Seraph of the End: In Their Shadow

Chapter 1: Trinity of Prologues

Chapter 1

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Trinity of Prequels:

Dec 23...Japan

"Akane!!"

A small girl with brown hair, which had tightly come together in a braid dropped to one side, had shifted slightly as she turned facing me.

She grunted as she said, "What is it, Michelle? It's really late. Go back to sleep."

"You know that I'm leaving for America tomorrow, how on Earth can I sleep." I slumped backwards on the bed the air quieted again.

Being uneasy, I moved again.

"Hey, Akane" I spoke up again

"Yeah?"

"Soo..." the word rolled playfully rolled off my tongue,"What are you going to get him for Christmas?"

"Him?"Akane shifted her blanket above her lips.

"Yeah, you know Mik--"

Before I could finish anything Akane jumped straight up. If not for the fact that all lights were off with nothing but the moonlight cascading it's ever glowing gleam into the room, I would have sworn I could see the red starting to bloom all over Akane's face.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on Akane, it's so obvious. I know you have a crush on him." I smirked as I shifted facing forward on the bed toward Akane with my hands resting under my chin.

"Ughhh," She sighed covering her face with her blanket.

"You could tell?" came muffled underneath.

"Of course, I do, everyone does! I'll be surprised if Mika doesn't know."

"No," she said collapsing on the bed, "I thought I had it hidden so well. Michelle, how did you find out?"

I sat up on the bed saying, "Akane it was easy. Especially from the way you look at him when he is helping the other children with their chores."

She sat up staring back at me now as I continued, "Soo, I told you now it's your turn. What are you going to get Mika?"

Akane shifted the blanket just under her eyes which show her true embarrassment.

"Well it's kinda lame, but I was going to make everyone some of my special curry. Especially since I heard the directors and saw them make a welcome banner for the new that kid that's coming tomorrow. Yuu...Yuuichirou? I think his name is, but with you leaving tomorrow I don't think I should make it anymore."

I sat up straighter my long hair now falling from shoulders the tips landing on the wrist. I glanced at how unnaturally white my hair looked, my skin under the moon even more so. My chest started pounding. Pain erupted in my chest. To quench the pain I grabbed the shirt over my chest grasping it tightly and without knowing I spoke, "I won't be replaced, will I, Akane?"

Akane quickly jumped up from her bed jumping onto mine, knocking me over.

"Of course not! You're one of my first friends I made here at the orphanage. While many have gone to a better place, no one has been replaced, and they will never be replaced. Least of all you Michelle."

I started laughing my hand slowly released and the pain in my chest as fast as it came now disappeared.

I breathed a heavy sigh patting Akane on the head, "Thanks, Akane...but you know. Curry is good and all, but it's not the most romantic gift to give to the person you like."