Meeting Again
By moonlight ray
Disclaimer: I don't own Angel Beats. If I did, I'd have made a second season by now!
[A/N: Well, I was going to write this as a full story, but with two current WIPs and school, I don't think I'd be able juggle all of that. Yet this anime just had such a beautiful ending it just prompted me to write more to Otonashi and Kanade's story. Although, to be honest, I never thought I'd actually like a shounen manga/anime… much less write any fanfics at all about it. Ah well, I hope you enjoy! I might be back with more Angel Beats fanfiction soon!]
The distant chatter of stranger's conversations, the whistling of wind the cars made as they passed, the muddled sounds of footsteps mixed in with the rustle of shopping bags and purses—the everyday noises of a bustling city street. But of all those sounds, it was a soft humming that caught his ear. Somehow, the tune was familiar, but he could've sworn that he'd never heard it before. He paused and turned slowly, spotting the person who had been humming—a petite girl with pale skin and a white ponytail.
For a brief second, he hesitated, unsure of what to do. She was just a stranger who had been humming a song that he might know. So what? Was he supposed to abruptly go up to her and ask her the name of it? That seemed a little suspicious, even to him, and judging by the girl's frail appearance, she wouldn't take it so well. He should probably forget it and move on, continuing with what he was supposed to do. But when she made to walk away in the opposite direction, something told him he had to stop her.
His body moved instinctively. Picking up his pace, he ran after her, pushing through the current of bodies, his hand outstretched. The three seconds it took for him to catch up to her seemed to slow down, almost as if he would never reach her, and for a split second he thought that his hand would slip and he'd lose her.
Fate, however, had other plans and his hand landed on her shoulder, the touch lighter than a feather. The girl turned around, startled. Her wide golden eyes flashed with a small hint of surprise. "Kanade?" The name just popped out of his mouth before he could stop it. Slowly, she nodded, gaze transfixed on him. He could see himself reflected in her eyes, lightly panting and still holding her shoulder. For a while, there was no response.
"Yuzuru," That one word was like the stirring of wind chimes on a still, windless day. It was unexpected and brought him both relief and happiness. Suddenly, all the memories came flooding back: the SSS, Yuri, Hinata, the battles, God… everything. Kanade sucked in a breath, barely audible, but it was enough to let him know that she remembered too.
His hand slipped down her arm, wrapping itself around her hand. She gave it a squeeze and he smiled. "Kanade, have you seen any of the others?" he asked. She shook her head. "Then how about we go and find them? Together?" The last word was filled with hope; hope to finish what they had left undone in the afterlife.
"Alright," she agreed softly.
The smile broadened. They began walking again, hand-in-hand. "You know, you look good in that." He remarked.
She didn't say anything, but a quiet smile slid onto her lips.
Otonashi noticed and laughed softly. When she looked up curiously at him, questioning, he shook his head. "It's nothing. I'm just glad to have you back again."
"Me too," she replied. Together, quietly, happily, they disappeared into the crowd.