A New Future
"Six years…", Otonashi Yuzuru whispered to himself. That is how long he has been alone in this cold, desolate world, where only fake people exist, known only as the after-life. It's basically where you go when you are not ready to pass on. A space between Earth and Heaven, and Otonashi is bound to stay there for eternity.
"What a boring place!" a small blunette yelled to the sky. Her skirt fluttered as a gust of wind blew by. The thirteen year old looked over towards Otonashi's direction and faked a smile. 'Ugh more people?' she thought to herself. Otonashi rose at eyebrow at her when she continued to stare at him. She cocked her head cutely at him. 'Might as well make friends.' The Japanese middle-schooler told herself.
"Hi! My name is Sakura Ichinose! I am thirteen years old, who are you?" The aqua-eyed girl asked Otonashi.
"I am Otonashi Yuzuru, twenty-five years old, nice to meet you." Otonashi lightly smiled at her. "Do you know why you're here?" He asked her.
"Nope!" the blunette smiled a toothy grin at him. Otonashi looked at her and sighed lightly.
"Why do you think you're here, in this place?" Otonashi asked her.
"I dunno, I guess I'm waiting for someone… My Onii-chan (older brother) maybe…" Otonashi's dark red hair glistened in the sunlight. His dark red orbs seemed to brighten. Sakura took a few steps back, shaking, tears streaming down her pale face.
"Wait...Y-you...You look just…like him…like him…" Sakura stuttered out and repeated.
"How exactly? My younger sister died year's age." Depression was setting in fast.
"O-Oh! You are really nice like him, his eyes are crimson like yours, and…" Otonashi tuned her out. So… She misses her brother? I could try to help with that.
"I could try to be like your broth-"
"No!" Sakura sniffled. "I need to wait for him! He promised!"
Otonashi's expression became melancholy. 'Poor girl…"
Two Months Later…
"He still isn't here…" Sakura said aloud and sobbed into Otonashi's chest.
"He probably forgot."
"Oh…" is all the girl could say. Otonashi started to sing something that Sakura didn't recognize.
"I open my eyes to the light of the sun. I am still half asleep. It's just an average day, like every other day. The current pushes me on, as if I'm caught in the wind... I thought I heard its resonance. I thought I felt it deep inside my heart…I wave you goodbye, and said with a smile, 'I'm happy for you.'"
"What song was that?" Sakura asked. Otonashi smiled.
"It's a song that a very old friend always sang…Her name was Kanade Tachibana…You two look much alike." He grinned at her.