Prologue (1/2)
First Story – Let Me Listen to Your Lingering Regrets Prologue
Inside the relatively wide half-moon-shaped cla.s.sroom, I sat down on my uncomfortable chair with my thick textbook spread across my long desk, listening intently to my professor's sonorous voice.
”Students, what happens when humans die? Today, we'll be closely discussing this topic.”
The cla.s.sroom was about two-thirds full. But unlike my cla.s.smates who were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence, my heart was trembling in anxiety. Feeling my heart hammering in my chest with a loud thumping sound, I sat in cla.s.s while desperately trying to quell my uneasiness.
–G.o.d, if you're real, I ask this of you. I pray that I won't be called again today.
”As you already know, when humans die and leave the 'human world', they are sent to 'heaven'. However, those plagued with 'lingering regrets' come back to the human world as souls. Is that clear?”
”Yes.” The voices of the students echoed in chorus.
”And that's where problems arise. What do you think is the significance of our existence–dwelling between the human world and heaven? Yuma Nikaido, why don't you tell us the answer?”
With my name called in a tone clear with mischief, I stood up.
G.o.d is dead. At least the G.o.d protecting me.
”U-um, the significance of our existence… Our mission is to guide human souls who die with lingering regrets safely to heaven.”
”That's right. Well then, what else?”
”O-other than that…um…”
As I stammered to answer, the professor deliberately let out a loud sigh.
”Oh my, Nikaido, don't you have anything else to say? Never mind. Why don't we hear the answer from Nagamoto instead?”
In response to the professor's urging, the boy who belongs to the honor roll rose from his chair. ”There's no other reason. Our mission is to sever the lingering ties of humans to the world and send them to heaven. That's all.”
Like a true honor student, he answered with an air of intelligence.
”Well said, Nagamoto. Everyone, we just have to be dedicated to completing our mission. Nikaido, how about reciting what you wrote in your last report?”
I bit my lip. I felt like all the blood in my body traveled to my ears and I was sure they tingled red.
”We have to resolve the humans' lingering regrets so they can happily go to heaven and the people around them can be happy too.”
As I fumbled to answer, the professor shrugged his shoulders in exasperation. ”Indeed, we are incredible beings and may have superior powers than humans. But you want to happily send the human souls to heaven? Aren't you a bit too full of yourself?”
As the professor said, we certainly have abilities that humans do not possess. For example, our five senses are sharper. We also have the power of invisibility, telekinesis and the ability to fly, among others. Despite the professor's vehement objection, ”making people happy” and having those powers are two separate matters.
”Not just simply guiding the souls to heaven? Where do you get the humility to work beyond our capacity? Are you planning to become the mysterious existence known as 'G.o.d'?”
Sensing the sarcasm in the professor's words, the cla.s.sroom erupted in laughter.
Speaking of ”G.o.d”, even to us who are more familiar with supernatural beings than humans, his existence is still shrouded in mystery. Indeed, our mission is to send human souls to heaven. But the reason why is unknown even to the smartest scholar.
”But professor, I-”
”Goodness, you've got something more to say? Your audacity to refute such common knowledge to every student in this cla.s.sroom really baffles me.” He expressed exaggeratedly. Feeling mortified, I hung my head down.
”Nikaido, I know you want to say something about 'human happiness' but we just exist to resolve their lingering regrets. If you pay attention to such an insignificant matter, there will be a delay in sending souls to heaven. Do you understand? Our mission is to send the souls to heaven. No more, no less. So, going back to your report, could you tell us what was your grade?”
With my cheeks reddening, I answered. ”Pa.s.s… For re-submission…”
”Pa.s.s but for re-submission. Is there anyone else in this cla.s.s who received the same grade?”