Chapter 310 - Back to Tokyo

It has been a long time since she came to this town.

The town where everything started.

.. . and where everything will end too.

Wherever you go, all Setsura hears about is the success of her dear friends. Although it looks equally balanced now, she was fully aware of how X Project and her best friend harbored the most attention. Setsura hums happily to herself. Indeed, she can't deny how amazing her best friend is but those ten exceptionally work really well together. As a young girl, she has always admired idols; she has always loved music, and after she met that person, that love transformed into something beautiful. Her gaze landed on the orange color that filled the skies. It has been a long time since she came here.

Still, Setsura recalled what happened two hours back when she first got here.

It was difficult for her to leave.

Setsura sighed as she walked through the busy streets. 'That stupid Oslo!' Why didn't he tell her she would wake up in the hospital? Setsura didn't think it would be like this. She pictured walking around in soul format on the streets. Then again, it would be incredibly difficult. It was difficult. Her memories are still hazy - and the doctors, nurse, said they'd contact her family. Setsura, however, managed to stop them. She explained something along with the vague terms of not getting along with them. So they said they'd contact her fiancees family.

It turned out they put her in the same room as her fiancee. So when she woke up, she saw him. However, it's blurry. Setsura found that when she looked at him, the image was very blurry. Is it deliberate? Oslo did warn her, 'You're still in the middle of your mission. So, there will be some things you can't do.'

Time seems to flow differently here. Over there, it's already the new year. But here? It's only December; the accident happened in September here. So, she was in a coma for two months. Setsura doesn't know how things will work when she returns to the Meiji era. Will Oslo make it seem like this brief time never happened?

Setsura didn't know what he planned to do.

Darkness is something you cannot escape. This place where everything started and where it will end too. Futaba wonders if those who are working on analyzing the text from the ruins have figured it out yet. The places that will become a battlefield.

. . those places are so very special and important to them all.

When Setsura received the phone call from an unknown number, she already knew right away who it was and why they were calling her too. She didn't want to come here; she really didn't want to meet with this person. She understands that they have to talk about it and that she can't continue getting mad about it forever, but... when the person in question isn't here yet.

She wonders exactly how serious they are about having this talk. There's that, and she glanced over at the bartender who was whipping the glasses. She hasn't spoken to him at all since that time, so this is somewhat awkward.

It doesn't seem as though he minds it, what happened that day. She doesn't hate him, but after that, it will be difficult to speak to him properly. She cannot even apologize, because she doesn't understand it herself - why she ran off that day.

Her thoughts broke off when somebody entered the bar — a man with bright brown hair. "An!" he beamed happily and rushed over.

Setsura immediately dodged his hug, causing him to fall on the ground.

"Ouch.."

"You really don't change, Taiga."

Komori Taiga, he's that guy's best friend and her senior.

Taiga beamed as he got up, "Your the same as ever… Although, did you lose weight? And…" he suddenly edged closer. "Got yourself a lover?"

At that comment, her eyes twitched in annoyance. Setsura already knew without looking at the mirror. When she gets back, she will kill Yang. That moron, so this is what he meant by 'always being together.' She actually thought his little speech sounded sweet. But, it seems like she made a mistake.

"Quit it, don't you know my situation?" Setsura didn't want to explain it outright.

"We both do," Taifa glanced over at the bartender. "You closed the place today, right?"

"Right, nobody will come here."

Taiga turned to her, "Well, you've had a hard time."

Setsura sighed, "You don't think it was weird…"

"But it wasn't the first time I heard it. I think Shinji had a similar experience before."

Setsura frowned when she hears something blurred out in the sentence. It's most likely that guy's name. Is it really going to affect her if she hears that guy's name? It's unfair. So, she understood that seeing his face may affect her. But, even his name?

Still, "Similar experience?"

"Yeah, I think I met that Oslo guy before too. But I don't remember it very well."

'That is strange.' Yang did tell her that the Guardians can erase memories. However, whenever he mentioned that. Setsura recalled how they reacted to her memory loss. They said it wasn't supposed to happen. She knew Yang suspected that they were the ones who did something to her memories.

On the other hand, Setsura suspected them too. Not the Guardians as a whole but Oslo. That time he appeared in the tower in the Meiji era and saved her. The timing was too good to be true. Was it a coincidence? Or did he do it deliberately? Items that she knew weren't in that bag that she brought to the Meiji era started to appear. The only thing she could think of is Oslo.

Oslo keeps coming to her home and bringing her belongings over. If it were anybody else, Setsura would think it was creepy. However, since it's Oslo… 'What is he trying to do?' She suspects him. But, not got anything bad. It's most likely to do with the mission.

Even then, Setsura felt that there was something wrong. Her thoughts broke off when she saw Yano place a drink in front of her. "Thanks."

Yano nodded, "Welcome back."

"I don't think I'll be here for long. I have to go back after a week."

The longest she can stay is two weeks - any longer, and things would turn bad. Setsura doesn't understand what the limitations are. Oslo described things very vaguely. He did tell her there was no need to worry. If she needed help, all she had to do was call. Oslo even said he would come by and check on her in a few days. Still, Setsura felt very strange about all of this.

Taiga reached over and ruffled her hair. "Relax, you're finally back after so long. Don't think too deeply."

"I know," Setsura nodded. "I came here to visit mom. But, I should lie low for a few days, I guess."

"Your brother is always visiting you. He will realize you're gone."

At that comment, her frown appeared on her face again. "Brother, huh?" Her memories of the man were very vague. But, even Setsura understood one thing. It would be better if she doesn't meet this so-called brother of hers.