They went through the rest of the aquarium almost silently. Akane could tell that Markus was bothered by the passing of the dolphin, and truthfully, she was, too. She resolutely held his hand for as long as he wanted, and simply stayed by his side. She didn’t know what, if anything, she could say to lighten his heart, so she opted to simply be.
Markus’ mind was reeling with the possible implications of what had just happened. Had he ushered the poor creature off to the afterlife? Was that a facet of his new position in the Universe? Was it all a disgustingly ill-timed coincidence? He didn’t know, but he could tell the passing was bothering Akane, still. Several times he looked over at her, giving a gentle smile, receiving the same in return, and he resolved to be there for her, however it was that she needed him.
After another half-hour, they had toured the entire aquarium, and Hanako looked at the pair. “So where to now, lovers?” she asked with a wry smile.
Akane looked up at Markus. “I’m not sure. I had wanted to go to the zoo next, but I’m not sure that is such a great idea now,” she said sadly.
Markus chuffed a laugh and squeezed her hand gently. “Anywhere you want to go, is fine with me. I’m simply happy being by your side,” he said with a broad smile.
Akane smiled back at him and nodded. “The zoo, then?”
“To the zoo!” he replied, thrusting his arms into the air victoriously.
Hanako and Yamato-san both clapped their hands. “I haven’t been to the zoo since I was a little girl! This will be fun!” Hanako exclaimed.
Together, the four of them headed out to the zoo. On their way out of the aquarium, they were stopped by a man in a pale blue button-down dress shirt and khaki slacks.
“My apologies. Would you please come with me? There is a matter I would like to discuss with you, sir. And no, nobody is in trouble of any sort,” he said.
Markus looked at him in surprise. “Well.. sure. I guess. Is this about Maka-sama?” he asked quietly.
The man nodded once and led them to a meeting room down the hall from the atrium. Gesturing for them to have a seat, he said, “We here at the Kyoto Aquarium would like to apologize for the events that transpired this morning. It was unprecede7nted, and we are very sorry you had to witness such a sad event,” he said, making a deep bow. As he rose, he gestured to Markus. “I am told you had been petting Maka-san when it happened. It is fortunate that she passed as peacefully as she did. The doctor says she had been experiencing some obvious discomfort of late. I was also told you said something in English to her just before it happened. What was it you said, if you don’t mind me asking?” he inquired.
Markus sighed and looked down at his hands on the table as they gripped each other tightly. Akane laid a gentle, reassuring hand on his tight forearm. As if popped by a balloon, Markus felt the tension leaving his body. Looking over at her, he placed his hand over hers and smiled.
Looking up at the director, a soft, sad smile on his face, he said, “I told her that I prayed her passing was as gentle as the spring rains. It looked like it was.”
“Then I am glad the gods saw fit to answer your prayer. It was a bittersweet blessing for Maka-san, and one I am certain she was glad to receive. May I see you out?” he asked.
The group nodded and got up from their chairs, allowing the director to lead them out of the building. As they were leaving, he handed them all a couple of passes for another entry to the aquarium.
“Please take this meager token of our appreciation, and our apology for the distress this morning may have caused you. I hope the rest of your day goes better. Farewell,” he said, then walked back into the building.
They all looked at the passes in their hands and shrugged. As one, they walked to the bus stop to wait for the next bus heading towards their destination. Markus checked his watch. It was nearing noon, and his belly was beginning to express its displeasure at being empty for so long.
Akane, upon hearing the growling in his belly, giggled and gently poked his plush tummy. “It sounds like the growling of a bear,” she said. “A hungry bear,” she added.
Markus laughed softly and nodded. “Yeah. I could stand to eat. What about you guys?” he asked.
Hanako smiled sweetly, saying, “I know just the place. It’s near the zoo, and it just opened. They serve local food. What do you say?” she asked.
Markus looked down at Akane, a questioning look on his face. She nodded, and Hanako clapped her hands once to seal the deal.
“Done! We should be there within the hour. I trust that won’t be too long, Barton-san?” she asked.
“Nah. It’s fine. I’ll be okay til then. I might eat a lot, though, so don’t be surprised,” he said with a grin.
His three companions simply smiled indulgently at him as the bus stopped in front of them.
The trip there wasn’t terribly unpleasant, not with Akane resting herself against Markus every chance she got. Markus was content, even with the unpleasant situations at the aquarium. He simply sat there, basking in Akane’s presence and warmth.
Hanako watched the pair from her seat on the bus, a sad smile playing about her lips.
“Penny for your thoughts, nee-san?” Yamato-san said softly, nudging Hanako with his knee.
“I’m going to miss her, is all. He is good for her, and I think she is for him, too. Eventually, he’s going to take her from me. I’m not mad about it. It’s just a bittersweet thought, Yamato-kun,” she replied, taking his hand in hers.
Yamato rested his head on her shoulder. “I will miss her, too. But, it will be a while, yet. Of that I’m sure. We have plenty of time to tease her about him and make her laugh when she is sad that he is gone.”
“True. Very true. She will need her family by her side, won’t she?” Hanako asked.
************
After a couple more stops and bus changes, Hanako announced that they were just a five minute walk away from the restaurant. They signaled their intent to get off at the next stop, and made their way off the bus.
A few minutes later, the four of them stood in front of a small, homely little place adorned with a drape that had a stylized drawing of a rabbit on it. Akane glared spitefully at Hanako.
“What does it say there, Ichikawa-san? I cannot read those words,” Markus asked.
Hanako grinned at the pair, and simply said, “Usagi no Ippo. The Rabbit’s Step. I thought it fitting for the first meal as a couple? Or have you not given it to him, yet?”
“Huh? Given me what? What’s going on?” Markus asked in confusion.
Akane grimaced at Hanako and dug into her purse. “I was planning on doing this after we were done today, Senpai. You’re so mean, sometimes,” she said and turned toward Markus. Her face softened and she looked down at her hands and noticed how shaky they were.
Markus saw the movement and leaned over. “Are you okay, Akane? Did I do or say something wrong?” he asked quietly, worried that something was amiss.
“Um… n-no. I, uh….” she said, then heaved an embarrassed sigh. Quietly, so that none but Markus could hear, she said, “You remember me calling you ‘Kuma-kun’ for the first time on Tuesday night, don’t you?”
Markus smiled and let out a short huff of laughter. “Yes. I remember you calling me that. Do you recall what I said in response?” he asked, just as quietly.
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“You called me ‘Usagi-chan’, and said that I was pretty,” she replied, angling her face to peer at him with her left eye.
Markus smiled at her warmly. “I did say that, didn’t I? I meant it, too. I find my Usagi-chan very attractive. I just hope you don’t think me too forward for calling you that,” he said softly, the color rising in his own cheeks.
Akane lifted her head and looked him in the eye. She slowly reached over and placed her small hand inside his much larger one, saying, “No, Kuma-kun. I don’t think you are too forward. Bold, maybe. But in this instance, at this time, I think Fortune has favored you.”
Markus smiled and looked down at her hand in his. With his left hand, he covered hers. “What is your meaning with this? I don’t want to assume,” he asked.
Akane swiftly withdrew her hand, and dug into her purse. She pulled out a much-folded piece of paper, and held it to her chest. Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths and shakily offered it to him with both hands.
“Um..Markus, I want you to read this. It’s very important, and I really need to know what you have to say. Here,” she said, her voice as shaky as her hands.
Markus took the sheet gingerly and opened it. He was met with a rush of soft perfume; the gentle scent of lavender and lemon. He took a deep breath, and read the note.
Kuma-kun,
I am writing this in English, as I know you have a hard time reading Japanese. It has taken me quite some time to get this translate right.
You should know that from the moment I laid eyes on you at Kitcho, I was done. I knew that my heart would never be the same again. When I saw you, I immediately thought of a bear drinking tea from a saucer, and that is who you became to me. When I let it slip at Kijurou, I knew that I could no longer deny it.
I don’t know if you know this, but in Japanese, to call someone by a nickname like that is extremely personal and intimate. When you called me Usagi-chan, I wanted; no, I needed to be that for you.
You have stolen my heart, and I give it gladly. My only true question to you is
May I have yours?
Usagi-chan
Markus stared in open-mouthed shock at the letter. He looked at Hanako, who just gave him a sly look and arched an eyebrow at him. He turned and faced Akane, who stood there fearfully, her arms around her midsection.
He took two steps to her, and raised the letter, his face stony. “So, you want an answer?” Akane nodded slowly.
Markus gently took her chin and turned her face up to his. His hand snaked its way to the back of her head and held it there as he brought his lips to hers. She gasped softly, and melted in his strong arms, her heart thundering like wild horses on the plains.
When he broke the kiss, Akane just stood there, dumbfounded. She most definitely had her answer, and he wasn’t shy about it, either. Hanako and Yamato-san were clinging to each other in glee.
“Would you like to get something to eat, Usagi-chan?” Markus whispered in her ear.
“Yeah. I’d like that, Kuma-kun,” she replied, still awestruck.
Markus draped an arm about her waist and together, they went into the restaurant. Hanako and Yamato-san followed, barely able to contain their joy.
Once inside, they were seated swiftly. As Markus had no idea what was good, he told Hanako and Akane to order for him. They did, and the four of them ate a good lunch, laughing and chattering for a fair bit. Akane eventually relaxed from her shock, and joined the others in their fun.
Once they had eaten, the four of them walked the rest of the way to the zoo, which, thankfully, wasn’t far at all. Hanako led them up the road to the Central Entrance, they paid and went inside.
As they entered, they felt the temperature rise a bit, and they heard the singing of several species of birds, and the raucous cawing of crows. Markus chuffed a laugh at the noise, and smiled.
“What’s funny, Markus?” Akane asked with a smile.
“It just sounds like home, is all. In the spring, at least. I hear birds all the time. And crows. It seems they sound the same everywhere,” he replied.
Akane gave a shudder. “I do not like crows. They attract death,” she said.
Markus looked at her funny. “Attract death? Nah. They may be attracted to death, but they do not bring it. They clean up after it. Just like vultures, but not as efficient,” he countered.
“Still.”
Markus patted her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Akane lay her head on his arm, and the four of them continued on.
Hanako and Yamato-san led them around the exhibits, pointing out various animals to Markus, and explained their cultural significance.
“Look! The raccoon dog. Isn’t he cute?” Yamato-san exclaimed.
Markus peered into the enclosure, seeing a rotund little animal that did, indeed, look to be a cross between a raccoon and a dog. Looking around, he spied a clay teapot on a stone plinth, and let his curiosity roam.
“What’s up with the teapot?” he asked aloud.
Akane looked up at him, her eyes shining. “The teapot is part of one of the most interesting tales of the tanuki.” She gestured to the animal in the enclosure. “This is the origin of our tanuki. A shape-changer who may bring good fortune to those who treat him well. I will tell you the tale later, if you wish?” she said hopefully.
Markus looked down into her smiling face, his own mouth mimicking hers. “I think I’d like that,” he said softly.
Akane giggled and took his hand, and bouncing on the balls of her feet, she led the quartet to the other exhibits. Hanako smiled softly as she and Yamato-san followed.
“Akane? Do you have an interest in mythology?” Markus asked.
She nodded with excitement. “Yes! It’s one of my favorite things. I love myth and legend; not just of my home, but from everywhere! What about you, Markus?” she asked.
Hanako piped up, saying “Our Ikeda-chan is a major nerd when it comes to mythology, Barton-san. You should be careful she doesn’t talk your ear off,” she said with a laugh.
Akane turned her head and stuck her tongue out at her senior. Markus laughed softly at the exchange, echoed by Yamato-san. “Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing her talk about her interests all night long. I rather enjoy her voice,” Markus replied, giving Akane a sidelong glance and a smirk.
Akane made a quiet, high-pitched noise and smiled warmly. “Look, Markus! The fox,” she said, pointing at another enclosure, this one holding a dusky-colored fox.
Markus walked over, and placed his hands on the rail, leaning over to get a better view. “Why, hello there, Trickster! Fancy meeting you here,” he said jovially.
“You know the tales of Inari?” Akane asked excitedly, wrapping her arms around his.
“Inari?” he asked. “Is that your Trickster’s name? I know the fox is a Trickster to the Shinto, but that’s about all I know of her,” he finished.
“Well, I shall add her stories to what I will tell you, then,” she replied. Akane smiled at the warmth within.
This man was exciting her to her very core. Not since she was in grade school had anyone made her feel as accepted and cared for. Not since the day she met Ichikawa-san.
Ichikawa-san was nearly ten years older than she, and had saved her from some bullies after school. She had been walking home when two older boys shoved her to the ground, demanding her money, or else.
Hanako had been nearby, so when she heard a kid cry out in pain, she ran to see what the issue was. Upon seeing a young girl crawling backwards from two older boys, she became incensed, and commenced to beating them into a bloody pulp.
When she helped Akane up, she had wrapped her arms around her and bawled. Hanako had eventually calmed her down, and when she found out where she lived, she offered to walk her home, as she was only a few houses down from her own home. They had been inseparable since.
Akane gave a soft sigh as she remembered her first encounter with the older woman. Markus noted this and inquired about it.
“Is everything okay? You seem a little lost,” he said quietly.
Akane’s head snapped up to meet his eyes. “Oh! No, everything is fine. I was just remembering when I first met Ichikawa-san. Being with you, hearing you say the things you say to me… it makes me feel good, Markus. I’ve not felt this good since I met her. Like I could tell you anything and everything, and you’d just listen and not call me names or get angry with me. That’s all,” she said, tucking that stray lock behind her ear again.
“Well, it’s true, you know.” At her confused look, he added, “You could tell me anything and everything about yourself, and I’d do just that. I’d listen. I actually want to know everything about you. Your hopes, your dreams, your goals, your fears; all of it. I want you to be that comfortable with me. Just like I want to be that comfortable with you.”
Akane stopped walking and took both of his hands, as she gazed into his eyes. Hanako and Yamato-san busied themselves by pretending to be engrossed in a nearby exhibit. As Akane searched his gray eyes for any hint of deception, she was met with only a soft smile.
“You really mean that, don’t you, Kuma-kun?” she asked in a soft murmur.
Markus nodded. “I’d not say it, if I didn’t mean it, Usagi-chan. If you’re as serious about this” -he squeezed her hands gently- “as I think you are, then, yes. Yes I do mean what I’ve said. I will be someone who will hear everything about you as long as you will be that someone for me. Deal?” he said.
Akane nodded, a delirious smile on her face, and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. Markus wrapped an arm about her waist, and with the other, ran his fingers through her hair.
As they stood there, embraced in one another, one of the noisome crows cawed loudly and landed on Markus’ shoulder.