"Floating lightly away, as if it this were goodbye.

But it's not. Let's try to talk this out."

— Flamingo,
Kenshi Yonezu

ー・ー

Damn it. I don't have time for this madness.

That's what I've been thinking for the past hours, and yet here I am, my own two feet leading my body towards the fifth floor of the apartment complex I am staying at. It seemed like I was compelled to believe him, his words— that, or I was just thinking of a way to finally get this matter over with.

After finishing my shift at the café, I hesitantly took the road home towards Moonstone Hostel. Just by the name, the rent was very much expensive for commoners such as myself. Few of the things I owed to Melancholia's owners were sponsorships such as a temporary and free shelter. I earned money for daily necessities by working for them, and several others.

As I finally reached the meeting point, I performed three consecutive knocks on the door. A young girl, probably at age 10 with shoulder length pink hair stood behind the doorway. She stared at me, examining from head-to-toe like your typical asian aristocrat. Just smaller.

"So you're Nagisa-san's mission?" she asked with crossed arms. "Quite unimpressive."

I met her gaze with a deadpanned look, not backing down yet not interested either. "I'm not here to do business with you, kid. Where's Nagisa?"

"Somewhere," she replied curtly. Opening the door wider, she glanced at my direction once again with her brow raised higher. "You're planning on standing there all night, redhead?"

For a little girl two-thirds my age, she really has a sharp tongue. I wonder whom she inherited it from.

"That shameless twat dared to be late," I whispered to myself in annoyance. How dare he waste my time and choose to be a fucking no-show.

"I'm not late," a familiar voice whined, its small fingers flicked my forehead discreetly before swiftly moving in front of me. "You're just too early."

I glared at the newcomer, rubbing my forehead. How could he move so fast? "Your excuse better be reasonable, tenshi. I'm not spending my time putting up with your shits."

"Language, Akabane-kun. There's a kid here." He frowned, his two hands covering the pink haired girl's ears as if cleansing her hearing.

"And why the hell should I care? Just tell me what you fucking want with me already!"

The girl immediately stood guard in front of Nagisa the moment I raised my voice. "Do not talk to Nagisa-san that way!" she commanded, her glare becoming more intense.

"Stand down, Sakura. The fault is on me," coaxed Nagisa to the pink haired girl, Sakura. "We talked about this. Akabane-kun is the one who's new to all this, not me. Now go back to ojiisan."

Sakura pouted. "Alright. But if he does anything to you, you're ditching this mission." She sent one last deadly stare at me before running back to the unit's kitchen. Somehow, I'm quite amused of her protective attitude toward Nagisa, but that doesn't change the fact that I am getting impatient by the minute.

I looked abruptly at the bluenet with a raised brow. "I'm here for the deal, so out with it. What do I have to do for you to get out of my life?"

He motioned for us to settle down at the living room before starting.

"Sadly, you won't get me out of your life that easily. But, I have a proposition for you to consider."

I crossed my arms and looked at him full of suspicion. "And what makes you think I would agree?"

"We can both do what we want without meddling in each others' businesses." He stopped for a moment to look at the table calendar. "Give me 1 month to do my mission and prove that you're not as worse as they think you are."

Just one month? Is he underestimating me or overestimating himself? Do I seem lenient to him?

I smirked at my own thoughts, clearly amused at his predictability. "I just don't see how I can benefit with this. All odds seem to be at your favor."

He inhaled sharply, closing his eyes in crossed arms. It seems like I am starting to get into his nerves. "I have limited but powerful abilities I can let you use at your disposal but only for good purposes. Celestials are loved by mana, but everything has a price one must pay."

I held my chin, as if deep in thought before I faced Nagisa again with a mocking expression. "I'm not sure. You think you're skilled enough to try to reform me in just 30 days?"

He flashed a genuine smile which piqued my interest. "You believed me when I said I was an angel, aren't I?"

Only when you showed me that horrifying sight. I tried so hard not to roll my eyes. Yes, he's an angel, but that doesn't mean he could break down the walls I've built for my sake.

"I'm not holy, Nagisa." I simpered and grinned deviously as I stood up, looking at him intently. "I will be your worst nightmare. You will come to hate me one day."

He met my eyes with equal intensity evident on his azure ones. "You're not the first person to tell me that, Akabane-kun. I can manage."

"Then it is a deal."

Before we could seal the deal with the usual handshaking, my phone vibrated vigorously. My heart suddenly felt heavy the moment I read the caller's ID.

『 Hello? Is this Akabane Karma-san? This is Tōkai Medical University Hospital. 』

"I am. Did something happen to her? Is she alright?" I unknowingly panicked. Shit.

『 The patient's heartbeat stopped in the midst of sleep paralysis. She is currently in the ER as we speak. 』

I almost dropped my phone at the news. Before my eyesight blurred due to panic, I counted to ten, calming myself down as I answered. "I'm coming immediately. Please take care of her."

With no further adieu, I picked my wallet and coat, then ran towards the elevator paying no mind to the people I'm bumping against. I hurriedly hailed a cab towards the hospital, catching my breath at the same time.

"No..."

I still have the world to give her.

"Not yet."

Please, for the love of everything holy,

don't take my mother yet.

ー・ー

scrivener's memo:
To outspoken readers, and even the silent ones, I appreciate the support 💕.