Chapter 4 - Mysterious Man

It's the same one. Most people would call her crazy, but there was no doubt about it. She recognized it as the same one from that night. Setsura did not bother rushing to the balcony and instead rushed out of the door. 'It's better to catch it from the outside,' sure enough when she got outside. Setsura saw the butterfly fly off into the forest.

Setsura remembered the first time she taught herself how to read and write. It just clicked when she was bored, that she wanted to learn how to read. Maybe it came from the desire to help her Mother with her work. But one day, she picked up a book from the shelf and just flicked through the pages. Naturally, she did not understand the words written, but regardless she kept repeating this every day. And again. Then one-day Setsura discovered she could read. She didn't know how she managed; she just knew that she could read.

It was funny; the first book she properly read was about cooking - funny because when she thought about it now. The only thing she couldn't do was cook and yet back when she was a child; she devoured the knowledge from those cookbooks.

She read through it and would struggle to understand the words written upon the paper. It would take her several hours even to finish a mere paragraph, let alone finish reading it.

Then, she moved on to the next. While her Mother only kept cookbooks, Father had a library in the house.

Once he saw her reading those cookbooks, he gave her permission to enter his library. If Setsura thought about it now, that was the only proper interaction between them. Soon enough, she devoured every book on the shelves he unlocked for her, every book on hobbies that were in the house. So she moved on to fiction, from biographies to education books.

The only thing she ever asked from her father was a library card, a golden one for the biggest library in town. However, even then, she could not obtain the information she wanted. She wanted to know about that butterfly - why did it appear at that time? It was winter and a freezing one for that matter. Why would there be a butterfly? Back then, even though her head was a mess, she couldn't stop wondering about the butterfly. After she got to know Shinji, she disclosed the matter to him. Setsura thought he would call her crazy; after all, it was just a butterfly.

However, Shinji looked at her with a serious expression then and asked her to tell him every detail. Later on, when she got her gold membership card from her father, Shinji came with her to the library every day. Setsura thought it was just a coincidence, but later on, she learned that just like her, he was curious about the butterfly too. Setsura never asked him about it, though, she wanted to respect his privacy. If it's Shinji, he will tell her in due time.

In the back of the Kaname household, there is a strange forest. Setsura never thought much of it before simply because old mansions tend to come with strange things. However, right at this moment, Setsura felt there was some significant meaning to all this. Setsura followed the butterfly to the forest; she was aware that some of Shun's men had seen her and were most likely reporting her every move and action to Shun.

But that did not matter to her; she finally found it. Her one clue. It didn't bother her that people saw her as a murderer. She couldn't care less about it, as long as Shinji saw her as innocent and she knew her hands were clean. However, those other people would continue making things difficult for Shinji in the long run.

If somebody outside those people who knew learned that Shinji's wife is a murderer, then everything Shinji built so far would crumble. Setsura didn't want that to happen; she wants to become his wife with pride. While the Kaname family has done an excellent job ensuring that this information didn't reach the media's ears. All secrets eventually get revealed one day. Even if they can hide it now, can they say the same for the present? The risk is far too high.

Setsura rushed through the forest; she was aware that her footwear was the wrong choice since she felt the bruises forming on her feet. But she didn't stop even for a single moment. All she needs is evidence of some kind, proof that she didn't do it.

They did not detain her, even though she was the suspect. Her Mother got close to her right before the blackout, and she was not in the right state of mind either. Everything added up that she was the one who did it, even though Father admitted to beating Mother - the blame still fell on her.

For so long Setsura felt she didn't deserve to be with Shinji, she also thought that she was the one who killed her Mother in cold blood. Her last thought before the blackout had been, 'If Mother is going to suffer, I should end it with my own two hands.' The experts managed to get that information out of her; everything pointed to her doing it.

Yet after she analyzed the situation with Shinji, she realized something was wrong. 'Where did it go?' Setsura muttered in her head. For the last few minutes the white butterfly had been floating around aimlessly in a single line, so Setsura didn't think it would suddenly speed up. Or rather isn't it amazing that it's flying around with such speed and vigor?

She knew it; there really is something different about this butterfly. Setsura didn't have any evidence to prove it, up till now that is. Maybe she ought to have brought her phone, Setsura felt like she may finally get some hints to what happened back then.

She shook her head; she can't be too greedy. Just the fact that she could get this far is already a miracle enough, "Don't be too selfish," Setsura repeated.

The white butterfly was flying away at such speed, so when she finally caught sight of it again. It was then that Setsura noticed something different about it. She only ever got a look at it from a distance before, so Setsura isn't exactly sure whether it changed or not. But there was indeed something different about it than before; the butterflies color had changed - there appeared to be blue lines forming several patterns on it. Plain blue lines that looked similar to lights.

Setsura had resorted to discarding her footwear at some point, realizing that it was slowing down her movements. So when she finally came to the forest clearing, where the large fountain was, she was barefoot. The white butterfly finally stopped; it did not land on the ground or tree but on a person's finger. Yes, a person. Her eyes widened when she saw a tall man with long curly white hair, dawned in some odd clothing.

'What a beautiful person,' Setsura thought. The man's eye color was like glass, skin even whiter than her own. Is he a foreigner? But, what is he doing all the way out here? In the forest owned by the Kaname household? When that thought came to mind, she froze. Could this person possibly be the real murderer? The Kaname household is a strict family; they are very fussy about who enters the premises and who doesn't.

With her family's position in society, it's only natural for them to be so cautious all the time. Setsura would always be informed ahead of time if they were to received guests, and she knew for sure that they were not receiving any today.

Setsura took out the weapon Shinji had given her when one looked at it was a small baton - something harmless. But when she pressed the button, it would turn into a long spear, "Who are you? State your name," Setsura said coldly. Since he wasn't paying attention, it was easy to catch him off guard. Setsura held the spear inches away from his face.

The man turned to her and laughed, "Oh, my that's one dangerous weapon you have there. Don't worry; I do not mean you any harm."

Words of a criminal before they commit a crime.

"It's just, that's some fine weapon. The young master of the household must truly care about you for him to disclose his family secrets."

Does he know about Shinji? Then could it be that this person isn't after the Kaname household, nor is he an enemy of her father and Shun but instead Shinji? Setsura erased the possibility of him being one of her half-sister lovers. The guys Lucy brings home are the lowest of the low, and Setsura could tell this man was different. She didn't lower the spear, even if he knows about Shinji, he is still a bad guy.

"Many have said those same words to me, and I've repeated the same thing when they are laying on the ground begging for mercy. But," Setsura lunged forward, "You cannot use me to threaten Shinji."

Usually, when she lunged forward, she would use that moment to spin and then create a strong gust of wind using the blade. However, the man intercepted the blade easily. With a calm smile, he said, "Miss Setsura, I truly mean you no harm. Will you hear me out for a while instead of trying to kill me?"

Setsura froze at his words; she was only trying to chase him away. How did it end up with her trying to kill him? Realizing that he was trying to twist the situation, Setsura muttered in her head, 'How despicable,' she thought.

This man, he knows something about that incidence. Those who knew about it would call her murderer or say anything related to death to stir her up. They know it's her weakness; this man is the same as them.