Although Yoshiki entered the best school in Tateyama, his hostile attitude toward teachers and school norms of behavior had not changed. As if in contrast to the disciples, who observed the school rules, his clothes and hair became more defiant, the behavior had worsened, which led to numerous conflicts.
On the first day during the enter ceremony Yoshiki attracted the attention of the whole school. When he was summoned to the scene, the teacher scolded him sharply for the appearance and hit him in front of all school students gathered in the gym. But even after that Yoshiki, unwilling to accept the decision of the teachers had not changed any clothing or hairstyle.
He wore a long, almost to the knees, jacket with a bright lining, his eyebrows were plucked, and hair dyed red. Of course, it was a violation of all rules. Only one thought, which was difficult to understand from the standpoint of common sense, pulsed in his head: "To break all the rules established by adults."
Teachers and other students in this school, faced with an unheard of behavior, only whispered: "How could the one like him enter Awa high school?" Feeling gazes, Yoshiki hardened even more. Often, an internal discontent, which had become much stronger since secondary school, flared in him.
An appeal was born in his heart, and shortly after the start of the academic year, he visited all 11th classes of the first year of study with the call: "All who are dissatisfied, come out! Let's stay together! "
But Awa High School was different from the secondary school, where Yoshiki studied before, and there was not even one unsatisfied here. Moreover, members of the popular sports club watched his antics with discontent. Strong and resolute athletes started to curb his aggressive behavior.
Yoshiki had not found friends at school, and his interest in the study was completely lost. He often slept or stared absently out the window during the lessons. When he grew weary of it, he jumped up abruptly and slamming the door, ran out of class. He often got it hot from teachers for the broken chairs and tables. Most of the students at school dreaming of entering the prestigious universities were unable to understand the motives of Yoshiki completely.
Mother of Yoshiki, who did not recognize any control over himself, had been summoned to school from the very beginning of the school year. And it happened more than once or twice. Summons to school became commonplace.
Yoshiki felt quite a stranger among the other students that were fully immersed in learning activities and sports. He began looking for his level outside the school and often skipped classes. Although he maintained relations with a childhood friend Toshimitsu, but he joined the volleyball team and was constantly engaged in training. Of course, his life was very different from the full of conflicts Yoshiki's life. In the end, not seeing anything but boredom in school life, Yoshiki began to spend his time in the company of bullies, with whom he began to smoke ever since high school. There were guys in this company, who entered other schools or got jobs, as well as bikers. Among them there were those who had never worked and never studied. Usually they gathered near Tateyama Station. Yoshiki, spending his days in this company did not resemble a student who had just entered a good school at all. It seemed that he could not move up to the next grade.
Long jacket, dyed red hair, smoking and scandals.
Considered to be a bully, Yoshiki did not acknowledge the slightest control.
Ultimately, because of his catchy appearance his name became known among students of other schools, rumors about the bully unseen at Awa School before began to spread. Having friends in bad company of Tateyama, he would often run into fights. Hearing rumors of Yoshiki, the students from other schools were coming to the gates of the school Awa, waiting for his arrival.
"Hey, is that you, Hayashi from Awa School? Why are you dressed up so flamboyant? "- They shouted, seizing him by the skirts of bright jacket. Not having any opportunity to resolve the case peacefully, Yoshiki never wavered, and answered:
"Want to fight - here you are!"
Sometimes there were one-to-one fights, but sometimes he had to face multiple attackers. Sometimes, seeing that Yoshiki was picking up the gauntlet, they ran away, but he was often beaten as well. Other students at sight of a suddenly started before the school gates fight only trembled and watched from the sidelines. But Yoshiki, was determined that whatever happened, he would never give up. Of course, to avoid a fight, he could get out of school through the service entrance, but his pride would not let him do it. No matter how many enemies were expected him, no matter how strong they were, he always went through the main gate. His fists were often smashed, his face swelled, and blood dripped from the smashed nose and lips. But each time, once on the ground, Yoshiki immediately re-raised and had never escaped. So he passed for "terribly strong in the fight", and the fame of Hayashi from Awa School began to spread even faster.
15-year-old Yoshiki was physically strong, and a painful childhood seemed somehow unreal. Although food allergies had not passed, but running and numerous fights had made his body sturdy, and all numerous wounds healed on it very quickly.
But Yoshiki was obliged by getting physical strength not only to fight, but judo, which started at the same time he entered school. The fact was that Awa School had a tradition of training boys any form of martial arts. You could choose kendo (sword fighting) or judo, Yoshiki chose judo.
There were trainings in winter also. Yoshiki had spent time with friends till midnight, and early in the morning his friend came and woke him, and forcing him to eat a little bread, dragged half-asleep Yoshiki on training.
During the training sessions, where techniques were perfected randomly, all sempai from sports teams, were unanimously choosing cheeky Yoshiki as a partner. He had no opportunity to oppose their skills and regularly found himself on the ground, but compared to the fights these lessons even gave enjoyment.
Sometimes there were fights with sensei. The first time Yoshiki had just started to defend, but immediately flew to the ground and strangled at the neck, lost consciousness. However, he had not quit training. And next time, carrying out the defense and well-mastered technique, he was able to score a point.
Yoshiki became seriously interested in judo, but most of all he was attracted by motorcycles. After racing on the bike, he could forget about the grim reality.
When the summer ended and the second semester started, students became accustomed to the unusual nature of Yoshiki. They saw not just a bully, but a person with unusual powers in him. They often went to him for advice when problems arose with the guys from other schools, fights, or extortion. Yoshiki often acted as a mediator in conflicts between guys. "I'd like our school not to have fights. If you have problems, I will help to sort them out. "Not a single person could ignore this Yoshiki's request.
Now, having won the trust of schoolmates, Yoshiki could analyze his behavior in the first days of school when he ran through all classes, shouting defiant words. Of course, the athletes saw it as a threat to order and responded hostile to his aggressive behavior. Now, acknowledging past delusions, he understood it clearly.
Yoshiki arranged home parties, inviting students from his school, not from his usual company. He decided to change his aggressive behavior. A few dozen people were gathering at Yoshiki's place, and gradually he finally joined the school team.
Although the relationship with boys had improved, problems with teachers still remained. This also affected the attitude of Yoshiki to rock music.
In autumn during their first year of study the band Noise performed at the culture festival the cover versions of popular songs in the style of hard rock.
A week before the holiday Yoshiki gathered group for intensified rehearsals in anticipation of opportunities to show their new repertoire. And so on the feast day there were more than a thousand spectators in the school gym. The band appeared on stage and dashingly performed the songs of Led Zeppelin, Rainbow and UFO, triggering a huge delight of those present. Wonderful drumming of Yoshiki, Toshimitsu’s clear sounding voice - all this caused a storm of applause and cheers. Looking at the short-haired Toshimitsu, a member of the volleyball team, who would have thought that he was capable of such a bright performance. And the drums and guitar, and bass - all the instruments sounded remarkably smoothly. Sempai, who heard the group's performance, jumped up at once and did not stop cheering. Hearing the noise, the other disciples rushed there, so cram-full room began to look like a real concert hall, embraced with general enthusiasm.
After the end of the performance had not yet cool down from the excitement Yoshiki suddenly was summoned to the exit by the members of the other rock band. They were disciples of the third class, who saw a bright performance of NOISE and began to express Yoshiki unfair criticisms:
"You here, with your hard rock, spoil the whole thing to us?"
This group performed the songs of «Yokohama Ginbae». (Japanese rock band from the early 80's).
"Why do we care?"
After listening to nonsensical claim, Yoshiki started to quarrel. But even during the fight he had a feeling of superiority. Wow, they were so good that another band was envy. Cheering of the audience lit a fire and the dream of new performance in his heart.
After the concert, Yoshiki said to his classmates. "It's great that our performance made such an impression on everyone. We still have to exercise more and learn more complex songs. "
And even though the festival ended with a fight, Yoshiki was glad to the very roots of his being with successful performance on the stage. His goal was a performance of the band at the next school culture festival. However, the school leadership reacted negatively to rock music and did not permit to do this. It was believed that enthusiasm for rock music was equivalent to bad behavior, and it was said to other team members who were serious students: "Oh, you are the same as Hayashi!"Yoshiki considered it inadmissible that performance at the festival as part of a rock band could affect the reputation of the members that much. He himself was quite indifferent to what people said about him. Moreover, drumming with incredible speed and feeling the jubilation unknown before, he was amazed as to why other people could not understand the music.
He drummed, reaching the limits of physical strength, so that eventually he played in unison with the heart beats. Sweat ran down over the body, breathing became difficult, everything narrowed in a straight line before his eyes, so that he could not understand where he was at that moment.
When Yoshiki accelerated the utmost speed on his bike, he felt such a joy, as if in spite of gravity he could soar into the sky. The same feeling took possession of him while playing drums, which gave the way out for energy flows raged in him.
Yoshiki maintained friendly with a wide range of different people - from company thugs to diligent students seeking to enter the state university. Sometimes, willing to strike up a fight students from other schools were waiting for him at the gates of the school, and after a festival, girls, who became his admirers started to gather there. So Yoshiki was not sure what to expect this time - another fight or a date, but he adapted easily to any situation.
Busy all the time Yoshiki often returned home only at night. But in his absence old friends from secondary school, bikers and shirkers, who gathered there, as if in a public club, stayed in his room. They silently passed on to the second floor, shut in a room and conducted endless conversations or listened to the records with rock music from Yoshiki's collection.
When the owner returned, the quantity of people grew even more; sometimes the room was crowded with 40-50 people. Endless noise did not stop, neither at day time nor at night, which totally exasperated Yoshiki's mother. She demanded that guests should return home early and did not come freely when they want, and chock-full with crowds. "In the end, a chandelier will fall down from the ceiling soon"- she added.
Yoshiki decided to make a day-schedule for friend's visits, but it was useless, as the number of visitors grew, and his mother's anxiety did not lessen.
Of course, she was not anxious because of the chandelier. Yoshiki's grades at school were very low and his move to the next class became problematic.
Teachers told Yoshiki that he had been the second of the worst students since the foundation of the school .The worst student was expelled, and teachers believed that the same future was waiting for Yoshiki.
At that time the form master from secondary school who had heard about bad grades and worried about the fate of the student had been visiting the house of Yoshiki. He tried to talk to Yoshiki and gave advice distracted mother, but Yoshiki listened to no one. Somehow he managed to pass the exam and moved on to the next grade. He painted his hair green and went on to lead a free life.
However, Yoshiki could not regain the trust of teachers, especially because of the constant involvement in brawls.
Each time after a fight wounds looked pretty scary, but after that healed, leaving no traces.
The same thing happened during a motorcycle accident.
Yoshiki once rode a motorcycle around town along with one friend. Suddenly he began to ask Yoshiki to allow him to drive. Yoshiki let him go forward, and moved to the back seat. But his friend was inexperienced and, turning around the corner at high speed, lost control, crashed into the side of the road and overturned. At hit Yoshiki was tossed high into the air, but falling on the ground, he immediately tucked as was taught in judo training, and landed without getting a single scratch. Meanwhile, his friend hit hard all over the ground and was lying near the wrecked bike, screaming in pain. Helping a friend, Yoshiki was saying in a stern voice:
"What are you doing? Broke somebody else's bike! Well, take a back seat, quickly. "
Although the bike was damaged, but Yoshiki managed to start the engine and brought moaning in pain friend to his home. In a room Yoshiki lit a cigarette, and pale comrade incessantly complained of pain.
"Well, if it hurts that much, nothing can be done, we must go to the hospital."
Medical examination and X-ray showed that his friend had fractures in ten places.
After this incident, Yoshiki, who did not get any scratches, passed for "immortal."
Now Yoshiki, who knew no fear, was respected even more among hooligan companies.
Soon his name once again was mentioned in connection with the scandal during a city festival.
On that day, Yoshiki left school early and went for a walk around the city. Due to the unusual length of his clothes several times he was stopped by police:
"What are you doing here? And in clothes like this? "
"I do nothing. Just watching a holiday. "
However, in a very short time, these words had been disproved. Out of nowhere, unfamiliar high school students appeared. A fight broke out, the forces were unequal, and Yoshiki beaten, lost his consciousness right in the middle of the street were traffic was blocked during the holiday. Fortunately, Koki was passing by accidentally; he was returning from school, and saw his elder brother, lying among the crowd of people. Generally, in terms of Koki, who studied in the 6th grade of elementary school, elder brother led a special life that excited admiration, mingled with fear.
Seventeen year old Yoshiki, despite the concerns of others, entirely abandoned his studies and was carried away with band renewal. In the second year of high school members of NOISE, except Yoshiki and Toshimitsu, began to prepare vigorously for university studies. Therefore, Yoshiki decided to disband the team, and along with Toshimitsu started to think about the creation of a new one. Thinking of hard rock, Yoshiki wanted to play music of IRON MAIDEN, which originated in London in 1976 and played heavy metal music. Yoshiki constantly listened to the first and the second albums of this group and was delighted with fast tempo and energetic changing melodies. Heavy riffs and punk vocals, vibrant show - all this brought great popularity and international recognition to the band as the representatives of a new wave of British heavy metal. Specifics of the band were their riffs performed by two lead guitars. Therefore, Yoshiki, creating a new group, wanted to have two lead guitars as well, and appealed to the youngsters, who had a good technique of guitar playing.
In summer of 1982 Yoshiki gathered members and organized the new group. This was the third group, where Yoshiki was the leader.
First of all, Yoshiki offered rare, striking name for the new band:
"What do you think about X?"
The rest waited for him to continue in silence.
"Recently, many groups with long names appeared, but during performances at festivals and competitions short word, placed in the advertisement immediately be evident."
Yoshiki consulted a dictionary and explained that the word X is not only the 24th letter of the alphabet, but had also a full set of other meanings.
"X represents an unknown number, unknown phenomena, and unlimited possibilities."
After this explanation of Yoshiki there were no objection, and the band name was adopted. The band members began to discuss the debut at the next festival of culture.
Aspiring to a new sound, Yoshiki renewed his drum kit, adding cymbals and drums.
Absorbed in the affairs of the band, Yoshiki began skipping dates with his girlfriend. When she came to a head and asked bluntly: "Who is more important to you - me or music?"- He replied: "Of course, music." "Why do I need a girl, that prevents spending time with the band"-he thought.
Yoshiki spent even more time drumming. During this time he began to think about the performance of original works. He began to write down the tunes, which popped up in his head. Then he found lyrics to them, trying to write down things that were whispered by the voice of his inner self.
The first song composed by Yoshiki for X, was the song I'LL KILL YOU.
At first the lyrics was written in Japanese, then Yoshiki translated it into English, asking classmates for an advice about especially difficult part.
Rereading completed lines many times, Yoshiki wondered how they revealed his identity. The song was called "I'll kill you", and in fact these words were addressed to his alter ego. Yoshiki never confessed anyone to the dark feelings that were hidden in the depths of his soul.
Yoshiki transcribed notes many times for Toshimitsu and other members of the band, and then immediately rehearsals began. Following the instructions of Yoshiki, the musicians created unified sound, feeling an unprecedented enthusiasm.
At that time, infatuated by the participation in the band, Yoshiki joined yet another group, which included classmates from Awa School. It was called GENIUS, and its members, although intended to enter universities, played music as a hobby. There were many people among the students who, along with preparation for exams played guitar little at a time, but there were almost no drummers, therefore, Yoshiki was often invited to play in other groups. During this time he agreed to play in the group Genius. Becoming its leader, Yoshiki took part in the next festival, performing covers of famous rock bands. Now he was completely absorbed in both groups’ rehearsals, doing arrangements for songs and stage sets as well.
Thus, during the autumn festival of culture Yoshiki appeared on stage as a member of two bands - X, performing original songs, and GENIUS, performing cover songs in the style of hard rock.
New drum kit surrounded Yoshiki at 360 degrees. Just seeing such a magnificent setting, the audience burst into shouts of joy. Of course, Yoshiki became the hero of the holiday. When Toshimitsu sang I'LL KILL YOU, the hall exploded with stormy prolonged applause. Members of the band, excited by a warm response, felt an unspeakable glee. And Yoshiki clearly felt that it was totally different feeling in comparison to even the strongest emotions that occurred during fights or trips on the bike.
Rock music, friends, and X were the most important things in the life of Yoshiki. However, in early 1983 he had to wake up from a long sleep, and pay attention to reality. All classmates were intensively prepared for entrance exams on weekdays and weekends. Only Yoshiki had not yet found his way after graduation. And although he made a habit of asking friends: why do people live, what is the meaning of life- but it was not necessary for him to really think about the long human life. However, the next school year was the last, so it was impossible to avoid the pressing issue, which was aroused by the life itself: "What to do next?"
To spend time pointless with his friends near Tateyama station or aimlessly sit at home - Yoshiki dismissed these opportunities immediately. If it was difficult to speculate about the future in general, one could think over just tomorrow day. The result of thinking was following:
"Although I live for the day, but I am sorry for my mother who worries about me. Well, that means holiday is over. I must think about the university seriously. "
Thinking about these things, Yoshiki sat at the piano to calm down his heart.
Dropping music lessons in the third grade of secondary school, Yoshiki resumed his studies at the end of the first year of high school. No matter which fights he participated in, no matter how much time he spent in the company of bikers, but he continued piano lessons in spite of everything.
After weighing the possibilities, he realized that there was nothing better than a piano.
"I certainly will become a pianist."
Suddenly making this statement to his mother, Yoshiki, starting from the third year of high school, moved from science course to humanities to prepare for the entrance exams to the university and resumed serious music lessons.
He announced gravely to numerous friends who were gathering at his home, that he would prepare for exams, and daily meetings would have to stop.
"I'm going to enter the university. Now I need time to study profoundly. "
Hearing about these changes, friends were amazed, but when they realized the seriousness of his intentions, they were forced to accept it. But not only friends were surprised at the changes occurred. Teachers could hardly believe that Yoshiki seriously took up the study and preparation for exams, but then sighed with relief.
In order to enter the music institute, it was necessary to study special subjects. To prepare for the exams Yoshiki visited professional pianist who lived in the city of Chiba twice a week, which took him three hours together with the journey-time.
Classes were not limited to the actual piano playing. They included the so-called sol-fa (the ability to hear sounds and write them down with notes correctly), the ability to sing from the sheet music, composition rules, and numerous other exercises. Also an important part of training and exercises was a choir singing from the book by Franz Werner called "Exercises for Choir", published on the basis of works of German composers of the 19th century, which often became the subject of exams.
From the very beginning, Yoshiki showed wonderful degree of skills during sol-fa exercises and playing from sheet music, which surprised the teacher, who was former professional pianist.
Sometimes, Yoshiki, often involved in fights, came to class with broken and bandaged hands, but there was nothing that could weaken his desire to play music.
In summer he also attended preparatory courses for applicants, which were opened on the basis of the Faculty of Arts at the university.
Possessing excellent skills, Yoshiki immediately chose the appropriate universities. First on the list were The Musashino Music University, Toho Gakuen Music High School, and the Faculty of Arts at the University of Japan. At public universities, such as the Faculty of Arts at the University of Tokyo, the examination subjects were significantly different from private schools, so they had to be rejected right away.
To make up for two lost years, Yoshiki started to study persistently.
Sometime after the start of serious preparations for the exams at the university Yoshiki received the tragic news. His close friend died in a motorcycle crash.
Since the days of high school being just a common pupil, this boy became a close friend of Yoshiki and shared with him the company of troubled guys. He had been visiting Yoshiki every day, and they spent all the time together riding motorbike around the city on their own. At the request of a friend Yoshiki gave him his bike but he, on his own negligence, had an accident and died. Together with a friend in the backseat, they drove at high speed without helmets. The one that was in the back seat was taken to hospital in an unconscious state and was in a coma.
Attending the funeral, Yoshiki could not believe the sudden death of a friend. He could not utter a word and then, a few days after the funeral, he came to visit friend's parents.
"If our son was not your friend, he would be alive today" - these words pierced the heart of Yoshiki. He often thought that someday he would suffer a tragic end, associated with riding a motorcycle. No matter how many times he did come out of all the accidents without a scratch, someday he would die in a crash. And he accepted this potential future. It was not he who died, but his not suspecting anything friend. Thinking about his death, Yoshiki suddenly clearly realized that he was still alive. No matter how hot blood was excited riding a bike, I would not ride again. "Why was his life interrupted and not mine?" Yoshiki, who was not afraid of death, but continued to live, kept on blaming himself.
By the second semester of the third year Yoshiki completely walked away from life in a hooligan company. But he often wondered whether his decision to enter Music University was right. Of course, it was good to play the piano every day, especially, if not to give up rock music.
Passionate drumming and lyrics for original songs, written from the bottom of his heart, sounded in his soul. Nevertheless, he did not come up with the idea of becoming a professional rock musician.
Yoshiki, who was always choosing his own path freely, naturally chose to enter the music institute, at his age of 17.
Since the day his friend had died Yoshiki became a sober-minded realist.
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