Chapter 248 - Counting the years

So many years have passed. Why did she bring it up after so long? She secretly investigated for so many years? Why did she do something like that? Setsura sighed and tossed and turned on the bed. Such complicated feelings. It would be better if she just regained all her memories in one go. Instead of all this stalling, it's complicated. Recalling what Yang said about dangers, she paused.

Is it that dangerous? He looked so serious. Setsura peeked from her blanket and scanned the room. The furnishings in this place looks simple. But, isn't it made from high class looking materials? Yang is a dangerous and wanted man. Indeed, if she stays here any longer, it would be bad for her. Maybe she ought to escape before the mess happens.

She owes him her life. He saved her when she was on the verge of death. No matter what anybody says about him, Yang is her benefactor.

Yang suddenly reentered the room and hugged her from behind. "I forgot something."

"You did? What is it?"

When he kissed her unexpectedly, Setsura didn't know what to think. But, somehow.. 'This feels a bit familiar now.'

__

A few hours later 7:30 PM - XX Island Town Square Year 1895 (Meiji)

Six years, since she disappeared from them all.

Three since he met her again.

Two years since he realized his feelings for her.

A year where he fell into the darkness.

And, only two weeks have passed since they brought him back into the surface of the light because of her.

So many years have passed, and all the familiar faces have disappeared. It was going to happen; things would change.

Yang knew that when he left for a while. He knew that from the very second, he stepped foot into the country, things were changing at a rapid rate for him. He would never have guessed that things would end up this way.

Did that woman know that things would turn out like this? Even though she cheated on him, although their relationship turned out for the worst. At one point, the two of them had loved each other purely.

The careless exchange of words from the past.

The scent of the air.

Names.

Faces.

They all resurface again from the ocean. But then they slowly fade again, it starts again from the beginning.

'And when I reincarnate. It would be into a bishoujo. Even then, would you still recognize me?'

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt you. I have a question to ask, where do I find the church?"

Yang's thoughts broke off when he spotted a girl with dark brunette hair and pink-colored eyes. The second their gaze met through the dark brunette hair girl lost her balance, he reached over and caught her, "Are you, okay miss?"

'A bishoujo, huh? More like a klutz.' Still, Yang didn't think he would see her. One of the main reasons why he was lingering out here at night was because he heard she would return today. If the others find out he approached her, he will get in trouble. That's why Yang only wanted to get a peek. He intended nothing else, just a little look.

They bumped into each other coincidentally. If anybody asks, that's what he would say. Yang knew those people would insult him regardless.

"Yes. I'm sorry about that. Truly that was rude of me."

You'll be reborn into a person who's more carefree than before. He has always believed that.

Yang simply smiles, "You have business with the church?"

"Yes, my little sister works there."

"Then, I will lead the way for you."

"How enthusiastic, thank you. I planned to enter the academy here. However, I received an offer elsewhere. But this town has changed.."

It's not that she received an offer elsewhere. He made sure that she received a better offer. So she could decline all the ones here. In the face of a better offer, nobody would be stupid to reject a better offer.

"Is that so? I heard this school had changed a lot."

"You are right, but it is still very nostalgic. Fufu, you know, despite how I look, I used to come here often and run about the hills freely," she laughed.

"By tripping over, I presume?" he said with a light chuckle. It amused him how much this woman had changed since he last saw her.

He does not know what they spoke about. But the next twenty minutes went by so quickly for him. The church the girl's sister worked at was one of the rare few churches in Japan.

After he sent her off. Yang watched her for a bit longer and ensured she met with her sibling, before walking away.

Time to go back, Setsura is probably waiting for him. His gaze darted towards the girl who was walking away. She spotted a man alongside the sister, waiting for her by the gate. 'She seems happier now, thank goodness.'

…..

"Setsura, I'm back now," Yang called out. When he entered the room, though, he found the girl collapsed by the dresser. Yang immediately rushed over and grabbed hold of her arm. "Setsura?!!"

"Yang, welcome back.."

"Do you have a fever?" Yang asked.

"I think so,"

Yang moved his hands towards her cheeks and confirmed her statement. Her cheeks were slightly hot; he moved them towards her forehead. It was scorching. 'She should have called for him.' He let his hands linger on her head for longer than necessary.

"You'll get better; I'll help."

"Thanks to you," She smiled up at him. The girl rarely smiled.

He didn't move his hands though; he let them linger against her cheek, his hands grazed her smooth skin. He felt like he would go crazy. Why is her skin so soft? Yang never felt so nervous before. It feels like if he touches her any longer, she will break. Yes, like that girl. He should move his hand away.

But Setsura did not reject him, flinch or even move. If anything, he swore he could feel her lean in further to meet his hand.

This action of hers surprised him a great deal. He did not know what to think. Was this girl not afraid of men? According to the reports anyway. Yang already knew of her before he saved her. Of course, he did; she was the talk of the town. Everybody spoke about the woman who moved Akito's heart.

Naturally, he was one of the first people to learn about her. Or rather he was there that day Akito saved her. While he isn't exactly a saint, Yang wanted to step up and save her. Why would he watch a poor defenseless woman get attacked by so-called elite soldiers? He was planning on exposing himself, and yet before he could Akito appeared. Akito's actions certainly surprised him. It's not like Akito, no matter what anybody says.

Akito may be kind, but he isn't the type to save a random woman on the street. Even if Akito appeared, he could have still done something. However, Yang wanted to watch and see how things went.

He didn't think things through then. He pulled Setsura into his arms, "You're sick, do you still want to go to dinner? There are so many people who will attend. I wanted to introduce you to my main team."

"You'll finally let people see me? I thought you would continue acting selfishly."

Yang smiled, 'she's a real piece of work this woman.'

"No need, it's better they get to know you. They'll address you as madam, by the way."

"I'm not your wife."

"You will be," he whispered. Yang is glad she didn't hear that part. He wouldn't know how to explain that to her. "Do you want some food? I'll give you some medicine.."

"Yang, can we talk?"

"Talk? Don't stress yourself out."

He doesn't like it when she speaks this way. It felt like this girl can see right through him.