. Hikaru Takabayashi, huh. Isn’t she the international idol? Watch out, Izumi! Your best friend’s in way deep.
Set in the idol contest.
Spoilers: Probably.
Warnings: Perverts, raunchy humor, weird humor, craziness, etc…
Pairings: Hikaru/Ayase, Hikaru/Habashi, Hikaru/others (crushes/one-sided/flirting/etc.), comical and one-sided Kurobe/Izumi.
Under My Umbrella
Chapter One: Runaway Cinderella
“Wait, you’re telling me this girl is already famous?” Producer Sakura prompted on his phone. “I see…well, looks like I’ll have to deal with this. Thanks.”
Hanging up, he dialed another phone number. Yuichi Akizuki, president of the company sponsoring Izumi Kido. And it just so happens Izumi is friends with Hikaru Takabayashi, famed icon of the world.
Except Japan, it seems.
“Akizuki-san, it looks like we have a problem. Meet me at the place where the idol contest is being hosted. Make sure Kido-san and Takabayashi-san is there as well.”
And it also just so happens that he liked Hikaru Takabayashi. She was an interesting girl he’d like to sponsor.
“Eh, Sakura-san, what gives?” Akizuki smiled, Izumi and Hikaru hovering behind him with Yasukuni Inukai doting on both. The two Habakuro comedians stood behind them. Izumi glared every once in a while at Kaoru Habashi, but mostly at Hayato Kurobe.
“I didn’t want everyone here,” Sakura said sarcastically, looking pointedly at the Habakuro duo and Yasukuni.
Akizuki shrugged, still grinning.
“Why are you in this contest, Takabayashi-san? And tell me the truth,” he directed his words to Hikaru.
Izumi squeezed her shoulder comfortingly and Akizuki gave her the okay. “To support Izumi-san, Sakura-san,” Hikaru reluctantly revealed. Her face took on a red tint, she was obviously struggling to stop turning red.
“I see. Well, that makes sense. Because I don’t know why you would enter an idol contest when you ran away from fame so long ago,” he looked seriously at her.
Hikaru stiffened up, everyone else’s faces looking confused.
“Should I drop out?” Hikaru softly asked, avoiding the topic.
“Not completely. Drop out gracefully, explaining why and who you are, and claim Japan as you have claimed everywhere else,” Sakura grinned manipulatively.
“I suppose you want to become my producer,” Hikaru stated, staring blankly past him.
“Of course. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you; I was one of those wannabe number one fans. My friend called me to tell me about you and it wasn’t until I finished my call with Akizuki-san that I truly remembered you and my past fanaticism.”
Hikaru shrugged, conceding defeat.
“Wait a second, what’s going on? And I really don’t think it’s such a good idea for Hikaru to just drop out,” Akizuki interrupted.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea. Hikaru-san, please come with me to iron out the details. Everyone, thank you for your cooperation,” Sakura breathed out.
They weren’t able to stop Hikaru from following, but they sure did find out what was going on.
“It’s a shame to say, but Hikaru-chan is dropping out of the contest,” Kurobe pouted as he announced it to the audience.
There was a loud ‘aww’ from the crowd, but two of the three girls on stage were smirking. The last one, Ai Ueda, looked sad.
“But I’d like to introduce famed iconic star Hikaru Takabayashi singing Breathe Me from one of her older albums ‘Evanescence’! Give it up!” Sakura interrupted them.
The light shined on stage showing a transformed Hikaru, the three girls being ushered off. Hikaru started singing and dancing.
“I am strong
I need you
Warm me up
And breathe me
Be my friend
Hold me
Wrap me up
I’m for me
I am small
I need you
Warm me up
And breathe me”
Hikaru began to twirl on one foot, the other curling into her as she began to perform a series of ballet moves and high kicks and dances.
Izumi didn’t believe that was Hikaru.
The crowd was silent and watching in awe, and then the song ended with Hikaru dropping limply to the floor with her head bowed and her arms spread.
If she could recall correctly, that was how it was in the video.
Standing up, Hikaru held the microphone to her lips. “My name is Hikaru Takabayashi and I used to tour the world doing concerts, photo shoots, acting jobs, etc. Just last year, I ran away due to the fact I was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer and though with surgery I could get rid of it, I would never be able to talk.
“Shortly after getting the prognosis from my doctor, one of my fans had already found out and then kidnapped me. I was held in his care for awhile before he finally let me go. That was when I decided I should just disappear instead of devastating my fans with the news. I went through with the surgery and it seems they were wrong about my voice. Still, I was terrified of something similar happening so I never grew the nerve to come back.”
Hikaru bowed before walking off stage and pass everyone, going out the back door to the awaiting limo outback. The applause still reached her ears.
“Hikaru-chan, wait!” Kurobe yelled, the others catching up to him.
She ignored him and the car started to drive forward. That is until Kurobe threw himself forward and in front of the car. The limo halted abruptly and the others took this chance to climb into the back where Hikaru was staring forward.
“The show was cancelled for the night and they’re going to play a…Hikaru special,” Akizuki spoke first.
Hikaru nodded.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Talk to us, dammit!” Izumi gritted his teeth.
The short-haired girl shrugged, “What’s there to say? I was too afraid to come back. The pressure, the fans, the expectations finally all just collapse on me.”
“So? I mean, you’ve seen my work. I’ve handled –”
“Izumi-san, I had no one. My mother and stepfather didn’t support me, I don’t get along with my father ever since he put me up for adoption because he needed money to pay off his business debts, and my older brother has other business to take care of. Unlike you, I was in this alone. None of my family wanted anything to do with my celebrity career and I had no friends. And my schedule was a lot more hectic than your’s, I’ll have you know,” Hikaru said tiredly.
“My parents gave me an ultimatum after the surgery. It was the family or my career. I chose my family and ended up coming here instead of going to Paris with them and my older brother is on a business trip.”
She slumped down on her seat and Habashi put an arm around her, letting her lean on him. She sighed, and felt her eyes close.
“Hikaru-san will need an agency,” Akizuki looked at the bright side of things.
Izumi frowned and threw his purse at him. “I think Sakura-san has everything set so you shouldn’t even try anything.”
“Maa, I’m just saying. You never know,” Akizuki shot back with a grin.
“Anou sa, are you all going to be loud for awhile? Because I’m thinking of following her example and going to sleep,” Habashi tightened his hold around Hikaru, a slight smirk betraying his content.
Izumi frowned, getting a little hot-tempered at the sight of his friend in Habashi’s arms. Yasukuni sighed, but shot a look at his charge. Izumi got the message and forced himself to settle down, but he hardly succeeded. Instead, Izumi seethed quietly.
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Hikaru sighed, looking over to her right and watching as a giddy Producer Sakura bounced on the balls of his feet. They were meeting with the director of her agency. Apparently, Procucer Sakura was a fan of Tohma Seguchi as well.
Elsewhere…
“Nani?! Hikaru’s is signed on with NG Productions?” Akizuki pouted.
Izumi raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him.
“The director is Tohma Seguchi, who was in Nittle Grasper with the other two legends of the band Ryuichi Sakuma and Noriko. NG Productions also produced the hit band Bad Luck. They’ve been branching out and have produced several more hits in the other entertainment business. If I’m big name, NG is legend.”
Akizuki sighed in disappointment, weeping over his email. Izumi just rolled his eyes.
Back to Hikaru, she and Sakura were standing face to face with Tohma.
“Sou ka, you want to become her producer? And you are aware she still has a contract with us?” Tohma stared steadfastly at the producer.
“Hai,” the other man said calmly, even though the excitement was building in him.
“Hikaru-chan, are you okay with coming back? I’ll be happy to renew our arrangement, but I want to make sure you’re okay first,” Tohma directed his words this time to Hikaru, his eyes reflecting worry that was common on his face.
Hikaru smiled, “It might just be the thing I need, Seguchi-san.”
“Tohma, Hikaru,” the blond smirked, “Yare, Yare. Alright, let’s get things settled.”
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Truthfully, Izumi was kind of excited at the chance to work with Hikaru. Sure, since Hikaru was famous it would boost his own fame and popularity…but working with Hikaru was really all that mattered. Working with Hikaru before was a lot less stressful and a bit fun at times. It’ll be just like those times.
Izumi let a grin slowly form on his face, freezing only at the sight of Tsukasa Ayase.
The grin went halfway into a sneer and a grimace.
“Kido-san…have you seen Takabayashi?” Ayase asked, ignoring the look.
“I haven’t seen her since this morning. She went with Sakura-san to arrange her contract with her old agency. I’m sure you’ve heard the news, hai?”
Izumi wasn’t happy to see that Ayase hadn’t even flinched from the mentions of Hikaru’s fame. Dammit, he was supposed to hate celebrities. He was supposed to balk at the fact Hikaru was one.
“Yes, I have. So, she hasn’t arrived back yet? I see, I’ll just wait for her. See you later, Kido-san,” Ayase nodded her way before leaving.
Izumi gritted his teeth, but refrained from talking back
So Ayase was back, huh?
Well, Izumi would protect Hikaru from the likes of him and Habashi.
Started 8/2/07 –Completed 8/7/07
Story: Hikaru Takabayashi just wanted to be normal. Her love life is crazy (nonexistent to her) and now her biggest secret is out. Hikaru Takabayashi, huh. Isn’t she the international idol? Watch out, Izumi! Your best friend’s in way deep.
Set in the idol contest.
Spoilers: Probably.
Warnings: Perverts, raunchy humor, weird humor, craziness, etc…
Pairings: Hikaru/Ayase, Hikaru/Habashi, Hikaru/others (crushes/one-sided/flirting/etc.), comical and one-sided Kurobe/Izumi.
Under My Umbrella
Chapter One: Runaway Cinderella
“Wait, you’re telling me this girl is already famous?” Producer Sakura prompted on his phone. “I see…well, looks like I’ll have to deal with this. Thanks.”
Hanging up, he dialed another phone number. Yuichi Akizuki, president of the company sponsoring Izumi Kido. And it just so happens Izumi is friends with Hikaru Takabayashi, famed icon of the world.
Except Japan, it seems.
“Akizuki-san, it looks like we have a problem. Meet me at the place where the idol contest is being hosted. Make sure Kido-san and Takabayashi-san is there as well.”
And it also just so happens that he liked Hikaru Takabayashi. She was an interesting girl he’d like to sponsor.
“Eh, Sakura-san, what gives?” Akizuki smiled, Izumi and Hikaru hovering behind him with Yasukuni Inukai doting on both. The two Habakuro comedians stood behind them. Izumi glared every once in a while at Kaoru Habashi, but mostly at Hayato Kurobe.
“I didn’t want everyone here,” Sakura said sarcastically, looking pointedly at the Habakuro duo and Yasukuni.
Akizuki shrugged, still grinning.
“Why are you in this contest, Takabayashi-san? And tell me the truth,” he directed his words to Hikaru.
Izumi squeezed her shoulder comfortingly and Akizuki gave her the okay. “To support Izumi-san, Sakura-san,” Hikaru reluctantly revealed. Her face took on a red tint, she was obviously struggling to stop turning red.
“I see. Well, that makes sense. Because I don’t know why you would enter an idol contest when you ran away from fame so long ago,” he looked seriously at her.
Hikaru stiffened up, everyone else’s faces looking confused.
“Should I drop out?” Hikaru softly asked, avoiding the topic.
“Not completely. Drop out gracefully, explaining why and who you are, and claim Japan as you have claimed everywhere else,” Sakura grinned manipulatively.
“I suppose you want to become my producer,” Hikaru stated, staring blankly past him.
“Of course. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you; I was one of those wannabe number one fans. My friend called me to tell me about you and it wasn’t until I finished my call with Akizuki-san that I truly remembered you and my past fanaticism.”
Hikaru shrugged, conceding defeat.
“Wait a second, what’s going on? And I really don’t think it’s such a good idea for Hikaru to just drop out,” Akizuki interrupted.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea. Hikaru-san, please come with me to iron out the details. Everyone, thank you for your cooperation,” Sakura breathed out.
They weren’t able to stop Hikaru from following, but they sure did find out what was going on.
“It’s a shame to say, but Hikaru-chan is dropping out of the contest,” Kurobe pouted as he announced it to the audience.
There was a loud ‘aww’ from the crowd, but two of the three girls on stage were smirking. The last one, Ai Ueda, looked sad.
“But I’d like to introduce famed iconic star Hikaru Takabayashi singing Breathe Me from one of her older albums ‘Evanescence’! Give it up!” Sakura interrupted them.
The light shined on stage showing a transformed Hikaru, the three girls being ushered off. Hikaru started singing and dancing.
“I am strong
I need you
Warm me up
And breathe me
Be my friend
Hold me
Wrap me up
I’m for me
I am small
I need you
Warm me up
And breathe me”
Hikaru began to twirl on one foot, the other curling into her as she began to perform a series of ballet moves and high kicks and dances.
Izumi didn’t believe that was Hikaru.
The crowd was silent and watching in awe, and then the song ended with Hikaru dropping limply to the floor with her head bowed and her arms spread.
If she could recall correctly, that was how it was in the video.
Standing up, Hikaru held the microphone to her lips. “My name is Hikaru Takabayashi and I used to tour the world doing concerts, photo shoots, acting jobs, etc. Just last year, I ran away due to the fact I was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer and though with surgery I could get rid of it, I would never be able to talk.
“Shortly after getting the prognosis from my doctor, one of my fans had already found out and then kidnapped me. I was held in his care for awhile before he finally let me go. That was when I decided I should just disappear instead of devastating my fans with the news. I went through with the surgery and it seems they were wrong about my voice. Still, I was terrified of something similar happening so I never grew the nerve to come back.”
Hikaru bowed before walking off stage and pass everyone, going out the back door to the awaiting limo outback. The applause still reached her ears.
“Hikaru-chan, wait!” Kurobe yelled, the others catching up to him.
She ignored him and the car started to drive forward. That is until Kurobe threw himself forward and in front of the car. The limo halted abruptly and the others took this chance to climb into the back where Hikaru was staring forward.
“The show was cancelled for the night and they’re going to play a…Hikaru special,” Akizuki spoke first.
Hikaru nodded.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Talk to us, dammit!” Izumi gritted his teeth.
The short-haired girl shrugged, “What’s there to say? I was too afraid to come back. The pressure, the fans, the expectations finally all just collapse on me.”
“So? I mean, you’ve seen my work. I’ve handled –”
“Izumi-san, I had no one. My mother and stepfather didn’t support me, I don’t get along with my father ever since he put me up for adoption because he needed money to pay off his business debts, and my older brother has other business to take care of. Unlike you, I was in this alone. None of my family wanted anything to do with my celebrity career and I had no friends. And my schedule was a lot more hectic than your’s, I’ll have you know,” Hikaru said tiredly.
“My parents gave me an ultimatum after the surgery. It was the family or my career. I chose my family and ended up coming here instead of going to Paris with them and my older brother is on a business trip.”
She slumped down on her seat and Habashi put an arm around her, letting her lean on him. She sighed, and felt her eyes close.
“Hikaru-san will need an agency,” Akizuki looked at the bright side of things.
Izumi frowned and threw his purse at him. “I think Sakura-san has everything set so you shouldn’t even try anything.”
“Maa, I’m just saying. You never know,” Akizuki shot back with a grin.
“Anou sa, are you all going to be loud for awhile? Because I’m thinking of following her example and going to sleep,” Habashi tightened his hold around Hikaru, a slight smirk betraying his content.
Izumi frowned, getting a little hot-tempered at the sight of his friend in Habashi’s arms. Yasukuni sighed, but shot a look at his charge. Izumi got the message and forced himself to settle down, but he hardly succeeded. Instead, Izumi seethed quietly.
+
+
+
+
+
+
Hikaru sighed, looking over to her right and watching as a giddy Producer Sakura bounced on the balls of his feet. They were meeting with the director of her agency. Apparently, Procucer Sakura was a fan of Tohma Seguchi as well.
Elsewhere…
“Nani?! Hikaru’s is signed on with NG Productions?” Akizuki pouted.
Izumi raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him.
“The director is Tohma Seguchi, who was in Nittle Grasper with the other two legends of the band Ryuichi Sakuma and Noriko. NG Productions also produced the hit band Bad Luck. They’ve been branching out and have produced several more hits in the other entertainment business. If I’m big name, NG is legend.”
Akizuki sighed in disappointment, weeping over his email. Izumi just rolled his eyes.
Back to Hikaru, she and Sakura were standing face to face with Tohma.
“Sou ka, you want to become her producer? And you are aware she still has a contract with us?” Tohma stared steadfastly at the producer.
“Hai,” the other man said calmly, even though the excitement was building in him.
“Hikaru-chan, are you okay with coming back? I’ll be happy to renew our arrangement, but I want to make sure you’re okay first,” Tohma directed his words this time to Hikaru, his eyes reflecting worry that was common on his face.
Hikaru smiled, “It might just be the thing I need, Seguchi-san.”
“Tohma, Hikaru,” the blond smirked, “Yare, Yare. Alright, let’s get things settled.”
+
+
+
+
+
+
Truthfully, Izumi was kind of excited at the chance to work with Hikaru. Sure, since Hikaru was famous it would boost his own fame and popularity…but working with Hikaru was really all that mattered. Working with Hikaru before was a lot less stressful and a bit fun at times. It’ll be just like those times.
Izumi let a grin slowly form on his face, freezing only at the sight of Tsukasa Ayase.
The grin went halfway into a sneer and a grimace.
“Kido-san…have you seen Takabayashi?” Ayase asked, ignoring the look.
“I haven’t seen her since this morning. She went with Sakura-san to arrange her contract with her old agency. I’m sure you’ve heard the news, hai?”
Izumi wasn’t happy to see that Ayase hadn’t even flinched from the mentions of Hikaru’s fame. Dammit, he was supposed to hate celebrities. He was supposed to balk at the fact Hikaru was one.
“Yes, I have. So, she hasn’t arrived back yet? I see, I’ll just wait for her. See you later, Kido-san,” Ayase nodded her way before leaving.
Izumi gritted his teeth, but refrained from talking back
So Ayase was back, huh?
Well, Izumi would protect Hikaru from the likes of him and Habashi.
Started 8/2/07 –Completed 8/7/07