Episode 73: CALL ENDED

Murasaki was alone on his apartment, focusing on making the perfect song. He doesn't work as much because he saved enough money for himself. His comics and songs were always popular enough to give him good income. For now, he wanted to rest, and enjoy his self for a while. But he felt stressed now that things aren't going on his favor.

Who knew making a song about someone you love is actually this hard? Especially for him, who wanted everything to be perfect.

Crumpled papers were scattered on his floor, as continuous cursing could be heard from his mouth.

His fingers were hurting already from trying and trying to make a beautiful tune.

He felt tired already, and perhaps was worrying that he may not finish it on time. His fingers slipped and a horrible sound emitted from his guitar.

He cursed again.

Sighed then looked at the half finished lyrics on his hands.

He closed his eyes, then cleared his throat, shifting his body on his bed on a more comfortable position.

Then opened his eyes again, getting lost on the music as he began strumming.

"I'll choose you always, everyday,

Believe me, for my heart won't sway,"

"'Cause whenever I look at your eyes,

I could see nothing, but sheer paradise,"

His fingers continued to move, surprisingly, it sounded well enough. A soft, heart warming melody matching with the lyrics.

He smiled to himself and wrote the chords on his note book.

He cleared his throat once more, then began to let the mood take him.

His voice became softer, sweeter, as he began to sing the next phrases.

"I love you, more than one would ever know,

That I'm conflicted, if I should fight or let you go...,"

He stopped midway, his words..they weren't part of the lyrics he wrote. It just came from his mouth. And he didn't like the lyrics at all.

He frowned, then remembered Red.

No.

He won't lose to him.

MURASAKI: Scratch that. No way I'm letting you go.

He said, adjusting his strings.

He gave a long breath, then began fixing his song.

"I love you, more than one could ever know,

I love you, more than I could ever show..."

...

Red purchased a book about improving one's vocals and a cheap guitar. He felt a little embarrassed as well, because eyes were fixed on him wherever he goes.

He teleports on a forest not too far from Tokyo to try his 'music' out. But...it didn't turn out well for him.

He looks at the instrument on his hands, and felt troubled knowing what each string means. It felt like someone scraping the surface of metal the first few tries. He wanted to give up, and his hands were already exhausted as well.

He began to watch the YouTube tutorials he downloaded earlier instead. But immediately got tired and bored because it takes so long.

The red reaper then proceeded to sing, but each time his voice would crack. It felt like listening to a dying rabbit. And maybe if he actually sung like that in front of his friends, they will never look at him the same again. Even the slumbering birds began scattering, flying away by the sound of his voice, even if it was still winter and it was still cold. Yes. He was that bad. Bad enough that animals would rather freeze than hear him singing.

RED: Sh*t, this is so damn hard, how do humans reach that high?!

He said, while scratching his head. He was so angry and frustrated that the snow near him began to melt.

He tried again, and again, and again, but to no luck. He can't sing, alright.

Red began to panic, but then calmed himself down, reminding his self that it's just bumpy because he was just beginning.

...

Meanwhile at home.

GABBY: So, where did Red go, Humility? And what is he doing now?

HUMILITY: Uh...something important.

GABBY: Like?

HUMILITY: Defeating uh, demons.

GABBY: Oh. Okay. Wait really?

HUMILITY: Yeah.

GABBY: Why him and not you?

HUMILITY: He said he'll handle it. Don't worry about him. He knows what he's doing.

GABBY: Okay!

...

RED: I so don't know what I'm doing! Ugh! I'll never learn!

He threw the guitar on a nearby tree and it gave out a loud thump. The snow on its branches fell and a bit of it even covered Red's scalp. That made him more irritated.

He was so angry. If he can't even sing, nor even finish a nursery song, how much more can he be better than him?

Wait...

Is that why he's doing this? So he can compete with Murasaki?

He felt even angrier. He began kicking the tree until it eventually broke. That stunned the red reaper.

RED: Red...there's no point if you just want to impress her. Do it for yourself.

He reminded. But...deep down, he don't feel motivated enough to do it for himself.

RED: Sooner or later, she's gonna love him back...

RED: Then...say what you want to say secretly. Without telling her. That would make you feel...better.

As silly as he feels, talking to himself, he followed his own advice.

He closed his eyes, then began to whisper the words that's been playing in his mind for a long time.

He may not be able to say the phrases in his head with a sweet melodic tune, but what he said were raw thoughts from his heart and mind.

"If I could have one wish,

It's to be able to hold you close,

To dance, to sing,

To love, just like most.

For centuries I feel empty,

Longing for the affection I've never had,

But you filled it all, my lady,

Perhaps mortality ain't so bad.

I wanted to tell you later,

But telling this would only make you suffer,

I'd rather let you go now, than to lose you in my arms,

I'd rather hurt myself, than later do you harm.

Because...that's how much I love you,

All this sort of feelings I never thought I knew,

You make me feel alive, I was never the same,

You make me feel...loved, but also this aching pain.

You make me understand,

The different shades of happiness,

And you made me withstand,

All this layers of loneliness.

You made me see the world better,

Better than I had seen years before,

You filled my bitter cup, made it sweeter,

That left me here, wanting more.

If I could have one wish, just one,

I'll tell you I love you and hold you in my arms,

And tell the world that I've won...

For now I get to keep you loved and warm.

But it was all but a longing for a wish,"

He finished, heart racing as he realized that he might actually make a good decent song, if it weren't for his lack of melody and as what he calls it, 'dumb slippery fingers'.

He laughed at himself, saying just how stupid he've become. He never had imagined himself saying those sugary, flowery words. It felt so not like him. He began laughing more, until a familiar lady in white formed out of nowhere.

RED: T-Tanken?

TANKEN: Yeah, I told you I'll follow you. And don't you forget, you permitted me to do this.

RED: Uh, so, what do you want?

TANKEN: Well, it is clear that you made that for someone you like.

RED: Uh, so you heard me?

TANKEN: Yes, I mean, how wouldn't I? I heard everything. I almost left, the first parts were...to be honest, horrible.

RED: Well thank you for hurting my feelings.

TANKEN: And you're welcome.

RED: So uh, can...can you sing it and stuff?

TANKEN: Yes. Better than your ugly ramblings.

RED: Wait...uh, you're doing this for free, right?

TANKEN: Heh, maybe.

RED: Maybe?

TANKEN: Hm, do you really love her?

Red looked away shyly, his ears in deep red.

The snow spirit smiled teasingly, then began to hum, singing the phrases he said, but with more confidence, tune and melody.

It felt more alluring.

After Tanken finished, Red was left mesmerized and speechless. It was so beautiful.

RED: Can you teach me how to sing like that?

TANKEN: Heh, sure. I'll teach you, but that is, if you'd give me a ki-

RED: Thank you Tanken! You're a great friend!

TANKEN: A...a kitten.

RED: What? A kitten?

TANKEN: Nevermind. (I actually wanted a kiss, but the friend thing ruined the mood)

RED: So can you teach me now?

TANKEN: Sure sweetheart, so chest out.

...

Murasaki stared at his finished lyrics. It felt okay enough, so he recorded it.

That night, Gabby received a message, it was MJ's song.

He felt nervous when Gabby's icon popped up.

Gabby texted,

(I am so flattered. But MJ, this is a love song, you know how I feel about you.)

Wait...did Murasaki just spend a fr*king whole day just to be rejected again?

Gabby then called him.

MURASAKI: Hello?

GABBY: Dude everyone deserves second chances, but no one deserves to be second choice, I love you so much, but I don't want to keep you waiting. You're my best friend, I don't want to ruin that.

MURASAKI: But if you just...try it.

GABBY: Sorry MJ, you know I'm still not ready.

MURASAKI: I'll wait for you then.

GABBY: I don't want to use you.

MURASAKI: Give me a chance.

GABBY: MJ...please.

MURASAKI: Gabby, please...if you just let me, I promise you, we'll work.

Gabby held her breath, thinking what to reply, Murasaki on the other hand, was sweating nervously, anticipating of what her response would be.

MURASAKI: Gab?

Gabby ended the call.