Together by the Sea

-Heaven-

“Yes,” Gabriel said. “Please take a seat.” Akitada sat down in front of his desk.

“Now, do you love Kurai?” Gabriel asked.

“Yes,” the angel mouse said.

“Can you live without her?”

“No.”

“Will you risk your life to be with her?”

“Yes.”

Gabriel eyed him. “Are you sure about that?”

Akitada didn’t even blink. “Yes.” The older angel put down his pen.

“You can’t stay with her,” he said. “You could die.” Akitada had no emotion on his face.

“I feel dead already,” he said. Gabriel had his answer.

“Very well,” he said. The angel rose to his feet.

“Come with me,” Gabriel said. He walked out of the office. Curious, Akitada got up and followed behind.

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Alice, Beth, and Ursula waited in a small lab at the end of the hall. Alice fidgeted with her hands on the table.

“Are we really going to do this?” she asked.

“We don’t have a choice,” Ursula said.

“Our plan worked too well,” Beth said.

“True,” Alice said, nodding. “I just hope Gabriel is making the right call here.” The angels didn’t speak. Suddenly, the door opened. Gabriel and Akitada walked into the lab.

“Alice, Beth, Ursula,” the angel mouse said. Gabriel walked forward.

“We are giving up a chance to be with Kurai forever,” he said. Akitada just stared at everyone.

“What?” he asked.

“Hold out your hand,” Alice said. The angel mouse held out his right hand. The other angels circled him.

“We only ask one thing of you,” Beth said. Akitada blinked.

“What would that be?” he asked.

“Be good to her,” Alice said. Akitada smiled.

“I will,” he said.

“Good luck,” Gabriel said. The four angels drew crosses on Akitada’s palm. The female angels all kissed his hand. When Gabriel kissed his palm, the angel mouse vanished into thin air. The remaining angels watched.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Alice asked.

“I hope so,” Gabriel said. “I hope so.”

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 “I’m home,” Akitada said once he opened the door to his boat home. Kurai raced onto the dock and hugged him wildly.

“Welcome back!” she said.

“I came home like I promised,” the angel mouse said. The couple shared a kiss.

One year later, Kurai and Akitada were married by the sea.