It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

A Funeral and a Miracle

Two months passed and the season had gradually changed. Leaves were bright red, orange and yellow and they littered the roads of the Japanese city. The breeze was icy and scented with the thick scent of food which washed down the roads, changing from pizza to soup to curry with every busy road. The clouds were dark and the rain heavy as it dribbled down the large classroom's windows.

Athena smiled as she stood before her borrowed easel. She'd painted a green field filled with blooming fuchsia and slate coloured flowers. Her paintbrush had been put down and she'd stepped back as she admired her artwork.

"Wow," said a voice from behind her, making the woman turn slowly. Her teacher stood behind her, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyebrows raised as his brown eyes raked the small canvas, "such beautiful colours which are very rarely paired together." He said, circling Athena as he adjusted his rectangular glasses. "What was it that made you pair these colours?" His eyes flickered to her other canvases, "Come to think of it, you always use fuchsia tones in your artworks - is it your favourite colour?"

"You could say that," she nodded, scratching the spot from behind her ear.

Her auburn hair had grown to a decent length now and it had been loosely plaited and tied off with a white bow. She wore a pair of green overalls with a plain white top and white cap to top it off - which had been discarded halfway through her art lesson.

"Exquisite," her teacher complimented, "I never have any complaints with you - it's as if you've been practising art for the past century." Athena only laughed in response. "Thank you, Sir."

"Oh please, Athena, call me Sanji, I care not for formality." He sent her a wink before turning on his heel to engage in conversation with another student. "Class is over!" He then called, "I will see you tomorrow, have a lovely evening." A chorus of 'bye Sanji' sounded across the room as students packed up their belongings and left the classroom. Athena offered a kind smile as she bowed her head before leaving the classroom.

"Hi Honey," greeted Ruki who had been leaning against the door of his white car. He grinned at Athena as she strolled over, a smile on her face.

"Hi," she said, glancing around at the swooning women around them who frowned as Ruki's lips pressed against Athena's temple.

"How was class?" He asked her as he handed her a cup of hot chocolate. She took it gratefully, looking him up and down. He'd dressed in a pair of baggy jeans and a soft green sweater which suited him handsomely. "Where's your cardigan?"

"It was fun, I get to paint all day," she cleared her throat as she pointed to her bag leaning on her shoulder. "How was your day?"

"I finished my first draft," he smiled, "I cannot wait for you to read it." He opened the car door for her, closing it behind her as she sat herself in the passenger seat. He ignored the other ladies around them as he jogged to the other side of the car, sliding into the driver's seat.

"I don't feel very well today," she frowned as she placed her cup in the cup holder, pressing her hand to her throat.

"You haven't been feeling very well for the past few days," Ruki frowned, "perhaps we should go to a doctor?"

"It might be blood shortage," she said.

"I doubt it," Ruki replied as he started the car up, "how are your headaches?"

"Not too bad today." She replied, removing her hat as she leaned back in the seat, closing her eyes. "Do you have a carrier bag?"

Ruki said nothing as he opened the glove box, frowning as she opened the white bag and emptied her stomach's contents inside. He opened the car's windows as he began their drive back home. "Darling-"