September 30th, 1850 (Saturday)
He spends the next 5 days slowly getting to know the girl. It was exactly like he thought, the two of them were awfully similar to each other. Since the girl enjoyed painting so much, from time to time, he would accompany her to his old wife's studio and let her use the place. Setsura spent the most time there, painting away. According to her, there is nothing else in the mansion that amuses her, or she finds enjoyable in any way. But Akito understood what the girl really meant. She won't explore the mansion too much, aside from the areas he allowed her to.
In her own way, she is considerate, huh? Despite her curiosity regarding his work, she has not inquired about it since that time during the garden. Yes, she truly is unlike all those other women. Akito had yet to figure out whether it's real or just an act though. Plenty of women have tried to get close to him like this before, but all of those women failed. Who is to say that she isn't the same?
No, if Setsura had malice intentions, he would have found out by now.
"Are you stalking me?" Setsura asked, the girl had been reading a book, while he patiently sat on the couch opposite.
Uhh, this wasn't the reaction he was expecting from her.
"It's just," Setsura trailed off, "For the last few days, you coincidentally show up in the same places in the manor as me."
Hey, hey, is that a problem? Weren't they getting along? To begin with, he had a particular reason to follow her. Akito was anxious about her. If his intuition is correct, then this girl is connected to those cases. If it's like that, then she will surely become a target. That was one of the main reasons why he picked her up. He saw the shard before the others did. Akito had initially planned to approach her, even before his stupid men got in the way. He supposed this way he looked like the hero who saved the damsel in distress, rather than a government official randomly approaching a girl with questions.
Akito looked her up and down, she's different from all the other women he's met. She isn't particularly girly or boyish. She isn't helpless; he already saw that when she took out that knife after all. But there are certain occasions where she looked very vulnerable. He was curious - no fascinated about her. He wants to continue getting to know her.
"Say?"
"Hmm?"
"How's work with the military police? Is it difficult?"
'Curious fellow,' Akito made a mental note to himself. She's a sly one too, unlike others who just ask him about his work the moment they meet revealing their ulterior motives. Setsura doesn't do that. This is the first time she has asked since that time. Then again, he doubts this girl can have ulterior motives with her paralyzed hand and lost memories.
But an ignorant person is just as dangerous; he ought to be careful. Still, Akito thought carefully before he answered, "Let's just say, it's not a work you want to get into if you're a slacker."
Certainly with his line of work, slacking off would get you killed. No matter who it is, nobody is stupid enough to take the military police work lightly. Even that nouveau riche boy understands what would happen if he let his guard down.
"Then why are you part of it?"
What a blunt girl. But it seemed like she noticed, "Hey," he winked, "I don't always slack."
"Ah-huh, so you refuse to take on those cases these last few days isn't an example of you slacking?" Setsura questioned.
His sweat fell; she must have overheard or seen it.
"I'm an exceptional officer; I choose my cases very carefully."
Setsura didn't look convinced.
Of course not, it sounds strange. But that was the reason he would go with, for now anyway. If she really is involved in the cases somehow, he would eventually have to tell her the truth, anyway. Akito wondered how this girl would react if he found out which department he was in charge of. In the military police, there are several departments; one of them is a new force for the supernatural forces. After the incident five years ago, Akito left his previous post in the standard unit and became captain of that department. He will do anything to see that case through, the incident that took that person away from him.
"Have you eaten lunch?" Akito asked, swiftly changing the topic.
Setsura shook her head, "Not yet. Lately, I feel a bit nauseous, so I don't overeat."
Akito nodded, "I'll get them to make you something light, why don't you lay down?"
Setsura places the book she was holding down and went over to the bed.
Is she pregnant? She keeps showing signs that she is. But, 'If that's the case, the child probably will be delayed,' Akito didn't know how long she had the first shard. However, carrying such items stops another life from being born. Akito still doesn't know how to bring up the issues regarding the shard with her. Once she finds out that the shard stops 'time,' for the carrier will she discard it? That would do him no good.
The Mysterious cases of the shard case, for the past five years he's been in charge and found little information. No, that he has a proper lead, it would be stupid to let it go.
As long as he keeps an eye out on the situation, it should be fine. Besides, if she really is pregnant, it's far too sad. She doesn't have any memories now. Akito walked over and pulled up a chair. He got her a western-style bed, since sleeping on the ground isn't particularly comfortable. Akito picked up his pipe and sat on his usual place in the window ledge. His gaze fell on the girl that was laying down; she wasn't sleeping but seemed to be in deep thought.
Is it okay for him to get a girl like her to get involved with this? That day in the garden, he resolved himself not to get anybody else dragged into this mess. But in the end, 'Even if he said nothing, this girl will get dragged into things,' Akito thought. But things aren't this simple. If she really is involved in all of this, it meant that he would have to introduce her to the council. If he continues hiding her away in the mansion, nobody else will ever know.
However, that's not what he wishes for the girl. "Do you wish to regain your memories?"
Setsura peeked from the blanket, and she slowly nodded, "I thought about it, and while there were some terrible memories. My fear of men. In those memories I lost, I feel like there was somebody I loved so deeply. Loving somebody so much that it feels like my chest is about to burst, and tears naturally fall from my eyes just thinking about him."
She's afraid of guys touching her. But, there is somebody she loves deeply. After that day in the garden, he became increasingly concerned about her and visited her quarters when she is asleep. Whenever he came, she's crying and yelling in her sleep, 'Don't die, you can't leave me.' This girl must have lost her important person.
She most likely lost her memories as a result of that. Is it fine? For her to regain it? What will happen to her if she gets her memories back? While the girl was clearly a shell of her former self, and early showed emotions. Akito had to admit that she was getting better.
"I apologize, my head…"
Akito stood up and walked over. He placed his hand on the girl's forehead, " Your fever is coming back, I'll send someone to make you some food, and you can take your medication afterward."
Setsura nodded, "Thank you."
He finds it strange how her fever hasn't gone yet. It's unheard of having a temperature for this long; she's had it since the first day she got here. Maybe even longer? When he picked her up on the first day, her entire body was trembling, and she was hot. He turned to leave the room but not before ensuring she was fast asleep.
Once he left, he spots his brother on the opposite side of the wall. "How long do you plan for her to stay here?"
"Hm? Is she bothering you?"
"No," Eisuke shook his head, "She's actually the most decent person in this house."
"How cruel, what about me?"
"Brother, be serious," Eisuke's tone is severe, "You're really going to keep that girl here?"
"What's wrong with it? We could use a nice lady in this house."
Eisuke's gaze turned dark, "Are you replacing your wife? Is that why?"
"My wife is dead. There is no mistress in this household now."
"Dead? Brother, she--- she isn't dead. She just disappeared on you," Eisuke said, "You doing this wouldn't make her happy. I know nothing is happening with you and the girl. But, just keeping her here is bad."
At that comment, Akito grabbed hold of Eisuke's collar, his gaze turned dark, and the surrounding atmosphere turned suffocating, "Who is missing? She's dead, aren't you the one being delusional Eisuke. I saw her body in cold blood. Even if you miss your sister in law too much, you shouldn't play jokes."
"Brother."
"Enough on this topic," Akito snapped as he let go of Eisuke, "I shall stay here for the next three days. Relay the message to the office, bring any cases or paperwork here."
"Understood."
It looked like Eisuke wanted to say more, but Akito hears Setsura's coughing from the room and turned down the hallway.
...
With the servants resting this hour, Akito decided it would be too much trouble to go to the servant quarters and ask them. So he made the meal himself and took the tray upstairs. For such a large mansion, no sounds other than his footsteps could be heard. He quietly entered the room with the dish and found that the girl was still sleeping peacefully.
When Setsura first came here, the girl's eyes were bloodshot. It looked like she hadn't slept in a long time. But these days the girl can sleep peacefully. Even then, Setsura can only get some proper rest when he stays with her. Of course, like Eisuke said, nothing happened between them.
Contrary to what the servants in the manor are gossiping about. All he does is pull up a chair and wait until she falls asleep. All right, so sometimes it ends up with him holding the girl's hand. But that meant nothing.
Akito deeply sighed, what is the use getting all worked up about this?