Chapter 108 - Sleep difficulties

Setsura didn't think her guess would be right. But, then again, why else would the man named Chauncey Long come here? It was somewhat awkward for her to speak to him, considering how she knew of his feelings for her now. She did not exchange any words with him since the time in the auction. Frankly speaking, Setsura wanted nothing to do with him anymore. But, her gaze fell on the man opposite her, who was explaining the details.

'He's going all out.' Setsura wanted to decline the case. It would be easy for her to do that. However, Katakura said she needed more field experience. Akito seems busy lately, too, so she didn't want to bother him. It looks like she will have to bear with it for a while.

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At the Li household

Once Akito finished with his business at work. He immediately came here, unlike before the doors were wide open for him. The workers here didn't comment or look at him with disdain. It feels like ever since he brought Setsura here, these people have been kinder? Akito shook the thought out of his head and made his way across the long halls. Every time he passed by the main hall, he would stare at the statues. There was something about them that was familiar. So whenever he came, he would stare at them for long to see whether he could understand why they were familiar. But, unfortunately for him, he couldn't.

Lyra was not in the library for once but in her own chambers. The last thing he expected was to find her relaxing. Everybody knows how much of a workaholic this woman was.

"You seem quite tired lately," Lyra commented when he sat opposite her.

"Aren't we all?" Akito pushed a hand against his jaw. His gaze flickered towards the small pile of books. Even though the collection was small, the large volume seemed to look down at him. 'What a frightening size.' Now that he thought about it, Setsura likes reading books too, doesn't she? Maybe she would be interested in some of the books in Lyra's place. He should take her here often.

One of the reasons why he avoids it, though, is because he is afraid that Setsura would like it better here. After all, the option to stay at Lyra's is still available.

"That's true."

"Still, today was more exhausting."

"Is that so?" Lyra didn't show any particular interest. Her tone and expression were blank, but she wasn't indifferent. This is just how she usually acted.

Akito nodded his head in agreement, "Recently, I have worked a lot more," he sighed. For people to take him seriously. Akito has put in more effort. "I thought if I worked more, I'd be more tired. But unfortunately, sleep doesn't come to me at all. I pretend and close my eyes in front of Setsura. But, I'm awake all night."

"Maybe the stress is getting to you. You haven't worked so hard in a long time, after all."

Akito laughed at the girl's comment. "That's too blunt of you."

"I speak the truth. Do I not?"

"Indeed."

"Have you considered drinking calming tea?" Lyra asked. "I gave you the ingredients and recipe for them."

"It didn't work," Akito shook his head. When he realized he couldn't sleep after the first night. Akito tried numerous methods Lyra mentioned to him. But all of them failed.

"What about taking medicine?"

"I haven't yet; Victor tells me that medication to make you sleep backfires."

"I understand the concerns. But, if you can't sleep naturally and your body breaks down, it will be worse in the long term. Even if you don't notice the effects immediately, something bad is happening inside your body already."

Akito sighed, "I didn't think you'd lecture me over it too."

"You should think about it. Normally I wouldn't advise you like this. But, if your taking work seriously again, you should listen. Your job isn't a normal one. If you don't get sufficient rest, how will you be able to function?" Lyra's face remained unchanged the whole time. Still, her usual blank stare. But from her tone, Akito knew she was slowly becoming anxious.

Just the thought of taking medication made him frown. When his wife left him, Akito had no choice but to drink the medicine to sleep. Even then, he had to drink large doses because a single dosage didn't work on him. He could still recall the bitter feeling on his tongue. How much of that stuff did he drink to get one or two hours of sleep?

For him, sleep should come naturally, not forced. But Lyra is right. She only vaguely mentioned it, but Akito knew what she wanted to say. As a member of the military police, it's his job to protect the people.

Lyra didn't mention it, to be considerate of his feelings. After all, he failed to protect his wife. Even though he held such a high status in the force. A regular officer feels regret for not having enough power to protect those dear to him.

But, a high-ranking officer has the opposite problem. They have too much power - but cannot use it. In the end, even those with a high position cannot defy those in a higher one. There will always be somebody out there with more power. Somebody who can restrict your freedom. Akito didn't notice a thing when they sent him out. Even though he was suspicious, they assured him that he was overthinking things.

They lied, he wasn't overthinking. They tricked him. By the time Akito realized it, the damage was done, and she left. Even now, thinking of it made him feel bitter inside.

"Thank you for the advice and your concern. But, even if work stresses me out. This isn't as bad as it was back then."

Besides, taking medication to fall asleep always felt like he was trying to escape reality. When he thought about the circ.u.mstances that came about when he first took those pills, Akito can say that statement is correct. It is an escape from reality.

"Akito," Lyra spoke up. "I think you should talk to Setsura about this. I don't mind listening to you as I always have. But you know my problem. I feel indifferent and immune to people's emotions. All I can do is listen. I cannot sympathize."

Akito smiled, bitterly, "I know." But that's why he comes here. He doesn't want anybody's sympathy, let alone Setsura's. He wants to voice his thoughts out.