Reflection

-----Kaede's POV

After finishing my discussion with Fleur, I exited the room, leaning back against the door. The smile on my face never left as for the first time in my life, I can say for certain that this here; this is my home. Mai ended up going back inside me before I left, of course to her displeasure, but I told her that I'd take her shopping for emergency clothes so that she can start properly walking around again. There was no way that I was going to let Mai run loose, who knows how many stares will come her way.

I make my way back up stairs as I approach Olivia's door. "Is she still talking to her?" Not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation, I began to make my way to the girl's room, knocking on their door when immediately, the familiar sight of Mell rushing into my waist as the door opens.

Kaede: "I'm home~"

Mell: "You took forever!"

Kaede: "I'm sorry. It seems like Yui's still going so I thought I'd drop by and see my old room."

Sicily: "Wow~ So you didn't come to see us?"

Kaede: "Oh yeah, that too, hehe."

Closing the door behind me, I make my way over to the table with Mell glued to my side. She's definitely grown on me as now I feel no nuisance from her actions, but instead happy to know she feels comfortable around me. "So would Mell be Fleur's granddaughter then?" Thinking that, a giggle slips out of me as I take my seat.

Lillian: "You look happy. The talk with Fleur went well I assume?"

Kaede: "Yes. Actually my talk with her was regarding to be properly adopted into their family."

Sicily/Lillian: "Ooh!?"

Kaede: "They raised me you see, and even before I always saw them as family. I just wanted it to be official."

Lillian: "That's great news! Fleur has been very kind to us, despite us being elves."

Sicily: "But you're still our sister got it!"

Kaede: "Yes yes, and little Mell here is my adorable daughter yes?"

Mell: "Mhmm!"

Ah~ These days are so lovely. I never would've imagined being in this situation again. In a way, as it is now, I think I prefer my life in this world than my old world. Sure I loved my parents, even if they didn't accept my relationship with Yui, but they're still my parents, they only cared for me. There's also Yui's parents. It was her mother that taught me so much when it came to cooking, and the banter between Yui and her dad was always amusing to watch. Then there's Shin. I hadn't known him as much as Yui, but my time spent with him was always filled with fun times. There wasn't a time when I wasn't smiling with him around.

Great, thinking back on all that makes me question my earlier statement of preferring this world. If I was given the option to go back I certainly would, but I'd also like to come back here as well. This is pretty tough...

Mell: "Kaede? What's wrong?"

Kaede: "Ah, nothing. Was just thinking back on my past life."

Sicily: "You do that a lot don't you. You always make that face, like you're looking far off somewhere in the abyss."

Lillian: "Say, Kaede. Do you ever think about going back?"

Kaede: "Eh? Uhm... I guess. But it's not like I prefer my old life over this one. If I were to choose which life, then I'd choose both!"

Lillian: "Hmm~ I see."

Kaede: "Not like I can anyways. My old body's probably buried in the ground somewhere."

Sicily: "Good! That means you're staying here!"

She too began to cling to my other side, wrapping her arms around my arm with Mell holding onto my other.

Kaede: "Anyways, are you guys also helping out with the current monster attacks?"

Lillian: "Fleur did bring it up, but she insisted that it's up to us whether we want to or not. We were thinking of helping, but then you showed up."

Kaede: "Well I'm thinking of helping tomorrow, so why don't we all go together? Along with Yui and Olivia as well."

Lillian: "Sure... But-"

Mell: "No!"

Sicily: "Ah- yeah that."

Mell: "You just got here... I've missed you..."

Sicily had now let go of my arm, giving me more room to properly comfort Mell who had now buried her head into my waist. I gently pat her head, just like how my mother did to me when I was little.

Sicily: "You could leave it to us you know."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Sicily: "Our magic has properly returned now, so we'll be more than enough to support the humans against the threat."

Kaede: "Huh? But-"

Lillian: "She's right."

Kaede: "But weren't you guys- en-enslaved at a young age? Sure you might have magic, but you're still in-experienced."

Sicily: "Yes, but how else will we get that experience? If you come along then won't you solve everything?"

Lillian: "Agreed. Like I've said before, you've done more than enough for us. This time we'd like to support you, not hold you back."

It's hard to disagree here as I do see where they're coming from. If I do go out there, I'm sure to completely annihilate anything that comes my way; that's just the kind of monster I am...

Kaede: "What if I take a supportive role then?"

Sicily/Lillian: "Hmm? How so?"

Kaede: "I can bring Mell with me to the barracks or something and provide support with healing while you guys fight."

Lillian: "What?! You want to bring Mell into the battlefield?"

Kaede: "If I'm with her then sure. She'll have to learn these things anyways."

Lillian: "I- I suppose so."

Kaede: "On one condition though."

Lillian: "And that is?"

Kaede: "Mai, you can come out now."

At my words, she appeared in front of me, taking the same form as before; naked as usual. Sicily and Lillian looked shocked beyond belief, however Mell watched as if it was just another normal day.

Mai: "Finally~ So! I assume you want me to watch over these two?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Sicily: "W-wait Kaede! Who's this?!"

Mai: "I'm sorry for the intrusion. My name is Mai. I'm Kaede's 'familiar'"

Kaede: "It's a long story. But yes, like she said, I'll have Mai here watch over you-"

Lillian: "No no, that's cheating isn't it? You'll still be-"

Kaede: "Nope. Mai here won't assist you in any way, but instead just inform me if trouble occurs. Right?"

Mai: "I can do that much."

Sicily: "Then how will you-"

Kaede: "I can speak to her telepathically, so there won't be an issue."

Sicily: "Ah~ I see."

I did cut them short of their questions, but I more or less knew what it was they were going to say.

Kaede: "So it that fine with you two?"

Sicily/Lillian: "Hmm... Yup! That works~"

Sicily: "Before that though... Where, are her clothes?"

Kaede: "I'll buy some clothes first thing in the morning for her."

Mai: "Nothing too tight though. Those other "clothes" were quite uncomfortable."

Well, they were a size or 2 too small for her.

Kaede: "Well It's not like I can take you shopping wearing nothing."

Mai: "Hmmm. What If I just hide inside you then. I'll be able to see without drawing attention that way."

It still bugs me that ever since I've been reborn here, she's been watching through my eyes; watching everything I've done.

Kaede: "Okay, we'll go with that."

Mell: "I'm coming too!"

Kaede: "Mhmm! I wasn't gonna forget about you hehe. Maybe I'll buy you something as well."

Mell: "Yay~"

That being said, I may be short on money by this point. Might be a good idea to finally try out some B rank jobs while I'm here.

Kaede: "So, we're all going shopping together? And when Mai has found her clothes, she can follow you two?"

Sicily: "Mhmm! Sound's like plan."

With my little catch up with the girls done, I leave the room to head next door where I'll be staying with Yui. Mell didn't want me to leave as per usual, but I reassured her that I'll only be next door. It seemed to have work as I managed to escape out into the hallway. And right on que, I saw Yui just now exiting Olivia's room as our eyes meet.

Yui: "Ah. How was your talk with Fleur?"

Kaede: "It went well! I had some extra time so I wanted to discuss some things with the girls as well."

Yui: "So that's why you came out of their room... Actually, Kaede?"

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Suddenly, her happy attitude turned diminished with the ending of her sentence.

Yui: "I actually want to discuss something with you as well. Could we, talk inside?"

Kaede: "Sure, I was gonna scope out our room just now."

Yui: "Perfect."

What could it be she wants to talk about that makes her look like that? The look reminds me of when I had to turn down confessions from guys back in middle school and even high school. Suddenly, my body feels tense as we begin to inside our room.