"Who are you, and what do you want with Aki?!" Akarui asked menacingly, one arm blocking Aki from getting any closer, the other outstretched to point an accusatory and questioning finger at the man.

"Oh, forgive me, Child of Time." He stepped out of the brush and into the clear view of the two children. "I am Akatriel, the Crown of God." He was a tall, slim man with chiseled features and kind, warm eyes, even though they were like diamonds, clear and unwavering.

"You don't look like a crown, Aka-trail-" Aki said, moving from behind Akarui, who seemed slightly wearier of this stranger than before.

"Not Aka-trail, little one," he said, "Ah-ka-tree-ehl."

"Akatriel? Like, an angel?"

"Yes, little one. The "-iel" means belonging to or being of Elohim. In your case, Kami-sama."

Aki nodded in confirmation and tried to get closer. Akarui halted her again, his arms spread wide as they had been before. "Rui-kun?" She tilted her head.

"I don't trust him, especially not when he addresses me that way. I'd stay away if I were you, Aki- Who knows what he may be capable of?-"

"But-"

"It's fine, little one. I understand why your friend may be wary. After all, I know about his most treasured possession. Be not afraid. I will not harm either of you." He walked closer to Aki and caressed her face before kissing her head. She blacked out. Then, she woke up, eyes wide and predominantly awake.

"What was that?" she thought. She jolted up and looked around, but saw nothing in the darkness besides the furniture in her room and the window ajar. She rubbed her eyes to convince herself she was up before looking around again. "Fluffy?" She called out to the tiny creature. There was no indication of his presence, nor a response from the surrounding area. Not even the early chirping of the crickets, the soft whistling of the wind, or the constant questioning of the owl. Just mere silence. "Fluffy?!"

"Aki, why are you acting so hysterical at this time of the morning?"‌ Her father asked, slowly pushing her door open.

She swung her feet off her bed and put on her shoes. Aki didn't even remember when or how she took them off during the whole commotion. There was one thing on her mind and one thing only. She had to find Fluffy!

She ran down the stairs with lightning speed. Panicked, she looked around the living room, the dining space for family gatherings, and the kitchen.

The door wasn't open, yet left unlocked. How in the world had Fluffy unlocked the door? He was only a little puff, at 20 inches tall. She flung the door open and ran toward the forest, hoping to catch a small glimpse of a tail or a tuft of orange. Something, anything. In the sudden silence, Aki heard a twig snap, and for a moment, she felt a twinge of hope. Yet, that hope shattered abruptly with the realization that it was a chipmunk who seemed just as shocked as she was. So much so that the acorns it was gathering fell from its cheeks as it darted back into the darkness. With defeat slowly snaking into her mind, she turned around and sulked home.

With an eventful and early start to her morning, Aki decidedly got ready for her classes. First, biology. Organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, math, and animal science took up her other slots. A packed schedule, how nice. She gathered all‌ her materials and headed to the kitchen. Aki looked in the fridge and grabbed two tuna rice balls and a melon ramune. She looked in the cupboards, stuffed three bags of crab chips in her tote, and headed for the door.

"BYE, MOM AND DAD! I'll be home a little late! I need to make a quick stop by the library." Aki quickly walked down the path leading past the shrine towards the stairs leading down to the street. She stopped to say a brief prayer before continuing on her way. Akarui was waiting for her as she slid into the passenger seat.

"Hey, short stuff! You took your sweet time," he grinned. "Where's your posse, huh?" He turned to look at her, only to get a face full of chips. The bag fell into his lap, and he gently grabbed her shoulder. "You okay, Aki? Tell me what's wrong."

She looked at him and smiled sadly. "I'm fine. Just a little tired." It was a partial truth. Still, Aki was confident he would roll his eyes and tell her to get over it once she informed him Fluffy was no longer around. "I need to stop by the library after classes, so don't wait up for me. I'll crash at my studios for a few days since they're closer to campus than my parents' house. That way, you won't have to pick me up and drop me off at home. I'll tell my parents later not to wait up for me at dinner. I don't want to hold them up for a last-minute decision." She looked at her phone and sighed a long, sad breath. She'd get over it. Eventually. It's not too often wild animals stay with or even remember their human saviors. So, as long as she had treated Fluffy correctly, she was content knowing he would be okay.

She set her phone down in her lap and slapped her cheeks, startling Akarui. She was determined to get through her day. Hopefully, without more hiccups than had already occurred this morning. What could be worse than running around all morning searching for an animal, a wounded animal, that you were supposedly "taking care of" until it fully recovered?

Akarui shifted into gear and pulled off toward the street. He was concerned that Aki was upset. Even so. Seeing her so fired up made him ignore the subtle moment of uncertainty.

Upon arriving on campus, the atmosphere in the car had mellowed. Each respectively said their farewells, and Aki headed to her first class. Biology was a breeze. Organic chemistry was interesting. Anatomy and physiology went by fast. Math was boring. And animal science was what it was. Classes- Six long hours of her day zapped away like nothing. Not to mention all her snacks were gone, and she barely made it to the school shop for lunch because of the enormous crowd at the gate. She navigated her way from the school building, through the mass of noisy people, to the front of the shop.