Akaza After Story

“Douma, I have brought you my son. Take care of him now.”

I would say, "I'll take good care of him," but if Susanoo becomes displeased, he'll probably sink us both.

"Then I hope the both of you make it to the island safely. But still... tonight’s moon is quite magnificent.”

Tonight, I will cross over to Tennyo Island. To be the groom of the daughter of White.

"Let's get the boat rowing before the moon is hidden. Akaza, get on.”

“Thank you, Lord Douma."

A short distance away, on the path above the beach, a crowd had gathered. Shura-dono and other chiefs of color, as well as the islanders, were visiting us with bated breath.

This Tenguu’s island’s first wedding ceremony with the [White]. For the past week, she and I have been staying at Kiyosai, the place where I was born. And tonight, we will take a boat to Tennyo Island, and return with her tomorrow at noon.

After that, a grand feast was scheduled to be held on the island. The boat was going smoothly, and in no time at all, we were far from the beach.

I never imagined that I would be riding the boat with him, so I was very nervous inside.

“You are a good rower, Mr. Douma. I heard you had a hobby for fishing.”

“In Japan, I used to go down the river by boat and I have thought about going to that island several times.”

"Knowing you'd be blocked by the whirlpools?"

“There was that, too, but in the end I could not bear to approach the island. Because I ... I am the man who sent the women of White to their deaths. The disaster of their loss.”

I knew there was something hidden in the story, but the truth was too horrific. No wonder my father did not want to talk about it.

My mother lost her life for giving birth to me. And Douma's wife also met a horrible end. It was the ugliness of man that defiled the island where the precious God sleeps.

If I were Douma, if I were to mourn my wife in such a manner, would I be able to maintain my sanity?

No, I would not be able to stay sane. I would have cursed the world and erased everyone in my sight.

I might have cursed the world and erased everyone I saw. Every time I think about this, I feel the blood that is so much a part of me.

I feel the blood of a man who looks just like me. A man who looks just like me. A violent, hated man who rules the sea, who loved and killed his own sister.

“You are in and out of the island for research as a Kotowari, so you’re probably bored by these boats by now.”

“No, that’s not true.”

“The whirlpools protect the [white]. Normally, tidal currents are affected by weather and time. But that whirlpool certainly has a will of its own, and it will always let the [white] women through, no matter what the time.”

“Akaza, I ...... want to go back to that island."

When she first told me that, I cringed.

I thought she would leave me and disappear back to the island, just like a fairy tale.

“If I brought a blanket and a lamp, I can stay the night, right?”

I was relieved and burst into laughter. The descendant of the Goddess of the Sun was camping out with a smile.

“Then, let's start with the wedding. I would also like to survey the terrain with your permission.”

We then went to the island many times with sickles in our hands. Sometimes Chikaya, the waiting woman, would accompany us and tell us stories of the old days.

“Everyone is happy that the white girl got her groom. From now on, this island will flourish again.”

We laughed at the story of a young man who saw us and tried to sneak up on us for fun, and sure enough, the boat was caught and pulled back in a wave. He was not killed, and the story will remain as a legend.

The island is a wonder, isn't it? I will never forget the first time I went to the island with her.

I heard my mother's voice saying, "Welcome home”. It's strange, isn't it? I should not have known my mother's voice. But on that island, that could happen.

His voice was calm. All I could hear was the faint sound of a rowing boat and the waves. The sea was bright thanks to the full moon shining brightly.

“Akaza, can you see it? The welcoming fire is lit.”

“Ah...!”

The moment I saw it, I was so distracted that I wanted to jump into the sea.

It's strange. I had drifted to Tennyo Island and had never been on a "moon boat" or anything like that.

I never thought I would be the boat keeper.

I heard that it was Tsukuyomi who was the boat keeper until the boats ceased to exist.

But Jigen insisted that the father of the bride should be the one to send her off.

“Douma-dono, I will definitely make her happy.”

“Of course.”

“Leave the affairs of this island to me. I will do my best together with Kuroba and the others.”

“Don't talk so big, young man.”

“Thank you for protecting her all these years.”

“You have no right to thank me.”

“You and she are very much alike, aren't you?”

“You want to get knocked off the boat?”

“I can swim if it’s this distance.”

“I'm not so sure about that. Susanoo may try to make you disappear.”

I broke out in a cold sweat. I am a competitive person with a bad temper and I do what I want.

But with this ocean as my opponent, the odds are against me.

“Have you ever seen that man before?”

“Not once. I have never seen him.”

He stopped rowing and looked out at the night sea. The whirlpools subsided. The whirlpools had been ferociously reversing when we had left the beach at Tenguu Island.

“I am a man who has washed ashore from the sea of another world. I wonder who brought me, Jigen... and Tokisada. If it was that man, I should be grateful to have found my wife thanks to him.”

This man would say such a thing. I realized and wondered if tomorrow the seas will be stormy and spears and swords will rain down.

Perhaps he is excited about his daughter's wedding, in his own way. I'm not a very honest man myself, but I'm no match for him.

“Akaza! Douma!”

I heard a lovely voice. She was wearing a pure white kimono and holding a lamp. She ran across the shallow sea. The moonlight glinted off the waves as they splashed up with each step. I secretly admired her divine beauty.

“I have successfully escorted him.”

The daughter smiled at her father, who was about to return to the boat without looking at her.

“Thank you very much for bringing Akaza, ...... father."

“I didn't do anything. I just rowed the boat.”

Really, this father is not honest. But rather, there is joy around his grimly furrowed brow.

“Please come to the island next time. We are all... waiting for you."

He turned away and rowed away, probably holding back his tears. And I am sure his daughter must have noticed.

We stared at his back as the boat slowly pulled away. His wife will never return. But memories of her will live.

“Akaza, next time I'd like you to come with Jigen-sama. ...... if it's not too painful.”

“Then tomorrow, as soon as I return over there, I will tell him."

When the boat was out of sight, we started walking hand in hand. I had been here long enough to know the topography of the island, but tonight was special.

“Come in.”

I was invited to the house where she used to live. The landmark weathercock is spinning around tonight as well.

The bathtub and cooking stove had been fixed, and the house was furnished with the bare minimum of furniture, making it an easier place to live than in the field.

“Here you go, Akaza.”

She put on a crown of Irohabana flowers for me.

“It looks good on you," she said. I was a little hesitant about how it would look on a man, but this is the only thing I could think of.

The man who is chosen as the bridegroom of the "White" will receive pure white flowers. Oh.

I'm definitely standing on this very “spot” right now.

“I am happy to invite you to the island like this tonight. Are you okay? Are you sure you're not going to run out of love for me and regret it?”

“Will you regret losing your affection for me?"

She ruffled her hair to hide her embarrassment. The pearly white hair I had kissed so many times already.

“I don't ...... have any regrets."

I pushed her down on the bed and untied my belt, covering her lips. The smooth skin, even whiter than the white cloth, is revealed.

I couldn't help but to set my teeth loosely on her chest.

“Akaza…”