We Will Meet Again

Shinji taught her there is a limit to kindness. Setsura wanted to test Oslo and see whether or not he would be honest. He could easily lie and say it's not dangerous; just now he sounded so casual when he spoke about her guarding it after all. But Setsura was not going to provoke him, 'He's clearly abnormal,' and what he just said about supernatural. It's the twenty-first century for goodness' sake.

What kind of person living in the modern age would have such thoughts? Nobody would blame her if she were to turn around and run away. However, Setsura had a strong feeling that this man would not let her leave. Why would he? He came all the way here to show her this - this thing.

Oslo nodded, "Indeed, it is dangerous. Your life will be in danger if you have this, people will follow you even more than before, and you'll get caught up in the dangerous affairs of this city. But, even then I believe you are the only one who can take care of it," his tone became serious, and his gaze turned sharp.

Setsura's eyes go wide at his explanation; she didn't know whether or not to laugh. Is this man stupid? He really told her everything. No, there are things he is still holding back.

"Can I ask you a question? Why me?"

Oslo smiled, "Because you were chosen."

Chosen? Chosen by who? Who decided for her to get caught up in some life-threatening situation? This man is honest and blunt. But he's holding back information from her.

"I don't understand this whole thing; you're going to have to be more clear about all of this."

Oslo nodded in understanding, "Then, Miss Setsura I have a question. When you were researching the butterfly, did you ever come across a book called

"I did, it's about a sailor that encountered a butterfly during his journey right?" Setsura recalled the book very well because Shinji seemed strangely interested in it. Setsura, however, didn't think much of the story. To her, it felt like a fairytale story written for children, and wouldn't make good reference material. But now that she thought about it carefully, whenever she was over at Shinji's, she would see the book on his desk.

Judging from how used it was, it was clear that he read it often. Still, there was something slightly different about the book Setsura saw on his desk. It was a hardback, and the design of the cover was rather strange.

"And do you remember what that journey was all about?"

"A journey of redemption?"

"Correct," Oslo chuckled, "It sounds unusual saying redemption, considering how the person in question didn't do anything wrong. However, at the time, that traveler truly thought they did something bad."

Huh? Is it just her or, 'Why does it sound like he's talking about an old friend? Why would he know that the traveler didn't do anything wrong?' Setsura wondered. This man really is very mysterious and suspicious; there is something about him that's unusual, no it's not the creepy hand either -- while that's weird too, there's something more.

Oslo continued, "Long ago, there was a young female who experienced a tragedy with the death of those dear to her. She was often shifted about between relatives, but disaster would always strike. The people close to her would always die. After all these incidences people started to suspect her, even the police.

The police detained her several times, but no matter what they did, they couldn't find a single clue. That's because she didn't commit the crime. She did nothing wrong; it was the work of the black butterfly. A butterfly that had been following her around since she was younger. The young girl didn't realize this and kept the black butterfly close to her.

Eventually, the hate towards her and the rumors became too much to bear. No matter where she went, people would see her as a cursed individual. She had no friends, let alone somebody who loved her. They considered her a cursed individual."

Setsura didn't know why, but she trembled at his words. How come? She's already read this story - she even read it several more times once she saw how Shinji was interested in. No matter how much she read it though, she didn't understand what was so special about it. But now, it felt like this story was resonating; it was calling out to her.

She felt her body tremble, and she wrapped her arms around herself, "A cursed individual?" Setsura repeated.

"Yes, the exact definition of a cursed person is disaster befalling somebody constantly and those around them. It was a fitting word for the girl. But the girl didn't realize that the curse came about from hanging around the black butterfly."

"How did she come in contact with it?"

If she were to encounter a pure black butterfly, surely she wouldn't approach it, let alone touch it.

"Just like any curious individual, once you see something beautiful, even if you know it's strange you'll get close to it correct?" Oslo asked, and Setsura nodded.

It was the same for her with the white butterfly. Among those black butterflies, that single white one remained firm in her memory. In fact, she hardly recalled what the black butterfly looked like.

"So the young girl went on her journey of redemption, to not stand out. She only bought the basic necessities and moved from town to town. But no matter where she settled, the same thing kept happening over and over. Nothing had changed; the people around her would still die. Eventually, she broke down, day by day, her appearance would become more and more lifeless. The black butterfly was draining away her energy and youth without her realizing.

The black butterfly is a curse; legend state any animal that is pure black is considered cursed and unlucky. It was the same for the black butterfly, except this one sucks out the life of people. First, they will choose a target, a youthful and happy individual - despite the obvious problems in their lives. Somebody with family problems or love problems or problems with their education or friendship. Then they will get close to them. The only good thing about the butterfly is that they could not speak. But even without words, the effect was deadly."

"Just there very presence sent negative thoughts and emotions into the person," Setsura said. It was the passage in the story with a picture, the black butterfly surrounding the person. Black vines from the butterfly seemed to surround the person head like it was inserting negativity that way.

"Yes, it was especially bad for that girl because of her kind and friendly nature. Before the black butterfly appeared, she was just a normal girl, and her relationsh.i.p.s with people were excellent. While there were those who resented her, it was merely due to jealousy."

She had a good life, even though she was considered an unwanted child. After encountering the black butterfly, that lifestyle of hers changed, and she slowly became corrupted. She traveled far and far - when she realized something was amiss about the butterfly. She already traveled to a place where she could not reach anybody or ask for help. Even if she were to ask, who would believe her?"

'The young girl was desperate,' Setsura thought. She realized her mistake too late, but at the same time, "She was lucky to see the true nature of the butterfly before she died," even though the girl ended up dying, at least she figured it out. Dying ignorant would be even more troublesome.

"You think so? Most people would say the opposite. It's like being betrayed by your loved one. People in those situations would usually say that dying ignorant is better; it would lessen the heartbreak."

"That's wrong," Setsura muttered, "I'm sure even the betrayer would rather come clean and open, rather than continue lying," she trailed off. But when she thinks of the ending, it was unfortunate. "The young girl died alone in the desert; her whole body disfigured that anybody who went past and found her would simply see rotting and old flesh."

Oslo chuckled, "There is more to the story that girl didn't die,"

"Eh? But didn't the black butterfly completely take her life force and youth?"

"On the night the girl discovered the bad deeds of the bad butterfly, she saved the white butterfly from harm. She treated the white butterflies wounds and even fell sick in the process. While it was due to discovering the black butterflies bad deeds that lead to her meeting the white one, it was a good twist of fate. The white butterfly woke up all healed up and went to search for the savour - there it found her, on the desert. 'I will grant you a second chance at life for saving me. I cannot bring back your human life; you are too far gone. But I can take you to my world; I can make you a transcendental being like myself.'"

This is odd, Setsura read the tale of over and over. But she didn't see this part in the story; perhaps there was another book? Come to think of it the one that was on Shinji's table was far larger than the copy they found on the table. Perhaps that's the book?

"So, she survived."

A tender expression appeared on Oslo's face, as he nodded, "Yes, and is in quite good health these days."

Her eyes widened at his words. Again? Again, he's making it sound like he knows the person in the story. Setsura looked Oslo up and down again, as she recalled the words of the white butterfly. A 'Transcendental being?'. A being related to the spiritual realm.