The Lost Lamb Who Left

Chiyoko's POV

​I opened my eyes, and what I was seeing was quite literally breathtaking. I was in a white place that seemed to stretch on forever. It didn't seem to have a ceiling or a floor. It was a bizarre thing to witness, which better proved it: I did not have a nightmare. I truly died.

​Just then, a wind blew right in front of me as a medium-sized tornado spun before my eyes. I shielded my eyes, and when I moved my hands, I saw a girl who looked younger than me. Perhaps she was Naoki-chan's age or slightly older.

​She had cloud-like hair that moved as if it had a life of its own. Her skin was quite pale, and on her arms, I perceived dragon-like art. I didn't need anyone to tell me she wasn't normal; my brain was already taking care of that.

​“Uh… hello?”

​“Greetings, my lost lamb.”

​“I'm sorry… lost what?”

​“You have been slain, yes?”

​“I guess so.”

But putting it like that makes me sound like a villain, I mused, my eyes narrowing comically as a small pout appeared.

​“Then you are my lamb. The reason I say you are lost is simply because—you have unfinished quarrels, yes?”

​“I… I do not know…”

​“Tell me, just what is your wish?”

​“My wish?”

​“Yes, you have a wish you want fulfilled. That is why you are here instead of in heaven. We are inside the plane that separates the celestial world and the world of the living. Think of it as a border between countries. This is the timeless dimension—Mugen-kyō (The Infinite Boundary).”

​“Mugen… kyō... incredible…”

​“So then. Try to remember, my child; try to remember your wish.”

​I can't believe this little shrimp is calling me a child. Like she has room to talk. I murmured to myself, a deadpan expression appearing squarely on my visage.

​“I… I wish… for a soulmate!”

​“Your wish is mine to grant. But there is something you must know. You cannot receive a wish without giving something in return. But I will not ask for anything. Only your wish will be granted, but the price will be dire. I cannot share it with you, because that would eliminate the point. All I can say is: may my luck be with you.”

​“Okay, so uh… what exactly are you?”

​“I am glad you asked. I am the almighty Elder Goddess of Heaven. My name is Kitsune.”

​“I see. So deities do exist. Alright then, I'd like to ask another question. What is a Lost Lamb?”

​“Excellent question, my young lamb. You see, all those who die in your world come to my world. I refer to all of you as my lambs because you are my responsibility. It is my duty to make sure that all of you are collected and brought back to heaven.”

​Lady Kitsune sneezed, and a great gust of wind blew, sending me flying into the air. She vanished and appeared behind me, lightly touching me. We vanished again and reappeared safely on the surface level. Then she continued.

​“Lost lambs, however, are a special case. For one, all of you have more abilities than the average spirit or ghost. Your souls are so pure that you manifest abilities almost comparable to mine. The reason I refer to you as lost is because all of you share one core trait: you all have one lingering regret, while others have lingering wishes.”

​Her voice softened to a celestial tone, her divine expression becoming calming yet intimidating at the same time.

​“Like you, for example. I have already collected a majority of lost lambs, but they only continue to grow. And it's all thanks to the Fallen Goddess, Dalmatrix. She is the reason deaths like yours exist—deaths that are unnecessary and too ugly to witness, even for an elder goddess.”

​“I see. I never knew that is how heaven worked.”

​“No human does. They all have their own interpretations. Some even think I am male.”

​“So what do I do now?”

​“You will be given a second chance to fulfill your wish. But you have limited time. Once your wish has been granted, you will return to heaven.”

​“Okay then, I'm ready. Please give me a second chance.”

​“Before that, let me verify something first,” Lady Kitsune said as she placed her hand on my head. Her divine expression turned grim. “I used foresight on you, and what I saw was even more terrible than I imagined. More unfortunate trials will come your way. Be wary.”

​I blinked. When I opened my eyes again, I was in Tokiwa Forest. My body was nowhere to be found. That's when I realized: my body had been buried right in front of the tree.

​I've been given a second chance, and this time, I plan on fulfilling my wish. I'll do everything in my power to guarantee that my life is a happy one. No matter what.

​Since I had been turned into a ghost, I could only wait here in the forest where I experienced my last painful moments of life. Lady Kitsune said my soulmate would come eventually. And as such, I waited for him.

*****

​Young Naoki's POV

​“Hey, Mom, do you think Onee-chan's on her way?”

​“Yes, just be patient, my little flower.”

​“Okay…”

​This is the second time I've been told to be patient, and it's starting to get on my nerves. I mean, how patient can an eight-year-old be? Knowing Onee-chan, she is probably still getting ready.

​I think it was pretty obvious that I couldn't be patient. I had been waiting for this day for months. It's the one day where I can be special and pampered by Mom and Onee-chan. And also because I wanted to be spoiled. Birthdays are the best.

​They're supposed to be fun and joy-inducing, but this particular birthday started off great until—it took a turn for the worse. An hour passed, and Onee-chan still hadn't arrived. I was getting worried, so I suggested:

​“I'm getting worried, Mom. Can we double-check if she left her house or not?” I said as I wrung my hands, fidgeting.

​“I'll call her, honey.” Mom said calmly, yet her expression betrayed her demeanor. She took her phone from the kitchen counter and dialed Onee-chan's mother.

​“Hello, Miyuki.”

​“Charlotte, it's been too long.”

​“Not long enough.”

​“Come now, don't be like that. Do you really hate me that much?”

​“I tolerate you. Now then, why have you called? I'm currently on my way home.”

​“Hold on, is Tanaka driving you?”

​“Yes, he's our chauffeur, so it should be obvious. Is something wrong?”

​“Is your hubby with you?”

​“We agreed you would stop calling him that, but yes, he's right next to me.”

​“If that's the case then—” A shocking realization sent a cold shiver down Mom's spine. “This isn't good. If my hunch turns out to be right, then we might have a huge problem on our hands.”

​“Miyuki, you're starting to scare me. What are you insinua—”

​On the other end, Onee-chan's parents had made it to their front yard. All the maids stood before them with horrified looks. The head maid, Shizuka, came up to both of them, her voice trembling. “Master Makoto… Lady Charlotte… I'm afraid I have alarming news…”

​Mom's phone was on speaker, so I heard every word. “Chiyoko-san... has gone missing.”

​We remained silent after this revelation. Onee-chan's father didn't panic. He ordered every maid to go on a search for her, while her mom placed her head on his chest, her eyes wide, her hands clenching his suit.

​Meanwhile, I just froze. Then I snapped out of it and ran out of the house, heading straight for her place. Mom didn't ask questions; she simply followed after me, her own fear propelling her forward. Was I being tested? Was it all just a prank they were pulling on me?

​I quickly found out when I stopped in front of a cake in the middle of the road. It looked as if it hadn't been long since it fell. I examined it and found a 9-shaped candle. Then it dawned on me, and my tears surfaced.

​“There's no way…”

​Mom caught up with me and placed a hand on my shoulder, a single tear tracking a path down her cheek. “We'll find her, my little flower. Don't you worry…”

​Even though that's what she was telling me, she herself wasn't certain. We searched for her everywhere, but we ended up not finding her. She was gone. Whether she was alive or dead... remained a painful mystery to us all.

*****

​Chiyoko's POV 

[Tuesday, July 2023. 30 years later.]

​I stood under the sacred tree as I stared at the sky. I was here, waiting. But then, I sensed someone heading towards me. Curious, I stared in his direction as he stood inches away from me, his face in awe. His short, messy blonde hair, along with his hazel-colored eyes, made his face quite passable.

​For some reason, his face reminded me of someone—someone who had a special place in my heart. But I'd forgotten who that was. Was it a relative? A friend? Or something close to that? I did not remember. The past 30 years had completely placed a cloud over my memory. I cannot even remember some things about myself.

​Having thought this, I murmured:

​“Hello there, are you lost?”

*****

[Next — The Finale — Chapter 23: ...And Became; The Girl I Saw That Day]