[FAN FIC] Message in a Cup (Chapter 1)
Summary: Satoshi meets a shinigami (angel of death) and his guardian angel. He only has 3 days to find out how is he going to die or who is his murderer.
Warning: Major character death
Notes:
- I finally decided to write a fan fic. I'll do my best. :)
99% of those who will read this are familiar with Arashi, but for those who aren't, please refer to this video to have visual of the members (their names are shown as Last Name First Name as what is common in Japan. In this story, their name format is in English with Japanese honorifics).
Prologue
Sho held the bouquet of white calla lilies in his hands. He took a deep breath and made a hesitating step.
"I don't think I can do this," he said and ran his fingers through his bangs and sighed.
"You can do it, Sho-chan. I know you can. I'm here beside you if you need support," Masaki placed an encouraging hand on Sho's shoulder. "If it will be better for you, just leave the flowers and we can come back later when you're ready to face him."
*****
A month ago
Satoshi inhaled the rich aroma of the freshly-brewed coffee served by his secretary. He leaned back on his leather chair and took a sip.
He reviewed the layout and the final design of the newest local branch of Samajima Hotels which will open soon.
He was interrupted when his secretary knocked on his door.
"President, Sakurai-san is here," she said.
He nodded and took another sip of his coffee.
"Toshi-chan!" Sho Sakurai greeted his cousin. "I'm sorry but I cannot join the board meeting tomorrow. I have to be in Singapore for the grand opening of one of our hotels there. I'll be back here after three days. Can I just have a copy of the minutes? I have given my report to your secretary and you can call me during the meeting. Do you want me to scout for another location there?" He asked.
Sho became his business partner ten years ago. With no luck in finding employment, Sho came to Satoshi and begged to be hired even as a butler. Satoshi would not have his cousin do such for him but Sho insisted. After a year of being his butler and assistant secretary, Sho was trained to be Satoshi's Administrative Assistant. Later on, Satoshi created Samajima World, an international subsidiary of Samajima Hotels, which handles all hotels outside of Japan and made Sho the Vice-President.
Satoshi thought for some time. "Can you check the feasibility of a branch in Sentosa?" He smiled because he knew that Sho will come home with not only a report, but with also a floor plan of a possible new hotel.
"And bring me something from Universal Studios, maybe a coffee cup?" Satoshi knew that Sho always brings him souvenirs on his trips.
"Consider it done," Sho said and waved good-bye before leaving the office.
Satoshi finished his cup of coffee and went back to his paperwork. It was already evening when he finished and everyone has left.
He grabbed the coffee cup to clean it and noticed a calling card inside.
"Shinigami 143," he read on the card.
He frowned. There was nothing else written on the card and wondered how did it get there.
He placed the card in his coat, cleaned the cup, took his things and went home.
After he took a shower, he sat on his bed and stared at the strange calling card.
"Good evening! I am Shinigami 143! Well, actually I am his substitute because he's on a vacation. Anyway, congratulations! You are going to die in three days!" A pale man wearing a slighty oversized coat smirked at Satoshi.
Satoshi just stared at the shinigami, his expression unreadable.
"Uhm..." The Shinigami was weirded out by the odd reaction shown to him. "I shall be your guide as you travel to the next life. If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them, but I have no power to extend your life."
"What happens if I suddenly took away my life now? Will that make it easier?" Satoshi asked.
"No, Satoshi-kun! Don't commit suicide! That's bad," a tall figure with wings and a halo showed up.
"He's right," said the shinigami. "I'll get in trouble if you commit suicide. I need to keep you alive until your 72 hours cut off. If not, I'll lose this job."
"Wow. That was selfish," said the angel to the shinigami.
"Excuse me. Just who are you exactly?" Satoshi asked the angel.
"I am Jun, your guardian angel. I have watched over you since you were ten. It was nice to finally talk to you." He bowed deeply to Satoshi and then to the shinigami. "Nice to meet you."
The Shinigami bowed back to Jun. "I'm Nino, a temporary shinigami, or angel of death. Nice to meet you, too."
"Temporary?" Jun asked.
"Tough times. It's hard to get a permanent job these days, even as a shinigami. That's why I had to rent this coat for the job. I can't afford one yet," explained Nino.
"I can lend you a hand there. I know a lot of thrift shops and I assure you, they are fashionable, people won't think it's inexpensive," offered Jun.
"Is that so? Can I have your number, please? I may need your help after this assignment," Nino asked.
The angel and the shinigami exchanged numbers.
"Can I invite you for lunch tomorrow so that we can talk about the thrift shop and your clothes?" Jun asked.
"Certainly!" Nino laughed. "Anything inexpensive is always good for me.
Satoshi cleared his throat. "Excuse me? I am still here."
Jun and Nino bowed in apology.
"I am going to die in three days and you both would rather talk about clothes? You've got to be kidding me!" Satoshi glared at them.
"Ooopps, this one's scary. I'll see you both tomorrow. I'll text you later, Jun. Good night, everyone," Nino said and suddenly disappeared.
Jun barely saw Satoshi show his anger and he'd rather be away from him. "Ahm, be good Satoshi-kun. I'll talk to you tomorrow," and he disappeared as well.
Satoshi was left alone in his room. "Nino, if you're still there, can you tell me how I'll die?"
Nino showed up with a PS4 controller in his hand. "If you're not sick, it would probably be murder," he said and disappeared.
Disclaimer: This is an original fictional work loosely based on the members of the group Arashi and does not promote any specific brand or product. People, places, and others used in this story are purely for fiction.