Chapter 88 - Tie up lose ends

It was a mistake on his side.

Akito promised he would never drink that much again.

Nothing happened, but not too long ago, he woke up in a club - with Ekaterina beside him. She told him nothing happened, but even then, he can't help but think something did. Ever since then, he's avoided the places she would go to. That woman is cunning as a fox. He doesn't know what she will say to Setsura. He can't risk it.

Setsura briefly left to grab some drinks, and he gazed at the ceiling. He is making progress with her, right? She doesn't seem to push away his advances like she did before.

His thoughts broke off, though, when he hears his name being called out.

"Is that you, Akito-sama?"

Akito turned and spotted silver-colored hair. "Ekaterina." he trails off, "You came here by yourself?" Speak of the devil,

"No, I'm here with the group."

Even though it's only been a week since he last saw her, it feels like it's been a while, clearly Ekatrina thought so too, "It's been a while hasn't it? You've been quite busy, I hear. Naturally, you would not have time to come and see me… Ahh, no, what am I saying…. it's normal? That time you rushed of right away too..even though I was making you feel good like usual, your thoughts were distracted … and.."

"Ekaterina-" Akito didn't know what to say. He admits to using this woman's feelings for him as a distraction.

"Akito, say they were out of--"

Setsura chose to re-emerge from the corner at that point.

"Setsura."

The girl's gaze landed on him and then on Ekaterina. Sensing that she wasn't going to say anything, he added. "Hold on. I just met her here." He doesn't know why, but he's suddenly starting to feel panicky.

She won't misunderstand, will she? Setsura seemed to have found it odd. In the years his wife left him, did he ever fool around to forget her? Yes, yes, he did. But even that became tiresome for him. Setsura is most likely thinking about that conversation right now.

To his surprise, the girl chuckles, "I know I was only kidding around. I wanted to see your panicked expression since it's rare."

This girl!

Setsura turned to Ekaterina and curtseys politely, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Setsura."

Ekaterina seemed a bit stunned since she dumbly nodded. "It's nice to meet you… I'm Ekaterina."

There is a difference in introduction here. But really Ekaterina's nervousness is showing way too much. Then again, he supposed it couldn't be helped. It's his fault that things have become this awkward between them. Just as Akito was preparing an explanation, he spotted blonde hair from the corner of his eye and frowned.

Setsura immediately got up, not after passing him the drink. "There was only one, so I planned for us to share. But I guess that will wait. I'll be back."

Akito grabbed her arm; he didn't want her to go back to Katakura. Her gaze softened almost as though she understood. Akito felt a warm pair of lips come in contact with his.

Ha-?

It came so suddenly that he had no time to react. What on earth? Did Setsura just kiss him?

"Well, I shall be on my way."

Since he was too stunned for words, Setsura was able to leave just like that.

Even after she left, Akito was in a daze. That was until he saw Ekaterina's expression.

Awkward, although he said he wanted to introduce them to each other. He didn't expect it to be right in the middle of his date with her. Such actions in front of Ekaterina must have hurt her feelings to a degree.

"Ekaterina you know --"

"Akito.."

Oh, she's talking now?

"I didn't get a proper look before. But your girlfriend, she's beautiful!!"

Eh…? Why is her reaction the same as those people? Rather what's with this situation?

Ekaterina didn't notice his confusion and continued. "Because you told me not to look then I didn't get to see her face. But now that I have, I can safely say your after the prettiest girl in the world. What's with that long luscious hair, and her eyes are like jewels, fair skin too, and that figure is just perfect."

The traits Ekaterina listed were indeed the truth. Not even his late wife was this beautiful, but then again, that girl was practically a child. Setsura is different; she is a grown woman. But even then..

"Hey, is that all your going to say?"

She can't be serious.

Even though he said it bravely about wanting to introduce them to each other, Akito knew that there would be some consequences. He's been worrying about it this entire time.

"Of course! Although a guy like you doesn't deserve such a beauty, you two are a good match."

"Is that so?"

Akito turned to the lunch in front of him and removed his attention from her. Annoying girl, she clearly has something else she wants to say. If she is going to act that way, so be it. Catching the aroma from the lunch box, despite his irritation, his lips curved into a smile. That girl is truly something else.

Her cooking has evolved this much, even though she was terrible at it. She must have practiced.

"So..is it over?" Ekaterina said after a moment of silence.

Even without clarifying, Akito understood what she meant. "Yeah."

"Are you sure? I don't mind, even if we don't do anything. Even if you just come to me when your sad and lonely. Even if we just sit around and talk…"

Akito sighed when he heard her words. She sounds so desperate and pathetic. He felt terrible about this, but since things are going well with Setsura. Since he has decided to be serious. He should tie up any loose ends. He is grateful for everything she has done for him. When he needed somebody, she was there for him. While it was the girl's job to entertain her client - Akito was thankful.

Even though she couldn't help much in the end.

"I'm sorry," Akito apologized. "This isn't fair to you. But, I've always said nothing will happen between us. " He strictly made it clear from the start. Since he didn't want to give her expectations, with the way he was, Akito didn't think he would fall for another person.

"I know, but you've changed so.."

"I changed because of her. It is because of Setsura that I am like this today. You may have opinions on this, but that's how things are."

"What if she leaves you?" Ekaterina mumbled quietly. But Akito heard her loud and clear.

"I will think about what to do then."

Akito didn't have a plan regarding that since he was bent on making Setsura stay no matter what.

"Then, Akito, you should be careful," Ekaterina mumbled. "The members of squad one have strange plans for your little girlfriend."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I'll send over the details when you fetch the rest of your belongings," Ekaterina stood up and brushed her lips against his ear. His eyes widened when he heard her words. That's…

Before Akito got a chance to react, Ekaterina was already leaving. 'It seems like having this date now was a good idea.' A storm is about to emerge.