Akito quickly briefed her on the situation, and Lyra reached over, he offered his arm, and a bright blue glow emerged from her fingertips. After a few minutes, Lyra nodded, "Your right in taking this case to me."
"Oh?"
"That girl under your care does not belong in our time period."
At that comment, Akito paused, did he hear her correctly? Not from their time period? Akito came here, expecting to hear something outrageous regarding the girl's background. But this was the last thing he was expecting to hear.
Lyra smiled, "Don't believe me?"
"Well," Akito paused, "It's hard to believe. I mean, I accept the existence of demons. But time traveling? It's a bit.."
"Of course," Lyra nodded, "If you believed me right away, I'd doubt you. That girl certainly isn't from here. I can't pinpoint her exact home. But, from the way she appeared, somebody sent her here."
"Somebody, another sorcerer?"
"Actually, it's probably one of them."
"Ah."
Lyra smiled, "That guy did tell me that he's sending somebody over. So perhaps there's a connection somewhere. Anyhow, it's a good thing you took her under your wing Akito."
"Normally, those peoples guests would end up being led to you, right? How come she appeared in such a random location?" While Akito is still baffled about the concept of time traveling.
"I don't understand either. But it's a good thing you found her; I doubt anybody else who did would think to ask me."
Yeah, right about now Setsura would have most likely been sold or rotting away in jail. He shuddered at that disturbing thought, "She isn't with me now since I wasn't sure. But I can bring her to you."
"Oh? Are you sure you want to bring her out of the safety of your home?"
Akito sighed, "So you saw that too."
"I don't mean to pry. But it seems like you're getting along well with her. While this seems to be the case, those people left for me. I don't mind it if she remains with you."
"Is that okay?"
The woman before him nodded and stood up. Lyra walked over to the window, "Normally when I get an assignment from them, I'd drop everything else on doing and focus on it. However, I'm also part of the shard investigation team. If we don't deal with the shards now, then it will be the downfall of Meiji Tokyo."
"This girl is a key to the case though."
Lyra sighed, "Then I'll be upfront with you. After the last one was here, brother wants no more coming."
"Oh? Did the last one case that many problems?"
"The last one was a player, and caused a lot of problems for us," Lyra shook her head, "Then there was that vixen woman too."
"Now, now, that lady wasn't bad."
"Be serious."
"I understand, you have your workload too. So it isn't easier for you, but," Akito recalled Captain Dimitri and his squad's words, "I wonder how much longer I can keep her safe."
As much as it pained him to let Setsura leave his side. This is the only other safe place beside his mansion that he could think of. Akito doesn't think his enemies will find the mansion; he's made sure of that after all. But, they got far too close for his liking. The servants in his manor all understood the dangers of working there. So they are prepared to die anytime. But Setsura? She differs from the rest, if it is like what Lyra said about her belonging to a different time, then Akito knew it would be selfish to keep her around.
"Could you take her off my hands, once she settles down?"
Akito noticed that Setsura had grown attached to him. It would be too risky to ask her to leave now; it would surely hurt her.
"I don't mind," Lyra said, "But if the girl wishes to stay with you?"
"Why would she?"
"I'm sure you know she's grown fond of you, and honestly Akito it isn't bad keeping her around you."
At that comment, Akito looked down.
"I don't want to bring this up. But surely you understand that you can't keep this up any longer?"
Akito knew exactly what Lyra was getting at. He couldn't keep up moping around forever while he resigned from the first squad. It doesn't change the fact that it's temporary; the ones in charge of the country still want him in that position. Akito is already having a hard time explaining his situation. How many years have passed since his wife died? So many people have told him that time heals wounds, but so much time has passed already. How much longer does he have to live like this? He already couldn't take it anymore.
Revolving his life around work and home, it isn't healthy. The friends he used to have, the places he used to go. He doesn't see or go there anymore unless it is for work. Lyra's specialty as onmyoji is talking to people with life problems. People facing depression or simply need somebody to chat with.
For a while, after his wife passed away, his brother took him to see Lyra because he was worried.
"You haven't dropped by lately; I've been anxious about you."
"I've been busy at work."
"Akito," Lyra said slowly, "I know it is hard for you. But you have to move on."
"She's dead. What's wrong with me acting this way?"
"I know. But, you have to.."
"Lyra," Akito sharply interjected, "Not now, don't bring this up now," the last thing he wanted to do was think of his wife. After he met with Dimitri earlier, Akito was in a bad mood. He recalled that man's mocking expression after he lost his wife.
Lyra stood up and walked over, she sat down beside him, and for the next few minutes, nobody said a word. "I do understand Akito; you know that better than anyone. I also lost the person I love and my dear relatives too."
Akito paused, "I'm sorry," that's right. Lyra lost not only her family members but the person she loves, "You two were going to get married."
"That's right," Lyra's gaze was soft, "He made such a big deal about holding the grandest wedding ceremony ever. He even cooked a huge cake."
"..That accident.."
"Don't blame yourself for arriving too late Akito. Nobody told you, because they knew you'd stop my family from going."
Lyra's family case and the shard incidence maybe connected. Akito, however, kept this theory to himself. He isn't sure, and if it really is like that, then there's still a chance that her fiance is alive. There's something he has to do no matter what. If he can put an end to everybody who suffered from this case, then perhaps he would be able to move forward.
Akito spoke up, "I don't want Setsura to get dragged into this. But there's no doubt that she is the key to this case. Can you tell me a bit more? She's from another time?"
"That's right. I'm unsure of the exact date, but she's come from the future and not the past. It seems like she's come from a modern time, a place where the existence of people like me are no more."
"So a future where there are no demons?"
"Were already on the low side when demons are concerned," Lyra trailed off, "It may just be a long shot. But I think Setsura made contact with one of those people in the future."
"Them? But," Akito already struggled to believe in them. When Lyra first mentioned them, he wasn't sure. But then Akito met that guy and saw with his own two eyes. He's the type of person who doesn't believe things unless there is evidence right before him. Akito doesn't dismiss things until he sees the truth before his very eyes, "How can that be?"
"In the first place, we don't know much about them, other than the fact that they are called guardians. My ancestors wrote about them and passed on the teachings to each head of the family. My father taught me about them no sooner before that massacre occurred," Lyra paused, "Perhaps it was fate, meeting those people after that happened."
Akito sighed, "If they are guardians. Why did they sit back and watch? They should have done something. People who have the power to change things but don't use it make me sick."
"Are you speaking about yourself now?"
He lets out a burst of awkward laughter then, "It seems like Lady Lyra is harsh today. Aren't you supposed to soothe me with this talk?"
"There is nothing wrong with me being blunt. I want you to think about what I said, okay, Akito?"
"I know."
"That girl, if you don't want to lose her. Then do everything you can to make things right."
Why is she saying these things? It's not like he has feelings for Setsura.
.....
Akito didn't have to head back to the manor; he could have taken his usual detour. But for some reason Akito rushed over, his feet dragged him to Setsura's room before he even realized it. When he noticed she wasn't there, Akito headed to the mini kitchen. Sure enough there she was cooking.
Her hair tied in a high ponytail meant that her gorgeous neck was in plain sight. She wore western-style clothing, alongside the apron he gave her.
"Welcome back, Akito I was just ma--," Akito cuts Setsura's sentence off by hugging her. He didn't know what he was doing. But Lyra's words got to him.
Don't lose her.
He can't let anything bad happen to Setsura.
He can't let people find out how attached he is. If they find out, then Setsura is as good as dead. Dear God, guardians or whatever. If you exist, please don't take away anybody important to him.
Setsura is important to him. Akito knew that they only just met, but the girl has become so vital in his life.