Heartfelt Times

-----Yui's POV

I didn't know exactly when I was supposed to go and see Kaede as mom and Natalie insisted I wait till today and talk things through, but mom is still insisting on keeping me back here.

Iris: "Come on, have breakfast first."

I really just want to ignore mom and just run out the door, but the mention of food does make my stomach grumble... I probably should've eaten dinner properly last night.

Iris: "Please? I promise you can see her straight after breakfast."

Yui: "Okay."

I sat at the table as I wait for the breakfast to be served, but I'm not sure if it's just me, but it feels like the maids are taking their time, as if they're working purposefully slower than their usual speed. I end up looking over to mom for answers, but she just smiled away as if everything was completely normal, but I know that smile too well... She's planned something.

But just as I was about to say something, a knock could be heard from the front door as mom immediately stood up to go answer it. It's strange enough about the current situation, but it's even more strange for mom to answer the door herself. Normally a butler would do that instead. But as the door opened, I felt my heart stop as I notice who's at the door.

Iris: "Welcome, Kaede~ Please, join us."

Yeah, you totally knew she was coming over for breakfast, didn't you mom? And as if answering my thoughts, mom gives a slight wink before she moves away from us after leading Kaede to the table. And as if this was all perfectly times, breakfast was served for the both of us, with Kaede having a glass of wine poured for her.

Kaede: "Thank you."

Maid: "You're very welcome, Kaede."

I'm still speechless at how things have proceeded, but one thing is certain. I'm glad to see her... But now I have no idea how to start this topic? I went over it in my head yesterday and got it perfectly, but now that she's right here in front of me, I'm struggling to even say a single word.\

Yui: "..."

Kaede: "...I'm sorry."

Yui: "Eh?"

But instead of me initiating the conversation, it was Kaede. But to open up with an apology? That's pretty unfair... I'm not sure how to go from here.

Kaede: "I made you cry."

Yui: "N-no you didn't. I was just a little-"

Ah, who am I kidding. I know she saw it. And I can't deny I balled my eyes out on Natalie when we got home...

Kaede: "I know you don't want me to go. And believe me, I want to stay back and ignore it, but I need to do this."

This is it. This is my chance to actually talk this out. Come on, Yui! Just don't panic!

Yui: "Can I ask why you "need" to do this? Because if it's about my brother, then-"

Kaede: "It's not "just" about your brother. I just feel like with this, I can solve too many problems in my life. Of course your brother is important to you, so of course he's important to me as well, but so is my mother."

Yui: "Your mother?"

Kaede: "Mm. To tell you the truth, I've backed out on the idea of turning her into a vampire. Apparently Lillian is aware of a technique the dark elves use that may be useful to help mom."

Yui: "And since there's dark elves in Inasdale, you plan to find a new way to help your mom by going there?"

She nods her head as a mixture of guilt and frustration wells up inside of me. So she's been thinking about her mother too... I was too heated back then to hear that from her. Honestly makes me feel even more selfish asking her to stay after hearing that.

Kaede: "And we have no idea what will happen to us in the future. Allowing those monsters to be free and grow in numbers will only make things more difficult for all of us, especially Fabian."

Yui: "I get that, but... I'm scared."

I end up casting my eyes down on the table, staring at the freshly cooked fish in front of me. I gently stab into it with a fork as I think back on that day, the day when all of this started, the day I first lost Kaede. This fork is only reminding me of when that knife was stuck into my stomach as I wind up moving my other hand to my stomach.

Yui: "I've lost you once before... I know we got to reunite here in this world, but there won't be another chance like this..."

My pent up emotions from before comes spilling out as I end up leaving the fork stuck inside the fish, and the moment I look back up at Kaede, I can feel my tears tickling the right side of my face. Kaede on the other hand remained composed, but I can tell she's holding it in.

Yui: "I know it's selfish to ask you to stay here, but I can't help it. I love you, Kaede... I don't want to risk losing you."

Kaede: "I love you too... If I was just Kaede, then I wouldn't even dare question it and choose to stay here with you... But the me now cannot do that."

I already knew that Selene's memories had all returned to Kaede, but to think she would sway Kaede's decision this much. I shouldn't be breaking apart the two of them, making Selene to be some kind of a villain. I love Kaede even now with all her changes. If anything, seeing her accept herself after so long is quite amazing in and of itself. I should just love both Kaede and Selene, as one.

Yui: "I understand."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Yui: "Your mother is important to you. Just as much as me, right? If going to battle will help you find a way to save your mother. Then I shouldn't stop you."

Kaede: "Yui-"

I reach over my food to grab hold of Kaede's hands, gently kneading her palm with my thumbs as if they're some kind of stress balls.

Yui: "But you better not die, you hear me?"

Kaede: "Heh. Mhmm! I wasn't planning on it."

We share a smile as I let the one final tear that was waiting in my eye to fall down my cheek. I don't plan on shedding any more tears over this, at least not for now.

Yui: "And you better leave Mai with me so that we can keep in touch."

Kaede: "Pfft! You plan to use her as a mobile phone?"

Yui: "Of course!"

Kaede: "Hehehe."

We both end up giggling at the idea of Mai being our own personal phone as we continue to hold hands over the table. Hmmm, I actually wonder if there's a means to communicate over long distance in this world? I'm aware cell phones don't exist, but maybe there's a substitute? I still plan on figuring out the swimsuit epidemic, but as of right now, I really do wish phones existed.

Kaede: "I'll see what I can arrange. There's also Mell that I'm worried about."

Yui: "Oh! Yeah, what happened to Mell? She just suddenly grew?"

Kaede: "Yeah. It surprised us all. But it looks like she's stopped growing now. She's still self-conscious about the changes, so I was actually hoping for you to help her while I'm gone?"

Yui: "Mm! Of course."

This actually might serve to be a great opportunity for Mell and I to bond. We can both grieve over Kaede having left us, haha.

Kaede: "Thank you."

Yui: "Would that include feeding her?"

Kaede: "I'll talk about that with her after this, but yes. Oh! Maybe I can collect as much bottles as I can and harvest blood from the battle! That'll solve the feeding problem for quite a while."

Yui: "I thought monster blood isn't effective?"

Kaede: "It's not, but it's sort of like this wine. It helps to suppress the hunger a bit, although it's not really satisfying it."

Yui: "I'll ask mom about supplying the bottles then, haha."

Kaede: "Mhmm! Thank you!"

We giggle once again at this silly idea. I'm just imagining Kaede running around, killing everything in her path only to stuff her bag filled with blood bottles. I wonder if she'll label them with what kind of monster blood it is?

We finally let go of each others hands as I wipe the now partially dried up tears on my cheeks with a smile. I'm happy that we could talk this out and even laugh about it like this. It's still painful, but at least we've come to understand each other.

Yui: "I hope you can save your mother."

Kaede: "I hope so too."

Iris: "Ah~ That was perfect~ That was beautifully executed, Ellen."

And as if timing her entrance perfectly, mom comes in to join us for breakfast with a giant smile plastered across her face.

Yui: "You listened to all of that?"

Iris: "Who knows~"

Kaede: "Hehe."

Well, not like it matters. It was then that Alice also came around the corner, along with Neri as we all sat around at the table to enjoy our breakfast. Kaede ended up moving next to me as she sipped away at her glass of wine as the red liquid splashes up against her lips, making them even more beautiful in a way.

Yui: "Tastes good?"

Kaede: "Mhmm!"

We smile as I go to finally take a bite of the fish as the meat immediately melted in my mouth, with the acidity of the lemon sparking many flavors in my mouth.

Kaede: "Tastes good?"

Yui: "Mm!"

Kaede: "I'm jealous~"

We continue to eat and drink with everyone at the table as if that whole talk earlier had not even existed. I just hope that when Kaede returns, we can do this again, with everyone else as well.