The Afterlife Tales of Rei Mikage Chapter 02

The Afterlife Tales of Rei Mikage
(A HOZUKI NO REITETSU Fanfiction by Lady Storykeeper)

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CHAPTER 02
A TOUR AND A JOB OFFER

Rei sat quietly by the waiting lobby. The two guards already left a while ago.

She was still a bit perplexed of the events that just happened.

First she was dead, due to a file error she got sent to Jigoku, and now she realize that
oni’s are not as horrible as they seem.

(A FEW MINUTES AGO)

“Um…. Listen”

Rei looks up at the oni gaurds who now look rather embarrassed.

The ogre who was yelling at her a while ago, now bowed apologetically to her. “Sorry for the rough treatment a while ago. We’re just doing our job.”

“N-no its ok” Rei blurted out, “It was all a simple misunderstanding!”

The other oni looked at her sheepishly, “Wow, you’re a really nice person. You most definitely don’t belong here.”

“Well then… we have to get back to work. Please wait here for Lord Hozuki.”

“Sure… thanks.”

(END OF FLASHBACK)

Rei was deep in thought that she didn’t notice Hozuki approaching her.

It was when he cleared his throat did she look up.

“Pardon me.” Hozuki began, he then took a few steps back before he gave a bow. “On behalf of King Enma, I would like to again apologize for this grievous mistake we have made.”

“N-no its okay! Really it’s okay!” Rei cried as she quickly stood up. “I’m just glad that it all got sorted out!”

Hozuki straightened himself as he continued. “I can assure you… this has never happened to us before.”

Rei smiled at the black haired oni, despite his serious expression, she could tell in his eyes and voice that he was really embarrassed at the whole situation. “Well, look on the bright side…” she said, “at least now you have a funny story to tell to your officemates when you go out to have a drink, right?”

“We are grateful for your understanding,” Hozuki replied. “A Heavenly envoy will arrive here later to bring you to Tengoku. We also need you to sign some transfer forms.”

“Umm… ok, sure.” Rei said. “Wow! Jigoku is really like one big company!” She added in her thoughts.

Hozuki reaches in his robes and pulls out a pocket watch. “Hmm… the envoy will not be here till 3.” He murmured as he observed the time. He the puts it back in his robe as he turns
to the young human girl.

“Ms. Mikage…” he began.

“Oh… you don’t need to call me that…”Rei interrupted, “just ‘REI’ is fine!”

“….” Hozuki stare was making Rei feel slightly uncomfortable. He then nodded before continuing, “Very well Rei. Would you be interested to take a grand tour around Jigoku with me while you wait?”

“Eh?” Rei looked at Hozuki in surprise. She paused for a moment before she smiled and said,

“Sure, sounds interesting.”

“Before that…” said Hozuki, as he handed her a box, “It would be better for you to change into a more proper attire.”

“Oh… thank you.” Rei said taking the box and bowing with gratitude.

A few minutes later, Rei came out of the changing room. She was now wearing a snow white kimono tied in a pastel pink sash with pink and red cherry blossoms decorated on the cloth.

Hozuki looked at her intently before giving his nod of approval. He then extends his hand towards her.

“Allow me to be your guide then, Rei.”

*********

“And here we are now is the Lake of Blood…”

Rei’s eyes widen with morbid fascination as Hozuki shows her around. Jigoku is more horrifying and intense than she can imagine. Everywhere they went she could see Ogres torturing every human in the area in a gory fashion. She gulped as she realized how she was almost about to spend the rest of her eternity in this place.

However…. for some strange reason… Rei did not feel anger towards Hozuki or the other ogres for their actions. After what she had seen earlier… they are just simply workers just doing their jobs.

Rei looks back at Hozuki who was still giving an explanation about the place.

“… originally it was a hell for women. Today it has been reformed, and is now been also used as an ‘ALL-YOU-CAN DRINK TOUR’ for the vampires in Romania.”

“V-VAMPIRES?!?” cried a shocked Rei.

“Yes” Hozuki continued. “It is quite a major hit in tourism here.”

“Well…  it does make sense.” Said Rei, she looked down grimly at the bubbling river of blood. She could see human heads floating like corpses. The smell and sight was making her feel slightly queasy.

Hozuki, seeming to notice this, gestures her to follow him further. The pair soon reached an area where Rei could see animals of various kinds brutally torturing more humans.

“This place is Visashana,” Hozuki said “here we punish people who have tortured and killed animals during their time when they were still alive.”

Rei nodded silently as she just watched.

“LORD HOZUKI!”

The pair turned to see a white dog approaching them gleefully. Hozuki knelt down as he started to pet the animal.

“KYAAHHHH! HOW CUTE!!!”

Both Hozuki and Shiro looks up at Rei whose eyes are sparkling with glee. She quickly kneels as well and extends her hand.

“Hello there….”

Shiro looks at the girl then at her hand and then back to her. Slowly he approaches her and takes a small sniff. Sensing that she was a nice person the young dog’s tail began to wag fast and places his paw on her hand.

“Hi there! My name is Shiro, nice to meet you!”

Rei’s smile widens as she starts to pet the dog.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Shiro! My name is Rei.”

Hozuki watches as Rei starts to scratch behind Shiro’s ears. Shiro is enjoying it so much he starts to lay on his back as Rei then scratches his belly.

“Rei, are you fond of animals?” Hozuki asked.

“Oh I absolutely love them…” Rei replied still stroking Shiro’s belly. “Back when I was still alive, I sometimes volunteer in the animal rescue shelters during the weekends.”

“Wow, that’s amazing Ms. Rei.” Shiro exclaimed.

“Oh no… I’m not that amazi-“ Rei then stops and looks down at Shiro and then quickly stands up in shock.

“T-T-THE DOG IS TALKING!?!”

“You just realized it now?” thought Hozuki and Shiro.

“Lord Hozuki!”

Hozuki then stands up and turns around to see Karauri walking towards them. With him was a young man dressed in a celestial garment.

“What is it Karauri?” asked Hozuki.

Karauri then gestures towards his companion who makes a formal bow. “This is Lord Kaoru, the envoy that was sent from Togenkyo.”

“I am pleased to meet you Lord Hozuki.” Said the envoy.

“It is also a pleasure to meet you Lord Kaoru.” Greeted Hozuki, as he also makes a courteous bow, “You came earlier than expected.”

“Yes well, we were able to finish our meeting early so I decided to come and fetch the young lady.” Lord Kaoru’s gaze towards Rei, “is that her?” he asks.

“Yes…this is Rei Mikage.” Hozuki said.

“My dear girl, I really hope that this whole incident didn’t trouble you in any way.” said the envoy.

Rei slightly shook her head and smiled. “It’s cool. Lord Hozuki was really kind enough to accompany me around the place.”

“Oh… I see, that is very good to hear.” said Lord Kaoru.

“Well then…”Hozuki said, “let us return to the office to fill up the forms.”

“Yes lets.”

*********

“Sign here, and also here.” Hozuki instructed.

Rei and the celestial envoy are signing their signatures on two separate forms. Once they finished they handed it over to Hozuki who did a quick scan on both forms.

“Both are fine.” The young oni said. “Well then I guess our business is done here.”

“Um… yeah…” said Rei, “Well thank you for everything Lord Hozuki.”

“LORD HOZUKI!!!”

The three turned to look and see an ogre running frantically towards them.

“What is wrong?” asked Hozuki.

The ogre made a slight bow before looking at Hozuki with panic on his face. “I apologize for disturbing you! It’s just that we have a problem.”

Hozuki was feeling the sudden urge to smack someone right now (preferably King Enma or a certain annoying divine beast) with his iron mace as he, Rei and Lord Kaoru entered a disastrous looking room. Stacks of paper files were scattered across an office desk and several ogres are desperately trying to reorganize them.

“THAT IDIOT, KANZAKI!” cried the ogre that brought them there. “First He just suddenly resigned because he wanted to become an actor! And then he goes and leaves all this unfinished paperworks behind!”

“All of them are in a mess and we don’t even know how we’re going to fix them in time!”  another ogre wailed.

One of the paper files suddenly floats towards Rei’s feet. She then bends down and picks it up. Looking at the files her eyes widen as a thought came to her, “This looks just like…”

Rei looks at Hozuki who seems to be thinking carefully on how to deal with the problem.
She slowly approaches the ogres and gives a slight cough to draw their attention.

“Um… if its all right…” she began, “may I have a look at some of the files?”

The ogres look at each other and then at Hozuki who gave them a nod of approval. They slowly handed Rei several of the files and she then started to look at each one thoroughly.

She slowly smiles as she says “I was right… this looks just like the formats that I work on back when I was still alive.” She then gestured the ogres to come closer. “Okay here is what you all need to do…”

Hozuki silently watched as the human girl began giving them instructions on what they need to do. After an hour they were able to finish reorganizing the files. All the ogres with tears of joy streaming down their eyes are now shaking Rei’s hands vigorously. Each one ranting on about how grateful they were for her help.

“You truly are amazing, Rei.” Said Hozuki. Lord Kaoru nodded in agreement.

Rei shyly smiled as she scratched the back of her head. “Oh that… no that was just what I did when I was still alive you see. I worked for this big time company and sometimes we had to reorganize some of the old files. My seniors were the ones who taught me a method in order to finish it properly and fast.”

“Rei…. Would you be interested for a job here?” Hozuki asked.

Both Rei and Lord Kaoru looked at the oni in surprise.

“You see we currently need a replacement for that idiot Kanzaki” Hozuki explained, “I also am in need of some assistance from time to time.”

“Wait a minute, Lord Hozuki!” protested Lord Kaoru, “Are you asking her to stay here in Jigoku?!?”

“No, Lord Kaoru.” Said Hozuk. “I merely offering her a job position here, she will of course start as a contract employee, which can become permanent after 3 months. Only if she is interested.”

Lord Kaoru looks at Rei who is still a bit shock at what Hozuki just said.

“Ms. Rei…” said Lord Kaoru worried that the girl is horrified to speak.

Rei slowly looks up at Hozuki and asks.

“Do I get health benefits?”

“Of course.” Says Hozuki.

Rei is silent for a moment before she smiles at Hozuki and nods.

“Okay! I accept!”

“EEEHHHHH?!?” cried Lord Kaoru.

*******

At the court of King Enma, all the ogres gathered together as they were about to receive some announcements.

“I wonder what it could be?” asked Nasubi as he looked around before turning to his best friend. “Do you know what is going on, Karauri?”

“Of course I don’t!” cried Karauri.

“ERHEM!”

Everyone then turned to look at King Enma, and Hozuki standing by his side.

“Good morning to all of you. As of today, we will be having a new employee who will be replacing Kanzaki in the managerial forms department.” Enma began, “I entrust that you will all get along with her and treat her with respect. Allow me to present our newest member…. Rei Mikage.”

Slowly and shyly, Rei started to walk until she was in front of the crowd. She then bows and afterwards straightens out giving them all a wide smile.

“Nice to meet all of you!”

**************