Work Text:
They have got to be kidding!? 100’s of assignments on some of the biggest stories to ever break and the big wigs at the top thought it was appropriate to send me on an assignment about an indie band?! You have to be kidding…
Minami looked at the folder she was just given.
There has to be something!? A scandal? Some relation to money? Something?!
Minami looked up the name online and there was nothing but gossip rags talking about them.
Amaryllis Hana
The lead singer. Formerly had a background in fashion and worked on a few runway pieces before joining “Midnight voices” as, at first, only as the designer but soon became the lead singer but is said to still work on the outfits. Her voice was first heard on the band’s second EP “At 3 am”.
Kirisame Ichikawa
The drummer of the band. Also from an unlikely background. Used to be a college-level baseball pitcher who was being scouted for the Japan Women's Baseball League before seemingly disappearing only to show up in an indie band months after.
Kohaku Yamada
The bass guitar player. While less known now than the others still have had part of their life in the spotlight. Some may vaguely recognize her from well-known movies such as “If you tell a soul,” and “Running field,”. Once a child actor with her sister, Ruri Yamada, she and her sister stopped acting after her Sister became gravely Ill. She found herself in the spotlight once again after announcing to her followers she was in a band. There are rumors floating around that she and Amaryllis Hana are dating but nothing is confirmed or denied by either.
Nikki Hanada
The lead guitar player. Not much is known about Nikki besides she has a blackbelt in Judo and competed in many tournaments for her high school. Not much is known on how she knew or was acquainted with the other 3.
Ohhh so there is more to this band than I thought. Most of them were once in the spotlight huh? Well still not what I’m used to but maybe this isn’t so bad after all.
Minami sighed and stood up from her desk and threw her camera bag over her shoulder. It was a smaller assignment but she was Minami Hokutozai. She’d find something.
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.
Minami had arranged an interview with the 4 bandmates before their show Friday night and a music hall. Minami took note of the setup part of the show. It was really only them and a friend, Yuzuriha, they had brought along. It wasn’t anything too over the top. It was an Indie band after all but… It was clear about the passion the band shared.
It is true that Amaryllis does a lot of outfit design but she mainly works with makeup. Yuzuriha Ogawa seems to be the one making the outfits. Ogawa san said she knew Amaryllis through University. I tried to ask about the rumor of Amaryllis and Kohaku dating but she wasn’t saying anything. Ask about that later in the interview.
Kirisame’s arm is nothing to joke about. Compared to old footage of her, I would believe she used to hold back. Something to ask later.
Kohaku is the one I want to know most about. Being a former child star she might know things. Ask about that later.
Nikki is the one I don’t have many questions on besides how she got mixed up with the band but that is more a general question on how a former child actor, Baseball player, Fashion designer, and Judo player formed a band together.
But she is kind of pretty.
Their second EP “at 3 am” seems to be a bit of that story but missing the main part. Ask about this later.
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.
“Do you mind if I recond this?” Minami asked.
“Not at all,” Amaryllis hummed.
“Ok thanks. Just helps with notes,” Minami placed the recorder on the table. “So I have a few questions of my own that start with but do you have anything you’d like to say on the record?” The group all looked at each other but said nothing. “First time being interviewed huh?”
“I’m still surprised that such a big new source wanted to interview us,” Kohaku stated.
“Oh trust me, I was a bit surprised when I saw the file on my desk,” Minami playfully stated.
“I’m not,” Kirisame added with a small smirk. “You’re known for exposing stories and most of us have suddenly without explanation all quite pretty successful careers,”
“Did you’re reading… huh?” Minami was a bit at a loss for words.
“Of course, I don’t hold it against you. Your work is quite extensive,” Kirisame nodded.
What do I say to that?! That was so on purpose, wasn’t it!? Ohhh two can play at that game!
“Thank you and I guess you caught me,” If subtlety wasn’t an option, Minami would just go the direct way. “To be honest, when I first saw your file I didn’t know what to make of it,” Maybe smudging the truth a little. “But you have to attempt a band from all you unique backgrounds is interesting,”
“Backgrounds huh?” Nikki hummed.
“I don’t know if-,” Amaryllis started.
“Aww come on you got to have something you want to share,” Minami pouted. “Something to get off your chest?”
“Hokutozai san…,” Krishna trailed off.
“No,” Minami looked over at the blonde with her arm crossed.
“I’m sorry… What Yamada san?”
“I said no,” Kohaku shrugged. “This interview is about the band. Not our pass,” Kohaku huffed.
Oh you have got to be kidding me.
“Of course Yamada san,” Minami tried to play it off. “Just, It helps our readers relate-,”
“No,” Kohaku’s glare seemed so cold.
.
.
.
Uggghhh! Who does she think she is?!
Minami was holding back from throwing her notepad on the ground. She learned barely anything from the interview.
It’s my job!? What did she think the interview would be like?
Minami got to watch from behind the senses as part of the agreement but it didn’t matter. She was so focused on how mad she was.
“You alright?” Minami felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Oh Hanada san!” Minami put back on her “work” face. “Oh yeah, I’m fine,” She smiled.
“Uhhh huh,” Nikki didn’t seem convinced but played along. “Don’t mind Kohaku,” Nikki stated. “But she has a point. This band was formed to get away from our old lives in the spotlight,”
“You traded the spotlight for concert lights….?” Minami questioned.
“You really don’t see it?” Nikki asked.
Minami looked at the crowd starting to come in and the members on stage getting ready. It all seemed on such a small scale from what she was used to.
“What am I looking at?”
“People just having fun,” Nikki pointed out. “Forget about getting a flashy headline from us for a second,” Nikki adjusted her guitar. “Or is that why you got into reporting?
Minami looked down at her camera. The rush of excitement she would have reading the paper in the morning as a kid. Even over the smallest thing. It didn’t need to be some groundbreaking thing. It was just cool to read about it because of how beautifully the reporter had put it.
“Listen,” Nikki rumped the back of her neck. “I know you need a story so we’ll give you one to write about. Just watch,”
It was a smaller story but she was Minami Hokutozai. She’ll write about a story no matter how small.
“And if I don’t, maybe you can explain it over lunch sometime?”