It is simple enough to sit and watch the world pass you by, but it takes more to actually show initiative; to make something your own.

Akutagawa Jiroh was a daydreamer, in both the literal and figurative sense of the word. He would often dream of a perfect moment, or a perfect place where he could find happiness, and forget the world around him. The only thing that was more exciting to him then the prospect of a nap, was a good tennis match with a strong opponent.

Hiyoshi Wakashi was much the opposite. Although he always enjoyed a good tennis match, he liked to keep his mind in reality, because he often thought of dreams as a waste of time. Dreams would get a person nowhere if they didn't have the strength or will to take them for themselves.

Hiyoshi scoffed at Jiroh's childish behavior during the brief periods when he was awake, and never quite understood what it was about life that Jiroh seemed to find so exciting.

The world could be a very cold and lonely place for one who is not of a sociable nature, but Hiyoshi was never lonely. He didn't need anyone else to reassure him, because he was confident enough to make it on his own.

***

Hiyoshi liked to take walks in the evenings on occasion, just to waste time, and to get away from his family for a while. It wasn't that he didn't love them, it was more that they were entirely too perky for his liking. He had a dislike for open displays of affection, which his mother would shower him with on a regular basis. But even he didn't have the heart to tell her so. She was a sweet woman, and he appreciated all she did, but sometimes it was suffocating for him.

He continued to walk to his usual quiet spot. It was a small hill in the park that was not often occupied if one went at the right time of day. He walked past the bustling playground, filled with enthusiastic children, through some trees to the small grassy hill. He climbed to the top to find that his one place of sanctuary was currently being used by another. He was about to sneak off when he heard a snort and a cheerful voice.

"Ah Hiyoshi-kun! What are you doing here?" Hiyoshi turned around to see a wide grin and a hand wiping sleep from excited eyes.

"Uh I was just walking…"

"Wow! Look at that Hiyoshi-kun!" Hiyoshi looked over to where his senpai was pointing. There was a small creek with a tree bent over it, which a small family of birds had apparently made home. The baby birds were being pushed out of the nest, spreading their wings, and thrusting into the air for the first time. Hiyoshi couldn't help smiling slightly at the sight. He took a seat beside his senpai, and they watched the birds silently for what seemed like hours. The trance that the sheer beauty of the scene had inflicted was broken by a stifled yawn.

"Oh sorry Hiyoshi-kun…" Jiroh gave a slightly puzzled look at the smile Hiyoshi hadn't noticed had crept across his face, then leaned toward him, placing a soft kiss on his lips; staring seriously for only a moment before grinning in his usual fashion.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"...Uh yeah…sure."

The End

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