Before meeting with the girl..... --------------------------------------

(a while back before meeting with the girl....)

I waited for Aria-sama as she instructed me to. But honestly, a while already passed by since then.

I kept on waiting but I couldn't help to start feeling a bit impatient as I sit still here doing nothing.

How much longer??

I sighed and then tried to think about random stuffs that could help me pass some time.

[back~~~]

!!?

Finally... She's back.

She greeted me with an energetic voice, making me wonder to what was she doing during that long while she was gone.

She did take her time afterall....

[Fufufu, well then ~ let's continue this chat at my place~]

Huh??...Her place?

Hmmm?

This feeling.....

For some some reason, I slowly felt like my consciousness fading out.

Urghh.....

I opened my eyes and what appeared me was a bright place.

"This place...."

What greeted my eyes was a familiar view in which I can certainly say a place that I've been to before.

.....I'm back??

It was the white place or should I say the garden in where I first met Aria-sama.

Why?

I was startled and confused.... why am I back here?.....Wait.... If I think about it..... Aria-sama told me that we will continue our conversation elsewhere... So it was here huh.

"welcome back~"

Two arms reached out to me from behind and then embraced me.

"Wahh!!!?"

 I was startled because of the suddenness. I mean, who wouldn't be surprised when suddenly two arms appeared fron behind you.

It's like the view of someone trying to kidnap you from behind.

"fufufu ~"

!??

As I heard that voice, I instantly knew that It was Aria-sama

"Aria-sama...

"just relax for now~"

Aria-sama seems to be in a light and good mood.

Haysss...Seriously. 

I sighed and just nodded before I put myself relax.

"hmmm??"

I then felt a soft pressure on top of my head so I tried to raise my head trying to look at Aria-sama

"there there~"

But just before I was about to move my head, that soft pressure that was on my head began moving in a familiar gentle manner.

This feeling....

Am I? being patted?

...Ohhh.

I lowered my head not trying to look at her anymore, and just let her do what ever she wants.

I wonder why but I really kind of like this feeling of being caressed by Aria-sama.

"fufufu~

Maybe seeing myself completely surrendering to her made her chuckle.

"you really like this don't you? ~"

"a bit..."

Who wouldn't like this? This feels so heavenly you know.

 "fufufu~"

As I was enjoying this, I realized that I forgot the reason for me being in this place.

"ohhh right~ I still didn't told you~"

I turned my head around and looked at her face, only to see that I was so close to her face making me blush and embarrassed.

"it's your fault for suddenly turning around you know~"

"y-yes... Sorry....."

"it's fine~"

This time, Aria sama then let go of me and starting walking, and I then followed her from behind.

"You said that you wanted to do something for the little girl right? ~"

"yes I did...."

"that's precisely why you are back in this place~"

Ehhh??.

I couldn't understand what she meant by that, is there something here in this place that can help me cheer up that girl?.

I tilted my head, wondering the meaning of her words.

"fufufu, in short, I'm letting you borrow this place~"

"hmmm? borrow?"

I tilted my head while being curious .

"here~ the two of you will meet each other here, and it's up to you to what will you do to cheer her up ~"

So thats the reason I'm here, hmm wait... Is the girl already here then??.

I quickly took a look around but it seems that the only person here in this place is me and Aria-sama

"No need to rush, she is not here yet since I will be bringing her later~"

"I see..."

I sighed in relief as I heard that. I would be really nervous if I was thrown into a complicated situation afterall, especially in reassuring someone since this is my first time doing it.

"Fufu, I brought you in here first so I can explain the situation~"

"Hmmmm"

Well she did explained to me about the reason I'm here so I can now prepare myself mentally.

Fuuuu.....

Aria-sama is really kind huh... To think that she will lend me this place to help me with the girl..... I feel so indebted to her.

"thank you...."

"fufufu its really fine~"

"ohhh...."

"besides seeing you like this is so adorable you know~"

Huh? adorable???

"Just what what do you mean by that?"

What did she just say just now? DId I heard that correctly?

"fufufu~Don't mind it"

Aria sama chuckled once more and slowly started walking as I followed behind. 

"so what are you going to do then? Do you have any plans?"

"hmmm?"

I started thinking again... Now that Aria-sama mentioned it, What should I do with the girl?

What should I say to her?, this is the first time I will meet her in person, and If I tried to remember what I firstly thought about when I was with the girl when she was crying and venting her feelings, I do remember of atleast wanting to tell her that everything's will going to be alright.

But what will I say after that? Will I can be able to maintain a conversation? or will our conversation going to be just awkward later?

Hmmm?

Before I knew it, I was staring at the palm of my hand while feeling a bit uneasy.

Hmmm?

Am I ?getting nervous because of this?...I don't know. This is my first time reassuring someone.

"see~ cute~"

!!?,

Aria sama suddenly jumped in on my train of thoughts making me suddenly surprised. 

Did she perhaps read my thoughts again?

I kind of forgot that Aria-sama can read my mind so openly.... Ahhhhh this is so embarrassing.

"its okay fufufu~"

I just stood there silently..... This is just too messy....

"I pretty sure that you will be able to say something nice so dont worry~"

"even if you say that..."

"fufufu don't think about it too much~"

But even if she says to not think about it too much, I was still anxious to what will I say later.

I frowned and looked down towards the white and clean tiles trying to get some ideas on how I will drive the conservation later.

"by the way~have you noticed it?"

"noticed what?" 

is she changing the topic?, but what is she saying all of a sudden?. What does she meant about me noticing?.

"so you didn't yet~"

I raised my head once more and looked at her confused. But Aria-sama just looked back at me with a smile on her face making me much more confused.

"take a look~"

As she said that, a mirror appeared before me showing an image of a beautiful girl.

She has straight white hair and pale yellow eyes, she also has a good face proportion which is so charming to look at.

Her arms are not that thick as it was slender paired with her white seemingly smooth skin making her look like a petite teen model, just look at how pretty she is.

Next for the clothes, the figure was wearing a black dress with some white parts,..... Its something gothic like as it was also full of frills and ribbons.

As for the age, maybe around the stage of a teen, she doesn't look that childish and also not that mature so I guess it's really around 14 to 18.

"what do you think?"

I turned my head at Aria-sama innocently as I dont know why she asked me about the girl in the mirror. But I will still answer nonetheless.

"she is very pretty."

"well thats to say, you are telling yourself that you are pretty ~"

"huh??....."

Like before, what is Aria-sama trying to say to me, I'm really getting lost here you know...

"fufufu take a look at the mirror again and do some movements this time."

"o-okay?..."

I followed Aria-sama instructions and looked back at the mirror while doing some basic movements

I raised my right hand and did a wave, doing that, at the time, the figure on the mirror also raised her hand and waved.

!!? Ehhh?

I then titled my head, and the figure also tilted her head. I closed one of my eyes and figure did the same.

Wait I minute.... Don't tell me....

I then tried doing other movements, and also some facial gestures,

After a while, I've finally realised.....

This pretty person in front of me is none other than me....

"fufufu, you liked it?"

"that is..... How can I say it....."

It's kind of weird, this appearance is way to differerent to my original self.

But why is my appearance look like this in the first place?.

"That is the human appearance of the doll that you are currently possessing ~"

"The doll?"

"have you seen the yourself when you were at that place?"

"not yet....."

I didn't see any mirrors since I was just on top of thay bed staring at one place, and not to mention, I didn't have any ways of moving around to even get to see an object that can reflect my appearance

"anyway~starting today that will be your appearance ~"

"..."

"you don't like it?"

"I..."

I shooked my head, honestly, it's not like I hate it..... It's just that... Its too sudden for me, I feel like I will take a while to get used to this new body.

I looked again at the mirror, this face is pretty but there is another thing that caught my attention while I was checking myself earlier...

When I was trying to do some expression.... I noticed that they don't really show that much....

"fufufu, but I think I think it seems to suit you~"

"suits me?"

"you don't really show your expression that much before too right?"

Ohhh....

.... Yeah I don't think I smiled that much from before.....

And this kind of expression is really doll like... Well it does also suit the face so I guess there are no problem with it.....

And I kind of like it this way too for some reason....

"fufufufu~ now that we are done with the appearance.... I should go bring the girl here~"

"ohhh"

"just wait for a bit okay~"

I nodded, but a question suddenly appeared inside my head.

"Aria-sama..."

"yes?"

I'm curious.....will be with us or not, I mean, this is her place right?...

"nope, I will be leaving the two of you here for the meantime~"

"is that so...."

"that's right ~ well if you need help then just call me with the way that I said from before~"

"Okay..."

"fufufu, off I go then~"

She waved at me while I watched her dissappear in front of me.

Now what.....

I just stood there thinking about what I will do for the mean time.

I'm pretty sure that Aria-sama will be quick to return so I guess I will just take another walk around the garden.

As I continue walking, I could hear was the sound of leaves brushing with the wind, and the sound of flowing water somewhere.

I walked around more while enjoying the peaceful mood that the garden is giving me.

Uwaaa so relaxing.

Really, This place is perfect for taking a good nap, it's not that noisy and the air is just too comfortable.

I then turned my gaze towards the flowers, there are different kinds that are scattered around the place

There are roses, daisies, tulips, orchids, and many other kinds of flowers

They look so fresh as there are no withered parts that can be found on them.

I wonder.... how did Aria-sama managed to keep this place to be so beautiful and serene.

maintaining a place like this should definitely requires a lot of effort and attention. 

But....

To be honest..... With a gentle place like this, Aria-sama reallyseems to like a god of life rather than death.

Back then when I was still alive. When I was thinking of gods, the god of death gave me the impression of a god who wears black reaper-like clothes.

That god will also have an intimidating aura enough to scare people off, Basically, It's a god that gives fear to the eyes of people. 

But Aria-sama really blew those thoughts away..... She is not that scary on the contrary, she is like a caring mother, and she is very kind too....

Hmmm, now that I recalled about it, I remember her suddenly hugging me and patting me when we first met.

It gave me peace and reassurance. Like I was finally noticed by someone.

Hmmm....That's it.

Maybe I should borrow her way of reassuring someone....

----------------------------------------------

A while passed by again and I was just watching the flowers swing with the gentle breeze. 

Is she here yet?? Sure taking a while again huh... 

Haysss.....Maybe I should take walk around for a bit.

I was about to turn around when suddenly.

"Eeep!!!!"

Hmmm!??

I heard a loud shriek in which caught me by surprise. 

I quickly looked towards the place that shriek came from and there I saw a small and skinny black haired girl hiding her face behind her weak looking arms.

Her legs and arms trembled as she stood there in front of me.

"I uhh!!! I am not doing anything bad! I swear!!! I am a good girl!!!" 

....Huh?

 The girl then saying some things that I couldn't understand. Maybe some nonsense but anyways...

"I..."

"ohhh you were already here huh..."

"Ehh?"

As I said that, The girl then stopped trembling and slowly removed the arms that were hiding her face then revealing a pair of pretty blue eyes staring at me. 

"..."

The girl looked at me and her eyebrows raised up with her mouth slightly open as if she saw something unbelievable. 

 Hmmm...

The both of us then stared at each other for a while without saying something.

....

.....

Still not saying anything huh I guess I will start talking then.

"Hello"

I greeted her but it was returned by silence making me think if she didn't hear me.

"Hello....."

"....."

Once again it was returned with nothing.

"uhmmm? Good day?...."

I was trying to start a conversation but the girl didn't say anything to reply.

"hey you okay?....."

"..."

"hmmmm..."

"...."

Are you ignoring me? Can't you hear me?, Its not like she can't see me right? I mean she is literally looking straight to my eyes.....

"hey are you listening?..."

"!!?"

This time the girl then finally responded as her eyes open widely.

Really is she okay?.....

".... I.... Uhmmm... Sorry.....I was thinking about something.... "

She then lowered her head as her legs started to tremble again in front of me.

Is she perhaps nervous? Come to think of it she was also scared when I turned around.

Wait... all the people in the mansion has been awful to her right? Does that mean? 

Could it be she is afraid thinking if I might do something bad to her like the others? 

I see....If that's the case then.

"Hmmmm... Is that so?....its fine...."

"??"

She then stopped trembling and then released a big sigh before finally looking back towards me again.

I guess I should go talk with her now.

"So uhmm...."

"..."

She didn't reply again, she seems to really like daze off huh.....

With this, I suddenly thought of patting her on the head, similar to what Aria-sama do to me, maybe it will ease the girl up

I then walked towards the girl and slowly raised my hand.

But once the girl saw my hand, she quickly closed her eyes and tensed up.

Eehh....

Is she perhaps thinking that I was going to hit her?. She is really scared huh....

I gently put my hand on top of her head and started patting it carefully.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at me confused.

She really has her guard up towards me.... It seems like I will need to slowly regain her trust huh.....

"I won't hurt you..... So don't worry..."

"..."

Seeing her finally calming down I then embraced her inside my arms.

"Ehhh!?? Uhmm??"

The girl was reacting as if surprised but It was to be expected anyways.

"You are not alone anymore.....It will be all okay...I'm here for you....."

"Not alone?"

I know that you may not completely trust me yet but I will make sure to help you be happy in the future....

"you.... Uhmmmm..... Are you really going to help me??...."

"Yes.... Didn't I already said it just now?"

"Really? You are not lying?"

"I gave you my word and it's the truth...But, it's up to you if you will trust me or not." 

what you are going through is really painful.... But now that I'm here, I will never let them hurt you again....

She then suddenly rested her head on my chest and now seeing her acting like. I couldn't help but put my hand on top of her head again before carefully giving her a headpat. 

...

"Then can I really trust you?"

She asked with a meek and uncertain voice in which I can understand.

"You can..."

"Nnnn."

She then became silent once again but this time, I just silently stood there while gently stroking her hair.

I patted her for a while and suddenly she asked me another question.

"Is this real? or is this only a dream?"

Hmmm she is referring to this place and me isn't she? Well that's a complicated one to answer since I don't have any knowledge about this place.

"Hmmm, you could say that this is a dream but at the same time is also real..." 

"That's confusing...but okay..."

She then didn't speak again but this time I could feel her shoulder trembling and then followed by faint sound of sobs coming from the girl.

Is she? Crying?

Seeing her cry like this. I then reassured her by patting her on her back

"it's okay..... There there..."

Following my words, the girl then stopped hiding her cries and let it all go as she stayed resting on my chest.

"It must've been tough for you isn't it?..."

"it was painful....*hic*."

"Unn..."

"They didn't want listened to me....they didn't care about me.... *hic*"

"Unn...."

"I was hurt many times..... I even begged them to stop but.....*hic*."

"Unn..."

I just nodded and patted her as she spoke, It's the best that I can offer her based from my understanding.

I don't know what to say to her since this is the first time I have someone crying inside my arms so I could only listen and reply in some way.

"I cried but father.... He kept....*Hic*"

"..."

"Even when I did nothing wrong..... They kept hurting me.... *hic*"

"..."

"why is it so unfair for me... Why did I have to go through this.....*hic*.... I tried to be a good girl but still..... *hic*..... Just why...."

She continued venting as she recalled all of the times she was hurt by her so called family 

" I've grown tired of it..... I wanted someone to listen to me.... But there was none...*hic*"

"..."

"I tried to escape but I couldn't...."

"Hmmm??.... "

Escape??

Hearing her say that she tried to escape stunned me and went thinking for a bit.

So her being thrown inside the room from earlier is because she tried to escape?

I see now....Such a brave girl huh. 

Even though she was alone and scared, she ventured out and explored within a place that consider her a prisoner. 

She took action and not only stayed still, all of that just for finding an exit. Just hearing it makes me feel a strong sense of responsibility of needing to make her escape as early as possible. 

...

I continued listening to her venting out and without knowing, a long while passed as we embraced each other inside the peaceful garden.