Title: Silent Moments
Series: Uta no Prince-sama
Rating: K
Short story generator prompt:
'An internet café is the location, loneliness is the theme. A vase is an object that plays a part in the story.'
If you're interested in trying out the generator, the link is now on my profile page just below my ramblings about myself. It's in it's own section so it should be easy enough to spot. Happy writing!
Length: 513 words
A sigh was heaved from the lungs of Ichinose Tokiya.
At that moment in time he was sat alone at a table in a busy internet café with his phone in front of him as he responded to various career related emails. His frown was causing tension in his forehead so, with an agitated gesture, he rubbed at his temples with one hand and forced the muscles to relax.
After sending a final email, he glanced about the small café and noticed that all of the other tables were occupied by groups of people all talking animatedly to each other. He noted dispassionately that they were probably all talking about things he'd personally find completely uninteresting. Despite this thought, he found he wanted someone to talk to, even if it was completely uninteresting.
"Tch…" He put his phone down on the table and almost knocked his hand into a small vase that he'd barely taken any notice of when he first came. This time he took the time to look at it.
The vase was simple enough: it was plain white porcelain with straight sides and vertical fluting. It was the flowers that stole his attention. Vivid red and yellow carnations shared the space in the small vase. There were only a few of each colour and Tokiya touched one of the red carnations and was surprised that they were real. The smoothness couldn't have been artificial and he leaned a little to see there was water in the vase.
Someone took the time each morning to check on the flowers and replace them. The thought seemed to linger at the front of Tokiya's mind for a while and he sat there just looking at the red carnation at the end of his fingertip.
Damn it…
He moved his finger away from the flower and picked up his phone, flicking through his contacts list. …Hijirikawa… Ittoki…
His fingers hovered above the screen as he hesitated. Finally steeling himself, he tapped the surface of the phone with deft and practiced fingers and shut it quickly after sending, putting it on the table before he can try cancelling the message.
He waited at his table and ordered another coffee whilst in the mean time. He felt the beginnings of a smile form on his face and he touched his cheek feeling a bit mystified. A waiter set down his drink and Tokiya took it into his hand and nodded appreciatively, handing him a few notes and telling him to keep the change.
"Tokiya, it's been a while~" A bright voice chimed from behind him.
Startled, Tokiya faced him and realised he was smiling. "Otoya."
"Thanks for inviting me. I've got loads to tell you." Otoya said in a rush and took the chair opposite. Tokiya smiled again as he looked at his friend. He looked a bit more mature than the last time Tokiya saw him but that boyish smile would never age.
"Then let's talk over coffee."
The few years soon felt like a few moments, as if they'd never been apart.