Kenji looked shocked as the explanation sank in. "So you're telling me heaven and hell exist, and you're telling me this in a way that doesn't freak me out?" he said, his voice a mix of disbelief and amazement.
The pink-haired girl chimed in, "You sorta look pale, so you're probably freaked out."
Kenji exclaimed, "Of course I would be! You're explaining to me that I have to take my role in this new world and go with you. Like, what?"
"You're acting like we're expecting everything," the silver-haired man said calmly.
Kenji responded, "Listen, man, do you not know what a social filter is? Some things you just don't say out loud."
The girl sighed and said, "Well, he's right. I guess we were too blunt to expect 12 years of normal human existence to wear off just like that."
Kenji responded sarcastically, "Thanks for the backup, but I'm not 12, I'm 16. So maybe remember that."
The girl looked puzzled and replied, "Wait, what? So what's with the, you know, face and all? You look like a literal baby."
Kenji, rolling up his sleeves in a jokingly irritated manner, said, "You know what? I've had my fill of you today, and we're gonna have to exchange blows now."
The man interrupted, his annoyance evident. "Can we not assault each other while we're trying to figure something out?" he said, his tone firm.
The girl sighed in resignation. "Oh well, what do we do? We can't take him to, you know, where immediately. So, we're gonna have to come up with something.
The man contemplated for a moment before speaking decisively, "We can train him first, then take him." He paused briefly, then shrugged and added, "Oh well, it is what it is." He clapped his hands together, signaling a readiness to proceed with their plan.
"Wait," Kenji exclaimed, his concern evident. "How am I meant to leave? I have school and friends here. You can't expect me to pack up and just scram all of a sudden."
The man reassured Kenji, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll give you until tomorrow evening to say goodbye. I'll deal with the teachers, so don't worry," he said, offering Kenji some comfort and assurance during this unexpected transition.
"Well," the man said as he started walking away, "I'll give you some time. I'll come and pick you up tomorrow evening as planned." The girl followed him, and together they closed the door behind them, leaving Kenji to ponder his imminent departure.
Kenji began to reflect on everything that had transpired that day. He couldn't help but wonder if he had made different choices, perhaps he wouldn't find himself in this unexpected situation. The events of the day played over in his mind, each decision and encounter scrutinized as he grappled with the impending changes to his life.
Kenji muttered to himself, "I tried to play the hero, and look where it got me—dealing with a bunch of creepy stuff and having to abandon everything." He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of his decisions and the uncertain path ahead.
Kenji started to piece together the man's words, connecting the dots in his mind. It dawned on him that the man must have meant he was going to heaven, which was why he needed to be trained.
Kenji thought to himself, "Well, they didn't exactly look like angelic beings, so heaven must not be all it's made out to be." He pondered the idea, reconsidering his earlier assumptions about the nature of heaven and what awaited him in this new realm.
Kenji thought to himself, "I need to figure out how this whole world thing works." He paused, contemplating, "Can this place really be the heaven all these people who follow religions talk about, or maybe something else?" His mind raced with questions and uncertainties about the true nature of the world he was about to enter.
Kenji thought to himself, "I should get some rest." Rolling over on his bed, he closed his eyes, ready to let the events of the day fade away as he drifted off to sleep.
As morning broke, soft tendrils of sunlight peeked through the window, gently rousing Kenji from his slumber. He groaned softly, feeling the warmth of the morning glow on his face as he slowly opened his eyes kenji checked his phone and saw that it was 10 AM. He groaned audibly and muttered, "Man, my muscles and every part of my body feel sore."
Kenji checked his phone and noticed several messages from his friends asking why he wasn't at school Quickly, he typed out a response, asking his friends to meet up later in the evening.
Kenji set his phone aside and rose from his bed with a stretch, extending his arms overhead and arching his back to shake off the stiffness of sleep. Each movement brought a gradual release of tension Kenji walked across his room to the bathroom door, the cool tiles under his feet providing a refreshing contrast to the warmth of his bed. With a twist of the doorknob, he opened the door, revealing the familiar sight of the sink and mirror. Grabbing his toothbrush, he applied toothpaste in a practiced manner, the minty freshness filling his senses as he began brushing his teeth methodically, focusing on each stroke to ensure a thorough clean.
After rinsing his mouth and splashing water on his face, Kenji dried off with a towel. Feeling refreshed, he stepped out of the bathroom, ready to put on some clothes for the day ahead.
Once Kenji finished getting dressed, he grabbed an apple from the kitchen counter. Leaving his small apartment, he closed the door behind him and embarked on a leisurely stroll, enjoying the morning air and the peaceful surroundings as kenji strolled along, he began to ponder what he would tell his friends about his impending departure. Thoughts swirled in his mind, considering how to explain his sudden absence.
Kenji stood still for a moment, watching as he passed by the park where children were playing. He observed their carefree laughter and joyful interactions, a stark contrast to the weight on his mind.