To Hell? That's Crazy

When they arrived home he offered to cook something again and Aida took him up on his offer and even offered to help, but he told her she should just relax, which she didn't seemed to be against either. So she just sat down at the kitchen table and played around on her phone. But Michio noticed that she was trying to sneak a glance at him when she thought he wasn't noticing and he was wondering what that was about. Did she notice that he had something to hide? Did she maybe see that he was talking to someone in the arcade? Maybe he should just tell her what was going on. At some point he had to, right? Wouldn't it be unfair to not at least tell her? If he ever wanted her to trust him it felt like too big a secret to keep hidden. 

When he had finished the meal and they both sat down at the table they didn't speak after they said their thanks and the mood was awkward between them. Neither of them did really feel like eating now and they were both poking at their food. Finally Aida couldn't take it anymore. 

“Is there something you want to talk about Hino?” She asked him straight out. Michio was startled for a second, but then he was glad it was her that started the conversation and he decided that he had to tell her right now.

“When we were in the arcade and you sent me away after I gave you the plushie someone approached me.” After that he paused and tried to gauge Aidas reaction, but she didn't really seem to have any. “And then?” was all she replied with.

“Well, we got to talking and he made me an offer. Or rather us.” Michio paused again, as he was about to say something that wasn't easy to talk about. “And what was it? Come on Hino, do I have to drag it out of you?” She seemed more and more irritated. Finally Michio couldn't take it anymore and he just blurt out what he had to say. “One thing lead to the other and I said that you were sad because you couldn't see your family anymore and that I wanted to do something about it and then he said that he knew someone that could bring us back to life in return for some sort of payment.”

After that he felt relieved and he looked at Aida to see how she would react and for once she seemed to be the one that was flabbergasted. “Are you serious?” Was her reply after quite some time had passed. “That's what he said. And that we should go to hell to visit the person that can make it happen. And that we both have to come. That's all I know.”

Aida leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. “To hell? That's crazy.” Michio thought that he couldn't have said it better himself. “That's what I was thinking. But I felt really bad when I made you cry and I thought that if it were true it would be amazing...” He didn't finish the sentence as he was looking at Aidas face and she looked at him with grim sincerity. 

“I want to try it Hino. At the very least I want to know what the price is. If I have to give my soul, I will do it.” She spoke those words with the same sincerity that was apparent on her face and Michio was surprised that she was so open to the idea. The whole situation really must have weighed heavier on her than he was realizing.

“Honestly, I didn't expect you to go along with it so easily.” That seemed to surprise Aida somewhat and she looked away from him and seemed to be a little bit embarrassed.

“I don't know why I'm like this either. But I feel like I have to do it. I must. Can you understand that?” She said those words in a very quiet tone of voice, but at the same time very deliberately so he could understand everything perfectly.

“I don't think I can to be honest. But I can understand that I want to help you. Because I feel like I'm responsible after all, even though I don't remember what happened. So if you want to go, I will do so, too.”

He tried to make those words sound as earnest as possible and they were, he had no doubt about it in his mind. Wanting to help her was his number one priority at moment. It was also his only priority, but those pesky little details weren't important right now.

“And how do we go about it then? Going to hell I mean. I don't think we can just take the train. Or an elevator.”

“The guy gave me his phone number and he said to call when we made a decision. So I guess I could call him right now if you want to.”

“Then do it.” Aida said with conviction.

“Okay, I'll do it.” Michio took out his phone and called the number the mysterious person that he didn't even ask the name of have him. After a couple rings he picked up. Michio put the phone on the table and activated the speaker.

“Eh, Hino here. I didn't even ask your name last time, so I don't know what to call you. But I'm sitting here with Yoshida and we both want to go through with it.”

“I apologize, my name is Ose. Nice to meet you two. I'm happy that you are willing to go along with my proposal. Don't worry, nothing will be set in stone even after we go to visit the person in question. But nothing will happen if you don't go.“

„We understand that. How can you take us to hell Ose?“ Michio was genuinely curious about it.

„I will explain it when I get to you. Is tomorrow okay? I will come to you at ten o'clock if that's good for you.” Ose wasn't wasting any time.

“Sounds good.” Michio answered after looking at Aida and seeing her nod her head in agreement.

“Perfect, I'll be there. Goodbye for now.” After that the line went dead. Michio and Aida just sat at the table and stared at each other. What the hell where they about to do?