Chapter 5: The God Reveals
The God Reveals
Th-the god of love…? A god that looks this much like a god actually exists in this world? I still cannot believe it.
“Oh my, you truly look like you cannot believe any of this.”
“Of course I cannot. Believing it would be the weird part.”
“Hohoho, young people sure have a lot of energy.”
The man who called himself a god laughed as he spoke. My vision was still hazy, so I might have been dreaming. I could not see his face clearly, and I was not convinced he was actually a god.
“Are you really a god?”
“You still doubt me? You lack faith.”
“Sorry, but I am not used to going to shrines.”
“Is that so? I have met you once before though.”
The man tilted his head. I only go to a shrine for New Year’s, and I had no memory of praying to some god of love.
“If you are a god, then show me some proof.”
“I have nothing on hand that would work as proof. Instead, I will tell you what is going to happen to you.”
“Alright, what is it?”
“You have a girl you like, do you not?”
“…”
If he calls himself a god of love, then of course he would know about Akari. It made sense he would appear now. He probably intended to say something like “She will be stolen from you hohoho.”
“Oh? Was I wrong?”
“…No, you are right. Continue.”
I already knew Akari and Youichi would end up together. I did not need a god to tell me that. Someone tall, smart, handsome, and kind like Youichi suited Akari far more than I ever did.
“Well then, about that girl.”
“Yeah.”
The man cleared his throat and took a slow breath. For someone claiming to be a god, he breathed just like any ordinary person. I was thinking something silly like that when he spoke.
“One month from now, she will die.”
“What?”
His words were so unexpected that my jaw dropped. Die? Akari? Why?
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“Calm yourself and listen.”
“O-okay.”
“From what I can see, something harmful clings to the girl’s heart. If nothing changes, she will pass on in exactly one month.”
“You must be joking.”
“Believe it is a lie if you wish. You will be the one crying in a month.”
His calm tone only made the words more frightening. There was no proof he was a god. It could have been a dream. Yet it did not feel like a dream at all. Dreaming about the girl I like dying in a month seemed far too strange to happen the day before she would be taken from me.
Akari might look healthy while she throws herself into club activities, but she had always been frail. Hearing she could die unexpectedly felt disturbingly possible. Could Akari really die?
“I get it. I will believe you for now.”
“Hohoho, very good.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Have you forgotten? I am a god of love. You prayed to me once, so I thought I should inform you.”
So in short, he told me out of kindness. The gloom clouding my chest disappeared, and with a calmer heart, I thought about Akari again.
Akari will die in one month. And right when she and Youichi are about to start a future together. They should have enjoyed many happy days. Yet it would all end in a month. Thinking about Youichi’s grief tightened my chest.
It hurt that Akari had gone to Youichi. But Youichi was not my enemy. He was my best friend. I did not want to imagine him breaking down after losing Akari. If I thought about their happiness, then there had to be something I could do.
“Hey, god.”
“Oh? You finally acknowledge me as a god.”
Damn it, I slipped and called this annoying old man a god. But I had no time to worry about that.
“Th-that is not important. I have a request.”
“Very well. Speak.”
“Is it possible for me to die in Akari’s place?”
It was simple. If I disappeared in her stead, everything would work out. If the two of them were together, I would only be extra. My childhood friend chose someone better than me. I had no value left anyway. And I had promised long ago that I would protect her.
“Are you serious, young one?”
“Yeah. If you are really a god, you can handle something like that.”
“A simple matter indeed. And you are exactly as I expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“I knew you would say it. There are still admirable young people in this age.”
So he saw through everything. It frustrated me to realize he really might be a god.
“Time is important. Let us exchange your lifespan with hers immediately.”
“There is nothing important about me dying.”
“Hohoho, you do have a sharp tongue. Go to sleep now. Everything will be finished by morning.”
“Alright. I am counting on you.”
“Rest well then. Until we meet again.”
My memory ended there, and when I opened my eyes again, it was already morning. Today was the day Youichi and Akari would become a couple. I should at least wish them well.
With new determination in my heart, I began getting ready for school. I never imagined the deal with the god would lead to what came next.