Meanwhile, inside the restaurant. Setsura is shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Her gaze low as she avoided eye contact with the person sitting in front of her.
Setsura didn't think Akito would leave her alone with somebody she just met. Ahh, she's no good with these situations at all. There is a good reason why she took a week to accept their invitation. Sure one of the reasons was Akito. But, the other reason? It was because she isn't very good with people. It was like this in the future too. When it comes to meeting new people, Setsura is no good at it.
"Miss?"
"Y—y?"
Victor smiled, "Do you like sweet things?"
Setsura blinked surprised and nodded. Soon a waitress came with a parfait. Her eyes brightened when she saw it. She didn't think they had food like this in the Meiji era too. But, now that she thought about it. It did make sense.
"Akito told me a bit about you; you're unable to sleep at night?"
"Yes…"
"I'm an inventor. Perhaps there is something you'd like that would make you sleep better?"
Ah…
Victor smiled, "I wondered why Akito would give me so much money. It turns out it was all for you."
"How much did he give you?" She already owes Akito so much, and yet here he is spending so much money on her again.
"Don't worry about it," Victor trailed off and smiled. "Once you tell me what you want, I'll tell you."
Setsura paused to think. Something she would need? From the looks of this man head to toe dressed in western garments, the west is more advanced during this time. But even then there should be limitations. Maybe things like an alarm clock, a night light…. In the mansion, there are no small lights. It always feels like a waste to switch the main light on.
She pulled out some papers from her bag and did a quick sketch. "Um, do you know what these things are?"
"Hmmm," Victor examined the drawings. "This one would be a clock… correct?"
Setsura nodded.
"Except there would be a sound, not a gong sound but a bell?"
"You know of it?"
"I saw some in the residence I stayed in the west. People use this to wake up," Victor nodded. "The materials should be fine. I have them in my workshop. I can get things imported over too."
"Thank you."
Victor nodded and pointed to the next drawing, "The next one is a light correct? I hear they call these lamps in the west."
Setsura isn't sure about this. Have lamps been invented properly yet? While she did study history, it was Japanese history and not western. The Meiji era is a time period of change. With the end of the Tokugawa reign in 1868, everything changed from that time onwards. The old traditions and values were discarded. Now there is a government rather than a single ruler to follow.
"Thomas Edison and Sir Joseph Swann invented electric incandescent lamps. But even then there are still some improvements that need to be made. I'll tinker with the light a bit since electricity is still a bit dodgy here."
So, it will take some time. But Setsura supposes that's better than nothing. The reason why she wanted the alarm clock was so she could feel reassured that she could see something familiar when she woke up. It's not like she had to worry about sleeping in here. Some servants wake her up on time… Setsura paused in mid thought, isn't she getting far too used to this?
"Anything else?"
"Uh, it's a bit awkward asking. So, would you mind if I came by your workshop?" Setsura asked. It would be better if she could see exactly what this guy can do. But considering how Akito asked him to examine her brush, he must be very skilled. She would be a fool not to take advantage of this opportunity.
"Your acting very reserved."
Setsura looked down, "I apologize. I'm not very good at dealing with people."
Victor shook his head, "Don't apologize. Akito is the same type. He's very clumsy with words. But, whenever it comes to work, he is like a completely different person," he trailed off. "How much do you know about Akito's past?"
"I know about his wife…"
"Ah," Victor nodded. "So, he at least told you that much. Then that's good," he starts writing some notes down beside the drawings she did while continuing to talk to her. "You see Miss Setsura, Akito loved his wife. Contrary to his actions now, he used to speak her name with such fondness as he does with yours."
Setsura cringed at that last part. Does everybody know she is the target of Akito's affections? She doesn't know what to think about that. It's not like the two of them are dating or anything like that. But it seems to be a universally acknowledged fact that Akito treats her differently. She's even being compared to the great wife.
"Does it bother you being compared to her?"
"Well, I don't think I should be dragged into all of this.."
Victor blinked, "Do you not like Akito?"
"That's not it," Setsura mumbled. Did she like him? Or didn't she? "Honestly, I don't have the luxury to fall in love right now…"
"Indeed, your present circumstances are very harsh. But, miss Setsura, as Akito's friend I'd like it if you gave him a chance."
"That's…"
Victor sends her a weak smile, "I know asking this is very unreasonable for me. But, Akito looks so happy when he is with you. I haven't seen him act so naturally in a long time.."
"How do you know that?" Setsura questioned. Victor hasn't seen the two of them interact properly yet.
"I received some photos of Akito and you a few weeks back," Victor took an envelope out of his bag. A small note accompanied it. 'Akito has gone crazy..'
Setsura immediately recognized the handwriting. Of course, it's that guy. She opened the envelope, and there she saw it, so many photos of her and Akito. When did that guy take all of these? He really has free time. "I see, but it's just a photograph. How can you tell we are close through pic-" Setsura paused in mid-sentence when she saw one of the photographs.
It was her fast asleep after she finished painting, Akito had wrapped a blanket around her. A gentle look on his face as he kissed her forehead. The next photo was during one of their strolls around town. She was eating ice cream, and Akito bit into hers. The next is when he broke her fall, the next him wiping her mouth.
Indeed, if one saw these photos, they would think that something was going on between them.