Chapter 39 - Rain

Setsura had a difficult time calming down. In the end, Lady Lyra told her to stay in the guest room, and they could continue whenever she was ready. Setsura rolled back and forth on the bed. She's always had a hard time falling asleep in new places. Let alone sleep during the day. That's why, after an hour had passed and she couldn't sleep. She made her way towards Akito's room on the next floor. On her way there, she caught a glimpse of outside through the large glass windows.

It was raining heavily, the buildings in the distance all looked so small in contrast to the heavy drops of rain. Setsura opened one of the windows slightly and extended her hand out. Rain in the Meiji period is no different from the modern-day. It's the same, and yet, it felt somewhat mysterious to her.

After what happened earlier, Setsura was unsure whether or not she wanted to continue the ritual. She felt bad about taking up so much of Lady Lyra's time, but she didn't want another episode to happen. Setsura knocked on his door, but there was no reply, she waited for a few minutes, but there was still nothing. So she turned the doorknob, it immediately opened. Setsura stepped inside.

Did he go somewhere? But didn't he say that she could come by anytime?

"Akito?" Setsura called out. She suddenly felt unsafe. Even if this is his friend's place, it does not change the fact that she is in an unfamiliar environment. Hearing no response, her frown deepened.

It didn't help how the rooftop was made out of glass, causing her to hear the rain more clearly. Whenever she hears the sound of the rain, it would remind her of all those depressing times. The suffocating feeling in her heart, the tightness in her chest. The tears in her eyes. Setsura scanned the room. In the center was a large water fountain. She followed the source of the noise and found Akito on the other side of the fountain.

"Setsura?"

Setsura looked away, "I'm sorry, I peeked on you."

Akito shook his head, "It's fine, I'm just bathing a little," Akito said casually as he brushed a strand of his wet locks.

It's not like Akito had his clothing entirely of. But that didn't stop her from feeling very nervous. The water droplets scattered across his well-toned body.

His torso is completely n.a.k.e.d. Setsura initially looked away, but now she was looking again. Akito doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Maybe she shouldn't either?

"I feel better."

Calm down Setsura, don't take it too seriously. In the modern world, it's the same thing anybody would see on the beach — random men's n.a.k.e.d torsos. Right, think about it that way.

"Is the water cold?"

"Yeah, but it's better this way."

"I see, uh…" Why does she suddenly feel so awkward?

"Normally, I don't do this, but I need to gather my thoughts."

Is there something bothering him? Could it be because of her? Earlier she caused him so many problems. Only five minutes had passed during the ritual, and yet it felt like an eternity to her. "Setsura, wash my back for me."

Wait; what?! How did it end up this way? But, she supposed this is a normal thing in this era. Men and women are a lot bolder. Or maybe Akito's just a weird person, doesn't he realize that he is n.a.k.e.d right now? Setsura took a deep breath but cautiously made her way over, she picked up the towel on the side and raised it towards Akito's back.

'He has so many scars, and bruises,' Setsura thought. She already saw a brief glance of it before, but now.. Setsura's sentence fell short when Akito's gaze met hers. She flinched and dropped the towel, but it was too late to step back. Akito reached over and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Ak-Akito? Unhand me right now!"

This is hardly what she would call appropriate.

"Isn't it fine? We've taken a bath together before."

"That was different; let me go."

But Akito didn't do so, "I won't harm you, Setsura."

She bit her lip; she knows that. Akito seems to be very serious about her. But, she still loves only one person. Besides, Setsura didn't know how long until she would have to head back. Akito's lips grazed against her neck, "Setsura, you came to find me. Are you alright?"

"I'm a bit frightened," she mumbled. "I know I'm just acting paranoid but…"

"Mmm, don't worry. I'm here."

…

His eyelashes are long, Setsura reached over and caressed his face. "Akito, do you not want to search for your wife?"

"Since you came, I've stopped thinking about her."

Ah…

"But, you still love her, right?"

Akito weakly smiled, "I'm very weak when it comes to that topic. I don't even know whether I really loved her or not. Well, we can forget about me," he ran his hands through her hair. "You couldn't sleep?"

"I couldn't," she mumbled. Even if Setsura wanted to forget, she couldn't. That dark shadow, who was it? His screams and hers- the blood. Setsura shuddered, and Akito held her tighter, "Akito, thank you so much. I know I'm causing you problems."

"You don't have to thank me. I'm doing this because of my feelings."

No, that's wrong. Even if he didn't like her, he would still do this. Setsura figured out by now that he is a very kind person.

"Say Akito, I need to tell you something... In the tower I…"

"Met with those two?"

So, he already knew. Setsura nodded, "I'm sorry for not telling you."

Akito shook his head, "No, you never make a decision without thinking it through," Akito kissed her lips. "That's my Setsura."

Wh--!! His actions really dumbfound her. Before he married his wife, he must have been a player. How come he knows exactly how to make a girl nervous? "Akito, I don't like rainy days very much."

"Mmm, is that why cute Setsura came to find me?"

"Yes."

"I guess I'm the same as you when it's raining. You don't see the beauty of the capital, all the colors that make up the town are washed away by the rain."

After what happened earlier, Setsura was finding it difficult to look him in the eyes. Akito is more muscular than the average man, making her keenly aware of how attractive he is.

"Setsura?"

"Uh yeah?"

Akito smiled, "Did you like what you saw?"

Setsura's cheeks burned red, and she tried to squirm free from his hold. "Kidding, kidding. But it would be nice if you liked it."

Why would it be? Geez!

"The rain is bad, but taking a stroll around and sharing an umbrella isn't a terrible idea. What do you say?"

Setsura's eyes lit up, "We can walk around town?" The first step to being independent from Akito is getting to know the place.

"Yeah. Sorry for restricting you, I was worried about people following up after that incidence."

So that's why he didn't do it deliberately. Setsura relaxed in his arms. "I'm a bit tired."

"I'll wake you later, just go to sleep now."