We Will Meet Again

Akito's outlook on the future may differ slightly from her own, that's normal. However, the one thing she can be sure of now is him and him alone. In this place, she has met so many people. In the next year, Setsura knew she would continue meeting more people. But, even if she meets thousands of people. Her opinion won't change at all. The one person who can stand by her side is Akito. He is the only one who can fill that hole.

It feels terrible, now that she is thinking about it this way. But indeed when she is with him, this gap is...

Just as there is a light at night and darkness in the day, there will always be darkness in the world. At the same time, the world will never be engulfed by the darkness. In that mix of ambiguous colors, everything moves on: their fates determined.

Right now, what is the outcome of her and Akito's fight? Their struggle? Even now, they're probably still isn't a proper answer.

"Setsura?"

"Tell me something if you could go to the future. Would you come with me?"

Akito paused but nodded. "I am interested. But, huh, if I came along. I'd become a third wheel to the relationship you have there. Your boyfriend isn't dead, I'm sure he will get better."

"Why are you saying this stuff now?"

"When you told me you'd stay here, I was very happy. However, I want you to think about your boy- no, your fiance. Do you still like him?"

Setsura sighed, "You're so troublesome…"

"I won't pressure you to answer me right away. There is no need, but yeah. Will you answer my question? How is the police force in the future?"

Now he is pressuring her indirectly for something completely different. Setsura looked away from him. She can't tell him the truth. How can she crush his hopes and expectations? Not even she can be this cruel. Sadly, Setsura knew that now that this has piqued his interest. Akito would not let this go. The best thing to do during a situation like this is to play coy. Setsura took a deep breath before she responded.

"Its nothing special," Setsura vaguely replied. By vaguely replying like this, she will make him curious. But curious enough not to inquire. Sure enough, the look in Akito's eyes changed somewhat. Setsura points to the files in his hands, "When will you tell me what all this stuff is about?"

"Setsura, your good at profiling now, correct?"

"Yes, what about it?" Ever since the last time, she has practiced a bit more. There are no longer any traces of the mistakes she formally made before.

"Profile the candidates."

Okay, that seems simple enough. But, what kind of cases are these anyway? Setsura curiously browsed through the files. Her eyes widened when she saw the reports. "Ah, these people."

"They are the victims who survived. If you look closely, the survivors are all high profile."

Indeed, even the teacher who ended up in the child's body - was an important member of society. Setsura paused at one of the profiles. A man with similar red color hair to Akito, except it, was slightly longer. He wore a forest green Chinese qipao, on top was a black coat. "Ah, he looks like you."

"He's one of the old man's children."

Setsura blinked, "So, in other words, he is your half brother?"

"I suppose so," Akito mumbled. "Anyhow, we don't associate with him anymore."

No longer associate? Why? Setsura's gaze fell on the profile again and noticed something. A familiar symbol, Victor told her once before. All mafia groups have an emblem beside their name when their profiles come up. It was the same with this man too. So, this man is a member of the mafia?

Akito brushed his forehead against hers, "Don't pay this one any attention if he catches you investigating him. Even I will have a hard time saving you, just focus on the other candidates, okay?"

Setsura nodded and turned her attention back to the folder in her hands. Akito is so cautious, is this man that dangerous? While Akito keeps her away from danger a lot. He does not act like she is some kind of damsel in distress that needs protecting. So, maybe initially, Akito looked down on her a bit. Indeed, Setsura understood why. At the start, she was very useless. It is normal for him to have such negative thoughts.

People pay a lot for the price of peace. In order to obtain peace, people need to make sacrifices. Along the way, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they continue despite all the pain. This person, what made him sacrifice the riches of his family, to become a man on the run? Becoming a member of the mafia, what kind of person is he? It did pique her curiosity, however, since Akito told her not to pursue it. Setsura knew better than to go against him.

….

Research indicates that time perception changes as you grow older.

Hours feel like minutes and days feel like hours.

For her, years seem like minutes, no like seconds.

Setsura tries to feign ignorance, but after that conversation, they had in the morning. She didn't know what to think. She wonders when things changed. She understands something is wrong when she talks to him. At some point, she gets lost in their conversation. Is she actually listening? No, there are times where she isn't listening to him at all. Times where she is focused on the small details about him whenever he talks. Like whenever Akito lies, Setsura can tell because her eyebrows raise.

Every single time she falls into a pit of despair. Akito will take his hand in hers; he would wrap his arms around her. He would give her a gentle kiss and call her name with a gentle tone, repeatedly. Setsura has to admit that whenever Akito consoles her, she likes it. Usually, he acts like a flirtatious fool. But, whenever he is like that. Akito is so serious; she loves that side of him.

A deep sigh escaped her lips, 'Can't concentrate.' Setsura returned to the office for work - but there wasn't much to do with the end of the month. Everybody is in a festive mood and talking about their Christmas plans. So, it seems like people here do celebrate it. Christmas in the Meiji era, huh? Her gaze flickered towards the doc.u.ments in her hands, underneath was a folder. It was details of the cases Akito mentioned earlier.

Setsura though, had yet to look through it properly. To think, Akito made such a face before they left earlier. 'Setsura marry me.'

He brought that up again; she glanced over at the ring on her finger. It seems like even if she doesn't accept, she has to wear this.

'As long as you have this ring, Touma can't go near you.'

Does the ring have some strange magic inside? It looks normal to her. Still, Setsura knew better than to take it of. If Akito says it can protect her, then she should believe in him. However, what's with him proposing like that? That man has no shame whatsoever.