My Guardian Angel (Utapri)

《Ending》

When Akari woke up, she found herself in an unfamiliar place. The mattress below her was soft and the blanket over her lying body was warm. She brought a hand to her head and rubbed her forehead. When did I fall asleep… and where am I?

"You're finally awake." Hearing the voice from beside her, she turned her head to the other side of the bed. She found Eiichi sitting, leaning against the regal headboard. He sat up properly beside her.

"How do you feel? After half of the special energy within you was extinguished, your body fell into a slumber for recuperation."

Energy? "....when?" She croaked out.

"A week ago. When we defeated the King of Hell," he explained. "You don't remember?"

Oh, right…. She nodded faintly. It has been a week?! ". . Was I asleep for a week?"

"Yes, you fainted not long after we defeated him." He noticed the change of her expression.

If I was out for a week. . . . What about my work?!

"Knowing you, you're thinking something unrelated. If it's regarding your work, then worry not. I have sent the 'mail' you taught me before." He saw her relax hearing that.

"Where am I…?" She questioned him in a whisper. It's doesn't seem to be their manor….

"You're in my room. In the heavens," answered Eiichi.

?!?! "In the heavens!?" She cried out. "Does that mean I'm actually dead!?"

In reply to her outburst, he calmly stated, "No, you're not."

"But aren't I supposed to be dead?"

Eiichi reached out for her hand that had been resting by her side and intertwined their fingers. "You can feel my warmth, can't you? That proves that you're here with me, alive."

She looked down at their connected hand. How long had it been since she touched him like this? His larger, calloused hand felt so nostalgic. The gentle way his thumb was caressing the back of her hand almost brought her to tears.

Her body hurt to move. When she attempted to sit up, Eiichi helped her up. She mumbled, "I really thought I died after the King of Hell took over my body. All my senses had disappeared in an instance."

"Truthfully, you weren't expected to survive…" Eiichi spoke seriously, tightening his grip on her hand. "However, I believe it's because you didn't succumb to the nothingness that you were still there."

"...But what brought me to the heavens? And the King of Hell… I thought you ended him before?" Her question caused him to sigh heavily.

He began narrating the entire event: how and why the King of Hell had entered her body, how he caused havoc, the truth being her being the 'vessel' and the ultimatum given to Eiichi.

Akari fell silent hearing that. "Then it was the evil energy within me causing me those after effects all along. Thank goodness, I won't have to deal with those anymore."

"Yeah… the divine energy inside you should fill up the void. This time, your life should be back to normal."

"Back to normal, huh…." Her eyes went downcast. "What about you? You're. . leaving again?"

A small smile appeared on his face. "No, I'm not leaving anymore. The King has given the permission to keep your memories and for us to meet."

"Then…." Her expression lightened up. I'm so glad….