Angel Beats! A Step Closer

Act I Chapter 1: Prologue

A/N: Hello all! Just wanted to thank you for reading the first part of my project, A Step Closer. Due to how expansive the lore is with this story, here is a link to the wiki which elaborates on a lot more information as well as exclusive non-written content. Be warned, spoilers from both Angel Beats! anime and visual novel are present in this story and the wiki. Enjoy!

https://angel-beats-a-step-closer.fandom.com/f

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In...

And.

Out.

The breaths he inhaled and exhaled came labored each time. His right leg endlessly bounced up and down with no mental restraint to hide his nervousness. Staring forward, Otonashi contemplated leaving, disregarding his current situation. However, he complies with his inner self, wanting to take full responsibility of what caused him to be there in the first place.

Silence fills the room he is in once again, before being interrupted by muffled voices that originated past the wall he leaned against.

The decision they decide to make will ultimately decide whether or not his life-defined goal shall continue or not.

The sound of clicking to his left makes Otonashi stop his leg movements and he looks toward the direction of the sound. The door was being unlocked, and it was opened gracefully. Someone walked outside the door and faced him.

"Dr. Otonashi, you may come in now," A figure in white said in a neutral tone.

Otonashi simply nods, standing up with a purpose. Taking one more deep breath in and out, he walks toward the door with the figure who promptly moves out of his way.

Stepping into the room, he hears the taps of his footsteps echo back at him. In front of him were a variety of figures in business attire that were all standing. The assortment of dark colors the figures wore pierced the saturation of the room his eyes viewed. A white gradient typical in hospital settings met with seemingly high-ranked personnel.

Viewing the positions of these various people, they all were behind a semi-circle shaped table with their chairs beside them. In front of Otonashi was one rectangular table with one chair. All the tables have one microphone protruding off to the side. Clearly, it was set up for this specific situation: the analysis of his character and morals, and whether or not the actions that warranted this meeting were justified or not. Otonashi walked up beside the chair and bowed down in respect. The figures did not return the bow, instead stared at the nervous doctor with blank looks.

"Doctor Otonashi, for the sake of this internal investigation and the official questioning of your values, actions, and intentions, we fully expect the truth and nothing but the truth."

"..."

"Do you understand?"

"I understand," Otonashi replied carefully, taking one more deep breath.

All the figures finally bowed down to Otonashi. A couple of seconds pass, and everyone including Otonashi picks themselves back up again, before seating themselves and scooting in their chairs, the sound of the vibrations between the chairs and the waxed floor overtaking.

"For the record, please state your full name and position," The chair requested. As he finished speaking, the sounds of clacking from a recorder in the room continued before ceasing, awaiting a response.

"My name is Yuzuru Otonashi, and I am a cardiologist at the XTE Medical Center."

"Otonashi, for we are not in court, everything said here is only for the matter and purposes of the internal investigation that is to be conducted until appropriate action is taken. Whether or not this information is relayed later to the justice system is reliant on the findings or the final verdict given by the board of the directors, which may be decided at anytime. Do you understand?"