There wasn't a happy end

Chapter 1: With the help of the Goddess

Mihae opened her eyes. Her once empty mind was now filled with memories of her life and her heart, or more likely the memory of her heart, was filled with love and sadness that hurt deeply.

It took her a while to understand that they were still kissing. Somehow she felt like she had completely lost the sense of time, it felt as if she was moved into an alien place so different yet so familiar and that the reality of the present felt strange. Mihae pulled away feeling tears in her eyes. She had forgotten him, her lover, her strength, how could she? He was just like back then and she missed him. Oh if she could turn back time, if she wasn't so stuck up with honour, they could have lived a life together... but here they were after death and all the suffering before that. Mihae hugged him tightly, letting herself drown in his aroma. Oh how much she had longed for this.

Surprised, he asked her if everything was alright. How could she possibly explain what has happened, how could she tell untold words? There was more than one reason that they all forgot and she didn't want to be the one who broke their tranquillity.

Without knowing her lips parted and whispered to his left ear I love you. It didn't feel strange for her as she had said it many times before and nor did for Hak. Somehow these words felt familiar, it was as if he longed to hear them, as if he missed them. The thought did not linger for long because they started tracing forgotten paths, once again bringing them closer to each other's hearts. After their travels and pleasures they slept in each other's arms, just like they had at that time and Mihae fall asleep with a smile on her face. Thus she dove deep into the past world reliving her dead memories.

When she woke up the bedroom was dark yet her eyes traced his sleeping face. His face was tranquill, his body warm under her, keeping her close by as he dove into a word of darkness. She lay there as sleep did not come again with her mind left wandering. Mihae remembered her conversation at the beginning of her service. She felt again the fear and the wandering that followed after the mention of the debt. And then it hit her. Could it be that she became a Grip Reaper because she committed suicide? If that was the case then Hak and the others should have ended their lives too. She closed her eyes trying to remember the last memories of her previous life but they ended with her death.

What had happened after her death? If her theory was true then their ending would not be a happy one. Somehow she felt that she had something to do with her and even if she was very afraid to find out she believed she should,if not for her shake but for her friends. With this determination and promise to herself Mihae fell asleep thinking of the Goddess of hearts.

They woke up around midday and stayed in bed until they were hungry enough to leave each other's arms. Slowly they got up and made breakfast together giggling and teasing one another until the food was set on the table, then Hak's mission came in and after he came back and spend their time on the untidy bed, a mission came for her. With a heavy heart, she got up, got dressed kissed Hak goodbye and teleported just outside their building. Looking up she faintly saw him by the window smiling at her. They waved at each other and she started looking around in search of the soul.

Just a few metres away she was met with a terrible car crash. The lack of any other Grim Reaper told her that the baby was the only loss. With small steps she walked towards the upturned car. The ambulance was nearby with a couple holding one another tightly while crying and looking towards the stretcher where a small tightly bound up body laid.

Oddly enough its soul did not cry when she softly placed its little body in her arms. Its eyes were open looking straight at her, shining. Mihae walked into the familiar entrance and found the elevator doors open waiting for them. When the elevator stopped they were at the terrace with the Goddess of hearts waiting for them. It seemed that only a glance was needed for her to understand that Mihae had questions.

"Wait here," she said after taking the baby and vanishing through the portal. After meer seconds she came back waiting for the questions.

"I know about Fumiko and Makoto."

The Goddess stood still. As far as she remembered there were a handful of instances that left her speechless. This was one of them. Her ancient mind worked out any possible outcome of this conversation and none of them were happy, unless... "How?"

"I do not really know. The memories came to me when we kissed."

The Goddess stayed silent. This had never happened before, yet it was not a coincidence. Yes, she may have helped them find each other but she couldn't possibly know that they will remember. It seemed to her that Gods were not done with them.

"Do you remember when I told you that the heart you gave me was one of the most beautiful and pure that I have ever encountered?"

Mihae nodded. The Goddess studied her for a moment and pondered what to say next.

"I am not one who miggles with the life of others. It may sound a bit ironic but something about the love between you two moved me. If you had not taken that choice you would have grow old together. Your action and these that came after really enraged the Gods.

But I knew better, I understood you, I felt your pain and loss, you did not see me but I was there when that man took advantage of you, something called me and I felt for you. I found your choice reasonable counting your beliefs. So, after a lot of years I got the chance to speak with Fate and asked her to put you two into each other's paths.

It may seem weird to you but I do not control or know what will happen. Fate only knows and she chooses accordingly. I cannot promise you anything. I can only say that I wish the best."

Mihae stayed silent trying to digest what she said. The Goddess looked at her intensely bracing herself for the question she knew Mihae would make.

"What happened to the others when I left?" and there it was the question that determined everything that was to come, the beginning of the end.

Mihae had only to look deep into the Goddess's eyes to see the rest of the story unravel itself. Colours and sounds merged together depicting sorrowful moments, sad and unjust ends. It came all at once and left as quickly as the wind taking with it all her strength. Shocked, she fell to her knees. She should not have asked. How foolish could she be? Her choice, her selfishness affected all of them, they died because of her. Tears fell hard and her chest throbbed with pain. What should she do now?