Ouma was unhappy.
His life wasn't like that of a normal kid. His mother didn't have time for him, his classmates never spoke to him. But none of that mattered to him because the only thing he wanted
was a friend.
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Ouma's POV
I was walking down the street alone. I heard people whisper about me on my way home. What a freak, he's so lonely, idiot. I don't mind about other people's opinions though. Besides I've always gotten by myself. I guess I'll have a great life eventually. Just gotta get through my childhood without nagging about dumb emotions like depression and boredom. Even if I feel them enough for them to become a default.
I reached my house and quietly closed the door. My mom was lying on the couch, tired and asleep. She wasn't a bad mom, it wasn't her fault she didn't pay me much attention. When my mom divorced after finding out her my was cheating on her with a woman ten years younger than her, she had to take extra shifts at her job as a waitress for us to get by. So when she came home, she was just too tired to do anything else. I can't really blame her for that.
I grab a blanket and cover her. I eat some cereal quietly because I can't cook and would just make a huge mess. I was tired so I go upstairs and lie down in bed to nap. And so, I fall asleep
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I woke up in a field of lavender flowers. I remembered what a beautiful smell they had. Sadly, I don't get to see them that often anymore in the foggy city. I was confused as to where I was. The field was so beautiful and the sky was light blue with sun shining over. Then I noticed a man standing among the lavender. A young boy with two white fluffy wings and a warm smile on his face. His look was so welcoming and charming.
"Um, who are you?" I asked walking towards him. He smiled at me when he noticed I was awake "I'm Shuichi Saihara... I'm an angel." he said warmly, his voice harmonic and sweet "You're Kokichi Ouma I presume?". I watched as the given angel lightly spread his white wings. He was gorgeous. He had porcelain-like skin, beautiful olive eyes and perfect dark blue hair. Ouma sat by the angel, curious. Was this some sort of lucid dream? Well it sure isn't a bad one so far.
"Yeah, that's my name." I answered plainly. "I've been watching you... and it looks like you're quite lonely. Would you like to talk?." He said kindly to which I gave a confused look "Why of all the billions of people do you to be friends with me? Isn't there a better person to talk to?" I said to which he gave a light laugh "There might. But I chose you and would rather talk to you." he said
Suddenly, a door with numerous ornaments appeared from the ground. "Oh... I guess we won't be talking together. You're waking up. Bad luck I guess. Go through that door. Your mom's calling you. I will just have to talk to you later..." I looked at him strangely. What? I decided to go through the door anyway. The room was dark and as soon as the door clicked shut.
I woke up.
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I heard my mom call downstairs "Honey! I got dinner!" I went downstairs. My mom stood by the coffee table, two bags of fast food takeaway in her hands. I looked at her tired baggy eyes, messed up hair and her purple t-shirt. Sometimes I pitied my mom. Why does she have to carry all this weight on her shoulders? Ah yes, it's because her husband abandoned her for some 20 year old hussy.
I gave her a weak smile. "Hi sweetie! Today my boss said employees get the day off. So we can eat together tonight." she said handing me one bag. We both sat and ate together with awkward small talk happening once in a while. After that I did my homework, washed and went to bed.
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I found myself waking up in the same place as last time, that lavender field. I looked in front of me. There was that boy again. "Don't you think it's quite rude to enter someone's dreams without their permission?" I chuckled while the angel blushed.
"W-Well I was supposed to be your guardian angel anyway... I guess it's a part of my job to observe y-you..." he said avoiding my gaze. "Anyway I feel as though you need a person to vent to... I can listen."
I had to admit, I needed to vent but there was just nobody I could to. No friends to turn to, my mom is always too busy...
"Why should I vent to you of all people?" I asked annoyed to which he smiled "Because you're afraid to talk to anyone else." The silence followed after for quite a while. He's a figment of my imagination. Real people might laugh, real people might hate. But dreams aren't real. They don't make an impact on my daily life so... would it be okay for me to tell him my feelings?
"My mom doesn't have time for me and my classmates don't care about me. I overall hate my life. I know it could be worse but that doesn't stop from hurting me." I said quietly, truth spilling out of my lips. He didn't give me a pity look or anything like that, he looked genuinely concerned "Why haven't you tried to do anything about it?" he asked curiously.
"Why should I? Anything I'll do will make people hate me and my mom doesn't pay attention to me because she has to work in order to get by." I yelled at the angel but he just shook his head "What about that boy, Rantaro? Maybe you can be friends with him? He seems reasonable." he said to which I thought for a bit.
Rantaro was very kind and patient boy in my class. He has little twelve sisters, so people began saying he went to hell and back. He sat two seats behind me but we never really talked. "What are you? My teacher? Social life ain't that easy." I said in a mocking tone "But does that stop you from trying to make friends. No." Shuichi said messing with my hair. I thought for a moment "I'm not gonna be friends with someone like Rantaro, alright?" I said annoyed to which he simply closed his wings.
"Look, I enjoy you trying to help but can we talk about something else? Like...how is heaven or do you have magical powers?" I said trying to ease the tension. "Heaven is a utopia in a sense. It divides every angel to do a task assigned to them. Guardian angel, servants, protectors or somebody in the Angel Elite Society. They make all the decisions about heaven. It's just as beautiful as this meadow." he said touching one of the lavender flowers. "And when it comes to powers... I have the power to create whatever I want on this meadow, enter dreams, influence the one I guard in many ways and many other things." he added.
"The one you guard?" I said confused "Yes. I was recently assigned you. Right now I'm on break since you're asleep but you're very intriguing. So much as I wanted to spend even this time with you." he said giving a nice smile. I blushed. I didn't get that much attention since my father left.
We talked for hours. About heaven, about powers and about my interests. I was surprised that he said enjoyed my company. I was... unusually happy! Shuichi was a very nice and smart. He was also... kind of cute. He flushed easily and it was just an adorable sight.
Suddenly, the door once again rose from the ground. "Looks like that's all the time we got... your alarm is beeping. Go through." I looked at the door. I reluctantly opened and went in. And when the door clicked.
I woke up.
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The alarm was beeping as he slowly raised from the bed. It was time to go to school. I dressed up and packed my bag. No time for breakfast. I go out and to school. The day goes by normal. Boring lessons, boring lessons and then disgusting cafeteria food and then more boring lessons.
It's the last lesson. Ms. Yukizome was babbling something about our talents and different learning material, but I didn't think about that. I thought about the angel's words. Maybe I should at least attempt friendship. I take a deep breath. Just a couple seconds until the bell rings. Just a little moment. Just a-
1
2
3
RING!
Everybody gets up from their seats. They pack their bags and I do the same. I stare and see Rantaro leave the classroom. "Screw it." I think to myself as I tap him on the shoulder at the last minute. "Oh, hello Ouma-kun. Is there a problem?" He asks calmly. Rantaro was always really relaxed in any situation. If a big lion was here, I doubt he'd be scared. "Well, kinda... You see I don't have many friends, in fact I have none and I know that this might sound awkward, but would you like to be my friend?" I said fiddling my thumbs and looking down on the ground. He looked at me weirdly before smiling "Sure, I'll be your friend. I gotta go home now but I'll talk to you later." Rantaro said waving away.
I beamed. He actually wanted to be friends! And I actually asked him to be mine! I went back home happier. I could see others looking at me surprised as I ran home. I suppose it's because it's not usual for a person to go from moping to energetic running in a day.
As I reached home I was met with the usual sight of my mom sleeping on the couch. Although I was sad she'd probably sleep through the entire day except meal times and work, I was too happy about Rantaro to care. I looked in the fridge for a snack. Nothing. I guess I'll have to go to bed on an empty stomach.
And I fell asleep.
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I woke up in a different place. A sunny park. However my friend was here once again. He stood by a small ice cream stand. I walked up to him, giving him a childlike smile. "Hello Shuichi!" I said happily, catching his attention. "Hello Ouma-kun!" Shuichi said, turning around with to cones of ice cream. One vanilla, one chocolate. He handed me the chocolate ice cream "Chocolate ice cream, huh? My favourite." I laughed "How come you know me so well? I never mentioned that I like ice cream." "I have to say I guessed." Saihara grinned "And see? You listened to my advice! And it didn't turn out the way you, oh so, terribly predicted." I punched Shuichi in the shoulder lightly.
"Now you need to talk to your mom. She doesn't know that she's hurting you." Saihara said to which I laughed again "Are you an angel or a life advisor? Besides I can't nag about her! She has to work or we won't get through the next month's rent!" This laugh I did was more of a depressing one. "Why don't you get a job to help her out then? She can then get the night shifts at the restaurant and you can work somewhere by day! You can spend the time in between that together." Shuichi said. I thought for a minute, licking my ice cream. It tasted almost real, as if I was actually eating ice cream. That IS a good idea. "I can tell by your expression that you agree with me" he said flapping his wings lightly to which I nodded "Your last idea worked out. I think I'll trust you."I said. I looked at his pretty, fluffy wings "How is it to fly with such wings?"
"How about I show you?"
"What-woooh!
I was suddenly grabbed from behind by Saihara as he flew up in the sky. He held me in my arms tight as I we went up. I felt my heart beat raise and my cheeks burn pink. He stopped for a while as we stared at the ground. I held onto his shirt strong and looked at him "Y-You're insane." I stuttered out. "I am not. Besides don't be afraid. Just hold onto me" he said soothingly. I took deep breaths and tightened my hold. He flew down, gently setting me on the ground. I watched the beautiful clearing we were on. Short light green grass, dandelions and other flowers and a little tree next to us shielding us from the sun. He sat next to me, closing his wings. I looked away to the tree to see a pair of grey birds carrying something. A pastel blue flower crown. They gently placed it on my head, surprising me.
I grinned at the angel "Why do you like me so much? You talk to me, let me vent my problems, give me advice, not to mention the tasty ice cream and the sky ride just gave me." I asked confused. The angel fiddled with his thumbs as he blushed "I don't know... I am very bad with sorting out my emotions so, I don't understand it myself." I smiled at him. Seeing him flustered is just too cute! Wait... cute? I myself now blushed, confused at the feelings I was experiencing.
Once again the door raised from the ground. Saihara frowned "You're waking up. You know what to do..." I looked at the ground, sad. The door clicked
And I woke up.
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I felt my eyes open. Once again, I heard my mom yell from upstair. "Ouma! I got us some instant noodles. We can eat them quickly together, then I'll have to hurry to work!" I got up from my bed and went into the living room. She sat there on the couch in a pink dress, a cup of noodles in her hand. On the coffee table stood another cup of noodles, supposedly for me. I sat down next to her and ate the noodles. Soon I tried to start the topic I had on my mind.
"Mom?" I asked shyly and unsure. "Hmm?" she asked as she ate noodles with her chopsticks "I was wondering... it's just... with you constantly going to work I feel as though work has become more important to you than me. That I matter less..." I said as her expression turned sad. She frowned and turned to me "Honey, of course you matter more to me than work! I love you above anything else in the world! Serving food to annoying customers can't ever be better than my son. But... It's just hard to balance everything since your father..." she trailed off as she set her noodle cup and hugged her knees "Father left us. But can I at least help? I can get some kind of job and I can help you out. I wouldn't have to see you lying on the couch every time I return home. You could relax a bit." I insisted.
"Your plan better work Saihara..." I said in my mind hopefully "But, sweetie, I don't want to mix you in our money problems. It's not your problem to bare." "But I WANT TO!" I said loudly to which she turned to me "So stop leaving me out of this... I want to help you." I said slowly. I saw the sadness and tiredness in her eyes "...Okay... I guess you can. You can get a job for two months and if you can't handle it, you can quit. And I promise I'll try to get more involved into your life from this point on." I smiled and hugged her tight "I love you Ouma. Don't ever forget that." I felt my eyes tear up a bit.
"I love you too mom"
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It's been at least one month since the first dream with Saihara. Rantaro and I have become good friends. He introduced me to some of his other friends such as Kiibo or Akamatsu. Some liked me when they got to know me better like Kiibo, some didn't like my lying personality that much like Kaito. But the only thing that counted is that I had friends. They cared about me and I wasn't lonely anymore. I saw as people smiled at me, And I no longer heard the mean whispers.
I got myself a job at a little store with cute decorations such as paintings, decorative lamps and wooden statues. It paid good and let mom relax for the first time in two years. We managed to find some free time to spend together. But my happiest moments were spent in my dreams.
Saihara kept appearing. Every time he took me somewhere beautiful. I never knew what to expect. Would I wake up on the beach with the sound of waves in my ears as he held me in his warm hands? Or stargaze together among magical flowers, with classic guitar playing somewhere far away? Maybe I'd be under the water, breathing normal as he put lily pad lilies in my hair? Or maybe ice skate alone under the cover of moonlight? It was always something out of this world. We'd hug, we'd cuddle, once we even kissed! It was something I waited for the entire day. I'd go to school, come back, eat and jump to take a nap to see him again.
I wished Saihara was a real person. So I could see him every day. So I could be with him forever and always. But he was only a dream boy. So close, yet so far away. And there was nothing I could do about that.
It was another day. After school, Kiibo and Rantaro walked home with me. I liked annoying the naive robot and even though he sometimes got mad at me, it wasn't overdramatic and when it comes to Rantaro, he treated me like an annoying little sister who likes to piss off her brother. Someone you like but can never truly get used to. When I reached home, I got a quick snack with my mom and went to bed. I grinned to myself as I fell asleep
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I woke up in a big room with large amounts of food on fancy counters and people dressed up in distinguished clothes, who didn't see to pay mme much attention. The room was carmel with chocolate brown stripes, in shape of a large circle. The tables had a golden tablecloth and had various good foods on the table. They weren't takeaways and microwave dishes, but restaurant quality food. There were golden old style chandeliers lighting the area. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the middle chandelier had smoothie and drink dispensers and had the ability to lower down up and down.
I looked at myself. I was wearing a cute outfit, which consisted of brown shoes, black stockings, a silver heart locket, filled with some sort of grey gem and a white fancy dress (this one)
My checkered scarf was now a bow around my purple hair. Although the outfit was kinda girly, I liked it. I noticed a familiar figure in front of me. Shuichi. I chuckled "Do you purposely interrupt my dreams to go out with me?" Shuichi instantly blushed "I-I... guess?" I giggled "That's sweet of you~. So where did you bring me today?" I asked, my eyes sparkling with curiousity.
"I brought you to an angel palace. All the festivities are held here." he said to which I beamed "I see. So you prepared one just for the two of us?" I said to which he nodded "A gentleman you are! A dress, a feast, great music and a caramel palace. A dream to be!" I said as I spinned around the room. He smiled at me.
I noticed a red button next to one of the tables. I curiously pressed it. I noticed the chandelier in the middle lowered to the normal level. Saihara smiled "It's a drink dispenser. Grab a glass." I looked over at the table and grabbed a wine glass. I walked over to the chandelier. "What would you like to drink?" Saihara asked. I put a finger to my lips "Panta." the chandelier spinned until a purple dispenser was in front of me. I dispensed the purple drink into the glass and sipped. The sweet grape taste hit my mouth and I smiled.
I looked at the tables of food. I grabbed a little desert in a cup that stood there. Layers of chocolate with whip cream and a cherry on top. My eyes shined as I grabbed a spoon and ate the desert. "This is SO GOOD! It's even better than Kirumi's cooking." I said to him. As soon as I finished the desert he gave me a look hinting me he wanted to ask me something "I was wondering... Would you like to dance with me?" I smiled at him and took his hand "Of course, my angel".
We danced around on the caramel floor of the room, as he held my hands. His swift and gentle movements amazed me. Everything about Saihara-chan was just so beautiful. I placed my head on his chest "It's sad I can only see you in my dreams. You can't fly down from the sky for me, huh?" I said giving him a sad smile. "I can't. All my memories of you would be erased from my memory. You'd have to befriend the mortal me again." he said sad. I saw the faithul door appear. I sighed, sad it had to end. "I'll see you later, Saihara-chan!" I said waving to him before opening the door and disappearing in the dark abyss. And then,
I woke up.
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I woke up and yawned. The taste of dreamy chocolate still lingered in my mouth, but something felt off. Something was on my neck and it wasn't the scarf. I took off my scarf and my eyes widened. The grey gem locket was still on my neck. That... never happened before. I decided t ignore that detail and continued with my day as usual.
I talked with Rantaro for a bit, browsed the internet, went to work and got back home. I ate, did my homework and went to bed, expecting Saihara to be there.
But Saihara wasn't there. There was no dream.
When I woke up I didn't feel that good as the other night. Saihara's sudden absence was somehow unnerving. I dressed up, brushed my teeth and got ready for school. I walked outside and noticed Rantaro's expensive car in front of my house. I smiled. "Hi Ouma! It's pretty late! So I decided to drive. Want to come along?" I nodded and got in the car. And we drove away.
We managed to get to school early, even though it was a bit late. I sat down at my place in my classroom. Soon, Miss Yukizome started the lesson. "Okay, so last time we ended off at-" "SORRY I'M LATE!!" I saw a boy burst through the door of the classroom. "Oh, Shuichi you're here. Everybody this our new student, Shuichi Saihara." She said warmly as Shuichi said a shy hello under his breath.
The boy had olive eyes and dark blue hair. His oufit was black and he had a characteristic black hat on. He also had a locket, simillar to mine. I examined him further, can't helping bu recongize his appearance. Wait... Shuichi Saihara....My beloved Shuichi!?
Yes, the angel who appeared in my dreams for over a month was now standing in front of me, a shy look on his face. He didn't seem o recongize me, then again Saihara mentioned something about losing the memories of his time in heaven if entering the mortal world. Miss Yukizome old him to sit in front of me and the lesson continued normally. After it ended, Shuichi got bombarded by his classmates introducing themselves.
I, not wanting to approach in the middle of that crowd waited until everybody left. When Shuichi was alone, I quickly tapped his shulder. He turned around, slightly surprised. "Hi, my name's Kokichi Ouma, The Ultimate Supreme Leader! I didn't wanna introduce myself while other people were shouting their names at you, so I'm gonna do it now~!" I said as I grinned. On the inside, my heart was fluttering. My beloved was finally here on earth, standing in front of me. Sadly, he didn't remember all our beautiful times in heaven bu I suppose I'll just have to do with what I got
"O-Oh! My name's Shuichi Saihara... I'm The Ultimate Detective. Nice to meet you Ouma..." he said giving me his hand to shake. I shook his hand. I focused on the little silver heart locket on his neck "I really like your locket, were'd you get it?" I pointed at the locket as I saw him stutter "My uncle said that I just always had it. He doesn't know how or where I got it but that it was always just there..." he said holding it in his hand "It's very imporant to me... I don't know why..." he smiled to himself. I grinned "Well that's funny! I have the exact same one!" I showed him my locket, dangling it in front of his face.
Suddenly the lockets started shining bright red, the grey crystals inside the silver coating of the locket now resembling two little heart-shaped rubies. I looked at his expression change. It seemed as if he remembered something. "Is something wrong?" I asked even though I already knew the answer. "No it's just... I just had some sort of deja vu thing... like a faint memory of something." he said rubbing theback of his neck. "Weird... I had the same thing!" I giggled and smiled. "Do you maybe wanna... hang out sometime? I-It's okay if you don't!" he asked shyly. It was so cute. I nodded
"Of course Saihara-chan~!"