Chapter 357 - (2019: Case 02) Part 8

*UNEDITED*

Long before they had ever met, she think this destiny awaited them. They were not like sh.i.p.s passing in the night. It wasn't like they didn't understand each other. They understood each other better than anyone else, focused solely on each other.

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circ.u.mstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.

Setsura didn't realize how much she missed him until she lost him.

One only seems to realize what they are missing until it's finally gone.

Fighting with these wounds really isn't easy. It's painful, it really is painful and she feels like her whole body is in flames. It's burning, as if her skin is peeling away. Ah, in the end she will always do this, push herself recklessly and what for? Why did she go this far?

Yang was saying something to her, he was most-likely worried about her wounds. However, Setsura couldn't make out his words since it felt like she was losing too much blood.

'This situation is getting worse by the very minute.' Setsura didn't have to glance over at Yang to know he was struggling too. She struggled to remain standing - but before she could lose her balance somebody catches her.

A familiar scent and warmth.

A scent and warmth that makes her feel at ease..

_____

It took a lot of persuading for him to come here. Katakura was very against it, since the process to send him over already failed once. In the end though he made it over here. Unfamiliar streets, and buildings - Akito felt very overwhelmed. The first thing he discovers about this place is that it's indeed very different than the time he came from.

He doesn't understand how Setsura managed to adapt to their time. On his way here he passed many buildings, saw strange equipment - a box with moving pictures. A small moving carriage. How did she survive in their era?

The second thing he discovers about this place is no matter how much he tries to bury it somewhere within his mind, is the beauty.

While it's difficult to see the scenery because of the tall buildings. Colour of all kind seems to seep from the surfaces of all the buildings.

The sky is enormous, a warm film pulled over the expanse of the earth, blue and bright and unobscured by smoke, ash.

Akito would have liked to look around more. But he felt like Setsura was in danger. Indeed, he arrived just in time. Walking into that sight pained him. She had blood dripping down from her forehead, and her arms. A gun shot and her head wound is caused by her hitting her head.

"Akito..."

Akito brushed his fingers across her cheeks, "Your hurt Setsura."

"Why did you come here? You're so very stupid," she mumbled.

He is stupid.

Why did he leave? Akito recalled Victor's pained expression when he decided to go. He left his friends behind and his town just like that. "Why didn't you tell me anything?" Akito questioned the girl.

Since he came all this way and left everything behind, he might as well question her.

"Your being rather unpleasant. Why do I have to inform you of that?"

"Why you ask..." he rubs the back of his neck and sighs. "It's because were partners isn't it? I told you I'd have your back. We came to a agreement already," he pauses. That's right, they already made a agreement. Even though his being by her side is more likely to be the cause of even more pain and misery for the girl. Even if that is the case, he still wanted to be with her.

She doesn't say anything and pulled her arm away. Setsura started to walk of.

Tsk.

"Don't be an idiot. These people are dangerous. Even if it's you its too much for you, " he shouted.

Katakura already briefed him on the way here.

This entire time he suppressed it it. Akito suppressed how worried he was for her, to the point he got nightmares about her death.

Nightmares of him having her blood in his hands, he couldn't stand it. It felt like he was going crazy every single day but he couldn't do anything about it. All he could do was secretly watch over her, and even then he couldn't do it well. Setsura didn't want to see him, she didn't want to meet with him.

If she even saw a brief glance of him, then she would get angry. It was hard trailing her considering how sharp her senses were. It's almost like Setsura knew every time he followed her, that's why he had to stop meeting with her himself.

"That has never stopped me before. I'll always push myself beyond my limits. Even now that hasn't changed."

Indeed he too noticed that, he noticed it. But that's preciesly why this can't keep going on. "That's too reckless. Stop," Akito still spoke to her kindly even though he wanted to do nothing more than lecture her.

"I won't. Akito, not even you can stop me."

Tsk. She can't, she can't keep doing this. " Somebody died already. Don't you value your life at all?"

"I don't."

An idiot.

An idiot, she really is. But he already knew that, knew that she was the biggest fool in this entire plant. Knew that she was the most reckless and foolish person around. Yet that doesn't change it, the feelings in his heart that he would rather have kept hidden for much longer.

"Your already at the end of your limit. You can barely fight anymore. What can you do?"he exclaimed.

He really didn't want to bring that up knowing it was a sensitive issue. But its already something she can't keep hiding, aside from those who are always with her. The people in school have begun to notice too. Her health.

At that comment she spyn around and pushed him towards the nearby wall. He hit his head lightly, yet it didn't stop there from being a swelling pain. "Setsura, you can't hide it anymore!!..."

Setsura raised her hand and hits his chest several times, " Shut up..shut up. Don't say it. Don't say that. Please don't say it. I still have time. I have to last. I can't..go now. Not when the situation has become like this. I can't leave everyone behind to suffer". At that Yuhi noticed the tears in the girl's eyes. Causing his eyes to widen noticing that it was puffy on the edges.. she's...she's been...this entire time.

He lifts the girls other hand to notice several bruises. Not just normal ones either, all sorts of cuts, even down her neck. Akito frowned, it pained him seeing her like this.

"I can't break down now. This whole thing, this whole thing is my fault to begin with. That's why I have to be the one to end it..."her voice was clearly croaking then. " I have to be the one to end it. I don't want anymore people to get involved. And yet and yet why was Asahi supposed to die? She didn't deserve to die. She didn't do anything wrong why?"

Sumire... Sumire cried.

From the video footage shown on TV, she seemed to be the most calm person out there. But this entire time, this entire time she has been suffering. She cried. Even though she's the one who told him that tears are weakness.

Akito cups the girl's face with his hands, wipes the tear in her eyes. "Aki--"he cuts her of by gently lowering his lips down to meet hers.

The tears didn't stop but her hand had gripped on to the sleeve of his jacket. Once he was done she immediately slapped him, yet she laughs bitterly. "Ah...really what am I doing at a time like this? I'm being rather unpleasant aren't I?"

He was about to answer yet she covers his mouth with her free hand. "Don't. Don't say anything. I get it already, I already knew. Back then I...I noticed it too. Akito you were someone who was always by my side then. I respected you a lot. The way you conducted your work and investigations, and everything else....but I can't be with you," the girl trembled more when she said those words.

It pained him watching her like this.