Yet Another One-shot Repository (New Entry 12/6/23)
Figure it makes more sense for me to have one thread for my one-shots that I can resurrect when I have a new one, rather than clutter the forum with a bunch of tiny topics.
Now with navigation!
Karaoke Night (You Are Here)
25 Years Later...
A Very Student Council Christmas
Sharks and Minnows
Katawa Shoujo: The Musical!
So She Dances
Hokkaido: a Turning Point
Where Are They Now?
Freaks and Friends Super Happy Funtime Christmas Special
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Two Halves Make a Hole
The Death and Return of Niji
Meeting Miki
War Diary 31-10-2007
Three Bits of Silliness
Onsen a Lifetime (Separate Thread)
A Christmas Sketch (Separate Thread)
A Convenient Distraction
Dreams By Firelight
Dear Hisao (Separate Thread)
Samosa Surprise (Separate Thread)
Father Knows Best (Separate Thread)
Just a silly one-shot, and probably not very original, but it's something to get the creative wheels turning...
Karaoke Night
“My, my. That was... interesting.”
“Am I done now?”
What sort of a Karaoke bar even HAS "4'33”" in rotation? I guess it is somewhat appropriate that Rin got that song, in a weird sort of way, but...
As the lights come up, I look down at the sheet of paper. Next up is...
“Emi! It's your turn.”
“Aww... do I have to?”
Please, not the puppy-dog eyes. I would give in, but I can feel Shizune's glare against the back of my head, “We already agreed to this. We each drew straws, and you're next.”
“Well... can I do the same song as Rin?”
“No you can not! Didn't you just-! Rin shouldn't have-! We all agreed to set it on random and take whatever song we were given. You're no exception.”
“All right, but you jerks are the ones that are going to be sorry...”
My god. That was so terrible I think it gave me cancer. If only there were a way to wipe it from my memory...
“Hey, Akira...”
“Sorry, kiddo. All I had was my emergency flask, and that was an emergency,” She shudders involuntarily. I don't blame her.
“Fine, let's continue down the list... Hideaki? It's your turn.”
Hideaki gives me a blank look, “I see.”
Hideaki ended up with some English song. I notice Lilly comforting Hanako... or is it the other way around?
“It-it's okay, Lilly. It was j-just a song.”
“Speaking of it being a song,” I turn my attention back to Hideaki, “You do realize that you're supposed sing when doing Karaoke, right?”
In fairness, his monotone did sort of seem to work.
That same infuriating blank stare, along with a shrug, “I see.”
I glance back at Shizune. She seems to be enjoying herself, having picked a seat right next to the speakers. Misha said that she likes to feel the music.
“Lilly? Looks like you're next.”
“Thank you, Hisao. You realize that I need to actually know the song, though.”
“Right!” Somehow, I had almost forgotten, “It's... Is this even English? 'Maid Gaed Tae the Mill'? Is that a song you know?”
Her expression darkens, “Unfortunately, I am familiar with that one, so I guess I have no choice. Although it is quite convenient that this song came up at a Japanese Karaoke bar, on my turn no less.”
Akira is maintaining a labored appearance of innocence, no doubt exaggerated to a comic degree at Lilly's expense, “Yes, Lilly, there's a massive conspiracy plotting to embarrass you in front of a bunch of friends,” The sarcasm is almost convincing, “We all agreed to this, and we all had to sit through Emi's performance.”
That last comment earns Akira a swift cuff to the shoulder.
With a grimace, Lilly relents, “Fine. At least most of you won't have any idea what's being said...”
Lilly was right. I have no idea what the lyrics mean. I can usually pick up one or two English words, but that was utterly incomprehensible. A little catchy, though...
Akira's wearing a devilish grin, “Now, Lilly, was that so bad?”
“Yes, Akira, it was. Are you happy now? I know you were involved.”
“Dear sister, I have no idea where you would get such an idea.” She's really laying it on thick. She must be really enjoying this.
“I'm sure. Hisao, you're next, right?”
“Huh? Oh, right.” I check the list to make sure. It's me alright. “Another English song?” I guess I can't complain after drawing a hard line for everyone else.
Some song about the weather, from what I could make sense of it. For some reason, Lilly, Akira, and Misha seem to be in on some sort of secret joke.
“Good job, Hisao!”
Well, Emi liked it. Let's hope her taste is better than her singing.
“Yes. snrk Ahem You did a very good job, Hisao.”
I never thought I'd see Lilly snicker. They must be whispering among themselves or something, as Hanako's wearing an amused grin, too. Shizune's laughing silently, too, so Misha must have shared the joke.
“What is it?” I glance down, but my fly's not open, “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Hicchan. No, you were just so... spirited~! Wahahahaha~!”
Okay, now I know something's up.
Emi pats my shoulder, “It's okay, Hisao, I don't get it either.”
Rin pipes in, “The melodic harmonization and chord progression was pleasing. Maybe they find the key of A-flat major funny...”
“Alright!” I shout, perhaps a little too loudly, “Akira, looks like you get to follow up my 'spirited' performance.”
“Yeah, yeah, don't rush me,” she says dismissively, ruffling my hair as she passes, “I've got this covered.”
Another English song. "Smoke Gets in Your Eye". She does a decent job. Not every performance has to be memorable, I guess.
“I guess I was a little off,” Akira shrugs, “That song worked out much better when I did it in Turkey.”
“My, my, another story from that adventure?” Lilly almost looks intrigued. I'll have to remember to ask about that.
“H-Hisao?” I jump. It always startles me a bit when Hanako speaks up on her own, “It's me next, right?”
“Right, your turn.” I glance at the song. High energy J-Pop? I'm not sure I can imagine how Hanako will pull that off... At least it's not another English song...
For four minutes, she transformed. This wasn't the shy, bookish, antisocial Hanako I had come to know. She was very much an idol, with the bright, cheerful singing, the flirtatious manner and gestures, and even a good singing voice, to boot. Of course, the instant the music ended, before the lights were back up, she was already clinging to Lilly as if her life depended on it.
“Um, wow,” Emi sums up the general reaction pretty succintly.
“That's the long and short of it,” Akira chimes in, “She does that every time.”
Hanako's turned a bright red by this point, trying desperately to hide herself behind Lilly's shoulder.
“Okay, Misha, you're up.”
“Okay! Okay, okay~! That's right! It's my turn! My turn! Yay~!”
She seems a bit excited.
Over the Distance? This feels like it will be a train wreck. She'll probably sing well, her voice is pretty musical to begin with, but she seems pretty terrible when it comes to conveying tone.
Taking advantage of the dim lighting, I wipe a tear from my eye. A manly tear, of course. I certainly wasn't expecting that. Everyone else seems to be in an awed silence as well. Needless to say, it's Misha that breaks the silence and the mood.
“Alright~! Okay! Whose turn is it now?”
“Um... well, you were the last one...”
“Yup! So we're starting from the top of the list again~?”
I'm not sure anyone can top those last two performances, or is even willing to try. Besides, that would mean giving Emi a second song.
“Actually,” Lilly cuts in, “It is getting rather late, and this room isn't free, either.”
Good save, Lilly. Misha isn't too thrilled with that, though.
“Aww... I guess you're right. It was fun, though! We should do this again~!”
Yes. Yes, we should. Except for Emi.
