Tears In The Rain With A Dash Of Despair And Loneliness

It rains, and, with your face turned up to the sky, your tears are lost in the downpour.

“Why are you crying?” someone suddenly asks.

You feel surprised as you did not even hear his approach and now he’s right behind you. You sigh, eternal frown on your face. You close your eyes then open them again, suddenly pleased that it is raining even though you’re soaked to the bone. “I’m not.”

“Don’t lie.” He sighs, looking concerned and worried.

“I’m not,” you say again.

“Why are you sad then? And please don’t say that you’re not. I can tell.”

You bite your lip, brows furrowing. Your lips curl into an angry sneer. You turn to face him, glaring. “Leave me alone. What does it matter to you anyway? What does it matter to anyone?”

He tries to say something, but you cut him off. “Don’t tell me that someone cares because no one does. Don’t lie,” you throw his words right back at him. “I know no one cares. I’m alone, always alone. No one even listens to me. I speak, write and cry out, yearning to be heard. But my voice is lost in the wind as the world ignores me.

“I am nothing. Nothing. I’m just an insignificant little thing that matters to no one. Who cares what happens to me, what I say, what I do?” You continue to cry, not even trying to hide it anymore.

He moves closer to you and enfolds you into a hug. You struggle for a moment, hitting him on the chest with your hands curled into fists.

But you soon melt into his arms and hug him as you cry your eyes out, sobbing loudly and screaming out your frustrations, hurts, anger, hatred, despair and loneliness.

He simply holds you, tightly, and doesn’t say anything. You still feel reassured anyway. Maybe, just maybe, all you need is even just one person to be there for you. And all will be well, right?

*Notes:
- Crying girl anime pic is from Amazon.com

Can We Talk Without Fighting Or Starting A War?

When we last left the 2 Superheroes, both were silent as they wondered what to say to each other. They wanted to talk, but they didn't want to end up arguing again.

The events of their last encounter was still fresh on their minds and they didn’t want a repeat of that incident.

After what felt like an eternity, East was finally the one to break the silence first. “Blueberry,” East says, “I do not wish to fight you. I do not wish for us to fight. I would appreciate it if we could just talk. Can we not try to settle things in a peaceful and diplomatic way?” East asks.

“This is what the Spades Kingdom and the other kingdoms want as well, though it might not be working out all that well for them, not at the moment anyway. But,” East went on. “Perhaps, if we can settle things between us, we can help our Citizens get along and settle their differences as well. What do you think, Blueberry?”

*Notes:
- This is part 59 of The Adventures Of The World’s Superheroes series, a story told in several short posts
- Part 58
- Image is a screenshot from the Sword Art Online: Lost Song - PlayStation 4 game from Amazon.com
- Pic is meant to represent East wanting to talk with West in a peaceful manner without resorting to violence

The Truth Behind The Smile

What does your smile mean? What is really hidden underneath that smile, cloaked in your aura of happiness and shrouded in the joyous upturn of your lips?

When you smile, the world believes you’re so happy, that you’re just bursting with delight. When you smile, everything seems all right, as if nothing bothers you, as if you couldn’t be happier, as if you have no problems and worries.

Everyone thinks you’re fine. No one suspects a thing. No one bothers to look deeper, into the hidden depths, past the illusions, past your façade and straight into the dark, dark truth.

No one can see it. But the truth is that your smile is fake. By now you’ve perfected the art of smiling without meaning it, without it reaching your eyes.

Your smile holds a wealth of pain and misery and sadness and sorrow all its own. Your smile hastens to reassure people and cheer them up, but the truth is you’re the one that needs the reassurance.

Why do you keep smiling even when you don’t feel like it? What do you hope to gain by smiling all the time? The truth is that you want people to look beyond your smile.

You want people to be able to see the truth, to be able to tell that you’re unhappy, that your smile is fake and that you really do need help. But everyone is blind to this truth.

And that hurts much more than you’d care to admit, even to yourself. So you just keep smiling and smiling even when you’re slowly falling apart.

*Notes:
- Smiling girl anime pic is from Amazon.com

Don't Want To Hurt You

Also known as, "At a loss for words," and "Don't know what to say, don't know what to do. Just don't want to hurt you."

East and West are finally starting to talk to each other. We saw West’s reaction at being called by yet another term of endearment by East. Now, let’s see East’s reaction to West’s response.

East was also smiling somewhat. Clearly, the Superhero missed calling West nicknames or coming up with new names to call West and having the latter reject them all even though East knew that West didn’t really mind them all that much.

After addressing each other, they were silent for a while as they just stared and looked at each other, pondering and wondering what else to say.

They really didn’t want to say something that will end up hurting the other. They wanted to patch things up between them. They wanted to work things out and talk to the other.

But they were both at a loss for words, having no idea what to say to the other. Several times, East and West open their mouths to speak, but no sound comes out.

*Notes:
- This is part 58 of The Adventures Of The World’s Superheroes series, a story told in several short posts
- Part 57
- Image is a screenshot from the Kokoro Connect anime from Amazon.com
- Pic is meant to represent East and West looking at each other

Don’t Know Why I’m Still Here

Feel so disappointed and hurt, so discouraged and depressed. It’s like I’m falling into an endless abyss.

You feel the rage and the pain and the despair and you just want to lash out and make them pay, right? You want to take revenge against all these people who have hurt you.

The darkness is eating you. You’re suffocating in the shadows. The pain is overwhelming, unbearable and you wish for the destruction of all, of everything.

And you swear you’ll make them pay. Someday, do you promise that you won’t be alone anymore? That you’ll be happy? That no one will ever hurt you or break your heart? Don’t let them win. Fight back. Don’t give up. But it hurts too much.

What can you do? How can you win? Someone, please, please, help me, you scream and it hurts so much. It’s like glass breaking and mirrors and shards falling all over you and you fall, you keep falling. When will this madness end? Someone free me from this place, you scream.

*Notes:
- Depressed, sad girl anime pic is from Amazon.com

What Brings A Smile To My Face?

Also known as, "Missed these terms of endearment" and "Don't call me magenta. I don't like it, I swear."

Previously, in this series, East and West happen to come across each other at the Superhero Headquarters. As they stood in front of each other, they were silent for a moment or 2, but now they're ready to speak. What do they say?

“East,” West says.

“Magenta,” East says.

That one word from East brings a bit of a spark in West’s eyes, making them light up in a way that they hadn’t done for what felt like a very long time.

There’s a quirk to the Superhero’s lips as West tries to hold back a smile and fails.

Clearly West has missed being called these terms of endearment by East. The Superhero looks happy to finally get to hear these nicknames once again.

Of course, West pretends not to like them, but that wasn’t anything new, so it didn’t really matter. “Don’t call me that,” West says, pouting somewhat though still with that small smile on those lips, complete with that sparkle in those blue eyes.

*Notes:
- This is part 57 of The Adventures Of The World’s Superheroes series, a story told in several short posts
- Part 56
- Smiling girl anime poster is from Amazon.com
- Pic is meant to represent the smile on West's face

This Broken Reflection Is Nothing But An Elusive Lie

“Hey, don’t ever be sad, please. I’m here for you, you know? Always. I care about you. You’re not alone. Please, don’t forget that.” The voice sounded so inviting and sincere and nice.

She looked up at that, smiling sadly, teary-eyed, but said nothing. She looked skeptical.

“It’s true. Believe me. I’m not lying. I swear, I’m not. Talk to me. Tell me your problems. I am here, I will listen. Always.”

She bit her lip, longing to believe the voice, but still looking unconvinced.

“Come on now, you know I’m not lying. Why would I lie to you? You’re special, you know? Just give it time. Everything will be okay. You’ll see. Don’t give up, okay? Will you let me give you a hug? You wish to be held, right? Don’t worry, I won’t mock you or make fun of you. Cry as much as you want to. Hug me tightly. Let yourself feel reassured and safe.”

Her eyes glittered and tears fell down her face. She ran to hug the voice, her arms outstretched.

And she promptly crashed straight into a mirror.

She blinked, staring at it.

Her reflection stared back at her.

She gasped as realization hit her.

She opened her mouth then screamed, now crying and sobbing loudly. She clenched her fist then moved it to punch the mirror. It shattered into a million pieces, broken beyond repair.

But she couldn’t bring herself to care as she collapsed on the floor and cried her heart out, wishing that it hadn’t been a lie and that there really had been someone there for her.

*Notes:
- Broken reflection anime poster is from Amazon.com

The Truth That I Don't Want To Admit

Also known as, "I have missed you" and "How long are you going to keep staring? Talk to me, please. Say something."

Previously, in this series, the 2 Superheroes have finally met face-to-face after being apart from each other for so long.

East and West stand a few feet in front of each other. They're both surprised and yet very happy to finally be able to see each other after what felt like an eternity of being apart.

Of course, they hide their true feelings, instead choosing to present a façade and pretending that they don’t really want to be here right now and that they're not pleased to see the other.

East looks cold and indifferent, mouth set in a thin line instead of that usual small smile. The Superhero looks serious and grim.

West is pretty subdued and dull-looking, definitely not as lively as usual and not looking cheery or cheerful or happy in the least. There was no smile on that face and yet there was no frown either.

There is silence as the two just stare at each other. What are the first words out of their mouths? Who will speak first or are they just going to keep looking at each other?

*Notes:
- This is part 56 of The Adventures Of The World’s Superheroes series, a story told in several short posts
- Part 55
- Image is a screenshot from The World God Only Knows anime from Amazon.com
- Pic is meant to represent East and West looking at each other

Melancholy Melody

“Wow, it’s beautiful. It sounds so spectacular and amazing. So, this is where that lovely sound was coming from. I didn’t know you could play the violin.”

“Oh, it’s you. It’s actually a Stradivarius.”

“Huh, I see. Okay, then. You’re an awesome Stradivarius player.”

“Thank you. Do you really think so?”

“‘Course I do. Why would I lie?… Although…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Well, I was thinking- I mean, uh, why don’t you play something else?”

“What? What’s wrong with what I’m playing?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all, really. It’s very nice. It sounds so awesome and magnificent and out-of-this-world. I mean it. No lies. You composed it yourself, right?”

“Yes. So, what’s wrong with it then? How am I supposed to believe your earlier words of praise if you don’t even want to listen to what I’m currently playing on my Stradivarius?”

“Look, I didn’t mean it that way. It just came out wrong- my words, I mean. But your playing, nothing’s wrong with that. Swear.”

“Then why did you want me to play something else?”

“Because- I mean, this one sounds really sad and bittersweet and melancholy. It’s really kinda depressing actually. I feel like crying when I listen to it. There’s a haunting, tragic tone to it. Can’t you play something happier?”

“I don’t have any.”

“Huh? Don’t have any what?”

“I don’t have anything ‘happier,’ as you so nicely put it.”

“Oh, come on. I don’t mean to offend. Really, I don’t. Don’t get mad, please. What’s wrong anyway? Can’t we talk about it?”

“Not right now, no. Maybe not ever. Just go away and leave me to play my Stradivarius in peace.”

*Notes:
- Your Lie In April anime poster is from Amazon.com

Will This Cold War Ever End?

Also known as, "I want to see you. I miss you."

In the last episode of this series, we finally find out the real reason why East and West frequently go to their main headquarters.

However, though they keep visiting the Superhero Headquarters, they never got to see each other there. Somehow, they always manage to miss the other or end up going there while the other isn’t there or has just left or hasn’t arrived yet.

This goes on for two or so weeks. It was two weeks later that East and West finally end up meeting one another again.

As luck would have it, or perhaps this was fate and destiny’s doing, both just happened to be at their main headquarters at the same time that the other was. So, they finally get to see each other at the Superhero Headquarters.

What do you think will happen now? How will the two react? What will they say? Will they even talk to each other? Is this going to end in a fight again? Are things between the two Superheroes ever going to get resolved and fixed?

*Notes:
- This is part 55 of The Adventures Of The World’s Superheroes series, a story told in several short posts
- Part 54
- Image is a Howl's Moving Castle poster from Amazon.com
- Castle in pic is meant to symbolize the floating Superhero Headquarters in the story