We Will Meet Again

She felt sick.

A hand placed on her back, patting her. "Are you alright?"

A different hand to the one earlier, when she saw it belonged to Izu and not Victor. A relieved sigh escaped her lips. Setsura didn't want to deal with that complicated man right now. "I'm fine Izu," they both knew she was lying.

She really wasn't. But she didn't want to trouble someone she barely knew about her condition. Though it's late, she would have to see Lyra-san after all. Even if she is working in this kind of place now, she's still a medical field expert. Her thoughts broke off when he placed a tablet in her hands, and recognition filled her eyes.

"This is...why?" Setsura questioned.

It surprised her since she came here. Setsura did not see a trace of modern technology. Naturally, the Meiji era is still going through a process of change. So, it's normal.

Still, her phone works here. The tablet Izu handed her just now functioned perfectly too.

"That guy sent me after you without Akito's consent from the looks of it. I didn't have any obligation to obey. But....I am interested."

Oslo, huh? She placed her hand on her lips; it lingered there for a few minutes. What an idiot; if someone that clever can do idiotic things like that, then foolish people must be even more foolish. If he didn't want her to come here, then why did you send me? Saying something grand like that.

He must have seen something himself. From the moment she met that man named Oslo, Setsura already knew her fate would change. Even then, she still took that step forward. The memory of how she met Oslo, gradually became clearer when he reduced her in the clock tower. It was such a peculiar meeting; she didn't know what her old self was thinking, though.

She laughs, "Right. You got me if you're going to say things like that. Then I'll at least listen properly."

Setsura was not in the mood for chatter. She wanted nothing more than to roll to the side and fall asleep. However, recalling the nightmare she had. Setsura knew it would be best to stay awake.

Izu smiles, "Then I must inquire about those beautiful lyrics?" he said, holding up a sheet of paper. Ah, that's hers, she must have dropped it earlier.

As an artist, as somebody who belonged in that creative circle. Anything within the arts interested her. Music was no exception, but she did not take it seriously as she did art. It was like composing poetry for her.

"I didn't intend for anybody to see this. I planned to submit something I wrote in the future under an anonymous name. However, when I saw the different styles. I became afraid, what if somebody tears away these lyrics? For me, the words I wrote there are important, but it won't be the same for other people will it," Setsura mumbled. "Everybody is doing the best with their friends. All of them are aiming for the same dream," she laughs lightly, "Perhaps I'm becoming somewhat envious."

A dream? Setsura did have something like that. However, it was so fleeting. It was so weak, unlike everybody else's dreams.

That's right. Seeing them all do their best like that, all aiming for one goal. All of them striving for the same dream and doing whatever it takes to achieve it. They are working their hardest for something like that, being that passionate over it. She wondered how it would feel.

Even though they always included her, at times, she really did feel left out. A strong friendship like the one they all shared with each other. She wondered if she could....her thoughts broke off once again when Setsura felt a hand reach over to her cheek.

"They say human contact is needed during times like this. Am I right?" Izu mumbled.

Setsura sighs, "I'm quite the dangerous person, though. Did nobody warn you before?"

"It appears I've inherited stubbornness from that guy."

So that's it.

Izu continues, "To all of us in the Guardians. Oslo's existence is something that's essential. No without him, there would be no Arch...." he trailed off and glanced at her for confirmation whether he could continue. The blonde-haired girl grabbed a nearby pillow and placed it on her lap as she sat and listened.

"Truthfully speaking at the beginning, things were quite difficult for all of us. Those people saw me and Oslo as outcasts, including the other two. Whereas Oslo was the only normal one, they still didn't treat him well. We called the subgroup arch, and we were doing quite well. Till one day Sho caught his girlfriend cheating on him with one of the others in the group. Well, from that point onwards, it was clear he wouldn't be able to stay in the group anymore. If he isn't staying, then I didn't have any intention to do so either. Which is why we both quit and searched for new members?

We already had an idea for one, but he already belonged to another group. Although that was the case, though, we noticed that he was always holding back with his group members since they couldn't match his skill. He's a bit foul-mouthed at times, but in the end, we learned he was a nice guy. He didn't join us straight away, though, and we waited.."

Hmm, so their story was something like this, huh? It sounds like a lot of hard work. But, listening to this. Oslo and the other guardians seem like ordinary people now.

"So, I'm guessing that's when you met Oslo?"

"Something of the sort. We had heard rumors that there was someone with good abilities, just putting on street performances and using his powers randomly. Truthfully speaking, we weren't expecting much from just rumors alone, yet we checked it out anyway and was immediately enchanted."

Yet that guy's voice does have that sort of influence on people, nothing new. When Setsura first met Oslo, she was captivated. But, still, approaching a handsome guy like him. 'Even though he looked shabby, wearing those clothes.'

Setsura shuts her eyes and opens them again.

"I can see that happening."

"Do you still love your fiance?"

She laughs lightly at that question, "In the first place love and I really wasn't cut out for in the first place. Really had it not been for that person, I would have probably always remained an empty shell. I would have remained empty even if I have love now. To me perhaps its still something that remains completely far...That probably doesn't answer your question, though does it?"

Izu his head, "No. I understand, "he extends his hand out to give her some water, "I believe you should drink that and get some rest."

Setsura stares at him for a few moments, "By any chance are you the gentleman type Izu?"

They never got to know one another properly in the future. Now that she has the opportunity to get to know him, Setsura did not want to waste it.

His cheeks colored, "Well...I don't deny that's what most people see me as, and they raised me in a manner that benefits the group...."

Then he must have had a rough time.

"It must have been difficult for you," Setsura continues when she saw his puzzled expression, "I mean, I heard your family is all about their traditional dancing and ways? Traditional as in classical stuff. Grace, beauty, elegance isn't just words for female dancers. The male dancers ought to have it too. When there's a male heir, the burden on them is ten times as more than the female ones. Although Females always have to maintain this image constantly. With Male heirs they ought to act masculine and yet have these qualities. In a sense it seems to be a lot more difficult. Surely you went through a lot to try and convince your family to let you debut."

"I'm surprised...that was..."

Crap, she said all that without thinking straight.

Of course, he would seem shocked. It looked like she properly snooped into his life and all that. Her face color drains, she must give a bad impression right about now. Then again, it's not her fault that she is good at these things. Setsura does not have to know that person for a long time.

"Amazing analysis."

Wait, wait what? Is he not going to say she's creepy or anything like that?

A chuckle escaped the red-haired man's lips, seeing her reaction. "As I said before, they were also the same. So it's nothing new. But I'll admit I wasn't expecting such an expression from the supposedly cold beauty and demon princess."

Setsura sighs as she fiddles with a strand of her hair, curving the end.

"So you heard that too. Well, I won't deny that I am quite cold. But it's not always that way."

"I'm aware. You're a pure-hearted person."

Pure, huh?

What an odd person.