Chapter 168 - Cave in

Why would it? So many things kept happening. She didn't have time to focus on herself, let alone take on her surroundings. Or any kind of books. Setsura wanted to re-read the books again when she found the time. Right now, she is busy with the cases, but maybe once all this mess is over. Books have always helped soothe her soul. There are many words that books can help her convey. The feelings she can't tell anybody, the words she wants to say. There are many books she can use as a substitute for her words. But now, she can't rely on books at this time, where the values are different.

For the longest time, Setsura assumed that people didn't want her. That they didn't need her around. She lived with that mindset for a very long time. Maybe that's why she failed to realize what was happening before her. No, that's not it. It's because she had that mindset that she understood people far too much. Whenever she meets somebody, she gives them a scan. Similar to profiling, she looks at their traits. Their characteristics, such as their small gestures and their speech pattern.

She wants to help, but she feels like somebody is telling her, 'There is nothing she can do to help.' Even though both Akito and Chauncey keep telling her that they need her, so far, they haven't asked her anything yet. It's like, they just said those words to make her believe that she is helping. Setsura froze when she realized that. It can't be, it's impossible, isn't it?

Akito wouldn't do that to her. Akito has treated her as an equal from the very beginning. But, it wouldn't hurt to be too careful, would it? She needs to investigate this matter herself.

"Setsura-chan, is something the matter?"

Setsura smiled weakly, "Well, I was wondering about Akito. Do you think Akito is the type to keep me out of danger and treat me like a damsel in distress?"

"No," Victor shook his head. "Akito isn't the type, Setsura-chan you think so too, right?"

"Yes."

That's why she is confused. "But, Akito is the type to save into pressure."

Pressure.

She recalled Chauncey's words at the church and frowned. "Sorry, tell Akito I went back without him."

Setsura didn't wait for a response and marched out of the shop. She wanted to buy some books, but she supposed it could wait for another time. She doesn't know if there are any rules regarding paperback books at this time. But this shop won't disappear overnight. Besides, 'it's about time she does something on her own.' The streets were busy when she came out. However, Setsura managed to navigate around the place. Like a feather, nobody seemed to notice her slipping through the small spaces and gaps.

It never occurred to her that she would use her ability like this. However, how can things get move forward if she sits around and wait? Akito isn't the type to hold her back or treat her like a Princess who needs protecting. However, she agrees with what Victor said. Surely, somebody said something to pressure Akito. This entire time Setsura thought he was genuinely letting her on the case. But, it was all fake. He only shared half the information with her.

..

The place Setsura arrived at was the medic center, Lyra is running. Here the survivors of that case. When the woman saw her, she didn't seem surprised and stood up to lead her the way.

"I apologize about Akito. You know he wouldn't do this intentionally, correct?"

"I'm aware."

"Initially, he was the first to bring your name up when his division and the mafia had a meeting."

Setsura sighed, "So that's where he rushed to.."

"Akito thinks highly of your investigation abilities. From that brief talk, you had with each other. He already determined your skills."

Brief talk, when they were talking about profiling? That's a bit surprising; she didn't think that Akito made his mind up about her a long time ago.

____

Akito knew if he left any longer, then Setsura would get suspicious. If she didn't already.

"Here's your change of 35yen."

He gratefully accepted the change and walked out of the store, two grocery bags in his hands. Fully aware that he was getting stared at. He supposed going out without a disguise does end up in this way. Although he has accepted the idea of himself being in the public eye', but he still didn't like the idea of a disguise. Why does he need to hide? It's not as though he's done anything wrong.

Still, that guy, even though it's his turn to be getting food - Akito sighed deeply. Can't be helped if he has work to do. That guy isn't stupid; he's in S class go a reason after all. However, since the blonde has been getting loads of work recently, he hasn't had time to attend work. He supposed that they are all in the same boat in that department.

Indeed since the Setsura cane here, their workload has increased quite a bit. It's the power of her ability, while Akito doesn't understand it very well yet. He knows that these cases are getting easy to solve because Setsura is around.

Akito always thought so before, but he has always felt as though that she held a certain amount of power.

It's getting quite late. He should hurry up if he recalls there should be a short cut through the park. By the time he reached the park, though, there were no signs of the bright skies from earlier. One would think it would be lighter even after seven. However, clearly, that's not the case.

'But isn't the darkness sort of comforting?' Akito chuckles quietly, recalling the girl's words. She certainly is quite the girl. Akito understood from that person's words that she isn't your typical average girl. However, perhaps he had underestimated exactly how different she is.

Akito could remember it quite clearly when he first received those instructions.

'Why? Did I make a mistake in my conduct towards you, Master?'

'That's not it.'

'But then why are you dismissing me to someone else.'

'Because I do not have a lot of time left. Akito, you've known this for a long time already. No matter what we do, when a person's time is up, that's it. '

'Your new Master is currently in the same position. Although I can't disclose any details, that girl, despite her limited time to live, is living her life to the fullest. And yet, as a result, she is suffering a great deal. Akito, I want you to help her.'

He didn't understand it, and for the longest of time, he was in denial. He could still remember it quite clearly, how, after that conversation, he would wander around the streets endlessly without a destination in mind. Until one day, when he reached a park, he heard her sing. He went over, drawn to the voice, and found the brunette singing. Even though it was raining and pouring it down, the girl was singing. 'Is she a fool? Does she want to get sick?'

Akito thought that, and yet when he saw the bright smile on her face, somehow...it eased his clouded heart. Setsura sings a lot when nobody is around. She does many things, even dancing. Setsura claimed she was terrible at it. But, those skills. He saw it with his own two eyes.