Chapter 231 - Always try to keep a patch of sky above your life

Then again, since when was life fair? Doesn't he know better than anybody how unfair life is?

Getting thrown away and left wandering the streets as an orphan and finding a home to call his own. But even then, it wasn't stable. How many times did he and his foster father get kicked out of that house? It's a real wonder why they still kept that house empty. Maybe they kept it empty so they could keep going back. That would be funny. Keep it, not for their sake, but to mock them.

Every single time they got the house back. Akito noticed how different it was. Not a good different, it looked even more worn down and broken than before.

"Always try to keep a patch of sky above your life.."

He could remember the time he said her name the first and only time. It had been nothing more as an impulse back than when he saw how careless she acted.

His wife had always been so reckless, but of all the things she had ever done, this had been the most reckless. And every time he thought of her now. Akito thought about the many occasions where she almost died. Then it happened, didn't it?

She was in a life and death situation where he wasn't there. It seems his paranoia is even worse now. The nightmares he has regarding Setsura are a lot worse. Where she is in the back of a truck, and a man killed her — a man with such a sinister look on his face.

And in this split second, Akito imagined a world without her. A world without her? It was, indeed, a frightening thought. He never thought the day would come where he relied on another person so much. Akito didn't like comparing them. But the feelings he had for his wife, and the one he has for Setsura.

One is undoubtedly stronger than the other. The feelings he has for Setsura are far stronger. Realizing that made him feel bad for his wife. However, maybe because it's his second relationship.

Still, the closer he got to her. The more afraid he became. Now that he has somebody to lose again. The nightmares he has from before has come back. That fear has returned. Not too long ago, he had a nightmare. He saw her lying unconsciously on the grass, badly injured but alive.

The heavy feeling in his heart and body had melted away as he had picked her up, feeling her body heat on his fingertips, and carried her into safety. Safety, huh? In the end, he couldn't do anything to save her.

His gaze fell on the woman looking over at the files. "Setsura, I have to go out and conduct another investigation soon."

"I know I'll stay here with you until then."

Akito liked staring at her like this. But, she's too far. He stood up and made his way over until he sat beside her on the couch. Setsura scooted over and buried her face in his arms. His lips curve to a smile at the girls actions. "Want to do some kissing?"

"As if jerk."

Akito laughed, "Then, what do you want when we are like this?"

"Akito, can you confirm a few things for me? That woman named Mizuna, why does she still come into your room to clean?"

"There are things there the other servants don't know about."

"Things?" Setsura repeated.

"Yeah, important case files."

"I see, but since I don't like her. Can you make sure she doesn't go there anymore?"

"You're saying this as..?" Akito said in a teasing tone. He was hinting at something here.

"Your wife, that's our room. Other women shouldn't go near."

Akito was only kidding around, but he didn't actually expect a reply like this from her. Did she just indirectly accept his proposal? He did just say as his wife... But, since she is saying that. "Then, you take care of the files for me from now on."

"I don't mind."

Is she worrying about Mizuna all the time? He doesn't want his Setsura to get the wrong idea about anything. He laced their hands together and gently kissed her forehead. However, the girl wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Is this all you have?"

Ah, so she's playing this game now. Akito gently laid her down on the couch. "This isn't all I have. I can do so much more. But, this location isn't good for you." People can overhear them if they make too much noise. He doesn't want to risk anybody seeing how pretty she is.

"So, you care about that stuff? I guess men are the same no matter what," Setsura sighed.

The same, huh? That makes him a bit angry, though. Does she still think he's the same as all those guys out there? Just like any normal man? Akito brought his lips to her neck.

Setsura chuckled, "I didn't mean it that way. I know by now that your different. Let's see, how can I put this? Before you didn't care about location much, but now you do? It surprised me."

That's true; he changed his mind. "I realized something," Akito mumbled. He wants to treat Setsura more preciously now. From now on, he will do that. Now that he's learned how precious and beautiful love is. Why would he do anything foolish?

"That's the correct answer," Setsura nodded. "See, you can do it if you try."

'This woman knew?' Akito stares at her dumbfounded. Ah, he gives up. She keeps doing these things that surprise her every single time. "So, are you leaving me waiting?" Setsura questioned.

Akito chuckled, "Since you asked," he brought his fingers to her lips. "Try not to make any sound."

…..

Kai's Old Apartment

Akito decided not to take her along. But, who would have thought that she would understand that even without him saying anything? Setsura is genuinely unlike the others. Still, after spending that moment with her. Akito felt a bit regretful; he didn't want to let her go.

The golden-haired boy's flat was smaller than he recalled it to be. Or maybe living in that massive mansion for such a long period of time was getting to his mind. It was probably the latter, his memory wasn't amazing like Setsura, but it was quite strong. Quite some time has passed since he went anywhere that wasn't work.

Akito glanced around; he could still recall the memories that he had here. Akito was relieved that they could finally drop the pretend act of not knowing each other. Then again the one who figured it out first was Natasha, that girl really is smarter then what she says she is.

After Natasha and showed him where the boxes exactly were, they carried them all into the living room. He spotted Natasha carrying them with ease. His sweat dropped; she really is one of the Guardians after all. One of those four. Even though she doesn't give that kind of impression at times.

"Exactly, what are we looking for?" Kai asked.

So many boxes were stacked up. There was barely any space in the living room due to the numerous boxes.

"A book," Akito told them. "Swann's Way by Marcel Proust, a hardcover."

Due to his connections with the Guardians. Akito found many books from different times. At first, it was a coincidence, stumbling upon something a previous time traveler left behind. But, after he grew interested in the books they brought. It didn't take long before he purposely made contact with the guardians. Call it an exchange, but he wanted to read more of these books.

So he made a simple exchange with them. Eventually, he found that library, and they told him he could use it.

"Swann's Way?" Natasha repeated. "I think I read it once when I was younger. Isn't it the first installment of a series?"

Of course, Natasha has read it.

Akito nodded, "Swann's Way In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower, Sodom and Gomorrah, The Prisoner, The Fugitive, and lastly, Finding Time Again. These are the six books in the Search of Lost Time Series."

"Your memory is as amazing as ever. But, why Swann's way?"

"Always try to keep a patch of sky above your life'," Akito said seriously.

It looked like the ginger-haired girl was going to say something to him. However, Kai interfered. "Let's get searching. Akito has over a hundred books."

"Huh, I thought it was over a thousand by now," Natasha interjected.

Akito's lips curve to a smile, "Are you sure about that number? I feel like I gained some more recently."

Natasha looked at him with a defeated expression. "Akito..."

"Since we have to go through them all. Tell us which ones are the worse."

"What worse, you'll like them."

"Still, Akito, I don't understand you very well," Natasha scooted up next to him. "For this case, don't you think, asking Setsura would be better? These books are from the modern-day. The book on the scene of the crime was from the modern-day, too, wasn't it?"