The Burden of Truth 3

Manami found herself with little time for introspection as her days as a geisha became busier, her entire time packed with performances, appointments, and complying with the demands of her patrons. She was completely engulfed in the frenzy of her reponsibilities, with little time for contemplating. The memory of her talk with Lieutenant Akio, nevertheless, lingered, haunting her subconscious and inciting conflicting feelings in her despite her best efforts to conceal it.

The weight of guilt and anxiety pressed upon Manami's heart as she pondered her potential role in General Yamamoto's downfall. She struggled with the realization that her words may have unintentionally contributed to the unfolding events that had shaken the military's foundation. Deep down, she held onto a faint hope that the incident had been handled with utmost discretion to shielding the military's reputation from tarnish. Yet, in the quiet corners of her mind, a persistent unease gnawed at her, whispering that there were yet more secrets hidden beneath the surface, just waiting to be revealed.

One evening, amidst the bustling activities of the teahouse, Manami's eyes widened in surprise as she spotted Lieutenant Akio sitting alone in a secluded corner, a solitary figure bathed in the soft glow of lantern light. He appeared at ease, leisurely sipping a cup of fragrant green tea. His unexpected presence stirred a mixture of curiosity and anticipation within her, prompting her to step closer, her footsteps light and unsure.

Manami walked up to him with regard in her heart and greeted him with a soft voice. "Good evening, Akio-san," she greeted, bowing slightly. "May I know what brings you here?"

Lieutenant Akio looked at her with a mixture of affection and concern in his eyes. His voice was soft but tinged with need as he motioned for her to sit down. "I came to check on you, Manami-san."

Manami sat down in curiosity and kept her gaze fixed on Lieutenant Akio's features the entire time. She sought for answers as there were many unanswered questions in the air.

"It's been a while, Manami-san. How have you been?" he inquired, his tone laced with genuine care as he offered a cup of tea to Manami.

Manami expressed after accepting the tea. "Thank you for asking, Akio-san; I'm doing fine. And you, how are you?" Her voice carries a delicate mix of curiosity and concern.

Lieutenant Akio's gaze softened, his eyes revealing a depth of understanding. "I'm doing well, thank you," he said, his words imbued with a touch of sincerity. "I wanted to talk to you about our last conversation. I hope it didn't cause stress you out too much."

Manami's heart skipped a beat at the mention of their previous exchange. Her mind raced to decipher the intentions behind Lieutenant Akio's words, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within her. "Pardon?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

He chuckled softly, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "You know you're easy to read, despite being a geisha," he confessed, his gaze unwavering.

Manami's eyes were filled with wonder and vulnerability, and her thoughts spinning like a fine silk thread caught in the wind. She found Lieutenant Akio's impression of her to be both irritating and alluring. She yearned to fully understand the depth of his perception.

"Please don't worry," Lieutenant Akio continued, with a voice like a soothing balm. "It's just me who pays such close attention to you, which is why I noticed your slightly widened eyes when you had a sweet snack the last time we had tea together. Or a crease on your temple while you're thinking deeply."

Manami's breath caught in her throat as she was reminded of that time. The memories that had been hidden from her for so long unexpectedly grabbed her. Lieutenant Akio's remarks roused the internal conflict that had been fading away, causing her heart to beat rapidly with a mixture of anxiety and ache.

Lieutenant Akio soon realized his error and made an effort to set things straight when sensing her feelings of unease. With a tinge of sheepishness in his eyes, he smiled apologetic. "I'm sorry, Manami-san. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable by bringing up the topic. I just couldn't help but notice how tense you were, and I wanted to make you feel at ease.

Manami took a deep breath and sighed gently to regain her composure. He made an effort to lighten her unease by narrowing the gap between their shared vulnerability, and she appreciated it. "Don't worry, Akio-san," she said. There is a delicate mixture of gratitude and wonder in her voice as she said, "I'm just surprised that you paid such close attention to me."

Lieutenant Akio smiled, his eyes holding a quiet depth. "Well, I've always found you to be an interesting person, Manami-san. In addition, I wanted to check on you to see how you were doing in light of the events involving General Yamamoto. I hope you won't hold yourself responsible for what occurred," he admitted, his words laced with a genuine concern.

Manami nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support. "Thank you, Akio-san. I appreciate your kindness," she said, her voice carrying a newfound sense of ease and trust.

"To be honest, I've been thinking about that conversation a lot lately. I can't help but wonder if my words had any impact on what happened to General Yamamoto," Manami confessed, her voice tinged with a trace of self-doubt.

Lieutenant Akio made a small forward move and looked serious. "Manami-san, I understand your concern. But I want to assure you that you didn't do anything wrong. The General's actions were his own, and you were simply doing your duty as a decent citizen," he affirmed, his voice steady and resolute.

Manami looked up into Lieutenant Akio's eyes, a glimmer of relief starting to take place inside her. His words struck an emotional note within her, giving her the sense of release she had long waited for. "Thank you for saying that, Akio-san. It means a lot to me," she replied, her voice carrying a blend of gratitude and newfound strength.

Lieutenant Akio smiled kindly. "Of course, Manami-san. I just wanted to make sure that you weren't carrying any unnecessary guilt. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here to listen."

Manami felt touched by Lieutenant Akio's words and felt grateful for his understanding and support. "Thank you for your kind words, Akio-san," she said.

Lieutenant Akio's kind smile disappeared as his expression turned grave, his gaze clouded with worry. "Unfortunately, we still haven't been able to find any leads on that man," he said, a reminder of the persistent threat that loomed. "I hope he doesn't cause any more problems for you, Manami-san. Actually, that's another reason why I stopped by."

"I see," Manami said, a mixture of gratitude and trepidation coloring her voice. "Thank you for your concern, Akio-san. Fortunately, I haven't had any further problems with him lately."

Lieutenant Akio's doubt was evident in his tone as he questioned her, his words laden with caution. "Are you sure?"

Manami's brows pinched in confusion as she tried to understand the weight of his question. She answered, "Yes," with a tinge of uncertainty in her voice. "Why do you ask about that, Akio-san?"

"I've heard about some movement around you," he paused, realizing his mistake before continuing. "What I mean is that some of the guards I placed around you have found evidence that leads me to believe that the man may still be targeting you."

A sharp intake of breath escaped Manami's lips as she absorbed Lieutenant Akio's words, the realization crashing over her like a wave. She had naively assumed that the stalker had given up and moved on, finding solace in the temporary respite. But now, the truth lay bare before her, unraveling her fragile sense of security. A shiver ran down her spine as she contemplated the looming threat, the shadows of danger encroaching once again.

She responded, "Thank you for letting me know, Akio-san," her voice trembling slightly to reflect the terror that gripped her.

"Don't worry, Manami-san," he reassured, his voice firm and unwavering. "I have instructed the guards to keep an even closer watch on you, and I will personally make sure that you are safe." Lieutenant Akio placed a reassuring hand on Manami's shoulder, a gesture that carried both comfort and determination.

Manami felt a surge of gratitude welling up within her, the tendrils of fear slowly being replaced by a sense of reassurance. "Thank you, Akio-san. I really appreciate it," she whispered, her voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and trust.

"Of course, Manami-san," he replied, his tone unwavering. "It's my duty to ensure the safety of all citizens, and especially those who are in danger. You can count on me."

Manami nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that Lieutenant Akio was a capable and dedicated officer, and she trusted him to keep her safe from harm.