Post by Yukimotou Takumi on May 11, 2012 5:46:49 GMT -6
Takumi Yukimotou - The Light Before the Tunnel
July 18th (Thursday) 2002
A volley of distorted chugs, snare cracks and cymbal crashes, bass runs and unclear, cryptic sounding vocals could be heard right down the corridor of the music department. Even with the door shut and muffling the sound it was clear the music room at the end was in use and it that was being used to the maximum potential.
In the room were four individuals upon their instruments. One of them was Takumi Yukimotou, an ambitious third-year who had been picked out on numerous occasions for his musical talent. The seventeen year-old's head was down, his hair allowed to hide his face as he fired off chugging chords followed by lick after lick, the groups jamming session giving him his few moments of spotlight in the rather spacious room. This was the life he wanted. This was the life that Takumi craved, the life he breathed, dreamed and lived for. There was nothing more that he wanted.
The band didn’t have a name yet. They’d only been together for a week at most, and they were simply getting a feel for their music and learning to gel. But even at this early stage they had fans. Outside of the music room - both in the corridor and outside of the window - students of all years were crowded around listening in and marvelling at the group’s sound. Most of them were there for Takumi though; he had quite the fanbase nowadays, what with his musical talent and his ‘good looks’. As the group ended their session they seemed momentarily stunned by the audience they had acquired, who were now cheering from all sides. “I guess I’m just that awesome.” Takumi’s voice cut through the noise, a wink accompanying his cheeky comment. His friends laughed in response and the singer Misao ruffled his hair. Being the shortest boy in the group, Takumi was always treated as the younger brother. It fitted with his cheeky attitude and his loving personality. “Well don’t get too comfortable with it. I’m still louder!” The drummer Jun's voice was barely audible, causing the group to laugh harder at the irony of his comment.
I hope this year never ends
As the day came to an end, the group left the music room in high spirits. Takumi was the last one out; he’d taken the liberty of jamming on his own while the others were packing up their things. Of course, he then ended up keeping them waiting as he packed away his guitar and put the amplifier away. But they hadn’t minded of course. Despite their short time together, the other members of the group had already begun to adjust to Takumi’s general behaviour. They loved how he’d keep playing, so engrossed in his music that nothing else seemed to matter.
“Takumi, you’re headed that way right? Well then we’ll catch you tomorrow. Remember to bring your guitar in!” Takumi’s smile said everything that needed to be said at that comment, but he replied all the same in his patented sarcastic tone. "Well duh! Because I never have it with me, do I?" The group laughed once more, and Takumi's eyes caught Kazumi's, causing her to giggle. There was time enough for Takumi to wink at Kazumi before the group began waving each other off and heading in their own directions. Takumi only lived a short distance away. His mum had chosen their home when his parents had moved here 20 years ago. It was the perfect spot for her to relax as an artist, and it was within a reasonable distance from the town, so his dad could walk or cycle to work in little time. He’d grown up and lived there all his life, and had grown accustomed to the forestation and shrubbery around his home. In fact, he found it all rather peaceful. Even as he approached his door, the trees and bushes in his garden and around his home were relaxing him.
The door was open before he had reached it, and stood before him was the figure of Yukimotou Hideo; his father. “Hey Taku-kun, guess what?” Takumi’s eyes lit up brightly. “You’ve got the day off?! Where are we headed off to today?” His mother Aya could be heard giggling behind his father, her arms wrapped around her husband’s muscular forearms. “We’re going for a meal together Takumi. Your father says I need a rest from cooking all the time. A fine one to talk isn’t he?”
It was strange. A day like this came maybe once or twice a month, but they were the best days of his life.
Better to be from time to time...than never again...
Takumi Yukimotou – The Downward Spiral
October 23rd (Tuesday) 2002
His hands were thrust deep in his pockets, his head kept down to hide himself from view. Takumi was returning home…if it could even be called that anymore. His mother was struggling to overcome her grief. Struggling and failing. Takumi watched everyday as she fell further and further into what seemed to be a bottomless pit of despair and anguish – and he was following behind her.
It had been nearly two months now. Two months since his world had been turned on its head. Two months since he’d had that knock on the door. Two months…since his father had died. In these two months he’d spent every day in his room. Today had been his first day back, if it could be called that; his head still wasn’t in the right place for education. The day itself had been somewhat uneventful, although this was partially thanks to his bandmates – or rather, former bandmates now that they were on an indefinite hiatus – who had ensured that nobody really bothered him during the day. He’d spent every break time simply staring at the empty space before him, completely lost in his own thoughts. Kazumi had even hugged him, but had received no reaction from the boy.
Misao and Jun had tried to make him alert and focussed during their lessons together, but again there was nothing. The Takumi they’d all known and loved was lost the day the young man had lost his father.
”I think…I think it would be best to leave him for the time being…”
Now as he walked down the hill he did not reflect on his day. He was dreading entering his home, seeing his mother red-faced from tears – although this was probably one of her better conditions nowadays – and having to comfort her through her grief before taking care of the two of them for another night. His mind was so lost that he didn’t even see the group of guys before him.
“Well look what we got here! A private school punk!”
“Hey kid, you look a lil down ya know? Do you want something to…hehehe…’perk you up’, if you catch my meaning?”
Takumi kept walking, and was met by a hand grabbing at his arm.
“HEY! We’re talking to y-“
Takumi’s fist flew through the air like a missile, hitting its target square in the nose. “I’m not interested.” The first words he’d spoken all day, void of emotion or thought. It was his brain reacting without him really thinking. His outburst wasn’t taken lightly. The group quickly set upon him, fists flying and shouts blaring. Takumi fought back as best as he could, but he didn’t really care how much damage he took from these guys; he couldn’t really feel it anyway.
“GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF HIM!”
Misao and Jun dived in gung-ho. They’d been only a hundred metres behind Takumi at most, and had seen the events transpiring. While the two older boys took care of the group, Kazumi grabbed Takumi and pulled him aside, clear from the violent scene. It was an odd sight, seeing two private school students take on a group of thugs, and actually causing them to flee. The fight was over within a couple of minutes. Jun patted Misao on the back and nodded, showing his approval of his friend’s efforts. Misao took a moment to respond with a clap on the shoulder before he headed over to Takumi.
”Takumi…are you alright? Come on, let’s get you home…”
Takumi slowly looked up at Misao – for the first time that day – and shook his head. He gripped his bag and began walking back to his home. Misao reacted quickly, pulling his ‘brother’ back and hugging him tight. “Takumi, please! Dude, listen to me, you can’t stay like this forever! Those guys could’ve pulverised you!” Takumi pushed Misao back, his facial expression changing. “WELL MAYBE I WANTED THEM TO!” His outburst caused Kazumi to cry silently. Jun pulled his sister into a gentle hug, looking down so he didn’t have to watch this scene unfold. He couldn’t stop himself from hearing it though.
“Maybe…maybe I didn’t want you to help me!”
”Don’t be so stupid Takumi! You KNOW you don’t want to go down that route!”
“DON’T TELL ME WHAT I KNOW! Only I know what I know! And I know that I don’t care what happens to me anymore.”
“But that isn’t what your father would want is it?”
Silence. Jun looked up, dumbstruck at what was transpiring, and more so by the words Misao had just spoken. He’d never seen Takumi and Misao fight like this. For the second time that day, Takumi’s fist raised and flew towards its target. This time it missed, as Misao pushed the fist aside. He couldn’t stop the shove that Takumi produced next though, sending him back a few feet.
“Well I wouldn’t know what my father would want…because I can’t ask him anymore.”
Takumi’s final words rang through the air even as he straightened himself up a little and began walking back home. The trio watched Takumi as his body became a silhouette against the setting sun. Misao and Jun looked at each other, each with a defeated look upon their face. Kazumi simply watched Takumi walk out of sight, tears brimming in her eyes.
Takumi-kun….