Chapter 1 – A painting of a countryside
The painting was pinned to the wall.
A giant painting it was, framed in a delicate frame of dark maple. On the maple itself, there were carvings of olden times, of soldiers and horses, of braver times.
The painting itself wasn't much. It was an oil painting, one that required little workmanship. The painting was of a small cottage in a field of the greenest grass one has ever seen, specked only by some flowers. A river lay beside the cottage, cutting a path through the field. There were fish in there, swimming happily. There was a blue sky overhead with fluffy clouds sailing across it.
The whole painting was protected with a plane of glass so shiny and unblemished, your reflection could be seen clearly in it.
The painting was hung in his study, above his table so that he could look at it whenever he felt bored. Staring at the painting now, Tokiya felt a wave of calm envelope him. Whatever anger he had towards the producers before had dispersed.
Tokiya had always loved the countryside. It seemed better than the city by loads and loads. Fresher air, greener fields, bluer skies, calmer lives, better lives, more enjoyable lives. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Bringing his hand up to painting, it hovered inches away from the painting. He could almost feel the breeze of the countryside hit him, he could almost smell the fresher air. Leaving it there for a few more seconds, Tokiya could feel himself being transported through the painting, transported to the countryside, transported to the place he wants to be.
But he had to stay in reality. In reality, he could stay at the countryside, but it would get in the way of work. In reality, he was working and living in the city. In reality, he needed to work hard as an idol so that he could get a loaf of bread on his table. In reality, he could never leave his prison.
Sighing, he dropped his hand to his side and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. He needed to get to work. He grabbed his jacket and car keys, glancing at his Blackberry for the time. It seemed that he was glued to his phone nowadays. It held so much information for him. Thanks to the little device in his hand, he need not have to carry armfuls of files with him. Slipping on his sunglasses, he made his way out of his condo and into the garage for his car.
Thank you all for taking the time to read!
Afterthought: Here's a story about Tokiya! He's a stoic person, so I really want to write about him more. Next chapter we'll have a special appearance! Read on to find out.