A Millions Souls For You To Be Mine

Chapter 5 (Part 1)

"Excuse me, misters. Where did you come from? Did you use magic?" A voice rang from behind of the two of them as soon as they entered Over World. They turn to face the source, a little boy around the age of six. "Uh...." Tenumi muttered as the boy stares at him with his blue eyes. "Unfortunately, we can't tell you were we come from but I can tell you that we did in fact used magic. Would you like me to show you more?" Aku said with a gentle smile on his face. The little boy's face lits up and nods. Showing his palm, Aku does a simple magic spell, making a faint light appear. He watches in wonder as Aku alters the colour. Tenumi does as well, but rather than the magic show, he was in awe with how Aku was dealing with this situation. He was a bit jealous that Aku was smiling so easily but it was covered up by the warm feeling that he was getting by watching the two.

Feeling that it has gone on long enough, Aku closes his hand, the light dissipating. "That was amazing!" The little boy exclaims, eyes shining brightly. "C-can you please teach me how...?" He then asks him with pleading eyes. Not wanting him to be disheartened, Aku pats the boy's head, his smile not fading away. "I would be delighted to! I can't be here everyday though so how about we make a schedule?" He suggests and the little boy immediately nods in agreement. "Of course! How about every Saturday?" Aku chuckles at the enthusiasm. "Wait for me, okay?"

The two smile at their agreement but the one from the little boy was shot down after remembering something. "I'm sorry but I- I have to go now." He turns around to leave but stops midway. "Oh, what's your name, mister?" Aku was reluctant at first, thinking whether or not he should tell. Shaking his head out of his thoughts and smiling, Aku answers. "Call me... Aeri. What about you? What's your name?" He returned the question. "My name is Oliver! I'll see in Saturday, Mister Aeri!" After that, Oliver leaves, Aku smiling softly, staring at the path he took.

"'Aeri'?" Tenumi called out using the name he gave to Oliver. Aku jumps at the sudden use of the name. "T-Tenumi, please refrain from calling me that..." He suggested. "Aw, come on, why not?" Aku turns away, not wanting the topic to continue.

Sensing that he adamant about this, Tenumi yields and changes the subject. "That was a pretty cute way to deal with the kid. You were cute with your smile as well." He said, mildly teasing Aku. "I-I'm sorry... Kids like that are my Achilles heel..." Aku answered truthfully. Tenumi snickers for a bit. "But... Did we really just interacted with him?!" His voice showed his surprise. "You touched him as well... Normally we would just phase through mortals!" Aku was the one to laugh this time. "Don't mock me! That kid was able to see otherworldly beings!" Aku took a bit of offense. "Tenumi, his name is Oliver. Don't call him 'that kid'." He lectured. Tenumi begrudgingly complies and his tone grew softer. "Okay... How can Oliver just generally interact with us?" He asked

Aku then proceeded to explain. "There isn't a definitive reason as to why, but some people, mostly children, can communicate with us. Although mostly just by sight, a very few number are like, Oliver, we can fully interact with." Sadness then shows in Aku's face. "Of course, some, no, most grow out of these abilities. Everyone mortal that I met did..."

Aku's sadness made Tenumi want to change the mood. "Well, at least you can interact with them. If you left a big impact on them as well, I'm pretty sure they at least remembered you even after they grew out of that ability." He tried to reassure him. Aku closes his eyes, looking into his memories. Once he finds the one he was looking for, he smiles. "Yeah, some of them did." Tenumi smiles himself as he sees him lighten up.

After a moment tranquil, Aku opens his eyes revealing that Tenumi has his looks fixated on him, patiently waiting for him to collect himself. "...How about you try and sleep?" Tenumi asks snapping him from his trance. That was when Aku noticed that he himself was also staring at the other. "Ah...! Sleep? Why would I need sleep...?" He asked, confused about his words. "It always works for me. Come on, just try it." Tenumi tried to persuade him. Even though he was somewhat suspicious of this, Aku does what he recommended him.

Tenumi once again convinced something on Aku. This time, it was for him to lay his head on his lap. "I still don't see the reason for this." Aku said as the other ran his fingers through his hair, petting him. "Its more comfortable in this position right?" Tenumi inquired as he continued the action. Aku looks up at him with half lidded eyes. It was true, what Tenumi is doing is so comfortable to him. No, Tenumi himself was so comfortable to him. Never in the past couple years have Aku felt this peaceful. This feeling lulled him into a nap he never actually needed.