I carried Karina home, supporting her gently as she leaned against my arm. When we reached her room, I helped her lie down on her bed.
Karina blinked up at me, still weak.
Karina: "Are you leaving right away?"
Theo: "Ah—why? Do you need anything else?"
Karina: "N-No… but if you still have something important to do, you can go."
I shook my head.
Theo: "I can stay if you need me. I still have a mission for yo—"
I froze.
What did I just say?
Karina's eyebrows lifted.
Karina: "Mission? What mission?"
Theo: "Mission? What mission?"
(I pretended not to understand.)
Karina: "You said you have a mission for me… didn't you?"
My heart dropped.
Theo: "You're imagining things. You should rest—we still have school tomorrow."
Karina: "School?"
She frowned.
"I thought… I already graduated college?"
I stared at her.
Theo: "Karina, what dimension are you living in? You're talking nonsense. Go rest."
I stood up quickly.
Theo: "I'm stepping out for a bit. Just to get some air."
Karina: "All right. Be careful out there—there are a lot of idiots roaming around."
I laughed softly at her attempt to sound tough, then stepped out of the house.
But the moment I passed through the gate—
A beam of light shot down from the sky.
Before I could react, it wrapped around me and dragged me upward.
---
Heaven
Theo: "Huh?! Why am I here?!"
A familiar voice echoed behind me.
God: "Angel Theo."
I turned instantly.
Theo: "God? Did you call me?"
God: "Yes. You have broken a rule."
My stomach dropped.
Theo: "I… broke a rule? What rule?"
God's expression grew stern.
God: "No human must know that you have a mission. No human must know you are an angel.
If anyone learns your secret—your days on Earth will be reduced."
My chest tightened.
God: "Be careful with your actions. Is that understood?"
Theo: "I understand…"
God: "Good. Now return to the human world."
A flash of light engulfed me, and in a second, I was back outside Karina's house.
I let out a long breath.
Theo: "Heaven's transportation service is getting serious…"
---
Morning
I got ready for school and walked to Karina's house.
When I stepped inside, she was already dressed neatly.
Theo: "Uhh… you dressed yourself?"
Karina: "Yes! Haha. I didn't want to bother you anymore. Let's go to school?"
Theo: "All right. Let's go."
---
At the School Gate
Dave spotted us immediately.
Dave: "Oh! Karina! You came back?"
Karina: "Came back? Where did I go?"
Dave: "You were absent for weeks. They said you were sick."
Theo: "Ah, that's true…" I added quickly.
Dave looked at me.
Dave: "Wait. Who's this guy?"
Theo: "???"
Karina: "Oh—him? This is Theo. My friend."
Dave grinned and fist-bumped me.
Dave: "Nice to meet you, bro! Come on, let's go to our room. Good morning, Karina."
Karina smiled shyly and followed him.
I stayed behind, staring at her.
Theo (thought): Oops… I forgot I'm an angel. Which room am I even supposed to enter?
Theo: "Uh… I'll go to the rooftop first."
And I disappeared into the hallway.
---
Rooftop
I hadn't even been there long when—
Ma'am: "HEY! You! Why are you still out here?! Classes have started!"
Theo: "Umm… because—"
Ma'am: "Come with me! The principal can explain this!"
---
Principal's Office
Ma'am: "Sir, I saw a student lying on the rooftop."
Principal: "Why haven't you entered your room yet?"
Theo: "Because… I don't have a room yet?"
The principal paused.
Principal: "Haven't you enrolled yet?"
Theo: "Enroll? …What is that?"
The principal's jaw dropped.
Principal: "You don't know what enrollment is?!"
Theo: "Yes, because I'm an ange—"
Principal: "What? You're a what?!"
Theo: "Ah—NO! NOTHING!"
Panic exploded inside me.
I bolted out of the room at full speed.
Theo: "AHHH!"
I kept running until I reached the hallway—and there they were.
Dave and Karina.
Together.
Dave waved.
Dave: "Yo, Theo!"
But I wasn't looking at Dave.
I was staring at Karina.
And my heart tightened.