Prologue: She is a Shinigami
01 - Sketchbook Girlfriend
Today is Saturday, the weather is clear, and it's just before noon. I cross the usual intersection with a sketchbook in hand.
My name is Kakeru Watanohara, and I'm a 17-year-old high school student. I'm decent at sports, and I guess my looks are okay. My grades are top-notch, but they're a bit of a cheat, so I don't brag about them too much.
I have the ability to instantly memorize anything I see or hear. So memorization is a piece of cake for me, and I never forget anything I learn in class. I can also sing along to music after just hearing it once, which comes in handy at karaoke.
You might think my head would be overflowing with information, but the human brain is surprisingly efficient, and it seems there's no limit to how much I can remember even if it takes up my entire life. It's pretty amazing.
However, having a perfect memory is tricky because memories never fade with time. I remember everything vividly, even unpleasant or frightening events that I'd rather forget.
So I need to control my memory and emotions. I've tried various things since I was a child, but drawing is what suits me best.
On weekends, I head to my favorite café and draw mindlessly at a window seat. The café is located near an art college, so as long as I follow the rules, no one bothers me even if I draw for hours.
Drawing out things I want to forget or unpleasant memories is a strangely satisfying process. It's like transferring data from a heavy smartphone to the cloud.
Of course, I haven't forgotten anything, and the memories are still there, but they're neatly organized in the deepest part of my memory.
Upon entering the cafe, I ordered my favorite Italian panini and a blend coffee. The crispy cheese and bacon perfectly matched the chewy bread, making it incredibly delicious.
As usual, I started sketching in my notebook with a pencil when suddenly a crashing sound echoed and the window glass vibrated. It seemed like a traffic accident had occurred at the intersection in front of me. A yellow compact car was crashed by a truck and was now completely crushed beyond recognition.
"Wow... How pitiful, that must have been instant death."
Then, for a moment, I saw a woman standing on top of the wrecked car. It was such a short time that I didn't even have time to blink, but I remembered it vividly. Judging from the reactions of the people around me, it seemed that I was the only one who could see her. Who was she?
Her silver hair shone from under her pitch-black robe, and her skin was as white as porcelain. Her eyes were a burning red, the most striking feature of her otherworldly beauty.
My heart pounded fiercely at her unearthly perfect features. I opened my sketchbook and drew her, overwhelmed by the intense emotions I felt for the first time. Although I usually drew to forget, I couldn't resist the urge to draw her.
I can't believe it myself, but I can't lie. Laughing at myself, in that split second, I was entranced by her.
After two hours, the drawing was complete. When I left the cafe, the city had turned into a magical scene in the twilight.
I had never really thought about it before, but suddenly I wanted a picture frame to hang her painting, so I stopped by an art supply store on the way home.
I found a silver frame in a corner of the store that seemed to match her hair color perfectly, and I impulsively bought it. It was quite expensive at 38,000 yen, especially for a high school student, but I had just received my allowance so I was able to just barely afford it. I would have to resist going to cafes for a while though.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back. I was planning to make stuffed eggplant, which Kakeru likes, for dinner. Is that okay?"
"Really? Thank you, Mom."
I went up to my room on the second floor and immediately hung the painting. Hmm... it looks good.
I could hear my mom frying the eggplant from downstairs. Dinner would be in about 30 minutes.
I lay on my bed and gazed at her painting without getting tired.
I wonder how long I had been looking at it when I suddenly realized that I was in a completely white room. There was no ceiling, floor, or walls, and I wasn't sure if it even qualified as a room, but it had my paintings hanging on the walls, so I assumed it was. I had various thoughts about where I might be, but they all vanished in an instant. Why? Because before me was the silver-haired girl.
She murmured one word as she gazed at the painting I had drawn.
"...Nice painting, Kakeru Watanohara."
"Huh! Th-thank you. Who are you? Where am I, and how do you know my name?"
"...I am Mikoto. This is where the gods reside, you could call it Takamagahara, Valhalla, or Olympus, do you understand? And I know your name because I am a shinigami."
"A shinigami? Why am I here then? Wait... did I die?"
"Yes. You died and came here. There is no mistake in your understanding."
She, Mikoto, answered calmly without changing her expression.
"But why did I die? I was just looking at the painting, and I didn't have any illnesses."
"I am sorry to say this, but it's because you saw me. It's a rule that anyone who sees the appearance of a shinigami must have their soul taken."
Her tone was polite, but Mikoto was saying something terrifying. So, did I die because she took my soul?
While I was stunned, Mikoto continued speaking while looking at me.
"However, if a soul with remaining lifespan is taken, the handling of the soul is entrusted to me, the shinigami. You made a lovely painting of me, so I will try to fulfill your wishes as much as possible. Do you have any wishes? By the way, I cannot bring you back to life."
... It's impossible to come back to life. Honestly, my head is a mess and confused, but if there is a wish I want to fulfill, fortunately, it's right in front of me.
"I... have been captivated by Mikoto-san. I want to be with you forever. Is that impossible?"
"...? What I have taken from you is not your heart, but your soul."
"No, that's not what I mean. I've fallen in love with Mikoto-san. I want to be with you because I love you."
"...I see. You want me to be your partner. Is that right?"
"Partner? Do you mean like a husband and wife? Ah, yes."
I knew it was a long shot, and I realized that what I was saying was foolish, but if I didn't say it in front of her, I would surely regret it for the rest of my life... even though I'm already dead.
"Well, that's a problem. A human and a god cannot be partners."
Mikoto announced the harsh reality with no signs of being troubled.
"That's true... I knew that, but I'm just glad you're considering it without getting angry. Really."
"...So, I want you to become a god. If I can find a partner, I can also be promoted to a goddess."
"Eh, really? I'm extremely happy, but how do I become a god?"
Is there some kind of hierarchy in the divine world too? The death god seems to have a dark image. If I can be of use to Mikoto-san, I'm willing to do anything.
"You need to collect the souls of demons in another world to rank up. Since demons are like bugs in the world, eliminating them gives you divine points, killing two birds with one stone."
According to Mikoto-san's explanation, by defeating demons and collecting souls that exceed human capacity, one can rank up to a higher existence. In the world with a physical body, one can only reach demi-god status, but by collecting enough souls to reach god (temporary) status, they can become a full god upon death.
"I understand the gist of it, Mikoto-san. So, how long will it take to become a god?"
"If you reincarnate normally, it can take as little as 500 years, but if you hunt demons, you could do it in about 100 years with enough effort."
"A hundred years? Is that so? But can I even live that long?"
"No problem. Your lifespan will increase as you rank up. It's even possible to live for several hundred years as a demi-god."
"Ah, I see. But I don't want to live in a world without Mikoto for hundreds of years. I want to be with you as soon as possible, even if it's just for a second."
"Is that so? Then when you've accumulated enough soul power, call for me. I'll come and pick you up."
If Mikoto is the one to pick me up, then even death doesn't scare me. It's actually exciting. Yeah, I'm feeling fired up now. Let's do this!
"So, when am I going to the other world, Mikoto?"
"I can't send you until we find a suitable vessel for your soul. I'll pray that we find a good one."
According to Mikoto, when transferring souls, compatibility is just as important as in organ transplants. If it were reincarnation, it wouldn't matter, but as a death god, Mikoto doesn't have the authority to send souls without a suitable vessel.
"What should I do until we find a vessel for my soul?"
"Live here with me. After all, we're partners."
And so, my life in the divine realm with Mikoto began.