@mc5punk 26 January 2025 more from that month

Short story: Under the Stars: An Otaku Debate

It was a cool summer evening, and the central park of the city was illuminated with a soft glow coming from the street lamps. The leaves of the trees whispered to the beat of the wind, creating a magical atmosphere that invited reflection and camaraderie. In a secluded area, a group of otakus had gathered, forming a circle on the green and well-kept lawn. They had spread colorful blankets and brought snacks that filled the air with tempting scents: homemade cookies, corn chips and bubbly sodas. Carlos, the self-styled "King of Anime," was the first to arrive. He was wearing a *Naruto* T-shirt that looked a little tight, showing his enthusiasm for the otaku world. He had messy hair and a *One Piece* cap that gave him a carefree air. His face was glowing with excitement as he set up his portable speaker. "Tonight is going to be epic!", he thought as he plugged in his device. His energy was contagious, and his smile lit up the atmosphere. Maria, the *Shonen Fanatic*, arrived shortly after, with her hair pulled back in two high ponytails that vibrated to the rhythm of her gait. He was wearing a hoodie that showed his love for *My Hero Academia*. Her face was full of determination; she was always ready to defend her opinions. He sat next to Carlos, crossing his legs and drinking a can of soda. "I hope you bring good music," he told her with a mischievous smile. Javier, the *Music Critic*, appeared with his notebook under his arm, as if he were a famous author looking for inspiration. He had thick glasses that accentuated his intense gaze and was wearing a black T-shirt with a minimalist design. His expression was serious, but there was a playful twinkle in his eyes that suggested he was ready to debate. He settled into the blanket, ready to take notes on each mentioned soundtrack. Alicia, the *Cool Girl*, arrived later, carrying with her a bag full of homemade cookies. Her style was relaxed; she wore ripped jeans and a T-shirt with a vintage Sailor Moon print. With a carefree smile, she sat down in the center of the circle and began to offer cookies to everyone. "Try this! They are my famous chocolate cookies," she said as she handed out the sweets, lighting up the night with her joy. Sofia, the *Inveterate Romantic*, joined the group just as Alicia was starting to talk. Her light dress fluttered gently in the evening breeze, and her eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of her friends gathered. He always carried a notebook with him where he wrote down inspiring phrases and thoughts about his favorite animes. She sat down close to Javier, ready to share her opinions on the touching stories. Finally, Luis, the *Nostalgic*, arrived with a melancholy but warm air. He was wearing a classic *Dragon Ball* T-shirt and had a collection of pins in his backpack depicting old animes. His gaze reflected the wisdom acquired through the years of watching anime; he always had something interesting to contribute about classic works. He settled into the blanket, watching his friends with a nostalgic smile. The conversation started when Carlos put *Tank!* from *Cowboy Bebop* on speaker. "Isn't this the best musical introduction there is? Yoko Kanno is simply second to none," he said enthusiastically, slightly moving his arms to the beat of the music. Maria interrupted him, "Okay, Carlos, but you can't compare that to Hiroyuki Sawano's epic compositions." As he spoke, his voice was filled with passion and determination; his eyes sparkled as he remembered the epic battles accompanied by that music. He searched his phone and put on *Vogel im Käfig*, letting the notes echo in the air. Javier took the floor: "They're both right, but let's not forget the classics." His tone was authoritative but friendly; he always enjoyed being the sage of the group. He started talking about *Neon Genesis Evangelion* and how the music had marked a before and after in the anime. As he spoke, his voice became more intense; he could feel how each note transported him to those iconic moments. Alicia intervened just as Javier was starting to hum *A Cruel Angel's Thesis*. "You guys always talk about the same thing," he said as he took a bite of a cookie. "What about something more contemporary? Radwimps' music on *Your Name* is pure magic." She closed her eyes as she let the melody fill the night air, showing her sensitive side. Sofia raised her hand as if she were in class. "The way that music accompanies the story is amazing." Her voice was soft but full of emotion; I could remember every tear shed during that movie. Luis finally spoke up, "But let's not forget Joe Hisaishi." His tone was nostalgic and reverent; every word seemed to be imbued with love for classic animes. As he described how Studio Ghibli soundtracks created magical atmospheres, his eyes sparkled as if he was remembering special moments. The conversation continued for hours, each one defending his favorites with passion worthy of a shonen anime. Laughter erupted between them as they shared funny anecdotes about their experiences watching anime together. Finally, they decided to make a joint list to remember the night. Carlos proposed a vote: "Everyone will say their three favorite soundtracks." After an intense debate full of laughs (and some missing cookies), they came to a consensus: 1. Cowboy Bebop (Yoko Kanno) 2. Attack on Titan (Hiroyuki Sawano) 3. Your Name (Radwimps) Although not everyone completely agreed with the final order (Luis kept insisting on including Hisaishi), no one could deny that each soundtrack had something special. When the dawn began to appear and the cold became more intense, the group gathered their things between laughter and hugs. But just as they were about to leave, Carlos decided to make one last joke. "Wait! Did you know that there is a secret soundtrack that surpasses all of them?", he said with a mischievous smile. "What is it?", they all asked in unison, intrigued. Carlos got serious and said, "The soundtrack of the sound of the refrigerator when you are hungry at 3 AM." Everyone burst into laughter and Sofia added between laughs: "That should be on our list! It has definitely made me cry more times than any anime!" As they laughed out loud and walked away from the park under the twinkling lights, they knew that that night would be etched in their memory not only by the discussions about music, but also by the funny moments they shared as otaku friends... and for the missing cookies! Source of the images. Image created with Starryai.