I’m going to be stuck with these guys?
This was the one question that kept running in my head, sitting in the living room of the manager’s house, studying the five other individuals in the room with me.
Two weeks earlier I was just a normal teenage boy living a normal life in Osaka. I was barely out of junior high when my mom decided to send out an application for me (without my consent, by the way) to a local TV show. Next thing I knew I was singing, or should I say, struggling with the lyrics to a Mr. Children’s song in front a panel of judges. It was totally embarrassing!
Anyway, we were told that the ones selected from the contest have a shot at becoming a Johnny’s Jr. I’ve heard about these Johnny’s Jr’s, and I had no plans of becoming one. The gods must be listening to me back then because sure enough I didn’t become a Johnny’s Jr., instead I was brought straight to the spotlight without any warning whatsoever! The gods must have thought they were being funny.
In a few days Johnny’s Entertainment was going to introduce a new entertainment group to the public, composed of six individuals: three teenage boys and three young men. They will sing, dance, act, cook, do backflips -- practically everything expected of any good Johnny’s artist. And believe it or not, I was going to be a part of this group.
Sitting in one corner of the room, I quietly studied the five strangers before me.
On the couch across from me were two skinny boys whose voices rivaled those of 10-year-olds’. I recognize them from the audition; they were members of the panel of judges. They were probably my age, or older; but with the way they were goofing around, you would think they were younger.
Not wanting to stare too much, I shifted my attention to the group on my right. Sitting around the table were three young men talking loudly -- but not as loud as the younger two on the couch. Actually, if you look closely, only one of them was doing all the talking while the other two just laughed and laughed at his jokes. The funny one was the most distinguishable of the three, with his slit eyes and big smile; he also looked younger than the other two. The older men, on the other hand, looked like they were of the same age. Although, one looked more approachable than the other because he had a smiling face while the other one looked serious. I don’t think I’m ever gonna go to the serious one for help or anything; I’m afraid to.
"Ah, I see you’re all here!"
Everyone looked at the big stocky guy who entered the room, dressed in a three-piece suit. As he walked towards the dining table, the three men greeted him politely. As with the two boys who were now standing next to me, we just stared at them (I, quietly; while the other two shared a joke between them, probably about the stocky guy).
The said man then looked at us. "Well, come on over, boys," he called out. "Don’t be shy."
Walking behind the other two, I followed them to the table.
"Okay, shall we start with a little introduction?" said the stocky guy who from hereon shall be referred to as Mr. Executive since I was too distracted to hear his self-introduction.
The man on his right stood up. "Hai, hajimemashite. I’m Sakamoto Masayuki. I joined Johnny’s in 1986-- "
"Wow, you’re old!" exclaimed the boy across from him on the table, and the boy next to me agreed.
The slit-eyed man who was seated across from me laughed and Sakamoto-san just glared at him then at the rude boy. He decided to end his introduction at that.
Then came the approachable-looking man’s turn. "Hajimemashite," he smiled warmly. "I’m Nagano Hiroshi. Yoroshiku ne." He was wise enough not to give any information about his age lest he be called "old" too.
"Yes, yes!" The slit-eyed man jumped up from his seat. "I’m Inohara Yoshihiko, but please call me Inocchi. Yoroshiku, yoroshiku." He nodded, his eyes completely disappearing as he smiled.
"You don’t look like a Johnny’s," commented the boy on Mr. Executive’s left, making Sakamoto-san and Nagano-san laugh hard. Inohara-san didn’t appreciate this and quickly snapped at them, then said to the boy, "What made you think *you* look like a Johnny’s, eh!"
"I know I do ‘cause I don’t have slit eyes!" The boy stuck his tongue out.
"Why you-- "
"Yamero!" Sakamoto-san quickly intervened. Nagano-san, who was still giggling, made Inohara-san sit down.
"Okay Miyake-kun, since you already got our attention, why don’t you introduce yourself?"
Miyake-san stood up. "I’m Miyake Ken," he began proudly. "I joined Johnny’s in 1993, so I’m quite young," he said, looking at Sakamoto-san as he did so.
"I see," Sakamoto-san replied dryly.
"I support recycling," Miyake-san added, "so please, segregate you trash. Thank you!"
"Funny, you don’t look like you can segregate trash," remarked Inohara-san, sarcastic.
Miyake-san made a face and sat down.
Mr. Executive then turned to the tough-looking boy next to me. "Morita-kun?"
Morita-san simply sat up straight and said, "I’m Morita Go." And slumped back to his seat.
"Don’t you want to say anything more?"
"Nope."
"O-kay," Mr. Executive cleared his throat then proceeded. "Now, let’s hear from the newest member of the group," he motioned a hand to me.
Slowly, I got up from my seat. "Um…Hajimemashite. My name is Okada, Okada Jun’ichi…I’m from Osaka and I joined Johnny’s, well, just a few days ago."
"We know," Nagano-san smiled at me. "Omedetou, Okada-kun."
"Yes, welcome to the Johnny’s family," added Sakamoto-san.
"He’s got a pretty big forehead, ne?" Miyake-san remarked and Inohara-san quickly reprimanded him.
"Urusai yo! What do you care about his forehead?"
"Why are you so mad? I’m not talking about you?" Miyake-san shot back.
"You’re being mean to him!"
"I’m not being mean to him," countered the boy, "I just said he’s got a big forehead!"
"Exactly!"
Impatiently, Sakamoto-san scolded them. "Oi! Quit it you two!"
And so, there I was, a normal boy from Osaka who was about to embark on what was probably the biggest and craziest thing that could ever happen in my life.
Will I survive?