This is my first attempt at making a Manga plot line so please give me some tips and critique if you can. Thank you for reading. :)
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The violinist
“Ryuu!” My grandpa calls from inside the house.
“What gramps?” I yell back, leaning in my desk chair, a pencil held to my cheek.
“Come help me with this!” He commanded from the lower floor. I bet he can handle it himself. I grumble as I walk down the steep steps of our tiny house.
I’ve lived with my grandpa ever since I could remember. He raised me from the time I was born I think.
My grandpa’s a really nice guy, he’s like a father to me, always has been.
So why do I find myself wanting to punch him right now?
“Ryuu, this is Emiko Kita. She’ll be living with us from this point on. She was recently orphaned, say hello.” He said calmly gesturing towards me, a smirk on his face. Puh! He probably thinks I’m going to blush or something! I’m not twelve..
I look at the girl in front of me, she has long blonde curly hair and a baby face. Her eyes are a soft brown and her petite figure only let her stand five feet tall. Sure, she’s cute but how old is she like eleven?
“Nice to meet you, Kita-san. I‘m Ryuu Wakahisa.” I say, slightly bowing. She’s wearing a yellow sundress with a white cotton jacket. Small white sandals were on her feet. Me being six foot one and her being five foot, well it made me feel like I was looming over her.
“Yes, nice to meet you Wakahisa-kun.” She bowed more than I had. Her voice was rather strong and wild, rather than the little cutesy voice I was expecting.
Well, geez, this is great. Now this little squirt is gonna be living here. Why did grandpa pick her up?
I looked at grandpa, he was smiling real big now. His brown-gray hair is combed back and wet down, like usual. His toned muscles flexed under his white button up shirt. And his black oil stained jeans brushed against the floor, they looked rather raggy, I thought to myself.
“ … “
“Well… I’m going to go and practice now.” I mumble waving with my left hand and turning. I lightly make my way down into the basement. I strap on my leather gloves grandpa made for me and start punching my punching bag. I kick it so hard that I leave a black streak from my sneakers on the leather.
“Damn… I liked these shoes.” I sigh to myself. “Ah, well…” I continue my workout for about 2 more hours.
Man, I’m not tired at all! I’ve improved, that’s great!
I finish punching and turn to the little table where I put my gloves. Out of the corner of my eye I see Kita-san standing there. Leaning against the door way side. I was shocked at first, but my eyes just got a little wide. I recovered quickly and said
“Hey.” while I dried off my head with my usual towel. I really need to wash this thing…
“Hey. Can I try?” She asked after I finished shaking my head.
“What? The punching bag?” I asked, quite stunning actually.
“Yes.” She said strongly. I eyed her, then furrowed my brow and frowned.
“Sure, are these too big? Come over here, hold out your hands, palm up.
It was surprising, the insides of her knuckles were calloused and her palm was worn.
Although I realized, I didn’t say anything. I slid the worn leather gloves onto her hands.
“Are they loose?” I asked, a surprisingly amount of interest in my voice, damn my concern for those weaker than me…
“A little. But, can I still try?” She asked, kind of sad now. I looked at her, I frowned and furrowed my brow again, then sighed.
“Sure, only if I can watch.” I said a smirk in my voice and on my face. I leaned against the concrete wall a bit away from the punching bag and Kita-san.
She grumbled and ground her teeth but said
“Fine.” and turned around. She took a few deep breaths then took her first swing at the bag.
Her swing was strong but she didn’t have the right form. Her knuckles were a little off too, but other than that she did good. She looked at me after the first shot, a smile on her face. I can only imagine what I looked like right there.
A really tall calculating guy with longish black hair in his eyes and a hand up to his chin. A dirty white towel around his neck and solemn dark blue eyes staring at a punching bag. Weird…?
I come out of my daze and look up at her and smile.
“That was really good for your first try. Want me to show you how? Here, which is your dominant hand?” I asked, super glad that I had someone who liked something that I did.
“My left.” She said while staring at both of her hands, looks like she couldn’t decide herself. Hmm… A left hander? Cool.
“Heh, You’re a lefty? Alright.” I said, pushing myself off the concrete wall, walking towards the punching bag.
I showed her in slow motion first with my left hand. Gently bumping the punching bag with the right form and angle.
She looked at my arm, studying and watching closely, her little mouth forming an o. I chuckled to myself. I’ve never seen someone so interested in watching anyone punch stuff before.
“Haha, you’re pretty good Kita-san.” I laugh, not knowing it’d be this easy to get along with her.
“Thanks.” She said softly smiling with her tongue sticking out a little bit like a cat. Her smile seemed to light the candle in me, the candle of a deep emotion that hadn’t been known by me for some time, friendship.
Me and Kita-san took turns punching the punching bag until Grandpa called down for us saying that dinner was ready. Wow, time really flew by…
Me and Kita-san started to walk up the stairs but before that I said
“Kita-san. Good job today.” And then we knuckle bumped, and she said “Yeah, you too!” cheerfully.
It was silent at the table… So awkward…
“Grandpa did you know Kita-san can punch really good? And she’s a lefty!” I said enthusiastically.
Ho Ho Ho! “Really now, Emiko? I didn’t know you could punch!” He said gleefully almost knowingly. Why does he call her Emiko? Are they close? Ah, well, whatever.
“Hey grandpa, I gotta go, remember? Could you excuse me from the dishes tonight?” I said seriously hoping he wouldn’t change his mind.
“Yeah, yeah…” He said teasingly. I smiled then ran up to my room. It was in the corner of my closet, waiting to be played again. My mother’s violin…
I haven’t played it in a year. I hope I can still remember some things. I’ll play it… for you mom.
I arrived at the tombstone where my mother lays. I kneel down then place the black violin case on the ground. I lay my hand over my mother’s tombstone and take in a deep breath then stand up. I open the case and get out the violin, I prop it onto my shoulder and flex the hand holding my bow. I take another breath then begin to play Adagio. A piece loved by my mother. As the music flows and resonated through my body, my mind leaves and drifts away. My face is kept solemn, my eyes closed. I swayed gently with the wind, as my hand numbly ran across the strings with the bow. I ended my song, dragging out the last note with sorrow.
My hands fall to my sides still holding the violin and bow. My head hangs low, as I say
“I wish you could be here, mom.”
Then I hear
“You play beautifully.” A sweet voice says to me. I don’t turn around, my head still hangs low, my hair covering my face.
“Thank you.” I managed to reply.
I kneel down to put the violin in it’s case. But, I hear
“May I hear you play once more? Wakahisa-kun?” Kita-san?
“Kita-sa---” I say but she continues.
“I’ve never heard that beautiful music before. May I please hear it again, Wakahisa-kun?” I could hear the choke in her voice now. Was she about to cry?
“Yes, you can, Kita-san.”
I play Claire de lune twice for her. Then we hear a shuffling on the cobble stone path beside us. A very old man with a cane comes limping over to us.
“Sir, your playing… it’s beautiful. You have given me a hope, to stay happy for my wife.”
My eyes widened and my voice was caught in my throat, I could not respond to the man. I’ve never had anyone other than Grandpa listen to my playing.
“Th-Thank you, sir.” I bow to the man respectfully.
The man wobbled off, smiling though.
I smiled, content with myself. I kind of laughed to myself too, then put my hand to my face still smiling. Only when Kita-san touched my arm lightly, I realized I wasn’t alone. I looked at her, kind of shocked, then I let out a relieved breath.
“Want to go home?” She asked quietly.
“Yeah.” Kita-san started to walk across the cobble stone but I stay behind and pack up my violin then say good bye to my mother. Just by walking normally I catch up to Kita-san. I chuckle, …short legs, I thought silently to myself.
When me and Kita-san enter the house, grandpa is asleep in ‘his’ chair, with the television on. It’s so like him.
Kita-san goes into the kitchen after I tell grandpa to go up to his bed or else his back would hurt. I followed her into the kitchen, wanting some cold milk. She opened the fridge and pulled out the milk. Then she looked at me after having the cup in her hand, holding the cabinet open. I nodded then she poured two glasses of milk. After handing me a glass, we both chug the milk down as fast as possible. Then we smile at each other and head off to our own rooms.
Is this the budding of first love or a mere friendship that has been long lost? Will Ryuu ever play his violin in front of others? And why is Grandpa acting so strangely? Will you find out in my next chapter? Or will you not and make me cry? :(
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The violinist
“Ryuu!” My grandpa calls from inside the house.
“What gramps?” I yell back, leaning in my desk chair, a pencil held to my cheek.
“Come help me with this!” He commanded from the lower floor. I bet he can handle it himself. I grumble as I walk down the steep steps of our tiny house.
I’ve lived with my grandpa ever since I could remember. He raised me from the time I was born I think.
My grandpa’s a really nice guy, he’s like a father to me, always has been.
So why do I find myself wanting to punch him right now?
“Ryuu, this is Emiko Kita. She’ll be living with us from this point on. She was recently orphaned, say hello.” He said calmly gesturing towards me, a smirk on his face. Puh! He probably thinks I’m going to blush or something! I’m not twelve..
I look at the girl in front of me, she has long blonde curly hair and a baby face. Her eyes are a soft brown and her petite figure only let her stand five feet tall. Sure, she’s cute but how old is she like eleven?
“Nice to meet you, Kita-san. I‘m Ryuu Wakahisa.” I say, slightly bowing. She’s wearing a yellow sundress with a white cotton jacket. Small white sandals were on her feet. Me being six foot one and her being five foot, well it made me feel like I was looming over her.
“Yes, nice to meet you Wakahisa-kun.” She bowed more than I had. Her voice was rather strong and wild, rather than the little cutesy voice I was expecting.
Well, geez, this is great. Now this little squirt is gonna be living here. Why did grandpa pick her up?
I looked at grandpa, he was smiling real big now. His brown-gray hair is combed back and wet down, like usual. His toned muscles flexed under his white button up shirt. And his black oil stained jeans brushed against the floor, they looked rather raggy, I thought to myself.
“ … “
“Well… I’m going to go and practice now.” I mumble waving with my left hand and turning. I lightly make my way down into the basement. I strap on my leather gloves grandpa made for me and start punching my punching bag. I kick it so hard that I leave a black streak from my sneakers on the leather.
“Damn… I liked these shoes.” I sigh to myself. “Ah, well…” I continue my workout for about 2 more hours.
Man, I’m not tired at all! I’ve improved, that’s great!
I finish punching and turn to the little table where I put my gloves. Out of the corner of my eye I see Kita-san standing there. Leaning against the door way side. I was shocked at first, but my eyes just got a little wide. I recovered quickly and said
“Hey.” while I dried off my head with my usual towel. I really need to wash this thing…
“Hey. Can I try?” She asked after I finished shaking my head.
“What? The punching bag?” I asked, quite stunning actually.
“Yes.” She said strongly. I eyed her, then furrowed my brow and frowned.
“Sure, are these too big? Come over here, hold out your hands, palm up.
It was surprising, the insides of her knuckles were calloused and her palm was worn.
Although I realized, I didn’t say anything. I slid the worn leather gloves onto her hands.
“Are they loose?” I asked, a surprisingly amount of interest in my voice, damn my concern for those weaker than me…
“A little. But, can I still try?” She asked, kind of sad now. I looked at her, I frowned and furrowed my brow again, then sighed.
“Sure, only if I can watch.” I said a smirk in my voice and on my face. I leaned against the concrete wall a bit away from the punching bag and Kita-san.
She grumbled and ground her teeth but said
“Fine.” and turned around. She took a few deep breaths then took her first swing at the bag.
Her swing was strong but she didn’t have the right form. Her knuckles were a little off too, but other than that she did good. She looked at me after the first shot, a smile on her face. I can only imagine what I looked like right there.
A really tall calculating guy with longish black hair in his eyes and a hand up to his chin. A dirty white towel around his neck and solemn dark blue eyes staring at a punching bag. Weird…?
I come out of my daze and look up at her and smile.
“That was really good for your first try. Want me to show you how? Here, which is your dominant hand?” I asked, super glad that I had someone who liked something that I did.
“My left.” She said while staring at both of her hands, looks like she couldn’t decide herself. Hmm… A left hander? Cool.
“Heh, You’re a lefty? Alright.” I said, pushing myself off the concrete wall, walking towards the punching bag.
I showed her in slow motion first with my left hand. Gently bumping the punching bag with the right form and angle.
She looked at my arm, studying and watching closely, her little mouth forming an o. I chuckled to myself. I’ve never seen someone so interested in watching anyone punch stuff before.
“Haha, you’re pretty good Kita-san.” I laugh, not knowing it’d be this easy to get along with her.
“Thanks.” She said softly smiling with her tongue sticking out a little bit like a cat. Her smile seemed to light the candle in me, the candle of a deep emotion that hadn’t been known by me for some time, friendship.
Me and Kita-san took turns punching the punching bag until Grandpa called down for us saying that dinner was ready. Wow, time really flew by…
Me and Kita-san started to walk up the stairs but before that I said
“Kita-san. Good job today.” And then we knuckle bumped, and she said “Yeah, you too!” cheerfully.
It was silent at the table… So awkward…
“Grandpa did you know Kita-san can punch really good? And she’s a lefty!” I said enthusiastically.
Ho Ho Ho! “Really now, Emiko? I didn’t know you could punch!” He said gleefully almost knowingly. Why does he call her Emiko? Are they close? Ah, well, whatever.
“Hey grandpa, I gotta go, remember? Could you excuse me from the dishes tonight?” I said seriously hoping he wouldn’t change his mind.
“Yeah, yeah…” He said teasingly. I smiled then ran up to my room. It was in the corner of my closet, waiting to be played again. My mother’s violin…
I haven’t played it in a year. I hope I can still remember some things. I’ll play it… for you mom.
I arrived at the tombstone where my mother lays. I kneel down then place the black violin case on the ground. I lay my hand over my mother’s tombstone and take in a deep breath then stand up. I open the case and get out the violin, I prop it onto my shoulder and flex the hand holding my bow. I take another breath then begin to play Adagio. A piece loved by my mother. As the music flows and resonated through my body, my mind leaves and drifts away. My face is kept solemn, my eyes closed. I swayed gently with the wind, as my hand numbly ran across the strings with the bow. I ended my song, dragging out the last note with sorrow.
My hands fall to my sides still holding the violin and bow. My head hangs low, as I say
“I wish you could be here, mom.”
Then I hear
“You play beautifully.” A sweet voice says to me. I don’t turn around, my head still hangs low, my hair covering my face.
“Thank you.” I managed to reply.
I kneel down to put the violin in it’s case. But, I hear
“May I hear you play once more? Wakahisa-kun?” Kita-san?
“Kita-sa---” I say but she continues.
“I’ve never heard that beautiful music before. May I please hear it again, Wakahisa-kun?” I could hear the choke in her voice now. Was she about to cry?
“Yes, you can, Kita-san.”
I play Claire de lune twice for her. Then we hear a shuffling on the cobble stone path beside us. A very old man with a cane comes limping over to us.
“Sir, your playing… it’s beautiful. You have given me a hope, to stay happy for my wife.”
My eyes widened and my voice was caught in my throat, I could not respond to the man. I’ve never had anyone other than Grandpa listen to my playing.
“Th-Thank you, sir.” I bow to the man respectfully.
The man wobbled off, smiling though.
I smiled, content with myself. I kind of laughed to myself too, then put my hand to my face still smiling. Only when Kita-san touched my arm lightly, I realized I wasn’t alone. I looked at her, kind of shocked, then I let out a relieved breath.
“Want to go home?” She asked quietly.
“Yeah.” Kita-san started to walk across the cobble stone but I stay behind and pack up my violin then say good bye to my mother. Just by walking normally I catch up to Kita-san. I chuckle, …short legs, I thought silently to myself.
When me and Kita-san enter the house, grandpa is asleep in ‘his’ chair, with the television on. It’s so like him.
Kita-san goes into the kitchen after I tell grandpa to go up to his bed or else his back would hurt. I followed her into the kitchen, wanting some cold milk. She opened the fridge and pulled out the milk. Then she looked at me after having the cup in her hand, holding the cabinet open. I nodded then she poured two glasses of milk. After handing me a glass, we both chug the milk down as fast as possible. Then we smile at each other and head off to our own rooms.
Is this the budding of first love or a mere friendship that has been long lost? Will Ryuu ever play his violin in front of others? And why is Grandpa acting so strangely? Will you find out in my next chapter? Or will you not and make me cry? :(
