Chapter 01

Rebirth: When the Cherry Blossoms fall ( I )

Otonashi Yuzuru opened his window to welcome the morning breeze. He breathed deeply, enjoying the fresh spring air which carried a slight scent of morning dew, honey and toast from downstairs. Checking his navy blue tie once more in the mirror, Otonashi made his way to the lounge.

"Morning, Hatsune." he greeted his younger sister who was halfway through breakfast.

"Ah! Yuzuru-niichan! Morning~" she returned his greeting happily and resumed delicately munching away at a thick slice of toast spread with golden honey. Otonashi made himself the same breakfast and sat opposite her at the table. It was a peaceful start to a new school year, and to Otonashi, this will also be his last year of high school. This time next year, he thought, I will be on the road to becoming a doctor! Motivated by this thought, Otonashi finished off his toast, grabbed his bag and set off down the road with Hatsune.

As cherry blossoms drifted down around the brother and sister at five centimetres per second, Otonashi felt a strange sensation. An image of him carrying a younger Hatsune between rows of winter bare trees flashed across his mind. What was that? he thought, was it… a dream? The image had made his heart drop and a deep feeling of sadness mixed with regret had stirred in his stomach.

"…niichan? Yuzuru-niichan?" Hastune, having seen the blanked out look on her brothers face, waved a hand across in front of his face.

"Huh? Ah sorry…I must've space out. What were you saying?" Otonashi snapped back to reality.

"Umm…never mind, Yusa's waiting for me over there so I'll go that way now? Have fun at school!"

"Right! Ok I'll see you at home. You too!" Otonashi waved his sister goodbye as she went down the road towards her blonde-haired friend and they set off in the direction towards Minami middle school. He looked up towards the sky to see a grey cloud looming in the distance. Mentally hoping it wouldn't rain on the first day, Otonashi started up the hill amongst the sea of beige-coloured blazers and purple-white sailor uniforms towards his school, Sakurano high.

It wasn't long before he was tackled from behind by a blue haired boy.

"HEYYY! Otonashi! How was your holidays? Maaan you should've come watch our baseball games! I caught the final ball and we won – " His words were cut off by a pink haired girl who had tackled him from behind.

"Hinata! I was halfway through a story and you ran away? Why you….!" she began executing what looked like some pro-wrestling moves on the boy, while the boy being choked appeared to be halfway down the tunnel with light at the other end. Otonashi watched them, an amused look across his face. He and Hinata had met this girl, Yui, just over a year ago when Hinata hit a home run into an actual home – Yui's home. Although Hinata and Yui both deny harbouring any special feelings for the other, the happy aura around them (although it may look murderous) spoke otherwise.

Then it hit again – that strange sensation. An image of Hinata proposing marriage to a teary eyed Yui on a baseball field at sunset. Otonashi blinked. The image disappeared. Again? Otonashi looked up at the sky. He was surprised that the grey clouds which were looming ahead just minutes ago had completely disappeared. Maybe the teru-teru-boozu he made last night took effect?

Suddenly, for a brief instant he saw a winged girl in the sky. Then she also disappeared. Huh? Was that…an angel? Otonashi rubbed his eyes.

"Yo! Mr. Student council president Otonashi! Watcha spacing out for?" Hinata and Yui were already by the gates of Sakurano high.

"Ah…coming!" Otonashi looked up at the clear sky once more before running to catch up with the couple. Probably just my imagination…

...

Up in the sky, Kami welcomed back Pett who had been out chasing rainclouds away.

"Good job, Pett." Kami smiled and scratched the little dragons belly.

"Hey, Kamikami, what are we doing here?" Pett looked up at Kami with catlike eyes full of curiosity.

"Hmm….you'll see." replied Kami, "things will get more interesting from now on."

Kami looked down at Otonashi Yuzuru and for an instant their eyes met. Despite being so far away, Kami suddenly felt as if the boy had actually seen her. She quickly discarded the thought from her head. A mere human, reincarnation or not, would not possibly be able to see her.

However…it is…strange…that all those kids were reincarnated like this…

...

A/N: YAY second part! XD Thanks for reading and if it's not too much trouble, please review! *happy dance*