Envy

The white drop of paint dripped down the wooden fence like a lone tear. Slowly crawling down towards the sharp blades of grass, they longed to reach their final resting point. But, just like all the rest, they were swept away by the bristles of a paintbrush, trapped in an ocean of themself.

* * *

"Wake up, kid. Check the fence out. It's perfect, isn't it?"

Kenji rubbed his eyes and sat up. The grass felt so comfortable, it was almost better than sleeping in his bed. Kenji glanced, still half-asleep, at the newly painted wooden fence that bordered his backyard. Just as with every other job his friend was assigned, it was done without flaw. 

"It is perfect, Koat. That's the last one, right?"

Koat, still staring at his work, nodded his head. He scratched at his gray, patchy beard, and as he did, a small ladybug landed on his index finger. He stopped staring at his work to instead admire the beauty of the tiny insect. His eyes peered down at the glossy red wings of the ladybug as it crawled around his hand. Koat could crush the little thing with zero effort, ending his life in an instant. Yet, it still crawled, seemingly with no fear. It may have been due to blissful ignorance, but still, Koat had respect for the ladybug.

Kenji stood up and and began running towards Koat. This startled Koat, and his body jolted back, causing the ladybug to begin flying off. Kenji, being only a child, had to try and use his leverage to bring down the older man, who he grabbed by the hips to perform a takedown.

"Since you're done, we can have a wrestling match, right?"

Kenji laughed and Koat began to try and pry Kenji off of him. As he did, he caught a final glimpse of the ladybug. It flew past the green grass, over the white fence, and kept flying far into the bright blue sky. That same little bug that Koat could kill in a small moment was able to travel farther than he had in years. Despite it's size, despite the odds, it flew out toward the sky. It flew out toward the clouds.