We Will Meet Again

That's the place she needs to go to. But, the problem is she has no idea where that subordinate's house is. Think, for a moment while she has not made any direct contact with Akito's team. There is one person she has exchanged words with properly. 'The one who follows him around a lot, Kai?'

She tried to think back to the conversation she overheard. When she was with Akito during a case investigation, he was discussing going home with some other people. He lives in the east district of town. The east side, it's a bit far. But she has to go.

Setsura's gaze fell on the wound on her arm. It doesn't help how much pain her arm is right now.

After a while, she entered a dangerous-looking block. But it was strangely not unfamiliar. A smile sneaked onto her face. Ah, this was the place where she got separated from Akito. So, that means that strange house is nearby? Setsura didn't want to go there again accidentally. But it's a bit hard to avoid since she doesn't remember exactly how she got there.

Setsura scanned her surroundings. Nobody followed her; hardly anybody was around. It relieved her a little when she saw people giving her strange looks. However, just because there are other people around doesn't mean she won't mysteriously vanish. Maybe it's better to stick close to someone. She avoided people's looks and entered an old building.

She made sure nobody else was around, before slumping on the ground. Her breathing was incredibly unsteady, her entire face drenched in sweat. She knew the wound in her arm and legs was gradually getting worse. This is no good.

Alright, Setsura tries to think rationally. How did this end up happening, and how can she escape from it? Escape, huh? It seems like there is no way to do that.

For a while, Setsura listened to the noises in front of the old building. The rats and insects running around the floor and walls in the darkness. Setsura tried not to think about anything. However, now that she is in this silent situation again. She can't help but recall that person from her dreams. That feeling of powerlessness. Feeling so helpless that she can't do anything about it.

Still, Setsura wouldn't mind falling into that dream-like state right now. It would be great not to feel so alone.

No matter what, she thought about her sole thoughts went to Akito. Setsura knew she had more important things to think about. But, all she could do was think about him. Akito, Akito. The warmth of his skin, his arms that hold her like she is somebody previous.

She needs to think about important things.

Find out who her attacker is, a safe place about surviving until the morning ‒ how she should go on from now.

However, no matter what she does. She can't help but think about Akito. Setsura couldn't help but worry about him. No, right now she is very angry at him. She feels so angry, Akito knew that somebody would attack him. That's why the security was so lax in that area. While she did heed Katakura's advice on how to enter. Setsura didn't think that she could stroll in so casually.

She's mad because Akito was once again trying to take on such a dangerous job by himself. Why is that man always so reckless? Look how badly hurt she got, what about him?

Setsura rested her head onto her knees and closed her eyes. After so long, it seems like she still can't handle cases like this. That person, isn't he still in a coma? Why is it that even now, she still doesn't remember his name? His face? Even though every other sensation has become so clear to her. Deep down, Setsura believed that they would meet each other someday. But what if she died tonight? What if she got brutally killed? In the Meiji era, so many years in the past.

Would her death have such a bad impact in the future? It may do. So many things would change.

That person wouldn't have saved her. His life would be different; he wouldn't have gotten into trouble because of her. So many things would have changed for him.

Her entire body felt so cold and so exhausted. Setsura recalled her first case; back then, everything was new to her. She was so cautious, worried that something would go wrong. If she went onto the field like her usual self, then perhaps nothing would have happened. It was that cautious behavior that led to her making a grave mistake. Even though they killed the target, she ended up acting recklessly to save the hostage.

But then one of her co-workers shot the hostage. When that happened, Setsura ended up shooting him too. Even if it was a paralyzer gun, she still ended up shooting someone. She ended up harming another life. The thought of it made her sick. How could she do something like that?

Why did she harm her co-worker? No, why did they have to shoot the victim? Because her mental state turned terrible because of the kidnapper? It made her stomach churn, that system.

_______

At the central Archive

Akito's face color drained when he saw the state of the place. The place where he left her alone. Just a few hours back, he was cuddling with her on that couch. But now, the entire thing was destroyed. It was in pieces, so were the desk and the shelves once filled with books.

"Signs of a struggle," Kai pointed out.

Indeed, something else must have happened here. A destroyed couch, papers scattered everywhere like the culprit was searching for something. He bent down and saw the blood on the ground, and his gaze darkened. From a glance, he could tell it was Setsura's blood. Blood on the ground and splattered blood on the couches and some doc.u.ments. From the outside, he could tell she jumped out from a window. However, it seems like there was quite a fight before she landed outside.

He shouldn't have left her alone. But, Akito thought she would be safe here of all places. This is the military police central archive. It isn't an ordinary place, so many confidential doc.u.ments are here. That's why it surprised him a little when he saw how casually she strolled in here. Guardians authority? Or maybe it was Izu; either way, she entered here casually.

Other people wouldn't be able to. Even the one who attacked her that means it's somebody from the force who did so. It's no wonder they asked the special investigation force, his team, to investigate. They could have placed another team.

"When did anybody report the case?"

"Only 20 minutes ago, sir."

Twenty? But, this blood no longer looks fresh. A few hours must have passed by since then.

"Did anybody try to call her?" Akito asked.

"Sir, we can't do that. You're the only one with her number, and you didn't register it on the database."

Right, he did that, didn't he?

"Also, if she's on the run, she won't have a phone nearby."

Akito paused. Why did he say something unreasonable like that? What's the use of having a direct number if there is no phone nearby? But for some reason, those words naturally came to him. He felt a wincing pain in his head.

"Sir?"

"I'll step out and look outside. Continue looking here."

He walked down the hallway and placed his hand on his head. What is this? He feels dizzy and nauseous so suddenly. What's going on?

He frowned when he saw who it was.

"Didn't I tell you not to appear before me again?"

Katakura nodded, "Yeah, you did."

"What are you doing here then?"

"You need help?"

Tsk, Akito hates how casually Katakura put it. But, it would indeed be hard for him to find Setsura right now. "I need help, where is she?"

Katakura sighed, "It's no fun if you go ahead and do something like this."

"Just tell me. I'll do anything."

It felt like he was slowly growing crazy when he saw that blood. Katakura placed his hand on his shoulders, "You don't change at all, and that's why I'll tell you straight. You need to be more careful. You're the reason why those people are chasing her; they wanted you but found her instead."

"..."

"Akito, what were you thinking of using yourself as bait?"

"I didn't think she would come here."

"Hah," Katakura laughed. "How can you not know that? You of all people know what she is like. Deep down, didn't you know she would follow you here? More importantly, even if you didn't know. Why did you foolishly leave her here by herself?"