https://youtu.be/mS67JzeqZdw

CHAPTER FIVE: 
THE TIME HAS COME

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"The inevitable is inescapable."

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THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE DAY WHEN SOMEBODY DIES. It starts in the morning when they start being so lively and joyful; it feels like hope had hit that person. The smile on her face was different than the rest of the days Dabi had spent watching her. In truth, it was probably the most genuine she had smiled in years. "You seem happy...?" Dabi's eyes shone with worry, knowing very well that it was almost time. "I am, for some reason, happy because I get to see our family again... for one last time..." her giggle echoed through the hospital room as the yellowish-white walls listened to it for the last time as well.

"Are you ready though?"

"I was always ready, Dabi..." she muttered while sighing. "Are you still worried?" The male nodded as he gave a small smile. "It's not every day I get to experience getting turned into a guardian angel and losing someone important at the same time..." he said while his shoulder shot up and then down again. It always starts like this—the smiling, the laughing, the accepting, and the sudden courage to face Death. That was what was different with (your name) today. And it hurt him deeply.

Maybe, it was because she had to keep a façade in front of their parents and siblings that she had to keep smiling today despite knowing she was dying. But the way she was just lying there on her bed, talking normally with Natsuo, Fuyumi, and Shoto made it feel surreal—it felt like she was getting better. Or that's what the siblings would like to believe. Their mother had been staying in a corner, chewing on her nails as she watched her children getting together hours before (your name)'s death. Rei was trying her hardest to hold in her tears as she can't bear the heartbreak anymore—dealing with two children dying was enough and she swore to herself she would take better care of the three remaining siblings.

There was always something about the day when somebody dies. Sometimes, the person asks for a little bit of more attention from their loved ones—often being physically clingy to them and just keeping their warmth close. Maybe, it's because when you die, your body turns cold and you'll never feel the same heat with your soul. But for her, she was not asking for any of it rather she was given that attention.

Shoto, who had always been a bit distant, held her hand tightly and kept kissing her forehead. Shoto vowed to watch over their family even though he was the youngest of the siblings and it made her grin, slowly ruffling his soft red and white hair. Natsuo, who had been crying for a while now, kept holding her close and hugging her whenever he can. Natsuo kept whispering his gratitude to his sister and saying how much he loves her and appreciates her. (Your name) hugged him back tightly, running her fingers on his white locks, comforting him whilst he cried on her shoulders. When it was Fuyumi's turn, both of them were just talking about the life she wanted and how it would be so much better with her little sister around to see it. Fuyumi sang her favorite songs and she watched how (your name) would close her eyes and hum along; knowing that it would probably be the last time her voice would be heard this gentle.

There was always something about the day when somebody dies. When you finally learn how much time you've got left so, you try to ease your nervousness by telling your final goodbyes and even bargaining people for more time, holding on tightly to memories that will surely be the only thing left once a person leaves forever. "2 more hours?" Enji's shock was clearly evident in his voice and his eyes that were once harsh turned soft as he heard the doctor's news just outside his daughter's door. Rei broke down in his arms, her tears warm and large as she let out all the hope she had left.

"Surely there must be something you can do..." Enji pleaded, his breathing erratic and his tears starting to fall down his cheeks, his strong arm wrapped around his wife's small sobbing figure. "Please...? I can't—," His sobs were now escaping his lips as the doctor shook their head saying that they tried all that they can and that her body is now declining everything they are trying to give. But it's weird, isn't it? Because just behind that door, (your name) looked livelier and it only broke the remaining pieces of their heart.

It broke them.

Because no matter how hard they would try—their family won't be complete again.

It's not a family without (Your name).

And it's not a family without Touya.

――――

DABI TOOK A DEEP BREATH AS HE HUGGED HIS OWN BODY. For some reason, even if he is just an angel—and even when he was Death—he still felt shivers run down his spine watching everyone and everything fall apart. He felt every single thought and pain that they were hiding from (your name). There was always something about the day when somebody dies. Dabi never expected for it to have hurt like this. All this time, when he was watching people die, he was too naïve to realize the hurt that the loved ones experience. But now that he was experiencing it first hand, he had regretted that he was not empathic enough to those people.

Somehow, it always happens on the day when somebody dies—when they start to close their eyes, they are leaving you behind. And you always know that they are never coming back; no matter how hard you try to wake them up.

The girl grew silent as she felt her insides churn and burn. She placed a hand over her chest and took a deep breath before letting it go, groaning as she felt the pain shoot up to her chest. Natsuo held her lightly as he helped her lay down on her bed. "I-it hurts..." she muttered as she clutched on her hospital gown. Fuyumi was starting to panic and Shoto was breathing heavily as he tried to calm Fuyumi down. "Everything is so blurry..." (Your name) stated as she held on to Natsuo's hand, closing her eyes.

"(Your name)! Wake up!"

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SERAPH, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAD FREED THE WHITE BEING FROM HIS IMPRISONMENT. "Did you enjoy your little time out, Divine?" The golden being teased as the former twitched their left eye. "Seraph, if you don't shut up—," they were cut off by Seraph's hand covering their mouth. "You talk too much. I'm taking you somewhere." The Divine cocked their eyebrows, bowing their head slightly. "Don't you have a job to do? You're supposed to be taking a soul today..." Divine spat bitterly as they turned around. Seraph grabbed their wrist and spun them to face the golden being again.

"I know, that's why I'm taking you with me!"

"Oh, joy..."

With just a flick of their finger, Seraph had easily transported the two of them inside the hospital room of (your name). They had seen Dabi staying in the corner, his lips parted as his breath escaped from it and his tears falling from his own eyes, as nurses rush inside the room and pulling screaming family members away from the sleeping body of (your name). Seraph's gaze softened as the being watched their wrecked faces. The shouts only grew louder as the doctor shook their head, asking for a defibrillator. With only seconds remaining, Seraph wiped a tear away as Divine scoffed. "How foolish..."

"What is, Divine?"

"All of this..." The Divine paused the scene and everybody in the world froze for a moment as they watched the faces of the people inside. "They only care once a person dies..." Divine spat as they looked back at Seraph, who had placed its hands behind itself. "Well, no matter how hard you try to deny it, Divine... they are still her family," Seraph said as he sighed. "And even though she pushed them away, they will always come back because they love her."

"Lame..." Divine shrugged. "Anything else you want to say before I unfreeze?"

"When you take away the lives of my living things... this is the impact... and as much as you want to deny it, you threw a stone on calm water and it ripples through and through," Seraph added while he let out a piece of paper; the agreement between (your name) and them. "Dabi is going to be an Angel and so are the other Deaths who had sacrificed their chance to live..." The Divine harshly grabbed the paper and glared at them. "What makes you think I'll agree?!"

"I could just...poof you off from existence..." Seraph shrugged. "We don't want that now, don't we?" The Divine groaned as the being kept the paper in their pocket. "Anything else, Seraph?"

"There is one more thing..." Seraph smirked, a hand resting on Divine's shoulder. "Even after death, even after the dead person's reincarnation, even after I heal the people left behind from the pain they have now, the scars are always there." The Divine looked into their golden hues, white ones turning soft as tears fall from the Seraph's eyes. "They will continue to get hurt, Divine..."

"...And when they die, that's the only time they'll forget about it..." Seraph continued. "Can you please take it easy on them?"

"I hate when you do that..." The Divine groaned, holding their hand up but before the fingers of the being clicked, they continued. "...But I always hate it when you're always right. I'll take it easy on them..." With that, time continued to flow and the mortals started moving again. A Death came to their side but the Divine stopped it with their own arm, letting the mortals have a bit more time. "Let them say goodbye first..." Seraph smiled warmly as they hugged Divine. "You are starting to warm up to the mortals, I see!"

"Shut up..." Divine sighed. "I'm only doing that because you told me to..."

The beings watched as the inevitable happens. They watched as hope slowly crumbles on the floor as tears from the mortals spill from their eyes, blurring their visions. They watched as the glimmer of the room slowly dull as the sun shining outside were covered by clouds and the muffled voices of the doctors finally speak the truth that they had been trying to cover with lies. Numbness visits each and every family member in the room as they watched the cloth being placed over the patient's head.

"Patient's name?"

"(Your name) Todoroki."

"Time of Death?"

"11:20 AM."

Dabi's head hung low as tears gently escape his eyes, falling to the tiled floor. Somehow, it always happens to the ones that get left behind on the day when somebody close to their heart dies and leaves Earth once and for all—the emptiness of a love you once had but is now lost. When Rei finally lost it, she screamed and Enji had to hold on to her tightly, hugging her and asking her to stand down as the three remaining siblings held on to each other for support, not knowing what to do or say except wail their passing sibling's name. Seraph turned away with Divine and the Death was left to do what they were going to do.

It was sad that Dabi didn't get the chance to talk to her for one last time.

But then again...

You only ever realize a person's true worth when they die.

And (your name) Todoroki was officially dead.

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https://youtu.be/YAbWLASMKxs

THE SERVICE WAS SHORT-LIVED AND THE RAIN THAT WELCOMED THE TODOROKI FAMILY MADE THEM FEEL EVEN WORSE. Today was the last time they would see their daughter and sibling physically but their tears salted the Earth more than the rain that fell on this day. Dabi watched from afar. His coat was drenched as he stood in the rain without an umbrella—it's not like he would get sick anyway. His turquoise eyes looked up to the sky, his hand covering some of the raindrops as his family continued to mourn over their loss. It sucks how they would remember all of this and she would live again not knowing anything.

He had cried enough tears and he felt himself become numb to the pain. For fuck's sake, he was a being now but for some reason, the pain still gets to him even if he was Death or now that he's an Angel. If Dabi could say something to her right now, he would probably just tell her to never forget about him and to always call out to him whenever she can because he always will be there for her. Dabi would tell her that he would never trade their memories for another—and that he was always proud to be her older brother.

And that he loves her so much; it hurts.

To Dabi, and to anybody who knew her, she was like the moon. She was beautiful and she glowed brightly on anyone's dark sky but sometimes, the moon has to disappear and lose the pieces it once had and the dark sky will return again. The fear that surrounds them over this dark sky is the fear of not being able to see the light once again—because unlike the moon—(Your name) was never returning to light up their skies and they will have to find new ways to get through the dark until a new moon comes along.

But for now, it's dark.

And they would always miss the light that she provides.

――――

WHEN THE COFFIN WAS LOWERED, THE FAMILY HAD TO STAY FOR A FEW MINUTES. The silence was thick and only sniffles were heard. Their eyes were swollen and red from all the crying and their hearts were numb from the loss of feelings. Seraph, who had disguised himself along with the crowd, waited until most of the visitors were gone before approaching the bereaved. Upon seeing Seraph's face, the family looked at one another with confused looks at the smiling expression plastered on the being's face.

"I apologize if I'm smiling on this sad day but my face seems to do that when I'm sad," Seraph explained as they grabbed something from their coat; envelopes that had their names on it. "I'm (your name)'s friend and she asked me if I could give this to you when she dies... I haven't had the time to do so since you were all so busy but... these are her final words to all of you... and even one for... Touya?"

"Her also dead brother..." Rei sniffled as she accepted the envelopes. "Oh, they're finally going to see each other..." Seraph gave a small nod before chuckling lightly, gently placing a hand on Rei's head; slowly taking away some of her pain. Seraph would have done the same to all of them but as the mother of the two children, it must be heavy for her to stand. "I must be going now... she still has other letters that I must give..." Seraph quickly turned away and squinted their golden eyes as they looked around the cemetery. Where is he? They thought. Who Seraph was looking for was none other than Dabi. The last note is for him and (your name) would be restless if she knew Seraph never gave it to him.

Dabi was found sitting on a bench near the exit of the cemetery, fumbling with his own hands. He felt empty and he felt like his thoughts were being consumed by a void that was only yearning for (your name) to live again. Dabi never got the chance to say goodbye—just like all those years ago before he died. And fully, he regrets it now. He continued to play with his fingers, his gaze never leaving them until somebody sat beside him. "I heard you were now guarding them..." Seraph's voice echoed on his ears as he let out a bitter chuckle. "It's not the same without her, Seraph... It sucks... I never even got the chance to say goodbye..."

"Well, you're in luck because she got you covered." Seraph winked as the being handed Dabi the envelope with his real name engraved on it. "I gave your parents a decoy one since (your name) really wanted me to give this to you. I can't break promises..."

"Don't make me guilty," Dabi stated as his back slumped on the bench, his hand accepting the envelope and his teeth grazing his lower lip as he sighed. "Thank you, Seraph..."

"I know what's in there so, I only hope you follow her terms and conditions." Seraph stood up as the being dusted the coat they were wearing. "I must go now... the Reincarnation process will begin shortly..." Before Seraph could leave, Dabi grabbed the being's wrist. Seraph turned back slowly, raising his eyebrows at the angel. "What is it, Dabi?"

"Can you tell her something for me?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Seraph beamed. "What do you want me to say?"

"I love her and I'll always be her Guardian Angel—I'll always be here."

DABI.

When you're reading this, I'm probably dead. I mean, I'm buried six feet under the ground. Is that how it works? Well, when you first came over the hospital... I wasn't afraid to die really. Because deep inside, I hoped I could see my brother again. I cried the first night because I didn't know why you—Death—would be so comforting and kind. A day after, you and I did the things my brother and I would have done when he was around and... when I took a picture of you with that camera, a wave of memories hit me—ones with my brother when we were hanging out before I got rushed to the hospital and days before he died.

And maybe I was just too stupid not to realize that it was you all along. And maybe I was just afraid that nothing would be waiting for me once I die because you were roaming around the Earth collecting souls. So, I told myself that it was impossible for you to be Touya. But I was proven wrong when you showed up the next day and you asked me that question about reincarnation. If you were a living mortal, I would have told you that you were crazy to believe in shit like that.

But you were Death. So, I believed you.

But I wasn't expecting that you'd give the chance to me... And that made me mad at myself... It made me feel like I was stealing someone else's chance to live again. But then Seraph, he told me all about you. He told me the truth. He told me that you were Touya all this time and... it all started to make sense... It's funny because I thought that a random person was just giving me their chance when in fact, you were just being your selfless self.

Dabi—Touya, I am so sorry. I am sorry if I have ever doubted you as a brother. I never knew the real reason why you died because mom and dad wouldn't want me to know. You sacrificed yourself so many times for so many people and yet... nobody else could do the same for you even in the life you have chosen to be right now. I always believed in Guardian Angels, you know.

We used to believe in them. You always called me that, didn't you?

As payment for the chance you gave me, I want you to become one not only for me—but for the people we used to care for. Be there for Mom, I know she's in such a bad place right now because she just lost 2 of her children. She would be devastated and would do anything to blame herself for the things that are out of her control. Guide her. Be there for Dad, he may be such a hard person to deal with but I know he's soft deep inside and he is trying to be a good father to our siblings now. Guide him. Be there for Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shoto. I know that if you were still alive, you would love us with all your heart. They would be so quiet without us. Show our family that they need to be stronger for us and that they need to be there for one another. 

Guide them.

Because I may not be able to do that for them. I'm sad I'll forget my memories but... I don't think I'll forget how I felt in this past life. All of you showed me so much and made me into who I am now.

I love you so much... 

All of you...

And you would always be the Death that showed me how to love the last remaining bits of my own Life. You are always my Guardian Angel, Touya.

You will always be my brother.

WITH LOVE FROM YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL,

(YOUR NAME)

SERAPH WAS HOLDING (YOUR NAME)'S HAND AS THE DOOR THAT THE BEING JUST OPENED SHONE A BRIGHT LIGHT. "You remember what I taught you, (your name)?" Seraph asked to which the girl just nodded. "You won't be able to remember any of this except for what I taught you... and you will be missed in your past life..." The being smiled and she smiled back, feeling the warmth for the last time. But something was stopping her from entering the door and Seraph shot her a confused look. "What's wrong, (your name)? Why aren't you stepping out?"

"Seraph, can you do me one last favor?"

"You've been asking for a lot of favors but it's a good thing I love you," Seraph chuckled as they ruffled her hair. "Now, what is it?" (Your name) brought out a small envelope with her name engraved on it, the golden being tilted its head as she took a deep inhale before blowing it out. "Give this to the new me... Tell her to open it and read it... and to always follow what's written on it..." Seraph took the envelope and nodded.

"Dabi said he loves you, by the way."

The female giggled as tears fall from her own eyes. "Too bad I won't remember that, huh?" She looked at the door and wiped her tears away. She knows Seraph would give her the letter and she knows she would be able to follow through with what was written. Slowly, her feet made their way to the door and the bright light slowly wrapped itself around her, transforming her into a new being—leading a new life.

When you open your eyes in the white light, you will then start your new life. That was what Seraph told her.

But what is Life, really? Well, to formally answer that question, Life is a gift—it is a balance of all good and bad things; an epiphany of emotions you never knew you had until faced with Life's counterpart, Death. For others, it may seem like Death is a curse but if we look at it, they are just the same sides of one coin—and we, sinful and ungrateful humans, are that coin. Needless to say, we would never learn to value life unless faced with Death—and we would never learn to value Death unless faced with Life.

With that, she opened her eyes to a new life.