“I told you to be more careful…” Annoyed sigh escaped Aki’s lips, as his hand brushed through your messy hair. You just came back from your mission hurt, again. It wasn't the first time you had come back hurt, and each time, Aki's heart clenched with a familiar sense of dread. He couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu, the haunting memories of past loss that still lingered in the recesses of his mind.

Perhaps you remind him too much of his previous partner and comrade, whose untimely death had left a gaping wound in Aki's heart. Maybe that's why he keeps you around, in desperate fear of losing you too. You didn’t know much except that her name was Himeno.

“Your makeup is smudged…” He said, his thumb gently collecting the remnants of smeared mascara under your eye.

Now, with you by his side, Aki couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu creeping in. Your strength and determination reminded him so much of Himeno, it was almost as if she were a ghost from his past come back to haunt him.