Work! Work! Work! Work!

Uhhh, what happened? Last thing I remember was saving Saki from a speeding car-

The moment I said that, the memories started flooding in. With it came the pain, shame, and sense of loneliness I felt. I remember now, I died, I was killed saving that child. To think I’d die in a similar way as my parents, is my life some cruel joke? Is this my punishment for expecting more out of life, for wanting to be more than just a postman? My family, what will become of my family? What grief will this cause Haruka to feel? How will Tomoro cope with this pain?

“I’m a failure of a man.”

I sat there in the darkness, on the verge of tears…Wait, I’m sitting. I’m in a chair right now! Wouldn’t that mean, am I alive!?! I tried to stand up, only to notice I had trouble moving my legs. I tried to reach my hand out and feel them, but that’s when I noticed my hands wouldn’t budge either. It finally sunk in that I was bound to a chair, I also realized my eyes were covered. I tried to shake off whatever obscured my vision, but the blocker wouldn’t budge. What is this!?! Did I get kidnapped!?!

“What’s going on!?! Hey, someone please answer me! Someone, please tell me what’s happening!”

I heard no response, I only felt the tightness of my bindings and a chill run down my spine.

“P-Please, I have a family! I need to let them know I’m alright!”

“...Heh!”

I finally heard something, it was the sound of snickering. The snickering grew louder, and that’s when I realized the position of the sound. They were right in front of me, they were laughing directly in my face.

“You’re a pretty cliche guy! Wahhhhhhhh! Somebody help, I have a wife and kids at home! You think that crap’s gonna save you in this situation?”

Soon I felt something hit my knee.

“Sign these papers, after that we can talk.”

“Papers? I’m not signing anything until I know what’s-”

I felt a sharp pain shoot from my left knee.

“Gahhhhh!”

“Let me repeat myself, you will sign these papers. If you treasure your life, you’ll do what’s in your best interest.”

My thoughts began to race, this woman terrified me or were they a child. I couldn’t tell because I was blinded, but her words carried a sense of absolution in them. If I didn’t sign the papers she had, she’d end my life. The decision should’ve been easy, all I had to do was sign the papers to save my life. However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned on the job, you must always review the contract and what it entails. I have no idea what’s written on that paper, so if I sign it could be a death warrant. Worse, it might put my family in danger! Thinking along those lines, the answer should be obvious.

“...No!”

“Pardon?”

“I won’t sign those papers, I have no idea of knowing what you’re trying to make me sign! For all I know you’re trying to force me to sell my organs! Or worse, you’re trying to put my family in danger!”

I bared my teeth in rage, making my stance known to my kidnapper. Seeing my expression must’ve worried them, because all I heard from them was silence.

“...You do realize what’ll happen if you don’t sign right?”

“Well, what’re you waiting for! Kill me! I already died once, I’m not afraid of dying again!”

I spoke words which shook the very core of my being, but I had to make a stand. I didn’t know who this person was, but I was afraid of them. This young woman terrified me, every fiber in my being told me to be wary of her. However, if my death could protect my family or someone from being ensnared by her, then so be it. If it means keeping people safe, I’ll willingly die a second time.

“....Heh, Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“What’s so funny!”

“Congratulations Sogoro Sahito! You passed my interview process!”

Huh? An interview? What exactly am I being interviewed for? Suddenly I felt a hand touch my face, in the next moment I felt the sensation of something being torn from over my eyes.

“Yeow-ch!”

“Sorry, I should’ve used a blindfold, but all I had on me was duct tape.”

Duct Tape? What kind of devil places duct tape over someone’s eyes? I blinked a few times, as tears ran down my face. I probably would’ve started breaking down, if not for the crunch sound I heard across from me. I looked up to see a girl who looked like a fifteen year old, her skin was slightly pale. Her eyes were a light shade of violet, her hair was a soft mint blue, and her teeth were oddly sharp. She wore a sweater with a cartoon skull design, jean shorts, and torn leggings with boots. She was munching on chocolate as she stared at me.

“What it’s rude to stare, also if you want some I’m not sharing!”

“...Who on Earth are you?”

“That depends, do you still think we’re on Earth?”

I tried looking around the room, it was still pitch black. I decided to investigate my bindings, low and behold duct tape galore! She didn’t even do a good job, what a waste of perfectly good-

“If you’re judging my tape job, I’ll take this box cutter in my pocket and grant that wish of yours.”

I immediately stopped thinking, which led me to see my knee.

“Why Is There A Pen In My Knee!”

“Oh yeah, sorry about that.”

She ripped the pen out and snapped her fingers, suddenly my puncture wound was gone. Not only that, but my eyes were healed too. I found myself blinking at the phenomena that took place. For my injuries to heal so easily, and for me to be sitting like this in this dark void.

“Are you god?”

“...Hahahahahahaha! You think I’m that old guy, not even close! However, I am a being who governs the laws of life and death. As you probably guessed by now, this is the afterlife.”

“I see, so the interview was to decide whether I’d be going to Heaven or Hell?”

“...Huh, why would you assume that?”

Eh? Wait, this is the afterlife right? I’m supposed to be going to Heaven or Hell now. Actually scratch that, I’ve lived a good life up until now so I should be a shoe in to make it into Heaven. Why is she acting like that’s not the case?

“You’re not going to heaven or hell, instead you’re here.”

“...Huh? Wait, what do you mean I’m not going to Heaven or Hell!?!

“Ah, well this is gonna take a while.”

She cracked open a soda and took a sip. Feeling bad, she offered me some mochi. I declined, something told me I didn’t want to have food in my stomach. What the girl told me next floored me.

“You see, people like you are special. You could say you’re a Paragon of your field, yeah something like that! As for why you’re here-”

“A Paragon? Wait, was I renowned for something?”

“I was getting to that! Anyway, you appear to be a Paragon at postman duties. So you were sent here, to continue being a postman.”

She pulled out some poppers and triggered them one by one. She then gave me a congratulatory hat, and tried to put it on me.

“What are you doing!?!”

“Trying to get you ready for the employee photo, hold still.”

“Employee photo? Wait, I’m not able to rest, I’m still being forced to work!?!”

“...you have my condolences.”

The girl put the birthday-like hat on my head and took a selfie with me. My god, so even after I die, they still won’t let me rest in peace. They expect me to deliver packages in the next life, whatever happened to getting retirement! This isn’t fair, this isn’t fair at all!