*listen to the song*

EPILOGUE: 
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE DEATH

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"Because somebody out there is bound to protect you and let you realize that life is worth living."

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"WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE DEATH?"

The question was tossed around from student to student in Philosophy class that morning. And even on her way home, (your name) tried thinking of an answer. It's not like she had died before but there seems to be a part of her that recalls something that wasn't quite a something at all. "What does happen before death?" she asked rather loudly again, now in the comfort of her home, tapping the pencil on her paper as she stretched her muscles. Do you see your life flashing right before your eyes? Do you regret the things you have done and haven't done? Do you wish for more time?

It depends, really.

Anything can happen before death and most of the time, it comes around in unexpected places and takes you when you least expect it. But that definition might be wrong as well—or so, that's what past (your name) would have thought about but her new life; her new self didn't seem to understand that concept fairly well. When she stood up and went down the living room, she didn't expect to hear a knock on her door. "Who is it?" she called out as she walked closer to the front door, twisting the knob and opening to reveal a Seraph dressed as a mailman. "Oh, I... didn't expect a package today?" (Your name) looked at the person in front of her with a confused smile. "Ah, it's actually a letter addressed to you, miss... you are (your name), aren't you?" Seraph grinned as he handed her the crumpled envelope. "Sorry if it looks like that, the way here was a real load of bullcrap and I almost died, not literally but you get what I mean..."

Her eyes widened as she watched the handwriting and recognized it to be hers. "Excuse me but... who sent this?" Seraph gave a small shrug, their golden eyes shone. "I think you did. I don't know how you've done it but you sure did." The female shook her head, chuckling. "That must be a mistake..." She tried to hand the letter back. "This is a prank."

"Do you really think so?" Seraph frowned as their head moved up to look at her. "Well, why don't you just take it and read it since it is named for you. It may have something really important in it." (Your name) took a deep breath as she bit her lower lip, clutching the letter and holding it near her. "Trust me, Miss... I didn't almost die for nothing to get here," Seraph giggled. "You might as well read it for a poor mailman like me!"

The female chortled as she looked back at the mailman. "Well, before you go, you did say you almost died. Can I ask a question?" Seraph pretended to look at the wristwatch on their arm and smirked. "Alright. I have a few minutes to spare. What would it be?" She looked down to her feet and pouted, slowly tapping on of her fingers on the clutched envelope. "My Philosophy class... it asked this question... and I'm having a hard time trying to find an answer since I haven't died..."

Seraph chuckled. "Go on."

"...Uh, the question was; what happens before death?" she continued. "I mean since you almost died—and I'm not hoping you will—it's just let's say if you really did die... what do you think happened before you did?" The person in front of her let out a rather loud laugh and it even looked like gold was spewing out of their body as they did but that must be the effect of her sleep deprivation recently. (Your name) cocked her eyebrows as the mailman finally stood up properly, a hand on their stomach, calming down from their laughter. "So...?"

"You have so much to learn, miss..." Seraph wiped a tear from their eye. "But if I were to answer that... there would be one thing I would say."

"And that is?"

"Life, (your name)." Seraph smiled. "Life is what happens before Death."

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THAT EVENING, SHE STARED AT THE ENVELOPE THAT SAT ON TOP OF HER PHILOSOPHY BOOK. Slowly, she grabbed it with her fingers and turned it around. There was no mistaking that it was her handwriting but it looked like it had been years since this letter had been written. She opened the envelope delicately as her lips made a small 'o' as she yawned. It was getting late and she did finish her Philosophy assignment in time—what harm was there to read a letter addressed to her by her, right?

(YOUR NAME).

Life is not what you dreamed it had been. There would always be ups and downs that occur and sometimes, there would be more downs than ups. It's weird telling you this because it would probably confuse you as much as it should but only if you knew what would be waiting for you when you finally die... you'll find yourself asking for a bit more time. There are things I want you to do and I hope you'll follow through with it until you reach your death.

First. I want you to live your life in a way you won't regret. Live a life that you would end up missing. Live a life that would make you want to work harder and stay longer. Live a life that makes you want to be alive. Live a life that makes you question if you really want to leave earlier than expected. I want you to LIVE. Death is at every corner of this world, waiting for the souls they are going to take. Death won't always be pretty but when the time comes, you should not be afraid—it is not as bad as you think once you lived a life you don't regret.

Second. Don't leave the Earth without being able to say goodbye to your loved ones. One of the things we tend to overlook when we're dying is how the ones left behind would be feeling and I want you to know that you shouldn't take their love for granted. They are the only ones that will stick with you until the end and they would never forget the pain of losing you. Sure, a wound stops bleeding after some time but the scar of that wound would always remind them of how they felt. Be a good wound and leave behind the closure.

Third. If you ever feel like nobody is there for you, just call out to your Guardian Angel. I am certain that wherever they are, they would always hear you and they would remove the pain you feel. In that next life, if you see a guy with red hair, turquoise eyes, and a smile that could light up your darkest days... don't let them go, okay? I'm sure he'll always be there to protect you—because that's a promise he made a few years ago.

Lastly, you don't have to believe everything written here. I know it may sound absurd and it may even feel like a prank but please know that whatever I wrote above is true—and it has been true since the day I died.

Life may not be what you had always dreamt it would be.

But your life right now is a gift and not everyone has a chance to be gifted such.

So, live.

YOURS TRULY,

(YOUR NAME) FROM XXXX

BEFUDDLED AND CONCERNED, SHE PLACED THE LETTER BACK DOWN. Despite it being weird and odd, she just chuckled. The next day, in Philosophy class, the professor asked the same question to which the students had varying answers for it. Others said the same thing she had thought of; flashing memories, regrets, pain, and the likes but one answer in her notebooks remains. Slowly, she raised her hand and the professor called on to her, asking the same question once again.

"Sir, I don't think any of those answers earlier are correct..."

And with that, everyone in the classroom grew silent and stared at the girl with wide eyes. Whispers started erupting and a few others gave her a mean look to which she just shrugged. The professor who only smiled at her asked for her to state and explain her answer to the question asked and he'll see how it was wrong. "You see, seeing those memories flash before your eyes are only reminders of a life you had. Regretting things you had done and what you haven't done are only things you say for a life you wish you had. Pain? That's debatable but pain happens during death and after it..." She took a deep breath as she smiled lightly at every student who had eagerly listened to her explanation. 

"You see, what truly happens before death is life—a life that you won't regret during your death and even after you have died."

Outside the window of that class, Dabi watched her as she sat back down and the students clapped at her answer. He had always been keeping watch of her as she walked down the streets and as she sleeps at night. Earlier that day, she almost got hit by a bike but he quickly grabbed her arm and the way she looked at him made him wonder if she remembered him. The female smiled though because she remembered the letter speaking of a red-haired male who would protect her from harm and she couldn't believe it was true. 

But even if she doesn't, Dabi is still going to keep his promise to watch over her until the end.

Because just like her, he doesn't want to have any regrets with his new life as a Guardian Angel—not anymore.

THE END