Page 61 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“You do seem familiar.”
“I should.”
It occurred to Akira that this man wasn’t old. While he radiated maturity, his skin was free of wrinkles. His features were delicate, almost feminine, and there was an impish quality to his growing smile. How old would his parents have been now? Fifty, at least. Older than this man appeared to be. Unless … was it possible that this person was Amaranthine?
“I feel like I should know you,” Akira admitted. And very carefully, he formed a hand sign that declared him a Betweener.
If Tabigarasu noticed, he didn’t let on.
Akira asked, “May I call you Tabi-ojisan? Tabi-oji!” Surely a friend of his father’s was owed uncle status.
“Please do.”
“And … may I send a picture of us to Sis?”
His smile faded. “She may not remember me. We lost ties after … what happened to your parents.”
“Understood, but I show her all the nice people I meet. That way she knows I’m okay.” Akira flipped through his recent photos, showing off the one of him with Rafter. “Maybe she won’t recognize you, but maybe she will. Want to find out?”
“I must confess I do.”
“Can I come closer?” He held up his phone, miming a selfie.
Tabi-oji stretched an arm behind Akira, and they slid together.
He took a few snapshots, and they sat, heads bent together while choosing one to keep.
“Do you have a picture of Tsumiko?” he asked.
“No. They’re not allowed.” Rolling his eyes, he said, “Argent’s very protective. So if you want to see Sis, you’ll have to go to Stately House.”
“I see. Yes. I will consider it.”
Akira asked, “How long are you staying in Beacon?”
“Until I move along,” he said vaguely. “A little while longer.”
“While you’re here, do you want to meet again? I’d like to hear stuff about my parents.”
Tabi-oji bowed his head. “That would be an unparalleled pleasure.”
“Great! How can I contact you? A text?”
“Here.” With a graceful sweep of his hand that included the museum, he said, “I would gladly meet with you here.”
“Easy enough.” Akira offered, “Want to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
Tabi-oji drew in a long breath, then exhaled on a low chuckle. “Yes, Akira. Tomorrow, I will be here for you.”
Akira closed the crystal gate firmly behind him before softly calling, “Zuzu? Zuzu!”
The tree winked into existence before him, all clasped hands and wide eyes. “You need me?”
“I do!” Lifting a flat box that was still hot from the ovens of a nearby pizzeria, he asked, “Can you smuggle this into Fumiko’s room? I thought she might enjoy a feast.”
Zuzu’s lashes fluttered. “Pizza?”
“Yep! Ever have it?”
