Countdown

-----Yui's POV

Yui/Luna: "Three days?"

Everyone decided to meet up at my place today. Kaede told me that there was something important to discuss, but I didn't expect such a vague declaration, especially coming from Mai.

Mai: "Yes."

Iris: "And you have no idea at all?"

Mai: "I don't, no."

William: "And how sure are you that this is something to be worried about?"

Not all of us know who exactly Mai is, so it's understandable that Luna's parents would be skeptical.

Mai: "I'm certain."

But what exactly is coming in three days time? My mind keeps thinking about judgement day, where everything comes to an end, but I doubt that's the case.

Mai: "Anyways, I just needed everyone who's connected with Kaede and Yui to be here."

Alice: "May I ask why?"

Mai: "Well... This is all because of my mistake that I've brought this upon you all. So I'd like to know what exactly I have ruined."

I get it. Mai is immortal, so whether we do actually face an apocalypse and die, Mai will live on. Same goes for Erytheia, Neda and Melanthos, who are also with us.

Iris: "What do you mean by that?"

Mai: "Then... Could you excuse me for a second?"

She raises her hand above my mom's head as my mom gently lowers her head after some deliberation. Once Mai makes contact with my mom, it only took roughly ten seconds before Mai lets go as both Mai and my mom have bright, happy expressions.

Mai: "I'm really sorry."

Iris: "I'm still lost as to what's happening, so don't apologize."

Mai: "You're too kind."

It was then that Mai went around, doing the same thing to the others in the room, but I can't help but notice that she skipped over some of us, including everyone in Kaede's household and myself. And everyone after Mai had let go of them, had a mixture of different emotions. Some were sad, even close to being brought to tears, and some were happy just like with mom.

Erytheia: "Wouldn't this be solved if we all returned?"

Mai: "...I cannot do that. You three are now bound to Mell, Fleur and Faye. Their mana is what's sustaining you three. Similar to how I'm here because of Kaede."

But I bet if Kaede, Mell, Fleur and Faye die, they'd return... But fuck that, I'm not letting that happen.

Neda: "Galatea's probably laughing at us."

Melanthos: "I don't think I've ever heard them laugh."

Mai: "Anyways, thank you for coming everyone. I still need to do some more things... I'm sorry again."

And not a second to lose, Mai disappears from the room, not letting any of us voice anything.

.....

...

Luna: "So... What do we do now?"

That's the questions that's probably on everyone's minds.

Collin: "I know your familiar is special and all, Kaede. But can we even trust her?"

Kaede: "She's a bit unique, yes. But I've never doubted Mai before."

Violet: "...If that's true, and something does happen in three days... Then...So we just sit and wait?"

The fact that Mai herself doesn't know is what's scary. According to Kaede, she said it's nothing to do with this world, and since none of us can travel to other worlds, we're essentially useless. It could truly be the end, but it also could be something harmless. But with Mai going around and touching people heads, apologizing to every single one of them, I can't help but think what's coming is something bad... Really bad.

Iris: "I trust Kaede and Mai. If something is going to happen in three days, then I invite you all to dinner. We can discuss how we go from there."

Rupert: "Very well."

Anna: "Thank you for having us."

The Crestel family are the first ones to leave, but I can't help but notice that Natalie, who's standing to the right behind me, is still wiping away some tears. When Mai touched her head, Natalie was one of the ones who shed a few tears.

Yui: "You okay?"

Natalie: "Mm. I'm okay."

Iris: "You all are free to stay if you like."

Elira: "W-we don't want to intrude."

Iris: "Nonsense. You all are important to us. And if after three days there's nothing left, then that only means we need to spend more time together."

Seems like mom is also thinking the same thing. This really does feel like the end times. It just goes to show how much power Mai's words carry. But it also probably helps that mom trusts Mai like this... But seriously... Why is all of this happening now?

...

We all split up into our own little groups, as I take one group up to my room, leaving the adults down stairs. I feel my legs begin to give out as I fall straight onto the bed.

Olivia: "I wanted to ask... But did you all experience the same thing?"

Gabriella: "Memories? Yeah. It happened so fast, but I definitely saw memories when I was little."

Luna: "Same here..."

Yui "..."

So that's what it was... I remember waking up from a dream when I was in my past life. It was so surreal, almost as if I was reliving it. So does that mean that Mai did the same thing to me when I was asleep?

Luna: "It was quite pleasant, but Mai really did make things weird, apologizing like that."

God... This talk is just making me think back on that dream again... It was only recently that I opened up and talked about it with Natalie and mom, and now I'm reliving it again. I can't find the strength to lift my face from the bedsheets like this.

Luna: "Ellen?"

Yui: "Yui... Right now. Don't call me that... Please."

My voice is muffled, but I hope it came across. And in the next moment, I feel someone's hands gently patting my head.

Luna: "Sorry, Yui..."

Three days... I still can't figure it out.

-----Fabian's POV

Waking up, The first thing I see when my eyes open is Rina's face. She's sleeping so soundly as I find myself instantly begin to stroke some of her hair past and back over her pointed ears.

Rina: "...Mmmm?"

Fabian: "Morning."

I watch as her eyes slowly open, revealing her beautiful, silvery grey eyes, glistening in the sun lit room.

Rina: "So it really wasn't a dream..."

Fabian: "Mm. I'm here."

I gently pull her closer as I soon remember that we're both naked underneath these sheets. We went at it for quite a while last night, and actually, I don't really remember us stopping. I end up chuckling a little, thinking about us passing out straight after doing all that.

Rina: "You sure you're happy with this?"

Fabian: "What do you mean?"

Rina: "You know... With me."

Instead of replying, I instead choose to kiss her gently on the forehead before looking back in her eyes.

Fabian: "Don't be silly. Of course I am."

Rina: "Hehe. Then I'm happy too."

She tighten her arms around me as we share a long embrace. I honestly don't want to get up from this, hopping that we can stay like this for-

Mai: "Sorry!"

But suddenly, Mai appears in front of the bed, startling both Rina and I as we quickly separate from one another. Rina ends up using the bed sheets to keep herself covered as I sit up to find our intruder.

Fabian: "Mai? It's too early for me to-"

Mai: "Nevermind that. I need to borrow you for a second."

Rina: "W-what are you-!"

It was then that Mai placed her hand on my head, and at the same time, memories of me growing up flashes through my mind... Dad... I was going to pull away from Mai, but I found myself quickly enthralled by what I'm seeing. The memories even went as far as to when I came here, being trapped in Inasdale, meeting Ilfa, and Rina... Hahh.

Mai: "I'm sorry."

Is she talking about when I was first trapped here?

Fabian: "It's okay."

Rina: "What was that?"

Mai: "Ah, I guess I could do you as well."

Rina: "Huh?"

Without saying anything, Mell forced her hand on Rina's head. Rina was about to do the same thing as I did, about to pry herself away, but quickly gives up. However I can't help but notice tears beginning to form in her eyes as a couple of them slip out and begin to glide down her cheek. In a panic, I go to hug Rina, and as I was about to force Mai's hand away, Mai herself let's go.

Mell: "I'm sorry."

Rina: "M-mmm. It was wonderful."

Mai: "Hehe. I guess you are quite young for an elf. I was a little worried."

Rina: "You also saw that?"

Mai: "Yes... I'm sorry, but I had to."

Fabian: "What do you mean?"

Mai: "...I'm sorry."

And with that, she disappears without saying anything else, leaving us in the dark about what exactly is going on.

Fabian: "Wait, so did you just see your memories?"

Rina: "Mhmm!"

Fabian: "...Did something bad happen in the past?"

Rina: "Ah... Well... It's nothing important. I guess you can say that I miss our village a little."

I end up taking Rina's hand in my own, interlocking my fingers with hers.

Fabian: "Maybe we can visit it together sometime?"

Rina: "Pfft, hehehe."

Fabian: "Hmm? What's so funny?"

Rina: "Nothing. It's just really far. Plus-"

Suddenly, she plants her lips against my own. Unlike last night back in the kitchen, this kiss was far more softer and pleasant. But Rina soon releases herself from my lips.

Rina: "I'm already happy enough being together like this."

We both end up going in for a second kiss as we both end up collapsing to our sides, landing back in bed.