Saved By An Angel

Chapter One - Encounter With An Angel

The sun rose quietly over the city of Osaka. Its rays spread across the city, falling on buildings of all shapes and sizes. In one of them, a girl stirred at the sounds of a city awakening from its slumber. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and started blinking at the sudden light. Adjusting her vision, she stretched her hand towards the sunlight that came pouring through her room. She caressed it gently, as if it was something that could be grasped. The girl smiled at the thought, a beautiful, innocent smile, but one that didn’t reach her eyes.

For a while, she remained in the same position then got up and began rolling her futon. Afterwards she took a shower and got dressed. As she stepped out of her room, the sweet aroma of fried eggs greeted her. She followed the smell into the kitchen where a middle-aged woman was busy cooking.  

Noticing her, the woman greeted her happily, ‘Oh, Erika! Ohayou! You’re early as usual. Come take a seat.’

‘Ohayou, okaa-san.’ The girl replied as she sat down at the seat her mother had gestured to her.

‘Go ahead and eat, I’ll go wake up your sister.’ Just as the woman turned to leave, another girl entered the kitchen.

‘You don’t have too, I’m awake already!’ The girl beamed at the woman and gave her a hug. ‘Ohayou, okaa-san. Is that eggs I smell?’

Laughing, the woman broke away from embrace. ‘Yes it is, and I’m guessing that’s why you’re up early!’

‘Of course,’ Smiling, she rushed to take a seat beside her sister. “Ohayou, onee-san!

‘Ohayou, Sayu-chan.’ Erika smiled back at the girl. ‘Hmmm, smells good! Itadakimasu!’ ‘Be careful Sayu,’ Erika said teasingly, ‘you don’t want Ryuu-kun to dump you

because you’ve grown to fat.’ ‘Ryuu-kun is not that kind of person!’ Sayu retorted as she continued eating. Before Erika could reply, her mother intervened, ‘now, now, you two, stop quarreling so early in the morning. You two–‘

‘You two are sisters, and should get along.  When your father and I gone, you’ll only have each other.’ Erika and Sayu finished her sentence together.

Their mother looked at her two children in mild exasperation and then all three burst into laughter. It was picture perfect. Laughter rang throughout the kitchen, filling it with warmth and joy. Yet, though it filled every corner of the small house, it did not serve to erase a certain sadness in the air.

Not long, it was time for the girls to go. Before leaving the house, both girls gave their mother a hug and a kiss. Outside waiting for them was a schoolboy. His black hair was in a disheveled state and his shirt was partially tucked in. However, his appearance did nothing to dim his joy at the sight of the two sisters.

‘Ohayou, Erika-chan! Ohayou, Sayu-chan!’ The boy called out to them. “Ohayou, Shun-kun!’ Sayu greeted the boy as she nudged her sister. Erika gave her sister a brief glare that slid over Sayu’s cool disposition. ‘Ohayou, Shun-kun.’ Erika approached the boy who was called Shun. ‘Well then, I better get going then, ja ne,’ Sayu headed towards the opposite

direction but not before casting a sly glance at Erika, causing the latter to blush. ‘Hop on back, Erika-chan.’ Shun gestured to the back seat of his bike. Her cheeks still a pale pink, she sat behind Shun. ‘Hold on tight,’ he whispered as they drove away. They passed by several houses before catching sight of the ocean. As always, it shimmered brightly as it reflected the sunlight. Oguri cycled slowly as they admired the view.

‘It’s beautiful.’ Erika spoke in admiration as she took in the view. Though the road along the ocean was longer, they had always taken it.

‘Erika-chan, why do like the ocean so much?’

‘Because it’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful place to die.’ She added the second part as an afterthought.

Shun chuckled lightly, ‘And as always, you tease me with your answer.’

Erika didn’t reply and they kept silent the rest of the way.

* * * * *

When they got to school, a pretty-looking girl called happily out to them, ‘Ohayou,

Erika-chan! Ohayou, Shun-kun.’

The couple looked up and to see their childhood friend, Sung Yuri. ‘Ohayou, Yuri-chan!’ Erika and Shun greeted the girl with a smile.

‘How were your weekends?’ Yuri asked them and the two girls broke into a conversation about their weekend as Shun walked behind them with a grin.

School went by as usual. First subject was History, followed by English, then lunch. As usual, Erika ate her bento with Yuri and Shun on the roof. The last two subjects of the day were Science and Math, Erika’s most hated subjects. Not only did she hate the subjects but she hated that neither of her best friends were in either class.

Soon however, it was time to go home. She scribbled some last minute notes as the rest of the class rush madly out of the room. She quickly packed away her things and headed to the lockers at the entrance. Then she remembered that she had forgotten Yuri’s book on the rooftop. She had been meaning to return it during lunch but had forgotten to. As she neared the roof, she heard Yuri’s voice and was about to call out when she heard her next sentence.

‘I like you Shun-kun. I’ve liked you for quite a while, please except this letter.’

Surprised, Erika caught sight Yuri through the slightly opened door to the roof. Yuri was presenting an embarrassed-looking Shun with a letter.

‘Umm… Yuri-chan… Gomen, I like someone else.’ Feeling that she has heard enough, Erika quietly went down the stairs.

So Yuri likes Shun, but he likes someone else. How can I be so oblivious? Poor Yuri, she got rejected. Knowing her though, she would rather be alone now.

Deciding that it would be too awkward to see either of them, Erika decided to go home by herself.

Still, I wonder who Shun likes.

* * * * *

Erika took a detour to the beach instead of going straight home as always. She had taken off her shoes and was walking slowly along the ocean’s edge, enjoying the warm sand on her feet. Her eyes took in the horizon that spread wide and far before her. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Hesitating at first, she took a step forward. Trembling as the cold waters touched her toes, she took another step. One after another she walked further into the ocean, until finally, she was up to her waist in water. She paused and looked around her. The beach looked so far away and yet there still seems to be no end of the ocean at sight.

Shivering from her damp clothes, Erika stood still and gathered her thoughts. She had wanted this. She had wanted this for the longest time ever. But why do thoughts of dying make her uncertain now?

Hardening her resolve, she continued her journey. Step by step, she trudged forwards when suddenly, a burst of cold air slammed into Erika. It caused her to slip and hit her head on a rock. The fall disoriented her, and in her panic, she struggled to keep afloat.

No! I refused to die!

Despite wanting to die moments ago, Erika fought hard against the waves that pushed her down. She could taste the salt water in her mouth and the uniform that weighed her down. Her limps soon grew tired and her vision began to blur. By then she had glimpsed a dark figure moving towards her. It looked like a man, but she couldn’t be sure, he was too beautiful.

I must be dead if I’m seeing an angel.

With that in mind, she drifted into unconsciousness.

* * * * *

Endnotes (forgive me if the translations are not accurate, I’m not exactly an expert on the Japanese language):

Ohayou – good morning

Okaa-san – Mother

Onee-san – Older sister

Itadakimasu – Traditional thanksgiving (?) before eating

Ja ne – See you

Gomen - Sorry

Honorifics – san (formal), chan/kun (informal)