Going Home Again

Michio called Ose to tell him that they were willing to sign a contract to get home again. Meaning they would come back to life. Ose seemed very pleased and promised to get to them as soon as possible. After that Michio and Aida sat down on the couch. On the same side this time. Even though it was still early in the day, they both felt exhausted. Maybe it was just that the tension of having to make such a difficult decision was finally being taken away. But Aida actually leaned his head against his shoulder as she fell asleep. This was truly everything he ever wanted. He couldn't help but look at the sleeping girl at his side. Such a lovely view. Was this really happening?

Before he fell asleep as well Aida seemed to awake for a moment.

“You know Michio, once we are back home, there is somewhere I want to go with you.”

“Oh, and where would that be?” Michio asked.

“You know the viewpoint at the top of the hill? I hear it's very romantic at night.”

“Oh yes, I heard that as well. I like that idea.”

“Is that a promise?” Aida asked him.

“Oh yes.” Michio answered, but Aida had finally fallen asleep again. Michio was happy either way as he doozed of himself.

They were awoken by the doorbell and soon they found themselves back at the table with Ose and he had prepared the contract. It was made of some sort of thick, old looking material. Probably parchment. Maybe leather. But considering it came from hell, who could tell what it actually was. The contract didn't contain a lot of text. Basically just that the would be brought back to life at a point in time shortly before their death and that their payment would be either the soul of their child or they own soul should they not have a child by the age of 30.

“Any questions?” asked Ose.

Michio looked at Aida and she shook her head. Michio shook his head as well.

“Then you can sign with your blood now.” Ose said. The two of the looked at him shocked. That made Ose laugh out loud. “Sorry, you don't have to actually do that. Although I would enjoy it. But I brought a pen as well.” As he said that he reached into his jacket and pulled out a fancy looking fountain pen. He unscrewed the top and handed it to Aida who signed her name at the appropriate spot and then handed it over to Michio who did likewise. After that Ose put the pen back into his pocket. “Then the pact is sealed.” he said in a ceremonious voice.

“And what happens now?” Michi asked curiously. “How exactly do we get back to our old lives?”

“Don't worry about it. Soon you both will feel very tired. And when you wake up, you will be where you where before you died. And then you can do however you see fit.” Ose answered.

“Thank you so much.” said Aida suddenly. “It means so much to me to be able to go back.”

Ose smiled benevolently. “It's nothing. And of course I get something out of it as well.” Then he stood up. I'll be going then. Have fun in your old life and use it well.” He bowed slightly and then he was off. Aida and Michio looked at each other and smiled. Then they sat down on the couch like they had before Ose came to fulfill the contract. And soon they actually started to feel sleepy again. It was a strange sensation since at the same they both felt anxious about what was about to happen and how they would feel once they were back. Then everything went dark.

When Michio opened his eyes he had to cover them up immediately since everything around him was so bright. After a couple seconds he opened them again, blinked a couple of times and started to recognize where he was. It was indeed the top of the school building where they died. And he looked around and saw Aida sitting exactly where he remembered her sitting right before everything went down. Literally. Then he realized that it had actually worked and he ran to Aida and hugged her. She seemed still to be in disbelieve, but then she came to her senses and they both hugged each other.

“I can't believe it worked.” Aida said. She sounded like she was about to cry.

“Neither can I.” answered Michio. But he was glad it worked out. He was happy for Aida to be able to see her family again. And they would be an actual couple now, right?

“I want to go home.” Aida said, now very happy sounding.

“I will walk you home if you don't mind.” Michio said somewhat cautiously.

“I don't” answered Aida with a smile. And so they set off and went down the stairs of the school building. When they were walking along the hallway holding hands Taiki came out of one of the classrooms they were passing and he looked like he saw a ghost.

“Aida? What are you doing? Didn't you say we were going out this weekend?”

Michio felt like his heart was turning into stone. What did he just say? Did Aida lie to him and she actually did like Taiki after all? He stared at Aida and she just stared at the ground without saying anything.

“Aida...” Michio whispered as he let go of her hand. She still didn't react. So it was true. She only had used him after all. He should have known. Of course she would never be in love with him. He started to walk away. First slowly than faster and faster. He ran out the school building and towards his home and he didn't stop running until he was in his room, where he collapsed onto the floor and started crying like never before. How could this have happened? Why would she lie to him like that? And what about the contract? He thought that at the very least he could spent some years with the girl he liked and now all that he had to look forward to was an eternity in hell. He was sitting there in agony for quite a while when he heard a knock on his door and a familiar voice calling his name.