We Will Meet Again

Long Manor 7:00am - Year 1895-

A man with short blue hair body was covered in sweat; the same went for the woman who laid below him. How many hours had passed? He long lost count of it.

"Chauncey..ah. Sir Chauncey..."

The woman's voice sounded the same as all the others, the same as every single woman who called his name. It always made him feel disgusted. If it weren't for his peculiar medical condition, he wouldn't even think of touching such people.

"Give her the money.." Chauncey instructed his Butler once they finished. He wanted to take a bath but realized that he would not have any time.

Chauncey sighed as he picked up his cigarette and lighter. This sucks. He didn't think his condition would act up in the middle of the night. Lately, he's been working long shifts, so maybe that's why. Even then, it was a pain finding somebody in the middle of the night. Chauncey recalled the woman from yesterday and sighed. That was a close one. It was a good thing he had her leave; he almost touched her. If he did that, then Akito would have killed him for sure.

His gaze darted on the back of the woman who was gratefully accepting the money. How foolish... At least it isn't a clingy one; he hated those people the most.

"Take my number, I'll call for you again."

The girl's eyes brightened, "I'd be happy to serve you again."

With those words said, the woman scurried away.

It's good that she isn't clingy, but when they leave like that and just focus on the money. He feels quite sad and empty.

He hears the sound of familiar voices by the window and walked over.

It belonged to Victor and that young woman. "I apologize for making you come all this way."

"No, I'm the one who said it was okay. So ..."

Victor smiled, "let's do a few test runs."

"Thank you."

What are they talking about? Test runs? Chauncey's gaze dimmed. Are they doing something dangerous? He knew there was something strange about the woman. Now she's even dragging Victor into her schemes. Women really can't be trusted.

....

Chauncey thought he was doing a good job at hiding, it seems like that was not the case.

Victor beamed, "I knew you followed us."

"Damn."

"Your mission is to observe her, so you might as well come along."

"...where's Akito?"

"Akiro's working. He has a meeting all morning. " Setsura answered, "Good morning sir Long."

Recalling what happened the previous night, Chauncey nodded awkwardly. He didn't know what to say to her. What was he thinking sitting there in the dark with her and eating snacks? Is he some kind of idiot? Then again, maybe he is a fool.

"What are you doing?"

"Didn't you read the sign on the way in, were picking strawberries."

Wait, what? It sounded like something important. They were talking about a test run. Is Victor trying to joke around? But, Chauncey looked around. Indeed the people in the surroundings were picking strawberries. A deep sigh escaped his lips, 'Damn, Victor.' Victor isn't like Akito and him; the guy is a nice person. But because of that, one can't tell when they are being tricked.

"So, where is Akito really?" Chauncey asked as he bent down and rolled his sleeves up.

"Buying Setsura-chan a gift."

"Gift? Him?"

Victor laughed, "Right? It isn't going to end up well. This is Akito were talking about.."

"She doesn't seem like the type who cares about brands," Chauncey recalled how happily she ate the cookies he made last night. She didn't even notice that he made them did she? But he supposed that was fine. He would rather things remained that way.

"Oh? You've only spoken to her one last night and yet.."

Chauncey's eyes twitched in annoyance, "How did you know that?"

"I wanted some water. But I saw an interesting sight instead," Victor said with a huge grin on his face.

Damn.

Victor suddenly stood up, and Chauncey raised his eyebrow. "Is it wise to leave her with me?" He tried to sound intimidating, but Victor saw right through him.

"Setsura-chan, I'm just going to make a call. Please stay with Chauncey."

"Okay."

Why does this woman agree to it? Last night she seemed cautious around him. Chauncey hopes that Victor didn't put any crazy idea in this woman's head.

"I don't understand what you find interesting about this...."

Setsura smiled, "Well, I'm just curious about how things are in this town."

Does that mean she isn't from around here? Chauncey already heard the explanation from sir Touma, but he still found it hard to believe. A time traveler?

"Careful, you'll hurt your hands," Chauncey removed his gloves. "The thorns on that side are sharper, wear these."

"Thank you, sir Long."

Chauncey disliked how she was using his surname. But considering how he only met her the previous night, he knew he couldn't insist on her using his name. It still irritated him, though. Being called by his surname...

"Wow, there are white strawberries here too."

"White?"

Setsura nodded and pointed to a batch not too far from them. "You see over here.."

Chauncey glanced over and saw a batch of strawberries, but their colors were different.

"The difference between white strawberries and regular strawberries, besides their color, is that white strawberries are bred to be bigger, softer, and sweeter. I'm glad they have some," Setsura beamed happily. "I'm sure Akito will like it."

"Akito?"

"Yes, I'm planning on cooking for him. My cooking isn't very good, but I seem to be able to cook deserts properly. Something sweet after a long day of work would be good for him."

This woman, does she genuinely care for Akito? If she does, then maybe he ought to stop giving her a hard time. However, that woman from before also looked like she cared about Akito. But, when it came down to it, she left Akito.

"Akito doesn't like sweets."

Setsura laughed, "Nice try, but I know he likes them."

That one wasn't a lie, though. The Akito he knew didn't like sweets. But then again, so much time has passed, things change, and people change. Chauncey didn't say anything for a bit and plucked out some more strawberries. He didn't even have to, the woman named Setsura was already gathering plenty on her own. But he has always disliked sitting around idly and doing nothing.

..

Since Victor was taking so long, he brought Setsura to the next activity, which was cooking the strawberries. The other groups had picked a lot. So Setsura was looking around worriedly.

"You can have mine."

Setsura smiled, "Thank you very much."

She said she's a bad cook... He can see why the way she holds the knife is so clumsy. Won't she cut herself if she keeps doing that? Chauncey only intended to observe, but the woman was driving him mad. He took the knife from her. "Watch me. I'll show you how to hold it properly."