We Will Meet Again

After that, the two of them returned to the market. The atmosphere from before seemed to have gotten better after that short talk. It's fun being with him. Setsura had to admit that denying his advances any further would be strange of her. But, if she were to accept his hand. Then, what about that person? Akito told her to stay here while he spoke to his companion. But Setsura didn't like crowded places too much. Maybe she can find a quiet spot? She walked around for a while before finding a quiet corner. But the second she sat down, she spotted blue hair.

"Ah," Setsura nodded in acknowledgment when she saw him. "Sir Long."

The man was stiff as a board, and he tried to walk away. Setsura rolled her eyes. "Don't be so pathetic. What use is there avoiding me since we live in the same town? We are bound to meet each other."

Chauncey signed, "I have not seen you in a few days, and you seem a bit different now."

Setsura smiled, "It feels like I was resurrected after dying once." She was so close to death; it woke her up from her long dream and daze. "But, even so. I'll apologize for causing you trouble, that - what you saw keep it a secret."

When she thought back to it, it didn't make sense for her. Why did she confide in him of all people? It's not like they get along with each other. But still, she's getting a different type of feeling from him. The way he treats her is unusual.

"What do you want from me? What do you expect?"

"...you noticed?"

Setsura sighed, "Alright, then let me rephrase this question. You want to ask me if I can become yours?"

Chauncey looked away from her and mumbled. "That can't be it."

She shook her head, what a stubborn man. But there is no use pretending in front of her, she can tell after all.

"I don't understand," he said after a while. "Why is it you? You're the polar opposite of all the women I've seen… You're beautiful, but there are prettier people, people easy to manipulate. Those with a kinder personality. But, for some reason, your the only one I'm thinking about. What have you done to me?"

"Maybe your hallucinating."

"Quit messing around; if you know what's wrong, just say it."

Such a hopeless man, even Akito, figured things out without her saying anything. "This is what makes Akito different from you."

"Are you serious about him? You…"

"What happens between us two is none of your business. I've said this to you before, right?"

Chauncey nodded.

"But, since you are so interested. Let me give you a hint."

She took a deep breath.

"At least Akito is somebody who can accept me for who I am. Somebody who won't force their ideals on me," she looked him up and down. "You're not a bad guy. I acknowledge that. But, you cave in when it comes to power. If you were told to choose between your family and me, or your job and me, you'd choose them. Even if I became yours, you'd force me to become somebody I'm not. A life like that is far too dull."

"Anyhow, do not tell him yet."

Setsura smiled, "How about if I told him already?"

Before Chauncey could respond, she hears Akito calling for her.

"Setsura, sorry for making you wait for so--" Akito paused when he saw Chauncey. His gaze dimmed, and Setsura rolled her eyes.

She reached over and linked her arm with his, "Let's head back already. I'm getting hungry. I want to eat lunch at home."

"Yeah, alright."

…..

Back at the mansion, Setsura got out the necessary ingredients and equipment. She then started to cook, but after a few minutes, she felt Akito's presence enter the room.

"What were you speaking about with Chauncey?"

Setsura sighed, and she put the knife down. "You're so unreasonable when it comes to him. But I guess it is normal," she trailed off. "I asked him what he wanted from me."

"What he wants from you?"

"Yes. Wasn't his job only to watch over me? It feels like he's intervened in my matters too much. That's why I wanted to know why."

"What did he tell you?"

"That he might like me, it was something like that."

The air turned cold, but Setsura continued. "So, I told him how he wanted to proceed from now on. Even if he tells me something like that, I won't flinch since I hardly know him."

"But if you got to know him?"

"I wonder what would happen."

At that comment, she felt Akito grow restless and turned around. She wrapped her around him. "That's enough with your petty jealousy. Do you have such little faith in me?"

"..."

"These last few days, I'm sure you noticed. But I am considering your feelings for me now. There are a lot of things that are still out of joint in this world. Loads of things that do not make sense. About the future, and about the present time. But, after considering everything. I realized I no longer wanted to have regrets."

Akito said nothing in return and picked her up. Setsura kept quiet until they reached the living room where Akito placed her on the couch. The servants who were doing cleaning there immediately left. She felt Akito's lips on her neck in seconds.

"Maybe, I should ask you that question too. What do you want from me?"

Akito looked up; his gaze still seemed a bit dead to her. "You already know the answer."

And she did. For some strange reason, Setsura already had things figured out. Ever since she came to the Meiji Era, all these answers have come to her naturally. Maybe because she is like this, solving the Mysterious case of the shards won't be too difficult.

"Nngh…"

The two of them haven't done anything yet. Akito knows she is inexperienced, so he isn't pushy with her. He understands that she hasn't had her first time yet. But that doesn't stop him from not touching her completely. He seems to have figured out that kissing is okay, so he does it when he can.

Setsura ran her hair through his black hair. There is undoubtedly something peculiar about this situation. She doesn't know whether she ought to stop it. Since she has more or less accepted his courting, this ought to be fine? Feeling a jolt, she moved him away from her. "Akito, stop. Don't go too far."

Akito drew back, "My bad."

Seeing his guilty expression, she sighed. "All men have impure motives at the end of the day, huh?"

"Setsura-chan, you're the strange one."

Setsura chuckled, "Perhaps so." She fixed up her shirt. Akito only kissed her neck and slightly lifted her shirt up. But it was awfully crumpled. Was he gripping onto her that tightly?

"By the way," Akito trailed off. "I don't want to ruin this day. But the auction, it seems like a few dangerous individuals will be attending."

"The squad one chief?"

Akito sighed, "Seems like I can't avoid Touma any longer even if I want to."

Setsura walked over and pressed her lips against his. "Will you introduce me as your girlfriend in the auction?"

"Heh, did you cave in after one date? That's unlike you."

"It's more like, maybe for everyone, it would be better if we were a couple."