A Sudden Link

-----Mai's POV

Melanthos: "You're back!"

Mai: "It appears so."

Like I thought, the bond with Selene wasn't strong enough to tie me down in the material plane. My only theory would be that when time was reversed, it forcibly removed me from Kaede and Selene. And now because of that, there's a hole that has appeared, allowing me to pass through both planes freely. The best way I can describe it is like a spear with a barbed hook. Before time was reversed, once I made the choice to join Kaede, the hook on the spear would keep me from returning back to the ethereal plane. But now if feels like there's no longer any hook, allowing me to pass through as I please.

Neda: "So then you think it'll be the same for us?!"

Mai: "I can't imagine it would be any different."

This would expand our options quite a bit with this discovery, but now that I'm here, I need to check on Kaede.

Mai: "Hmm?"

It was then that I noticed that Kaede seems to already be making moves on Yui, but at a second glance, I realized what was happening. Looking back over at Selene, she seems to be getting some blood from her mother, and at the same time, Kaede seems to be wanting to do that same. But suddenly, Kaede snaps out of it.

Mai: "Fascinating."

Erytheia: "What is?"

Mai: "Remember how I said that I merged Kaede's soul with Selene's?"

Erytheia: "Yeah?"

Mai: "I would've thought now that they're back in their own bodies, they'd be back to normal. But it seems like Kaede's still somehow linked with Selene."

That would also explain why only Kaede and Selene are changing the past as we speak. However it seems like Selene is a lot more aware despite how young she is. Meanwhile Kaede still looks to be confused. Selene is even aware of Kaede's existence, but the same can't be said the other way around.

Mai: "Hmmm."

-----Kaede's POV

Kaede: "Mmm-mm?"

I didn't know when I fell asleep, but upon waking up, I'm greeting by the sight of Yui's face directly in front of me with the only thing that I can hear is her gentle breathing beside me. It was then that I remembered what I did last night. Images of Yui being pinned down by me... I even went as far as licking her neck... Just remembering it is already making my chest hurt.

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

Yui: "Mm-mmm?"

Kaede: "Eh?!"

I don't know why, but I quickly sat up in the bed once I saw her eyelashes open up to reveal her crystal blue eyes.

Yui: "!"

After a few moments, Yui's face wells up in flames before turning over, facing her back towards me. Yeah... I really messed up. I really want to just leave now that it's come to this, but I feel as though that'll only make this friendship all the more awkward.

Kaede: "...H-hey, Yui."

Yui: "..."

No response...

Kaede: "A-about last night-"

Yui: "It's okay."

Kaede: "Huh?"

Yui: "...I was surprised, and- well..."

It was then that she turned back over to face me while covering half of her face in a blanket.

Yui: "Was that just another one of your hallucinations?"

Kaede: "Eh?"

Yui: "Like when you collapsed yesterday, you saw something. So... Maybe you saw something again... Last night."

I wish I could say yes, but I remember it clearly as it's still fresh in my mind. This was nothing like the other times where I see a dead body and stuff. This time it was actually me, and that's the scary part. It's like the me in those visions are now affecting me in a completely different way.

Yui: "Or... Was it something else?"

Kaede: "I... I don't know..."

Yui: "..."

Kaede: "A-anyways! I'm very sorry about that. I'll uhh. I'll just go and-"

Suddenly, I feel the sleeve of my pajamas being grabbed, keeping me from getting out of bed. our eyes soon lock on with one another as I feel my body relaxing more and more by the second. I really don't understand why Yui's touch calms me down so much... Even just through this sleeve, for some reason having her want me to stay here like this makes me incredibly happy.

Yui: "Like I said! It's... okay. I didn't mind it."

Kaede: "But I attacked you didn't I?"

Yui: "...Yes, but-"

Suddenly, I hear my phone ring, cutting our conversation short. I quickly check to see that it's my dad calling, causing me to immediately answer.

Kaede: "Sorry... Hello?"

Dad: "Kaede. Your mother and I got an urgent call in for work. Are you still at your friends?"

Kaede: "Y-yeah."

Dad: "I'll pick you up then."

Kaede: "No, no! It's okay! I'm actually already on my way home."

Dad: "Mm? I thought you said you're still at your friends?"

Kaede: "Ah- Well I'm just about to leave. So please, don't worry about me. I'll be home soon!"

Dad: "Hahh~ Alright. But hurry home. I'll leave the house unlocked."

Kaede: "Thank you, father."

He hangs up immediately after saying that as I the guilt quickly builds up inside of me. I really just lied to them twice... I end up collapsing back on the bed, burying my face into the pillow while heaving a heavy sigh.

Yui: "Parents?"

Kaede: "Mmm."

I end up turning my head to the side, facing Yui once more.

Kaede: "Apparently my parents got called in to work. Said that I need to get home shortly."

Yui: "Really? Even on a weekend?"

Kaede: "It's not the first time... They're always busy like this."

Yui: "Doesn't it get lonely?"

Kaede: "Sometimes... But I usually hang out with Emi every second weekend."

Yui: "Second?"

Kaede: "Well, Emi goes to her grandparents every other week, so... Yeah."

This week should be one of those weeks, but I guess they moved it to next week.

Yui: "...Then, what if I come to your place this time?"

Kaede: "Huh?"

Yui: "Not for the night, but what about for today?"

Kaede: "It's okay. You don't have to."

Yui: "But you looked like you didn't want to leave just now."

Did I? Was it that obvious? I guess I would prefer to stay here even with it being awkward between Yui and I... Wait, but aren't we talking normally now? Maybe I just overreacted?

Kaede: "..."

Yui: "Come on. What do you say?"

Kaede: "If it's only for the day, then-"

Yui: "Alright! I'll start packing some things!"

Springing out of bed, Yui starts grabbing clothes and other things before stuffing them into a bag. Meanwhile, I inspect the pajamas I'm wearing while also eyeing up my school uniform I folded. I guess it would be a problem to walk around in pajamas, plus I need to return these anyways.

And so, I end up getting out of bed before stripping the pajamas off of me. It's a bit weird to be putting back on yesterday's underwear, but I guess I can always change again when I get home.

Yui: "Alright, all done- eh?!"

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Just then, Yui turns back around, as she freezes in her tracks, staring at my naked body. Well, I guess I have put my panties back on, so it's not all too embarrassing for me.

Yui: "Y-y-you... C-could've said you were changing!"

Kaede: "Isn't this fine though? We're both girls, this is like changing during P.E."

Yui: "Th-that's different!"

I look on in confusion as Yui avoids looking in my direction. I finish up putting on my bra when a thought suddenly came to mind.

Kaede: "D-do I look weird?"

Yui: "Not at all! Just let me know when you're done!"

Kaede: "...Okay."

So I don't look weird... Then what's up with that reaction? I quickly finish putting on my uniforms, adjusting my shirt before straighten out my hair.

Kaede: "Alright. I'm done."

Yui: "Okay. Then now you."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Yui: "...T-turn around..."

Kaede: "Okay?"

I end up doing as she says as I soon begin to hear the rustling of clothes. And it was then that I recall Yui's naked body once again back during that vision in the bathroom... Oh god... Suddenly, I feel the irresistible urge to turn my head to see how accurate that vision was.... Maybe... Maybe just a peak? But as I turn my head, I was met with a sense of defeat as it looks as though Yui has somehow already changed out of her pajamas and into some casual clothes. Just how fast can she change? What the hell...

Yui: "H-hey! I said not to peak?"

Kaede: "Ah! I didn't see anything! Don't worry. I only turned around just now."

Yui: "...Really?"

Kaede: "Mhmm! I promise."

I can only assume that Yui is maybe self conscious about her body? But if that's the case, then why is she in the sports club? She'd have to change clothes a lot more than other classes right? Surely there's girls that have already seen her naked plenty of times by now. So then... Could it be me?

Yui: "Okay. I'll let my parents know and we can head out."

Kaede: "O-okay..."

That thought refuses to leave my head as we soon move out of Yui's room. Why would Yui be like that around me? Wait... Maybe if I do join her club, then maybe I can find the answer to it? Maybe she's just like this with everyone...