Just passing by [open]

Daiki sat on one of the benches in Hayabusa Park. He was content to watch the people passing by him, going along their way and living their life. There were some children playing with each other, adults just seeming to walk through, and a variety of animals going back and forth. He just stared at everything happening, for once in his life, not saying a word. Occasionally, he stared at one person for so long that they would give him a skeptic look and hurry away.

After a while, he threw up his hands in defeat and went to lying down on the bench. He took up the entirety of it when he stretched out his legs. He closed his eyes and listened to the world pass by around him. His boredom was piqued with the passing quiet, so he began singing frere Jacques. It definitely made him seem insane, but even more so when he switched over to London bridge. He had to fight boredom somehow.

Hayabusa Park was like a winter wonderland. So beautiful and pure! Marah walked down one of the various paths with a small shopping back in his left and and his right on his hip. As he walked, he would wave to various people and give a kind smile. He didn't know them, but he did enjoy the presence of others around the area. As he continued, he came across the feint beauty of a song. Walking over to the origin of the song, Marah found a young man lying upon the bench. //"Singing out for the world to hear? That's pretty amazing and bold. You have a real talent for it."// Marah gave a soft smile as he spoke with a light tone. Bowing his head, he'd show the utmost respect. //"I apologize for interrupting your moment. My name is Marah B. I heard your song on my way home, so I figured I'd come find the source."// The young man gave an easy grin as a sort of twinkle was shown beneath his yellow iris. He'd take this time to walk to the backside of the bench and lean against it so he was looking down at the mysterious male. //"Do you usually sing to yourself, or is it practice for something much bigger?"// It may have seemed strange for a sudden stranger to strike up a conversation as if they had known each other for far longer. But talking to someone was better than just being alone, right? No one liked being alone in this beautiful world of wonder. There was just no way.

Daiki’s eyes opened when he heard someone speak to him. It was a stranger. He must have been bold to talk to someone he didn’t know. Daiki was a fan of bold, “There is no need to apologize. People meet people by interrupting one moment or another. So glad you decided to interrupt this moment, Marah.” He sat up on the bench, “I am Daiki Tanaka and those where just old nursery rhymes, nothing special, unless you have important memories tied to them. Do you?” He waved his hand in the air, “That’s beside the point. You said you were going home, so I assume you live around here and have super hearing. That leads me to wonder if you like music or something. That would be quite a wonderful thing to like. Music is supposed to be the language of the world, after all. Or maybe that’s something else. Music was never my strong suit.”

Marah placed his hand on his chest and gave it some thought when asked if those nursery rhymes had any past meaning to him. //"Actually, I never heard either of them. Nor do I really remember if they were important to me or not. That's strange."// He looked to the side and then back towards Tanaka with a smile. //"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tanaka-kun. You seem so wise to catch on that I am an avid fan of music."// Marah gave a smile as he scratched his head and gave a slight life. //"I'm not much of a singer, but I do play the piano and the drums. I'm only decent with the drums, but I guess I could say I am alright when playing the piano. I totally agree with you, too. Music is quite beautiful! I simply love it! Just another wonder of this lovely world we live in"// Marah struck a pose like that of an actor in a play, as he looked towards the sun with glistening eyes. //"Though music may not be your strong suit, surely there are songs that bring you happiness, Tanaka-kun."// Taking this moment the blonde boy sat down next to him on the bench and reached into his bag. He'd remove a bag of chips and hold it up towards Tanaka. //"Are you hungry? You can have this, I think I bought too much. Don't take this as a bribe or anything to make you stay and talk to me, haha."//

Marah stretched his arms forward as if he were placing them on the keys of a piano, and then he would begin to sway left and right slightly. //"Many people play the piano because it's suppose to make you refined and smarter, I heard. But I believe the true geniuses are the people who compose music simply for the beauty of it. Good or bad, as long as it makes the player happy, that should be good enough for anyone."// He lowered his hands to his lap and look at Daiki with an easy grin. //"So Tanaka-kun, what brings you happiness, if you don't mind me asking?"//

He nodded as Marah spoke, “Music sooths the savage beast. That’s what they say, at least. It may be true, or it may just be an old wives’ tale. You could probably tell me someday. Though, I suppose that depends on the song and the person playing it.” He smiled, “I must agree that it is part of the reason this world is so beautiful. Well, that and the trees and the animals and the flowers and the people…” He stopped himself before he became too sidetracked. Marah then brought up songs that may bring him happiness. He shrugged, “Never thought about it. I just like beautiful music. Actually, I just like beautiful things.” He held up his hand politely, saying he didn’t want any chips, “You don’t have to bribe me to stay. You appear to be able to keep my attention. I mean that in the nicest possible way.”

When Marah began to sway back and forth, Daiki stared at him with concern, until he realized what he was going, “Do you want to make music? It would seem like a noble pursuit for anyone to have. If you love music, then that pursuit becomes even better. Who knows, perhaps you could be the next composer.” He stared out at the white wonderland as he was asked what made him happy. He pointed at a random person walking by, “His outfit does not compliment his figure or look. He already has broad shoulders and his coat is so bulky on him that it makes him look even bigger. He would do better to wear something a tad thinner.” He looked at his companion, “That is what makes me happy. Clothing is a good way for people to express who they are and to show off their better features. I also like flora, but the snow has killed those off at this moment.”

“I don’t think humans could hear the whales singing. I personally believe it was the crickets chirping that inspired the first song for humans. Think about it, the rhythm and beat must have stirred something inside of them. It probably wasn’t that good of a song, but the first of anything is never perfect. If it was, it would be hard to make anything else after it.” The way he spoke made it unclear if he was serious or not, “I believe we just need to love this world and everything will work out. Of course, not everyone will get along, but that doesn’t change that we live in such a lovely place. I think your obsession can be forgiven just this once. Don’t you agree?” He leaned back on the bench and then forward again for no apparent reason, “Someday I’ll have to see your works of art. I’m interested in seeing what you make when the blank canvas is in front of you.”

“I know everyone has a different style and it is their right as individuals to choose how the express themselves. I just have a guilty pleasure for when people decide to wear something that not only suits their personality but also makes them look outstanding.” He looked at Marah and eyed him over, “You look very attractive. I’m sure some lovely woman has a secret crush on you.” He chuckled at his own comment. When he brought up clothing in his fashion, Daiki shook his head, “Not at all. I just grow them in my house and make them into ‘potions’. People love that stuff and someone selling them makes them feel better.”

“If it means anything to you, you’ve already succeeded in making my day more than a little better. I believe that is proof of what keeping an open mind and heart can do.” Daiki smiled, “I can’t wait to see the art that you make. If it’s as beautiful as the love you express for humanity and the world, it must rival the works of legends. Even if it’s abstract it must be able to move the hearts of men, monsters, and gods alike. Of course, I always assume that people will show themselves in what they care most about. In your case, that just means that it’s abstract art.”

When Marah explained that he wanted to love everyone , Daiki couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t mean for it to be rude. He thought it was cute, like a puppy, “Who knows? There could be someone out there who thinks you are the man of their dreams. Regardless, it seems like a wonderful idea to love everyone and everything. As for the potions, it depends what you want.” He gave a smirk with his statement, making it unclear if he was even suggesting he could make one for Marah.

It was a strange urge, but Daiki suddenly wanted to pat this person on the head. So he reached his hand out to Marah and did just that, “I’m sure I could fall for you too, if I weren’t distracted by all this world’s lovely women. There are just too many to pick from and they each have their own special traits that make them so desirable. Some have to voices of angels, others the delicate features of goddesses, some even have a look of pure virtue and innocence that was coveted in the days of old. Even their flaws can make them more beautiful. It’s just impossible to choose just one and not feel guilty for not considering the rest. I couldn’t do it.” He stopped himself before he went on one of his unbearably long speeches, “Given all that, I admire how you decided to do it. To love everyone and everything equally. Maybe someday, when the world loses sight of all the new beauty around it, you can show them the way.” Or maybe he was just saying something to sound deep when even he didn’t quite know what it meant. Daiki was good at that sort of thing.

When Marah questioned the legality of his potions, Daiki shrugged, “So long as no one questions what’s in the brew, I can keep selling them. But, if you really want to know, the most harmful thing I use is ginger. I’m just selling people basic cold remedies half the time. The other half, I’m selling them a hope and a dream.” He began to stare off into the distance, “Nothing wrong with that sort of thing. It’s what they want, and, as long as I don’t use anything I acquired from the black market, they are more than happy to see what some homemade miracles can do.”

“Wisdom is overrated. Just say exactly what you think and you will never go wrong. You’ve already shown me that you understand the beauty of the world. With that kind of heart, you won’t need much else.” Daiki laughed when Marah talked about being able to eat a wife’s cooking, “I can only imagine how much bad cooking you are going to have to put up with.” When the boy gave him his phone, Daiki smiled and put his number in, “Call me whenever you want.” He did a little more digging and found Marah’s number so he could put it in his own phone, “I’ll have to call you someday, too. Good thing tomorrow is someday, right?” He handed the phone back to his new friend and stood up, “Always be your loving self, my friend. I’ll see you around.” With that, he decided to part ways, happy that he had met such a wonderful person in this lovely world.

[End]