I'm Your Guide

As it turned out, all their plans for the next day were for naught anyway. Even though Michio had a hard time falling asleep on the couch, he did so eventually, even without a pillow or a blanket, as he was too scared to go ask for one. It was only for one night anyway he thought to himself. But his night's rest was rudely interrupted when the doorbell rang early the next morning and he almost fell off the couch. 

He still managed to get up in his half asleep state. „One second. I'm coming.“ he yelled. When he opened the door he looked straight into the smiling face of what was most likely another angel. „Good Morning.“ The words somehow sounded as radiant as his smile was and Michio thought to himself that this was much more like what he had imagined an angel to be like. The tall stature and long blonde hair certainly helped as well. „How can I help you?“ Michio regained some composure and was actually wondering what the stranger wanted so early in the morning. „I'm Gabriel. I'm here to teach you the ropes about living in heaven. May I come in?“ His voice was smooth and pleasent to listen to and Michio didn't see any reason to deny his wish. „Of course, come in.“ When he let the angel through and closed the door behind them Gabriel went straight to the couch and sat down, Michio followed him and did likewise. At the same time a obviously still sleepy Aida came down the stairs from the upper floor. „Oh, eh, hello? Who are you?“ she stuttered as she noticed the unfamiliar face sitting on the couch. „Oh, hello there. I'm Gabriel. I already told your roommate that I'm here to tell you about the daily life in heaven. Please have a seat.“

„We are not roommates. At least not for long.“ Aida opened as she was sitting down besides Gabriel. Everything to avoid being close to me Michio thought to himself.

„I sense some animosity in the air.“ Gabriel stated the obvious. „Are you not happy with the choice the powers that be made?“ he continued still sporting his radiant smile.

„No, not at all. We know each other from when we were alive. And when I say know, I mean hate each other from when we were alive. So I want him to leave.“ The disdain was oozing out of Aidas words, but Gabriel remained unfazed. „Well, I don't know what to tell you, but that won't be possible.“ Still with the smile. It seemed more and more unnerving as Aidas facial expression turned from somewhat neutral to shocked and appalled upon hearing his words. „What do you mean?“ was all she could say in response. 

Speaking of her face as she was sitting besides an actual angel Michio couldn't help but notice that she wasn't too different from him. Her green eyes were beautiful as Gabriels blue ones, her long blonde hair fell down in elegant curls and her skin was as fair as the angels. And she had the same facial features as well, an elegant nose, pronounced cheekbones and an overall elegant appearance. She was also pretty tall for a girl and had a great figure. No wonder she wasn't interested in someone like Michio, who was decidedly less attractive. But his musings were interrupted by Gabriel who continued his explanation of the situation. „As you know space in heaven is at a premium at the moment so we have to put two people in one place. But those pairs aren't exactly a coincidence. We only put people together that mesh together very well. In other words, you two were made for each other.“ As he said these words he still wore the same unwavering smile as Aida sitting besides him lost more and more of her composure and was left a shivering wreck by the end. Michio couldn't help but think that she was overplaying it maybe a tiny bit. „Well, that's for you to figure out anyway. I'm your guide for day to day affairs.

I will tell you something about how you can get things done around here. Shall we start?“ Michio was happy for the change of topic and even Aida seemed to be willing to at least listen to what Gabriel had to say. She was probably as hungry as Michio was at the moment.

„Okay, then let's do it. As you may noticed this house is pretty similar to what you found where you lived when you are still alive. That's on purpose of course, these places can take many forms and yours happens to take this form to make living here comfortable for you. Another reason we have to carefully choose the people we put together, since it would be difficult to create a place that would accommodate people from completely different places on earth.“ He paused for a moment to let them take in the information before he continued.

„I imagine you are probably pretty hungry by now. Sorry about that, normally your guide is here as soon as you arrive, but things got a bit hectic yesterday. But you probably already saw the kitchen and you can cook there whatever you like.“ Another pause. „It's not all inclusive in heaven I'm afraid.“ Now he was laughing and it sounded very angelic to be fair. „You also have to get your own groceries. But don't worry, money isn't a thing here, so at least that's a plus.“ Laughing again.

„Any questions so far?“ Both Michio and Aida were a bit overwhelmed, but Michio managed to get the important question out: „Where do you we get groceries? I didn't see any shop or something similar on my way here.“

„Oh yes, that's a problem. One second.“ Gabriel put his hands in the pocket of his jacket and produced two objects. Upon closer inspection they looked like smartphones. „Here, those are for you. They have apps installed on them that will help you in your day to day life here. Like the house everyone gets different objects to help them out and in your case a smartphone seems just like the thing that you would be able to use effectively.“ With a smile he handed the devices to Michio and Aida. Both stared at them for a second but then Gariel explained them how to turn them on and how to use the apps and it all seemed rather familiar. Not quite the thing Michio expected from heaven, but it was workable. After that Gariel was about to take his leave. „Well, sadly we have to part ways for today. If you want to contact me you can do it via these devices. I will visit you here again in a while as well. So take care until then.“ Then he stood up and left the house, leaving Aida and Michio sitting on the couch. „That was something.“ Michio uttered after a while. „That was what I was about to say.“ was Aidas answer. „See, maybe we are made for each other.“

„Don't push your luck Hino.“ Michio immediately retreated and stared down at his phone. He tried to find a grocery store close by and indeed there seemed to be one just down the road.

„So, what are we going to do about food?“

„Can you cook?“ asked Aida. „I would say so.“ answered Michio. „I have to cook at home for myself, so I'm decent at it. How about you Yoshida?“

„No, not at all.“ was here straightforward answer.

„Well, how about I do some cooking and we call it a truce for today?“

„Fine, for today. I'm going to take a nap. Better hurry Hino, I'm quite hungry.“

„Yes miss, understood.“ Michio saluted in jest, Aida let out an annoyed sigh and retired to the bedroom. Still Michio couldn't help but smile and got up to go on his first shopping trip in heaven.