Chapter 216: Seasoned Partings II

With Seasoned Hayao heading homeward to Japan, his interaction with the Creeds may have been cut short already for the years to come.

Studio Ghibli would take up the legendary animator's time for quite a while but his mark and contribution to Creed Animations would not be forgotten.

Of course, parting with the seasoned animation veteran was not just the first goodbye this June and the season of summer.

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Summer had come for San Fernando Valley schools and a few others at this time in June.

It wasn't too clear but the influence of the tornado outbreak must have something to do with it as well.

Of course, Alexander could say goodbye to mandatory school for a while and he wasn't complaining much.

It had to be said that he, Alexander Creed, had always been the weird classmate that has special privileges in their class.

He had a lot of leaves and absences that the school condoned but his grades and teacher treatment were stable as usual.

Not a lot of people bothered him though since he hadn't really bothered other people much.

He also happen to have the same name as the name that always appears in their favorite comic book. Since they have the same name, he must be as cool or almost as cool as their Creed idol.

Of course, the situation was ideal for him but maintaining that delicate untouchable balance was quite a hassle to ponder on about.

At least with the school break around, he wouldn't be too worried about his identity being exposed and him being suddenly bombarded by his childish classmates for answers.

He was at ease and happy with the farewells that came with the last day and didn't forget to give Mrs. Montgomery and his 'secret-keeping' faculty some of the BttF premiers invites that may fit their needs.

This group of people had been quite the help in keeping things stable for him and he had to thank them with his 'screenwriter' identity as well.

Well... Mrs. Montgomery still had some leftover May Volume Books that he had to 'autograph'. She was bribe-y 'til the end but her's was relatively harmless as she just wanted mom points from her kids.

With that out of the way, the true school farewells were done by then.

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With everyone heading home with excitement for the no-school summer, Alexander had his exit as well.

Of course, little Milica was not far from him.

"Alex, it's the summer already and I have a lot of free time on a lot of things." Milla proposed as they walked out. "We should work with singing and music and stuff."

"Unfortunately, everything isn't as straightforward as that Milla." Alexander had some regrets as well.

"What's the problem?" The girl was confused. "Grandpa Sullivan secretly told me that you tricked him into registering Creed Music earlier. He said you can't fool him but he still didn't know your final goal at it all. Shouldn't super work-y you be busy with everything music?"

From that inside information of hers, Old Sullivan was quite crafty indeed.

"Well, we could still test some things out with music production..." Alexander hummed. "...but, a lot of complications this June and next July meant that true Creed Music progress might take a while."

"What do you mean?" The girl asked for further clarification but she wasn't liking where everything was going. "I'm supposed to be as busy as you now... how come there are comp-plications?"

"For one, there's the movie." Alexander pointed out. "Grandpa and Creed Entertainment's resources have been tilted to that for many months now. My Creed Music trick to fool grandpa was just squeezing some bits of room from that tight company operation."

He had to do so for his personal anti-acting reasons, of course.

"Then, there's the fact that the major tornado event is still sending waves to American states." Alexander added.

"What does music have to do with that?" Milla was curious. Since she has been interacting with the Creeds, she had become much more inquisitive and critical of things. From Alexander's observation, she was nearing Curious Bob level.

"Music has very much to do with the tornado." Alexander supplemented. "I heard that there is going to be a special Live Aid concert thing."

"It's a concert!" Milla was interested. She's heard of that Live Aide thing from her knowledgeable classmate and some bits of idea on it. "It has singing involved, can I join?! Or... can Creed Music join that?"

"Unfortunately not. It's kind of a music senior monopoly thing. It would be hard for someone like you and something like Creed Music to get involved in." Alexander disliked to break it to her but he had to break it to her. "The established singers like the Madonna type are the ones that have the chance to join. Consequently, it also means that the established music labels and companies are the ones exclusively involved as well."

"But doesn't the Live Aid thing for helping the victims?" The girl reasoned. "I can help by singing."

"Like I said, it is a status and seniority exclusive thing." More ins and outs were provided by her knowledgeable friend. "It intends to help and raise money or whatnot. However, it is charity-like. When charity is brought out, there is always business involved. With business involved, participation must mean that one's share of the benefits is acceptable."

"So... everyone in that Live Aid thing is like you and Grandpa." Milla had readied this word for a while now. "Business-y guys."

"Er... I guess." What an apt description but the explanation must go on. "Although it seems that the 'business-y guys" don't earn much. The awareness and brand recognition of their songs, singers, and companies would be peaked at this glorified but secretly business-y thing. Every other "music" produced or introduced during that time period would be squeezed out from the extreme competition and advertisement."

"In conclusion, Creed Music's debut would be in a bit of a pickle when done during this post-tornado and throughout the Live Aid period." Alexander wrapped things up with that.

The girl hadn't understood some of the terms and meanings that were said but she gripped the bag straps on her shoulders due to the frustration.

Wasn't working together with Alexander too hard? That old lady Cox had a lucky thing going for her. Of course, aside from her pettiness and crush, she still had to look out for her star dreams after all.

Anyways, Milla quickly let go of her frustrations with a sigh. "Nevermind I guess."

"No worries." If it was before, Alexander would never really trouble himself with catering to her worries, however, she was his friend now and a friend must do something to appease. "I only meant that Creed Music would have a troubling market performance but that doesn't mean we can still play around with music together throughout this summer."

"Really?!" Gloom had not enveloped the little girl now.

"Really." The boy just answered her question with its statement form.

Anyways, the little boys and girls that were close to the duo had some weird looks they were using. They didn't grasp much of the conversation but why did it seem that these fellow grade-schoolers were discussing something adult-like and cool.

Not minding much of the stared that was directed their way, the Alex and Milla duo walked on.

They were still exiting from the school premise during this summer rush and little Milla thought of something. "Alex, we weren't classmates this year due to what my mother said as being a rushed transfer and enrolment. Why don't we be classmates in our next grade? Wouldn't it be fun?"

"It would be an interesting thing." Alexander somewhat echoed her classmate sentiment. He had reservations though as her claim to fame might be linked back to him.

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Eventually, the conversation ensued as it could, however, the duo did get into Miss Galina's car and headed straight home.

At least, Alexander parted with the school season and welcome the season of summer.

There was still a lot in stall for him but he was quite thankful to just progress through the school years.

Of course, Alexander didn't forget that this seasoned parting thing seems to be the theme of June 1985 for him.