This was a normal and typical day in the shopping district of Bunkyo, Tokyo: Always so busy, vehemently so for most, and it seemed like there was no time for rest. Customers and shop keepers alike, despite the high sun of the afternoon beating down UV rays upon them with roasting heat, people were able to come and shop or relax at the local restaurants while others display their wares and served both the high and middle class with no hassle.
But within the craziness of all the city folks' businesses, there were some that simply stopped and... enjoyed the early start of spring. The cherry trees bloomed quite early this year but it didn't stop them from radiating the sunlight's rays brightly. Even the fallen petals laying on the street before a calm, gentle breeze carried them had some quality into them; they still had that new shine.
However, for a man that stood out of the large crowds the most if not for his massive height then it was the sleepy blonde shota boy piggybacking on his back, he payed no mind to them - to the simple things. But he did silently take note as he passed by - it was hard not to.
Yet at the moment, he was just heading home after a long day of spending his free time - or perhaps dragged along is a better way to say it - with the shota boy. Previously he had watched for nearly twenty minutes of the boy devouring numerous plates of different flavored cakes. How many, he actually lost count but now he was paying for it with a sugar crash.
The man, wearing a stoic and impassive expression, ambles blankly through the crowds of people, watchful of the bystanders briskly brushing past him to carry on with their day. It could be noted most did stop and look in awe or are skeptical of the tall man - mainly because most considered his features to be intimidating.
While some recognized him because of his family namesake and reputation - or perhaps the seeming child whom he is known for tagging along with 24/7- others brush it off as a minor occurrence.
Though the dark-haired man was careful to be steady, to make sure he didn't wake his sugar crashed cousin, it proved to be futile. Awaken as the colossal man leans off to the left while he walks to move out of the way for a woman with a child, the small boy slowly blinked away the heaviness of his slumber, making a low groan as he did so. He yawns, straightening up slightly while rubbing his eye with a clenched fist.
The man peered back at the shota. "... Sorry, Mitsukuni." he began with a monotone voice.
"That's all right, Takashi." Mitsukuni said groggily, gracing a tried smile. Though Takashi's expression nor his voice portrayed any apologetic gesture, the boy has known him long enough to know that despite his taciturn nature, he was always genuine. That was something he could pick up in their telepathic relationship. "Besides, I'm not so sleepy anymore, so it's all right. Are we almost home now?" he asked as he laid his chin back down.
"No, but just a bit further..." Takashi readjusted his grip on the boy, nonchalantly venturing on. Usually they would have taken their own vehicle into town, but it was Mitsukuni who insisted on going by foot because of the beautiful weather.
And Takashi didn't object to it. Despite that the man was known for always wearing a blank expression, rarely cracking a smile, he was the prime example of the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover."
He himself enjoyed walking pass the rows of cherry trees in full bloom; they were beautiful. Though if someone looked at him as he took in the sight, many would have to guess whether he was just musing or just became bored of them. And again, it was that perpetual impassive expression that misled strangers. Not many but few know that he was something of a... gentle giant, per say(?)
Whether it was by choice for him to choose only to speak when he must, it was anyone's guess but none questioned aloud.
Wordlessly he and Mitsukuni turned the corner of the street, the blonde making grimacing sounds softly from the pain in his overly filled stomach. Takashi has known this sound before, and today is all too vaguely familiar of other day offs he spent, so he didn't question out of concern. Once the boy had a real nap, he will feel better soon enough.
But it was very ironic, all that is considered; mainly that Mitsukuni was actually the same age as the man carrying him. Very, purely ironic. But the phase before applies to him fittingly just as well.
Appearances can truly be deceiving.
It was as they moved further down the street that Takashi suddenly stopped abruptly. Mitsukuni's daze form shook from the halt, pulling him out of his woozy state. He blinks, glancing at Takashi's side profile. "Is something wrong, Takashi? Why did you stop?"
But he didn't need an answer from him when caught the sound of low murmuring of people and a voice, singing. Promptly, Mitsukuni looked with Takashi at a large group of bystanders in their path. They all huddled together, seemingly surrounding someone as they could hear both the strumming of guitar stings and the voice of a girl raising and falling in octave.
"Hey, Takashi? How come they're all bunched together like that?" The blond boy cocked his head curiously.
The answer was obvious. "It seems to be a street performer." he remarks.
A curious, bright grin creased on Mitsukuni's face as he pointed in the direction of the voice. "Let's go have a look! I really want to see who's singing." Wordlessly, on command Takashi pressed on through the crowds of people to get a better look. Thanks to his towering height, both he and his cousin didn't need to push aside too many people to find the person behind the voice.
naiteru kimi koso kodoku na kimi koso
tadashii yo ningenrashii yo...
It was indeed a girl, and it was surprisingly unexpected, the physical appearance possessing the powerful falsetto. It was not what they expected, to say the least. Based on her clothing - denim shorts, a black and blue flannel shirt and a number of bands adorning her wrist - it appeared that she was only a commoner. But that wasn't the surprising factor...
Though they didn't voice it, mainly the shota-loli, they were mildly surprised because for a girl... she was seemed rather boyish at first glance. Or perhaps her attire seemed inappropriate for a woman. Growing up in renown families, they have been so used to woman in dress clothes and elegant wears so it seemed different and eccentric for a woman to bear her thighs - her skin in general - so openly, but she had a carefree smile as she continued to sing.
kujiketa kimi ni wa mou ichido tatakaeru tsuyosa to jishin to kono uta o
otoshita namida ga kou iu yo
konna ni mo yogorete minikui sekai de deaeta kiseki ni arigatou
A simple black duffle case open in front of her, straight locks of ash brown hair swayed as her body seemed to have a rhythm to the beat of her sullen yet gentle song, her foot taping along with her to the beat. And as she finishes, she hums the last chorus very softly, her eyelids shut and a peaceful look dawns on her face as she closes the song with one final strum of the strings. Her voice goes still, and then falters just perfectly.
There was no silence, and in seconds, applause sounded from nearly every person that was in the crowd. Even Mitsukuni found himself clapping along, and though Takashi was still silent as usual, he highly appraised her silently.
A modest smile grew on her lips as she curtsy to the crowd as thanks and gratefulness. This surprised them as well, as that gesture contrasted her rather tomboyish and non-elegant looks. As far as her face goes, it was an insult to say she lacked looks; she was undoubtedly attractive. Her eyes were a major factor to that, Mitsukuni noted. They were a bright and luminescent silver, the rarest of all eye colors.
Soon the group of people began to disperse, but not before a good majority tossed money into the open duffle case. Her smile brighten at each generous offer of donations, waving a small wave as they dropped money and went on with their day.
"Thank you so much. I really hope you enjoyed the performance." She says to a woman with a kindly face.
"You were absolutely dynamite as usual, Watanabe-san," The woman replied excitedly. "Perhaps it is me, but you have improve greatly since I last heard you play."
"Well I don't know about that," the girl supposedly known as Watanabe scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "But thank you. It's great to hear the feedback."
The woman nods. "Of course. Now take care, and tell your mother I said hello."
"Will do."
With that, they both bow to each other. Once the woman ambles away and the girl was sure that the crowd had fully split apart, she nods to herself in reassurance. Kneeling down to the case at her feet, her eyes quickly scan the yen that she has accumulated into her bag before setting her acoustic guitar inside and zipping it up. The same amount as usual, Watanabe thought.
A part of her chortled because she knew the thought held many meanings, as to whether the amount made her melancholic or happy. It was neither, but just grateful. She just considered herself lucky she was able to make some kind of income.
As she brushes off clinging dirt on the case and throws the strap over her shoulder, her peripheral version caught the shoes of someone's feet approaching her with loud thuds. And mixed with a high-pitched, "Hey!" Watanabe gasped and jumped, shooting her gaze up at the person.
Normally a overly cautious girl, seeing a black haired man carrying a beaming blond boy, she let out a sigh to calm her nerves, pressing a hand to her chest - feeling her heart that skipped a beat in surprise before she looked back up with a causal smile.
"Oh geez. You really scared me there." she chortled as she stands up and straightens, using one hand to hold the strap on her shoulder.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to say hi." The blonde boy said with a cross between an apologetic and gleeful look.
Watanabe couldn't help but coo inwardly at the very cutesy voice and appearance of the boy, waving her hand reassuringly. "It's no trouble. It was just unexpected, that's all. But I'm usually jumpy like that to begin with so it's just me, probably." Though that was the truth, for the sake of not wanting the boy to not feel bad, she added it in.
The boy acknowledges with a hyperactive nod. Any fatigue he felt seemingly melted away. "Okay! I'm Mitsukuni Haninozuka. And by the way, I really, really loved hearing you sing and play. You're very good."
The boy was just filled with so much unimaginable energy, Watanabe noticed. With a soft chuckle, she bows slightly. "A pleasure, Mitsukuni-chan. And thank you very much. You're very sweet." She was tempted to reach and pat the boy on the head since that was just her nature, but he was out of her height range. But because he's in the presence of the colossal man, she felt a little unnerved and skeptical to come close - as she always did with his kind. Training her eyes on the child, it appeared as if she was trying to ignore the man that was piggybacking the boy as she continued. "I play at this spot about once a week, but I won't be able to perform as much when the school term starts tomorrow so if you wish to hear me again, I'm afraid that I might not always be here. But I'll try."
"You have to start school too? So do Takashi and I!" he states with that same enthusiasm, which the ash-brown haired girl smiled softly at. "Where are you attending school at?"
"Hm? Oh, nowhere special." she replied plainly with a shrug of her shoulders. She didn't wish to even speak of the school her parents so heavily worked to the bone to help enroll her in the prestigious school. So hoping to change to subject, she says. "Anyways, like I said, my schedule might be a little heavy and I won't be able to play as often. But I always take requests if you have any you want me to play and sing. I do almost all." she finishes with a thumbs up and a wink directed at the boy.
"Really!? Can you really do a lot of songs!?" Mitsukuni's expression brightens.
Watanabe covers her lips to muffle a chuckle. "You're too cute, and yes... sorta." she sweatdropped as she ended with a sheepish grin.
"Wow, that's incredible!" The boy appraised despite the uncertainty in her voice. "I don't have any requests, but I'd be so happy to listen to you again..." He suddenly paused, and a thoughtful look dawned on his face as if something had him at a stomp.
But before he could bring up the question that he had in mind, Watanabe jumps at some sudden realization and her eyes widened slightly. She went to look at her wrist for some imagery watch. However, remembering it was just wristbands, she shot a pointed look at Mitsukuni.
"Excuse me, but do you have the time?"
Mitsukuni shook his head. "No, but Takashi has a watch with him if you want to ask him instead." he said, supplying a smile at the dark haired man. And it was then Watanabe just remembered that the man was even there. Now that she thought about it, he hasn't said a word since she and the shota started conversing. Not that it bothered her at all.
Takashi lifts and turns his wrist before pulling back the sleeve of his coat to check. "4:35." he informed simply in a deep, monotone voice.
The moment she heard that time, she makes a annoyed sound before turning on her heel - ready to bolt it before she was late for her curfew. "Crap, I knew I shouldn't have stayed too long." she murmured. But she brightens up when she looks back at the boys - directly at Mitsukuni. "Thank you, Mitsukuni. I have to leave now before I get in trouble with the parents at home. Have a good day."
Without any hesitation she starts to jog down the street but she barely made it a foot before she stops, hearing the young voice call to her. "Shouldn't you be thanking Takashi? I didn't tell you the time, he did."
A visible flinched showed when she slowly turns to the side and looks at them. Her once brisk and bright face had fallen, her brows frowned and her lips pursed slightly, as if she was making a face of stubborn irritation. As if she suddenly was a different woman. Only Mitsukuni looked at her quizzically, however both noticed the change of her demeanor.
"Um... sure, I guess. Thank you, Mr..." she said uncomfortably, then drawled out, waiting for a name.
"Morinozuka. Morinozuka Takashi." he states at the fickle girl, his expression not changing in the least.
She scoffs. "Not much of a talker, are you? Whatever, thanks, I guess." Her words sharpening and harden, and if it was anyone but Takashi, they would be prickled by her sudden coldness. One moment she was warm and inviting like this spring, but now, she was harsh and cold like winter.
Whatever the case, she turns back brusquely without waiting for some kind of response. Though she knew this attitude was too cruel to someone she just met, it was just her natural reaction... to his kind. To men. To people in general. As contradicting as it is, seeing that she appeared and acted kind, the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover." applies to her as well. Very much so.
"W-Wait! What's your name!?" She heard Mitsukuni yell. His voice a bit less in volume due to have walked fast away from them. She suddenly stops, turns a little, and sends a side glance at them. Her expression, unreadable
"Watanabe. Watanabe Homura." she said dryly before she turns back and slowly went into a jog, leaving both the boys to watch her retreating form - very confused as to what just happened.
-Author's Note-
All right :) First off, thank you for reading my first Ouran fic ^_^ I know OC's are a bit overused in the Ouran fandom (in all others in general ^_^;) But the idea I had for this story has just been bugging so this is the end result.
I'm not overly satisfied with the first half of the chapter, but I'm just keeping it short as a test run to see if it draws any interest. I hope so because I love to do this.
I know I should be updating my other ones, but it's the start of the month; the new month full of updates... hopefully.
And her name, btw, if it sounds familiar (*cough* Madoka Magica *cough*) then you're not wrong. My OC was mostly inspired by the character, and the meaning of the name is one of the reasons as well, but... If I continue this, you'll find out more. :) I hope that doesn't bother anyone.
Again, thank you for reading and I apologize humbly if I made Mori or Hunny OOCish or... if this chapter burned your eyes X( I just hope it wasn't rush. Anyways, have a good March ^_^