On an atypical Tuesday in June, the sky surprised everyone by releasing snowflakes that danced slowly towards the ground. The scene was almost magical: the terrace of a hospital transformed into a serene white world. Snow covered the plants, benches, and ground, creating a shimmering layer that reflected the day's faint light.
Amid this dazzling setting, a young man with glasses, wearing a worried expression, cradled a blonde-haired girl with a fragile appearance in his arms. She was wrapped in his school jacket, an attempt to shield her from the cold that enveloped her.
Noticing the snow, the girl's eyes sparkled, and a genuine smile lit up her pale face. "Look, it's snowing!" she exclaimed, reaching out delicately to catch the falling flakes. Each flake that landed on her hand seemed to bring a bit of joy to her heart.
Carefully, the young man helped her settle on a wooden bench, now covered by a thin layer of snow. He watched as she held a paper package with both hands, her trembling fingers unwrapping it.
Seeing its contents, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Have you been playing the piano?" she asked hesitantly, as if fearing the answer.
He shook his head, his eyes avoiding hers. "No, I haven't."
"As I thought," she nodded slowly, still focused on the package. Taking something out, she softly said, "You're feeling down."
The silence between them was filled only by the gentle whisper of falling snow, as both lost themselves in their thoughts.
With a small cake, no larger than the palm of her hand, she savored a bite and, knowing he was turned away and couldn't see her, declared with a radiant smile, "Know that I'm right here!"
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes seeming to wrestle with an internal storm. Slowly, he turned to face her.
With a voice softer and laden with emotion, she reaffirmed, "Here I am."
She took a deep breath before continuing, "You know, I have surgery scheduled for June 18th. And I will face it with all my strength. I will endure, endure until my last breath." Her eyes locked onto his, accusatory yet tender. "And this... this is because of you. All of this is because of you!"
In her mind, words flowed with a tenderness she dared not voice aloud. 'If I chose to fight, even if it seems in vain... and if I clung to the idea of living a little longer... it's because of you. You gave me a reason to want to spend more time by your side.'
She continued, her voice filled with passion, "And you? Won't you fight too? We've always been good at facing challenges, right? We're musicians, pouring our souls into every note."
He looked shaken, his hands clenching into fists, his eyes shining with a mix of pain and determination.
Noticing him turning away again, silently distancing himself, she made an effort to stand. Even without wearing her cozy slippers, she braved the snow-covered ground, feeling the sharp cold beneath her feet. Determinedly, she began to move her hands in the air, mimicking the action of playing a violin.
The unexpected sound behind him made the blue-eyed young man in glasses turn quickly. And there she was, just as he always remembered her: graceful, resilient, and despite her fragile condition, radiating a beauty that left him breathless.
He stood in awe, so surprised he seemed to forget how to breathe. Even though she was just pretending to play the violin, he was so engrossed in the moment he could swear he heard every note. He saw her there, with an imaginary violin, playing with the same passion and skill as always.
On that chilly afternoon, under the white blanket of snow, a scene unfolded that would forever be etched in the young man's heart. The girl he deeply loved, even in her weakened state, was there, trying to bring joy to him, making the impossible seem real.
He remained still, eyes wide and mouth slightly open, completely captivated. His eyes shone with admiration and disbelief. He internally questioned the reality of this magical moment, but the truth was there, clear as day, reflected through the lenses of his glasses.
Amid this surreal scene, he felt a shiver run down his spine. Touching his trouser pocket, his fingers found an object that, for a brief moment, he had forgotten. It was an item he had received on a melancholic night, which had transported him to an almost supernatural experience, much like what he was witnessing now.
'How I love her...' He reflected, feeling a lump form in his throat, fighting back tears that threatened to spill.
She finished her performance with a graceful pose, eyes closed, trembling feet, and sweat dripping from her forehead, despite the biting cold and the snow beneath her bare feet. "Did you see? Miracles happen," she declared, extending her arms as if balancing something precious in each hand. Opening her eyes, a smile lit up her face.
However, exhaustion hit her, and she began to collapse. The young man, who had been paralyzed until then, reacted swiftly.
"Ahhh!" She exclaimed.
He reached her in time, holding her firmly against his chest, as he crouched to support her.
"Haha," she laughed softly, still panting. "You're so present in me," she murmured, clinging to him so tightly she wrinkled his shirt. "Arima Kousei-kun, the boy who loves egg sandwiches and Momojirushi brand milk. What else do you enjoy? Which insect fascinates you? What did you collect as a child? What's your favorite anime? There are so many things I don't know about you. I envy Tsubaki-san, who knows all these details."
She buried her face in his chest, her voice choked with emotion. "I want to discover more about you." The reality of her situation hit her, and she clutched his shirt even tighter. "I'm so scared..." Tears began to flow, and her voice rose in despair. "I'm terrified... Please, don't leave me alone!"
As she cried inconsolably, Arima watched her, his eyes shining with emotion. At that moment, he felt like the biggest fool in the universe.
Though her nature was tempestuous and her initial personality left much to be desired, there was something undeniably captivating about her. In the icy setting, with snow falling around, she shone like the most dazzling of stars.
"Miyazono-san," Arima began, his voice steady, though laden with emotion. He was about to venture into uncharted territory, but he couldn't bear the idea of leaving Kaori Miyazono's fate to chance. He wanted to believe that the same miracle he had witnessed with the black cat could happen with her.
Her eyes, a deep and tear-filled indigo, met his, seeking understanding.
Arima took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "What I'm about to share may sound like a fantastical tale, perhaps even unbelievable. But, as you yourself mentioned, miracles are real..."
He then unveiled his extraordinary experience. He spoke of his encounter with the heavenly entity, how the black cat had been miraculously healed, and about the mystical object he had received, similar to what had been used to save the feline.
Hearing Arima's proposal, Kaori Miyazono's eyes lit up with a mix of hope and determination. "I will! I want to try, Kousei-kun!" She knew the odds of surviving the surgery were slim, and this fear, so deep and overwhelming, consumed her.
Quickly, she wiped away the tears clouding her indigo eyes with her left arm, staring at Arima with unwavering resolve.
"Okay..." Arima murmured, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He took out a mystical piece from a small box and carefully positioned it between Kaori's breasts. In an instant, the piece was assimilated by her.
"Zzzzzz!"
A resonating hum filled the surroundings, and a divine light enveloped Kaori, gently lifting her above the ground. The air around seemed to vibrate, and the atmosphere transformed, becoming almost ethereal.
Kaori's previously pale and sickly skin began to take on a healthy, rosy hue. Behind her, a pair of mystical wings materialized, woven from ribbons of sky blue intertwined with gold, three on each side. The tips of her hair took on the color of the night sky sprinkled with stars. And when she finally opened her eyes, the indigo iris was now circled by a celestial blue ring.
With ethereal grace, she danced in the air, laughing joyfully. "Hahaha! Kousei-kun, it worked! It worked! I... I feel so alive!" Even amidst her euphoria, tears of gratitude and relief streamed down her face.
Arima, witnessing this miraculous transformation, felt a wave of relief flood his being. He let out a deep sigh, and tears of gratitude and admiration welled up in his eyes. It was as if a massive burden had been lifted from his shoulders, allowing him to breathe freely once more.
"Kousei-kun, come on! Let's experience the sky together!" With a twinkle in her eyes, Kaori extended her hand towards him, inviting him to the adventure.
There was evident hesitation in Arima, a mix of awe and fascination. However, Kaori's radiant smile was irresistible, and he found himself unable to decline her request.
Even still trying to assimilate Kaori's incredible metamorphosis, Arima decided to surrender to the moment. After all, anything was worth it if it meant she would remain by his side.
"Alright." He said, taking her hand. Kaori's smile broadened, and with a graceful move, she lifted him, causing both to glide through the air.
"Ahhh!" Arima's surprised shout echoed, his adrenaline surging with the sensation of flying.
Laughing, Kaori reassured him: "Don't worry! For some reason, I feel I can master this easily." Her laughter was contagious, and her face radiated confidence. "Just trust me."
And, even with his heart racing and the fear of plummeting, Arima decided to trust her, allowing himself to be carried away by that magical moment.
In a distant location, Light was immersed in an unexpected encounter. A Shinigami, who had abruptly appeared in his room, now stood before him. As he tried to process the apparition, a luminous notification appeared in his vision.
━━━━ ≪?¬ノᆱ ━━━━
[A favorable event has occurred. Your Fortune has increased by 100 and your Destiny points by 500.]
━━━━ ≪?¬ノᆱ ━━━━
'Ah, so he finally made use of that...' Light reflected on the Leo zodiac stone he had entrusted to a young man.
Quickly, he dismissed the notification and turned his full attention to the Shinigami. "Ryuk, are you sure about this?"
"Kekeke! Absolutely. I can only return if you meet your end," Ryuk replied with a peculiar laugh.
Ryuk was an imposing figure, with vaguely human features. His eyes, large and yellow with red irises, contrasted with his bluish-gray skin tone. His limbs were disproportionately long, and feather-like wings emerged from his back, allowing him to fly.
"And there's more," Ryuk continued, a mischievous smile forming on his lips. "Watching you seems to be an intriguing pastime. I'm curious to experience something beyond the existence of a Shinigami. Kekeke."
"So, you opted for this because, unlike Devils, I can make you reincarnate as a different being?" Light deduced, staring intently at Ryuk.
"Kekeke. You're sharp. Yes, the Shinigami King is in a frenzy in the underworld, in the Shinigami Realm," Ryuk confirmed. "He's aware of what happened with Rem, but his hands are tied. And, interestingly... Kekeke, he seems to fear you."
Light raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why hasn't he reported to Hades?"
"Kekeke, as much as he might fear you, his dread of Hades is even greater. If he revealed the truth, Hades might dethrone him by killing him and appointing another Shinigami King. Moreover," Ryuk added with a malicious laugh, "he's too proud to admit his failure. He made the other Shinigamis swear silence on the matter, under penalty of death."
"Fascinating," murmured Light, thoughtfully touching his chin. "And he allowed you to come to the human world? Didn't he suspect your intentions, considering what happened with Rem?"
"Not at all. I've always been the most 'hardworking' Shinigami, the one who enjoys being a Shinigami the most," Ryuk replied with a confident smile. "He probably never imagined I'd follow in Rem's footsteps. Of course, I made sure to hide that you were the one who received my Death Note."
In Light's hand, a shimmering stone appeared, representing the Scorpio Zodiac.
Though Light maintained a cautious stance towards Ryuk, he saw potential in having him as an ally. With strategy and patience, Light was confident he could shape Ryuk into a devoted subordinate. The idea of betrayal didn't overly concern him; he always had a plan.
Ryuk's impressive Fortune, valued at 800, made him a valuable candidate to join Light's ranks. It was an opportunity to bring him under his influence and protection.
However, one thing was certain: any sign of betrayal from Ryuk would be his downfall. Light was determined to ensure the consequences were severe and final.
The Zodiac stone, charged with power and purpose, began to float gently, moving towards Ryuk. As it approached his chest, the stone released an overwhelming energy, enveloping the Shinigami in a vortex of light.
Ryuk's transformation was a spectacle to behold. His long limbs began to shorten, and his skin, previously pale and gaunt, took on a healthier, tanned hue. The skeletal wings that once protruded from his back retracted, giving way to a slimmer, more human silhouette.
His eyes, previously yellow and unsettling, now shone with a golden hue, though they still retained a touch of mischief. His black, unkempt hair became shorter and neater, and his ragged clothes were replaced by an elegant and sophisticated outfit with a belt bearing the Scorpio Zodiac symbol at its center.
At the end of the transformation, Ryuk, now a Heavenly Devil, looked more human than ever. However, the aura of mystery and danger that always surrounded him remained, serving as a constant reminder of his true nature and the power he now possessed.
━━━━ ≪?¬ノᆱ ━━━━
[A favorable event has occurred. Your Fortune has increased by 150 and your Destiny points by 750.]
━━━━ ≪?¬ノᆱ ━━━━
