We Will Meet Again

*UNEDITED*

December XX Tokyo 2019

The days seemed to pass by endlessly.

But even then, Setsura couldn't get rid of the fear and unease in her heart. Her fear towards men was something she never understood before. Was it because of the lifestyle she previously lived when she was a child? Where most days she only ever saw her mother? Setsura didn't quite understand, but she felt disgusted and revolted whenever guys came near her. She felt this way for the longest time.

Her current situation was bad. Setsura sat crouched down in one of the spare rooms. 'How did things end up this way?'

The goosebumps vanished now. But, it was hard to forget the events that just happened.

Setsura sighed, she complete forgot about it recently. But after watching the twos performance her energy was completely drained; and before she realized it she had collapsed on the ground. An ssuing silence filled the room, nobody is here. Of course they've all gone to the after party to congratulate Taiga. He did do a good job and she wanted to congratulate him also. But in this state she cannot do anything. What should she do? She caused everyone trouble again.

Even though they said it was trouble at all, she really felt. She was supposed to be performing in the after party too. What does she do? She's pretty sure that Chauncey thinks she's strange. He doesn't know about it after all, what happened at that time. That person, during times like this what would he do? He was the only one who understood, the only one who knew what to do with her when she's in this state.

If Akito was here he would know what to do. Although that person has always been clumsy with words. His actions always made her feel safe and at ease. Whenever she was in his embrace, she could feel all her problems vanish.

When she heard a light knock on the door, the girl glanced over. She nervously looked over, 'who could it be at this time?' Fear creeped onto her skin but only for a split second. That person tenderly called out her name.

"Setsura?" Chauncey muttered.

Chauncey? He was there the whole time? Her gaze softened at that thought. "Kiragi-san is substituting for you."

"Ah, thank you."

"You should thank her."

"Oh your right…" Setsura  scooted over to the door that was slightly open. If it's under these circ.u.mstances maybe she will be able to talk to him, "Chauncey, about earlier…"

"I heard from Kiragi-san."

"I'm sorry, you didn't do anything wrong." In fact she was glad that it was him who found her first. The one who saved her.

"Geez, that was no way to thank someone who came to your rescue."

Despite that sarcastic sounding sentence, she spotted Chauncey's expression through the creak from the door. Chauncey, it seems like he's smiling. "Do you intend to do this every time? Aren't you tired of that yet?"

This is a sensitive subject, he's probably aware of that if he heard from the others. But that maybe the reason Chauncey said it.

"I know nothing will come out of being scared. But…." At this rate nothing will change, that's why he's confronting her on the matter now.

"I think, in order to overcome this fear of yours. The only thing you can do is train yourself to get stronger. Until your strong enough to beat your opponent."

"Eh me, I can't possibly do that," Setsura trailed off. Or rather, why does he make it sound like a battle or something?

"Of course not."

Even in a situation like this he shows no mercy but well she supposed that's exactly like him. If Chauncey Long was a warm hearted and friendly person like Akito.. Well, she couldn't picture that at all. Being cold and showing small signs of kindness like this is far better.

"So until you get stronger we will protect you from anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable."

Her eyes widened, surprised at his words. "Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you?"

He hasn't. Even from the moment they met, he's never once lied to her. He's been a unusual one, although he treated her badly at times. He also treats her like a regular girl, getting angry, laughing and crying for her sake. Ever since she net him. Setsura felt that she found something she was missing this whole time. This sort of feeling is strange, although so many people have  been there for her - she's never had this sort of feeling around them before. He's become important to her, along the way she had slowly started to realise it. But with Chauncey, the importance she feels for him is different.

She said it then didn't she? That he would end up becoming something, he's already become a part of her story..

'Being alone is lonely...'

Setsura laughs lightly, "Still, it'll feel weird being protected by you. Rather than feel protected, it'll feel more like you're only doing it because we made a deal or something."

"That's just you."

But growing close to someone is scary. The thought of truly giving her heart again to another person frightened her. To truly form a connection with another person.

"You're being mean again."

"I don't say stuff like that to just anybody," Chauncey commented.

Setsura chuckled, 'Indeed.' She still found it peculiar that he came here for her sake. That Chauncey Long of all people listened to a request from Akito. With the current state of their friendship, Setsura didn't think it was possible. But, it seems like she was wrong. Those two are better friends than she thought.

It's strange. But the person she avoided for so long is the one that makes her feel at ease.  His muffled voice from the other side of the door made her feel so much better. Setsura closed her eyes, "Hey Chauncey, until everyone gets back. Let's stay like this."

Strangely enough, the darkness didn't scare her. Indeed, this person has a strange effect on her. Setsura noticed it back then too - for some reason she could fall asleep in that scary place. It's because she knew he was around.

Chauncey sighed, "You're truly hopeless, but since this is your request... I shall not refuse."

"Since when did you follow everything I say?"

"Since I realized how fragile you were."

At that comment her cheeks burned due to shame. Does that mean -- since that time during one of the first cases she got involved with? That scary mansion.. Chauncey discovered her nightmares then, he even saw her break down and cry. "I feel like an idiot."

Chauncey paused but she felt him slump his back on the door. Ah...

"You're not the only fool. From the very start, I didn't behave properly towards you or even Akito. Back then, when I showed up at your event. I intended only to have a look at you. I didn't mean to cause problems."

"I know," Setsura muttered. "My behaviour towards you then was quite childish too."

She purposely had dinner with him, intending to make him broke. It was very childish of her.