4 04 - The Almighty Being

In every culture, an Almighty Being is present. Most commonly known as a god to humans, the Almighty Being serves as a guide, protector, bestower of blessings, and even a healer and someone who can grant wishes. Some people even believe that the Almighty Being sends down angels to each person as a symbol of love, friendship, guidance and, protection because the Almighty Being needed to keep his human creations in check.

"Mitsuko, it hurts!!" young Kyouko was crying as Mitsuko was treating her wound. She fell from the tree that she usually climbs with her friend, Akira. "Kyouko, do you know that every child is sent an angel by god?" Mitsuko tried to still the little girl from flinching as she washed her bruised left knee. "An angel?" distracted, Kyouko asked her nanny curiously. "Yes, an angel. But sometimes, angels disguise themselves as humans to protect the child assigned to them by god." Mitsuko continued in a soothing voice, "So... why... why did my angel not catch me when I fell from the tree?" Kyouko asked her eyes full of wonder, "Maybe because your angel knows that you can survive the fall," Mistuko replied as she placed a bunny designed bandaid over Kyouko's wound. "There, all done," she said, beaming at Kyouko. "Am I strong?" Kyouko asked her nanny, "Of course you are! Look you're not crying anymore," Mitsuko chuckled as she wiped Kyouko's face. "Does crying make you weak?" Kyouko sniffed, "I believe when we cry, we're strong because we are able to face the hurt that we're feeling." Mitsuko replied, "You're too young for these questions but someday you'll understand. Come, let's change your clothes," Mitsuko stood up and walked towards Kyouko's room.

A week later, Kyouko was back at the tree with Akira. "Hey, you've been quiet." Akira asked, "I was thinking about what my nanny told me about god giving us angels." Kyouko replied looking at her friend, "Angels? Those who look like humans with wings?" Akira questioned, "Mitsuko said sometimes they disguise themselves as humans to protect the child assigned to them." Kyouko answered, "My mom and dad don't believe in god. But if god really gave us angels, that would be cool because I could fall down from this tree without being hurt," Akira jokingly said, grinning at Kyouko. "You saw me fall last week. I got hurt. Crazy!" Kyouko grimaced at him. Akira laughed at her.

"You kids shouldn't be out here climbing on trees. It's dangerous." a guy with blonde hair and golden eyes called out Akira and Kyouko. Kyouko stared intensely at him. It was a strange but familiar feeling like, she knew who this guy was but she couldn't remember. "Sorry, mister. We were just about to go down when you came." Akira said apologetically. "You can play anywhere just avoid this tree and the river." the guy continued, "Why do you say so?" Akira asked. Kyouko was silent and was just staring at the guy. "Are you alright, Kyouko?" Akira asked her. Kyouko nodded. "Well, you better be heading home. Your friend looks like she's feeling unwell." the guy chuckled. "She's okay. She's just not used to seeing a guy." Akira explained. The guy laughed, "She's going to make guys cry in the future, that's for sure." Akira laughed at the guy and turned to Kyouko. "Maybe you'll make me cry in the future!" he teased, "No, I won't! You're my friend!" Kyouko stomped her foot. "Well, mister-" Akira and Kyouko were taken by surprise when the guy disappeared.

"Mitsuko, I think I saw my angel," Kyouko announced over dinner. "Your angel?" Mistuko asked giving her a smile. "Yes, he has blonde hair and golden eyes." Kyouko continued trying hard to remember what the guy they met looked like. "His skin is white so I think he's my angel... or maybe he's Akira's angel." Kyouko grimaced, making Mitsuko laugh. "You'll know it's your angel when you get this familiar feeling inside you like you've known him for a long time." Mitsuko explained, "That's... somehow.... I felt. But, I feel that more with you, Mitsuko!" Kyouko said, smiling.

Years passed and after moving from the countryside to the city, Kyouko met Ojiro and eventually forgot about the memory of her angel until something resonated within her when they were assigned to do research on different supernatural beings that people believe in for one of their minor subjects.

"Angels..." Kyouko mumbled as she searched the web. "Mitsuko?" she called for her nanny, "Do you need anything, Kyouko?" Mitsuko asked, "Have you felt like part of your life has been missing because you can't remember certain memories?" Kyouko asked, Mitsuko, eyed her suspiciously, "What do you mean?" her nanny asked, pressing on. "Well, I just feel like, you know, some of my childhood memories got erased and when I started going to therapy, I'm not sure if they're coming back as dreams or nightmares..." Kyouko trailed off, should she tell Mitsuko about her nightmare the other night? "I think you're just stressed with your homework. You told me you stopped going to therapies," Mitsuko replied concerned. "Yeah, I did. Was it the right thing to do, though?" Kyouko thought out loud. "It's your decision, Kyouko. You're old enough to do that." Mitsuko replied abruptly. "You should head to bed, Mitsuko. Thanks for keeping me company as always." Kyouko bade her goodnight.

It's bad enough that Kyouko has insomnia but what's worse is that she suffers from insomnia because the memory of that day started haunting her since she started therapy. Everyone has secrets. Dark secrets that we try so hard to bury but keep floating up the surface. Was this the time for her to confront her secrets? Kyouko shrugged. She still has a long way to go if she wanted to remember everything. Taking a sip from her coffee, she continued doing her homework.

Years ago, little Kyouko was fast asleep as Mitsuko was gently stroking her hair.

"You shouldn't' have appeared to her." Mitsuko said sternly to a figure hidden in the shadows of Kyouko's bedroom. "You know what's going to happen, Mitsuko." the figure moved out of the shadows and into the light, it was the guy Kyouko and Akira met that afternoon. "It's bound to happen but I have found out a way for her to forget it. Please leave everything to me." Mitsuko pleaded trying hard not to raise her voice. "You can't keep her from me forever. She's going to be in danger." the guy warned.

"I won't let the devil have her, Yui."

TO BE CONTINUED.

A/N: Thank you so much for your support! See you next update! <3 -J.