Marine Academy
Part 4
Chapter 24
Eight days after the end of the Great War.
The doctor gently pushed open the front door. She hung up her soaked coat in the entrance hall and placed her umbrella there. The small house was plunged into darkness and silence reigned. She delicately took off her shoes and immediately put them away in the small piece of furniture before finally entering the living room.
The blonde sank heavily into the sofa located in front of the large window that overlooked the street. Their official home had been large and spacious since her husband had been promoted to Admiral. But all the warmth of the home seemed to have disappeared months ago, giving way to a cold and austere house despite the warm decoration.
She glanced at the frame hanging on the wall to her right and sighed in front of her wedding photo. It seemed like ages since she had smiled and the sky had darkened with thick clouds. She lay down on the couch, not even bothering to change her clothes, and let herself fall asleep.
She woke up a few hours later when she heard her husband come home. She found herself not sitting up and lay there, her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. Since when had she stopped welcoming her husband when he came home? Since when had she stopped being happy to see him? Since when had she felt like she was living with a stranger? Since the soldier had crushed and made disappear the man she had loved deeply and sincerely ?
"Murphy." The admiral's voice was intended to be soft and not aggressive. The only response he got was the sound of rain hitting the windows.
"Murphy, I know you're awake."
The doctor opened her eyes and sat on the couch, her gaze fixed on the window. She felt Akainu sit down on the chair beside her, his hands clasped and placed on his lap.
"I think we need to talk." He continued.
She had never seen such a look on him. He didn't often let her see his emotions, but this time, he didn't seem to put any barriers between them. She managed to distinguish the sadness and anguish in his gaze. He was afraid for her. A small flame rekindled, discreet and fragile, in her heart, when she saw all the love he still had for her despite all the difficulties of these last months. But for now, she couldn't help but push him away, it was visceral.
"Be careful."
"I heard that you were considered for the position of Admiral in Chief." The blonde began, avoiding his gaze.
"I'm not talking about that Murphy. I'm talking about us." He continued calmly.
"Congratulations, that would be quite a promotion. Admiral in Chief Akainu, bearer of Absolute Justice." She continued, ignoring his last sentence in a bitter tone.
"Muprhy, we need to talk about us." The admiral insisted in a firmer voice.
"About us? Or you who burns soldiers because you find them cowards or useless? Or you who massacres a ship full of innocent civilians in the name of justice? Or you who murders pirates without even giving them access to a fair and just trial? Or you who..." The woman listed as the tension rose as her words flew.
"Or you who kisses Aokiji?"
The doctor freezed on the couch. An icy cold settled in the living room as her husband still hadn't moved, his gaze fixed on hers.
"He's the one who kissed me. I slapped him afterwards." The blonde retorted, feeling trapped.
He still didn't move. She couldn't detect a shadow of an answer in his gaze.
Was he jealous that a man kissed his wife? Was he upset that his wife kissed another man? Was he disappointed that his wife was moving away from him? Was he afraid of losing her?
"Do you feel anything for Kuzan?" He continued in a slow voice.
"I don't feel anything for him."
"Do you still love me?"
The blonde turned her head towards the window as she felt tears flood her eyes. She felt the sadness wash over her like a powerful wave, destroying everything in its path. She remembered the first time she had met him, their first vacation on his native island, their entire weekends locked in her room studying, their wedding and their honeymoon.
"I didn't want any of this Saka." Sobs pierced her voice as she struggled to speak to her husband who was listening attentively.
"I didn't want this war. I didn't want these massacres. I didn't want you to have to make such decisions and do such things. I didn't want to count the deaths by the thousands because of stupid ideologies."
She finally looked into his eyes and burst into tears for good.
"Saka, I just wanted to take care of the citizens and live with you in our house by the beach. I wanted a sweet and simple life. To spend my evenings with you, to love you every day and to grow old by your side."
Sakazuki didn't answer. He let her calm her sobs. His eyes were veiled with sadness but not a tear ran down his cheek.
"I'm going to have to leave for a while. The high authorities can't agree on who will be the next admiral in chief between Aokiji and me. We're going to have to sort this out together, it'll be easier."
He got up from the couch slowly.
"Please Sakazuki, stay with me, I need you and us right now." She whispered as her husband walked past the couch without looking back, heading towards the entrance hall.
The living room was still cold and dark.
"Sakazuki..." She whispered, like a plea.
He put his admiral's coat back on and put his cap on.
"Sakazuki, stay..."
He put his hand on the doorknob of the front door, his mind hesitating for a few seconds. He finally turned the handle and stepped through the doorway. The cool wind and rain crept into the house, making Murphy shiver and find herself alone in this dark and cold house, in tears.