Reunion

Ambulance, City, Late Night

Akane lies in the ambulance. Her eyes are just slightly open. She is barely awake. Her vision is hazy as she looks up at the ceiling of the ambulance. Her forehead is bandaged up tightly. There are straps that help bind her to the stretcher.

She feels someone holding her hand tightly. A paramedic comes into her view.

Paramedic 1: “Listen to my voice! Listen to my voice! You’re going to be okay, understand?!”

She has a determined and passionate look on her face. She is so worried and concerned for her, but she is trying so hard to save her. Her face is damp with sweat.

Akane doesn’t respond. She continues to stare blankly. Slowly, her eyes close.

The heart monitor in the ambulance starts beeping loudly. Akane is flatlining.

There is a second paramedic in the ambulance. This one is a man. He looks at the heart monitor, and his eyes widen with panic.

Paramedic 2: “We’re losing her!”

The first paramedic also panics.

Paramedic 1: “Shit!”

The first paramedic grabs a pair of defibrillator paddles from the wall of the ambulance. The second paramedic rips open Akane’s shirt. The first paramedic presses the two paddles on Akane’s chest.

Paramedic 1: “Clear!”

The defibrillator activates. Akane’s body jolts, then falls flaccid again. Nothing happens. The heart monitor is still bleeping loudly. Her heartbeat hasn’t returned.

The first paramedic put the paddles back on Akane’s chest. She jolts her a second time, but yet again, it doesn’t work.

Paramedic 1: “Please…please, please, please.”

The first paramedic puts the paddles back on Akane’s chest, refusing to let her die. Her determination and passion roars.

Title card: My New Boss is the Grim Reaper?! Episode 11.

Entrance Hall, Death Incorporated Building, Early morning

It is another busy morning at Death Incorporated. There is a long queue of spirits leading up to the receptionist’s desk. However, this time, instead of the receptionist, it is Death behind the desk.

Death has a very annoyed expression as he types away at the computer.

Death: “Cause of death?”

The spirit standing in front of the desk is a middle-aged bald man.

Bald Man: “Uh…I think it was cirrhosis? Or maybe it was hepatitis…”

Death is even more annoyed. He types something else on the computer.

Death: “Just go over to the fifth floor. Follow the signs. Alright, next!”

The bald man walks away and the queue moves forward. Death looks down and clenches his head in frustration.

Death (Narration): “Damn her…I can’t believe she would take a break on such a busy day!”

He breathes a loud sigh. He keeps his gaze on the computer screen.

Death: “I said next!”

Someone approaches the desk. Their identity is not shown.

Death puts his hands on the keyboard. Still, he doesn’t look up. He speaks with a very annoyed expression.

Death: “Name?”

Akane (Off-panel): “Akane Hayakawa.”

Death’s eyes go wide. Slowly, he lifts his head. Akane is standing at the desk, smiling sadly at him.

Death: “Akane…Miss Hayakawa. What are you doing here?”

Akane continues to smile sadly at him.

Akane: “You’re supposed to ask my age next.”

Death knows deep down what has happened, but he tries to deny it. There is no way she is actually dead. He forces himself to put on his usual scowling expression. He forces himself to pretend like everything is normal.

Death: “Stop messing around, Miss Hayakawa. Go back to work. I have to finish the rest of these spirits before lunch. If you finish writing the reports, just put it on my desk.”

Akane: “My name is Akane Hayakawa. Now, ask me my age.”

Death’s expression shifts to one of despair. He can’t deny himself anymore. He knows what has happened. He clenches his hands tightly. Tears begin to gather in his eyes and flow down his cheeks.

After a moment, Death finally continues.

Death: “Age?”

Akane smiles a little more. She is trying to hold back her own grief, worried that it would only make Death sadder.

Akane: “Twenty-four.”

Death covers his eyes with one hand. He can’t stop his tears from flowing down his cheeks and falling on the desk.

Death: “You’ll be twenty-five next month.”

Akane doesn’t say anything. She only waits for Death to continue.

Death’s tears only increase. He can’t maintain his composure anymore.

Akane: “Death. Please.”

Death takes a moment. He has to struggle against himself to speak. His grief threatens to overwhelm him.

Death: “Are you…are you a good person?”

She is still smiling. She has long accepted her own morality.

Akane: “No, I am not.”

Akane closes her eyes. Death continues to cry as she speaks.

Akane: “I try to do good things. I donate to charities. I do volunteer work sometimes. But every day, I see on the news the horrible things happening to people all around the world. War and famine and poverty. There are people who have given up everything they have to help, and I’m not one of them.”

Akane opens her eyes and looks directly at Death.

Akane: “So no. I am not a good person. I have done nothing good in my entire life.”

Death grips his face tighter. He cannot bear to look at her.

Death: “You’re wrong.”

We flash through every single moment of kindness Akane has ever done.

In episode 1, Akane calling the ambulance for the spirit with a bullet hole in his forehead.

In episode 4, when Akane is working diligently in the file room.

In episode 4 again, when Akane is reassuring Miss Sato that she deserves justice.

In episode 7, when she is trying to save the life of the man who tried to rape her in the alleyway.

Death: “You are always nice to everyone. You say hello and good morning, even to strangers. To offer to bring your co-workers coffee. You pick up trash. You pretend to always be satisfied, even when you’re hurting on the inside.”

Akane walks around the desk, approaching Death. She is beginning to cry, too.

Death continues, still not looking up.

Death: “You always assume the very best in people. Even those who don’t deserve it…especially those who don’t deserve it. You will sacrifice so much of yourself if it means making one person’s life easier. You save everyone you meet, Akane Hayakawa.”

Akane hugs Death from behind. She hugs him tightly, pressing her head against the back of his neck. They are both crying.

Death: “You saved me.”