Akane led Markus to the open pool, the fact that she had hold of his arm, and was cradling it close to her chest not even registering. As they arrived, she smiled warmly up at him.
“Here we are, Barton-san. There look to be several starfish, some [イソギンチャク], a ray and some urchins,” she said with a broad smile on her face. Markus didn’t recognise the word, but did recognize the anemones she pointed at when she said it.
Markus grinned at her enthusiasm, and pointed out the one other creature she either missed, or forgot about. “There is also a pair of, uh… how do I say this in Japanese? Horseshoe crabs?” he asked as he pointed at one of the large crabs.
“Ah! I missed him. You have good eyes, Barton-san,” Akane said, smiling as she peered into his grey eyes, then fell silent. “Very…good…eyes,” she said softly, and visibly took hold of herself, breaking the spell his eyes had on her. “Um… Anyway,” she said, tucking that stray lock of hair behind her ear again.
Markus colored slightly and reached his free hand into the pool, feeling the feathery touch of the anemones. He cleared his throat politely, causing Akane to look up at him.
She looked up at him hopefully. “Yes, Barton-san?” she whispered.
“While I truly enjoy this, my uh… my hand has fallen asleep,” he whispered, wriggling his trapped fingers.
Akane looked down, suddenly mortified at the death grip she had maintained on his arm. She let go suddenly and tucked her hands behind her back. “I’m sorry, Barton-san! I didn’t realize I still had your arm,” she said as the errant lock of hair flipped down over her eye. She tried unsuccessfully blowing it out of her way.
Markus chuckled softly and reached out, gently tucking the errant hairs behind her ear, letting his fingertips brush lightly against her cheek, causing her to gasp softly. “It is okay, Ikeda-san. I am not offended in the slightest. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of your actions. That’s all,” he said, then leaned in close to her, whispering in her ear, “Although, if you want to hold my hand, I’d like that, too.”
Akane’s eyes went wide as she heard his smooth baritone flow into her ear. Inviting her to hold his hand? It was a little early for that, she thought. And yet, the thought of it made her feel warm and fluttery inside.
She giggled and shuffled her feet as she looked down. “Um…I, um. I think I” -she raised her face so she could see his eyes- “would like that very much, Barton-san.” she said shyly.
Markus extended his open hand to her. “May I hold your hand, Ikeda-san?”
Akane gently placed her hand into his larger and much warmer one. “Yes. You may,” she said with a giggle and a little bounce on the balls of her feet.
Hanako and Yamato-san had just rounded the corner when they saw Markus extend his hand to Akane, and watched the younger woman giddily place hers in it as she twisted side to side, like a schoolgirl. They looked at one another and smiled. Yes, it was a very good thing that this American had come into Akane’s life.
The attendant at the touch pool saw the exchange and placed his hands over his mouth, hiding his grin. As Hanako and Yamato-san approached the pair, he looked over at them and said, “Do you know these two? The [恋人カップル]?”
Markus turned his head to the side the way a curious dog might. He felt, rather than saw, Akane’s face flush. She must’ve gotten extremely embarrassed. “What was that phrase he used, Ichikawa-san? I didn’t recognize it,” he said to the smirking woman.
Hanako smiled at him and placed a finger to her lip as she attempted to recall the English words. “I think the translation would be lover’s couple?” she said.
“Lover’s couple? That’s an interesting phrase. Why say it like that?” he asked.
The attendant leaned over and stage whispered, “It means you should get a room, my friend.”
Get a room? He already had a…oh. Oh. As the gears clicked in his head and made complete sense, he looked down at the smiling, giggling Akane and mentally shrugged his shoulders. Gently he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, eliciting more giggles from the woman.
Together, the quartet made their way around the aquarium, taking in the sights of the varied marine life. Markus spied the gaunt man several times over their trek around the aquarium, but showed no signs of acknowledgement until the man walked over and stood near the pair, close enough for Markus to note the rise and fall of his chest, but not so close that he could hear him breathe. Certain that only he could see the man, Markus gently patted Akane’s hand, and excused himself to the restroom. Akane nodded and released his hand with a grin.
As he walked past he muttered the single word, “Come,” and had faith the gaunt man would follow.
Nearing the restroom, Markus took his phone out and pretended to make a call. He stood off to one side, out of view of most.
“Who are you?” he asked, staring the man in the face.
“Your future, Markus Barton,” the man answered in a rich tenor, his voice tinged with an odd accent.
“My future, huh? Does this have something to do with my new employer?”
“Indeed. The offer you were made is solid and honest; the potential outcomes, however, are not. Or, at least, they weren’t explained in full.”
“Go on,” Markus prompted.
“I am your possible future. Indeed, I am your likely future. I still live, but as you can see, I am not” -he gestured to his semi-translucent body- “quite on your mortal plane anymore. I have spent so much time in the realm of the dead, that I am more like them than I am of the living. I can leave, but I would be forsaking my duty to the shinigami. I would likely die, if I did. You have signed their contract. You belong to them, now.
“You may well have a region you are bound to, but you will answer to their beck and call. They’ve already ordered you, haven’t they?” he asked.
Markus eyed the man with distrust. “Yes… they have asked me to be back home by next Friday. How do you know this, anyway?” he asked.
The specter wheezed a laugh. “They always send you back. Do their bidding. My fate may not be yours. You will have to wait and see, Mr. Barton.”
“What is your name?”
“Tell the shinigami that Takeda-san says hello,” he said, then turned on his heel and walked away, passing through the wall.
Markus put his phone away, then went to the restroom, to take care of the business that had suddenly made its existence known.
*******************
Hanako gently took Akane by the shoulder and turned her so she could look in her eyes.
“Akane. Don’t let him get away. I think he really likes you. You may have to rush things a bit more than you’d like, but I think he is perfect for my cute little kouhai. Are you going to confess?” Hanako asked, an impish smile on her face.
Startled by Hanako’s use of her given name, Akane thought for a moment. “I… I don’t know, senpai. How? How can I confess to someone that I know is going to have to leave? There’s no way I can go with him when he has to return to his home. It would take too much money. What if he’s just after my body? What if he’s doing all this just to have his way with me, and then leave?” Akane asked, becoming increasingly anxious.
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Hanako took Akane’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. “I don’t think that’s what your Kuma-kun is like. He strikes me as a very kind and loving man. Take a bit of initiative, kouhai. I’m not saying to kiss him or anything, but be a bit more assertive. If you think you should confess before you go any further, then do so. Yamato-kun and I will be right here behind you. We both want this for you, Akane. Here he comes,” Hanako said
Akane smiled and looked over at Markus, reaching out for his hand.
********************
Once he had washed and completely dried his hands, he made his way back to the group, where Akane quickly took his hand once again, a broad smile on her face.
As the quartet cruised through the aquarium, Akane would occasionally glance up at Markus, trying to gauge his mood. He seemed to be a million miles away after his trip to the washroom.
“Barton-san? Is everything alright?” Akane asked him quietly.
“Hmm? Oh. Yes. Everything is okay. Just the reality of everything that has happened in the past couple of days is hitting me, I suppose. That’s all,” he replied with a smile and a gentle squeeze of her hand.
Akane smiled, saying, “Okay. As long as you are okay, and you’re not upset or bothered by me.”
Markus looked at her in surprise, slowing his walking pace somewhat. “What? Why on Earth would I be bothered by you, Ikeda-san? You’ve taken a gamble -and it paid off- in allowing me to hold your hand; something I wanted very much. I have found you to be an excellent partner in conversation, a kindred spirit in our shared love for anime and manga, I think you’re beautiful and cute, and holding your hand feels quite comfortable to me. I don’t know that I’d ever be ‘bothered’ by you, Ikeda-san,” he said softly.
With her free hand, Akane hid her face in her hood once more. Shyly, she looked up at him and simply said, “Call me Akane, please?”
Markus smiled and released her hand, pulling her in for a surprisingly gentle hug. “As you wish, Akane. But only if you call me Markus. Deal?” he asked.
Akane made a soft squeaking sound when he pulled her into his arms, but quickly melted in his comforting embrace. She nodded against his chest, and squeezed him with all her strength. It only elicited a small bark of laughter from him, however.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, somewhat hurt as she broke the embrace.
In response, Markus kissed the top of her head and said, “Nothing. I just think my suspicions were confirmed. That’s all. That you really want a good hug and to feel cared for,” he said, taking her hand in his once more.
Akane smiled at him. “You are correct, Markus. I secretly love hugs. It feels so good to be wrapped up like that. And you give a good one,” she said confidently.
The pair continued, following Hanako and Yamato-san at a leisurely distance. Together, they saw various exhibits, each surprising the other with their knowledge of the creatures behind the glass. They caught the first dolphin show of the day, and wound up in the front row. There were few others in the arena.
As the trainers and the porpoises performed their show, Akane stayed glued to Markus’ side, resting her head on his shoulder. She hadn’t felt this happy in almost a decade. They laughed and applauded the animals and trainers as they performed their tricks, getting splashed somewhat in the process.
Akane giggled as errant splotches of water landed on her face. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long while, Markus. I’m really thankful for you,” she said, whispering in his ear.
She noticed him shiver when she said that, and felt the goosebumps rise on his arm. Seeing a goofy grin on his bearded face brought an even larger one to hers.
She tugged gently on his arm, causing him to lean over slightly. “I’m glad you enjoy my voice, Markus. Just like I am enthralled by yours,” she whispered softly.
Markus shivered again and chuckled. “Akane. I would suggest you stop doing that to me. In public, at least,” he replied just as softly, a smirk on his face.
“As my Kuma-kun wishes,” she said, somewhat louder.
They watched the show for the next fifteen minutes, and just before it was over, the trainers had one last surprise in store for their audience.
“In honor of our dear friend, Maka-kun, we ask that any who wish to say goodbye to our oldest dolphin come up to the tank,” they announced.
Akane made a sad face and walked over to the tank, conversing with the trainers. Markus followed her a moment later.
“...happening to her?” he heard Akane ask.
“She has lived a full life, Miss. She is dying, and will no longer be performing as of last week. In fact, our veterinarian says she will pass on, soon,” the trainer replied.
Akane put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no! That’s so sad. May we see her?” she asked.
Markus laid a hand on Akane’s shoulder, causing her to lean into his warmth.
“Yes you may. This is why we have asked for people to come to the tank. Here she comes,” the trainer said.
The trainers gave space to the elderly dolphin as she approached. Markus noted that she was rounder in appearance compared to her podmates, and saw a distinctly greater amount of speckles on her belly, as well.
Lazily, she swam up to the trainers, who affectionately patted her and stroked her back. She cooed and squeaked in appreciation as they gently scratched her more irritated patches of skin. Markus noted several bite marks in her flippers and dorsal fin.
“Was she attacked by sharks?” he asked.
“We think so. She came to us at an advanced age, and have simply cared for her and given her as comfortable a life as we could. She has proven to be friendly and curious,” one of the trainers replied.
“May we pet her?” Akane asked quietly.
“Of course. Just stay away from her blowhole. As you can expect, she gets a little jumpy if you stray too close,” they replied.
Akane rolled up her coat sleeve and reached out gingerly, gently stroking the elderly mammal’s side.
“Oh! She’s so very soft! I didn’t expect that. I hope you stay as comfortable as possible, Maka-chan. You are so very beautiful,” she said kindly.
Markus smiled as Akane stroked the dolphin’s side. It was gratifying to see her gentle nature on display.
“Sir? Would you like to pet her?” they asked.
Markus nodded and reached out into the tank. With the back of his hand, he gently stroked the dolphin’s side. “I pray your passing is as gentle as a spring shower,” he said gently.
Maka made some squeaks, and turned so she could look at Markus. Slowly, she turned again, allowing him to stroke her other side. As he gently patted the warm dolphin, she closed her eyes and stopped moving.
The trainers, sensing immediately that something was off, quickly excused themselves, and swam Maka to the back part of the tank, and made a radio call. Slowly, they swam the porpoise out of the pool, and were gone.
“Markus? What just happened? Akane asked in a shaky voice.
“I… I don’t know. I think Maka-kun may have just died,” he replied, staring off into the distance, sorrow etched upon his face.
“What?!” she exclaimed, bringing her hands to her face in disbelief.
Markus nodded and looked down. “Yeah. I think that’s what just happened,” he mumbled.
Akane took his hand and held it to her chest. “It wasn’t your fault, Markus. They did say she was dying soon, right?” she said softly.
Markus only nodded and sighed. Hanako and Yamato-san strolled up and looked at the pair, their smiles evaporating as they felt the mood.
“What just happened? Where did the dolphin go? Is Barton-san okay?” Hanako asked in rapid-fire.
“He is okay, I think. Just very sad. We think Maka-chan may have died while he was petting her,” Akane said, clutching his hand tightly.
“Oh! Barton-san? You know it was not you, right? You had nothing to do with that, you know?” Yamato-san said gently, lightly touching Markus’ upper arm.
Markus nodded, the sad smile never leaving his face. “I know. I know it wasn’t my fault. It’s just…” He sighed heavily. “Death is something that is very familiar to me now. My mother is dying of Alzheimer’s, and I lost both of my grandfathers in the past year. I also told Maka-sama that I prayed her passing was as gentle as the spring rains. I didn’t want her to pass the way my grandparents did and that my mother will. It just hits differently, I suppose,” he explained.
Akane looked at him, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. “Dear Gods. I had no idea. I’m so sorry, Markus,” she said, and wrapped her arms around him, her head pressed to his chest.
“Thank you. At least my prayer for her came true. She looked to be at peace when it happened,” he said, holding Akane to his side.
Hanako and Yamato both nodded in agreement. “Let’s go see something else, okay?” Yamato-san said gently.
Hanako took Akane’s hand and led them all out of the arena, the mood quiet and somber.