Chapter 169 - Chief

He couldn't hide his shock that he had run into her although they were bound to meet eventually, to think that he would bump into her. That girl? That girl is struggling for her life? One wouldn't be able to guess that with the way she was singing so happily in the rain like that. Someone who has limited time and yet can smile like that.

Akito was curious, and his curiosity slowly expanded; and although he was discrete about it at first. His master found out and said, 'You've made your mind up haven't you?' And he had. Somehow along the way, his curiosity transformed into something else. The very second he met her, the feeling of wanting to protect her. The feelings since then have grown.

His thoughts broke off when he spotted the person he was looking form a deep sigh escaped his lips. The man stood out as always, his long hair and that cape. A man who resembled Oslo, but with different hair color. Red hair and grey-colored eyes. He sat in one of the corners.

Akito took a seat opposite, and he looked up. His lips curve to a smile. "Some time has passed since we last met."

"Whose fault is that? You're always wandering off somewhere."

"Now, now you have it all under control, Captain."

"I don't want to hear this from you, Chief."

This person is the chief of his squad, Moriyama Izu. Due to his erratic behavior and personality, though. Izu is seldom around the division; the one who mainly handles things is none other than himself. Akito sighed, to think he came here. He thought he just saw things earlier.

"How is she?"

The 'she' Izu is referring to is Setsura. It was Izu who told him to approach Setsura that day. Even now, Akito didn't understand why. He never received answers.

Akito sighed, "You gave me the vaguest instructions. Tell me, you knew about her involvement with them from the start?"

"Of course."

"So the former Guardian has such connections. Should the current guardians be worried that a deserter is spreading information."

"Deserter is harsh."

"Then, what would you call yourself?"

His gaze softened, "Well, perhaps your right there. I didn't leave officially, but I might as well have. Tell me, is the girl doing well?"

"You don't have to worry. Oslo and her are communicating. Katakura is around too," Akito ends his sentence with bitterness.

"My, my, you're still worked up over that?"

"Don't give me that tone. You know how badly that incidence messed me up."

"Indeed, it felt like I picked up a stray when I asked you to join my team."

Not many people know about it. His position as section one leader - nobody took it from him. He didn't quit because of what happened either. While he kept skipping work for a long time after what happened with his wife. Akito could never skip his work. No matter how hurt he was with the actions of the police, he couldn't quit. Giving up the dream he had for so long. It was harder than he thought. 'So selfish, so cruel.' Akito pictured his wife saying those words to him.

After all the police did to her, he should have tried to avenge her. What was he thinking of staying on the force? Even when he returned to work, it felt stupid. It wasn't the same anymore. However, Akito didn't even have the strength to leave.

The strength to do anything, to take action. He no longer had it.

"Why did you pick me anyway?" Akito murmured.

"Is that what you really wanted to ask me?"

"Even if you left the Guardians and chose to stay here. You had good resources; your well-liked by so many people. Why did you leave your post, and create such a strange squad of people? Even if you were going to create a squad, you should have picked from the elite list they gave you."

Izu chuckled, "Indeed, anybody would do that. However, I didn't join the force for fame or prestige. I didn't leave the guardians, for something superficial."

"I heard Oslo's position in the guardians used to be yours."

"Yes."

"Are you a fool?"

"I may be so, but I'm not naive like yourself."

Akito looked down.

"Right now, between you and Setsura. The more helpful one is Setsura. She's the one who can help solve these cases, not you," Izu trailed off. "To put it, bluntly, Akito. With the way you are now, you'll only get in the way of the investigation. Instead of treating Setsura like a burden, maybe you should let her take control of things?"

This man is as blunt as ever, "You heard about the deal I made with Chauncey."

"How very foolish. I'm disappointed in you."

"But, he makes a point, you know. Touma and the people in section one are observing Setsura carefully right now. If we aren't cautious, they could take her."

"I think you understand Touma better than anyone Akito. That man won't use such underhanded means."

Akito didn't reply to that comment and pulled out his lighter; he took a deep exhale.

In the past, if somebody asked him about love. Akito would say he didn't have anyone.

There isn't anyone whom he can even consider as a potential love interest. But back then, he didn't know his wife or Setsura.

Before he fell in love with his wife, he found her to be incredibly interesting. A gentle and kind soul. Someone who doesn't look like a delinquent. Akito ended up going on missions with her and gradually fell in love. At first, he wondered what the higher-ups were thinking of scouting her onto the force. But, after going on missions with her. He gradually understood that she isn't just a pretty face. But whenever he asked why she never aimed for anything higher, she simply smiled and said that she wasn't cut out for it.

Or rather, he can remember quite clearly a few years back when he first witnessed Izu fighting. During that time, although somebody else shouted at him and was all frantic. The one who slapped him and calmly handled the situation, despite the fact that she too was shaken up, was none other than his wife.