Himitsu β Kuro no Chikai-Prologue
Prologue
A breeze gently brushed against their cheeks.
The town, overlooked by the deserted temple ruins, was dyed in the beautiful orange of the sunset. ππβ―πweππ―πΞ½eπ.coπ
From the roof of the Tandolman Temple, there was a clear view of the townscape of the human realm. Although it was ignorantly called the place closest to God, currently it wasnβt being used as a place of oracle, and only as far as being a spot for angels to rest their wings. Those that approached it were few.
The angel that took the appearance of a girl, with sorrowful blue eyes, quietly clenched her fists.
βWill you go, no matter what β¦?β
Not even a shadow of the girlβs usual bright, cheerful demeanor showed in her expression.
ββ¦.Rin. What do you think of this world?β
Without answering the girlβs question, the angel that looked like a young man gently laughed. Crystal clear blue eyes that seemed to draw you in. For some reason, whenever she saw that smile, she would always fall into a helplessly saddened mood.
βWhat do I thinkβ¦? β¦We are angels. I donβt understand humans very well, butβ¦ Angels have their own world, and humans have theirs. Every one of us are all just living fulfilling our missions in our respective worlds, arenβt we?β
This worldβ-It was the masterpiece made by God pouring in His love and compassion. She had no complaints with this world. Or rather, she held no doubts towards God or the world He had created.
βI seeβ¦ I think that God is cruel.β
She felt a shock from the boyβs words, as if sheβd been struck on the head. Up until now, she had never heard him desecrate God or the other angels. No matter when, he never showed negative emotions. Always, with a warm gaze and gentle smile, he was more compassionate than anyone, with his comrades, with God, and with this world. What could have possibly changed that?
With a gentle tone, he continued.
βGod created us angels before humans. Weβre proud just to be loved by God. But God didnβt grant it to us. He didnβt allow us to have it. The βmost important thingβ that the living beings in this world have.β
The girl felt troubled. She didnβt know what the boy was talking about. No, it was better said that she couldnβt comprehend it.
β'The most important thingβ β¦.? Thatβs 'life,β isnβt it β¦.?β
βLife is a necessity. But have you ever thought about 'for what reasonβ that there is life?β
βAngels live to serve as the connection between the human world and God and Heaven. This worldβs entire well-being and circulation is our only mission. For this reason, we devote our whole lives. Hasnβt that always been so for you?! You are my very importantβ¦ my very precious comrade! I donβt want to lose you! So, whyβ¦..?!β
βRinβ¦β¦ Thank you.β
Suddenly, her view became wrappedin sheer white. Feeling warmth, she realized that she was being embraced. The warmth of his arms was the same as before. However, only the wings of his white angel appearance were pitch black, giving a stark contrast.
βMy heart, in the past and now, hasnβt changed at all. This body, this lifeβ¦ for what reason is it hereβ¦.? Donβt you understandβ¦? Whenever Iβm happy, I can tell you thank you using these two arms, just like this.β
βBut, those wingsβ¦.? Why? How β¦.?!β
βFor what reason am I livingβ¦. One day, the time that youβll understand that meaning will come, surely.β
βI donβt get it, I donβt understand! If you leaveβ¦.! Youβre my closest brethrenβ¦. I-I thought you to be my most precious partnerβ¦.!!β
Letting out the feelings that sheβd been enduring, tears ran endlessly down her cheeks. The days spent with him were going to end. She didnβt want that. It would be too lonelyβ
The boyβs larger hand laid over her fist that had been tightly clenched, and gently lifted it. He dropped something in the palm of her hand. It was a small, cross-shaped earringβthe one he always wore on his right ear.
βIβll give this to you. Itβs a charm that Iβve held precious next to my life, as Iβve lived as an angel until now. β¦Iβm sorry, Rin. Thank youβ¦. for everything.β
The orange sunset illuminated his jet-black wings. With elegant movements and lightly flapping wings, he fell into the amber-colored world spread out below.
The outstretched arm that sought to restrain him, grasped vainly at the air.
β β
Hearing his name shouted that last time, the boy looked back for a moment and laughed. Blurred by the glare of the backlight, a single something gleamed and shone on his cheek, then rolled down.