Chapter 149 - It isnt impossible

It was silent for a few moments; the cool wind brushed across her cheeks. Thankfully Akito was hugging her. Otherwise, there was no doubt she would feel the cold around her body. "I heard you talk in your sleep the other night."

"What did I say?"

"You said his name," Akito trailed off. "You still love him?"

"That's probably the case. But, even if my feelings are there. It doesn't change the fact that I don't recall his name or any of my memories. Even if the feelings are there, how can I cling onto something I don't remember?"

Akito turned quiet for a moment. She immediately understood that he was trying to choose his words. Why is he even bothering? She spun around and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm with you," Setsura murmured. It was a mere three words, but Setsura wanted him to know.

His lips curve to a smile, "I guess that's like you. Do you want to eat? I bought some food."

"Ah, you should have said so before."

Akito lightly kissed her lips and walked back over to the room. He picked up the bag, "It's just different bread, but I got it from the new bakery."

He's always so considerate of her. Finding different shops for her. For a long time, Setsura couldn't settle in properly because of the food here. It's still Japanese food, and yet it felt different for her. Akito went through a lot to figure out her taste buds. Now the entire household has changed the menu for her sake.

He moved the table away, confusing her, and placed a large cloth on the ground. Her eyes widened when she realized what he was doing. With her help, it was set up in no time.

"Mini picnic," Akito said with a sly smile.

Setsura laughed, "It's so silly. We should go outside, but... the snow is everywhere."

At least the veranda only had small amounts of snow due to the rooftop covering it. Setsura picked up one of the pieces of bread and took a bite. It was indeed delicious; it's freshly baked too. So it was still warm. Whenever Akito says, he coincidentally finds these new places in town. Setsura never believes him. Coincidences don't happen that often. Maybe he overheard her conversation with Natasha the other day?

"Katakura gave you the details for the case?"

G--gah? He found out already?

Akito sighed, "I think you forgot something, Setsura. My wife was a previous subject; she used to carry around those strange-looking books. You tossed your bag on the floor, and the book was on the ground."

That's what she gets for being lazy. Katakura should have made the book different, at least. Isn't it obvious she is trying to investigate without Akito? But then again, she did tell Katakura that she would discuss it with him. What contradictory thoughts.

"I read the main witness statement, at least the first half."

"And your thoughts?"

"That first half, she still sounded normal. I'm guessing it's the second part where things go astray?"

"No, the second half is normal too. But, people fail to register things that go outside the logical."

Setsura was about to stand up to fetch the book, but Akito did it instead. He turned the pages, "Just read a bit, and read the rest another time. Let's do a quick briefing."

He's willing to discuss the case with her after all? Setsura thought he wasn't, judging from his earlier attitude. Or maybe, it was exactly like he said before. He was gathering information for the case, and now he's returned he's discussing it with her. Is that a coincidence? Or maybe it was like this from the start? How stupid of her. Akito will not hide things from her, at least not now. Akito is the one who told her that they have to overcome and work through these problems together.

Unlike the others, he has always treated her as an equal. He indeed says cruel things at times. However, Akito has never thought of her as a burden. Setsura turned her attention back to the book.

[When the students returned, I realized something was different about them. Their personalities seemed to have swapped. Then the next time they went missing, I could no longer recognize them. The same kids would go missing again after a few days. But, unless you were watching closely, you wouldn't notice. They felt like completely different people...

At that point, I knew something was wrong. So when we were all sleeping, I pretend to sleep - and sure enough...the kids who would get up to go to the bathroom are the ones who go missing them. I followed them, and the sight I saw was horrendous.]

Underneath the statement was a small sketch.

"Apparently, the teacher was an artist," Akito mumbled. "Even though the events were traumatizing, she managed to sketch a few pictures of the events. Of course, we couldn't use them as an official statement. People thought she was crazy at this point. After reading it, she kept referring to herself as the teacher. But she is in a child's body. Nobody would believe her."

'If this were the future..such a thing as swapping bodies isn't impossible.' While many would doubt it's credibility, there is advanced technology in the future. Rather for the year 2019, Setsura always felt the place developed too quickly. What's with the advanced mobiles, TVs and home security system? Next thing you know somebody will event the teleport or something.

"This picture, she drew it well," Setsura murmured.

"She apparently drew it when she was there. The only thing that proves her statement is correct are the drawings. The girl's body she is in now, that girl called Rin, she can't draw."

"So.."

"They aren't ruling it out completely. If her drawings were normal, then they could still go with the claims that she is crazy. But," Akito tapped his fingers against the edge of the book.

Setsura nodded, "This picture, unless you had previous experience drawing before then, it isn't possible."

"This is the reason why the investigation has come to a standstill. The higher-ups are still figuring out what to do."

"I see."

"But, it's not like they told us to stop investigating. I guess both sides will focus on this for a while. Both the mafia and the police. They will compete to see who can work out the case."

She peeked over at him, Akito only took small bites of the bread and focused on drinking. "Is that alcohol?"

Akito's lips curve to a smile, "It helps me think."

Is that how it is? Then again, she supposes she understands that if he gave that excuse for smoking. "By the way, I've meant to ask. But do you smoke as well? Sometimes your clothes smell of cigarettes."

Setsura nodded slightly, "For the same reason you drink, I smoke. But even then, it's a little. Sometimes I only light it up. It helps me solve problems.." she trailed off. "I guess it doesn't make much sense."

"Well, yours actually makes sense. Scents have a way of affecting our minds. But, what good does alcohol do? It destroys our senses."

What an unusual conversation. Weren't they talking about the case? How did things end up like this?