~ Afterschool Symphony ~

Almost in reply, her stomach growled loudly again. Kotomi covered it with a hand and giggled to herself. "My stomach knows no patience." The wait was only a few minutes, like Masami suggested. When the trays were pushed forward, Kotomi peered at it curiously before taking it and placing it on a nearby table. Whatever sort of faint memory caused her to choose pork cutlet, she was glad it did. It looked like just the right amount of food, and it looked good. She knew it was fresh, because steam slowly billowed from the plate. Kotomi gingerly took a bite, and smiled. "It's good. I wonder if this was something I used to really like?" She took a few bites and paused, a pensive expression taking over her features. "It's strange. I don't remember how I got here, or why, but... in a way, it's okay for now. I'm sure the memories will come back soon enough."

Knowing that she wasn't the only one to lose her memories certainly helped. The other members she had met so far all seemed to remember their past lives, though she didn't try to ask what happened to them. According to Yurippe, all of the teens here arrived because their lives were cut too short, and because their lives were unfair in some way. While she may be curious, she didn't want to make anyone relive bad memories by recounting them. Was that what happened to her? Did something unfair end her life? In a way, the idea of her memories returning brought an uncomfortable knot to her stomach. She distracted herself by answering his next question. "I haven't received a weapon yet. Everyone else seems to have one. Even the one who seems like a bully. His eyes are scary..." she replied, before throwing a nervous glance in Noda's direction. She watched the boy spin his spear before shuddering and looking back at Otonashi. "Is it a real angel we're fighting? Like with wings?"

"Hey, I’m guessing you’re new here? I’m Otonashi!" 

Not long had passed since Kotomi found herself in the world of the afterlife. She didn't even realize she had died at first, but simply accepted that life had always been that way. There was a nagging feeling that developed in the back of her mind, that perhaps things weren't quite right, but she couldn't place how or why. That was when she met Yurippe. It was her that explained that she had died young, and the place she found herself in was a school in the afterlife. When asked her name, Kotomi realized that she couldn't remember it. It wasn't until after a few minutes of deep thought when the name came to her lips. The strange girl had explained that her memories were missing, but would come back eventually. Yurippe also explained the battlefront she led, and their mission to get back at God and Tenshi for the lives they led before. She even offered for Kotomi to join their ranks. Perhaps "offered" wasn't the right term. More like skillfully pressured her into joining. At that point she had begun seeing flashes of images she guessed were related to her previous life, but they were the closest she had to memories. Despite being unable to remember everything, Kotomi nodded in acceptance. Now Kotomi found herself in the battlefront headquarters, in the principal's office. She even wore the new uniform expected of every battlefront member. She was still too timid to introduce herself to everyone, but was put a little bit at ease when the kind-looking boy approached her. "Nice to meet you, Otonashi-kun. My name is Kotomi... Kotomi..." here she frowned, glancing upward as if the name was written on the ceiling somewhere, "I'm sorry, but I don't remember my last name yet... I think I had one? Anyway, yes, I'm new here."

Fuko-chan

After the final bell rang, signaling the end of school, Kotomi made her way over to the school entrance. She sipped a juice box and leaned against the gate while she waited for Tomoya-kun to arrive.

She adjusted her bag in her hands and began walking when she was sure that he would follow. She wouldn’t past Tomoya-kun not to, to have her walk most of the way there only to discover that he disappeared. Tomoya-kun was always pulling pranks like that. As they walked, she took a deep breath and stared up at the cherry blossoms as the wind carried their petals from the trees above. They swirled around with each breeze. “Aren’t they pretty?” she mused, making conversation while they walked.

"Yeah, you’re right." Tomoya huffed the words out in agreement, having just caught up with her.

She stepped over to the table on the lawn, and placed her bag on one of the chairs. “Excuse me for a moment, please.” she requested before stepping inside. When she returned a few minutes later, she carried a tray with two glasses of lemonade over ice and a plate with mini sandwiches. She felt a little hungry, so she thought she’d offer them to him as well. Kotomi placed them on the table and sat down. “You can have some too, Tomoya-kun. Sometimes a snack helps me concentrate.”

"I’m alright. I’ll be eating with Nagisa’s family later and I don’t want be rude by showing up already have ate"

She took a sip of her lemonade before turning her attention to him once more. "You wanted help with schoolwork, correct? Which subject would you like to start with?"

After he finished singing, Kotomi wiped her eyes and smiled at him weakly. At this point, asking if he remembered seemed pointless. He was a blank slate, after all. For now, she'd try to help him in whatever way she could. Maybe someday he'll remember. But for now, it made her heart sore. "It was wonderful. You really have a talent for music."

After the...

Was it all gone? Their time together, the kisses they shared, their first date? All wiped away as if it never happened? She gripped the blanket in her confused fist. His singing seemed to be all she had currently. "Y-Yes, please sing me a song, Gakupo-kun. And please... call me Kotomi." she replied, fighting to keep her voice steady.