We Will Meet Again

Setsura had no evidence, of course. But she has to be careful. Katakura told her that if the shard ends up in somebody else's hands, it would be bad. "Akito, I would like some new jewels," it was a lie, of course. She didn't need any more jewelry. Akito had bought her so much that she didn't know what to do with it.

This answer pleased Akito since he laughed, "Alright! I knew you'd say then, then let's get you ready for the event tomorrow. We have to buy you a nice dress."

...

The following morning, Setsura felt utterly devoid of all strength. Akito got way too carried away dancing. Her gaze fell on the carriage that was going to take them back home. When she saw the face of the Butler, she felt so relieved. Even the faces of some of the servants from Akito's mansion relieved her. She did narrowly escape from death this time.

___

Chauncey was quite relieved that he didn't have to see them off. But, his gaze landed on the window where he saw Akito's figure fade away. Just now, was it just his imagination, or did the girl search for someone? Was she searching for him?

"You're not a very good host, are you? You didn't see them off." Natasha strolled into the room.

Chauncey sighed, "I'd love to, but I can't budge from this bed."

The girl laughed, "True."

Currently, he was bedridden; the most he could do was sit up like this from time to time move to go to the bathroom. His gaze fell on the girl and sighed, "Why are you moving around? You were instructed not to move too."

"Unlike you, I was not hit in any vital spots. And well, I've always had an odd ability that allowed me to recover fast. But, for some reason, it was blocked during my stay in the mansion."

"At least you are fine."

"Thank you again for saving me. I will be sure to return this favor."

Chauncey smiled and nodded. "You should head on home if you can move around. Your father is anxious to see you."

"I sent word, and he's coming to fetch me in the afternoon."

"Do you not wish to go back sooner?"

If he recalls correctly, everybody in the girl's group act like one big happy family. Surprisingly, she would want to delay being reunited with them.

"You don't get it do you?"

"Huh?"

"I'll stay here to take care of you!"

"Uh," Chauncey was perplexed. With her brutish personality, it was even more difficult to tell if she was serious or not. He examined the girl's expression and saw the serious look in her eyes and sighed. Well, it appears as though she is serious. "Then, I'll trouble you to do so."

"Leave it to me," Natasha trailed off and walked over to the window. "There is something I need to tell you. Listen carefully because I will not repeat myself again. When I was kidnapped before they blindfolded me, I heard...I heard Sir Touma's voice."

At that comment, his eyes went wide, and he felt his entire body tremble all over. "Are you certain?"

Natasha opened her hand out, and there he saw a familiar emblem. "I stole this from one of the captors. This, it's a sign of loyalty to Sir Touma, isn't it?"

There was no mistaking the badge. After all, he had one too. He gritted his teeth. That damned Touma, it's no wonder he got involved with the case. No wonder he sent out instructions for the mafia to get involved. The mafia members he sent were the ones loyal to him, his very own family, the Long family. They must have received instructions to hinder Akito's group's investigation, to make them lose their trail.

It probably did not occur to Touma that he would destroy his plans. That he would rush off before receiving the instructions. It was a good thing that he overheard that Setsura was missing first. If he overheard it later on, then he wouldn't have been able to do anything.

"Chauncey, is this okay? Will you get in trouble?"

"It's fine," Chauncey nodded. "There are multiple witnesses that can state that I didn't receive the instructions. The problem is when the culprit. They'll most likely just use one of their pawns to pin the blame too."

Natasha nodded, "There was a leader who was acting a bit too arrogant; it wouldn't be surprising if they picked them."

"Nobody else knows this?" Chauncey clarified.

"If it weren't for my background, I wouldn't have been able to tell either. Sir Touma hardly speaks up in public. But, I've heard him when he comes over to speak with my father," Natasha trailed off. "I wanted to ask you about Miss Setsura; it was clear that the target was her."

"You realized it too?"

Natasha nodded. "It was all a set up to lure her in. Do you think she would have come by with Akito if it were a normal case? The ring leader knew about Setsura's protective attitude towards fellow females. He knew she would come if they heard of the killings. The problem is, this didn't just start recently. We've been in that place for four months now. Miss Setsura only just came to town."

Natasha must have already done her research. "Touma has known about that girl arriving here for a long time now. He prepared me with detailed instructions for the last few months what to do when she gets here."

"And you weren't suspicious?"

Chauncey sighed, "I'm suspicious about everything that man does. But what can I do about it? If I make a wrong move and he becomes suspicious of me. It's game over."

"You have it rough."

"Heh."

"Do you need help?" Natasha asked.

"Are you offering your family support?"

"They've trained me to be the heir since I was younger. I won't be surprised if my father retires soon, when that happens I'll be the leader of the mafia. But how many people do you think will take a little girl like me seriously?"

"Seldom any, only those with strong bonds with your father."

"Correct," Natasha nodded. "Those people will stay no matter what. But the people father won over using other means will not. I'm afraid of what will happen. Other groups will use this as a chance to do a takeover. While my family won't be in power forever - and I'm not deluded into thinking that we are the best. However, there is a reason why we are in charge."

"A reason, if I ally with you. Will you tell me?"

Natasha smiled, "Sir Chauncey is very wise. It seems like you understand where I am coming from. Is it a problem for you, young Master of the Long family?"

"Not at all, this is a good deal for me."

The Long family's relationship with the girl's family has always been on edge. This would be a good chance to bridge that gap.