Chapter 3:

Kai and His Band

Can You Hear My Life ?

I stand on the stage with a microphone in front of me.

“Why she is there? I thought Kai will sing?”

“Do you know her? I don’t know if she is good singer.”

“If I know Kai and his band will not perform, I will not come here today!”

I can heard many comments from the audience. I know that I am not popular among students and maybe some people are disappointed as they can’t see Kai perform. But I will try to give the best performance.

“Hello everyone! My name is Nakamura Yuka. Today, I will perform my new song! Its title is ‘Myself’ and I hope everyone will enjoy it!”

The genre of my newly written song is country pop. I try to write songs that everyone can enjoy. So, this is my song.

Myself

Everyday is same
There is nothing change
Staying at same place
Can you see my face?

Just look like person
Without any emotion
I don’t want to be like this
I want to break this chain

Chorus

I don’t want staying here anymore…
I want to open myself….
I don’t want to suffer my life anymore….
This is my way to change myself…

I give my all when singing this song. I want to convey my true feelings to the audience. After I finished my performance, I noticed the audience are so quiet. There is no chant or voice from audience site. Is this a failure? How should I face Ai and my friend after this?

But then, I suddenly heard applause from the audience.

“Bravo!!”

“She is really good ! I think I have become her fan jut now!”

“Although the song is good, she should improve her singing.”

“Does she have boyfriend? I want to confess to her.”

What is this? Is this dream? I can heard everyone chanting my name. I feel so happy now. I feel like I want to cry.

“Thank you everyone!”

After saying my thanks, I went backstage. As I arrived there, Ai suddenly ran toward me and hugged me.

“Yuka, I’m so proud of you! I don’t know that you can sing so well!”

“Why are you crying Ai?” I am asking her.

“It just I can’t believe that my best friend is singing on that stage!”

Then, Kai and Taro came to us.

“Nakamura-san, I would like to thank you. If not, surely the audience will be sad without any performance from us.”

“It’s alright, Kai! I also like to say my thanks because of the chance you give to me!”

“Don’t mind about it!” said Taro.

Everyday seems fun to me. I spend more time with my classmates. For my academic, I try to study harder than before as it was the promise I made with mom. At the end of year, I claimed my no. 1 spot again. My mom is so proud with me. As a present, she took me on vacation to Okinawa Island. We go there not as a family but if I can describe it, it is just trip with best friend. I don’t know mom has this cheerful side. I always thought she was more strict type. We take a bath together, we eat together, we play together, and we sleep together. It’s so fun.

The new term has begun. I’m already in my third year in high school. This period is so important because I need to decide where my path is after high school. Mom said that I should continue my study at another level. Maybe I should study in the medical field just like mom. Yes! I would do that. At school, I study as usual, spend time with my friends after school as long as it’s not too late to come home. One day, Ai took me to the café. When we arrived there, Kai and his friends were already there.

“Sorry, Kai! Did you guys wait long?”

“Not really Ai. Did you bring Nakamura-san too?” ask Kai.

“Here she is!” said Ai.

“Hello everyone!”

“Look! There is popular girl!” said one of Kai’s friends.

“You should keep quiet, Haru! Don’t you remember that you didn’t come to our performance before. Because of that we can’t perform. Nakamura-san, he is Haru. He is our drummer,” said Kai.

“Nice to meet you, Yuka-chan! You can just call me Haru! By the way, did you have a boyfriend? If not, you can become my-“

“Stop it Haru! You make her uncomfortable with your behavior. Sorry for that Nakamura-san.”

“It’s okay Kai.”

“My name is Jun. I am the bassist in this band. Sorry about last year. If only I stay healthy then.”

“Don’t mind about that. I also like to say my thanks for give me chance to sing on the stage before.”

“You are welcome, Nakamura-san. Back to our real reason, we would like to ask you to join our band for this festival next month,” said Taro.

“Join your band?”

“Yes. I notice that your voice will blend perfectly with our band especially with Kai’s hoarse voice,” explains Taro.

“You should join Yuka! I will give my support to you! I believe that you can do it!”

“Don’t you too excited, Ai?” I asked her.

“When we perform together, the love between you and me finally blooms! You should join our band, Yuka-chan!” said Haru.

“You should stop it, Haru! Nakamura-san, maybe you can think again about our invitation tonight. You can give your answer when you are ready,” said Kai.

“Right! “You can give your answer later,” said Taro too.

“Okay. I will try to think about your invitation.”

After that, I and Ai went back to home. We decided to walk home together.

“Yuka, did you still thinking about the talk before?”

“Yes, Ai. I don’t know how to perform in the band. Should I reject them?”

“No, Yuka! You need to think carefully about this. Look, you are so popular in our school! You should be confident with your skill!”

Then, she slaps my back.

“Ouch! Its hurt, Ai!”

“But you should try it Yuka! I believe Kai’s voice and your voice will create new boom!”

“If you say so, Ai. I will think it again later.”

“Yes, Yuka. As long you don’t touch my Kai, it’s okay.”

“What are you saying now, Ai? I can’t hear properly.”