Page 39 of Echoes of Eternity

I felt my pulse quicken, her insistence unraveling the facade I’d been trying to maintain since my life was turned upside down. “I promise, I’m fine,” I insisted, but the more I reassured her, the more suspicious she seemed.

“Right, fine,” she said, her tone teasing but laced with concern. “Just don’t forget that I’m your friend, and I can help. Even if it’s about some divine bird-man or whatever you’re dealing with.”

My heart skipped at her words, and I couldn’t help but chuckle nervously. “W-What? A bird-man? What are you even talking about?”

She narrowed her eyes before leaning back. “I saw it on your internet search one day when I walked by. Are you still thinking about that creepy guy who came in for the back tattoo?” She gasped and grabbed me again. “Are you dating the creepy guy?! I mean, sometimes the weird ones be packing a lot of?—”

“Chivonn! I am not banging the creepy guy!” I exclaimed.

The buzz of tattoo machines awkwardly went silent and I groaned.

Jake was the first to break the silence. “Are you guys sharing dick picks over there? Keep that nasty stuff out of the workplace!”

Sam chuckled. “Not like you haven't tattooed a dick or two on clients, Jake. Stop being a prude.”

“Hey! Not in front of my plants, man,” Jake pouts, proceeding to pet said plant he brought in today.

Chivonn raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused. “You’re not fooling anyone. Just keep me in the loop, okay? I’m here if you need me.”

As she returned to her work, I felt a mix of gratitude and dread. How could I explain the chaos in my life, the otherworldly presence that had invaded my dreams? The truth felt too immense to share, especially with someone who cared as much as she did. I could only hope that somehow, I would find a way to navigate this storm without dragging her into it.

I didn’t want to reveal the complexity of my situation, fearing judgment and possibly a danger to Noboru if anyone snitched about his appearance in this world tothe government. I might have died the last few lifetimes, but I couldn’t bear the thought of him dying for all eternity. Did divine beings get reborn? From the way Noboru explained things… I was the only thing he was chasing, not that he ever died and came back.

And my parents? They would die if I ended up on some men in black list. They would probably take me away, never to be seen again and where would that leave my parents? Who would take care of them? I highly doubt the government covers the families of the missing. They would want it to be as clean and quiet as can be while they do who knows what to you.

“For a dick pic, you’re thinking pretty hard and deep over there,” Jake threw out, pulling me from thoughts of conspiracies and alien experimentations. “Get it?”

Sam shook his head as he finished up with his client. “That’s exactly why you need to stick with plants. What woman would stick around with jokes like that? Jeebus, Jake.”

Jake feigned a dramatic gasp as he turned on his tattoo machine, clutching his heart. “But Sam, my charm is irresistible! Just look at how well it works with the plants.”

Chivonn rolled her eyes, but a smile crept onto her face. “At least the plants can’t talk back. You’d think they’d be safer company.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension from earlier slowly easing as their playful banter filled the shop. “Maybe you should take notes, Jake. A little less charm and a little more sincerity might do you good.”

Jake shot me a mock glare. “Sincerity? Where’s the fun in that? Besides, everyone loves a bad boy!”

“More like a bad joke,” Sam quipped, packing away his supplies. “Seriously, though, Mae. Are you sure everything’s alright? You’ve been looking a little pale.”

I waved it off again, forcing a smile that felt more genuine this time. “I’m pale because I’m working in this building all the time with you nuts. It’s the lack of sunshine. I’m fine, really. Just a little tired, that’s all.”

“Yeah, sure,” Chivonn said, arching an eyebrow. “You look like you’ve been running from a bird deity or something.”

“That was just a little research for future projects, you know, in case some other loon comes in with another crazed sketch for me to replicate on their back,” I shot back, trying to keep the mood light. “And stop snooping over my shoulder. Next thing you know, I’ll have to start charging for intruding in my personal life.”

“Hey, if you’re getting into supernatural relationships with your art, I want a cut!” Jake chimed in, laughing.

Just then, the bell over the door jingled as a new customer walked in, momentarily diverting everyone’s attention. I took a deep breath, grateful for the distraction. Turning back to my work, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the truth about what was happening to me was just beneath the surface, waiting to spill out at the most inconvenient moment.

As the days wore on, the sleepless nights took their toll. My head would bob during my occasional breaksmuch to my embarrassment. Every time I told myself I was going to give Noboru and his glorious cock a piece of my mind, I’d end up in compromised positions, screaming in pleasure instead.

But Noboru wasn’t always there, hanging around my house. I honestly didn’t know where he would disappear to at times, my mind wondering why he dared to rekindle our relationship after admitting to me he was punished for it the first time. Had he discovered a loophole? A workaround with the gods? Did he promise them something in order to be allowed this relationship?

Was loving Noboru going to be his downfall? That was a question that weighed heavily in my gut, bringing forth the same feelings of disappointment that threatened to drown me on the cliff that day.

I snuck visits to my parents when I could, but they were shorter than usual. Thoughts of Noboru helped field the usual emotions that stirred during my time spent in my childhood home.

Maybe they were right all along. Maybe I was lonely and I didn’t realize it. Noboru’s appearance in my life has definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things.

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