Tokyo PV: Dan

Oh, for the love of…

For a teen like Dan, running out of battery on his music player represented a major tragedy. Not only was it his main source of entertainment, but also his shield against the outside world. As long as he had his earphones on and music playing at the highest volume, virtually nothing could bother him. Sure, he wasn’t able to listen to it all day long, but he did so whenever he had the chance. Sadly, it was just the beginning of his day and the worst thing that could happen to him just did.

It had to be on the first day. The day everyone is eager to talk just to ask what you did over the break.

Defeated, he took off his earphones. The train was three stations away from his stop. Fortunately, most of the passengers remained in silence, so he found the amount of noise barely bearable.

“Did you listen to Kim’s new song?”

Dan’s attention was immediately captured by the question. He looked for the source of the conversation and found it came from a couple of really flashy high school girls not so far from him. Seeking for a distraction from his misery, he focused his hearing on them.

“No, I haven’t yet! Is it good?”

No, It’s not.

He was no stranger to current popular music trends. Regardless of his personal taste, Dan had a policy of listening to everything before judging it. The guy called Kim was a new pop musician rising on the charts and a common topic of discussion among teenage girls.

“It’s the best song I’ve ever heard! He’s really talented!”

“Really?”

Yeah, Really? That guy’s songs are some of the easiest I’ve ever tried to play. I guess he has a talent for making simple ass tunes.

“I just love his music!”

“And who doesn’t?”

The girls laughed loudly. Dan’s irritation was starting to show on his face.

I, for one.

“I know, right? It’s so beautiful and artistic!”

“Artistic”? Are you kidding me? How can anyone who loves that kind of music even dare to use that word?

“One can easily understand his feeling through his songs!”

You understand nothing. It doesn’t take a genius to learn how to play an instrument. With little experience anyone can compose something.

He looked at the guitar case resting next to him, put his hand on it and closed his eyes. It was enough to calm him down. For just a moment, everything became silent. A sweet melody of the string instrument enveloped his mind completely.

There are few who pour everything they have on their songs. Those who try to express their feelings, to send a message. But all it takes to earn people’s admiration is to be able to do something they can not. Praise displays ignorance… only I can appreciate what’s mine.

And as he opened his eyes, the noise returned with the announcement that the train had arrived at the Ariake station.

“Ah, it’s our stop.”

It was Dan’s too. He grabbed his guitar case and walked out. He still had to deal with the sounds of traffic on his way to school, but what bothered him the most was knowing that it wasn’t going to be long before he would have to hear about that guy Kim again.