Akane knocked back the rest of her beer and excused herself to the restroom, leaving her purse on the table. Hanako followed her after politely excusing herself as well.

“I can’t believe I actually called him that. I must be drunker than I thought,” Akane said, completely mortified.

“Yes, you did. But did you hear what he said to you?” Hanako replied.

“I…I think he called me ‘Usagi-chan’. Do I really remind you of a rabbit?” Akane asked.

“Honey, compared to him? Most women resemble rabbits. It seems, however, that he doesn’t want a scared rabbit. Just a cute one. Keep it up, girl!” Hanako encouraged.

The pair of them finished their business, then left.

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

“Was I too forward? I don’t know how to do this here. I hope I didn’t scare her away,” Markus said worriedly.

“Are you kidding me? That had to be the smoothest thing I’ve ever heard anyone say! You’ll have her eating out of the palm of your hand in no time!” Atsuki remarked.

“That’s just it. I don’t want her eating out of my hand. I want her smiling beside me, or across from me as she is now. Just happy,” Markus retorted.

“You don’t want to take her to bed?” Gen asked, confused.

“I mean, I’d not refuse her, but that isn’t my only goal here,” Markus returned, slightly annoyed.

The ladies returned before any of the three could say any more, and picked up their menus once more, giggling behind the cardstock. Markus took the opportunity to lean in to Atsuki and pose a question that had been on his mind since the pair arrived.

“So tell me, Atsuki. Are you interested in Ichikawa-san?” To which he received a simple grunt of acknowledgement.

Markus nodded and smiled. “Try it, my friend. You’ll lose every time you don’t try,” he said quietly.

Atsuki trembled slightly, his nerves on edge. He drained the last of his beer and cleared his throat. The ladies across from him looked up, their faces cheerful.

“Ichikawa-san? You are, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. And I drive a taxi. I’ve seen a whole lot of people, and yet I’ve never seen a woman quite like you,” he said, slurring his words slightly.

Hanako blushed and hid her face behind the menu. “Thank you, Kimura-san. That is very kind of you to say to an old granny like me.”

“Granny? You’re no granny. You are as vibrant and beautiful as the cherry blossom in spring. One look at you, and I lost all sense of reason and my words dried upon my unworthy tongue,” Atsuki said earnestly.

It seemed he had a penchant for purple prose. It seemed to have the desired effect, however. Hanako giggled again, her face going crimson.

They were saved from further embarrassment by the waiter, coming around to check their drink status and to take their orders. With their orders placed, the group fell into idle chatter and slightly embarrassed looks.

After a bit, the food came, and they all enjoyed the delicious meal of wagyu beef and rice. The conversation was broad and varied, with everyone sobering up throughout the meal. They ate and talked all the way up to closing time, at which point they were approached with the bill. Markus gladly paid, and the quintet left, laughing at one of Atsuki’s lame jokes.

“I don’t get it,” Markus said, confused.

Atsuki looked at Markus with a confused look on his face. “Huh? Why?”

“Why would a panda eat a panda?”

After a moment of thinking, Atsuki smiled. “I understand, Markus. How do you say bread in Japanese?”

“Pan.”

“And when you say ‘Its bread’, meaning that ‘this is bread’, you can simply say ‘Panda’.”

Markus stopped walking and thought about it. “That’s a terrible joke, Atsuki. In America, we call them ‘Dad jokes’, and some people make them an art form. I’d say you’re well on your way to doing just that. Keep it up!” he said jovially.

Atsuki shook his head and unlocked his car doors. “Would you ladies like a lift?” he asked softly.

Hanako sauntered up to him and looked him in the eye. “And where would you take us, Yūben'na?” she asked him in a soft, low voice.

Atsuki swallowed audibly, his heart hammering in his chest. “Anywhere you would like to go, ojōsama,” he rasped.

Hanako smirked and ran a finger across his collarbone. “Unfortunately, it seems we have ridden our bikes here, so we will have to decline. This time. Next time, however, I think” -she leaned in close and whispered softly, her hot breath tickling his neck- “you will have to pick us up so we can all spend a day together. Maybe at an onsen.”

Atsuki trembled and whimpered softly as Hanako turned around and slowly sashayed to where she and Akane had left their bikes. They sat astride their bikes and waved goodbye to their new friends, then slowly pedaled off to their home.

“Brother? Are you well?” Genkai asked.

“In the car, Gen-kun…” Atsuki rasped. Gen shrugged and climbed into the back seat. Markus made his way to the front seat as Atsuki stumbled into the driver’s.

“It seems Ichikawa-san has taken a liking to you, Atsuki. She’s a lovely woman,” Markus stated.

Atsuki nodded slowly and started the car, driving off to the rikyuan. The drive was quiet, as everyone seemed to be fat and happy, fiilled with food and/or anticipation for the future.

Markus looked in the side mirror, seeing Genkai’s face looking a bit drawn and down.

“Gen-san? Are you okay? You seem sad.” Markus asked quietly.

“Huh? Oh, uh… It’s nothing. Nothing is wrong,” Genkai replied nervously.

“You can’t lie to me, Gen-san. I see something is on your mind. Is it because there wasn’t someone at the table for you? What type of woman do you like?” Markus asked jovially.

“Markus…” Atsuki started, but Genkai waved him off.

“You, Barton-san,” he mumbled, his face downcast.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Huh? What?”

Atsuki sighed heavily. He had been afraid of this. As he was opening his mouth to speak, Markus cut him off.

“Oh really? That’s cool. So you like big, hairy, bearded men? Or is it me, specifically?” Markus asked conversationally.

Atsuki’s head whipped around so fast, his neck popped. What did he just say? Genkai looked up hopefully.

“Well, I’ve always been attracted to guys. And ones like you are the best, I think,” Genkai said hopefully.

“Huh. Well, I can tell you that I, personally, am not interested in a relationship with another man. It doesn’t bother me if that’s what you want, but I’m not the guy for you. I’m sorry. If you wish, I can try and see if there are any men looking for a guy like you back home?” Markus replied.

“You… you’d do that? An okama like me?” he asked, tears in his eyes.

“Okama? Atsuki? I don’t know that word. What does it mean?” Markus asked.

Atsuki sighed once more. He hated this. “Markus… An okama is a man like my brother. The closest word in English would be ‘faggot’. It’s not quite the same, but the meaning is still there,” he said.

“Wha…Genkai!” Markus said forcefully, as he spun in his seat to face the younger man, causing the other occupants to flinch.

“Y…yes, Barton-sama?”

“You will never refer to yourself as that word again! Am I understood?” Markus demanded, shaking a finger at the younger man.

The brothers stared at him in shock. “If you must refer to yourself, you will say that you are gay. There is no shame in this. Don’t feel bad for loving who you love. Ever. You are a person, and you are deserving of love. If I do nothing else, I will find you a bear of a man to love and pamper. I swear it!” Markus said.

He turned around and sat back in his seat properly. Japan may be filled with beauty, but there was still plenty that was ugly.

After another ten minutes, they arrived at the rikyuan. Atsuki parked the car and turned to Markus.

“My friend, I don’t know how to thank you for the past two days. Even if you never speak to us again, you have still introduced me to a beautiful woman, and shown my brother a kindness he doesn’t usually receive from our own countrymen. Thank you, Markus,” he said gratefully.

Markus smiled. “Think nothing of it, Atsuki. I will message you tomorrow. We will get a bit to eat and see what else Kyoto has in store for me, yes?”

Atsukki nodded as Genkai reached up, taking hold of Markus’ shoulder. “Make sure you keep your word, Markus. I would move Heaven and Earth for the right man.”

Markus nodded and smiled. Reaching up, he patted the younger man’s hand. “I said I would, didn’t I?” He exited the car and walked into his room.

Shucking his boots at the genkan, he sighed. An eventful day, to be sure. A new job, new friends, and a date with an absolutely beautiful woman. As he lay down, he wondered what else the Universe had in store for him.

Sleep took him like a familiar lover. In its warm arms and soothing bosom, he drifted away.

Markus wandered the seemingly endless halls. Every few yards, leading to a sparsely decorated office, was a solid wood door. Every door bore a different name, and some were in scripts that he couldn’t recognize. Each one, however, seemed to announce the same title: “Soul Liaison”.

He knew that term from somewhere, but it eluded him like a mouse hiding from a cat. He shook his head and turned another corner, and another and another, randomly winding his way through the halls.

Once, he thought he saw a door close, but when he went to open it, he found that it simply wouldn’t budge no matter how hard he tried to force his way in. Giving up, he continued his meandering.

Eventually, he found a large room with tables and chairs, several microwaves and refrigerators, and even some stoves. What kind of office building was he in that required a breakroom of this magnitude?

“Hello? Is there anyone here?” he asked into the seemingly empty room. Receiving no answer, he shrugged and walked out, making a left.

He walked for what seemed like days, finally coming to an end to the hallway. On his right was a window, displaying what seemed to be a night sky. As he peered closer into the window, more details became clear. Several of the stars he saw had what seemed like arms, and others were misshapen. There was no skyline, no trees or grass or earth, just the black expanse of space and countless stars dotting the void.

“What are you doing here, Markus?” came a familiar voice from behind him.

Markus turned and saw the face of his new manager, Lucifer. “Oh. Hi there. I just ‘found’ myself here. The last thing I remember is laying down after dinner with my friends,” he said.

“Last thing…? Oh. I see, now. You’re Traveling. My dear boy, it is far too early for you to be here. I’ll explain as we walk. Come with me?” Lucifer said, extending an arm down the hallway.

Markus walked with Lucifer down the hallway as he explained the situation. “You see, Markus, when something dies, its soul is sent to me for further direction as to its ultimate rest. Sometimes Humans will come to me before their appointed time. How this happens is still something of a mystery. A quirk of the Human mind, I suppose. I’ve seen no other sapient creature do this, and I’ve witnessed countless trillions of species die. And it isn’t all Humans that do this. The ability exists within you all, certainly, but not all of you do it. It is a decidedly odd thing.

“In other words, Markus, you and your soul have taken a short vacation from the other. For a few hours, at least. You will have no ill effects from this, so don’t worry. In fact, you might not even remember this happening. Although, why you came here, of all places, is rather odd. Are you that excited to start your new job?” he asked.

Markus thought for a moment, letting the revelation wash over him. “If I said ‘No,’ I’d surely be lying. Although, I don’t think ‘excited’ is the right word. Eager, maybe. I’m definitely looking forward to it, even though I know the first month will be brutal. Most onboarding processes are. I’m sure I’ll have a lot to learn,” he said thoughtfully. “Any advice for me?”

Lucifer smiled and stopped walking, leaning against the wall with his hands in his trouser pockets. “Advice? Hmm… I would say to take it as it comes, with no expectations. You will be handling a lot of animals, and comparatively few Humans. Don’t concern yourself overmuch with where they’re going. Just make sure they go there. You will understand more in a few days. But first, let’s get you back into your body, so you can make sure you have a decent rest,” he said.

Markus nodded thoughtfully, and the pair started back down the hallway once more, discussing the events immediately after the interview.

“...so you really called her Usagi-chan? And after she called you Kuma-kun? That’s impressive, my friend. Do you truly see her as a rabbit?”

“Not in the typical way most guys would. I know that rabbits are actually strong creatures. Defensive of their home and their family. Industrious and smart. They’re also adorable, soft, and cuddly,” Markus replied.

“So are bears, Markus,” Lucifer replied with a sly grin.

“Yes, well…” said a red-faced Markus. “You know, Genkai also confessed to having something of a crush on me. I felt uncomfortable turning him down. I don’t like knowing I’ve made someone sad. However, I did offer to help him find a bear of his own once I got back home,” he continued with a shrug.

“Did you, now? Hm. Matchmaking Markus. Perhaps I should add that to your door?” Lucifer said with a wink and a smile.

“Don’t you dare. The man just needs confidence, and I happen to know a few men that would adore him. That’s all,” Markus said, horrified.

Lucifer laughed long and loud as he stopped in front of a door. Markus shook his head, grinning. He looked up, and saw that they were in front of his door.

“Why are we stopping in front of my door?”

“Because this is how you can get back to yourself,” Lucifer replied as he opened the door.

On the other side of the door, Markus saw his room at the rikyuan, and himself asleep on the bed. The room was dimly lit, even though there were no lamps on. He seemed to be sleeping soundly.

“Wow. So that’s what I look like to other people. Kinda surreal. So, do I just sit here? Will myself back into my body?” he asked.

“No. Just lay down. Once you get close enough, your body will just draw you back in. Like iron filings to a magnet. You’ll see,” Lucifer replied, laying a kind hand on Markus’ shoulder.

Markus nodded and slowly walked towards the bed. As he lay down behind himself, he felt it, a pull toward his sleeping form. He did nothing to resist, and began sliding towards himself, picking up speed incrementally until with a metallic clink, he snapped into his body, rousing momentarily.

“Wha..?” he asked tiredly to the air. With a soft thump, his head hit the pillow once more, and sleep washed over him again.