Who Are You?

He was climbing the stairs that led to the top of the hill, where the temple he needed to visit stood. It had been hundreds of years since he had been in the human world like this. People’s clothing had changed, and even their expressions seemed different. Everyone appeared healthier and more lively.

The forest, with its glowing trees and sunlight filtering through their leaves, adorned the path to the top. As he recalled, this temple housed someone who could help him: his sister. A goddess who preferred living among humans rather than in the celestial realm. Her closeness to mortals was strange to many gods, but now it might be exactly what he needed to better understand how they lived.

People walked past him, unaware of his presence. Some walked alone, others in pairs. Most of those heading up the hill wore worried, anxious expressions, while those descending seemed lighter, relieved. Perhaps this was the work, or power, of his sister. Temples were pleasant places for gods, environments where they could guide and assist humans in their desires.

Walking among them, the man felt surrounded by something to which he did not belong. He observed each person passing by, trying to understand what they thought, felt, and desired.

Upon entering the temple, he noticed how packed it was. People moved around in all directions. Some simply strolled or admired the ancient, imposing architecture, while others sought assistance, eager to see their wishes fulfilled.

Watching from afar, a woman with youthful features and light pink hair seemed to recognize him with a certain interest, smiling as if she could see through any disguise. She hadn’t seen him in a long time and wasted no time approaching, full of energy.

“Look who decided to visit me after hundreds of years! Or was it thousands?” the woman said, giving him a light shove from behind to get his attention. Her smile was genuine.

“Hello, Akari,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I’d find you here, but I decided to come anyway.”

“Haha! As if I’d stop living in this temple and watching all these people fall in love,” she said, gazing around before hugging herself. “I wish I could experience a great romance too...”

“You haven’t changed a bit. Always looking for romance in everything.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” she said, pouting. “Did you come just to tease me, or were you missing me? Wait... don’t tell me… it’s my time?”

“Yes, Akari,” he said, lowering his gaze. “Unfortunately, the time has come.”

Akari fell silent, her expression fixed and unreadable.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Do I really need to answer that?”

She avoided his eyes, turning her body away in disdain.

“You can’t make jokes like that...” she said in a reproachful tone. “So... what brings you here? Don’t tell me you came just to visit your little sister?”

“I plan to stay here for a while. And I think you can help me.”

She crossed her arms, intrigued.

“Don’t tell me you came to visit the goddess of love so I can make you fall in love?”

Akari flashed a mischievous smile as she stepped closer, her look that of someone who had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

“I didn’t come here for something so... silly,” he replied, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s just that... there’s something I don’t understand.”

He looked off to the side, deep in thought.

“They call it happiness, I think.”

He paused for a moment.

“I’ve read about it... I’ve seen it in many memories. But it still doesn’t make sense. So... I want to see it up close. Understand what this feeling is that seems to stir everyone so much.”

“Humm… I know exactly what you need.” Akari smiled mysteriously. “If you want to observe them, the best way would be to live like one of them, don’t you think?”

“Live like one of them?”

“Exactly. To understand how they think, how they act, and why they do what they do... you have to live like they live.”

He didn’t fully understand everything she said, but he trusted her. And Akari seemed to know exactly what she was talking about.

“And what do you suggest I do?”

She smiled and pulled a key out of her pocket.

“To start, you need a place to stay. That means... you’re going to live in an apartment, just like humans do.”

“And since when do you have a place like that?”

“Ahaha,” Akari let out a proud laugh. “Over time, I’ve learned a lot from mortals. One of those things was about investments and real estate. With the money I made from stocks, I bought properties, companies... But that doesn’t matter. What matters is… I have a place for you.”

Even though it all sounded like another language to him, he kept listening anyway. After all, he had nothing to lose.

“Alright,” he said, taking the key. “Tell me where this place is.”

Akari pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to him. The address appeared magically, the letters forming as he read.

“And I hope you don’t just show up there. To start living like a human, you’ll need to walk like a human. The path is beautiful, you’ll like it.”

“Thanks, Akari,” he said, already turning to leave the temple. “I’ll try to visit you more often.”

“You’d better, because... you’re going to have to pay rent,” she said with a big smile.

He sighed.

“I knew there was a trap hidden in that smile.”

***

The path, as Akari had said, was truly pleasant. For the first time, he could observe the modern streets and the vehicles people used. Very different from what he remembered. After all, his visits to Earth were always brief, just to escort a soul after death. But now, he could calmly observe the environment that surrounded humans’ everyday lives.

He had some difficulty finding the address, but eventually arrived at his destination. It was in a quieter area, away from the city center, with calm, peaceful streets.

Climbing the steps to the second floor, he glanced around with quiet curiosity. His sister’s apartment was simple, but something about it made him wonder what it would be like to live there.

As he approached the door, he checked the paper one more time. Then, he turned the key and entered.

The space wasn’t very large, but the living room was cozy. Despite looking seemingly empty, there were objects scattered about in a disorganized way. Everything looked like it had been thrown there in a hurry, with no concern for aesthetics.

He walked through the space, observing the wooden furniture, the TV on the wall in front of the couch, the cushions, and the colorful rugs. He smiled slightly as he imagined living there for a while. The thought of that place becoming his home gave him a different feeling... but it wasn’t bad. Having a place of his own seemed like something truly pleasant.

That’s when he heard an angry scream from behind him. He tried to turn, but before he could react, he was hit by something at high speed. It didn’t hurt. It was light and fluffy, with a sweet and enchanting scent.

Looking down, he saw a pillow. And in front of him stood an angry woman.

At that moment, he realized why he hadn’t reacted. After all, he was a god, he could have easily dodged. But before him stood the reason for his immobility: a woman with long golden hair, illuminated by the soft light entering the room. Her blue eyes were captivating. Her pink lips and porcelain skin added a touch of sweetness to her appearance.

“Who are you? How did you get into my house?!” she shouted, furious.

But he remained there, still.

He felt something he had never felt before: his chest burned and tightened, his breath quickened. It was something he couldn’t name.

And then, for the first time since stepping into the human world, he realized something curious: humans could be more threatening than they seemed... and infinitely more fascinating than he could’ve imagined.