Queen of Diamonds | Shuntaro Chishiya

[Chapter 20].Departure

The screams wouldn't stop. Setsuna swore that Akane was on the verge of dying and the cursing was abnormal for a human being.

It has been several hours since Ann started the procedure.

"Oh, kami... Chishiya is going to kill us for disturbing him." Setsuna sat down as Ann was done fixing Akane's leg from the blood clot forming. She was passed out from the high pain pressure from Ann roughly patching the mistakes from the last doctor.

"Wow... after holding her done. I'm sure going to pass out too," Setsuna looked down to see the pain on Akane's face as she slept.

"You think? That was one hell of a patient. And I'm just a forensic specialist. This is why I refused to work in the E.R," Ann wiped the sweat off her forehead and cleaned her supplies. There wasn't that must blood, but the poor girl suffered a lot making Setsuna show a lot of pity for her.

"I think I'm just thinking a lot. Chishiya plans to leave tomorrow to find the King of Diamonds venue. And I have to prepare for something similar." She couldn't let Ann know about the Queen of Diamonds venue opening in less than two days.

"You're worried for him when you shouldn't be. He... is something I couldn't decipher back at the Beach." Ann softly smiled placing her supplies in her bag.

"I get angry for no reason. Maybe, it's best to let him do whatever," Setsuna muttered, her heart thudded against her rib cage. She could feel the colours of her cheeks turn pink.

Ann laughed causing confusion in the room. "Huh?" Rū was bewildered by the scene as Toro stood next to her.

"I thought I was just momentarily thinking things, but you really are fond of him. I should've noticed it from a mile away," Ann chuckled again but Setsuna was nearly choking on her water.

"You're kidding me?! I do not! We just...." she trailed off denying her feelings for him. They've known each other for almost a month and despite his rude outbursts, he has cared for her and she returned the favour.

"Oh, so you've been following him around like his lapdog for what? This is a sign that you're in lo—"

"Shut it!" Setsuna covered Ann's mouth and a loud cough was heard from behind interrupting their teasing fest toward Setsuna.

"Ah! Chishiya-san!" Rū greeted which made Setsuna's face began to heat up like a tomato at the fact her friend was causing havoc about her feelings.

Setsuna knew she was already liking him more than a friend, but she didn't want to pressure anything onto him considering they're going through the sojourns in tragic times.

"You guys done? I have to leave shortly." Chishiya rolled his orbs and looked straight at Setsuna's blank expression.

"So, you're going to find the King of Diamonds venue?" she quietly asked, this could be their last encounter for all she knew, he could toss his life away. However, she had her own venue to start shortly after. And thankfully, he wasn't going to participate.

"Yes, but it doesn't necessarily concern you. Although, I have my own reasonings for wanting to participate despite my visa ends in seven days." A smirk happened to show on his demeanour.

"I see... I also chose to participate in a game. Rū and Toro you don't have to participate in anything if we don't return." Setsuna cheekily grinned.

She stood up and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. Holding down Akane wasn't something she was used to. That schoolgirl was insanely strong for her size.

"You never said you were going to participate? But my suspicions about you are more clear than ever. You're exactly like Kuzuryū." Chishiya appeared at the door. Setsuna cursed herself for not locking the door.

"As you told me earlier. Whatever you decide, doesn't concern me. So, whatever I do, doesn't concern you either." She glared back at him. She dried her hands off from one of the hand towels roughly tossing it in a laundry basket.

Chishiya grabbed her wrist before she could walk off. His grip wouldn't loosen. To her surprise, Chishiya pulled her in roughly hugging her. Setsuna's eyes widen, despite him not knowing how to properly handle emotions. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, she couldn't see his expression due to her head leaning against her chest.

"C-Chishiya..." her voice grew soft. She gripped his shirt from behind trying to hold in her emotions.

"I don't want it to end. But everything comes to an end... I keep telling myself that it's best to keep you away from my problems. I can't seem to even keep myself away from these circumstances." He closed his eyes resting his head in the crook of her neck.

"You don't have to keep pushing yourself. I want us both to survive, it'll hurt me more knowing something happened to you." She bit down her lip; her hands trembling. He pulled away to see her face to face. His phlegmatic normal look turned serene and sympathetic.

He couldn't help himself, the tip of his left thumb touched Setsuna's lip before cupping her face in the palm of his hands bringing his warm lips against hers. T-This can't be happening?!

Before she could withdraw her mind from its far places, his arms were around her once again. She felt again the rush of helplessness, the sinking yielding, the surging tide of warmth that left her limp.

And the quiet face of Setsuna was blurred and drowned to nothingness. Chishiya bent the back her head across his arm and kissed her, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made her cling to him as the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world. His insistent mouth was parting her shaking lips, sending wild tremors along her nerves, evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling. And before a swimming giddiness spun her round and round, she knew that she was kissing him back.

She couldn't believe that he had done it. She was left stunned as the riptides around her torso left shattering her emotions that were there.

"So, this means goodbye I assume?" She closed her eyes refusing to look at him. She knew of the straight answer to this question. Was he was playing with her once again?

"Let's not call it that. Although, I don't know what exactly to say. It can't be helped if either one of us dies. Then, we'll have to move on with this desolate feeling." Chishiya answered turning around.

"Let's do our best, I don't want to see you die now! There is more to life than this sick game. Let's survive," she tilted her head and smiled. Her hands were behind her back with one foot behind her other. Chishiya didn't say anything, nor could she see the smile he had on his lips.

A genuine smile that he couldn't fathom the emotions he was feeling. This girl sure brought more surprises to him than no other in the normal days of Tokyo.

"I'll see you later than, Setsuna-san."