Now is the time to place your vote on my poll (the link is located at the top of my profile page). I will be closing it May 7, 2021 as that is when I post chapter 333, which contains the answer to the poll. I will then be opening up a new poll. I have created a list of possible follow-on shorts and would like to know what you my readers would like to see fleshed out a little, or have questions answered on. I hope to make that poll so that you can select either as many as you want, or at least up to four. I'll do my best to write up shorts for those that get the greater numbers of votes. This particular thread is getting very long, so I'm considering only posting those shorts at my Patr(e)on site (patr(e)on dot com slash JiryuRasen). Don't worry. I will be posting the shorts I've already written. That will get us through to the end of 2021.
"Welcome to Log Horizon Systems, Ms. Minori. We're glad to have you joining us ...finally." Purrcy dropped the formality at the end to grin at Minori.
Minori bowed. "Thank you, Purrcy-san. Please take care of me."
Purrcy continued to smile back, then bowed a small bow. "Please. Take care of me. Gareth will be so happy to be able to let someone else carry the burden from now on."
Minori gave her a small smile back. "You have never been a heavy burden, Purrcy, only difficult."
Purrcy laughed. "And they're one and the same. Now that I have the patterns down, it really isn't as bad as it was at the beginning, and none of it is nowhere near as bad as Theldesia was." She handed the paperwork Minori had just signed back to her. "For your first task, run this down to Henrietta and say your hellos. Gareth has stacks for you when you get back."
Minori slumped just a little. She was quite sure he did. Still, it was good to finally be here in the place she'd been working to get to since she'd arrived on Earth again. The years had both felt long, and had been so busy as to pass by in a blur. She thought that she might also be able to relax just a little now, although she wouldn't. She had a lot to learn here at the beginning.
Henrietta congratulated Minori with a few pats on the shoulder. She still wasn't much of one for physical contact, but she'd been trying to learn the human touch. As H/R with Americans in the building she sometimes worked a little too hard, but it was good for her. As Minori turned to walk back out of the office, one of said Americans from the development building walked in.
Minori just caught the extremely interested look Henrietta gave him before she calmed down and went professional. Minori was surprised, then wasn't. She smiled to herself as she left the office. Henrietta was still looking for a husband. Minori wished her a silent good luck.
Minori stopped in at Marielle's office next, knowing if she didn't she'd be scolded. "Hello, Minori-chan! Welcome. Are you official now?"
"Yes, Marie, I am," Minori smiled.
"Wonderful!" Minori got her hug, not quite so suffocating now that she was finally as tall as she was going to get, and Marielle was her natural size.
"Yeah, congratulations!" Naotsugu rubbed the top of Minori's head.
"Thanks, Older Brother," Minori smiled at him, teasing him.
He mock growled at her. "Not when you're on the clock!"
She laughed at him and he grinned back. "I'm glad to be here," she said.
"We're glad to have you," Naotsugu said and Marielle nodded her head. "How's my junior doing?"
"Well. Touya still hasn't settled on what he wants to do with his life. He's still so excited by all the possibilities," Minori rolled her eyes. "He's going to go to university and play around for a few years to experiment. He told me he'd talked to Michael-san and Purrcy-san about the possibility of becoming a student in the U.S. for one of those years. They said they'd sponsor him if he really wants to go."
"That's ambitious!" Naotsugu was impressed. "If anyone can do it, he can, though, wheelchair or not."
"I agree," Minori smiled. "I've got work already waiting for me. I'll see you later." They waved and went back to their conversation. It was rare for them both to have a bit of time to relax together, but their related positions gave them plenty of time to talk about work. She knew they very carefully kept work out of their apartment so they could really relax with their two daughters when it wasn't work time.
Minori stopped by the important office next. "Akatsuki, is Shiroe-sempai available?"
"You'll still call him that?" Akatsuki asked in surprise.
"Until he earns being called Shiroe," Minori said firmly. "I'm still running to catch up to him."
Akatsuki smiled, understanding. "He is. I'll call you in." Akatsuki pushed the intercom button. "Minori to visit," she said.
"Okay," Shiroe answered rather quickly. He must be expecting her.
"Welcome," Akatsuki said with a soft smile. "It's good to have you back."
Minori had to suddenly swallow around a little lump in her throat. "Thank you." Standing in front of Shiroe made her feeling bigger. She had to take a deep breath and clasp her hands in front of her to face her guildmaster. "Purrcy-san and I have finished the paperwork, so I'm official now.
"She's sent me around to greet everyone before getting started. She says Gareth-san's impatient." Minori wrinkled up her nose to take the chill off the formal words. She just wasn't sure what to say and falling back on formality was best at those times.
Shiroe was sitting with his hands clasped in front of him on his desk. "Welcome, Minori. We're very glad to have you back home again. Have you moved your things in already?"
"Yes," Minori answered. "I did that last night. I was up so early I was the first one to eat."
Shiroe smiled. "Excitement and nerves, I'm sure. It's home, though. You can relax. We'll help you get your footing."
Minori bowed, the lump in her throat and stomach finally melting. "Thank you. I'm so glad to be home again." She had to dash the tears from her eyes. Shiroe patiently understood.
He rose to his feet, walked out from around the desk, and held open his arms. Minori ran to him and hugged him tightly. "We've missed you," he said quietly. "Welcome home."
"Thank you," she said. She appreciated his patience in letting her get it out of her system. She let him go and took a deep breath. She'd be able to face her day better now.
-:-:-:-:-
In a simple suburb of Sapporo, a young man checked his cell phone map app one more time, nervously ran his hand through his short dark brown hair, and took one more deep breath for courage. Crescent Moon League's guildmistress, Marielle, had been willing to give him a family's name and address, under a specific promise.
The short, slightly stout woman who answered the door blinked at him as he bowed. "Sato-san, my name is Hiroshi Abe. May I please come in? I would like to speak to you about your daughter, Shiemi."
With slight reluctance Shiemi's mother let him in. Hiroshi tried to relax as much as possible without being impolite. She had taken the couch. He'd chosen the ultra-formal position of sitting on his knees on the floor a proper distance from her for speaking, surprising her slightly, and perhaps making her a little more nervous.
"Sato-san," Hiroshi began politely, "is Shiemi-san doing well? I have worried for her."
Cautiously Mrs. Sato answered, "She is doing well. She's enjoying her teaching at the junior high school. After this year she will be a teacher in her own right, rather than a junior teacher."
Hiroshi breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad she has been able to meet the goal she set for herself. I also have been able to earn a proper place for myself." He explained simply to her the junior management level position he'd been able to secure in a lesser, but known company in Sapporo about six months before.
He'd waited until his first initiation and lesson phase in the company had ended before coming. That was a harsh time to get through, just like Shiemi's current level of training was, but he needed to talk to her before he was preempted by someone else in her life.
"But before that time, Shiemi-san was someone I knew well. She was a great support to me during a difficult time, and she kindly allowed me to be a support to her during her hardest times also." That was enough for the mother to get a clue and look at him with a little more suspicion. He was sure this was a mother who wished to protect her daughter.
He hurried to reassure Mrs. Sato. "Even then she would tell me she had no wish to ever remember that time if we should be released from it. I am well aware how difficult a time it was for her. Often she would cry on my shoulder, wishing to return home here to her parents." That clinched it for Mrs. Sato.
Hiroshi took another deep breath and bowed over his knees. "Please, Sato-san, I have wished to support and strengthen Shiemi-san from that time on. I know that she would wish to never feel pressured to explain to a husband what had happened to her in her past, but I am sure that she still wakes from nightmares and must be comforted by you and her father.
"I would also wish to protect her from that past for the remainder of her days on this world, giving her a place to cry her tears without having to explain. Has she at all spoken to you of anyone from that time other than her guildmembers or from her sister guild?"
Mrs. Sato considered it with a bit of a frown, then finally said, "Early on, she did say that she had been grateful for a boy named Qwased."
Hiroshi slumped in relief. "That is me. I am glad she was willing to remember me with kindness even once."
He rose from his bow and looked into her mother's eyes. "Please, may I meet her once here in your home? I would like to see with my own eyes that she is doing well. If you would be willing to only say I am a friend's son come to visit? I would also wish to not have the taint of our shared past on me in her mind, but would like to start newly with her again."
Mrs. Sato considered him for a long while as she considered the needs of her daughter, then nodded once. "You may meet her tonight, if you will stay for dinner, and also meet with her father."
Hiroshi bowed briefly in gratitude. "I would be grateful. Thank you very much."
She made him sit in a chair then while she hostessed him. He answered all of her questions, knowing he wouldn't be able to answer the father's with his daughter in the house.
Hiroshi was grateful to meet Shiemi. He could see that she did still carry some of the brittle from that time, in not wanting to fully face her past properly so it could be fully healed. He could only sigh sadly to himself. If she never talked to even him about it, she might never recover, but he could continue to prop her up responsibly regardless because he understood.
Being the gentle he had always been with her on Theldesia, knowing already how to insert his strength where she needed it without her knowing, he was able to prove to her parents that he could be the support and strength she would need into the future.
His brief and very quiet conversation with Shiemi's father outside the house after the meal and visit was relieving. Her parents would allow him to use their home to begin his attempts to win Shiemi. It was an even greater relief when she accepted his proposal for marriage two and a half years later.
The third time he comforted her in the middle of the night after a nightmare, not asking why, nor what she'd dreamed, she paused. Her head was on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. His arms were wrapped protectively around her.
"This is ...familiar," she muttered softly.
"If you have remembered a past comfort, to help in your present comfort, then I am glad," he said softly. When she would have said more, he put his finger over her lips. "I don't need to know more, unless it will help you heal from whatever grieves you. I'm happy to have my wife in my arms, whenever she should need it."
Shiemi was silent for a moment, then shook her head slightly. Hiroshi simply kissed her forehead and held her until she slipped into sleep again.
When Marielle passed away many years later, he went to her funeral and spoke briefly with Touya and Minori to let them know Serera was still doing well, as were their children, and she was still refusing to remember her time on Theldesia. They were grateful for the update.
When he bowed to the memorial of Marielle, he softly said, "Thank you, Guildmistress, for allowing me to love the one who loved all of your children. I will continue to watch over her well for all of you. She also sends her love and gratitude, even though she can't face you even now. Thank you for giving her a home on Theldesia and helping her to walk forward then."
Other than that one visit, he also never spoke to anyone nor saw anyone from that time. Neither one of them wanted to remember, nor return to, the prison of Theldesia.
-:-:-:-:-
Purrcy was surprised just how many of her Theldesian adopted children called her regularly. Michael kept her calling her own children, her mother, brother, and others she should be in contact with. She had no idea how he managed to keep in contact with so many people.
It was when she needed to stretch her legs and decided to walk down to his office as Head of Security that she thought she might understand. His door was open that day and she heard him talking. She stopped in the hallway and listened. He was just finishing up a phone conversation, by the sound of it.
Michael said goodbye then there was a pause. Purrcy decided to wait, one hand resting on the wall next to her. "Hello. It's Michael." He was quickly back into another conversation. She timed it. Ten minutes or less. The next was roughly five minutes. She spent the time leaning back against the wall, enjoying listening to what he thought people wanted to hear, even if she had no idea who he was talking to.
She did need to get back to work eventually, so she peeked her head around the doorframe, trying to hide as much as possible. Michael's eyes were on the screens showing what the security cameras were recording. The rest of his attention was on the conversations. Well. Anyone who had that kind of job would want something to do to alleviate the boredom. She had to approve, actually.
He reached the end of the current conversation and shifted to take the phone down from his ear to look for another number to call. He must have caught the difference in his own space because he paused and his eyes returned to look at his door.
Purrcy gave him an impish smile. "Love you!" Then she turned and ran. Michael caught up to her in the stairwell next to the elevators, since she'd gone that way when she could hear him coming and the elevator wasn't on the first floor.
His strong warm arms wrapped around her middle to catch her and turn her around so he could hold her. "Okay, so you just showed up to say that and run? Really?" he wasn't buying it, but it looked like he was having fun catching his wife after her making such an outrageous scene.
"Yup!" she said gaily, smiling brightly at him.
"And...? What else?"
Purrcy gave Michael a kiss. He turned it into a deeper passionate one, not letting her go. It wasn't fair. When he did that to her, she didn't have a reason to fight back. He always got his way when he pulled that weapon out, particularly when she was already feeling happy.
His fingers went into her hair at the back of her head as he pulled away to look into her face. "I love you, too," he said. "I'm not sure work hours are the time to flirt, though."
"Of course," Purrcy said, wrapping her arms around Michael's neck to lightly clasp her fingers together. "But I'm the Queen of the castle, so I get to have fun every now and again anyway." She enjoyed the slow blush that came over his face as he went to pleased embarrassment.
She held it until he was just going to uncomfortable and preempted him. "Besides, it's best to reward the Master right when he's earned it, sometimes, and I felt like it."
She gave him a quick peck of a kiss and slipped out of his stunned embrace to run lightly up the next set of steps and through the door. He didn't manage to catch her again until they were half-way down the hall to her office. He trapped her against the wall this time, hands to either side of her to hold himself up.
Michael leaned his face down close to Purrcy's face. "Okay. But if you don't say what the reward was for, that's not fair, don't you think?"
Purrcy blinked then pushed him back with both hands until she could see him properly. He stepped back slightly, looking rather confused. She pulled herself up to standing regally. "For the use of your time to bring comfort to more people than most care to even remember, in a way that doesn't detract from your required duties."
He looked down and away to puzzle that one out. She took the chance to turn and walk regally away just far enough she could dash off again. He swore and was after her again. She was in her office, leaning against the door to hold it closed when he got there.
He turned the handle and pushed. She pushed back. He stopped and took a breath she could hear, then she was gone and around her desk. She was in her chair by the time he stumbled into the room for pushing harder than he needed to.
She smiled benignly at him, her hands clasped in front of her. In two strides his hands were flat on the top of her desk in front her. He growled at her, then took another breath and stayed silent for a few more seconds, recovering from the chase.
She found his next choice interesting. He stood up straight at attention, clasping his hands behind him, and looked straight ahead. "If the Queen should wish to reward such a thing rather than punish, then this Master can only be grateful." Michael bowed to her formally and went back to attention.
Purrcy had to think about how to handle that and where to go next. He chose to go next. "However, it likely isn't all that proper for the young princess to eavesdrop on other people's conversations." His eyes snapped to hers to scold her.
She smiled to herself and stayed the relaxed regal Queen. "Proper investigation as to how you were keeping in contact with so many people was necessary. It's fortunate that a reward may be bestowed rather than said possible punishment." Michael nearly broke formal, still not able to prevent the brief gape of his mouth that she'd not acceded she'd played the princess or done wrong.
Purrcy went a little more serious. "Really, Master Michael, I am very impressed, and honestly grateful that you have that gift and share it freely."
Michael relaxed slightly and bowed a brief bow. "It's my pleasure. I'm grateful that I'm in a position to be able to lift others."
"Me, too, Michael," Purrcy said softly. "Thank you." She looked him in the eye a little longer, then said quietly, "You may go."
Michael turned away and walked to the door. Instead of leaving, he closed the door, locked it, and returned to walk around her desk and lean back against it, folding his arms. He looked into her face mildly, then proceeded to tell her everything that everyone he'd talked to that day had told him about their lives and how they were doing.
Purrcy could only sit back in her chair and listen in silent amazement. It was only small snippets from each one, which didn't surprise her since he'd done the most talking in the conversations she'd heard, but even that much was a comfort to hear.
He watched her face when he was done, then said quietly, "I think I will remember this. That you also need to hear how everyone is doing." He rose to his feet and kissed the top of her head. "You can expect a report after dinner every night."
He turned to go and her hand reached out and caught his shirt before she knew what she was doing. He paused, then turned to look at her. She supposed she looked confused, because that's how she felt. She bit her lip, not sure.
He gently took her hand from his shirt and held it in his warm hand. She didn't have much choice about being pulled up from her chair and walked out of the room. She was still a lot less strong compared to him and her feet wanted to go with him anyway.
Michael opened the door and walked them to Minori's desk, who looked up at them from her work in concern. "What's on her schedule for the rest of the day, or the next hour?"
Minori's finger ran down the calendar. "No meetings." Her worried eyes looked between the two of them.
"Good," Michael said firmly. "We're gone for the rest of the day. I've neglected to have enough dates with my wife."
Purrcy's eyes went very wide. Michael pulled her close to him and tucked her hand into his elbow as they walked out of the office suite. He looked into her very shocked face, smiled, leaned over, and gave her a brief but tender kiss. The tears she'd been fighting since they'd reached her office had to be blinked out of her eyes. He caught one of them on his thumb.
"Thought so," he whispered. Purrcy buried her face in his shoulder and stayed there while he walked them down the hall and to wherever it was he wanted to walk with her. She shivered and held on to him tightly, fighting the external tears until she could take a breath and then another.
Really. Just how did he do that? How did he know that she'd needed to have him close to her, just to herself, for long enough to feel loved and appreciated, when she'd not even known it herself until then?
-:-:-:-:-
"Hahaue. It's Stiletto." Stiletto was in the United States on vacation, not having been back there since they'd left at the end of the world tour.
"Hi, Stiletto! How are you doing?" Purrcy asked, sitting back in the couch in her apartment. Michael had another idea. He pulled her up and over to his easy chair and had her sit in his lap while he held her. She moved the phone to her other ear so he could hear, too.
Stiletto had already said the usual, "I'm okay. Enjoying being in the States where cups allow one to really quench one's thirst." It sounded like he might be at one of those places citizens of the United States missed when out of the country ...like McDonald's. Japan McDonalds weren't U.S. McDonalds and eventually that got rather disappointing.
There was a pause to swallow, then he said, "Actually, while on the phone isn't the best way, it's all I've got, so I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Purrcy said immediately.
Stiletto sighed. "I'm not going to come back. This is my resignation call."
Purrcy's heart and face fell. Michael patted her back a couple of times, his look sympathetic but one telling her to wait and hear Stiletto out. She gave Michael a small nod and stayed silent.
"The spirits here are easier to deal with on a constant basis, honestly. I'm grateful I've been granted my desire to keep it all. It might disappear if I'm not following you, but," he took a deep breath, "I've found someone here I'd like to stay with." Purrcy's eyebrows went up and Michael blinked.
"She's of Native American descent, and a dream walker." Ah. Purrcy's eyebrows went down and her heart went soft. "I've been hiding from the guilds here, and didn't know if she was in one. I ran into her in the realms first. One thing led to another and -," Purrcy could see in her mind's eye Stiletto's hand waving in the air.
"Well, I've scoped out her guild and it's a good one. If Inari will continue to let me have it, I'll switch guilds and stay here with her. I'm sorry for not coming home to tell you first, but that's an expensive trip - more than I've got unless I work another year first."
"No, I understand," Purrcy reassured him. "If things don't work out you're always welcome to come back home. I can't say what Inari will decide to do with your memory, but you were born with your gift. I think Inari will be merciful and let you keep the additional blessings. You've certainly worked hard enough to have earned the right to keep them, walking behind me."
Purrcy looked at Michael quizzically. He gave a nod. "We're good on this side as far as protection," he answered. "It's been long enough for societal memory to forget and for political reasons to have been overcome by time and events. Good luck."
"Tell him thanks for me," Stiletto asked Purrcy. She passed it on. "I'll still call and let you know how things are going regularly."
"If it goes far enough, make sure you send us a wedding invite," Purrcy required.
"I will," he was embarrassed, of course. "I know you'd be spitting mad if I left you out of that, even if you couldn't come." Purrcy smiled, but didn't answer. Stiletto sighed. "Tell Gareth I'm sorry to leave him solo in the apartment without warning, too. I'll call him when I've got the courage. And...can I text you an address to ship my stuff to?"
"Sure," Purrcy said.
There was a bit of silence, then, "Thanks, Hahaue. Thanks for being my second mom, and helping me all you did. I wouldn't be out walking on my own two feet again if you hadn't come home. ...I love you."
Purrcy smiled a teary smile. "I love you, too, Stiletto." It was the first time he'd said it to her. "Thanks for putting up with me and keeping me strong when I was weak. And for making sure I stayed alive through the dangerous years. Stay safe, okay? And don't tell people in any guild what you did and were over here until you've carved your niche."
"You know it," Stiletto agreed firmly. As a son no longer under her direct protection, like MeowLi he could be used against her if he didn't properly protect himself. She didn't want to have him tortured any more. Twice was more than enough.
"Take care. I hope she's good to and for you, Stil," Purrcy said.
She sent him a hug and kiss, knowing it would get there after their conversation was over. She would protect him even now, so it would take a while to get there while it confused anything that might track where it came from or was going to. She used magic so rarely that often the sniffers waiting to find her using it had built up a little too much.
"Well, a blessing and a sorrow in one package," Michael commented as Purrcy put her phone down to hold it on her lap.
"Yes," Purrcy agreed. "But it's good to see him find a path on Earth that could bring him happiness. I hope the best for him. It won't be easy, to walk both worlds, but he'll do well, I think."
Michael agreed and gave her a kiss. He held her while they thought on the changes that life brought as people aged and moved on from one phase of life to another. Gareth would be leaving Log Horizon with Tetorō shortly. Stiletto had already been out of the country when Tetorō had announced to the guild he'd been called up by his father.
Purrcy sighed and closed her eyes. She relaxed into Michael's petting until she was a small fox in his lap. She licked his hand and gave a few small shivers that he pet away. It was the way life was supposed to go. It was joy and sorrow to parents to have their children move away and walk their own paths. She just had to walk through the loneliness all moms had to when that time came.
-:-:-:-:-
"Aren't you going to have any children, to give me joy in my old age?" Shiroe's mother's complaint followed Shiroe and Akatsuki home and filled the space between them.
Shiroe unlocked their apartment door and let Akatsuki enter first, still considering it. He closed and locked the door behind them, leaned back on the door, and sighed. He didn't stay there long, moving to pull his gloves off his hands to shove them into the pockets of his trenchcoat.
He hung his own coat up this time, then took Akatsuki's from her and hung it up as well. That calmed her down and made her face him a little more soberly. The coats in the closet, he reached for her hand and walked them to the couch.
Shiroe took a hidden deep breath as he sat, facing her. She sat with her free hand clenched in her lap, but it wasn't too tight. He looked into her eyes. "Akatsuki...what do you want?"
Akatsuki looked down and thought about it hard. "We're very busy," she said, as if lining up her thoughts in a careful row for them to look at. "Sometimes it feels like the whole company is full of our children, and sometimes you are more child than I can handle." Shiroe's lips turned up at that, reassuring her when she glanced at him to make sure.
"It makes me feel bad to see our mothers sad, and even our fathers worry sometimes now, too," she said. Shiroe had seen that, too. Every father wanted to see their lines continued when they became old enough to become grandfathers.
"I would be willing, if you wanted it..." Akatsuki bit her lip, then finally said, "It's never been something I wanted or didn't want either way. It seems hard to be a parent all the time like that, but until I experience it, I won't know."
Shiroe sighed. "That's rather how I see it as well." They sat in silence for a while longer. "In the end...I'd rather not," Shiroe admitted out loud for the first time. "I need to be able to focus on the company and all of my free time is delightfully taken up by you. Children are difficult and time consuming, even if loved."
He looked away, out at the night on the other side of the patio doors. "I told you early, before we started dating, that I wasn't secure in my ability to be a husband. I'm even less secure in being a parent. I've had Purrcy and Michael's example now, but only on the side. I don't think I'd be the kind of parent I'd like to be here."
Shiroe looked at their joined hands and rubbed his thumb on the back of Akatsuki's hand. "I can't help but think that Theldesia hasn't given me up for good, either. We signed up to go back. I think it will take us back eventually, somehow." He looked into her eyes. "Perhaps when we return, we can try. I'll be ready to relax and try new things then.
"It won't help our parents, but I think we need to focus first on our own lives. We can continue to spend time with them and be their children to fill in the space, and they can find ways to invite other people's children into their lives to be grandparents for."
Akatsuki pondered on that, then nodded. "We'll need to say it right, but I think that will work, and help me relax better, to have decided for sure."
"Okay," Shiroe relaxed slightly as well. That's what he'd been going for. "We'll tell them next time. That will give me time to put together the words, and be properly to their faces as it should be."
Akatsuki gave a nod, paused, then rose to her feet. "Then, I'd like to get ready for bed. Today was very busy."
Shiroe let her go with a smile, but stayed on the couch a little longer. It was a rather sad thing to let the future go, but really, he didn't want to leave a legacy on Earth like that. He would likely have to on Theldesia and that would be more than enough.
When he'd sat long enough, he rose to his feet and took his turn in the bathroom. It was still a comfort every night to slip into bed with the warm Akatsuki who loved him as he was.
He relaxed and breathed a deep breath. Life was going well, and the company was still moving forward in good ways. The hard moments only helped push them forward, and nothing was as hard as Purrcy's dungeon had been.
-:-:-:-:-
The cell phone sitting on the corner of Nyanta's desk rang. He was finishing up his notes from the day, preparing to go home. He glanced at the number, blinked, then sighed and picked it up.
"Moshi moshi." Really, he didn't know how Michael continued to have the courage to face even the worst lions with the calm of someone who believed he couldn't be affected by them.
Having the last three or so months (since Michael and Purrcy's wedding) to be ignored had helped Nyanta to recover yet again to some level of normalcy. He wasn't sure he needed to have it interrupted yet again. Nyanta had seen the news reports of Shiroe and Purrcy in India, though, and it had taken him a long time to recognize the white-haired woman in the pictures. He was just curious enough, and concerned enough, to take this call.
"Dr. Minato, it's Michael. I wanted to let you know that we've returned to Japan. Purrcy's still alive, by the grace of God. With the rocky beginning over and behind us, we should be moving forward from here with large portions of normalcy and quiet.
"Well, that is once the Japan Game Convention is over. Purrcy hasn't been able to breathe at all, being dragged there as soon as the doctor had finished his examination. Since we're world-wide jet-lagged, I expect to have a fish handed back to me to have to heal up when that's over." Nyanta smiled at the image.
"She passed her visit with her children with flying colors, and only a few days of depression after. It helped her recovery to meet my son, David, on the other end. I wanted to let you know that she faced her first past with grace and calm, and has been able to put it to rest so she can face forward now.
"She did have to give up legal rights to her children, but I think that isn't all bad. From here we'll be focusing on her learning how to do long-distance parenting until she can be strong in facing them properly."
Nyanta nodded. That was the right next step. He also knew that Michael had practice in doing that already as a Navy man. Honestly, Nyanta was glad he didn't have to teach that one to her. "Good luck."
"Thank you. I think it shouldn't be too bad. It's just the practice of it, I think." Michael paused, then added, "It was a lesson to me to watch her with her first children. From the beginning she has never changed in what kind of mother she is. They also love her and are glad for whatever part of their lives she can share."
Nyanta sat back in his chair and breathed out a breath as he considered that comment. "No. I'm not surprised." He'd watched her from the beginning in Susukino, after all. She'd been that there, to. "Thank you for letting me know you're still okay."
"No problem. Is your family doing well?" Michael asked.
"Yes. Everyone is happy and doing well." Nyanta paused, then decided he should say it so Purrcy wouldn't worry. "We watched the news report. They were just happy to have me home. It's sufficient."
"Wonderful," Michael's relief was genuine. "If the past hits you any time, feel free to call. I'll answer." Nyanta didn't answer. "Thanks for taking my call. Take care." The phone went dead.
Nyanta took a deep, steadying breath and set his phone back down on his desk. He purposely took the three minutes to recover slowly to proper calm without rejecting his feelings for his past, then returned to his work.
That phone call turned into another one a week later, which turned into six weeks of regular weekly calls, then months. Often they were very brief, mostly because when life got routine, there wasn't much to say. It took Nyanta a while to become resigned when he picked up the phone to answer it, but never was he able to refuse the call.
Three years of calls later and Michael mentioned that Purrcy's oldest daughter, Hannah, would be performing in her Senior recital later that week. Nyanta blinked and interrupted.
"What sort of recital?"
"Dance. She's been in a dance troupe since she was eight, Purrcy tells me. She sends us a recording of them all so Purrcy hasn't had to miss any since she got back. This is a big one, since it's her last before going to college. She's going to miss the other girls and her instructor.
"She got a scholarship to continue studying dance in college -"
"Send it to me," Nyanta interrupted. Their habit was Michael talked without much interruption, so Nyanta had learned to interrupt at the few times he needed to say anything.
There was a space of silence, then, "Okay. I'd be happy to. Ah..., I don't have your email address, though."
Nyanta immediately pulled the phone from his ear and texted it to him. By the time he had the phone to his ear again, Michael had received it. "Thank you. It's this weekend, so you'll likely get it some time on Monday." The conversation continued only briefly after that.
Nyanta wanted to see the daughter that Purrcy had encouraged strength and perseverance in, even through difficult times. He was glad Michael included a still picture from the recital in the email so he knew who to watch. He greatly enjoyed the dancing, but even more, he enjoyed seeing another young person who had found joy in their gifts because of Hahaue's supporting hand.
He was a little surprised when Michael continued to send him recital videos. For a time they were from the far past. That was equally warming, to watch the very young Hannah who struggled, work hard to reach what he had seen first. That blossoming had created a young woman of strength and poise.
When his son won an award at his school for an essay that he was particularly proud of, Nyanta had it translated and sent the translation to Michael. He received back a brief email. He has grown even more kind and warm since we could come and meet him. Thank you for sending it to us. He is most definitely a son to be proud of. - Purrcy
Nyanta sat in very slight shock, then sighed at himself. Of course Michael was sharing with Purrcy, and Purrcy would want to be happy with him, but wouldn't impose enough to ask to have his email address directly. He sent back a simple thanks. Silence would have been rude.
A year and a half later of weekly update calls and Michael sadly let Nyanta know that Purrcy's mother had passed away. They were there to help her brother see to the burial and effects.
Nyanta opened his mouth, then changed his mind. "Text me her phone number." This was something she would need more help with than just Michael, or passed on comments.
"Yessir," Michael answered quietly. Half a minute later his phone chimed with the incoming text.
"Is she available now?" Nyanta asked.
A brief pause, then, "Yes."
"Thank you." Nyanta hung up on Michael and made his phone dial Purrcy's number before he could lose his courage.
"I'm sorry, Purrcy, for your sake," he said immediately upon her picking up.
There was silence for a moment, then a tearful, "Thank you, Nyanta. It's hard because I couldn't be here with her for her last years, not even for when Dad died."
Nyanta let her cry to him, knowing Michael was there to be his arms to hold her. "Did Michael have you call her regularly?" he asked.
"Umhm," Purrcy murmured.
"Then she knew you loved her, regardless. You did what you were able to do, and that must be enough. Grieve, but don't regret. It was better you were here for her at all." If she hadn't come back, she wouldn't have been even that. "It was a blessing for both of you to have that much more time together."
He stayed on the phone with her until she was able to sigh. "Thank you, Nyanta, for calling to support me."
"My pleasure," he answered, and really it was.
Nyanta thought on that as he sat at his desk once his phone was resting on the corner again. Purrcy was on Earth, blessing the lives of those she could in the little and simple ways she could. It was a blessing for all of them that she could be with them. He closed his eyes.
It had been long enough. This many years to heal, to learn to love his Earth wife again. He was also blessed to have Purrcy here in this place he thought he'd never see her in, to be able to hear her voice again, feel her supporting love. Her love had always been warm and soft, unintrusive once she was content that a person was happy and moving forward. It was time to invite them into his life again, not just accept Michael's soft intrusions.
When Nyanta's son graduated from high school, Nyanta invited them to Sapporo. They stayed in a hotel, out of respect for his family and his capacity, but they went to the ceremony and joined them for a dinner out that evening to celebrate.
It was a warm reunion. Nyanta was reminded again how much he missed Purrcy's warm smile and kind encouraging words. It wasn't painful this time, only familiar and nice to have them both come visit.
The weekly calls continued, and this time sometimes they included Purrcy. The visits did not continue, not yet. Another year later and Michael again said something to catch Nyanta's attention.
"Purrcy was able to talk Hannah's dance troupe into coming here to Japan to tour in a few cities. They'll be at the Iwakuni base to perform for the military away from home, then come up to Tokyo and have a day to sightsee after the performance here before they have to go home again. Purrcy is very excited to show Hanna around to all of her friends."
Nyanta was struck with a sharp stab of unexpected jealousy at the last sentence although he'd already had the thought to go as soon as Michael had started talking about the event. He took a deep breath since it took courage to face jealousy. "Please reserve two tickets to the Tokyo show so that my wife and I may come."
"Absolutely!" Michael was immediately thrilled.
Nyanta clenched his free hand. "And..., if we could also meet the eldest daughter of Purrcy, we would like to also be present."
There was stunned silence. "Of course. We would be honored to have you come and participate as well. I'll send you the itinerary. Purrcy has it rather ambitious, so perhaps we could have a more quiet part of it early, before you need to return home."
"That would be appreciated," Nyanta relaxed slightly. He wasn't ready for a full day of Log Horizon family guild activities, but to be included in a gentler and shorter portion would be a good step.
From then on, visits between the two cities began to become more frequent, slowly increasing in number per year as they all slowed down in things they had to do for others and could have more time for themselves. Dinner at one home or the other followed by long chats became common. Theater visits, tours of historic places, and other joint activities that allowed them to enjoy the country and company at the same time also became favorite times to spend together.
Nyanta was always grateful that Michael continued to maintain the cool slightly distanced guard position when they were together. For all that was the atmosphere that surrounded Michael, he was also always as relaxed and calm as ever, the same as his weekly phone calls were. There was also never any begrudging of Nyanta's proud watching of Purrcy. If anything the two of them both loved watching Purrcy as she had fun entertaining them and Nyanta's wife, who ended up completely charmed by her.
Nyanta was glad, too, to finally get to see the wife Purrcy had become under Michael soft tutelage. She had to learn to relax with Nyanta around, but Michael helped her with that, too, teasing her gently but enough to get her be his wife in front of her second husband. It was just enough for Nyanta to relax and be happy for Purrcy, that she had finally been able to learn what she had been afraid of for so long.
The weekly calls continued, year after changing year as they unfolded softly. Then came the call that was answered by a different voice. Nyanta couldn't open his eyes and he strained against his body to reach that phone.
Beside him he heard, "No. This is Dr. Minato's son. ...He's in the hospital, a sudden event." There was a catch in his adult son's voice. "No. Rather, he's not expected to live much longer." His son swallowed painfully.
Nyanta worked even harder, wanting to talk on that phone. This was the time he'd been waiting for. "Yes, I'm with him. ...Okay." And the phone was at his ear, the cool metal offset by the warmth of his son's hand holding it there.
"Dr. Minato, it's Michael." Even Michael was having troubles talking. "Your son says it's time. If it is, I wanted to let you know that Purrcy's children and their's are all doing well, growing well and strong. She'll miss you greatly, but I'll help her through the grief.
"We'll come there and support your wife and son through this time as well. We won't leave them alone. Your family will be watched over, I promise." Michael swallowed. "Thank you for allowing us into your life."
Nyanta worked hard and managed to whisper, "Hai. Thank you for being in mine. I'll leave it to you."
He barely managed to hang on long enough to hear Purrcy's voice. "I love you, Nyanta, always."
He sighed and didn't know the phone had left his ear. He didn't hear his wife's quiet sobbing. He'd heard what he had desperately needed to hear. His family was in good hands and it was his turn to leave, again.
-:-:-:-:-
Michael held Purrcy as she sobbed. He called Shiroe and told him that Nyanta had passed away and asked that Akatsuki please immediately obtain tickets for Purrcy and him to Nyanta's home. They would go and help with the arrangements, and report back when the funeral was to be and where. Shiroe was also saddened, and agreed.
Early the next morning Michael and Purrcy were on the bullet train to Sapporo. Nyanta's wife was relieved to see them and leaned on them as much as her son. They supported both of them even after the funeral until they were able to move forward again, then Michael and Purrcy returned home.
Michael found he missed Nyanta and grieved for him as much as Purrcy did. He didn't have anyone to call when Nyanta's time slot came up each week, so he took to calling Nyanta's wife, to keep his promise to support Nyanta's family. He also called Nyanta's son regularly. Both received some comfort to have those calls in their lives and he felt a little better.
Purrcy was already beginning to slow down by then. She'd turned her post over to Isaac and officially retired. Even still, life continued on for Purrcy and Michael for many years after that. Michael was glad for those years, as he was able to continue to love his faithful wife into the years anyone ever got to love.
As often as they could they visited their children and grandchildren in the United States, even if it wasn't as often as they might have wished for. They were asked to go on a few motivational speaking tours that helped pay for some of the visits to their children.
They also visited Michael's mother, and sister when she could get free. His mother wouldn't come to Japan to be cared for either. Michael called her most faithfully. She stayed fiercely independent until the end.
Michael was still working while Purrcy was retired. As a slightly less expensive treat than going to the U.S., when they could Purrcy and Michael toured around the Asian Pacific, still loving being on the water together. Most stay-cations were spent driving all over Japan, touring the historic sights and visiting friends.
Purrcy had gotten too old for traveling, but not for scolding and puttering around the apartment, when she turned to him one morning as she was washing breakfast dishes. "Michael," she said sternly. The look on her face was almost her scold when he looked up at her. "Promise me. You won't lose my ring!"
Michael's eyes widened. "Of course not. I promise."
Purrcy gave him a nod and went back to her cleaning. Michael blinked, took a deep breath, and went back to his work at the table. He held her hand a lot after that, interlacing their fingers, asking without asking that she not leave him. He still needed her with him, as grateful as he was he'd had her by his side for so many years.
Six weeks later, Michael woke in the morning like usual. He walked to his dresser and pulled out a chain from the smallest drawer. He walked back to the bed and reached down for Purrcy's left hand. Tears began to drip as he pulled the ring of the Queen off her hand and slipped the chain through it.
He was relieved to get the chain over his head before he completely collapsed at the side of their bed to hold the lifeless hand of his wife who had loved him until the end, like she had promised. His sobs of deep grief filled the room.
As the mortician's staff left the apartment with Purrcy's body, Akatsuki's smaller warm hand slipped into Michael's hand. Shiroe's hand came warm on Michael's other shoulder. "Please, stay with us here. We'll continue to walk with you and support you. There are things you can do here, too," Shiroe begged quietly.
Michael swallowed. "For now," was all he could promise. He would need them until he could walk again.
It was hard. He didn't get his wish to go with her. For many years he also was required to continue to live out the life he'd been born to on Earth. He walked it quietly, continuing to call daily and weekly those he'd always called, now leaning on them to continue forward. His work at Log Horizon Systems kept him moving forward without being overly stressful.
He did get his other wish. For all they'd not really ever used the magic after they'd returned to Log Horizon after the world clean-up, they'd never had it taken away either. Now, finally, it had been. He'd known Purrcy was dead, and his requirement to watch over her completed that morning before he awoke.
Inari had come to him in vision and bowed to him. "It is completed. Thank you for your hard work." The vision then disappeared. His magic had gone with it, but not the memory of having had it. He'd woken immediately and known, wondering if she'd had her magic taken that morning she'd reminded him most firmly to keep her ring with him always.
He was grateful to not have the magic, he supposed. Walking through life alone was hard with or without it once Purrcy was gone. She'd been his magic in his life. Only remembering to find the simple joys in the middle of his loneliness, grief, and pain helped him to feel like she was still with him.
When Michael finally retired from his work at Log Horizon, it was because David had invited him to come home and live with David's family in the United States. Michael accepted, wanting to see his son and get to know his grandchildren before it was his turn to go. Plus, he really needed his own family around by then.
He told each Eagle on the regular calling schedule, and they put together a welcome home party for him. What Adventurer Eagles could get there, and others, were at the event. He was given a cap with "Sneak Attack Grandpa" embroidered on it. It was his turn to follow in the family tradition, they told him. It was a tease, but at the same time, they all knew it was a truth.
David hadn't gone military, but his kids loved to hear the stories Michael would tell them. Michael spent his mornings and evenings helping with the meals and enjoying his son's family. He spent the rest of his days keeping physically fit with his sword practice and continuing to call everyone on his list, that gradually had been shrinking. Reed kept him moving weekly with trips out of the house to see the sun.
Michael knew when he left the Earth those he'd called would miss him - because they started telling him so as his voice weakened more and more. Reed, already adopted Uncle to them, preemptively promised to watch over David and his family for his own short remaining years.
It was with relief when it came Michael's time to close his eyes and know he'd never open them again on Earth. He did have to wonder if he would open them again on Theldesia, or if his wish there had been granted and he would be allowed to have eternal rest. A sense of fatalism settled over him, and then he, too was gone.
David made sure his father's funeral was held with full military honors. There was no shortage of volunteers to help with that part. David also made sure he put Purrcy's information on Michael's gravestone. He was very grateful that she'd been the kind of wife his father had needed to heal and walk forward with. He'd also been honored to call her his step-mother.
The world was a lot quieter for many people once the busy-ness of the funeral and burial was over. David in particular was grateful that he could invite Reed to dinners to fill the hole left in his family's life. It was as much a sorrow to David's family as it was to Reed's family when it was also Reed's turn to leave Earth.
The era of Earth's Adventurers of Theldesia was coming to a close. Only those families who'd been affected remembered it. No one else wanted to. It had been too frightening a thing - to learn that universal travel was even remotely possible and humans of Earth could be snatched off of it without warning.