Hello everyone ^^

This is a short story that Pen wrote and submitted to the group competition.

It is also Pen's first short story ><

I'm so glad that there's finally a finished story.

If you like it or not, please leave a comment.

Thank you ^^

Enjoy!><

“Please... Please... help Ryu-kun.”

The hands that had been tightly clasped together began to loosen. The figure kneeling on the ground got up and started walking towards the original destination. Her goal every day Under the white snow falling down

Every word, every action is something that the monks who live in this shrine see with familiarity. Because during this time every year While everyone is out hanging out with family or friends waiting for the day of a new beginning. This girl came back to this shrine alone. Along with a sadness that never fades no matter how many years pass. She came to make a wish.

Even though there hasn't been a year where it's been effective. But she still came In those beautiful eyes, there was still hope. That one day the guardian angel will make her wishes come true. But she probably doesn't know the reason why her request was never fulfilled...

above in heaven

'Please...please.....'

This sound, this sound again!

“Go after Giorno. Spishale come now!!!!”

A loud command that shook the heavens caused everyone to rush to find the owner of the name 'Giorno Spichale'.

And in less than ten seconds, the unlucky god who had been summoned so early in the morning rushed to frantically attend to him.

“Ah...uh... What's the matter, Lord Devinite?" The trembling voice was quite sympathetic, but not to 'Lord Devinite' who was extremely angry.

“This woman...this woman again!!! Didn't I tell you to warn your son about making her wish come true? We're tired of listening to her beg every year!” The Great God's harsh voice made the old god tremble. Shaking more

“Well.. well.. you know my son's personality very well... and.. you probably also.. know. Regarding the criteria for making the request come true."

The criteria mentioned are In deciding whether or not the wishes that humans make on New Year's Day will come true or not, It must be verified by the 'Ewadi' group to see how many good things the owner of the request has done throughout the past year. And how many things are not good? After that, take it and weigh it.

If the result is better That person's request will be fulfilled.

But there is one caveat. That is, the request that is being asked must not be about love between young people... which, even if it is only a little related, is not The woman's request never came true.

“I know the criteria your son has set, but please tell your son to make an exception for her. It's her request. In fact, there's not much to do with love at all. Besides, she's been a good person all these years..."

“But...but...”

“Nothing at all! tell your son Will do as we say Or will your salary be cut for three months? Take your pick. We know your son is a smart person. Hopefully I will choose the right way.” Devinite gave an ultimatum. No matter how much I pity this god But he couldn't bear to listen to her request any longer.

“Yes...please.”

After completing his promise, the god Giorno Spichale flew home. In my head I couldn't think of what to say to my stubborn son.

Sarfine House...

“Noelle...come here, child. Father, do you have anything to say?”

When you arrive home The god Giorno began to call for his son.

“Is there something wrong, Father? Then why did Lord Devinite call Father to see you?”

When he heard his father's call A young man whose name was 'Noel' or his full name was 'Noel Saikai Repreza Spichale' walked out of the house's library. It contains hundreds of books by both human and divine authors. Until this book room became a book room for all the heavenly people.

“It is like this, Noel…” Father Giorno said in distress.

“Lord Devinite….He wants you to make that human woman's wish come true ^^;”

“ _ ^ Father...I told you... that I set my own rules Since Devinite has given me this duty. You should let me take responsibility for my duties myself. Not interfering like this.”

“But...but, child... Devinite's every human request will be heard. Including the woman's request..."

“But it's about me. It's not yours at all. It'll come..."

“Sir Devinite said that if you don't follow the instructions, You will deduct three months of your salary!” The father god blurted out, not knowing what to do. Because both your own children are important. Lord Devinite is important. Plus, both of them are stubborn and won't listen to anyone.

"Alright..alright!"

Then the young god stormed out of the house in anger... Look at this, you crazy human. I will play you so hard that you will be afraid of love!

Tokyo, Japan

In the streets filled with many people walking around Every face was decorated with a smile. The atmosphere around him was filled with laughter and happiness. But among those things There was a young woman who walked alone. Marine's eyes were sad, like someone who had been through a lot even though she was only 20 years old.

The clothes that are worn, although not fashionable, are clean, indicating the meticulous nature of the owner very well. short hazelnut hair It was combed smooth but not decorated with anything. It's like if you just want it to be so-so, that's enough. She's an inconspicuous woman. But it has a simple charm.

She slowly walked down the road, unhurriedly. But when entering the alley of her house She saw a strange shadow. Passed in front of her many, many times. Her instincts told the woman to quickly speed up. But it probably won't be fast enough. She was pushed against the wall by the strange shadow.

“Wow!!”

she exclaimed, closing her eyes tightly. With my mind thinking that I would surely die

“You... you... are that annoying human who always comes to make the same wish every year?... It's you, I'm asking you!”

Eh...who? Why do you know our prayers....when we've never told anyone!! Out of curiosity, she slowly opened her eyes.

“ O///O” 

When she opened her eyes to look what is in front causing her to freeze until she couldn't do anything The pause was not because of fear. But because of what was in front of her An appearance that is exactly like a human's. Except for the silver wings on its back. that shines a bright light amidst the darkness and two colored eyes

Emerald green and pitch black like the night that stared at her as if it were devouring her flesh and blood. But she wasn't afraid at all. Everything that comes together perfectly It was so beautiful that she almost stopped breathing.

“Here you are…here!! What are you talking about? I'm talking to you!"

“Kh...huh? @_@”

"I'm asking if you're the girl who likes to come and make the same wishes every New Year _ ."

“Who are you? How do you know about my prayers?”

After regaining his composure The instinct for caution returned. Made her feel insecure about what was in front of her.

“_Are you asking for blessings from someone whose face you don't even know?”

“??? …. Ah... Ah!

O_O  

Or will you be….

OoO”   

When the brain can process it Her eyes widened in shock.

“If you're thinking about the god who brings good wishes for the new year... then that's probably right.” The young god looked bored. Because every time it appears Humans often have stunned expressions on their faces. Some people even fainted.

“I...sorry for my bad manners. I shouldn't have done that.”

The woman quickly apologized frantically when she learned the identity of the person in front of her.

“Never mind…” The young god made a sad face before continuing. “We've wasted a lot of time. I have something to discuss with you...about that wish.”

“Request? ...Or are you here to make my wish come true?!”

The girl's eyes now filled with happiness and hope were completely different from before. It's bright and shiny. He had never seen anyone believe in love this much. Until the god Noel suddenly felt guilty about what he was about to do to her.

"Ah..uh...that's right ^^; ... but...there must be an exchange."

“Yes, whatever you ask me to do, I will do it. …I only ask…please help make my wish come true.” His eyes and voice were firm. indicating that she was not joking at all. But instead of feeling afraid or something He felt even more fun... fun to make a little human know the word pain like he used to know.

“Huh...very good…” Noel grinned evilly before giving her the first mission. “You have probably heard of the legend of Eros and Psyche...that Psyche must undertake an almost impossible mission assigned to her by Venus in order to see Eros again. . But I probably won't be as cruel as Venus...

I'm only giving you one mission. If she succeeds... That person will be completely healed.”

“Alright...alright.” She secretly gulped a little, her heart pounding with excitement as to what she had to do.

“What you have to do is... Assassinate Mikael Takahito.”

“Don't worry...I've prepared the plans and equipment for you...the only thing you have to do is... is to pull the trigger.”

“But... I... I can't! How can you let me kill someone? He didn't do anything for me!”

The girl spoke in a trembling voice. I don't think that what I would have to do in exchange for Ryo's life would be to kill someone.

"You don't have to worry... He is a person who deserves to die...this is his history. Please take it and read it.” Noel handed her a stack of documents before continuing. “I'll give you one night to think. If you decide to do it Please meet me in front of the shrine you like to go to at 8:00 a.m. By the way...I still don't know your name. What is your name?”

“…” But with everything rushing into her head all at once. His question didn't enter her head at all.

"this! A name, a name!” Noel leaned over and yelled in her ear when he saw her not answering.

"yes? Oh, my name is... My name is Sae.” 'Sae' raised her head and looked at God Noel blankly. Because right now your head is full of emptiness.

“Don't be late. See you tomorrow..Sae.”

In front of the shrine at 7.55 a.m.

After reading Mikael's history and thinking about it all night, Sae finally made a decision. that she will follow the agreement Because Noelle was absolutely right about him. Mikael is a business owner who made his fortune from the oil trade. But that's just a façade. Because what they really do is provide child labor to many large companies.

He didn't even care that once those children were sold, How will the children live? And he still pretends not to know about the child abuse while working by his merciless factory workers. But one thing that made her hesitate to kill him was because

Mikael had two daughters and a son. If she killed him, the two children would be fatherless. She, who lost her parents when she was young, knows the pain well. But if she doesn't do it... Something that will cause her no less pain will happen. And she couldn't let the most important person in her life die before her eyes when she could save his life.

“Are you here before the appointed time?”

The voice, which she remembered precisely because it had played in her head over and over again last night, sounded louder. Until causing her who was stuck in a trance to flinch.

“Ah...good morning.”

“Huh, let's get to the point.” Noel didn't want to waste any more time waiting for his joyful moment. So he hurriedly got to the point without saying anything. Until you who are still not prepared well His face lost color for a moment.

"Are you still not able to come to terms with this? That her face didn't just lose color But now her face and eyes looked even more weary than yesterday. The dark circles of her eyes made him know that she probably spent the whole night thinking about this. And in a fraction of a minute

He felt guilty for doing this to her.

“You can sit here and rest…” He led her to sit on a bench before getting her a drink to drink. in case you feel better And then it was his The cold drink made her expression better. And when I saw this So he continued the matter he had left off.

“I have prepared a gun for you. The location was a suite on the 22nd floor of the Senkai Hotel at 12:00 noon. She didn't have to do much. Just go to the rooftop of the next building, aim, and shoot.”

Noelle said in a slightly warmer tone that surprised her.

"Then you will..."

“I will go with you. To prevent her from making mistakes,” Noelle answered before she could finish her sentence. Then he stood up and extended his hand to her, “Let's go, this hotel is far away. If you use my wings to fly It must have arrived at around 12:00 noon.”

Then the two of them began to fly up into the sky. He used one hand to hold her, not letting her fall. During the time she was in the sky, For the first time in years, she smiled. The beautiful cityscape below was amazing for someone like you who had never been to anywhere else before.

And while she was excited by the view down there She didn't notice the person next to her at all. The young god could only look at her face, which was filled with a smile. It was a sight he couldn't take his eyes off. He didn't think that she, even though she wasn't outstandingly beautiful, had anything to do with her. But when you smile She was more beautiful and brighter than any angel in heaven he had ever met. She looked very happy...

So much so that he thought he couldn't bear to see that beautiful face stained with tears. But it was too late to undo what she was about to do. When his wings had brought the two of them to the Senkai Hotel,

He landed her gently on the roof of the building next to the hotel. On that deck there was already a rifle with aim set up. As if the only thing it lacked was someone to pull the trigger.

" thank you"

She thanked him with a sad look in her eyes again. It was so sad that he had to look away because he couldn't bear to look.

“This gun isn't difficult to use. It's for people who are just learning. Just aim the target at the center of the scope. Then pull the trigger.”

She didn't answer anything. His eyes could only stare at that gun. It's like you don't even want to touch it.

"It's time. Are you ready, Sae?"

He turned to her to see if she was ready. But what he saw made his heart heavy... Sae's hands were shaking right now. I just tried to hold back my tears and stay calm. In order not to miss work In her head right now, she could only think that if she didn't do it, Ryo would die. which she definitely couldn't stand

But she couldn't make two lovely children fatherless. Everything that was going on in her head made her want to scream and run away from here. But in reality, she couldn't... because now she deserved to pull the trigger and kill.

“I'm ready.” Even though his mouth answered like that. But the trembling voice and the tears that slowly flowed down said the opposite. It made him unable to force her to do this again. Because now he felt so much hate and pain for himself.

“You don't have to shoot. If you don't want to shoot.”

“I'm sorry... I shouldn't have forced her to do this. Really a layer of punishment.”

He said, holding a trembling hand on the trigger of her gun. She raised her head and looked at him slowly, not understanding. And she didn't understand even harder when he pulled her into a hug.

“I really don't know. How could I do that? Especially with you…” He could only think back and forth, angry at himself. To think of making her, who is such a good person Had to face a choice that no matter what, it would cause her pain. She didn't deserve to be treated like this. She didn't deserve to have to make such a cruel choice to save the person she loved.

But because he made her choose Because he made her cry. Which is no different from when he was once betrayed by the one person he loved with all his heart. He did what he promised himself he would never do, which was... causing the people he loved to shed tears, but no... he was still able to fix it. If only...

“I will make your wish come true. Without having to exchange anything.”

“Really?! Are you really going to make Ryo-kun recover from his illness?!”

The bright look in his eyes behind the curtain of tears made him think to himself. I really don't think it's wrong to do this. because her face looked brighter Bright as you should be

“Actually, I'm going to take you to the hospital. Then you can go prove it. whether he recovered or not If it doesn't go away, I'll let you follow me and scold me to the shrine ^^”

"Thank you very much...." She thanked him with a wide smile. With a kiss on his cheek once “You are the kindest god in heaven^^”

Just her smile...was enough for him. Because now his heart that was once frozen by a cruel past Has melted down until only tenderness remains... She made him know the word love again. And just being able to take care of her...stay away...that's all he's satisfied with.