Pairing: Schu x Ran
Rating: PG-13
Author's notes: I've got some sort of inspiration to write something lighter than "Locked"… Hehehe… I hope you like this! It's slightly AU by the way. So, no assassin business. And unlike the other one (Locked) they look like their old selves so… yeah and if you haven't read that you can go ahead and review it too. –grin- Have fun! (I hope)
Summary: A now gathering fame painter, foreign and new to Japan with the screen name of "Schuldig" is out of inspiration. And a Japanese college student trying to cope with life… they meet and somehow fate takes a twist the wrong way… or is it the right way?
Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss Kruez
Warning: Maybe OOCness… TYPOS, maybe.
Different
Prologue
"Such wonderful paintings!"
"It is lovely, isn't it? And to think the painter is only around his twenties."
"Really?! Wow!!"
Two ladies exclaimed their conversation disturbing the peace of museum and the other people who looked around. But it couldn't spoil their visit to such a place… filled with paintings that spoke of life and beauty.
He sighed at his work. Right now he was looking at one of his earlier masterpieces, a oil on canvas of summer, people in the park, happy and the colors of red and orange contrasted and yet made it all the more splendid along with lesser colors of green and the eyes of a child that glowed blue. He placed his hands into his pocket… everyone loved his paintings… but did anyone know him? The genius of the 20th century art business, Schuldig? Hah, that sounds really cocky…
Schuldig was a screen name of course… but still.
Sad part though… despite the many paintings he had in this gallery he can't say they appealed to him as much as it did to everyone else and now he had lost interest in painting the usual subjects like the bowl of fruit or a bloody tree. He needs something… new, something with the "spice".
After a while he left, a smug smile plastered on his face as he felt the stares directed at him. He strode casually, clad in a white suit and the head band and shades on his head. He doesn't dress much like a painter, well, he doesn't even act like one period… but hey, don't judge a book by its cover, right?
"He's so good-looking!"
"A foreigner no doubt his hair is red and it looks so natural!"
Japanese people… always know how to welcome a foreigner. He spoke to himself. Heading for the park and feeling the comforting breeze pass by, making the leaves dance. He never been there since he arrived a week ago and so why no check it out? He walked on till he heard the sound of a plucking stringed instrument not too far from where he stood. A guitar?... The red headed foreigner said again to himself as he followed his ears to the lake where plenty have gathered to listen to the very soothing sounds of a guitarist.
His heart beat once… then twice… …This is new…
llllll
The air was always warm during this time, it was really comforting and especially because the air was fresher and it wasn't as moist as spring although the sakura trees have always been lovely nothing really compared to the summer air.
He got ready to leave the abode with no rush, his guitar in his case slung on his shoulder. He combed his red hair a few times, since it was still damp after his shower earlier this morning but he found himself falling asleep right after. He wore a white button up shirt and jeans leather shoes.
He noticed how he's running out of any new clothes… oh well… shopping can wait. Money goes first. He left his room to be greeted by a smile from his younger sister, Aya. She seemed to have a good breakfast up and ready for him. "Good afternoon Nii-san!" She chirped with a youth beam directed at him her long hair tied in a high ponytail and wearing an apron. "You overslept again didn't you?"
He returned that remark with a half smile. "I was busy last night."
"Mou… you shouldn't be too hard on yourself! You still have to take the college exam." She complained taking her seat by the table. "And you still have to work and-"
"Don't give me any of that Aya… I'll be fine." He told her younger sister he walked toward and began patting her head. "You should be worried about high school." With that he took the toast on the table and placed the egg and the bacon in, making a sandwich. "I'm off!" With that he left the apartment complex and gave small sigh when he heard the girl chirp a 'later!'
He walked the streets as he usually did. Already done with his sandwich and he gave another relieved sigh. Weekends were his only break and relief from his stress and the one and only thing that help relieved that stress was his guitar.
He was taught how since childhood. His father didn't really approve but he never hated it either so he was permitted as long as he keeps practicing kendo, aikido, academic things and everything else. And he had it with a voice too.
But hey… his father wasn't there to contradict him now… and he never will again…
He snapped out of his thoughts. Not good to keep thinking of such things, the past isn't one to mess with and he should know that better than anyone else. Of course there were some good times but as human beings we always focus on what is negative and wrong so it's better not to think about it.
After a while of mental debating he finally reached his destination… the lake. Simply breathtaking, how the sunlight sparkled on the water's surface and how everyone had a warm smile on their face. He took his seat on the bench, unpacking his guitar, he checked if it was in tune and he heard all was good… and then began to play.
llllll
He watched from behind, how everyone watched the man on the bench play his guitar like he was home alone and his voice as well was wonderful. His music stirred with so much emotion and beauty that at some point he thought his paintings were all too dull for comfort compared to the guitarist and all his life of practice and patience had allgone to waste.
"He comes here every week…" He heard a voice beside him that cut his train of thoughts and turned his head to see a short old woman in a purple kimono, looking contently at the man who sang his heart out. "He's so young and he has a voice of an angel."
He smiled and he watched the scene in front of him, silent and not wanting to respond. After a while, he stopped playing and he asked the audience to leave politely and they complied with smiles and gave him compliments in how he can really do good in the music business and he acted modest. He then sat down and gave a sigh, although barely audible Schuldig some how knew he did.
Cute… The German thought. It was his chance to see face to face with this so-called angel. With grace he walked up in front of the boy a grin on his features. "Good afternoon." He greeted almost charmingly in perfect Japanese but with a different accent. And the red head on the bench looked at him impassively. Dear gods he's really hot… He admitted. Secretly admiring the man, his sharp violet eyes, silk red hair and a frame perfect like the paintings of legends which he had one day wished to make with his own hands. But he didn't show that of course. He placed his hand out. "I'm Schuldig. Nice to meet you."
He stared, waiting for his hand to be shaken. And he stared back.
Silence…
"Schuldig…" He the shorter man repeated impassively. "Are you foreign?" The German nodded and his eyes narrowed. "German?" He nodded again. "I hate Germans."
….
Ouch…
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me… German people… I hate them…"
He smirked at the remark. The boy was good-looking no doubt… but he was cocky, very distant and…. Cold… real cold. But he enjoyed a challenge. It spoke to him with such love that he couldn't resist. He was already keeping his instrument and he stood, eyes still narrowed. He turned to leave but to be stopped.
"Wait." He heard the other man call out. "What's your name? It's rude you know… just to leave me without at least a small introduction."
"Ran. Fujimiya Ran." With that he left the other man alone.
"Ran…" Schuldig repeated, tasting the name with much interest. "Seems I'll be seeing you again pretty soon." He thought and watched the figure leave, admiring how much he moved with cat like charm and the smile he painted on his face grew wider. I'll remember that name... With that he went the other direction.
TBC…
Hahaha… Ran seems a titsy bit nicer but that's only coz Aya isn't dead… Ahehehe.. Please give me feed back please! Comments, suggestions, flames(be nice)? Please! Thanks!
