Chapter Text
The Reaper Company is quite a busy one, It’s a stupid name, but there’s only that many words invented 20 million years ago. Haruka knows that rather well, she was there when the company was set up.
Angels and Reapers walk a rather thin line, different people all have a different idea of the afterlife and how you get there. But it basically boils down to people being taken away and judged. Haruka doesn’t bother too much about the second half, it has nothing to do with her job scope after all.
Well, truth be told, Haruka did bother a little, maybe up till she was 2 million years old, but after 12 million years of talking to people of different walks of life and meeting the multitude of monsters, boons and banes. Haruka has grown tired of giving more than 2 shits about the things going on in life.
20 million years might sound like a long time to be alive but her seniors would probably laugh at that number. Of course, Haruka doesn’t look 20 million years old, the dead also wouldn’t like to see a 20 million year old grandma escort them around.
They’ll never get a proper rest if they see me like that.
Of course, being a Reaper came with its beauty benefits. Being able to change shape and look at will helped her look the same over the millennia. And contrary to popular belief, a scythe is just so old school. When dealing with difficult souls, Haruka just shoots them in the head and the soul calms down as quickly as the problem arises.
Haruka held her calm blue eyes steady as she walked around the office. Her semi-short navy blue hair loose and wide swept bangs covering her forehead, Why blue hair? Haruka would never tell anyone. Her reaper cloak covers a grey high school uniform from the modern day and the school tie barely hanging on. Her hood down and her cloak hangs from her shoulder clinging onto them with the help of some magic. It would look weird with just the uniform so it’s been generously covered with a denim jacket. And why a school uniform? Haruka thought it was cute, nothing more than that.
“Ohayo, Haru-chan!”
Haruka turns her head to the direction of the voice, her smile naturally coming back to her.
The black-haired girl waves towards her. Her oversized jacket flutters in the wind and her headphones bob up and down around her neck. Casually patting angels on the back and tipping the hood over reapers.
She’s literally friends with everyone…
“Hello, An.”
“There’s been a huge increase in workers huh…” An smiles, waving around the place, gesturing around the bustling office in the sky.
“With the war over, people are getting back to their normal lives. It's good for me as well, being having fewer people to look after at a time makes my life a lot more peaceful.”
An nods, agreeing with the thought, An was one of the few Reapers brought in for the war and came back more or less unscathed. Haruka never doubted her old friend’s ability, and waved her goodbye 20 years ago with the same attitude.
“Nice to see you for real again,” Haruka smiles, patting down An’s body, as if making sure An still had all 4 of her limbs.
“C’mon Haru-chan, even you said yourself, 20 years is nothing, no?”
An does have a point, Shiraishi An was barely older than Haruka by a couple of seco- months, and to them both it really doesn’t matter and they look at each other as equals.
And Haruka didn’t mind that at all, after all, 20 million years and the only thing that changed was Haruka's ideals.
-
“I heard that some of us are getting promoted.”
“Have you been reading those culture conspiracy magazines again.”
“What! No! Just because I had that 20000 year phase back in my 10 mils doesn’t mean I’ve been buying any of those anymore…”
Haruka raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her sweet tea, blowing the steam off the cup, smirking that the obviously embarrassed girl.
“What if you're one of the selected few, you’d believe me if that happened right?”
Haruka sets her cup down, frowning, “I don’t like the sound of that.”
An giggles, being in the front lines on and off for the past millions of years means An is theoretically higher up than Haruka on the “power list”.
“I can try and ask them.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“I wasn't asking for your approval.”
“Neither did I give you any.”
The staredown lasted for a couple of seconds, basically talking with their eyes, An going straight for Haruka’s more or less introverted lifestyle.
“An, you don’t have to get that personal….”
An laughs triumphantly, “You know I’m right and you have to understand that I’m doing this for you.”
Haruka sighs, An’s been trying very hard to get Haruka to pick up more duties around the office and Haruka would much rather lay low and do what’s needed of her and nothing more.
“Yeah, yeah whatever, you say this is gonna be a quick job right, 60 years tops.”
An thinks, placing her chin on her palm. “Depends on how long the target lives.”
Haruka shakes her head, but An knows better than to give in so close to victory.
“Just don't get too attached~”
-
Well, An got what she wanted in the end, a couple of days later, Haruka was called into her boss’ office for a talk.
Haruka knew her boss since she knew how to breathe, and whether her boss knew her the same way around is a different question.
A box of donuts in her hands and a small hamper that contained an assortment of fruits, hang by her side, she had changed out of the school uniform and jacket and in its place is a smart suit and tie and her cloak nicely transformed into a blazer that is once again hanging from her shoulders.
“Kiritani Haruka-san? Calling for Kiritani Haruka-san? The director is ready to see you.”
Raising her head up into the cool air, standing up confidently, taking her paces with pride as she walked to giant bronze chamber doors, the tap of her shoes echoed throughout the white halls. White winged angels and black cloaked personnel shuffle aside for Haruka. As Haruka approaches the lumbering chamber doors, she gives it a good knock before easily pushing the giant steel bars open.
Her eyes were greeted by the same room she saw over the span of her short life.
A blinding white room glared back at Haruka and in the middle sat a man, behind a desk, furiously flipping through the pages the many documents that’s piled up on his desk and to her right, a simple rack hung with a brown blazer.
“Hello, sir. May I?”
Haruka politely spoke before adjusting her outfit, straightening her jacket, hanging her blazer on a rack after receiving her boss' permission.
“Please, Kiritani-san, take a seat.”
Haruka did as told, leaving the box of donuts on the desk and the fruit basket on the dresser.
“Glad you remembered what I like.”
“It’s nothing sir.”
Haruka and her boss exchanged smiles, “I don’t wanna waste your time, so I'll get straight to the point.”
Haruka straightened up her back, it’s rare to see her boss talk like this, he’s usually more laid-back but with all the white on his desk was a sign that he also wanted Haruka out of his hair ASAP.
“TLDR, you’re getting promoted, with the huge increase of manpower in the Reaper Company our superiors have decided to reallocate some of the more experienced manpower to other more influential roles.”
Haruka nods politely, her hands clasped together, and her mind racing, thinking of all the opportunities and ideas that she might be given.
“It’s nothing very long, I’m sure An has reassured you, if not you would never agree to this.”
Haruka bites her lip, she knows better than to get back at An and kept it to herself out of respect for her boss.
“Only a quick 60 to 80 year job, depends on how long the target lives for.”
Handing Haruka a stack of papers with pictures and layers and layers of information written over the pages of white. Haruka breezes through the papers, her eyes returning to face her boss.
“It’s a simple job, interact with the target, keep them safe, you should know when to let go and everything will fall into place.”
What kind of brief is that…
Haruka thinks to herself. Knowing when to let go and wanting to let go are two very different things.
Her boss smiles, “I wish I can give you more information on the target but everything is in there, I didn’t even have time to skim it through, and for the job brief, it’s literally what they told me to tell you.”
Haruka gingerly receives a piece of paper with the very words her boss just briefed her.
And with a shrug, her boss asked, “Any questions? I’ll try to answer any that’s within my realm of ability.”
Haruka shakes her head, thanking her boss one last time before standing up and excusing herself, heading towards the exit.
“Thank you for your time, I’ll read up and get on it ASAP.” Haruka turned around, professionally clipping her blazer back onto her shoulders.
“Now, if I may take my leave…”
“Good luck, et omnia vanitas.”
“Et omnia vanitas…”
-
ET OMNIA VANITAS
All is in vanity,
That’s what the 3 words meant in Latin.
Haruka never really understood why they used “et omnia vanitas” as some kind of code. But Haruka did know that resistance in the eyes of death was in vain that’s for sure. Haruka mutters to herself, looking wearily at the information sheet, the young girl was at the young age of 21 and was a local college student. Light grey eyes filled with excitement and life, her long shoulder-length hair well-kept and proper. A braid decorated the right side of her head held in place by a simple hair clip.
She's cute…
Haruka came to terms with calling her targets cute, it’s just something she says naturally without thought. Doesn't matter who it is, male or female, death doesn’t discriminate and neither should she. Also what does it matter if they all end up in the cauldron mix of souls. Haruka's slender fingers flipping through the document, her eyes silently scan the sheet, picking up what this Minori person likes.
She likes Idols… Mhmm
Haruka had originally thought that Hanasato Minori had a collection of mini totems, that kind of idol, but upon further reading the idols in question were more... 2D.
Ah, she likes those... Anime... idols. I sometimes wonder if Humanity has actually advanced or not…
“Matching short blue hair and eyes, a charismatic voice, strict yet dependable…”
“That does sound awfully like you huh.”
“I believe that’s none of your business, An.”
“Ouch, that stung.”
Haruka smiles, closing the booklet, “I’m leaving tomorrow,”
“Can I come visit?”
Haruka smiles along with her old friend, she’ll just a quick information update before entering the mortal realm, all modern information and whatever funny 'technology' humans these days uses should be no problem for Haruka to handle. And if trouble was to arise, she could go back to her normal form as easily as a snap of a finger, but hopefully she wouldn't need to use any force.
“I think you’ll do fine, Haruka.”
Haruka turns around to see her friend giving her a pat on the head.
“I mean, for the target, it seems as if you’re literally perfect for her.”
Haruka nods in response, unsure what to say, she just has to wait and see what her new “life” has in store for her.
“I know you just came but I wanna have a moment for myself.”
An grinned, “Have fun, I’ll be with you soon enough.”
“Are you coming down too?”
“Hehe, that’s a secret for next time.”
Standing up, Haruka sighs,
“Hmm, oh well. et omnia vanitas. An”
“Oya, you usually never say that. Haha… et omnia vanitas. Haruka.”
-
“Hi, my name is Haruka Kiritani, you can call me Haruka.”
Haruka practiced her line inside her head, walking down a long white stretch of cobblestone road, eerie but some what peaceful and quite the enjoyable walk. The 2 large silver gates on both sides seem to grow further and further away from Haruka as she continues forward. There was no reason to change her name, it's not like she was named Oda Nobunaga in the 21 century.
Wearing a casual pale blue shirt, tight skinny jeans and a white jacket and her cloak neatly disguised as a black beret. Haruka thought she looked rather nice.
The silver gates finally decided that enough was enough and slowly drew closer to Haruka with each approaching step, glancing back at the door back to what mortals know as heaven, Haruka winces at the shimmering bright light, she never really wondered how bright was it in there and with a drawn out sigh, she pushes open the doors to the mortal realm, something to look forward to.
I guess…
The streets of Shibuya were not as calming as she last remembered, but in all fairness, 20 million years ago didn't have a Shibuya, much less a Tokyo, but the fact remains unchanged. Other pedestrians also didn’t seem to bother that a blinding light materialized Haruka into existence. Everyone busy with their devices and their various walks of life. Haruka didn’t mind, she knew everything she needed to get to the dorm rooms and everything had been set up in advance.
“My name is Kiritani Haruka and I've recently moved from the Shimosa Region of Japan and I stayed with my relatives in Shinjuku until the start of the second semester.”
Haruka practiced yet another smile, “It’s nice to meet you… Hanasato-san.”
Walking into the station ever so naturally, as if she lived here for her whole life, Haruka scrolled through social media on her new-found mobile device. Oh the joy of social media, Haruka never knew such a thing existed until learning about it yesterday and taking full advantage of its popularity by creating an account in advance,
For the sake of realism, Haruka went out of her way to remember her own phone number, not that it’s difficult for her but to Haruka if something is worth doing, she might as well go the whole way.
Getting off the train, Haruka continued to walk the streets, feasting her eyes on the local greenery and the sleek, scraping towers of metal, engineering is one hell of a god.
Soon, Haruka did eventually find her way to the dormitory, Taking yet another deep breath and rehearsing her lines one final time,
“My name is Kiritani Haruka and I've recently moved from the Shimosa Region of Japan and I stayed with my relatives in Shinjuku until the start of the second semester. I’m currently taking a course in International Relations, nice to meet you.”
Haruka’s mind speeds up as her thoughts regain composure, re-reading everything she knows about Hanasato Minori.
Cheerful, loud, friendly, clumsy yet determined. All things to be respected in a human girl.
A quick nod of respect with the security guard and a short interaction with the woman at the dorm counter, Haruka has gained access to her shared dorm room with Hanasato Minori and was ready to interact with the target. Storing the door number information aside, Haruka nods to herself, walking up the steps.
Block E, level 4, room number 6E…
Haruka hasn't talked to a human in quite a while and Haruka’s research told her that nothing matters more to a Human than a good first impression. Haruka was determined to make a good impression on Hanasato-san. Scanning the sign boards on each door, Haruka stops at the one labelled 6E, stationing her luggage neatly next to herself, Haruka straightens up her outfit and back, adjusts her smile ever so slightly before knocking on the door.
Haruka could have just opened the dorm door but that would be rude, and not wanting to scare the current patron Haruka opted to wait for a response.
Nothing.
Haruka, not one to lose patience so easily, knocks on the wooden oak door once more, feeling the cold air waft from underneath the door,
Nothing.
“Hanasato-san? Are you in?”
Silence.
“Hanasato-san? May I come in?”
More silence.
Hmm
Haruka sighs, fishing for the key from her jacket pocket, deciding on unlocking the door herself. Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands.
Twisting the door lock open, pushing the door open ever so slightly, feeling the cold air rush out the door, the buzz of the television humbled the room but a voice pierced through the abode.
“Wait! I was in the bath!!!”
Oh..
The door swung open and Haruka was faced with a blushing girl looking exactly as described other than the fact that she was wrapped in a bath towel.
“Ah… Hanasato-san? Are you ok?”
“Yeah! Yeah! I’m fine! Ple- Ahem, please come in!”
The brown haired girl smiled, her face flushed pink from the running and the embarrassment, Haruka smiles in return walking into the room, not without noticing the look of confusion and ever so slightly degenerated joy on the girl’s face.
“Ah, sorry Hanasato-san, where are my manners? My name is Kiritani Hakura and I've recently moved from the Shimosa Region of Japan and I stayed with my relatives in Shinjuku until the start of the second semester. I’m currently taking a course in International Relations, nice to meet you.”
Haruka repeated, smiling, her practice didn’t go to waste, the girl reposed with her own greeting.
“Ah! Sorry that I can’t receive you looking any better! My name is Hanasato Minori, I’m from Shibuya and I’m taking economics. I’ll be in your care.”
“You’ve been here longer Hanasato-san, I’ll be the one in your care.”
“Ah, then it’s fine if you call me Minori,”
“Oh ho, I see, then shall I call you Minori-senpai, you are after all half a year ahead of me.”
The girl blushed at the idea of being called senpai. “Please, just Minori is fine.”
“Well Minori-san, are you…” Haruka looks down at the towel, grinning to herself.
“Ek! Ah! Yeah! I'll go change now!”
With the scatter of Minori’s feet littering the hallway, Haruka can’t help but smile.
This might be more fun than I thought…