Alucio's Story

xxxOnce, before Tokyo had been given its name, before tall spires of metal dominated the horizon and light polluted the sky, one could see the stars. They say it was the gods who wove constellations into the otherwise blank expanse of night sky; exposing pinpricks of light to tell stories of legends that would transcend time. Yet, as civilisation grew ever skywards, electric lights began to drown out the natural illumination of the night sky. There are still those who remember centuries long gone, whose gaze at the night sky and remember a time when it was only clouds that interrupted their view. The constellations had changed since they were young, shifting across the Earth’s sky as time flowed forward. Yet, more than one could still take comfort in the beauty of it.

xxx “A shame really.” The man commented absently, his gaze fixed upwards, past the canopy of sky-scrapers towards the sliver of cloudless ink visible above. “Once you could have made out millions of stars from anywhere in the prefecture.”

xxxThe surly teenager seated beside him grunted and shifted slightly away, unsure who this stranger was and why he had randomly started talking to him.

xxx “I made it, you know.” The man continued, an almost smug smile on his face as he leaned against the park bench. He didn’t seem to care that the youth was resolutely staring at the screen of his cell phone, attempting to tune out the rambling stranger. “I mean, I made everything really. You’re welcome by the way.” He paused and glanced at the mortal, as if expecting a ‘thank you’, or any other form of gratitude. When none was offered the man merely continued talking, “But, I am particularly proud of the stars. ”

xxxThe man’s dark eyes returned to the small portion of the sky not covered in thick cloud. He held his hand in front of his eyes, stretched out as if he might pluck the very stars from their homes in the sky. Instead, he waved his hand slowly from side to side, as if waving away a particularly bad smell. A satisfied smile lit his face as his hand fell to his side,

xxx “There, you see!” The man said, nodding towards the now cloudless sky. Though the light from numerous skyscrapers still dimmed the brightest of the stars, they seemed stronger now, shimmering happily above the world below. “Much better.”

xxxThe youth merely grunted again, his hands fiddling headphones into his ears as he attempted to tune out the well-dressed man beside him. Unfortunately, the man’s voice continued to blare through the headphones, as if the younger man’s music wasn’t playing at all.

xxx “I fancy myself as a bit of an artist, if I’m being frank.” He continued, a note of pride creeping into his words, “You see that tree there? I designed it, right down to the edges on the leaves.”

xxxThe teenager didn’t even glance up, too busy checking that he had plugged his headphones in properly. Of all the nights for them to stop working, it had to be when he was getting his ear talked off by some mental stranger.

xxxFrom behind the pair a female voice replied, full of barely contained impatience, “I think you’ll find that I was the one to design that tree. If I remember correctly, you were still babbling on about how sludge was going to be the next big thing.” The woman snorted in amusement. “Well, we all know how that went.”

xxx “Excuse me for trying to do something different.” He retorted hotly, even as he slid across the park bench to make space for the new arrival. Beside him, the irritated youth was silently cursing the two adults who had interrupted his brooding and was quickly stuffing his phone into his backpack. Without a word the kid stood, pulled his hood tightly over his head, and walked away.

xxxThe two gods barely seemed to register the departure, more concerned with the back and forth that had begun. “I make one mistake and you never let me forget it. I made flowers, and gave the world bees. Who doesn’t like bees?” His hands made exaggerated movements in the air.

xxx “One mistake? Oh, I can count at least three dozen you’ve made in the last decade alone.” The female retorted, slapping his hands casually away. She opened her mouth to continue, before changing her mind and instead adding, “But I didn’t come to bicker with you.”

xxxHe nodded. His partner had come for the same reason he had. He stood up slowly, stretching out his tall frame, before offering a hand to the woman. She took it with a nod, her head tilting slightly in a wordless expression of ‘after you’.

xxxA second later the two figures blinked into existence on the wind-swept top of a sky-scraper. From here they could see the city sprawled out below them; neon, artificial lights marking roads, shop advertisements, and the lit windows of residential apartments. Above them, cleared of the thick layer of clouds, was the night’s blanket of stars.

xxxThough no eyes – mortal or otherwise – happened to glance up at the tip of the building, had someone done so, they would have seen two immortals bathed in moonlight, watching their world with a confidence only the gods know. They were one and the same, and yet separate, two entities burning in a universe of their creation.

xxxHe was tall and pale, his feet rooted solidly in the ground beneath him even while his hands reached heavenward. His cheekbones were chiselled from marble, sharp enough to cut mountains. Dark eyes of endless knowledge inspected his world, while strands of hair the same pitch black were pushed back from his face with lithe fingers. His appearance was similar to natives of this land, albeit almost concentrated, as if he were the original that all others had been moulded by.

xxxShe, on the other hand, had the dark, warm skin of someone who would have been marked a foreigner had she walked amongst Tokyo’s population. Her face was softer; a smooth sculpture of beauty, with thick curls of coal-coloured hair engulfing her head. Pupils that whispered of eons gone by watched the city like a predator of old, her lips held tight in a thin frown as possibilities of the days to come ran through her mind.

xxx “Owari” He spoke her name like a resolution; a finality echoing from his lips; the end.

xxx “Hajimari.” She responded with his name; a beginning; a taste of fresh possibilities, and boundless growth.

xxx “Things are moving.” He stated, his eyes too seeing beyond the crawling traffic below. “Do you think they’re ready?”

xxx “They’ll have to be.” Owari responded, her tone firm.

xxxHajimari nodded, rising his gaze from the streets at his feet to the stars above. His hand rose, fingers splayed above his head as his eyes searched between the digits. “Perhaps a sign then.” He murmured, almost to himself. Though, Owari heard and followed her partner’s gaze to the heavens.

xxx “Many have long since forgotten us.” She reminded him as his fingers began to dance overhead. His hand made a graceful pulling motion, a soft breath left his lips, and then the first star fell across the night’s sky; a streak of pure light momentarily illuminating the heavens. More followed, creating a meteor shower for any who happened to turn their attention to the sky that night.

xxx “Well, perhaps this is for my comfort than.” Hajimari replied, his hands clasped behind his back as he admired his work. Owari let the silence build as she too watched the show above, until a dozen moments had passed.

xxx “They all have demons to face.” Her words rang with a hint of pity, for she knew the dangers that were to come.

xxx “Most are of their own making.” Hakimari responded, “They would have had to face them eventually.”

xxxOwari nodded, her curls shifting as if stirred by a gentle wind, “We can only watch now.”

xxxA look of slight guilt crossed the pale god’s face, his eyes flashing momentarily. His partner turned ever-perceptive eyes on him, her frown deepening as she sensed his intentions, “Hajimari, if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a million times, stop interfering with their lives!”

xxxAnd just like that, the aura of power and mystery that surrounded the two gods evaporated. Like an old couple, married for too long and all too aware of each other’s faults, they began trading words; barbs, insults, passive aggressive suggestions. A bird soaring above would be wise to avoid the area directly around the snapping deities, a rat might have taken sheltered in a solid pipe well below the pair too. For the less perceptive mortals, they continued their work without contemplating that above them stood two squabbling gods, or that among their number roamed immortals and ghosts. Even as the two gods disappeared, the only witness to their presence a pouting teenage boy, the world continued to move of its own accord.

xxxIn a shoe-box apartment only a few blocks from the building once occupied by the two gods, a Guardian Angel calling himself Kohaku was preparing to leave on work-related business. A short distance further, within the performance hall of one of Tokyo’s learning institutes, a blonde boy studying music gave his hands a shake as he glared at a piano piece. And further away, across vast oceans and mountain ranges carved and painted by the hands of the divines, a goblin’s hand reached for a door knob. Slim fingers curled around the brass head, her eyes shut, mind searching for the pull of her next destination. She opened the door and slid through, her eyes alighting on the clear windows of her Tokyo apartment to see stars decorating the sky.

xxxIt made no difference how many times reaper Seung reminded Haku that they did not choose who died, merely followed the cards assigned to them. The guardian still maintained the prejudice that their mere presence must not be lucky for any mortals in the vicinity. Yet, as Seung reminded him of the fact, the guardian merely nodded solemnly in response rather than argue. Best not to upset a grim reaper after all.

xxxA moment of comfortable peace passed between reaper and guardian instead, the sounds of the bar’s other occupants and the steady beat of vehicles rumbling down the road outside soothing after a day of work. Haku sipped on his water, wishing once again that he could afford anything more than the free drink. A despondent sigh escaped the angel, his shoulders slumping slightly as his gaze left the sad glass of water. His lips parted, words collecting on his tongue, before a small figure joined the quiet pair with a thump and a sorrowful exclamation.

xxxKohaku knew Minako’s moods well, and was well acquainted with her inclination to find love in the smallest, most meaningless of gestures. A passing stranger might smile at her, and the diminutive guardian angel would assure Haku that she was in love. She felt too strongly, opening herself up for disappointment whenever a fresh sweetheart failed to return her newly developed devotion. On more than one occasion in their decades of friendship, Haku had found himself comforting his fellow angel, offering a quiet shoulder to cry on as he patiently waited for her to right herself.

xxxAt least now Haku had the support of his neighbour. No two neighbours, he corrected himself as Alucio joined the quiet table. Kohaku returned Alucio’s greeting, raising his hand vertical and giving a short wave before letting his fingers wrap around the glass of water and pulling it closer. He should have asked for a straw. He watched as Alucio offered the distraught guardian his handkerchief, and Kohaku suddenly had the sinking feeling that he’d be spending the next week hearing Minako waxing poetic about Alucio’s generosity. The male guardian bit back a sigh and returned his attention to the glass of water.

xxxThoughts of sinking into a hot bubble bath distracted Kohaku from the chatter of the table, his mind already swimming with sweet scented candles and luxurious bath salts. Bath bombs were his guilty pleasure, the rare item he allowed himself to splurge on. Not that he did so very often. He would use a candle right down to the stub, and lay in a bath until all the bubbles were gone and the heat had completely vanished. Anything to make the most of his spent money.

xxxOnly the sound of his name draws Haku away from his mental bubble bath, and he gazes up to stare blankly a Seung. Having missed the earlier conversation, Kohaku merely nods and agrees uncertainly, “Right.”

xxxThen a worker is at their table, and Haku’s lips quirk into the first almost-smile of the day. A free beverage? What luck is this? With a quick nod, Haku picks up the menu hastily and skims down the list of cocktails, wines, and other assorted alcoholic drinks. He’s half scared that if he takes too long, the offer will disappear. Yet, as soon as he finds something he likes, he glances up and finds the bartender waiting patiently for the order.

xxx “I’d like sex on the beach, please.” Kohaku informs him, ignorant to how such a phrase could be turned around in any other situation. Yet, the barkeep’s face does not break into a mocking smile at the cocktail, but a regretful frown.

xxx “I’m sorry sir, but that drink was discontinued last week. You must have an old menu.”

xxxHaku is handed another menu, his disappointment and resignation clear by the set of his shoulders and gloomy mask. Nevertheless, he selects another drink – a respectable beer – and hands the menu back with another sigh. It’s only then that he notices the man sitting at the bar. He can sense the man’s emotions, the connection slightly sluggish thanks to the few shots of Sake he’s already consumed. The bartender follows Kohaku’s gaze and gives a happy nod,

xxx “Yes, the American has kindly bought the whole bar a round.” He informed the table, nodding towards the figure of Ryan Prosker.

xxxHaku nods absently before his elbow shifts, prodding into Minako as he drew his eyes away from his charge. “I’m going to talk with my charge. If you’re capable of sitting straight and tearing your gaze from the table, I would appreciate any advice you could give me on him.” Haku mumbled, before a gaze at the men in black sitting opposite them made him add in a quieter voice, “And make sure the reapers don’t kill my charge.”

xxxWith a nod to said reapers, and a promise that he would be right back, the guardian angel slid from his chair and gained his feet. He felt almost naked without a glamour on, but knew that it would be redundant to leave the bar only to come back wearing the image of another person. He may as well wear his own face. Subconsciously, Haku tugged on the lobe of his almost-too-big ear and set off, dipping around tables empty and occupied as he made for the counter.

xxxHe didn’t entirely have a plan, but knew that talking with his charges would only help in his mission to enable them to meet their great fate. So, he took the seat next to the American and drew a rare smile onto his face as he faced Ryan. His lips were unaccustomed to such a position, and the smile quickly fell into a more neutral position as he addressed the man seated beside him.

xxx “Hello, do you speak Japanese?” Kohaku asked in his native tongue, before switching to his less-fluent English, “Or should I thank you in English?”

xxxMovement to his right momentarily drew Haku’s attention away, and he was rewarded with the sight of the bar tender sliding a cool beer into the guardian’s waiting palm. With a nod of thanks to the worker, Kohaku turned towards Ryan once more, his beer held out towards the American – an age-old, wordless invitation to clack their drinks together and ‘cheers’.

xxx “To what are you celebrating?” Kohaku continued, his tongue feeling uncoordinated as it pronounced the English words.

xxx A sea of delicate pink blossoms fluttered in the faint spring breeze, a show of nature’s intoxicating beauty revealed for the world to see. Lanes of sakura trees turned the pavement below a rosy hue, while in other places the falling flowers had carpeted the grass in blushing blooms. The Hanami custom was old, a traditional indulgence by the people of Japan and those world-wide to walk beneath spring’s buds and admire the astounding beauty of it.

xxx In Ueno park, lanterns hang on invisible ropes between the trees, arching across lanes and illuminating pathways during the nightly yozakura. Yet, even during the day, as wisps of cloud pass overhead, the lanterns only add to the festive feel. Kan'ei-ji temple is a Tendai Buddist temple within the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. It sits in the park, a beautiful array of centuries old architecture within the modern city.

xxx Fires from various civil wars and earthquakes have seen the original facades diminished, yet still the temple stands tall and proud. The five-storied pagoda and the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine still remain as gems of the original temple, beautiful relics of a time gone past. Today, as the midday sun passes overhead, the temple grounds were thriving with activity. Cherry blossoms coloured the grounds pink, while the laughter of young children brought smiles to many who passed by. Stalls set up in one of the courtyards offered delectable treats; yakitori, grilled chicken on sticks; takoyaki, pancake balls with tempting chunks of octopus in the middle; watamep, cotton candy in all colours and styles, and more.

xxx The temple’s festivities were set to continue throughout the evening and into the early night, when the lanterns strung up would offer soft illumination. However, as early afternoon struck the festival was well into full swing. Some families take to the lawns beneath the cherry blossom trees, where picnic blankets allow them to stretch out and admire the blooming petals, while others content themselves with pulling young children around to the games set up for those who require a bit more entertainment. Also present are young couples keen to take in the romance of the sakura blossoms, their hands intertwined as they whispered endearments to each other while walking beneath the blooms.

xxx It was one of these couples that caught Lucia’s gaze as she stepped off the bustling street and followed one small, winding path towards the heart of the temple. They were young, late teens or early twenties, and yet their devotion to each other was clear. As the goblin passed the love-struck couple, she caught a glimpse of their future, intertwined for decades, their hands still clinging together as they age from young and fresh to gnarled and old. Luciana smiled softly, a hint of sadness perhaps beneath the warmth in her eyes. She had once been in love, a foolish affair, yet her story had not ended in happiness as this couple’s story would.

xxx She bypassed the devoted couple with a quick side-step, sending them a hint of good luck as she passed. Ahead, the path opened out into the main courtyard of the temple, a busy thoroughfare of festival seekers. The smell of freshly cooked food and sweets drifted between the crowd, tempting any with a nose or hint of hunger towards the wooden stalls edging the courtyard. Overhead, unlit lanterns and streamers added further decoration, even as the cherry blossoms were the real draw card.

xxx “I’ll take two yakitori, please.” Lucia intoned in flawless Japanese, nodding in thanks as her money was exchanged for the chicken sticks. The dress hugging her body floated around her knees slightly as a faint breeze snaked through the crush of people, and Lucia followed it beneath the tall pagoda and around to where a lawn of grass unfurled beneath a stand of sakura trees. A free root offered the perfect seat, and Lucia tucked her feet to the side as she sat beneath a shower of rosy petals, her gaze drawn upwards to the light blossoms blushing softly against the sky.


xxx “Beautiful” The goblin thought to herself, a feeling of peace settling across her shoulders. She left her mind wander to the twists of the day before, her thoughts less tense than the swirling cacophony of feelings that had assaulted her the previous night. Following her departure from Paola’s apartment, Lucia had spent a long time deciding on her next course of action. Her first instinct was to leave, to run from the city where she had seen and touched her ex-lover. Yet, the goblin couldn’t shake the sense that she should be closer to Paola, if only to investigate the mysterious way the girl had called her.

xxx To stay, or to go? It was the decision that had taunted her throughout the night, and though the goblin hadn’t landed on a conclusive answer, here she sat, still in Tokyo. The tough choice of the previous night seemed all the easier to face now, beneath the sakura. She would stay, would face Cassius if ever they came upon each other again. She was not the same young, naïve woman she had been as a mortal, she was stronger now, more sure of herself. She could handle it. Yet, even as her resolution settled, she remembered the feel of his hand on hers, the colours of his eyes, feel of his breath against her skin…

xxx A flicker in the corner of her eye dragged Lucia’s thoughts from the fox and she turned, searching the crowd of blossom admirers for the movement. Her brows moved into a frown as soft green eyes fell on the dark figure of a ghost. He looked as out of place amongst the pale blossoms as a bear would look in a colony of honey bees. Taller than the natives around him, and dressed in regal, medieval garb that was only now worn in theatrical plays, he was a man out of time and out of place. Though, it wasn’t the unsettling wrongness of his appearance that had Lucia pushing herself to her feet in a second. No, it was the familiarity of his face, the way the deceased soul’s gaze seemed to pin Lucia to the spot, as if he had sought her out from the beyond.

xxx The goblin took a step forward, a jolt of fear racing down her spine. “It cannot be…” She thought, wishing the distance were less so that she could be more sure, even as she wished to be miles away and safe from the soul’s eerie glare. She strained her eyes, even as a crowd of young Japanese temporarily blocked her view. Lucia took another half step forward, only to stop as the crowd passed and where the ghost had been, was nothing. He was gone, like a mirage teasing the goblin with images of her past. Had it been him? Or had the events of the previous day caused her to remember the less fortunate parts of her mortal life?

xxx Luciana took a shuddering breath, her hand instinctively flying to her neck where her fingers traced across the jewels that clung to her skin. She remembered the necklace tightening, the memory of the hand that had ended her life stark in her mind as she stared at the empty spot where he had just stood. But no, that was centuries ago. No ghost could last for that long. She forced her shoulders to relax, let her legs buckle as she regained her seat. It had been her mind, nothing else. She was safe.

A sigh escaped the guardian angel’s lips, the soft sound of defeat dying swiftly as the man stood. He was tired, his back aching from the countless hours spent hunched over in concentration, and for what? To lose at the last moment. To find himself eye to eye with yet another disappointment. Haku was used to failure, expected it even, but this here struck deep. His chair scraped back, wooden legs screeching against the hard floor as Haku dropped the old gameboy on the table, turning sad eyes away from the flashing ‘Game Over’ that decorated the black and white screen. Super Mario had defeated him again, and he could not bare to watch listen to the taunting tune any longer.

The guardian stretched out stiff joints, rolling his shoulders and cracking his fingers as his bare feet walked towards the apartment’s exit. In light of his recent disappointment, Haku needed a distraction, and luckily for the angel, work would offer nothing better. Rubbing his eyes, the guardian slid his feet into shoes and left through the apartment’s entrance, closing and locking the door behind him. He turned and took two steps across the hallway, fist raised so that his knuckle might lightly tap against the doorway opposite his. Distraction would hopefully come earlier in the form of two other immortal beings.

The subdued sounds of a few short thuds reached Alucio’s keen ears just as he shut off the running water in the sink. Lucky timing. Not that it meant anything. He glanced down at his gloved hands, sudsy and far too wet to be opening doors. He was preoccupied with his work regardless. Half the used dishes still lay dirty in the sink basin—in fact, he’d only turned off the water momentarily while he scrubbed at one of the pots. The water bill had been a little high last billing period, and Alucio no longer had the luxury of leaving the faucet running while he washed the dishes.

“Seung?” he called, albeit not very loudly. In a room not much larger than a closet, one did not need to speak loudly for their voice to travel far. “Door.”

The other reaper didn’t hear the soft knocking and it took Alucio’s call to bring him out of contemplation. His succulent had died and he had no idea why. Seung stared at it for a few moments, willing it to come alive, but upon realizing it was hopeless he sighed and grabbed the pot before making his way to the door.

Opening the door Seung spotted the morose face of his neighbor greeting him. It did not surprise him to find Haku in such a state, after all they were neighbors and he had seen the man at some relatively low points in his life, but it did pique his curiosity.

“Haku, are you alright?” It was the polite thing to ask having seen his sorrowful face, but Seung felt as though he already knew the answer.

Another sigh escaped Haku’s lips in response, his gaze shifting mournfully to the ground as he shook his head. “I am not alright.” He responded glumly, “Super Mario has defeated me again, and I fear I am in need of distraction from the crushing disappointments life continues to throw at me.”

Seung looked down at the plant in his possession and silently nodded in agreement. He knew the feeling all too well.

The guardian’s gaze shifted up, meeting that of the grim reaper before him, “So, would you and Alucio like to come to the Cherry Blossom festival with me? I believe Minako is already there.”

“Of course,” he backed up from the doorway and yelled, “Did you hear that Alucio? Let’s go.”
Seung set the plant down next to him as he carefully stepped into his slip-on shoes. They weren’t expensive enough to justify being outright worried, but he learned long ago that being cautious was rarely a bad thing.

Alucio had heard that. He’d heard Haku’s invitation quite clearly despite the angel’s naturally low, mournful tone. He had not, though, intended to act like he had. Things were hectic for him at the moment, what with the dishes and the messy countertops. Later, he even had plans to clean out the closet. Seung was free to go, of course, though it’d be nice if he’d help dry the dishes once in awhile considering he didn’t do much else.

With his back to the doorway leading out to the living room, Alucio scoffed. “Let’s go.” Since when did Seung feel he commanded such authority over him? He quickly finished drying the last bowl in his hands and crossed over to the front door where Seung was still putting on his shoes. With one hand, he waved a greeting in Haku’s direction, with the other, he slapped the back of Seung’s head. “Watch your tone,” he said flatly. Then, with a polite lilt, “Good morning, Haku. Thank you for the invitation.”

Seung stood up and rolled his eyes before silently mocking Alucio for reprimanding him.

Haku gave a lazy wave in return to the second reaper, watching his neighbours as Alucio reprimanded Seung. He was somewhat surprised that Seung had so easily accepted, and was now hopeful that Alucio might be able to make time in his busy schedule to accompany the pair to the festival.

“Good morning, Alucio. I hope you’re coming with us to the festival. I hear there will be takoyaki. My favourite.” A smile almost pulled at the corners of Haku’s mouth, before a dire thought crossed his mind and instead his lips fell into a frown, [color=#7C9AA4] “Unless they’ve run out of takoyaki already.”

“I’m sure they haven’t,” answered Alucio, slightly absently as he focused on tying the laces on his shoes. “And, yes, I suppose I can join you. My next appointment isn’t until tonight.” He didn’t mention that he’d completed all the housework there was to be done—alone— or that he’d been planning on going to the festival regardless of company.

“Shall we?” he asked simply, slipping on his long trench and grabbing his hat off the coat rack. It always paid to be prepared.

---

The trio made a dreary sight as they turned the corner, all dark colours and downcast eyes. At least, Haku’s eyes were downcast, his shoulders slumped despite having found two companions to accompany him to the festival. He pushed his hands into his pockets, casting a quick glance at the two grim reapers, as if expecting his two ‘friends’ to suddenly leave him to his lonely musings.

“Thank you for accompanying me to the festival.” Haku sighed softly as the gates to the temple rose above them. The guardian angel gazed across the crowds, his nose attempting to decipher in which direction the takoyaki were.

“It’s our pleasure,” Seung said. Wordlessly, Alucio bumped Seung’s shoulder with his own, pointing off to the far left where a tall banner waved in the wind, advertising the festival’s rather famous takoyaki.

“That’s what you were looking for, yes?” he questioned, inclining his head toward Haku.

Haku nodded, his gaze following Alucio’s line of sight to the stall selling takoyaki. Haku’s stomach pulled him forward with a grumble, his eyes taking in the octopus balls with joy.

“Two takoyaki, please.” Haku requested as they arrived at the stall, the guardian’s hands reaching out already for the offered food.

“420 yen, please.” The stall holder replied, holding the takoyaki at bay while the money was handed over. Yet, as Haku patted down his pockets he realised that he had forgotten his wallet. His heart jumped into his throat, disappointment - an already constant feeling for the angel - seemed to seep further into his bones. Perhaps he had enough change to buy just one takoyaki?

“I have… two 10 yen coins.” Haku offered, letting his change clutter onto the stall’s bench before turning imploring eyes on his companions. “Does anyone have any change?”

With a semi-surprised arch of his brows, Alucio turned his torso to rummage through the pocket of his coat. He hadn’t brought his wallet, not quite expecting to have had to pay for anything. But he rarely cleaned out the pockets of his coat, and there was always some odd thing he found when he needed it most. Sorrowfully, he pulled his balled up fist from his pocket and slowly opened it, revealing five receipts from varying times of the past two decades, two crumpled up 100 yen bills from circa 1940, and a dingy 50 yen coin. He offered his meager findings to Haku, mentally totaling their new count up to 270 yen.

Seung looked at Haku with exasperation not because he was asking for money but because he too had very little on his person. Regardless he reached into his jacket and pulled out a 100 yen coin. He sighed, and handed it over to Haku. “Let’s share it.”

Haku thanked them, grateful for his friends. For surely they were friends now, they had helped him purchase takoyaki. Well, one takoyaki, which he would have to share. Nevertheless a third of one takoyaki would be better than nothing. Handing over the change to the bemused seller and taking one of the takoyaki skewers, Haku gave the remaining change back to Seung and Alucio before taking a bite of one of the octopus balls. He bit back a pleased moaned, his lashes fluttering closed against his cheeks as the taste exploded on his tongue. Only when he’d swallowed did he reopen his eyes, gazing longingly at the remaining balls that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy.

“Seung?” Haku offered the skewer to the grim reaper who took it gratefully. He ate only one ball and savored the flavor before holding it out to Alucio who declined with a quick wave of his hand.

“None for me, thank you,” Alucio responded to the unspoken offer. Festival food was never quite his style.

Seung shrugged and passed it back to Haku. From the corner of his eye however he noticed a stall with ‘Kingyo-sukui’ written in large lettering. He nudged Haku’s shoulder and pointed where children were gathered around a small aquarium, “That looks interesting, would you like to play?”

Haku followed Seung’s finger, eyes alighting upon the children attempting to scoop little goldfish out of the tub of water. Next, his gaze landed on the price, guilt rushing over him that he’d have to borrow money again even as he took another bite from the takoyaki in his hand.

“Alright. I could use a goldfish.” Haku finally replied, thinking that a cute fish might be a good gift for the charge he was planning on meeting later.

With that settled Seung drifted toward the vendor and watched an oddly intense focus on the children before him. Of the three children playing only one successfully caught a fish by using slow movements and taking her time. With that in mind he gave the vendor the change from the takoyaki and received a small paper scoop.

“Watch closely, I know a technique to correctly capture it,” he said with full confidence and kneeled before the tub. He didn’t tell them all his knowledge came from watching a child.

He placed the scoop into the water and moved it slowly toward a nearby fish only to have the paper rip open. Seung sat there, shocked beyond belief.

From behind Seung came the sound of a soft snickering. Alucio’s facial expression barely betrayed the amusement he felt from seeing the failure of his roommate, the slightest uptick of his lips the only indication.

Stepping forward with an atypical amount of confidence, Alucio handed his 50 yen to the vendor, twirling the handle of the scoop between his fingers with a practiced skill. Before he placed the instrument in the water, he shot a glance in the direction of Seung, an eyebrow raised in a silent challenge, as though he were saying, “Yeah? Watch.”

The scoop flashed under a multicolored fish, whisking it up out of the water before it could even notice the paper net underneath it. Up out of the water it came; the paper held for an instant, quivered, then, with a shock, burst open, letting the fish escape back into the tub with a splash. Alucio could only watch with a wide-eyed disappointment.

Haku watched both of the reapers attempt to capture fish, sighing with weary disappointment as each failed. It was his turn next, and the guardian had no hope for being able to complete a task that neither of the others had accomplished. Yet, he still stepped forward, pushing up his sleeves to keep his shirt dry and taking hold of a paper scope. He knelt down by the tub, eyes searching for a target. The little fish was on the small side, more golden than orange in colour.

“Hello, little fish.” Haku cooed as the scope slowly came up under the animal. He expected the scope to break at any moment, but somehow it didn’t. He pulled the scope out of the water, the fish swimming quickly around in the little pool of water stored in the scope. “Oh, I did it!” Haku smiled softly, looking surprised more than anything.

The stall holder congratulated him and quickly put Haku’s fish into a plastic bag before handing it to the guardian. Haku held his new pet up to his eyes, watching it for a moment before looking proudly at Seung and Alucio.

“Would you like me to teach you?” He offered, his eyes glittering with subtle humour.

“I think the game is rigged,” Seung stood up defiantly and looked at Alucio, “You agree right? My paper was too thin.”

Alucio nodded, subtly sullenly. “They do say only one out of three win.”

“I think I read that somewhere too,” he agreed, ignoring Haku out of jealousy.

“It’s a psychological method of tricking people into believing they’re capable of winning.”

As the two reapers continued to bicker, Haku’s gaze fell on a distant familiar figure. He could sense her emotions through the bond that connected guardian with charge, and with a wave of farewell to the sore losers, Haku left, his prize fish in hand as he made his way towards Kaede.