Chapter 206 - No good

Akito has this bad habit of belittling himself. It's not like she doesn't understand, because she has that habit too. However, Akito's timing for these things is terrible. He just has to act like this when they are cuddling and getting cozy with each other.

Speaking of getting cozy, a content sigh escaped her lips when she felt Akito's heartbeat. This is good, just relaxing like this with him. She feels a sense of peace that she usually wouldn't deal with. Akito understands her very well. All the unsettled emotions she felt awhile back slowly faded away. Now she is back to worrying about him like she usually would.

Still, Setsura knew she had to stop relying on Akito like this. It isn't good for her at all. The moment one shows their entire self to another person is the moment where they become weak. Showing their entire self means that person knows everything about them.

Setsura acknowledges one thing. She doesn't dream about that person, no it's not dreaming. It's hallucinating.

This is unhealthy and obsessive even. Who hallucinates about a person whose face they don't remember clearly for more than 30 seconds?

Yes, it's 30 seconds now. It's increased a great deal. Before she couldn't even remember him for two - but now, it's changed. However, it's still seconds and not minutes. But, during those thirty seconds, Setsura hallucinates. The reason why she calls it a hallucination and not a dream is because of one thing. It doesn't happen solely when she is sleeping. Sometimes, when she is wide awake. He would appear before her. He will stare at her with those piercing eyes like he was analyzing her.

It's something Akito would do too, maybe that's why she remembers it clearly. She would hear his laughter whenever she made a clumsy blunder. If she has any doubts or gets scared, he would talk to her with a reassuring tone. Whenever she ponders on something for too long, he would appear before her like her current stress levels with reading about the cases in the last few years. Earlier before Akito came, he was sitting right there on the chair beside her.

He sat there and told her what she was doing wrong like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her hallucinations stop whenever she is with Akito. It's like there is something in her head telling her that these two can't meet. Well, she supposes that's natural. Right now, she still doesn't understand.

Did she betray that person? Akito keeps calling her righteous. But, she enters a relationship despite recalling being in one. Even if she doesn't remember the person clearly for longer than thirty seconds, it still felt wrong to her, and yet could she let Akito go? Could things return to how they were before they dated? Setsura hated to admit it, but she knew that was no longer possible anymore.

She never thought it was possible for her to long for a person she barely remembers. But, it seems like the impossible is made a reality here. Setsura knew she long to meet that person. Confronting Izu so soon, more than proved those thoughts. However, even then, Setsura isn't willing to admit it, at least not in front of Akito.

Before Setsura could say a word, anything to break the silence, the stupid phone rings, and Akito immediately stood up.

Setsura blinked, confused for a moment before a deep sigh escaped her lips. 'What's with the timing of that stupid phone?' But, maybe it's for the best. She didn't know exactly how to explain those hallucinations to Akito. While unlike other people who would conclude she is crazy, Akito would listen. He would still scowl - but due to his jealousy, if anything else.

.....

The call was from one of Akito's team members. According to them, they got a reliable tip from somebody that a notorious killer would appear in town today. Sure enough, the tip wasn't wrong. Right now, they could see him robbing a store. He was doing it so subtly, though. It doesn't seem like anybody has noticed yet. Quite some time had passed since he entered the store, so it was surprising. The man clearly acted suspiciously. However, it seems acting suspiciously isn't enough for people to question him.

Setsura, however, felt uneasy and watched the man's every move. He's a notorious killer, and he's stealing random items while the items may look random to her. How about together? She was trying to keep track of the things he took. He's definitely planning something. However, unfortunately, Setsura couldn't understand why he bought those items. From what she knows, the things he purchased are ordinary everyday items.

Maybe she should look at things from another point of view? As somebody who lives in this era? But, even then, it's still a bit difficult for her to understand. The ways of this era, it completely differs from her time. She is still dealing with crimes in the same way she did before. Yet, it's so different here. So, many more people end up dying.

It's hard to believe they are still dealing with 'crime' here. Then again, she can only say this before the stream of incidents started. Crime over there was going haywire too. Setsura is still investigating to see whether or not there is a connection with the cases there and here. If there is a connection, then what is she supposed to do about it?

Without saying anything to her. Akito broke the silence by grabbing her arm. He led her to a small alleyway and pushed her back up against the nearest wall. Due to the small space in the alley, though, this meant pressing their bodies against one another. Setsura looked him up and down. Is he aware of how close they are?

"Right now, we should be in the best place to see his movements. But my eyesight is no good. Can you tell me what he's doing?" Akito asked.

They were so close that she could feel his breath, see the sweat trickling down from his neck — the smell of his cigarettes.

Does Akito not realize what sort of position they are in now? Did he do this deliberately? What disturbed her the most was how natural he pulled her into this position. Did he do this with another person before, perhaps that Mizuna woman? No, quit getting distracted and focus on the job before you.

She turned back to the culprit. The man was clearly acting suspicious, the way he scanned his surroundings with caution. He's on the lookout for the police. At the very least, it doesn't seem like he will kill indiscriminately. That's good for them, that means they can catch him out on the act.

Still, even with her eyes on the culprit, it was hard to concentrate. Akito's warmth drove her crazy, and it didn't help how he leaned against her. "What do you think he's buying now?" The man had left the store. He was walking towards a stand located in an unpopulated area of the park.

"It's cigarettes."

"Huh? Why?"

Akito's lips curve to a smile, "The best way to celebrate his escape from his prison."

"You could have told me before he was an escapee."

So, that explains why he is overly cautious.