Chapter 160 - A meaning

What a surprising turn of events. Setsura wasn't expecting him to be so forward about it. Ah, this is unpleasant - seeing him being so honest with himself. So strange. Akito is a peculiar person, didn't she know that from the very start?

"The Snow Queen said it was a condition to release Kay."

She fingers the book that he sent back to her, as she stares at the words on the page.

'If you can gather the scattered ice pieces to make the word Eternity. You'll become a master of yourself'

Even these words have a meaning to her. She would often quote from Shakespeare, and like Akito said, perhaps she has been using those scripts as a basis for her life. But there are other stories she can relate with too, such as this one. "If I can make the same thing happen. Then maybe I can let you finish that sentence without disappearing."

Setsura didn't have to explain it. She knew he would understand.

"Impossible."

"Yeah, it probably is."

__

She's an idiot.

Akito didn't need to see her expression to understand what she was thinking. "Such vague terminology, you should learn to use those formal words from scripts more."

The girl paused before laughing, "Are you trying to enforce your ideals on me?"

"Ha? Why would I do that?"

Silence loomed on them afterwards. She's probably reading something else now.

She really is carefree; it was the Setsura's idea to come here too. The black-haired boy had no intention of staying in the corridor at all and was planning on heading to another place. Yet she brought him here. Sitting down on the floor and leaning against a bookshelf wasn't exactly how he planned to spend this rare free time.

But, for some reason, the second he sat down - the second he got here, he really felt at ease. All those thoughts seemed to dissolve instantly. Though the two had left the area now, Setsura was still reading as they walked. Are those books that interesting?

"Are you planning on anything in particular?"

"Hm?"

"The Festival."

Oh, she must have heard about it already. At the mention of it, though, he sighs, recalling how annoying Victor was on the matter.

"Not really, I'd probably just start painting whatever comes to mind."

He never bothered so much with the festival pieces. Akito would usually just look around his current surroundings and pick a random theme from that. It was during the actual tournaments where he became serious.

"Your one to talk. Aren't you bothered about not being serious?"

"That's a difficult question to answer. However, I suppose if I get inspired anytime soon, I'll be serious," Akito admitted.

However, that in itself is easier said than done. Even when it came to music, it was like that. Akito found himself unable to let the inspiration flow that's needed to compose his pieces. Even when it did come for some reason, he felt as though something was missing. Something was missing from his works.

When he found out that she liked to paint too, it surprised Akito, Setsura resembles his wife in so many aspects. Lately, the resemblance is too much. Is she not connected with his wife?

"Akito? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

"Akito, you always like that. Saying things like this isn't any of your business and yet always showing up whenever I need help. How on earth do you expect me to repay you for your kindness if all you do is push away? Even that time on the roof, you wouldn't let me see what's going on. How come you have the right to do that? Protecting me? So I don't have to see? That's all fine and all. And I'll admit it. It was the first time that someone has ever done that. It was the first time ever that someone has felt the need to protect me. At first, mixed feelings of irritation and anger filled me. I ended up reduced to such a vulnerable state; that's why I trained even harder afterward. Yet the other half of me felt happy. I was genuinely happy when you protected me."

At this point, his eyes were completely wide; it shocked him. This was the first time he had heard such a speech from the girl — such an outburst like this, unlike her. However, Akito burst into laughter. "You're amazing as ever."

"Define amazing."

Akito pushed her against the wall and pressed his lips against hers. Setsura didn't resist. There is no need for her, too, after all. He never thought it was possible for him to love again. After what happened back then, Akito never thought he would be able to get back up on his feet. Back then, it hurt so much; he was in pain every single day. But, no matter how much he cried about it - nothing would change.

A weak heart hurts others.

Akito didn't realize how much his actions were hurting others. He didn't realize how many people remained by his side after all that's happened. He simply closed off the world and didn't bother giving anybody else a chance. Some people were willing to try still. While some grew tired, they never said they would leave him. Back then, he should have waited.

'Instead of being the first one to walk away, he will be the one to do so.' It hurts when people leave you. But, if you are the first one who leaves - then that changes, doesn't it? He's the one who didn't give people a chance. He let them go before they had the chance to prove themselves. It's only reasonable for them to get tired; they aren't used to seeing him so depressed.

But that didn't mean they disliked him. In fact, it was the opposite; it's because they cared a lot for him. That's why it was difficult for everyone.

To think he only just realized this now. He's so stupid. After he finished kissing her, he slumped his head on her shoulders. Setsura ran her hands through his hair. "What a hopeless guy, what will you do without me?"

"I wonder myself. I don't think I'll be able to do anything. You're so good to me, so amazing. Because of you, I realized many things I overlooked before."

"Your responses are so overboard. Really, what are we doing in the middle of an investigation? I don't get it myself."

Akito laughed, "Well, I guess you could say we're fooling around."

"I guess the setting is perfect; it's dark."

His lips curve into a smile, "Indeed, this setting is great."