Chapter 100: Do You Like Pandas?
After dinner, Sachiko Fujimura did not immediately return home but instead suggested going to the movies.
“Is there anything good showing right now?”
“There’s a foreign film called The Shawshank Redemption,” he replied. This masterpiece, destined to be remembered in cinematic history, had premiered in RB on June 3rd of this year.
“Your taste in movies isn’t bad,” she remarked.
“I’ll take that as a compliment. When the film was being promoted earlier, I received a brochure and found it quite intriguing. I’d been wanting to see it for a while, but none of my friends seemed interested. I was originally planning to go alone tonight. But since you’re here, Yezhao-san, why not watch it together?” At that, Sachiko showed a rare hint of childishness. “Though I don’t look like it, I really dislike going to the movies alone.”
Yezhao thought for a moment. “I don’t have anything else to do, so let’s go.”
...
The cinema was as crowded as ever around eight or nine in the evening, especially with the weekend looming. Since he had promised Sachiko, Yezhao donned a hat and mask, blending into the crowd. Only after the lights dimmed and the film began did he carefully slip into the theater and sit next to her, who had arrived earlier.
“Sorry for troubling you,” Sachiko apologized for the first time.
“No problem. I was eager to see this film anyway,” Yezhao whispered back.
The Shawshank Redemption’s brilliance needed no introduction. Even though Yezhao had seen it before, it didn’t lessen his enjoyment. Watching a movie on the big screen was a wholly different experience from watching on television.
Before the lights came back on, Yezhao, Sachiko, and their companion, Yuki Kamimura, quietly made their way out of the theater.
Only after returning to the car did Sachiko let out a long breath, saying to Yezhao, “What a wonderful film.”
“Yes,” Yezhao removed his mask.
“Not only was the film captivating, but the whole experience was quite thrilling,” she smiled. “It felt like playing some espionage game.”
“Espionage game? I like that description,” Yezhao said. “The metaphor I thought of earlier was more like being a thief.”
“That’s such a lame comparison!” She laughed, then suddenly became serious. “Yezhao-san, thank you so much for today.”
“I didn’t do much. We ate together, watched the movie together. If anyone should be thanking, it’s me.”
“That’s a sly way to put it, Yezhao-san.”
Yezhao smiled and changed the subject. “Sachiko, it’s almost ten o’clock. Shall I take you home?”
Sachiko nodded. “By now, my mother should be back.”
...
Under Sachiko’s direction, Yuki quickly parked beneath the apartment building where Ayako Fujimura lived.
Before getting out, Sachiko suddenly asked, “Yezhao-san, are you always this tolerant with all girls?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I got into your car without permission, then insisted you watch a movie with me. If it were someone else, they’d probably have kicked me out right away for being so unreasonable.”
“So you realize you were being unreasonable?”
“Please answer seriously.”
Yezhao yawned. “What’s there to answer? Ayako and I are friends, and since you’re her daughter, it’s natural to help look after her when she’s busy. Besides, you and I got to know each other back in Akita—more or less through some rough encounters.”
“That tone sounds just like an old man,” Sachiko said, but still accepted his explanation. She unbuckled her seatbelt and, before stepping out, said goodbye to Yezhao. “Thank you for your hospitality today, Yezhao-san. Goodbye.”
...
About ten minutes later, on the way back to his apartment with Yuki, Yezhao received a call from Ayako.
“Yezhao-kun, thank you for taking care of Sachiko.”
“You’re welcome. By the way, tonight’s performance was wonderful. It was my first time watching an enka concert.”
Ayako chuckled. “But Kitajima-san said at the celebration party that he ran into you backstage and you told him you really like enka.”
“Well, liking it doesn’t mean I’ve seen it live before. But Kitajima-san actually said that at the party?”
“Yes. After a few drinks, he asked me, ‘Do you really have connections with a newcomer from the rock scene?’ Then he proudly told everyone about meeting you.”
“That’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Not at all. He seems to have a very good impression of you.”
Yezhao changed the subject. “Ayako-san, did you get back early?”
“A bit earlier than Sachiko, by about ten minutes.”
“That early? I thought it would be much later.”
“Well, I had to come back to look after Sachiko,” Ayako’s tone was gentle. “If this were before, I’d probably have gone out again with everyone to a bar in Shinjuku or somewhere else. These two—mother and daughter—though each dreaming of a different life, still think about each other in these little ways.”
...
Feeling slightly sweaty, Yezhao reached for a handkerchief, but his fingers brushed against something cool. Slowly pulling it out, he found the hairpin he had mischievously taken from Ayako’s temple earlier that day.
Holding the small hairpin in his palm, Yezhao imagined how Sachiko would recount the day to her mother—maybe even wondering why the two of them had become friends.
“Yezhao-san,” Yuki interrupted his thoughts, “we’ve arrived.”
Yezhao turned his gaze to the apartment entrance outside the window, then quietly clenched the hairpin in his hand.
...
Back in the recording studio after a short break, Tomohiro Ueno asked, “Yezhao-kun, shall we continue?”
Tomohiro Ueno was the instant noodle guy from the karaoke room the last time. Yezhao had exchanged contacts with the others present then. Ueno was a signed musician with Sony Records. Since Yezhao was producing for Sony singers, he had arranged this meeting at the Sony building’s recording studio.
Yezhao nodded and picked up the sheet music. “Can the shamisen in the intro have a more intense rhythm?”
“More intense?”
“Yes. Ideally, it should convey a sense of finality. Ueno-san, think of it as a love song sealed with sacrifice.”
“Eh~?” Ueno was surprised. “You’re quite young, Yezhao-kun. How did you come up with such a song?”
He grinned mischievously and leaned forward. “Don’t tell me you got caught up in some illicit affair?”
“If that’s your logic, then if I wrote a children’s song, it means I have an illegitimate child?” Yezhao was speechless. “Anyway, put aside your gossip and play it again.”
“As you command~” Ueno laughed.
...
After leaving the studio, Yezhao asked the sound engineer, “Numata-san, do you have a vocalist who specializes in demos here?”
“Of course. Does Yezhao-san have any special requirements? From the style of the song, it seems like enka. Do you want someone who specializes in enka demos?”
“No need for that. Any regular singer will do. There are no lyrics yet; I just need someone to hum along.”
“Okay.” Numata stood up, picked up the phone, and dialed an internal line. “This is K-21. Please send a singer to record a demo.”
After hanging up, Numata asked, “Are you providing a song for an enka singer?”
“No. I just suddenly thought of this song and want to create it.”
“I see.” Numata nodded. “But the song is really good. Even a top enka singer would find it more than enough quality.”
Yezhao smiled silently.
About ten minutes later, the studio door was knocked, and in came a girl in her twenties with permed, dyed long hair, an oval face, and a sweet appearance.
“Numata-san!” the girl greeted energetically.
Her eyes landed on Yezhao, surprise obvious on her face. “Yezhao-san?”
Numata explained, “Yezhao-san is collaborating with us now. He’s the one who asked you to come and record the demo.”
“Hello,” Yezhao bowed slightly, thoughtfully examining her face.
“Hello, Yezhao-san!” the girl quickly returned the greeting.
“Well then, let’s begin. First, can you read sheet music?” It was a basic requirement for demo singers, much like a server asking “How many?” at a restaurant.
“Yes, no problem!” she replied promptly.
Yezhao handed her the sheet music. “Please familiarize yourself with it. Since there are no lyrics, just use onomatopoeic sounds like ‘ban ban ban’ to sing.”
“Got it! I’m used to this,” she said, taking the music and sitting down to study it carefully. After a while, she confidently said, “I’m ready.”
She stood and entered the recording booth opposite. After Numata gave the cue, she began recording with intense focus.
Ueno whispered beside Yezhao, “Yezhao-kun, this girl is really cute, isn’t she?”
“Indeed,” Yezhao agreed casually.
“Such a lovely girl is wasted as just a demo singer,” Ueno lamented, shaking his head. “But nowadays, being cute alone isn’t enough.”
Yezhao said nothing, quietly watching the girl inside the booth until the demo recording ended and she stepped out.
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
“It’s my job,” she replied.
“By the way,” Yezhao suddenly said, “may I ask you a question?”
“Of course. Please go ahead, Yezhao-san.”
“Do you like pandas?”
“Eh?!”