When one encounters the unknown, people's first reactions are to turn away and discard it. They feign ignorance. People do this so well that they tend to forget the events altogether. They push it to the back of their minds until it's no longer there. In the modern-day, doctors would say this is unhealthy. A person deliberately trying to forget and causing their memory harm. She did not study the brain, but that person told her many interesting things. Her beloved person, huh? Most of the things she ends up recalling are about him. So Setsura understood, 'He must have been very important.'
"Good evening," a small and feeble voice said as they approach them, "You haven't come here in quite some time," the person's voice trailed off, his gaze fell on her, "You even have a young companion."
While the waiter said it in a normal tone, she could see the look in his eyes. Setsura deeply sighed, 'Another misunderstanding.' Just because they see a handsome man, and a beautiful girl together doesn't mean they can jump to conclusions.
"Yes, she's my date tonight."
She doesn't bother correcting it, in the last few days since she came here. Setsura believes she got to know the man named 'Akito,' quite well. If he were teasing her, she would have corrected him. However, judging from his tone and his hands that tensed. Setsura understood that he is saying these words for a reason.
The man seemed surprised but nodded, "Sir, would you like a private table?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but we're pretty packed today. While there won't be complete solitude, I could put you with a small group of people."
Akito turned to her, "Do you mind?"
"I don't," or rather he must have planned this. He must have known it would be packed today, and yet still came here, "I'd like to meet your coworkers."
Akito smiled, "You heard the lady."
"Alright then, come this way, please."
The small man leads them down the long hallway. After walking for a few minutes, they eventually arrived a bright red wallpaper room adorned with huge lanterns and different colored lights. It was packed filled with people, 'It's too crowded, I don't like crowded places,' Setsura felt a bit uncomfortable. Lost memories or not, Setsura recalled this feeling. A disgusted feeling whenever she is in a place that is hard to breathe. The small man leads them to a table at the back. While it was packed, it was less than the front. Akito took her arms away and pointed to the seat. Setsura sat beside him.
The waitresses in the table kept sparing longing glances at Akito, as they poured him some sake. Setsura rolled her eyes, why do they keep staring at him? Sure, he's handsome. But there are many more good-looking people in this world. Then again, she supposes its only natural. The two of them looked at the menu and ordered, as they waited for their meals.
Despite the restaurant being run by, creatures of the night. The menu was reasonably normal, and Setsura was able to order something. Setsura still found it odd that she could understand the writing from this era.
Is there something wrong with her? Maybe she isn't from the modern-day after all, and everything she's learned is a lie? But, how would that explain the foreign currency, clothing made out of materials not made from this era. Memories, fragment but memories nonetheless of modern buildings.
Her thoughts broke off when she felt the 'people,' in the room, looking at her. Those who shared the same table seemed excited to see Akito but then remained quiet because of her. It's quite amusing actually. She wonders what is going on in their heads right now, what strange thoughts do they have regarding her identity?
Setsura reached over for her cup, but Akito stopped her.
"Don't drink it, that's alcohol."
She deeply sighed, "I know, I've drunk alcohol before."
Akito smiled, "Oh? You don't seem the type."
Doesn't she seem the type? What is that supposed to mean? No matter, "Give me some."
To her surprise, he easily dropped the subject and allowed her to drink. Setsura lifted the cup to her hands; the alcohol here had a strangely sweet taste. Sweet? Akito must have noticed, "Like it?"
"Yes," it tastes almost like tea, but it's alcohol?
"Mmm, there's a secret ingredient. Maybe you'll see it if you drink enough."
Setsura sighed, even if there is one, she won't fall for that bait. Rather, he wants to see her drinking more right? This person seems to like stirring her up. According to him, her reactions are interesting.
It felt like it had been a very long time since she drank alcohol like this with someone. Since she went out and attended any events. Whenever Setsura thought of her fragment memories, her heart would ache. She's forgotten something important, something she shouldn't have forgotten. Even the face of her beloved. In the belongings she carried, there was a locket. Setsura figured there would be a picture there of her beloved, but when she tried to open it, it was sealed. Did she get it wrong and it isn't a locket? But that can't be. Maybe she should ask Akito -- Setsura shook her head, she already promised herself not to rely on Akito too much.
He still hasn't told her his intention of why he is taking such good care of her. Until she learned of it, Setsura knew better than to rely on him and trust him. First things first, she needs to recover properly and then learn more about the Meiji Era though she has basic knowledge from her studies in the modern-day.
'The things you learn from textbooks are only a guess. Knowledge has been passed down from the ages, from books and scripter written from that time. But since those books are written using the old language, they have to be translated into modern-day language. Certain pieces of knowledge misinterpreted. Nobody truly knows what happened in the past than those who lived in that age.'
Somebody taught her that before, and indeed she can see that's the case while there were many books on this before. What they do know about the demons and mythical creatures of this time is very small. Maybe she can use this opportunity to learn about them and write a book in the future. Setsura shook her head, 'Now isn't the time for that,' her gaze flickered towards the window. Unlike most nights, the moon was larger than usual. This must be what the moon looks like for creatures of the night, Setsura is pretty sure that the moon wasn't like this when they left the mansion. Then again, it was strange how Setsura couldn't recall the route they used to come here.
Setsura felt the sensation of his fingers while they were sat down now. Once in a while, his arms would wrap around her shoulders and brush against her neck. Maybe he's just worried about her? Most people who see this would be afraid. However, Setsura was not the type of person to discriminate.
"Aki-san! Why don't you join us for a game?"
"No, it's better if he joins us."
What a popular person... Considering how cautious he was, Setsura expected everybody in this place to hate him. But it is not like that at all.
"Akito-sama," a woman's voice called out from the backdoor. It was a human woman with golden hair, and unusually grey colored eyes wearing a rather revealing outfit that showed her skin. Several more females wearing similar clothes stepped out, all of them wore heavy makeup, and their faces were sweaty. Setsura immediately understood, 'So much for a normal restaurant.'
"You haven't come here in so long. Why don't we play?"
"Yes, yes!"
The one who called out first glared and the girls behind immediately cowered behind. Setsura rolled her eyes; she supposes hierarchy exists in that type of business too.
"Akito-sama, why don't you play with me? I'm free tonight."
"Sorry, I have company," Akito then pulled her into his arms, "Can't you see? I have a pretty date tonight; I don't want to upset her."
Hey, hey! Don't drag her into this. Before Setsura could say that, she felt a murderous look in her direction and didn't have to look up to know that it belonged to that woman. Great, just great.
"And that woman is?"
Akito smiled, "Let me introduce you; this is Setsura, my girlfriend."
The whole restaurant was noisy the entire time, and Akito didn't talk loudly. The moment he made that declaration, everybody stopped. All the games, gambling, dancing, singing, and eating stopped. It's like time froze, everybody immediately stood up and exclaimed, "What?"
"Did you hear that?"
"Just now Akito-san called that girl.."
"Holy..."
Setsura sighed, so he doesn't mind introducing her to the demons? Then again, it doesn't seem like anybody here knows about the incidence from the other day. So she supposes it makes sense. Setsura wondered how much interaction goes on between the human and demon side. There's an area just for demons, on the way here she saw a housing district. Do they merely stay in this side of town, or do some blend in? She saw the smaller demons on her first day, but Setsura wondered if they walked amongst the humans too.
How odd, she's become so fascinated. But who wouldn't? This era, the people living here, the secrets that lay in the darkness - she's only ever seen it in books before. A world different from her own, and yet there are a few similar things.
"I refuse to believe it," somebody snarled. It belonged to the curly hair woman, with unusual eyes.
Of course, it's fake after all. Who would believe a fake relationship? From what she understood from the gossip in the manor. Akito has closed himself off from his family and other relatives, let alone chase after women. He is traumatized by the incidence with his wife leaving him. So, she should have expected this reaction. But it still amused her.