Turtle on the Tree

"Toma, will you be with me?"

These words came to me as a surprise. I tried to control my brows so that I wouldn't make some weird facial expression.

"What? I mean, sure, I would love to, but what is going on? Are you having a nice time now? You know, we don't have to rush anything, but I would like to be with you if that is what you want."

Akari's smile widened, and then she got serious again. With a little bit of hesitation, she started. "It's a little bit more complicated than that. So, you see, I need a husband in the next three months. Also, I need to show up with someone next week somewhere important."

"What? Wait, what? Husband? I think you are rushing yourself a little bit there. Don't you want to take things slow? What are you proposing now, marriage? What? I am so confused. And what do you mean by 'need'?"

"It's about my future, about my dream, about the media and so many things. I need, for my future and to be promoted at work, I need to find someone and resolve my relationship status and to give people and the media what they want. If I become minister without a man by my side, they will just continue to bother me."

I was blinking and getting even more confused. "How do you mean? What do you mean?" I was confused. "Is the government pushing you to be in a marriage to be promoted? That doesn't make any sense. I am not following. Also, I am not sure if that is the best idea. I can try to protect you from the media. I talked with my friend. He can help."

Her face looked a little bit sad, and she started to look worried but started, "It is very complicated. I don't know what I was thinking. I thought maybe you could just act, and I can pay you or something, give you something in return, just to act as my husband. I think you are a pretty decent guy now that we talked and got to know each other a little bit. Sorry for just dumping all this on you and asking such an impossible thing."

"Look, you don't have to do this. You don't have to do anything. Don't let other people force you into something you don't want. I am pretty rich, so I don't need money. I could act as your husband, no problem. I am pretty decent at acting. But would that really make you happy? Is that what you really want?"

Akari was thinking. The silence was not uncomfortable. The night was slowly nearing the end. Soon the dawn would show itself.

"It is my dream to get this position, and if it is a husband what I need for it, I will get him," Akari said after some thinking. "Marriage is not so important to me, and getting this promotion would make me happy, so it is really the best idea. I will find someone to do it. Sorry for just dumping all this on you, on our second time seeing each other."

With the palm of my hand, I took her hand. "Ms. Asahina, will you be my wife?"

She smiled. "You don't have to do this. It's fine. I will find some old guy to do it, but you are very kind, Toma."

"Ha, you called me by my name. I like you a lot, and I think I am kind of in love with you already. Will you make me happy and be my wife, Akari?"

"Yes. If that is what you really want." Akari didn't move her hand and just wanted to rest her hand on mine.

I wasn't sure what to do next, but I tried to make some sense out of it. "Thanks. It is settled. What do we do next? Honeymoon? Ha ha. If you get bored of me or you change your mind about this, please let me know. I will try to be a good husband and to do this for real, but if you want to give up on it, just say the word."

"You don't have to make real efforts, and thanks for accepting to do this." Akari exhaled like all the weight from her back was released and disappeared.

"I will try to make efforts. I think that you are fun, and if you let me, I want to get to know you even better. What do you know? Maybe one day I will make you fall for me as well. I will make effort as your husband to make you fall in love with me. Hehe. I've done many rom-com movies. I know how to do it. Ha ha."

"Okay, if you want me to do anything for you for accepting to do this, just ask anytime."

"Please don't say that. I asked you to marry me, so I am not doing anything for you. I am doing it for myself. I don't want you to think that you are in debt or that you owe me anything. I think you are amazing. I want to help you, but if in some days you realize this is a mistake, please don't force yourself to do this. You will achieve your dream one day, I am sure, with or without me. But I am here, and I will be here if you need me."

"Toma, you are a really great guy. For me, I must tell you, this is what I want. I don't really care about marriage or boyfriends or anything like this. I care about my career. I must tell you this as well: if I burden you too much with this, please leave me and just do your thing. I don't want to play or use you. I don't want you to be just a tool or stepping stone, but it is almost like that. I didn't expect you to be okay with this and do all this..."

"Akari, I will be fine. Don't worry."

"But what if I just use you and throw you away afterwards? Aren't you worried about that?"

"No, don't worry. I will be fine."

"What if I become the worst wife ever? What if..."

I smiled and interrupted her to say, "What if everything is just perfect and we have a perfect relationship?"

Akari's eyes widened. "You can't know that."

"We can't know anything, but I think we will be fine, Ms. Akari."

We were walking slowly now, and it was time for us to each go our way.

Akari stopped and looked me into the eyes, a deep stare. I thought, Oh, is she trying to kiss? Is this what she really wants? What will she ask now? What will she do? It was fun and a little bit scary. She was more unpredictable than she looked.

"Toma, we need to go to dinner in a week together with this high-position guy. Can you make it there with me? It is really important."

"Of course I can. I have some shooting for a movie, some media stuff, but I will make time. Don't worry."

The next thing I knew, her lips were touching my lips. Her eyes were closed because I saw that, because I didn't yet have time to close mine. Her lips were warm and tender. I closed my eyes and enjoyed this second of bliss.

Akari blushed and smiled. "Bye. We will be in touch."

I was standing there like a pastry lost in a galaxy, like a camel in the ocean, like a turtle on a tree. Totally lost for words. Totally in love with this woman who has the power to break my heart into a million pieces.

Akari was going to her apartment, not even realizing how big of a smile was on her face right now.

"I will make it," she thought. "I will become Minister of Finance, and after that, I will go even for the Prime Minister position. That Sachiko guy doesn't have a chance against me."

She entered her apartment. It was clean and empty as always. It felt bigger. The rooms felt big for Akari. She thought something was missing. Maybe some big closet or maybe some coffee table. She threw herself onto the bed and then thought to herself, "I should have invited Toma in."