As the bus pulled up near to the shrine, Markus spied a blue awning in the near distance. Checking his GPS, it seemed there was a cafe there called Blue Onion. Huh. A little coffee wouldn’t go amiss, in his opinion. After the shrine, of course.

Looking to the east as they disembarked from the bus, he spied a sprawling, modest mountain range just behind the shrine. Smiling inwardly, he recalled the foothills of the Appalachians near home. This wasn’t much different, with the exception being the presence of the massive bamboo plants. Looking around, he sighed in contentment as Akane took his hand in hers once more.

His murmuring voice was for her ears, alone. “I really do love it here, Usagi-chan. We should think about where exactly we would like to live.”

Akane giggled happily. “Yes, Kuma-kun. I think we should do exactly that. Not today, nor even tomorrow. Not even next week. But it should be done, and soon. Should I start looking for houses and properties for sale?”

Markus squeezed her hand gently. “Please do. You know this area better than I do. I will gladly entrust this to you.”

Akane nodded as the six of them approached the torii gate, bowing respectfully. There was almost nobody there this early in the mid-morning, so they were able to conduct the purification ritual and the actual prayer uninterrupted.

Markus looked around after they had paid their respects to the kami within. He saw several items that looked to be casks of wine stacked under a pagoda. He pointed them out to the group.

“Is that what I think it is? Sake?”

Atsuki nodded. “It is, indeed. Casks of sake. Father would always pretend to take one. It never failed to make Gen and I laugh.” He huffed a short laugh. “Still does, if I’m honest.”

“At least you have something of him to smile at, Atsuki. Be glad. Not everyone does.” Markus gave Atsuki a soft smile.

An elderly attendant came out of one of the buildings. “Kimura-kun! It has been far too long since you and young Gen-kun were here last.” He turned to Markus and Akane. “And is that you, Ikeda-chan?” He attempted to peer into Akane’s eyes.

“Kazakawa-sama?”

The older man made a gleeful exclamation and clapped his hands once. “You do remember this old man! I am honored, Ikeda-chan. And who is this strapping young man at your side?” Kazakawa gestured at Markus.

Akane smiled shyly. “Kazakawa-sama, I’d like to present to you my boyfriend, Barton-san.” Kazakawa bowed deeply to Markus, who returned it in kind. “Markus, this is Kazakawa-sama. He watched over me many a day when I would wander into the shine as a child. Mother would always scold me, but he would always say-”

“It is no trouble to watch over a respectful and kind child, Ikeda-san. She is welcome here. As are you.” Kazakawa finished.

Akane laughed softly at the many memories. “Yes. Exactly so. Mother would scold me, he would say that, and sneak me a small piece of candy. I’ve missed you, Kazakawa-sama. How have you been?”

“Old. I’ve been old, Ikeda-chan. Winter's chill sets into these bones far more easily than it once did. Why, I’ve even been tempted to sneak some of the blessed sake to keep warm, you know. Just like Kimura-san used to pretend to do.” He gestured with a thumb over his shoulder at Atsuki.

Atsuki and Genkai laughed. “Father always knew how to make people laugh.”

Kazakawa turned his attention to the brothers. “How long ago was it, Kimura-kun?” he asked softly.

“Fifteen years this August, Kazakawa-sama. Mother misses him terribly. As do we.” Genkai answered.

“My goodness. I’m so sorry, boys. I always loved pretending to chase him out when he would ‘steal’ the sake. Kimura Atsuki? Who is this devilishly charming woman at your side?”

“This is my girlfriend and Ikeda-san’s sister, Ichikawa Hanako.”

“Pleased to meet you, Kazakawa-sama.” Hanako bowed deeply.

“As am I, dear. I’m sure we will get more acquainted as time goes on. You best keep your man on the straight and narrow! Make him visit an old man, yes?”

“You know it!”

Kazakawa shuffled over to Genkai, who was looking more toward the ground.

“Gen-kun? Introduce me to your boyfriend?” he softly inquired.

“You knew?”

“Boy! I watched you grow up! Of course I bloody well knew! The people that love you knew it way back then and love you to this day. Now, quit being rude, and introduce me!”

Genkai sniffled and smiled brightly as he nodded. “Yes! Kazakawa-sama, I would like to present the most elegant Hiroshi Yamato, my boyfriend.”

Yamato bowed deeply. “I am honored to make your acquaintance, sir. Your dedication to this shrine and her visitors is most evident in the attention you give to the guests of Matsunoo no kami. Thank you for your kindness towards my Petal.”

Kazakawa smiled and placed a hand on the cheek of both men. “Love endures, my boy. I loved this silly child years ago, and I love him now. That he’s found someone to share his own love with? Well, it warms this old heart, and that much warmth will surely stave off Emma-O for another day or two. He’s got to work if he wants to claim Kazakawa Yoshi!”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Yamato bowed deeply. “Then I pray he never catches you, sir.”

“As do I, son. As do I. Now! What brings you lot here to our humble shrine?” Kazakawa asked.

“We are making memories of my last day here in your beautiful country, sir. Our Day of Good Food and Good Friends. I will be leaving in the morning and returning to Kentucky. I will, however, return in a few months, once I have saved some money at my new job.”

“I see. You have this day planned out, then?”

“Somewhat, yes. There is always room for coffee. In fact, I spied a little cafe when we got off the bus.”

“The Blue Onion. I know it well. They have good coffee there. Feel free to tour the grounds at your leisure. The gardens must be paid for, sadly, but there isn’t anything growing right now. Return in June, and it will be vibrant and full of life! I must see to other guests of the kami. Barton-san, thank you for being respectful of our ways. Be well, my friends!” Kazakawa folded his hands in prayer and bowed deeply before he left.

“He’s a rather cheerful fellow. I envy him for being able to see our cute little Akane as a child,” Markus said with a smirk as the group walked slowly.

Akane reddened slightly. “I wasn’t that cute. Annoying, mostly.”

“I beg to differ. As I recall, you were an adorable little ball of energy most days. It’s a shame your mother wasn’t able to see the woman you’ve become,” Hanako added.

Akane nodded and sighed softly, not trusting her voice to respond. She lay her head on Markus’ arm when he gently squeezed her hand.

They toured the shrine grounds for the next half hour. The sense of peace that came over the group of friends was deep and filling. Afterwards, Markus suggested they go to the Blue Onion for a coffee before heading off to their lunch destination.

Waving a cheerful farewell to Kazakawa, they entered a sparsely filled Blue Onion, each ordering a coffee or latte to sip on as they waited for the next bus. Markus checked the time, and figured that they had just enough time to get to the restaurant without rushing, as long as the bus kept to the schedule.

Arriving on time, the bus picked the group up, and they began their journey to Seiwasou. Markus took the time to read up on the local history.

“Damn. I can’t find an English version of these local pages. I wish I could read more Japanese.”

Akane looked at him funny. Leaning close, she whispered in his ear. “Can you not read Japanese? Your fluency is at a native level. I thought it was part of the benefits package?”

Markus shivered at the softness of her voice against his ear and neck. “To be fair, I’ve not even opened the links. Let’s see…” He opened a link on his phone, and the page was in Japanese, as expected. However, try as he might, he couldn’t make sense of many of the characters. “Let me ask Lucifer.”

He sent a message to his manager and got a response a few moments later. “He said to try again. Weird.”

Markus opened the web page once more, and to his surprise, he was able to understand the characters and their nuance perfectly.

“Okay. That’s weird. I can read it, now. What’s more, it makes far more sense to me than a simple direct translation. Huh. I wonder if it works for other languages, too.”

Quickly, he opened his translator app, and typed up a simple sentence. He flipped through several of the available languages, and found that they all made perfect sense to him. He smiled at Akane and nodded. “Yes it does. I think we can read and speak any language now.”

She nodded happily. “And we won’t have to worry about travel anymore, either. Since we can read all the signs, all we have to do is enjoy ourselves.”

“Have you ever left Japan?”

“Not yet. I never had a reason to, really. That will change soon enough.” Akane smiled and rested her head on Markus’ arm.

They made the rest of the trip in relative silence, the six of them simply enjoying the other’s company. Their arrival at Seiwasou was on time and uneventful. A welcome change of pace for Markus.

After check-in, they were led to a table that was large enough for the six of them, with room to spare. They placed their orders and relaxed. Hanako was teasing Yamato about something to do with Genkai when a familiar voice reached Markus’ ear.

“Markus? Is that you?”

As if they were a single entity, all six heads turned towards the new voice.

Markus rubbed his forehead.

“Amun? What brings you here today?”

“Well, it’s not the bacon cheeseburgers, that’s for sure!” Amun guffawed at his own joke, causing Markus to snort a laugh.

“Barton-san? I must say that I am intrigued as to your companion. May we have an introduction, my friend?” Yamato ventured.

“My apologies, Yamato-san. Everyone, this is the CEO of the placement agency I am working for, Ra Amun. Amun, these are my friends I spoke about. They have all treated me well since my arrival in Japan.”

Amun stood and gave the group a short bow. “I am pleased to meet you all. Knowing that Markus has such a good group of friends only speaks to how correct Lucifer was in hiring him and in his own judgment of character. I know things are usually quite a bit more reserved here in Japan, but I do like to turn things on their heads from time to time. May we join you, if that is acceptable?”

Markus looked over at Akane who shrugged, and the pair then looked at the rest of the group. Atsuki stood and motioned to the four chairs that were still available.

“We have plenty of space here. By all means.”

“Excellent! I love forward thinking people.” He gathered both his drink, and the second drink at the table. “If these are the kind of people you like to surround yourself with, my good man, I shall expect great things from you.” Amun took a seat beside Atsuki and placed the second drink across from him, beside Genkai.

“Um, sir? Just who else are you dining with today?”

Amun smiled mischievously and gestured towards the door. “Markus, I present to you my Lady, Parvati. Parvati my dear, this is the man I spoke about - Markus Barton.”

Markus slowly turned his head, his eyes wide. Entering the doorway was a somewhat startled woman of middle years. She was dressed in a simple sari of blue, green and gold. Markus could see a pair of earrings shaped like peacock feathers, and saw a flower-shaped pendant around her neck in a creamy, opalescent stone. Her skin was a beautiful caramel color and her bright, honey-colored eyes softened somewhat as she took in the scene. She smiled softly at Markus, giving him a slight bow.

“Hello, Markus. I’m so glad to finally meet you. My dear Amun has spoken about you at length several times this week. He seems to expect many good things from you. I have faith that you will meet and likely exceed the expectations he has for you.” She lightly touched Markus’ cheek, then moved to sit beside Genkai.

Spellbound, Markus fumbled slightly as he took his seat, and reached under the table for Akane’s hand.