We Will Meet Again

If she knew that would be the last time she would see him in a long time, then perhaps she would have done something other than tell him to save his strength. Perhaps she could have kissed him and told him how much she loved him.

....

A month later - ST Rinkan Academy - President Office.

An older man with grey hair and glasses wearing a brown striped suit sat behind a table - and she stood opposite him. Two hours had passed since Setsura came here, while she initially wanted to pay a quick visit. The vice president himself gave her a tour of the University. It was everything she and Shinji thought it would be. In this place, they could achieve their dreams, but right now, that was the last thing on her mind. For the last 20 minutes, Setsura explained the circ.u.mstances.

The vice president spent the next 10 minutes thinking her words through before he spoke up, "Are you sure about this, Miss Setsura? You wish to delay your entry into the school?"

"That is correct,"

The President looked at her for a moment, before he hesitantly said, "You are aware that while we can make an exception for you, if an exceptional student is found on the waiting list, then your place will go to them?"

"I'm aware, and that is fine."

It does not matter to her, while this place may have been her dream. It's no use coming here without him, and even if he recovers - it will take a long time, "If it ends up like that, then so be it. I shall simply go through the examination again."

...

When Setsura arrived home, she saw a familiar car parked at the front, so she made her way towards the back. Her room was at the very back on the fourth floor, Setsura found the ladder she typically used in the usual hiding spot and lifted it towards the decking. Hearing a click, a relieved sigh passed her lips. 'Shouldn't fall this time,' last time she didn't adjust it right and the ladder fell half way.

It was a struggle like usual, her room being all the way on the fourth floor meant she would have to climb more. However, it was worth it; after a few minutes, she landed safely on the deck and walked towards the double doors. It was unlocked like usual, Setsura didn't think to lock it since she didn't have any valuable possessions here. She walked towards her bed and immediately collapsed on to it, as she thought through the events from earlier.

Though she could have canceled over the phone, Setsura wanted to see the University with her own eyes at least. Setsura closed the balcony door and collapsed onto her bed; she didn't want to do anything. Not even her favorite painting that would usually help calm her down whenever something went wrong. 'What am I going to do,' Setsura pondered. No matter how many days pass by, Shinji still hasn't woken up. With the way things are now, the things they both planned like the wedding, and going to University together and even taking that trip. Trip...

Setsura sat up and damaged through her bedside drawer, sure enough there it was. The plane tickets to go to France. Shinji joked around and said it would be like a honeymoon trip, even though they planned before the wedding. The ticket, 'Three more days,' Setsura muttered. In three days it would be their flight to France. But, there was no way she could go alone. Her gaze turned cold when she felt somebody else's presence in the room.

"Why did you not knock? "This rude person in front of her is her adopted brother, Shun, "Shun."

His lips curve to a smile, "So you're willing to speak now? For the three weeks, you wouldn't talk at all; I almost thought you went mute."

"..."

Shun walked over and cupped her cheeks, "My precious sister, it would be a shame if you lost yourself just for one man."

"Let go."

"Why should I? He's no longer a hindrance," Shinji's hands trailed on her thighs, "I'm sure you understand where I am coming from?"

Setsura closed her eyes; briefly, this man is impossible. Yes, he is not blood-related to her, but they have been living as siblings for the past eight years together. Setsura removed his hand, but he grabbed hold of her wrist, "Let go of me," she snapped.

"What spunk you have my dear sister, but remember who owns the mansion now? Who is in charge of this family?"

Yes, yes, she knows. Ever since her father made that stupid mistake, this man has been in charge of the company. While Shun was brought over for the very purpose of helping the company, Setsura didn't think he would be able to take care over it so easily. But it seemed like for a while now; people were dissatisfied with her father's rule, "If you don't recall dear brother, I haven't been living here for a while now. I don't need the Kaname family name either," it made her sick calling him, 'brother,' anything to do with family always made her ill.

That's right, while she may have had no choice but to rely on this family. Setsura did not want to, but she had no choice. With her mother dead, she did not have anybody else on her side. To live, she needed two things, a roof over her head and money. The first one, Setsura, knew she wouldn't be able to live by herself. For half a year, she lived with Shinji's family before they dragged her back into this hell.

It was only for six months, the moment she turned twelve - things drastically changed for her. That was the moment where she won the international art competition, and from then onwards she made a living out of her paintings. Though, she had to use the secret pen name 'Wish,' knowing full well what would happen if her so-called family were to find out. They would immediately stop her. This man likes the idea of her being dependent on them.

'How stupid,' Setsura thought. She looked at him with cold and indifferent eyes; there is no need to speak to this man. Shun frowned, "Why do your eyes look dead again? Hey Setsura, why is it you look like a doll unless you're around Shinji?"

A doll, huh? That may be an accurate representation of this moment. No, that's wrong. That word would be the most accurate to describe the person she once was.

She may have pale porcelain skin and have jewel-like eyes, pink rosebud lips and hair like gold thread, but Setsura's personality was intense. She would not let other people step personality to match her fragile and delicate appearance. Setsura disliked dolls. Their skin was hard, and cold like ice. Yes, that description certainly fits the her of ten years ago than the present day with rough hair, unkempt - and dangling over their faces and covering their face.

Dolls didn't have any emotions and simply wore a blank expression. Their expressions don't change like humans. On the other hand, her expression constantly changed, whether it was the angry look in her eyes or frown when she was annoyed or those rare smiles she showed around that person. Dolls are fragile and gentle, but she wasn't like that. Shinji always joked around with her, saying that the one who acted like a man in their relationship was her since she often protected him. Most men would be put off by females like this; however, Shinji was different. Shinji always said to her that he liked how stubborn she is, how sharp and cool she is, and underneath all that is her kindness.

Dolls smelled of dust, stains, and plastic scent of something that was once brand new. Like the her that night eight years ago, hungry, and very cold. It was only when she arrived at Shinji's home that night did she realize how awful her appearance looked. Torn clothes, slash marks on her arms, messy and unkempt hair. Red stains all over her legs and arms. Dolls remained still, and unmoved looking pretty, while simply moving for her was considered as beautiful by other people. Whether it was her taking a few steps forward to dancing in Shinji's arms, or whenever she walked beside him. Dolls didn't do anything; they are content with their lives. But her? She is a hard worker; she crawled her way from the bottom to the very top.

Dolls had no emotions; they did not care about anybody; they did not love.

"You're not him," Setsura did not answer his question, and simply muttered those words as she pushed him away from her and left the bed. She walked towards the window; her heart felt hollow. But Setsura refused the doll-like her from all those years ago, to resurface. That may be why she paid the academy a visit; she wanted something to remind her of her dream. Something to remind her that she isn't an empty and broken shell.

Shun deeply sighed, but he didn't approach her, "Setsura, I'm here to tell you that Father thinks you should go abroad."

Setsura's gaze turned cold, and she felt her whole body freeze. She wanted to laugh, so that's all they can do now? Send her away to a foreign country? Keep her away from him?