Ascension Dining With the Grim Reaper ch1: Sora and Nadeshiko

What's that falling from the sky...?

...Did something
glow just now?

!

Oh, it's just morning.
...Wait, morning already!?

Hah...
...I really
don't want to go to school...

I like being alone.
It's not like I hate people or anything, but...
Shinonome-san.

You're going to the trash disposal, right?
I can carry half for you.

...I'm strong, so...
Eh?

Ah...
I did it again.

It's been a while since I entered high school,
but I haven't been able to make friends with my class.
So like~
Ahaha...

But even if we carried it together...
I wouldn't know what to talk about.
Girls are scary...
It's all my own fault.

I don't hate people or anything,

but I'm pretty sure
I'm not cut out to be a human.

...Ah, I need to finish off the milk that's in the fridge...

Maybe I can use it in a stew?
Gratin might be good too.

Oh, is that Shinonome-san's daughter I see?

I knew it!
You've really grown since I last saw you!

You moved up to Hare High, right?
Erm.
Running errands after school?
Yes.
Such a good girl. Nothing like mine.

No, uh.
Your mom must be relieved to have a capable daughter like you.

Shinonome-san had a hard time raising you all on her own, after all.

Pleasure doing business~

p10

Shinonome Bakery

Welcome...

Welcome back,
Sora.

I'm home.
Anything I can help with?
It's fine.
We sold well today,
so I should be able to close up earlier than usual.

p11

I see.
Then I'll head on home and get dinner ready.
Sora.

You're in high school now,
so why don't you go play with your friends once in a while?

...Even if she tells me that,

p12

I have no friends
to speak of.

Wait.
I'm not bummed out about that or anything.
Talking to herself.

My dad
died in an accident just before I entered grade school.

p13

My mom is a baker
and has been working non-stop to raise the young me,
meaning I would often be left alone to watch the house.
I'm home~

...Now then.

What shall I make today!?

p14

Maybe I picked it up from my mom,
but I've loved making things since I was little,
so I'd make snacks and meals by myself after school.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel just a little bit lonely,
but that alone time was something I loved.

"I feel bad for you, Sora-chan."

p15

I like being alone.
If I'm alone, I can avoid being hurt.

I'll get changed and have a quick breather before making dinner.
I've got egg-soaked bread waiting in the fridge,
so I'll fry that up and eat it...
I'll do my best at school today
just for this.
*Sleep-deprived

Hm?

p16

Someone's collapsed!?

A-
Are you okay...?

p17

It's a girl...
This uniform... She's a student at my school.
What should I do? Should I call an ambulance or something?
Waaah~
Help me~
...Hm?

p18-19

...Huh?
!

Can it be?
You can see me?

p20

Wha-
What?
It is a miracle!
To have met a human who can see me!
A ghost!?

She has the same face as the girl lying there...
Is this one of those out-of-body experiences?

I am not a ghost,
but my soul suddenly slipped out of my body and I can't put it back in...
Eh?

p21

I can't touch you!
What is this? A hologram!?
Hey... Could you maybe hold back a little?
Where's the projector!?

What is that?
Pro-jek-tur?
I don't believe in any occult stuff in the slightest!

Later.
Eh?
P-Please wait!

I don't know what's going on either~
...
Please, don't abandon me~

p22

...I guess I can't just leave her lying in the street.

Should I just take you to the hospital?
!
Or maybe a shrine?

Actually...
you're not dead, are you?
Dead!?

Eh?
I am dead!?
Lemme check.

p23

!

...Ah.
Don't worry. Looks like you've got a pulse.

p24

Wah!
I-
I am back! I have returned!
Hooray!
Why so suddenly?

Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver~
Um, I didn't do anything, though...

p25

My name is Nadeshiko.
May I ask this kind human girl for her name?

Eh...
Sora.
Shinonome Sora.

Sora! That is a good name!
By the way, Sora...

p26

groooowl

Eh!?
What's that noise!?

What is this...?
It was like this earlier where I felt all wobbly and in pain...

I passed out for just a moment
Eeh~!?
and my soul slipped out...
Your soul slipped out from hunger!?

p27

Hunger...?
You're just hungry.
Eat some food.

Food... Do you have any, Sora?
growl~
Eh?
Even if you ask me that...

I've only got the veggies I bought just now.
Like potatoes.
So eating this will cure me?
Huh?

Ah~
Eh!?
Wait!
Eating this raw will wreck your stomach!

grooowl

...

p28

She's... gonna have another out-of-body experience if I leave her alone, isn't she?

groooowl

Don't look at me like that.
...Alright.

My house is right around the corner.
I'll feed you something.

p29

What are you doing? Get on the elevator.

My place is on the fifth floor.

Ooh.

p30

We are moving!?
Th-This thing moves?
Huh? Of course it does.

The washroom's over there,
so wash your hands and sit wherever you'd like in the living room.
...Wait.

Shoes!!
Eh?
Why are you stepping in with your shoes still on!?

p31

I see.
You take your shoes off when entering people's houses.
My mistake.
...Is this girl a foreigner or something?

No, she clearly looks Japanese...
Actually, now that I look closer, is she wearing colored contacts?
They're a pinkish brown.

The tips of her hair are white too...
Eh? Did she get it dyed?

What if she turns out to be a delinquent?

p32

I'd better feed her right away so I can send her home.

Okay.
The bread's soaked up the egg mix nicely.

p33

Just gotta be careful not to break it...
All that's left is to fry it on a low heat.

She's wearing Hareten High School's uniform,
so I guess she's a fellow schoolmate?
She doesn't look like a senpai.
I wonder what class she's in...

Never thought I'd be bringing a schoolmate over, let alone in a situation like this...
Sora~

p34

Wah~
Hm?
..Wait.

Why did your soul slip out again!?
I don't know~

Sora.
Could you try touching my body?

Big cushion

Eh?
You sure are taking it easy in someone else's home.

p35

Touch you...
Like this?

!

Wah! You're back!?
I knew it.
For some reason, I can return if you touch me, Sora.
How does that even work...?

p36

Just what the heck...
Hm!? Wait.
What is that? It smells really good!!

p37

What is this?
French toast.
Eh? You've never eaten it before?

May I eat some?
...Go ahead.

Thank you for the food.

p39

...She really seems to be enjoying it.

p40

~~~Mm!
Eh? What? What happened?
You're shaking.

Did it get stuck in your throat or something?
...Hah!

Hah~...
...Sora...
Hah~...
You okay?

Just what is this!?

p41

Eh? Like I said, it's French toast...
Hah~
Th-That was close. My soul almost slipped out again...
Why?

I was just so happy,
I thought I might die!

p42

...You're exaggerating.
Was it really that delicious?
"Delicious"!

So this is "delicious", huh?
Yes! It was very delicious!
...

p43

Thank you for the meal!
Hah~<3

Thank you so much for feeding me
something so delicious, Sora.
...You're welcome.

Hah...
To think "eating" could fill one with such a happy feeling.
It is my first time experience it since becoming a human.

p44

...Hm?
What did you just say...?
Hah~
It feels like I am ascending to Heaven.
No, not that...
Wait.
Aah!

p45

Wah~
My soul slipped out again~

...Hey, you.
Nadeshiko, was it?
Yes!

What are you?
I know you said you weren't a ghost earlier, but...

p46

I am
a grim reaper.

...Huh?

The girl she picked up on the street... was a grim reaper.

Warning