Angel Beats: Be Human

Disclaimer: I do not own Angel Beats

Warning: I am still studying so please forgive me if there is too much grammar mistake

Chapter 2

Harmonics Girl and the President

"I know that Kanade Nee-chan used to do these paperworks but..."

"Shut up and quit slacking! The sooner we finish this I will treat you a plate of mapu to-"

"MAPU TOFU!? OVERDRIVE MAX POWER!"

"WAIT! IF YOU USE OVERDRIVE-"

Crack!

""..*Cough*..*Cough*...""

Both Yuzuru and I kept coughing until Yuzuru reached the window and opened it wide. The smoke started to fade from the room and I sighed a breath of relief. I still could not get use to the smell of the smoke when the table crashed-

Ah...the table...it crashed...again...

for the 52th time...

...

I hesitantly turned towards Yuzuru. Even though his hair is covering his eyes now, my 'Angel' sense are tingling. Worst of all, the lower half of his clothes were stained with brown ink- or rather, key coffee that fell along with the table when it broke. Even now the coffee was spilling out on the floor, making a brown pool under Yuzuru's shoes.

"... ...Kazuko..."

"I am sorry!"

I quickly bursted out of the room and made my escape. I did not dare to turn back nor stop. An angry president was the last thing anyone wanted to see in this world.

"Ah it's the vice president."

"Yo! Did you break the table again?"

"Or did you spill the president's key coffee?"

"Shut up!"

I shouted back at the students laughing at me. Since I broke the table of the student council room for 52 times already (not counting about spilling the president's key coffee), Yuzuru and I became the main topic of the school. In mere four days, I gained title of 'Runner girl', 'Destroyer', 'Key Spiller' and etc.

"Kamio-san!"

I braked when I finally reached my destination, the furniture making club aka Guild. I heard that Guild club never existed but it appeared in list of clubs when the Afterlife school reopened.

'Some NPCs must have some contact with the original guild member and got influenced by them. Well I checked with them and confirmed that they were NPCs so it's fine.'-was what Yuzuru explained to me.

"We have been expecting you, Tachibana-san!"

A guy with spiky hair and glasses opened the door and welcomed me in. This person was Kamio Reeichi, the president of the Guild. Due to my 'situation', I became acquainted with Reeichi quickly and he became one of the pillar that I needed to 'survive' in Afterlife.

Reeichi guided me in and led me to the center of the room where a long object stood, covered by a grey cloth. Reeichi pulled the cloth off and showed me another of his proud work.

"Behold! Ten layer steel-made Table! I dare you to break this one, Tachibana-san the Destroyer!"

"Don't call me the Destroyer!"

I pouted but Reeichi just laughed it away. Well it's not like I could say anything, especially when I destroyed 51 of his tables (the first one was the student council's original table). But I really hated the fact that the table was actually made before he knew that I broke the previous one. It was as if he knew that I was going to break it again-

"And do not worry! Our STD, aka Student council Table Defender team has already began our project of the next harder table! We promise that the quality of the next one will be even better than this one!"

"First of all, change that team name of yours! That name is so forceful that it's plain obvious you name it like that to laugh at us!"

"Hahahaha!"

I rolled my eyes when Reeichi just laughed it away again. If only Yuzuru did not make me promise to not hurt any NPCs, I would have summoned handsonic version four and smashed his broken brain already. I stared at the metallic table and sighed.

Is there a good way for me to bring this table to the student council room without being laughed or scolded by Otonashi-san...

...

...

...None...*sigh*...


"-and so, he made me redo all the paperwork that was stained by his coffee. Isn't he mean, Mafuyu-chan?"

"Well it's your fault in the first place..."

"Mafuyu...if you don't stand on my side, who will..."

I complained with my body laid over Mafuyu's table. Mafuyu sweatdropped and offered me some sweets to cheer me up. I gratefully took the mapo tofu flavor sweet (do not ask, I know you want to shout something but don't) and ate it.

Ever since my first conversation with Mafuyu, we quickly became friends. While I did not attend any classes, I would find Mafuyu during her lunch break to chat with her. Sometimes Mafuyu's classroom was also a place for me to seek refuge if I made Yuzuru angry again.

"You are very close to the president, aren't you?"

"Hm? Well if you think logically...I am pretty much the closest person to that loner president!"

"Hahaha..."

For some reason, Mafuyu made a weak laugh as if I made the wrong response.

"I do not mean it by that. When I say close...I mean are you in love with him?"

"...I like the president, that is a fact."

"!"

It was not just Mafuyu, the entire class that was eavesdropping on our conversation gaped in surprise. Did I say something wrong? Was liking the president a sin like drinking his key coffee?

Mafuyu turned around and glared at the classmates that eavesdropped on us. Mafuyu has some fame of her own for being the cutest girl in her level so her 'glare' chased everyone away. They would not want to be hated by Mafuyu after all. Going to the door and glared away those that still wanted to eavesdrop, she locked the door and faced me with a serious expression.

"Kazuko-chan, do you really like the president?"

"...I do?"

"Do you really really like like the president?"

"What's up with everyone? The president feeds me mapo tofu, keeps me company and teaches me a lot of things. Why shouldn't I like him?"

"...So it's only that kind of like..."

"?"

Mafuyu looked depressed when she heard my answer. I wondered what was up with the NPCs. Was this an unusual bug somewhere in the world?

Tink Tonk~

"Ah the bell rang. Then I will come back after-"

"Sit."

"!"

My body sat back down on the chair by fear instinct. I could feel it, around Mafuyu there was a odd but powerful aura around her. I have a bad feeling about this...

"Erm..Mafuyu-chan? The teacher is banging the door-"

"Shut up! As your friend, I cannot overlook such lack of common sense! Until you understand what is love, you will not leave this classroom!"

"Eh!?"

I have a feeling that I pushed the wrong button on Mafuyu today. Even though I wanted to run away with overdrive, the overwhelming aura of Mafuyu kept me on the chair as my lesson with Natsume sensei began.


"-and that happened."

"Seriously, you picked mapo tofu over me?"

"I love mapo tofu~!"

I happily dug into the plate of mapo tofu that Yuzuru treated me. Yuzuru made a heavy sigh and dug into his mapo tofu too.

"Ah it's spicy! How can you eat this without rice or water!?"

"That's simply because your love for mapo tofu isn't enough~!"

"I will stick to meat udon next time."

Yuzuru declared and continued to eat his meal with water. Even though it was a pity that Yuzuru could not enjoy the full taste of pure mapo tofu without anything, it was enough since he treated me.

It was dinner time with students like us crowding in the cafeteria. I heard that there used to be a band that played performance here. However they have moved on. Some of the NPCs seemed to have remembered them and would often took a look at the stage where the GirlDemo once made their performance.

"Okay, onto the main topic. Have you completed it?"

"The skill 'Memoir Touch'? After my lesson with Mafuyu, I managed to complete it in my room in mere ten minutes. Aren't I great?"

"Shut up and eat your mapo tofu."

"Mapo~"

Yuzuru shutted my boosting attitude up with a spoon of mapo tofu straight to my mouth. Taking his spoon back and continued eating, he asked.

"So what does that skill do?"

"Heh, a live demonstration would be preferable, would it? Guard skill: Memoir Touch."

"Wait what-"

Yuzuru gaped in surprise but he was too late. I activated the skill and touched his hand-

"Amazing! Hey, can you see it? It's amazing!"

"Yes...It's very pretty."

Walking with the flow of the crowd surrounded by bright trees, my sister and I walked together in the behind me weakly replied.

"It is, right? Its so pretty. I am glad I came to see this too. Thanks to you!"

I smiled as I carried Hatsune through the night. The world was beautiful. Bringing my sister out to celebrate christmas together, it was the most happiest moment in my life.

"We'll have even more fun from now on! First I will get you a present. I will buy anything you want. Your brother have saved up lots of spending money just for this day, so I will get you anything, no matter how expensive. What do you want? How about we start by going to the store? We could even go to a jewelers! Or maybe you'd prefer a normal department store?"

I was excited. This was my first time spending time outside with Hatsune. I wanted to make this the most memorable day for Hatsune and me.

"Onii-chan...Thank you."

Hatsune behind my back replied weakly. I smiled at her response and continued

"Yeah...And there's even more after we go shopping! Look forward to it! We'll do dinner for now! I don't know much about this stuff, but I got a reservation for a great restaurant I saw in a magazine. They make a set meal for you. A full course dinner! Amazing, right?"

After that, I continued to walk and talk to myself-

"Stop it!"

Yuzuru shouted when he pulled his hand away from me. The plates were hit by his hand and broke when it fell onto the floor. The loud noise attracted the attention of the students in the cafeteria.

"Ah...sorry..."

Yuzuru calmed down and stared at the damage he has done. He started to kneel down and picked up the pieces of the plates. I could do nothing but just stared at him.

"Otonashi-san...I..."

"Don't worry about it...I am sure it isn't intentional."

Yuzuru gave me a reassuring smile and sat back on his chair. He acted as if those memories have little impact on him. He was still wearing his smile.

"Sorry about that. Don't worry I still have a mapo tofu ticket left. If you like-"

"...No. I have no appetite anymore. Please excuse me."

I stood up and left the cafeteria as fast as my walking speed could take me. I do not want to stay there anymore. Yuzuru looked as if he wanted to chase after me but he stopped. Without looking back, I left the cafeteria.


That is Otonashi-san's memory...

I thought as I stared at dark sky before me. Among the darkness, the stars stood up in the night. It was a beautiful sight but it did nothing to help cure my sickness.

This world is made for the people with regrets to move on.

Regrets? What kind of regrets would make people unable to move on?

...there are many kinds. Some may wanted to say something to someone they never did. Some may wanted to do something they never had the chance to did in life. Some may have suffered despair and hated god.

This feeling...this memory of Otonashi-san's...is this despair?

I thought as I clutched my heart. It felt so painful watching Yuzuru's memory. I felt as if my heart would rip at any moment.

What about Otonashi-san? He has been carrying this despair for his life.

"I knew that you would be here."

"...Otonashi-san..."

Yuzuru slowly approached me and leaned at the railing beside me. He held a Key Coffee to me. I hesitatingly accepted it and drank it.

"It's bitter!"

"Is that also? I thought the flavor was just nice."

I almost spilled the coffee out but I resisted. I endured the bitterness and drank the cold coffee down. Unexpectedly, I felt quite relieved after drinking it. It was as if a burden was lifted from my heart.

"Coffee tend to give you more energy. The school's vending machine is full of drinks that will boost the people's mood, probably a small function to help people move on."

"That's an interesting fact you found..."

I commented and took another slip of the key coffee. However no matter how much I drank, it would not totally lift the burden in my heart.

"That girl you saw in my memory..that girl is my little sister, Otonashi Hatsune. She died on that night without me noticing."

"... ...How...? How do you endure such despair? Even though I am not the one that experienced it, I feel as if my heart is going to break!"

I screamed into the night. Now I know, the only way to lift this burden is to ask how did Yuzuru do it.

Yuzuru looked at the stars above us. They were shining brightly as if they were watching over us. I wondered, it they were really stars or light that existed in this world for this scenery.

"Tachibana-chan, use that skill on my again."

"!"

I glanced back at Yuzuru. His face was calm and reassuring, as if telling me to trust him to take the despair away from me. But if I tried the skill again, I might obtained more despair.

But I trust Yuzuru. I reached my hand and touched his.

"Guard skill: Memoir Touch."

This time, there was not only one memory. Different memories of different time were shown to me.

There was a time when the brother was crying. It was the hardest time of his life.

There was a time when the brother found a new reason to live. He worked hard to become a doctor to help others.

There was a time after the train he was taking met an accident. He became the leader of the surviving people and managed to save almost everyone but himself.

There was a time when he first arrived in the afterlife and met the leader of the Afterlife Battlefront. It was also the time he first met the angel.

There was a time when he listened to the last song of a girl who lost her voice in her life. That song was a song that he would never forget.

There was a time when spend time with his comrades in the SSS. He was glad to have such company.

There was a time when he first talked to the angel properly. He got to knew the angel more.

There was a time he helped a boy who did not have his own existence in the world. He told him that he was real and here.

There was a time when everyone could finally get along with the angel. He was happy to the SSS accepted her.

There was a time he has to save the angel from the clones. That was one of the most worried time in his life. He was afraid if he would ever be able to save the angel.

There was a time when he decided to help a girl to move on. From her, he learnt the life of a disabled. He learnt that simply helping a person to do what she wanted was not moving on.

There was a time when the shadows came. It was a terrifying moment. But in the end, they managed to convince everyone to move on.

There was a time when there were five people left. The brother watched as all of his friends slowly moved on one by one.

There was a time he confessed to the angel. But he soon regretted it. He did not want the angel to leave him but he know that he has to let her go. Because he made her believed, 'living is wonderful'.

There was a time where nothing happened. The school was dead but him. There was simply nothing there.

Then, a girl appeared. Both the brother and the girl fought. The truth was the brother was relieved with the existence of the girl. She have him someone to talk to.

She gave him hope.

"Thank you, Kazuko-chan, for giving me hope to continue to stay here."

"...Otonashi-san..."

Nothing came out anymore. There was simply nothing left for me to see. Yuzuru has given me all of his memory. He has entrusted me with him. He gave me all the despair, suffering, happiness, sadness and most important of all, hope.

My hand still refused to be part with his. I wanted the warmth in my hand to continue to stay forever. I wondered why, Mafuyu's words rang inside me.

If you start to desire someone's warmth, that means that you love that person!

I desire...Oto-

*Growl*

"Kya!"

I yelped when my stomach growled. Even though I tried to cover my stomach, it would not stop growling. This is embarrassing!

"Hahaha."

"Don't laugh, Otonashi-san!"

Nevertheless, Yuzuru kept on laughing. I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to just jump from the rooftop and died. No, let's do that.

"Don't be reckless! Dying would not cure your hunger! You should have seen it in one of my memories after Operation High Tension Syndrome!"

"Uuu..."

I let myself to be pulled down when I recalled Otonashi's memory of that event-

*Growled*

Great, recalling that made me more hungry...

"Come on, the cafeteria should still be open. If you do not want this mapo tofu ticket then I am going to use it for myself!"

"Wait! I want that!"

I started chasing after Yuzuru as he made his escape. We were like little children playing catch. There were laughter from the students that witnessed us but I did not mind. It was fun!

I chased Yuzuru into the cafeteria. Even now, the cafeteria is filled with people. I have to squeeze through to get to Yuzu-

It was a white room. The thunderstorm outside the window raged. I cried for the girl with long white hair before me. It isn't fair! Why! Why must she die again!?

"Kanade-chan! Hang in there! Kanade-chan!"

"...I am sorry...Kai..."

The memory was gone. My connection with the memory was cut. Since I did not turn off my Memoir Touch just now-

That was a person's memory!

I came to a conclusion and looked around me. I was swarmed with people that I could not recognize who did my hand touched just now. I tried to recall that memory again. There was a girl in the white room. She has long white hair and honey eyes. I knew this person.

Kanade-neechan?


A/N: Thanks to Zangetsu, Kenjichau and X-Blade for the review! Special thanks to kenjichau for the character!

I have not much to say here so,

Read and Review!