A week later -
"Captain Akito, where have you been going?!" Kai followed him into the room.
It wasn't only Kai that noticed his unusual behavior. Akito knew that everybody else thought the same. However, the others are not like Kai. They would not ask him directly.
"That's none of your business," Akito answered with a massive grin on his face.
That probably wasn't the best answer he could have chosen. But, Akito hated it when people act all sneaky around him. He knew that for a while now the members in his squad were snooping around for information on his so-called peculiar behavior. Kai wasn't like that and Akito knew it. But he disliked how Kai has just been speculating secretly to himself and observing him hoping to catch him out.
It took him a week; it seems before his self-control broke.
"…why…" Kai said, raising his voice.
"Hmmm?" Akito looked over; he was still looking at the documents from the last meeting.
"…why are you…" It looked like Kai was struggling with his words.
"Why am I what?" Akito asked innocently. This time around, he genuinely didn't know what was going on.
Kai took a deep breath then. One… two…three… "Why are you acting so strange?!!"
Akito sighed, "What do you mean strange?"
"You're always smiling!"
"I've always done that."
Kai shook his head, "No, you're usually depressed…" he paused at that and shook his head. "Captain Akito, please tell me the events of the current situation."
Akito, however, was still recovering from the screaming session from just now. Why does this guy always insist on screaming in his ear? This person is Kouno Kai; one could say he was his assistant. A man with pale green hair and brown eyes.
It always feels like he goes partially deaf whenever Kai speaks. After hearing these words, though, something flashed in his head. It was a similar feeling to fireworks - being lit up. A mischievous grin appeared on his face.
"You really want to know?"
"Well, I've been asking this whole time-"
"Okay, then it's settled, you'll meet her tomorrow!" Akito said quickly, stepping into his room.
"Wait, wh-" Akito abruptly shut the door leaving behind an angrier Kai.
"Akito!" but Akito ignored him, only thinking about his meeting with Setsura at lunch. Setsura was now working in one of the government associate buildings for the academy these days. At first, he was worried that people would harass her. But, since Lyra always had work in the district too. He knew he had nothing to worry about.
Indeed, a week has already passed, and nothing has gone wrong.
"One second, you're brooding and depressed, and now you're cheerful.." He could still hear Kai's voice from behind the door. Introducing Setsura to everyone? His lips curved to an even larger grin.
Akito grew excited at the thought. He wonders what the others would say when they meet Setsura? A massive smile appeared across his face as he laid down on the veranda, which leads to the backyard. His gaze drifted onto the blue skies. The weather was strangely good today. Maybe he can take Setsura out to a place that has outdoor seats? She would enjoy the fresh air. While Setsura now had work and could go outside more freely. Most of her days are still spent in the mansion. Since her work is very flexible, the days are not guaranteed.
Besides, Akito felt bad for keeping her locked up for a very long time. He wants Setsura to learn to love this place. The more she learns about it, the more she will want to stay, right?
_
Grey Office
"Your acting so strange," the girl who sat directly opposite her was one of the workers here, Dasou Mina. A bubbly and lively girl with grey curly hair tied in two bunches.
Setsura, however, didn't hear her the first time and continued sorting the files out.
"Why are you acting so strange?" Mina screamed
Only when Mina raised her voice did Setsura look over. The voice, however, sounded similar to something one would hear in a zoo, so at first, Setsura wasn't sure it came from the girl. However, Mina repeated her question.
"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing." Setsura said casually But this casual and indifferent attitude seemed to bother Mina, who looked angrier than before. Setsura could only stare blankly at the girl.
Setsura had yet to understand this about the girl. Though they were sort of friends, she only knew the girl for a week now; there are still many things she had to learn about her. Then again, it's the same for the rest of the Meiji period. She's been here for quite some time now, but her knowledge is limited, she really ought to shape it up.
"I thought you were just shy, but you don't hang out with anybody at all! I've already asked the people on other floors, and you've declined every invitation," Mina eyed her suspiciously, "You wouldn't even let Stephen take you home. He's a drop-dead gorgeous foreigner who is studying here for exchange. I thought you two would hit it off, but instead you…"
Stephen? Setsura looked at Mina blankly, "There is a foreigner here?"
Luckily the two of them were the only ones in the office. If the others heard her casual remark, Setsura knew they wouldn't let her off lightly.
"You can't be serious!" Mina exclaimed. "He's been eyeing and trying to get your attention since day one…"
Setsura does recall that there has been someone constantly speaking with her. But, her gaze dimmed. "The person who always bothers me when I'm working?" She does recall this one person, while she doesn't know his name continually calling out to her like they are close. Setsura however never looked him in the eye, because she would always be busy with work.
"Work, work. Is that all you think about? You're the daughter of a rich family, why do you have to work so much?"
Oh right, Mina was there when the butler dropped her off. To everyone working in this building, she is simply a girl from a wealthy family who is building up her experience before taking over her family business. It was such a stupid sounding excuse, but there is no doubt that everybody here believed it. Well, she supposes it's better than the Akito fiance excuse.
From the first day, Setsura understood that it would be better not to mention her relationship with Akito. After all, that man attracts way too much attention. To the girls working here, Akito is a God that can't be reached. It creeped her out, seeing how many people worshiped him, and she and that very same man are living together. Setsura knew better than to run her mouth; it's way too dangerous.
A girls jealousy is something one couldn't underestimate even for a second. Setsura already had experience with jealous girls back in the modern-day. That guy was far too popular. The hateful words, stares - the accidental pushing, shoving. The apparent discrimination and exclusion. Setsura shook her head; she doesn't need to deal with that here.