Chapter 96 - Auction Part 3

Like herself, Akito seems to draw in the supernatural. The otherworldly beings to him. Setsura noticed it too, the moment they arrived on the grounds. The place reeked of the 'unknown.' Setsura saw his troubled face and tugged on his arm, "It's okay, be a man and do your job. We can make plans later."

He must be worried about their promise. While she is flattered, Setsura knew what his priorities were. Akito kissed her lips gently.

"Then, I will sit up front for a bit, okay? Victor, I gave you some extra cash, so if Setsura wants anything."

"Yes, yes, I know."

With those words said, Akito made his way down the stairs.

"Setsura-chan, I don't think Akito's noticed. But sir Touma is already in the building."

"He is?"

"3oclock."

Setsura slightly turned her head and looked in the direction Victor pointed at. There sat a man with a rather imposing presence. Short black hair wearing a black fur coat. "That's him?" Setsura mumbled.

Victor smiled, "Yeah. A scary guy, isn't he? Before he joined the police force, he was a normal thug."

An ordinary thug got promoted to being the section one chief. The rules in the Meiji era are peculiar, indeed. But, she supposes it would be the same in the future too. Anybody can work their way up into the force. It just takes a lot of effort.

This guy must have made a lot of effort. If Akito didn't quit, though, would he remain as his subordinate?

"Look, Lady Ekaterina is sitting with Sir Akito."

"Doesn't he have a girlfriend, though?"

"That witch? She's just interfering."

Her eyes twitched in annoyance once she heard those comments. She looked down and indeed noted that the girl took a seat beside Akito. How frustrating!!! The only reason Akito is down there is because she said it was okay for him to go for work purposes. If she knew a clingy woman would get to him, then she wouldn't have let him go down there.

To her surprise, though, Akito suddenly stood up and made his way back over to where they were.

"Akito?"

"The front is too annoying; there are far too many flies."

Flies? Setsura chuckled. "Very creative, I must say."

Akito squeezed her hands. "I'd rather sit with a beauty."

"40 points."

"Only forty?"

"You came back too late."

Akito laughed and apologized by placing sloppy kisses on her cheeks. How silly.

"It seems lively here," a familiar female voice said.

Setsura glanced over and spotted red hair, "Natasha!"

"Setsura," Natasha clung to her. "Boo hop. My father is so mean, making me attend this stupid event in his place."

"Stupid event, didn't you want something here too?" another voice said.

Ah, it's him. A man with blue short hair wearing a western formal suit, that matched the color of Natashas dress.

"Chauncey, you're already treating your fiance?" Victor said.

Chauncey sighed, "To show the good relationship between our families is what my father-in-law said."

Natasha laughed, "It's just an excuse. Chauncey said that it's too dangerous for me to go out alone after what happened."

Huh, these two strangely seem to get along with each other. Then again for the man named Chauncey Long, anybody who isn't his subject for observation - is a person he can get along with.

"May we sit with you guys?" Natasha asked.

Setsura turned to Akito, who had been strangely silent. "Akito?"

"Hm?"

"They want to sit with us…"

Akito turned around for the first time and nodded. She blinked in confusion, 'He's spacing out a lot. Did he finally notice Touma?'

"So, I heard about you two…" Natasha looked over at her and Akito. "Is it true?"

Setsura nodded. "Yes."

The girl's eyes lit up at her words, "This is where you give me all the details. I've only heard things from the rumors. It's hard to believe them."

Her sweat fell at Natasha's sudden enthusiasm. Don't tell her this girl likes to gossip?

Setsura noticed Chauncey's stare and sighed. This might be a good chance to get him to back off. But talking about her feelings for Akito in front of Akito himself is a bit embarrassing for her.

"This is something us girls can have a private chat about another time."

"Oh, you're right!"

Victor chuckled, "Are you sure? It doesn't have to be a girl thing."

She kicked his foot, and he lets out a yelping sound. "Setsura-chan, did Akito ever tell you not to resort to violence?"

"Since when did I listen to Akito. He is the one who listens to me."

Natasha was looking at her with eyes of admiration. "Setsura, you're so cool! You have to teach me more."

Why does this girl look so serious?

To be perfectly honest, in the future, she didn't have many female friends. So Natasha's straight forward and earnest attitude towards her was somewhat of a surprise. Her gaze shifted towards Akito, who still wore that serious gaze on his face. Somehow, she doesn't like it whenever he looks like this. She likes it better when he is smiling. Whenever he is like this, it feels like the entire world has turned upside down, and she hates it. She hates knowing that the person she loves is in pain.

Setsura rested her head on his shoulder and laced their hands together, earning Akitos attention.

"Mm? Setsura?"

"You look gloomy," Setsura mumbled. "I don't like it when your brooding."

Akito laughed, "Sorry, sorry. I was concentrating."

Was he? It doesn't seem like that to her. Setsura eyed him suspiciously. But, understood that Akito wouldn't say anything now. It's already difficult enough to get him to tell her what is on his mind. However, with Chauncey and Natasha here. Setsura knew he would only reply with vague answers, so she directed her attention back to the auction.

No items interested her, and yet Victor seemed to be vigorously making bets on such strange things. Naturally, he won them all, since nobody wanted it.

"Why are you buying such useless things?" Setsura asked after awhile. For an inventor like Victor, Setsura thought he would bet on grander things. But instead, the things he is buying are small broken pieces. Rather, "I can't believe they are selling these things."

Why are goods that look half-broken on sale? Aren't the items inspected before they get put on sale? This isn't a shady auction place, right? There are many places disguised as an auction, but end up being a scam and fraud.

Victor laughed, "But, even minor items like this have a meaning, no?"

That's true. The items Setsura saw daily, all started from something small. These small items Victor is buying may contribute to something larger in the future.