A/N: There is currently no category for "This Boy is a Wizard" (Kono Danshi, Mahou ga Oshigoto Desu) so I have to post this as a misc story. The characters are Toyohi Utsumi and Chiharu Kashima).

The jellyfish float as the light show changes behind it from red to purple to blue.

Chiharu's hand tightens against mine for a second, but it is only a fleeting whisper of hope and then it is gone. His left hand touches the glass between him and the undulating blob. Scientific name: Medusozoa, from the phylum Cnidaria, the lit sign next to the tank reads. What's the scientific name of a human who can perform magic? Homo sapien, phylum Chordata, surely, he thought. Subspecies: Wizard?

Chiharu's fingers go limp in my hand as someone else enters the room and I step in closer dropping his hand. "Look at this one. It's different from the others." I say, pointing with fingers suddenly cold. The small jellyfish goes off at an odd angle away from the others, its forward motion is slow and stuttered instead of fluid.

"That's our oldest specimen," says a voice from behind me. "He's almost a year old – which is ancient for an Aurelia Aurita. Everyone on the staff calls him Ojisan."

When I turn and look, an older man standing just to our left is wearing an aquarium uniform and a docent name tag.

"He's beautiful," Chiharu says. "How can you tell it is male?"

For a second I'm jealous; he's never called me beautiful.

"It's only obvious during spawning," he answers. "Ojisan is probably the father of many of our jellies." Finally, it arrived near a larger blob, bumping it away from other smaller ones.

"And see, a tough old boy, fighting the bullies to protect the Ephrya or baby jellyfish."

"I guess we were lucky to see him," I say.

"If you have any more questions…" the man trails off. Chiharu shakes his head, his mouth turned down in a familiar frown. The docent bows and moves on.

"What are you thinking?"

"That it's sad that such a useful member of the community will be gone soon. Thank you for bringing me here, Toyohi. I'm glad we got to see him before he's gone."

"I didn't mean to upset you," I protest.

"It's not that I'm sad; I'm just taking a moment to honor his life. "

"Oh, ok." I look back at the tank, searching for something positive.

"Isn't it precious?" he asks. "Imagine being vital and necessary, having your place defined not by one ability, but your contribution over all?"

"I feel like we're not talking about jellyfish anymore."

"Perhaps not," he answers. "I may be projecting my own hopes for the future onto this creature. I want to be more than my magic; I want to leave behind a legacy."

My eyes go downward to my feet. What will my legacy be? Can I still make a lasting contribution at my age? And I'm nothing more than –

"Look at this one," he says, a smile curving his lips subtly. "It's so small – think of it; it is new and fresh with limitless possibilities."

I watch as it floats into another small jellyfish where they stay orbiting each other. "It has a new friend," I point out.

"Just like us," Chiharu responds, slipping his hand back into mine, then tugging me gently toward the next exhibit.