We Will Meet Again

Still, this was a first for her. In the future, she is engaged, but the proposal was not romantic at all. It was something their families decided. So, the entire memory was not pleasant for her. Akito's proposal, she can't say it was done correctly. But, it indeed surprised her. Does he want to marry her? Setsura felt slightly conflicted; they only met a few months back. Can he say so for sure that he is sincere?

Talk is cheap; anybody can say such words. But, not everybody could prove it with their actions. Akito, though, 'he's sincere, isn't he?' Setsura only knew him for a couple of months. However, there was no doubt how genuine Akito is.

Her thoughts broke off when the phone beside her started ringing.

Is it Akito? But Akito knows better than to call her during this time.

Setsura blinked once and then twice before she picked it up. "Hello?"

"It seems like you intend to disobey, despite all the warnings."

She froze when she heard the other person on the other end of the line. Setsura knew this voice; she knew it very well. But how could that be? Setsura only met this person once; she only saw him two times. So, why does she recognize his voice?

Touma chuckled, "Don't freeze up, it's not like I'm around to do anything to you. But it's a real shame. I should use this opportunity since you are in the building by yourself right now."

How does he know that? Everybody went off to lunch. Setsura remained behind. Unease, fear, and uncertainty. Setsura cautiously glanced around at her surroundings. He isn't here is he? But, he must be watching her from somewhere. She does not bother listening anymore and puts the phone down. Since it was an old phone, all she had to do was unhook it. She slumped on her chair; a deep sigh passed her lips.

That man is crazy, Setsura already knew that before. Their first unofficial meeting in the clock tower left her with bad memories — a mad man, engaging in such terrible acts. No doubt, Touma is the main cause of all this pain and suffering. But, words alone are not enough to convict a person. Concrete evidence is necessary. If there is no evidence, it's the same as accusing an innocent civilian.

One of the things Setsura recalls clearly is the sirens and wails of the people in the surroundings. Somebody sat down beside her. People shouting -

------

The year 2018

Even that guy is not invisible. But then again, they chose the perfect time to trap her. The job they sent her on was dangerous. A place abroad where the system is not implemented , so it meant using real weapons. That did not matter to her in the slightest. This way it's okay. Lately, she needs to think.

It was hot. The desert was sizzling hot, but Setsura was too used to it to complain. Quite some time has passed since she came here. Setsura hid behind a rock, which gave her decent cover and even a bit of shade. Her task was to look over the area from afar and alert the others if the enemy is nearby. Setsura rubbed her forehead with her hands. Lately, she found it hard to concentrate. Her mind was distracted . She wondered what that person was doing right now. Did he think about her?

These days she thinks about him a lot; she recalls how whenever they send her out on missions. He never lets her go. It didn't help how he lied about his job. Then again, it was indeed  a coincidence that they didn't bump into one another.

Usually, she wouldn't mind that — them fighting side by side. Setsura already understood what he meant to her. However, that didn't stop her from feeling uneasy.

She sighed and took out a cigarette from her pocket. She seldom smoked, but whenever she did. Setsura would think of that person. The sound of her companion made her lookup. It was a man named Richard, who eyed the cigarette in her hands curiously.

Richard was younger than her, but he's lived life as a mercenary for so long. Normally, Setsura wouldn't speak to any guys. At first, when she met him, she was cautious towards him like all the other men out there. But she quite liked this one. That person would get mad if he heard her say that. He is the easily jealous type.

Setsura offered her cigarettes, and Richard took out his lighter. No sooner did he bring the cigarette to his lips did he pull it away.

"Terrible," Richard commented.

"My bad, but these are my favorites."

That guy gave her a packet of cigarettes. He told her he won't need them anymore since they were always together. He probably didn't intend for her to use them. Smoking isn't good for you, Setsura understood that better than anybody. The reason why  does it, however, is because of stress. Yes, stress. There's something about smoking, that reduced the level of her stress. It sounds stupid from a medical point of view. However, it also helped her concentrate.

Concentrate, huh? Lately, it was hard for her to focus. That's most likely why she keeps increasing her cigarette usage.

It happened so quickly, neither her or her companion noticed. The sudden force threw her against one of the large rocks, and she immediately passed out.

She couldn't see precisely how everybody died. But, remembering fr agents of it, doesn't make it any better.

....

"Good evening," a kind old man greeted her. This person wouldn't kill her. It felt strange, somebody refered to her as a mercenary. She was a regular police officer, somebody on the side of the law.

A relieved sigh escaped her lips, thank goodness. She scanned her surroundings.

Setsura laid on a makeshift bed with thin blankets. She looked down and noted that somebody patched up her wounds, Setsura noted a female nearby. So she knew these people did not do anything . Still, to fall unconscious - and have somebody take her away. When she returns, that person will most likely give her a huge lecture.

"Where am I?" she said. Setsura felt like puking again. She felt horrible. Even without a mirror, Setsura knew the state of her condition. Pale and covered in bandages. Her throat felt hot; it felt like something was burning. Setsura wanted to ask for a drink, but considering how worn down the blanket is. Setsura knew these people were not well off, better not push her luck.

"We are a group that passed the desert region. We found you among corpses. The group of men destroyed the others me assume leaving. We waited until they left before fetching you."

It was then when Setsura recalled it...

She woke up in the middle of it, and one of her companion's body exploded. At the memory, her stomach ached. She immediately threw up and coughed violently. She remembers it all too clearly,  the drones, the machines - and the group that approached. People were screaming, blood everywhere.

Setsura swallowed her words; she wanted to scream.

No matter what happens, the surrounding people always end up dying. Is it her fault, after all? Is she that cursed? Is it because of what happened then? Will these crimes always occur because of her? Everybody around her, will they die just hanging around her?

It frightened her a great deal. No matter what she does, why does everybody end up dying? No, why is she always the only person to survive? It no longer made any sense to her  whatsoever . Why do so many people die around her ?