Shinji opens his eyes to the sight of dark clouds moving above him. Groggy, adjusting himself, his ears tardily pick on a nostalgic hunting melody.
"...where am I?"
The melody stopped playing; a sweet voice replies his mutter, "Hell."
The beige-haired young man felt a little depressed.
'No wonder why I fell asleep.'
Images of the devil lashing him on manual labour, and injecting him with poison flashed in his mind.
He didn't let the issue of his death disturb him much. As the Main Character, he knew his story was beginning. However, upon getting up, the scenery was in total contrast with the burning pit in his mind.
—Even if Earth is considered hell by some people, this is too much!
Shinji turns around with fury dreaded eyes, only to freeze like a sculpture.
A second passed, then another....
"Bada Bang, I mean, damn."
—I never thought my future wife would be this beautiful!!! Great Heavens!!!
Sitting on the top of the giant eagle —he is on—, sat a maiden in a blue yukata who would be mocked if called 'beautiful' —she was more than heaven, more than a fantasy, someone who can't be described by words, or any form of art.
Her charming face, between oval and triangular shaped with upturned green eyes; light blue hair, matching her lipstick. Furthermore, her curvaceous body laced with fair skin made her twinkle more than the brightest star in the universe.
As Shinji daydreamed about the two of them crying at their grandchild's funeral, the angel of beauty smiles, hitting her pale hand with a shakuhachi.
"It seems like someone has a normal reaction, unlike the two sitting at the back."
For a moment, Shinji remained tranced, before turning to look —ignoring everyone— at Lucy and Sora sitting at the tail of the eagle. However, they were not as enthralling as the sight in front of him.
Shinji clears his throat, saying:
"Is there a place I can find beauties like you? If there is none, I can only settle for you... who wouldn't want to wake up next to such a beautiful sight that sings the ocean breeze, the garden of roses, and of the impact of shooting stars."
Skeptical of the boy's words, the young lady narrows her eyes.
"There is only me; there is no where someone of mortal birth like you to settle. Also, they are already tigers at this sight."
"Oh, really?"
Shinji raises his brows. As a person who can make the devil believe his lies, the Main Character could tell that the Female Lead of his story was a crappy liar —it might have been hidden, but she somewhat flinched.
"In this New Age, when you pass by someone's house and ask if there is someone home; regardless of yes or no, you enter."
The girl laughed in her heart. It's not everyday she meets someone who has his way with words; bold enough to strike a conversation with her —some of her siblings don't want to look her in the eye.
Acting nonchalantly, she coldly questions:
"Is that what you say to someone who saved your life?"
Her actions, nonetheless, didn't frighten Shinji. An angel is a still angel, even if it is the one that brings death and poverty.
Shinji offers a salute of gratitude.
"Thank you for saving our lives...mostly for letting this crone ride your lovely bird, Shinrei-sama."
—Shinrei Tama-Artist are a class above Madoshi. They are masters of mind arts whether be it taming, mind control, illusions, or puppetry. Not only that, but they can use both Madoshi and Bushi Tama.
—75% of them are women; they make up 15% of the Tama-Artists society.
Looking at his angel, Shinji smiles. His earlier words were a way to get her in the mood to talk... or not.
Cupping up his fist, he asks:
"Can you enlighten this crone with what has occurred around the world over the past year?"
The Shinrei knots her brows, wondering if something is wrong with Shinji's brain chemistry.
Most Tama-Artists are afraid of her, yet this mortal is daring enough to ask her things. Likewise, this proved the saying, 'ants don't fear tigers: why would they fear something above their realm?'
As someone who hadn't talked to a person in ages, she decides to enlighten him on his question... maybe she had fallen for him, why was there a blush on her cheeks?
"You want to know why the moon turned pink?"
"Yes."
"There is more to the story than what meets the eye, but all I can tell you is what the Shaman have been saying."
Shinji nods.
He knew Shaman are the best class of Tama-Artists, they could do what Shinsei, Madoshi, and Bushi could do. Also, these geniuses can connect to the spirit realm, performing necromancy with other soul related skills according to the Tama —make up 5.13% of the Tama-Artists community.
The beauty continues:
"According to them, foreign types of Rei have been introduced into our world; and are beneficial in helping the body. Also, gates called oninomon have started showing up, giving people second chances to life —changing Tama-Artists classes which was impossible before. Because of them, numerous dead people have been reported to have gained life.
Research about the oninomon is still being done."
'With a wife like this, I'll never get bored.'
"There is nothing more to say between us..." She takes a short pause, smiling, "Just brace yourself and enjoy this road to hell."
Updated on the current events, there was really nothing to say between the two. Shinji, however, wasn't going to drop his previous agenda.
"Have you heard of The Tree with leaves of many colors?"
'Is he trying to repay me?' her skeptical gaze deepened. Nonetheless, she found no harm in listening.
She imitates the way Shinji speaks: "Please enlighten this Shojo (Village Head), mortal."
"Once, there was a wealthy man. However, there was one treasure he dared not to show others because it would attract a lot of envy —he had many enemies because of the wealthy he already had. Likewise, this treasure is the tree with leaves of many colors. Moreover, it settled in the east garden of his fortress where the sun didn't reach, it shone, taking away the darkness like a rainbow star. One day it bore a fruit...this fruit would make one ascend the heavens to be immortal.
I've seen that tree."
Lila twitched. This is Kokoro Island; if such a fruit exists, it would help her in many ways —maybe, she can finally get to know the name of her father.
Curiosity getting the best of her, Lila inclines forward:
"Where?"
"That tree is you, I've seen it today."
Lila's face went red. She wanted to blame herself for asking; however, his words made her feel a thousand miles away from her head.
Not missing a chance, Shinji walks to her composing:
I dreamt of jack o'lantern,
walking to my lonely tavern,
He spoke about the lady of heaven;
Puzzled, I took my raven, in search for her,
Lost, we asked ants at eleven, if they had seen her,
Again, looking for times up to seven, I didn't see her,
Tired, about to give up, I found her;
You, my lady of heaven,
let's run away back to my tavern;
The tavern of my heart that cries only for you.
Caught between his previous and current words, Lila suddenly found Shinji's face close to hers. The scent of raspberry coming from him made her brain go numb for a second, inciting her mind to produce numerous thoughts. However, this was the first time her body felt like it was being tamed, as if, her mind had forsaken her.
His pretty face made her lose control by each second she stared at it. Furthermore, she didn't know when it got this handsome —kitana curved eyebrows, sharp jawline, long-straight nose bridge, even the hair hiding his eyes looked amazing.
Before Lila knew it, her lips were on his, making her mind grow contrasting thoughts: 'What are you doing?! He is a damn good kisser!'
When the tongue got in effect, Shinji pulls away, fibbing, "Sorry, I'm into men."
Trying to make her crave him more, the Main Character rushes over to Lucien and Sora's location, stepping on the others along the away.
Arriving, he sat next to Lucy, mirroring Sora's action of putting her head on his chest. Before it became awkward, he met Sora's glare with a smile.
"Beautiful people like us prefer broad shoulders."
Sora clicks her tongue, muttering, "No wonder why your second kiss came too late from the first."
"Eh! You! That's personal!"