We Will Meet Again

Three hours later -

It was stupid of him to suggest a thing.

Yang regretted it the moment he said those words.

To have memories of the past is one thing. But for it to constantly haunt him. For it to become so normal, it bothered him greatly.

'Why did he leave her alone then?' Yang could not dismiss the voice in his head.

He doesn't know what it was, no matter how many times people ask him. He can't answer. But he is probably searching for the answer even now. He opened his eyelids to see Setsura. Ah, she didn't go back with Akito? After that conversation in the garden. Setsura immediately left, so Yang assumed the girl went to Akito. It seems like that isn't the case here. Judging from her clothing, she must have stayed here.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

"What time is it?"

"About three or something?"

Noon, huh? He has work in an hour. "What are you doing here, anyway? "

"The door was unlocked, so I let myself in. But more importantly," Setsura turned around and brought out a small boxed lunch, "I made lunch for you. Give it a taste."

At that comment, Yang sat up. He still felt slightly groggy after sleeping for so long. But, "You made it?"

"Yep."

"Even though you couldn't peel an apple?"

Although they are living together in this time, something feels different.

"I learned how to. Because I wanted to cook for you," Setsura said with a bright smile, "Relax, I'm pretty sure it tastes good."

This girl really scares him. Ever since then, it didn't matter what kind of woman he was with. She would always be there deep inside her heart. And yet despite that, he now followed this girl every move.

"Setsura, please, don't get any closer to me."

Don't get any closer to him. His grateful that Setsura remained with him this entire time, and he is happy with her company. However, any more than this and he will lose control. It's scary; he doesn't want to care about her so much. Isn't it obvious Setsura is only staying with him temporarily? Eventually, the girl will leave him. Surely she won't stay with him. Yang knew that better than anybody else.

Setsura rolled her eyes and pulled her into his arms, "Alright, alright. You can mope around, I'll listen to your complaints. Are you upset because I snuck off and went away with Akito?"

"I didn't even know you went with him," Yang said bitterly.

"Well, we went to the investigation site for a bit."

"I see."

"You know Yang, I still like Akito a lot," Setsura mumbled.

"I know you do."

Of course, he can tell. Whenever he makes love with her, he can tell. Yang slowly loosened the girls blouse, and moved his face from her chest. He licks, bites and sucks on her shoulders. "Ungh, Yang. What are you doing?"

"You like Akito so much, but I like you."

"I know."

Did she? Did she actually understand? Yang continued kissing her shoulders, causing Setsura to shift uncomfortably. "Do you really dislike this kind of thing?"

"I do find it strange, yes..."

He was sensing how uncomfortable she was, even though he wanted to continue. Yang drew back, he stood up and walked over to his desk.

Back when he was still a student, he quickly wrote up his graduation thesis. Unlike the rest of his classmates, he already had a vision — a plan for the future.

He looked for a research group he could join. Most American companies were fairly accepting, even of a child like him. However, his path was not without hindrances. Despite what it looks like to others, he went through a lot to get to where he is today.

Even if one had a high SAT score, it was impossible to go to a first-rate college without being old enough. Even in the simple courses. It wasn't as though he was in a big hurry to grow up or anything. Yang did what he could do and what he wanted to do. And he ended up in that place before he knew it by doing that. No more, or no less. But he does think that back then, he did at least have some desire to become an a.d.u.l.t quickly.

So when they gave his papers the spot light, he immediately said yes without a second thought. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it meant going to America for a while and leaving behind Setsura. They were still dating then, and Yang didn't know how to tell her. However, when he did, Setsura told him. 'Maybe, it's better if we take a bit of a break in our relationship.' It wasn't the answer he expected. But then again, Yang didn't even know what he wanted to hear.

Did he have plans to take her along with him? The answer is no; he didn't have such plans. Yang didn't realize it then, but this is one of the reasons why his relationship with her went wrong. Why didn't he consider her? They were dating. Before he went ahead and applied to places in America, why didn't he think of Setsura? Did he actually think she would just come along with him? What a naive and foolish thought.

His thoughts broke off when he felt Setsura's presence right behind him. The girl rested her head on his back, knocking him lightly. "Don't get angry at me, all of this is new to me. Back then, we fought a lot because we didn't talk enough."

"Is that why we fought?"

"At the very least, we could have talked a lot more about what we were thinking. I know this is very hard because we are both clumsy with words. But I think we can try."

"Will it work this time?"

"Don't you want to make it work?"

Indeed, Yang didn't want to mess things up this time. If he makes a favorable impression with her now, perhaps she will stay with him even when they return to the future. Yang understood the current status of their relationship. It's only temporary.

Setsura still harbors feelings for Akito, however she won't stay with him. One of the main reasons is the danger, the other is ... 'No matter what we do, we don't belong here.' Yang integrated himself quite well here; he ended up getting dragged into the cycle. But even that didn't last long.

Yang turned around and pulled Setsura into his arms. "If I asked you to stay here with me, would you?"

"You know we have to return. Life here... isn't bad. But, think about the things we built for ourselves in the future."

"You're career, it's that important to you?"

"As a child, one of the things that made me happy were those beautiful paintings. Whenever I saw them, I felt at ease and calm. The world is beautiful, for the first time I thought that. Despite all the pain and suffering, I saw hope..."

Yang had to stop her; then, he traced her lips with his fingers. 'He understands.' Or does he? Setsura is still filled with so much hope. At first, Yang thought she already gave up on everything. When they met again here before he found out it was her. Setsura's eyes were dead, and devoid of all hope.