#and michael was haunted by leon because. although leon loved all of his friends and family. his relationship with michael was. different.

[applebunch]

michael was haunted by leon but nica wasn’t... nica not being haunted by leon did not mitigate the suffering she underwent... thinking abt it forever

[alycia-acosta]

𝕋𝕒𝕤𝕜 # 𝟚 - ℍ𝔼𝔸𝔻ℂ𝔸ℕ𝕆ℕ𝕊.

mentions; @camilaleons, @nsvanderbilt

STORIES OF THE HEART WRITTEN ON SKIN.

Aly has a 5 tattoos. (click to view)

‘Michael’ - left rib cage. Michael is Alycia’s older brother who was murdered when she was sixteen. On August 2nd, 2008 she had his name tattooed close to her heart.

‘Te quiero’ - outer right arm. “Te quiero” means I love you in Spanish, specifically the type of love directed at family members and close friends. 

‘Leo Symbol’ - inner left arm, above the elbow. Aly is a Leo, born August 2nd, 1990.

 ‘Hibiscus Flower’ - left ankle. The Hibiscus flower is the official state flower of Puerto Rico. Which is where her family migrated from in the 1970′s.

‘Sea & Sun’ - inner right arm, above the elbow. An ode to Aly’s love of the ocean.

MI HERMANA.

Camila Leons and Alycia meet when Aly was only fifteen. Camila had just immigrated from Cuba to the Miami area. The two girls, both underage at the time, met at a club. They bonded instantly, sharing in shenanigans and different but proud Latina heritages. The Acosta family took Camila in as their own. Feeding, housing, and helping her until she could stand on her own two feet. The entire Acosta family love Camila like their own, but none more than Aly. Before Camila left Miami for Atlanta the girls made a blood pact to always be sisters;  Hermanas de Sangre. When Michael passed, Aly clung even tighter to the only sibling she had left.  No matter the distance the two remain close, visiting with one another on holidays and just because. 

A GIRL WITH A GUN.

Aly's older brother was murdered by a gang banger outside a South Beach club in early May of 2007. Although her family fought for legal justice, the Miami police department did not bring Michael’s killer in. They were told the man who killed Michael was one piece of a much larger organization that the department was working to dismantle. Arresting the perpetrator would only infringe upon their work. This was not an answer Aly could accept. Their had to be justice. Even if she had to enact it herself.

For months Aly sought out Michael’s killer. Ironically, it was at the club where her brother was murdered she found him. He was into her, so she let him be. Every touch made her skin crawl and stomach lurch, but she knew the closer he got the better chance she’d have at getting him. One night, he fell asleep first. Aly grabbed the gangbanger’s gun and held it to his skull. What was supposed to be justice didn’t feel that way. In fact, all Aly felt was fear. Fear of being a monster; just like that thing on the other end of the gun she held. It woke her up from the numbness she’d been experiencing, made her feel alive for the first time since Michael’s death. She walked out of that apartment without any blood on her hands, and the desire to live. To really, truly live, and be present in every moment for her brother who couldn’t. 

After that night Aly decided she needed to leave Miami. Instead of going to Miami University like she’d always planned, she applied to The University of Reno and went there in the fall. It was miles and miles away from all her mistakes and pain, although that time in Aly’s life still haunts her.

FEAR IS NOT A FACTOR.

After a shocking experience in Miami, Aly chose to start living life to the fullest extend and discovered there was no feeling that made her feel more alive than fear. It has led her to do a great number of wild and dangerous things, like; sky diving, wing walking, cage diving with sharks and crocodiles, bungee jumps, volcano sliding, a polar plunge, cliff jumping and scuba diving the Blue Hole in Belize. With even more adventures on her ever growing list, Aly doesn’t intend to stop thrill seeking any time soon.

CAMP WALT WHITMAN.

From 1998 - 2007 Aly attended Camp Walt Whitman in New Hampshire every summer for 7 weeks. The camp was notorious for hosting the children of America’s elite. Like Nicholas Vanderbilt. A person Aly still considers a good friend. Likely why the Acosta’s sent Aly and her brother there, although neither Acosta child cared about making diplomatic relationships. They were both wild, and were even sent home early one summer for what Aly refers to as “the most epic prank ever”. All in all, Aly’s memories of Camp Walt Whitman are happy. She made life long friends and had a blast, but after Michael’s death it wasn’t the same. She stopped going the summer after he died, consumed by the grief all her memories brought.

[arp-ar-performers]

Official Website—Member Profiles

Translations of the artist profiles on the ARP website.

Words in blue are taken from the official English translation. Links have been added for context in the Q&As.

SHINJI

Birthday: December 6th (Sagittarius) / Blood type: A / Height: 178cm / Weight: 60kg / Gender: Male

The son of a famous composer and an opera singer, he received advanced education for playing the violin, ballet, and figure skating from a young age. After graduating from middle school, at the urging of his parents he entered the prestigious artist vocational school ISM (International School of Music) in Yokohama, where he’s remained at the top of his class at school since enrollment. Diligent at everything he attempts, he is the de facto “leader” of ARP. He refers to his fans as “princesses” and “knights”.

Q&A

Favorite international artists: Dirty Loops, Pharrell Williams, Michael Jackson Favorite Japanese artists: Hibari Misora Instruments you can play: Violin, piano Pre-show rituals: Huddling and doing a group cheer Favorite subjects: Music Least favorite subjects: None Favorite school lunch: Omurice (at ISM, they draw a musical note on it with ketchup) Favorite ISM teacher: I don’t like or dislike my teachers Hobbies: Online shopping, cooking, running, and researching Japanese confectionery Talents: Whistling, Internet research Animal you’re most like: Dog Animal you want to have as a pet: I currently have a Boston Terrier named Mimi What you wanted to be when you grew up: Ballet dancer, Takoyaki chef Favorite season: Beginning of winter Favorite movies/animation: Kingsmen, and I’ve also recently gotten into American superhero and sci-fi movies Favorite ramen flavor: Salty Favorite sweets: Freshly ground convenience store coffee, chocolate mint frappes, and handmade traditional Japanese confectionery Favorite onigiri filling: Eggs and ground beef Favorite oden ingredient: Eggs and radishes Favorite type of girl: Someone who likes me, and adores me more than anyone else in the world Least favorite type of girl: I can’t think of anything Favorite hairstyle on girls: Whatever suits them Favorite clothing for girls: Whatever suits them, and also long knit sleeves during winter Gifts you give to girls: Bouquets of roses and dahlias How you spend your days off: Cooking, taking Mimi for walks, going home to my family Favorite amusement park rides: Merry-go-rounds and spinning teacups Events you often go to: Any sort of opera Everyday clothing: GUCCI, YSL, Ron Herman Sleepwear: Silk pajamas, though sometimes I fall asleep in my bathrobe Cologne used: CHANEL No5 L’eau First thing you do after waking up: Take a shower What you would bring to a deserted island: A chef First love: A girl in my ballet class

DAIYA (REBEL CROSS)

Birthday: August 7th (Leo) / Blood type: O / Height: 187cm / Weight: 71kg / Gender: Male

A member of the duo “REBEL CROSS.” His real name is Daiya (大哉). DAIYA was raised at an institution after losing his parents at a young age. While in elementary school, he was invited by his close friend RAGE to form the indie band CROSS BONE. In addition to being the vocalist, he was also the band’s guitarist. He won 1st place at the International Street Dance Competition. He personally designs ARP’s clothing, accessories, and merchandise. He is good at all sports, and serves the role as the team’s “older brother”.

Q&A

Favorite international artists: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Qemists, Eminem, Jazzy Jeff, and many more Favorite Japanese artists: I don’t really listen to them Instruments you can play: Guitar Pre-show rituals: Polishing my costume's accessories Favorite subjects: PE, Art, Calligraphy Least favorite subjects: Math, anything related to history, Japanese Favorite school lunch: Don’t care, I always just choose curry Favorite ISM teacher: My calligraphy teacher Hobbies: All types of designing Talents: Dancing, doing backflips Animal you're most like: A cow (according to RAGE) Animal you want to have as a pet: An otter or a cat What you wanted to be when you grew up: A superhero Favorite season: Summer Favorite movies/animation: Marvel movies, The Matrix, John Wick Favorite ramen flavor: Pork bone and soy Favorite sweets: I rarely eat sweets, although sweet red bean soup is alright Favorite onigiri filling: Pickled plums Favorite oden ingredient: Konjac Favorite type of girl: Girls with some volume (softness is important) Least favorite type of girl: Girls who use too many fake eyelashes Favorite hairstyle on girls: Long and glossy hair Favorite clothing on girls: Vintage accessories with denim, shorts, short skirts in general, fishnet stockings Gifts you give to girls: Handmade accessories How you spend your days off: Going to instrument stores, shopping for jeans, cleaning and doing laundry, playing video games (WWE/Spiderman) Favorite amusement park rides: Rollercoasters and haunted houses Events you often go to: Pro wrestling and martial arts matches, though lately I've also been watching basketball games Everyday clothing: T-shirt with jeans Sleepwear: Jersey (although I sleep in my underwear during the summer) Cologne used: If worn I use Verveine by L’Occitane First thing you do after waking up: Gargle What you would bring to a deserted island: A fishing rod and Rage First love: My kindergarten teacher

RAGE (REBEL CROSS)

Birthday: August 23rd (Virgo) / Blood type: AB / Height: Private / Weight: Private / Gender: Private

A member of the duo “REBEL CROSS.” Their real name is Reiji (怜士). At age 14, they teamed up with their best friend DAIYA to form the dual-vocalist indie band CROSS BONE, considered to be the predecessor to REBEL CROSS. They became known as the “prize winner” after they won various contests. They were then scouted by AR Productions and signed under the condition of attending ISM. They earn excellent grades in school. They are vehemently opposed to losing. They also work on song production. They refer to their fans as “sub-members.”

Q&A

Favorite international artists: RAGE (REBEL CROSS) Favorite Japanese artists: RAGE (REBEL CROSS) Instruments you can play: Guitar Pre-show rituals: Touch an Ise Shrine charm Favorite subjects: Japanese Least favorite subjects: Cartography Favorite school lunch: Pancake plate (with bananas) Favorite ISM teacher: The lunch lady Hobbies: Living Talents: There’s nothing I’m bad at Animal you’re most like: Cat Animal you want to have as a pet: Any animal What you wanted to be when you grew up: RAGE Favorite season: I'm not a fan of hot weather Favorite movies/animation: The Harry Potter series Favorite ramen flavor: Super carb-heavy ramen (primarily for its cost-effective performance) Favorite sweets: Awkeotsang figs, convenience store sweets, Chinese almond jelly, Japanese parfait Favorite onigiri filling: Red rice and red roe (because they're red) Favorite oden ingredient: Eggs and kelp Favorite type of girl: All girls who love me should be my lovers Least favorite type of girl: Girls who won’t admit that they love me Favorite hairstyle on girls: Pigtails Favorite clothing on girls: Short pants and miniskirts with slit leggings Gifts you go to girls: Ladurée macarons and Échiré candy How you spend your days off: I’m on 365 days a year, I don’t take holidays Favorite amusement park rides: Bumper cards, labyrinths, solving riddles, escape rooms Events you often go to: Musicals Everyday clothing: Nothing looks bad on me (Daiya says jerseys are fundamental) Sleepwear: In my birthday suit (though sometimes I'm in clothes) Cologne used: Cotton candy First thing you do after waking up: Open my eyes What you would bring to a deserted island: Guitar First love: Everyone who loved me

LEÓN

Birthday: March 1st (Pisces) / Blood type: B / Height: 176cm / Weight: 60kg / Gender: Male

LeOn was born in Kobe, Japan to a Japanese father and Brazilian mother. He left home to enter Yokohama’s ISM, where he lives in the student dorms. It wasn’t long before his remarkable 4-octave vocal range and model-like appearance caught the attention of AR Production. He wrote the lyrics and music himself for FANTASISTA. Part of his appeal comes from the stark contrast between his reserved off-stage demeanor and high-energy performances. He refers to his fans as “tantan” and “tantan men”. He is in charge of the “Brief Glimpses” on ARP’s official Instagram account.

Q&A

Favorite international artists: Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson Favorite Japanese artists: Chris Hart, Seiko Matsuda, Mr. Children Instruments you can play: A little bit of guitar, digital music Pre-show rituals: Singing and dancing by myself Favorite subjects: Music, PE Least favorite subjects: Art (I have no artistic sense) Favorite school lunch: Fried pork with ginger (good for the throat) Favorite ISM teacher: My PE teacher Hobbies: Dancing, daydreaming, watching soccer Talents: Knowing trivia about staying healthy, singing girls’ songs Animal you’re most like: Meerkat Animal you want to have as a pet: Turtle (I used to have one) What you wanted to be when you grew up: A soccer player Favorite season: Summer Favorite movies/animation: Toy Story, soccer manga and anime Favorite ramen flavor: Pork bone Favorite sweets: Sofuol yogurt, Country Ma’am cookies, cream puffs, key lime pie Favorite onigiri filling: Chicken mixed with vegetables Favorite oden ingredient: Glutinous rice inside fried tofu Favorite type of girl: Nearby girls Least favorite type of girl: Crude girls Favorite hairstyle on girls: Energetic hairstyles and ponytails Favorite clothing on girls: Anything fluffy Gifts you give to girls: Clothing How you spend your days off: Clothes shopping, watching soccer on TV, visiting Rebel Cross, debugging Furefure Favorite amusement park rides: Freefall rides, haunted houses, carts or segways that go fast Events you often go to: Any sort of concerts, soccer matches Everyday clothing: A parka over a t-shirt Sleepwear: Fleece in winter and a t-shirt with shorts in summer Cologne used: Ultramarine First thing you do after waking up: Stretch in bed What you would bring to a deserted island: DAIYA—he can cook and fight animals First love: The girl who sat next to me in elementary school