Table Talk

Both Michio and Aida didn't get much sleep that night. How could you when you were about to literally go to hell. When they sat down at the table together early the next morning both were beat.

“Good morning Yoshida.” Michio said sleep drunken.

“Good morning Hino.” answered Yoshida in an equally sleepy tone of voice.

“We are really about to do this, aren't we.” Michio was trying to make some conversation. It felt like he and Aida were getting along somewhat well lately, so he wanted to build on that.

“I guess we are. I wonder what hell will be like.” was Aidas answer. She seemed not quite there, maybe because she was still very sleepy or her mind was occupied with the thought of what would await them down there. Michio certainly was thinking about it the whole night. This all might well be just a trick to lure them both into hell and steal their souls or whatever was going on down there.

“I guess it will be quite hot.” was Michios somewhat lame answer. Aida just pulled a face and didn't reply. So much for making conversation.

Michio prepared them some breakfast and a lot of coffee and even that wasn't enough to fully wake them up. But it was still a while before Ose would be arriving and so they just sat bored in the living room. They sat down on opposite couches, the distance between them wasn't really getting any smaller. Michio just wished she would sit next to him and lean her head on his shoulders and they both could fall asleep together. Not in heaven, but back in their old life. That was all he ever really wanted anyway. But if Aida or even both of them got back to their old lives, nothing would have changed and they would basically be strangers again. Classmates at best. Apparently he was staring at Aida whilst thinking and she looked at his face quizzically.

“What are you thinking about Hino?” To his surprise she didn't sound annoyed or angry. Should he actually tell her what was on his mind? No, that would go too far for now. Maybe there was a moment later down the line when he could tell her what he was thinking about and how he wished to be with her, but it wasn't now. Besides, she knew that he liked her. That was never the issue. Or was it? Did he ever sincerely try to convey his feelings to her or was he just making it seem like a game, something he did for fun? In the end he probably was just scared of her truly rejecting him. Because then he might just feel like dying all over again.

“Oh, nothing. Just about what a mess this all has become. You know, with us dying and then ending up here together again.” Michio didn't know why he said something like that, although it was true that the whole situation was a mess.

“Yes, I never would have expected the afterlife to be like this. It just feels like when we were alive somehow. I guess you can't escape being human that easily.” Aida replied. Was she thinking about all this a lot as well? “That's deep.” Was Michios reply. He immediately wanted to slap himself for it. How stupid of an answer was that? And it sounded condescending on top of everything.

“You think so? Maybe. But I just want my old life back. That's all.” Apparently Aida didn't think much about the tone of his answer. She was staring into nowhere and Michio was looking at the small living room table infront of him. This conversation was not going how Michio thought it would. Even though he didn't really imagine how it should go in the first place.

“I mean I'm thinking all this a lot as well. But I guess I can't find the right words to express my thoughts.” Michio wanted to at least convey that he was also having thoughts about things that went beyond what the next meal was, as he wasn't convinced that Aida was giving him even that much credit.

“I know you do, Hino. I see you all the time. Even if I don't want to.” Besides that last part Michio was actually surprised she noticed him at all and that he was giving the situation actual thought. Maybe he should just try to tell her everything. Maybe after they came back from hell. At some point they would have to talk about it all anyway and make a decision.

“Maybe we should talk about it at some point Yoshida. If you are willing to hear me out that is.”

Michio wanted to test her reaction at the very least.

“Yes, I think we should. I still don't really like the idea of being here with you, but I also don't hate it that much at the moment.”

“I take that as a compliment.” Michio didn't know whether that was her intention, but it sounded like she was at least not hating his guts at this point in time, which in his mind meant some solid progress in their relationship.

“Maybe it was. I don't know myself. At the moment all my hope is in Ose and that he can make my wish come true. Maybe that's why being here with you doesn't seem that bad. I can always tell myself that it will be over soon.”

“I don't know whether I like the sound of that, but I guess I get where you are coming from.”

“It's all I can give you at the moment Hino, I'm sorry.” She had looked at him the whole time whilst talking but now she was looking into nowhere again. Michio didn't really know what to answer her and just looked at the table again. And what did she mean by at the moment? The situation had turned arkward, but then they were saved by the doorbell ringing and Ose finally arriving.