Chapter 158 - Red Thread

The middle of an abandoned district? An abandoned district, huh? The location is normal. But there is something about this that makes her think. The locations of all these crimes, what connection do they share? Even if the location is evident like this, there ought to be something more. What exactly is she missing here?

____

So close yet so far, so far and yet so close.

Being so far and yet being so close at the same time.

Two people sat on the cold ground, a bookshelf separating their backs from touching.

"A recommended book?" Setsura repeated.

The black hair boy nodded, why you ask they were in this place during the middle of a case? The answer is very simple.

It turned out Chauncey's group found the place first. Akito was bitter about that but understood that their information network completely differs from one another's. Akito wasn't in the best of moods. So he kicked them out, he told them to stand in the hallway as punishment. But as if anyone would listen to such an instruction. Surely he knows that and yet let us both go after all.

So, currently, he leaning against an old bookshelf, sitting down and Setsura was on the other side - probably leaning against the other side too. It's peaceful, as one would expect. Akito didn't think they'd find an old library here, but now that they have..'The middle of a mission.' If it were the old him, he wouldn't have fooled around like this.

"Akito?"

Ah. Akito's thoughts broke as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes. Actually, I was quite embarrassed by the previous incidence. So I thought I should get a little wiser."

He read quite a bit; he loves reading more than the average person. But the books he read were rather old-fashioned. Rather philosophical and have nothing to do with any area of study. Yet really, why do they make people study random fairy tales? It made little sense to him.

Setsura chuckles, "Fufu."

"You just laughed."

"Ah, sorry."

"It's fine. But I haven't heard you laugh before."

Though she does those wry smiles in front of the others, Akito would always glance her way during those times. Her wry smile would break, and sadness would replace it. It was a refreshing change. "I don't see the point in apologizing. Laughing is a good thing, after all."

"Yeah," he mumbled.

Right now, he probably does sound strange.

But, he does mean those words.

Yeah, he means them, just like Natasha meant those words she said to him not too long ago.

The girl had shown up out the blue without warning and asked for something somewhat unreasonable. And to the very end, she had to say something selfish.

'Akito, I don't think I need to say it. But no matter what happens. No matter what happens, no matter who she ends up choosing. Please don't hate her. Please don't be bitter. I know that sounds rather impossible since I know how it feels to go through heartbreak too. But I really am sincerely asking you for this favor. I don't know how to describe it, but …that girl definitely needs you. If it's you, that person will truly be able to accept the things she's been rejecting.

Setsura isn't the type who cries in front of others and even when she does. She doesn't blurt out her feelings or what she's thinking, even in front of people she trusts. Setsura and you, I can't tell what will happen. But even if it doesn't end up that way. That person will always need you. I know this is selfish of me to ask. However, please do not leave that person.'

"Hey, I'll read what you recommend me," Akito snapped out of his daze and spoke up.

That's right; he has to carry on being honest. She lets out a surprised, huh? Causing him to chuckle a little. He shuts his eyes, "Because I like your voice."

___

At that comment, Setsura could no longer keep calm and felt her heart skip a beat. As her whole face turned a bright shade of red, she placed her hand on her chest. He really is an idiot, even though she already said something like a rejection to him. In the end, the two of them have never brought up that situation again. What happened three months ago, that incidence - Akito never brought it up again.

She always wondered why always wondered why that was.

Is he just being considerate? Or is he just a fool? It probably is just both those.

"Is a picture book good?" she mumbled.

"Picture book? But I'm not a kid."

Setsura then spots a familiar bright red binding and pulls it out before flicking through it for a few minutes. That's right; this was fine.

'Don't. Don't say anything. I...I get it.already. I already knew. Back then, I...I noticed it too. You were someone who was always by my side then. I did respect you a lot, the way you conducted your work and investigations. And everything ....but I can't be with you, I can't be with you. Everyone's going to get hurt. That person isn't going to be the only one. .. that's why.....'

It could have ended up being something.

Even now, once in a while, she would feel her heartbeat at this person's words. Just like now. However, she clutches the golden pendant around her neck. That's already something that cannot happen. She touches the raindrop earring in her ear and the other one. She's a fool; it's already clear where her heart lies. She lowers her hand to touch the pendant once more. Her personality is terrible, after all.

That time she didn't convey it properly and broke down in front of Akito. In the end, she may never be able to say it. But she's just fine with this as long as she could give him her voice. She was content with this.

__

Spotting a red-colored novel, Akito raises his eyebrows, "It is rare seeing you read..something that isn't western?"

Akito noted that all the books Setsura liked to read mainly came from western scholars.

"Ah--! Actually, I dropped by the mansion earlier, and I saw Victor reading this, and he said I could read it if I wanted to. Since it's my kind of story."

He's pretty sure that he only handed the book over willingly, so the blonde would leave him alone... "The red string of fate?" he said, reading the title scrawled on the side. The book appeared to be quite old, in contrast to the other books on the shelf.

"Yeah, you know the saying you are linked to the person you're fated with by a red thread?"

"There's such a saying?" Akito raised his eyebrows. He always learns new things from this girl.

"Gee, don't ruin it." she trails off, "Honestly, it surprised me; it's not like him to read something like this."

"What is it about?"

"The tale of the red thread originated from a famous China folklore. A heart-rending love story between two people bound by fate. A long time ago, a man walked a mountain road to meet his fiancee. At which point, an old man appeared. The old man is from the realm of the dead, so he is said to be able to see the red thread tying people together. The old man said to the man, 'The fiancee you're on your way to meet now is not fated to be with you. A red thread links you to that baby.' And he pointed his finger at a baby that passed by. Together with the baby and her mother, and their attendant, the livid man struck them all down."

"How stupid. That man could have been a liar."

"However," Setsura continues, "The red thread did not link the man and his fiance, so they eventually parted ways. Ten or so years later, the man came upon his fated encounter. This partner of his was the baby from that time back. The baby who had narrowly escaped death grew into a beautiful woman. Without knowledge of the past, the pair met again and fell in love. Before long, both will come to know of each other's past. And the truth causes them anguish. Then they choose to part. If a red thread really binds us, we will meet again. Believe in this."