Aftermath

-----Yui's POV

Yesterday, we did manage to meet back up with the club as Aki ended up having Emi and Maria run 100m on the track. Emi seemed to be the "explosive" type, bolting as fast as she can which is ideal for the 100m. But when it came to the 400m, Maria seemed to have the upper hand. Seems as though she's more aware of conserving her energy than Emi is. Sadly though, that was all we did that day, but at least it seemed like Aki was pleased with their performance.

Today however, things are a bit different. We got told that Kaede doesn't want visitors, but I felt as though that would no longer be the case now that she has gotten her contacts back. And after mentioning the fact that Kaede's awake, both Aki and Ken joined us for the hospital trip.

Ken: "She recovered quite fast."

Aki: "Mhmm! But you said that they're not allowing visitors?"

Yui: "Mm. But hopefully it's different today."

Emi: "Better be! I still can't believe Kaede didn't want to see us."

Maria: "Well, I can't blame her. I'd also be a bit embarrassed to be seen wearing that hospital gown."

Shin: "Really? For me, I'd love if people came to visit me. Hospitals can be quite depressing when you're all alone."

Emi: "Right? See, Shin gets it."

And after some time walking, we finally make it to the hospital. But this time, it seemed to be a different lady at the reception desk. Either way, we asked if it would be okay to visit Kaede, and Emi, Maria and I all had sour looks on our faces. I can tell that we all wanted for the answer to be a yes.

Receptionist: "Yes, you may all go up. Here."

The moment the lady began handing out the visitor cards to us, all of our faces lit up as we wasted no time to rush straight to the elevator. We did end up being caught by one of the staff, so we had to walk the rest of the way, but as we ride the elevator up, I can feel everyone's excitement. However, as for me, I'm also quite scared. The last time we saw each other was when I made her cry. I'm afraid that maybe she'd prefer only seeing Emi and Maria instead of me, let alone everyone else here. That was when I recalled her grabbing hold of my hand the other day when we visited...

And so, after some more time navigating through the hospital, we finally approach Kaede's door as Emi and Maria immediately entered first, followed by Ken and Aki.

Emi: "Ah!~ Kaede!~"

Maria: "Thank goodness!~"

I waited for a moment outside with Shin as I hear Emi and Maria's voices. So she's awake after all...

Shin: "Yui?"

Yui: "Yes, I'm okay."

With the sudden urge by Shin, we both made our way inside as the room opened up in front of my eyes. Emi and Maria were already hugging Kaede on both sides of the bed, as all three of them had giant smiles on their faces. And that was when Kaede noticed me as she shot me a soft smile, with her golden eyes gleaming at me. So she was worried about her eyes after all.

Kaede: "Thank you."

Yui: "Uh... Yeah."

Is she talking about when I brought the contacts over? I'm glad.

Emi: "I swear though! You look quite pale. Are they treating you well?"

Maria: "Yeah! You look totally different!"

Kaede: "Mm. They make sure I eat properly. But hah~ I could go for some ice-cream."

Maria: "Then when you're discharged, how about we go to that café again?"

Kaede: "Sounds good."

So she's really not bothered by me being here?

Ken: "You seriously do heal fast though. Wasn't your arm in a cast before?"

Kaede: "I guess so, hehe."

Aki: "It was like your ribs... Kaede, you are human, right?"

Kaede: "Hmm? Of course I am. Maybe it's 'cause of my diet?"

Now that I take a closer look, Kaede does seem more pale than last time I saw her, not to mention her face and body looking a bit different as well. But seeing her smile and talk like this does wash away my worries quite a bit.

Yui: "H-how are you feeling? Any pain?"

Kaede: "Hmm? Ah, yeah. Pretty much. To be honest, I wanna leave this hospital right now. Sorry, Aki."

Aki: "Eh? N-no! It's okay."

Kaede: "But your club."

Aki: "Yui vouched for you, so of course we'd work around you, especially given your situation right now..."

Kaede: "Ehehe. Well~ Hopefully I'll be out of here soon!"

Aki: "Mhmm!"

Emi: "Hah~ But that's a load off my mind. You have your phone with you, right?"

Kaede: "Mhmm. My... My mom brought it over for me this morning."

Emi: "Alright, then keep in contact!"

Maria: "Mhmm!"

Aki: "I'll also add you to our club's group chat."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Ken: "Oi oi, Aki."

Kaede: "Ah, it's alright. I just didn't expect to already be a part of the club."

Ken: "Well, it's true that we'd like to see how you perform first. But if you still plan on joining, then I guess it'll be okay."

Aki: "Alright! Then Kaede? Could I have your contact details?"

Kaede: "S-sure..."

I was a bit worried about the club situation, but it seems as though Aki's already set on bringing Kaede along. But I think that's mainly due to Emi and Maria already taking part in the club and Aki not wanting Kaede tot be left out. But even still, I'm happy to know that Kaede will be joining us.

Shin: "All this talk is making me curious. Can I really not join, Yui?"

Yui: "Hahh~ Maybe if-"

Kaede: "Eh? Shin?!"

Shin: "Uh, yes?"

Kaede: "Shin!"

Out of nowhere, Kaede focuses in on Shin, as her eyes are beaming straight at him. What's this about?

Kaede: "Your dad! How is he?"

Shin: "U-uhmmm. You also know my dad?"

Kaede: "I... I guess? Hehe."

Shin: "Well, he's still slaving away at work. Maybe when mom takes over the bakery he can lead a bit more of a peaceful life."

I can't help but feel my chest tighten at the two of them talking like this. Back when they first met, I felt as though they had some connection with how Kaede was talking about Shin's mother, but now his father as well?! Also the look on Kaede's face just now...

Kaede: "Hey, do tell him to take it easy okay?"

Shin: "O-of course..."

What? Just now, did Shin just get flustered? I mean, Kaede is beautiful, even more so I feel like. She looks absolutely stunning. It would make sense for him to get flustered, but that only makes this feeling in my chest all the more worse.

Yui: "U-uhm!"

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Fearing for the worst, I accidentally spoke up, even though I have no idea what it is I was about to say. Come on, think!

Yui: "S-sorry! Kaede..."

I end up bowing my head as I'm now staring down at the floor. I guess I may as well rip the band-aid off now while I'm at it.

Kaede: "Eh?"

Yui: "F-for uhm... Saying those things to you last time we talked..."

Kaede: "..."

Yui: "If I didn't say any of that, then none of this would've happened... I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

Kaede: "..."

The silence hurts, but at least I'm speaking my mind, getting this massive load off my chest.

Kaede: "Mm. It's okay."

It was at her words that I stood back up, facing her. She wore a soft smile on her face which did wonders at easing my heart.

Kaede: "I didn't blame you for this. I was just careless. And actually, I'm glad. I hope we can continue to be good friends."

Yui: "Ah... Mm. Yeah, me too."

Did I just get friend-zoned? Well, Kaede never said anything to me about it, so perhaps to her she saw me as nothing but a friend that she can fool around with. It was the reason why I spoke up to her like that before the accident. If we're going to be friends, then I'd like for her to be clear about it and not toy with me like that... But after hearing her say we're friends just now... I can't help whether to feel sad or happy. I guess people would call this a bitter-sweet feeling?

Kaede: "Hehe, This is what I get for bruising your arm anyways."

Yui: "What? My arm's already healed though. It was just a bruise. I would've never have wished this upon you."

Kaede: "Well thankfully I'm strong! So this is no biggie!~"

She raised both her arms to the side before flexing her biceps. Honestly it was far from impressive and more cute than anything as all of us giggled at the sight of her. Yeah... Hopefully she gets out of here soon.

-----Kaede's POV

Emi: "See ya Kaede!~"

Maria: "Mhmm Hopefully we'll see you at school soon!"

Kaede: "Mhmm!"

Hahh~ They're finally leaving.

Yui: "Then, I'll see you tomorrow?"

Kaede: "...Yeah."

Although I'd much rather prefer for you to not be here! It's bad enough with everyone else here, but my body still reacts strongly to you! But thankfully no one seemed to notice my act.

And once everyone was out the door, leaving me all alone in the room, I lay back down in the bed.

Kaede: "Hahh!~"

That sure was tough though... Putting on smiles despite my body in pain. If I were to go back to that world, I'd live a normal life, but how am I supposed to do that here? I need a source of blood, and by the looks of it, my body is still subconsciously favoring Yui...

Kaede: "What a pain."

Suddenly, I feel my vision growing blurry by the second as I stare up at the ceiling. I guess I was bottling myself up until they left, huh.

Kaede: "I miss them..."

But... They won't remember me... Even if I somehow find a way there, Mell, Fleur, Sicily, Lillian, all of them won't remember me... Not even Yui remembers... The thought of being forgotten by everyone I cared for only makes my eyes well up even more until I can no longer make out what the ceiling looks like.

Kaede: "Hey, Mai..."

...

No response... I figured-

Selene: "Ah, Kaede?"

Kaede: "Selene?"

Did I somehow connect with Selene instead? Ah, well not that it matters. I just really wanted someone to talk to, and now that I think about it, Selene might be better.

Selene: "What's up? You don't sound that great."

Kaede: "I just... I miss everyone."

Selene: "...I know."

Kaede: "Why the hell am I stuck over here? This isn't where I belong. This is what Yui wanted, not me. Yet Yui herself doesn't seem to remember anything..."

That's arguably the biggest reason for my distaste for being stuck here. Maybe if Yui was "my" Yui, then I'd be a lot happier. But its clear she has no idea what happened.

Kaede: "Even my own mother... I should've been happy to see her, yet it feels wrong... It felt wrong to call her my mother when I know Fleur's over there."

Selene: "...Hey."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Selene: "I'll think of something in regards to Fleur. Our memories may have been split now, but I still remember your feelings. So leave Fleur and the rest to me."

Kaede: "What do you mean?"

Selene: "Well, I saw Mai do something to mom the other day. And ever since she woke up, she seemed to have remembered everything."

Kaede: "What? You mean your mom, Lilith? She remembers the past?"

Selene: "Yes. So maybe Mai can do the same for Fleur. So leave it to me. And if I can, I'll pass on your feelings to them."

Kaede: "Y-yes! Thank you, sis."

Selene: "Hehehe~ That's what sisters a for, right?"

Kaede: "Yeah."

But now that makes me wonder if it's possible to do the same here in this world. Could Mai make Yui remember? I know Mai doesn't govern this world, but could it still be possible? At least on the bright side, Fleur and the other might remember me now. But wait, wouldn't Mell still be not even born? Well, I guess we can cross that bridge when it comes.

Selene: "Mmm~ I'm glad to hear you sounding happier."

Kaede: "It's 'cause I have such a cool sister, hehe."

Selene: "Hehe~"

Truly, I feel blessed right now. I was so nervous trying to put on the innocent act to Yui and the others just before, but talking with Selene helps me relax so much that I've already forgotten the pain that was coursing through my body earlier.