Introduction (9 July 2023)

So far, the feedback on this new story has been mostly very positive, which is nice, since I also enjoyed writing about this charming manga/anime series. But even before seeing the first reviews on this first chapter getting posted, work on the second chapter had already been started. Which explains why it got uploaded so soon after the opening chapter. I hope this update will be at least as enjoyable for you all.

Note: If you want to comment on this story, or any of my other stories, you're welcome to leave a review, preferably as registered member, as I can then reply and for instance express my thanks to you for taking the effort to leave a review. Thus allowing for more interaction with the people who read my stories.

Chapter 2

"Proposals"

A few days later, Akane and Taiyou were on the roof terrace again, sitting on one of the benches, to enjoy lunch and each other's company. Normally these two would be chatting all the time, but today however, Akane seemed a bit lost in thought…

"T-Takada-kun?"

"Yes, Nishimura-san?"

"Last Tuesday, you told me that you stopped thinking I am really a 'Grim Reaper', right?"

"Hmmmm…" Takada replied, as he couldn't speak at the moment, since he was still chewing on a piece of egg roll.

"But… if you no longer believe all that, well… why did you keep bringing it up, like yesterday, when we were walking home? About my 'powers' and all, I mean…"

"Because it's fun?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well, my mom always says that life can be plenty serious when you grow up, so it's best to use your imagination and try make things a little more fun here and there," Taiyou explained, while rubbing the back of his head.

"I guess that makes sense, this sounds very 'you' after all," Akane replied, chuckling a little.

Taiyou nodded enthusiastically; then his face turned more serious.

"But I'll stop if you want me to."

"Oh, you don't have to, I don't mind, just try to do it only when we are alone. Or when we're with our friends; otherwise, it could get a little embarrassing…" Akane explained, with a slight blush.

"Okay then, got it!" Taiyou agreed, before puting another piece of egg roll in his mouth.

"I wouldn't want you to change yourself just because of me," Akane said, as she folded her hands together; "Actually, I think you're kinda cool, acting this way."

Upon hearing that, Taiyou nearly choked on his food. Akane quickly offered him some of her drink to help wash down things and apart from his face being a little flushed, he seemed fine again.

'Was it really the food, or did I actually startle Takada-kun by what I just said?' Akane wondered, as she briefly looked to her side, then started blushing a bit again, after realizing that sharing her drink with Taiyou would count as an indirect kiss.

After finishing their last bites, the two middle-schoolers got up and walked towards the door to the staircase, while holding hands. Suddenly Taiyou stopped and let go of Akane's hand.

"T-Takada-kun? Is there anything wrong? Do you need some more water?"

"Nishimura-san…" Taiyou started, "… there is something I've been meaning to ask you for a while…"

"Th-There is?"

"Yes!" Taiyou said, with determination in his voice, as he suddenly leaned forward, and put his hand against the wall, fairly close to Akane's head.

'Wait… could it be…? There have been a few times when I was expecting Takada-kun to get more serious about us, but so far things have been going just about the same as in grade school. So, I wasn't expecting him to try moving forward that soon, but…' Nishimura quickly tried to analyse the situation.

"Wh-What is it, T-Takada-kun?"

Taiyou remained silent though, adding more to Akane's anxiety.

"Uh… T-Takada-kun?"

Her classmate and best friend still didn't say a word, but bent his head forward a bit, then sniffed briefly a few times.

"Nishimura-san…" Taiyou said, then paused for a second; "Did you use that extra fancy shampoo again today?"

'So that was what Takada-kun was thinking about?'

"Uh… yes, I did…" Akane replied with a soft voice.

"I knew it, I recognized it instantly!"

"M-My father bought a bottle for me last week, he said he remembered me saying I liked it."

"You sure have an amazing dad, Nishimura-san!"

"Atchoooo!"

"Bless you, Nishimura-san. You're not coming down with something, I hope?" a balding man asked the diligent office worker, who was reaching for a tissue.

"Thank you, Kawamura-sama. Somehow my nose suddenly started itching, but I feel totally fine again now," Akane's father assured his boss.

"That's good to hear. By the way, you have a kid at home, right?"

Akane's father nodded briefly.

"How about getting an extra day off from work, upcoming Saturday? So, you can spend some more time together? We're a fair bit ahead of schedule, mostly thanks to your efforts, so I think you really deserve it," the manager proposed, smiling.

"Th-Thanks, sir!" Akane's father replied, as he bowed forward a couple of times.

"I have two children of my own, you know; they grow up so fast, so better spend some extra time with them, while you can."

Yeah…" Akane's father said, nodding, as he pictured an image of his only child in his mind for a moment, before getting back to work.

"Y-Yes, my dad is r-really great," Akane agreed, with a smile, feeling embarrassed but also relieved the subject had been changed.

"I wonder, could your dad become my dad too?" Taiyou thought out loud.

"Huh!?"

'Wait! Is this… a proposal? I know we're a bit older now, and when Takada-kun asked me if he could kiss me, he said we would talk about it later, but this is… I mean, we're not even dating or anything like that, right? Although we do spend a lot of time together, and some of these times did look quite like dates…'

All kinds of thoughts rapidly went through Akane's mind, as she tried to keep things together. To get a little breather, the young girl looked down at the ground, her heart pounding like never before…

"I mean, my dad is awesome too, but most of the time he's overseas, busy with his work, so I often only get to see him when he's able to do a video call," Taiyou elaborated, while sounding a bit less cheerful than usual; "So I guess it would be fun if your dad could be some sort of replacement, when mine isn't here, I mean. Hey, Nishimura-san, does your dad happen to be any good at soccer?"

'S-So that is what he meant. I got myself worked up over nothing again, huh? How embarrassing… With his dad being away so often, I guess it's somewhat the same for Takada-kun as it is for me…'

"Then again, if we were to get married, your dad automatically becomes my dad too, right? At least that's what my big sis told me... Wouldn't that be great?"

'He just s-said it… like it was nothing…' Akane thought, as her face flushed totally red.

"Hey, what's the matter? Nishimura-san, are you coming down with a fever?"

"G-Give me a m-m-moment…" Akane stuttered, as she covered her beet red face, and walked to a spot where a slight breeze could be felt blowing over the roof terrace, hoping that would help her cool down a little.

"Maybe I should take you to the nurse's office? Then we can also check if the water there tastes just as good as it did when we were in Grade School."

"I-I'm fine… it's just that the s-sun shines pretty bright today…" Akane explained nervously, while wavering her hands. (partially referring to the weather, and to Taiyou, whose name means 'Sun')

"Yeah, it really does, hehehe," Taiyou acknowledged, with a big smile; "I also felt extra warm just now, when we were holding hands. Isn't that a funny coincidence? But… if you are really not the 'Grim Reaper', and it's not your 'curse power', then why did it feel extra special…?"

(To be continued…)

Chapter Afterthoughts (12 July 2023)

The basic scene in this update was already partially finished as I was working on the first chapter. In fact, it was originally going to be a part of the first chapter, but then I decided on moving it to the next one, and expand this a little.

I may at some point try create a longer arc, just like the manga, but for now it's another relatively short chapter, although it does contain a brief switch to a difference scene, inside the office where Akana's father works.

Disclaimer

Btw, since I am not a native speaker, there will likely be some silly mistakes in this story. Hope you can bear with me and see through that. Helpful tips and suggestions for improvements are welcome.

Stay safe, and maybe until soon!