The early morning sunlight streaming through the window awoke Markus. Confused, he sat up, rubbing his eyes. Looking around, momentary panic rippled through him, as he didn’t recognize where he was.

Until, that is, he felt a soft hand reach for his and heard a sleepy voice say, “Kuma-kun…”

Memories rushed through his mind as he relived last night. Passionate kisses and make-out sessions that turned into an hours-long session of lovemaking. What an amazing night they’d had.

“Lay back down, Kuma-kun. I’m cold.”

Markus sighed contentedly and curled back up with Akane, hearing her own gentle sigh in response. He certainly hadn’t expected this. Events of the past twelve hours just seemed to happen this way. What’s done is done, and there is no changing it. Markus mentally shrugged and decided to simply enjoy this time with her.

An hour later, after they had both fully awakened, Akane suggested breakfast, to which Markus’ stomach immediately agreed. They rose, heading into the kitchen, where Akane began preparing a light snack to make up for the heavy activities of the night before.

“I thought you wanted to wait, Akane. I’m not upset or anything. Far from it. Just curious.”

She ducked her head down, grinning. “Well, I figured that since we were now unable to have children, we may as well enjoy ourselves. After all, we now have an entire eternity to spend with each other, right?”

Markus smiled. “That we do, Akane. That we most definitely do.”

A comfortable silence descended upon the pair as Akane cooked. Finishing a plate, she draped herself over Markus’ back as she set it down in front of him.

“What does my Kuma-kun want to do today?”

Markus leaned back in her embrace, feeling her soft arms wrapped around him. He closed his eyes in bliss and sighed softly.

“Well, this is my last full day in Japan. Tomorrow morning, I will leave for my home in Kentucky. I can think of no better way to spend it than by being with you.”

Akane kissed the side of his neck. It had been a long while since anyone wanted to spend time with her the way he did. However, she knew that she wasn’t the only person that mattered.

“I would love nothing more than to do just that, but there are several other people that would be sad if you left without saying good-bye.”

Markus sighed and nodded. She was right, of course. The Kimura brothers would be upset, for sure. He also rather liked Hanako and Yamato. But what should they do in order to have a proper farewell?

“Sounds about right. So, what is going on that we can all do together? We can obviously afford it right now.”

Akane thought for a moment, then made a happy noise. “The Restaurant Winter Special is happening now. All month. We could all cruise around for some good food, and see the shrines while we’re at it?”

Markus laughed softly. “I do love good food. And Japan has some of the best in the world, I think. Let’s do that. We’ll eat breakfast, message everyone, get a shower and go. Sound good to you?”

Akane kissed his neck softly. “I think that sounds like a wonderful thing. Let’s do it.”

They did just that. After breakfast, Markus messaged Atsuki while Akane messaged Hanako, and with their help, got the others involved. Plans were made to meet up in an hour at Kizahashi restaurant for breakfast for everyone. They’d discuss the other stops on their Day of Good Food and Friends once they’d finished eating.

Initial plans made, Markus and Akane got cleaned up, dressed, and were out the door in a half-hour. As they waited by the bus stop, Markus’ eyes were drawn to a man in a business suit headed their way.

As the man approached, Markus recognized Takeda-san, looking very much more relaxed than he’d seen him before. He smiled at the other Soul Liaison, receiving a curt nod in return.

“I can see you are out with your beloved, my friend, so I shall make this brief. Thanks to your actions, I will be released from the services of Susanoo-no-Mikoto once they have found a replacement. Our manager and the CEO have agreed to give me a full year to recover, and once that year is up, I can make my choice as to my fate. Thank you, Markus. Thank you.” Takeda-san bowed low and stayed that way for a moment.

“Markus? What is he talking about?” Akane asked, her eyebrows scrunched up.

“You can see me‽”

“Of course I can. Why wouldn’t I be able to?”

Markus laughed quietly. “Takeda Jintao, meet Ikeda Akane. Ikeda Akane, this is a coworker of mine, Takeda Jintao. I’ll tell you more about him if he will allow it, or if he so chooses, I’m sure he’d be willing to speak with you directly after some time.”

Akane bowed to Takeda-san. “I’m pleased to meet you, Takeda-senpai. I hope we will get along well.”

Takeda looked to Markus, then to Akane. “If what I’ve heard is true, I think you and I shall have a good relationship in the future. By the way, which department will you be working for?”

Akane smiled. “I am working for one Seraphi as what they call a SIGN.”

Takeda nodded in recognition. “Intake and Navigation. An extremely good fit for you, I think. I believe you will enjoy your new position. For now, I will take my leave.” Takeda-san reached up and clapped Markus on the shoulder, then looked at his hand in wonder as it made contact. “I…I touched you. I can actually touch people again!”

In response, Markus wrapped the other man in a gentle hug, holding him as he wept. “Congratulations, my friend. I am happy for you,” he whispered.

“I’m going to get a hotel and sleep in an actual bed tonight. Six hundred years… Thank you, Markus. I owe you a great debt. Your bus is arriving. Farewell, my friend. I shall see you later. And you may tell her all you know of me.” Takeda-san turned and walked toward the sunrise, looked to his left and darted down an alley with a laugh.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“He seems nice. What did he mean by ‘six hundred years’?” Akane wondered aloud as they boarded the bus.

Markus smiled as they made their way to the rear of the bus, finding seats away from listening ears. “Well, Takeda-san’s story is not the best, but it will help to illuminate some of our hardships.” Markus began, then dove into Takeda-san’s tale.

“...and that brings us to now. His other manager is excited by the possibilities of finding a new employee, and possibly even replacing some of their more tenured staff. I think they’ll find better, higher quality people by going through a more voluntary process. The CEO seems to agree, so here we are.” Markus looked around. “And here’s our stop. Ready to meet our friends?” He stood and held a hand out for Akane.

She smiled and nodded, taking his hand as she stood. They paid their fare and together, they stepped off the bus in front of one of the ever-present Lawson’s. Once they got their bearings, they walked across the street to Kizahashi, and stepped inside to wait in the warm building.

“How many?”

Startled, Markus looked around, seeing a smiling host. “There will be six of us. Unless they’re already here?”

Akane checked her phone. “Not yet. Probably in the next ten minutes.”

Markus smiled at the host. “Six, but we will wait for the rest of our group.”

“Okay, then. I’ll check back in ten minutes.”

Markus dipped his head and leaned against the wall, speaking softly to Akane. “I’ll need to check out of my hotel today. Would you mind if I stayed with you tonight?”

She wrapped her arms around his and held him close. “Please do. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Markus patted her hand softly, smiling. “Once things are settled, I doubt you’ll be alone ever again.”

She sighed contentedly as they stood there waiting. A couple of other customers came and went as they waited, and a few minutes later, their quartet of friends arrived, smiles on all their faces.

The host looked up, waiting for an acknowledgement, which came when Markus turned her way. “This way, please.”

Markus nodded and the group followed the young lady to a table set in a private dining area. Moments after they had all sat down, a server appeared, taking their drink and food orders. After she left, Markus got their attention.

“As you may know, today is my last full day here in Kyoto. I have to head back to Kentucky tomorrow, and while I hate that fact, I know how important it is to go. My training begins in just under a week, and I’ll be largely unreachable for a time. I want you all to know how much I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time here. How much I’ve enjoyed my time with you five. I want you to know that I will be returning to Japan once I’ve settled into my new job. Likely” -he looked over at Akane- “on a permanent basis.” Looking back at the rest of his friends, he said, “So, I figured we would end my trip here the same way it began. With food. I would like to take you all out to eat at a few different places today for the Restaurant Winter Special. Perhaps we will also be able to visit various Shrines in the area, as well. What do you think?”

Hanako and Atsuki looked at each other and nodded. “We think that’s a fine way to make a memory, Markus. How long do you think it will be before you can return? You can’t keep my kouhai waiting forever, you know.”

“Yeah, bro. Gen and I don’t want to be too far from you for too long, man. Family is hard to come by these days.”

Yamato nodded. “There can be no doubt to his words, Barton-san. Kimura-san’s words echo truly for all of us here, I would think.”

Markus smiled, the rich feeling of being wanted spreading through his chest. “It will be at least a month. Possibly two. Well, how about we figure out where we would like to have lunch, dinner and dessert? And see what is nearby those places so we can make the most of our day?”

Just then, their server came out with their orders, mostly okonomiyaki. As they ate, they discussed various ideas and plans, and settled on their lunch and dinner, at Seiwasou and Hafuu, respectively. Akane pulled up the website for Seiwasou and began the process of making a reservation for six at one pm that afternoon. As luck would have it, they had just had a cancellation of a birthday party, leaving them more than enough chairs for their group. That left only dessert to figure out.

“How about Kumonocha?” Six heads turned toward the mostly unknown voice. The server shrank back, attempting to hide behind her notepad, her face (what they could see of it), a bright red.

Yamato smiled. “Do not fret, my friend. Say that again, please? I do not think we all heard you.”

“W-well… it just sounded like you were suggesting a place for dessert tonight. Kumonocha is my favorite place to go when I can afford it.”

“Tell me more? I’m leaving Japan tomorrow, and want to make this day memorable for my friends.” Markus gazed softly at the young woman.

“Kumonocha has some of the best matcha tea lattes you’ll find, and they have an absolutely adorable matcha cloud cake!”

Markus looked at his friends and grinned. “Well? What do you think?”

A resounding yes spread through the group, bringing a smile to the small server.

“Thank you. What was your name again? I don’t want to forget who helped us.”

“I am Kizuha Ai,” she said in a small voice.

“Well, Kizuha-san, I am Markus Barton. These are my friends, Kimura Atsuki, Ichikawa Hanako, Kimura Genkai, Hiroshi Yamato, and Ikeda Akane. We are celebrating my last day here in your beautiful country.”

“I’m pleased to meet you all. Um… will you be ordering anything else?” she asked quietly.

“No thank you, Kizuha-san. We are full for now.”

“I will have the check in a moment.”

She returned a few moments later with the check, and Markus paid for breakfast. Handing the receipt back to her, he smiled. “Perhaps we will see you at Kumonocha tonight? I am sure we could always accommodate another friend.”

Kizuha-san turned bright red, and in a small, almost silent voice, she said, “Possibly?”

“Excellent! I hope you have a wonderful day, Kizuha-san. And If we never see you again, I wish you a long life filled with joy.”

The group made their exit, and Akane looked up at Markus. “What was that all about?”

“Hmm? What? The thing with Kizuha-san?” Akane nodded at him. “Nothing, really. Just being nice.”

“Nice, huh? It almost sounded like flirting, if I didn’t know better.”

Markus gave her a lopsided grin. “I take it you’ve never been to the US?” She shook her head. “Well, in the US, servers have to basically flirt with the customers to get tips. That’s the biggest way they get their money. Kizuha-san looked like she wanted to talk to people, so… I did. It’s a pretty normal thing for people in my area of the country to do. We just talk to strangers.”

“So, it’s just a normal thing for you? Talking to strangers like they’re old friends or family?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“Huh.” Akane shrugged and took Markus’ hand as they wandered down the street to Doso-jinja shrine; their first destination for the day.