Changing Tides

-----Iris's POV

Yesterday, Mai came to visit. At first I thought she was an intruder, but upon waking up this morning, it all came back to me. I had my doubts whether she could show me the future, but I can't believe how vivid it all was. It honestly feels as though I didn't see the future, but instead returned back to the past. But I guess that is what Mai said. What timing though... Oliver and I were having a discussion about having a daughter one of these days, but now that's all out the window now.

Iris: "Yui..."

In my heart, my daughter already exists, somewhere out there, in that other world. I know now that if I give birth, it won't be the same. It's scary though, knowing that I can't reach her.

Alice: "Iris..."

Iris: "It's alright... We'll find her."

Alice: "M-mm."

On the bright side though, I can act more efficiently now, knowing what will happen in the future. I'll make sure not to make a single mistake this time around.

-----Kaede's POV

Yui's Dad/Mom: "Take care~"

Yui: "Bye~"

Walking out of Yui's house, I was worried I'd see that same vision I saw, where I somehow stabbed myself, but thankfully everything seems to be normal still.

?: "Ah! Yui!"

Suddenly, a boy comes charging over at us before. I assume Yui knows this person?"

Yui: "Shin!"

Shin: "Heh, going out for another run?"

Yui: "No, actually I'm going over to Kaede's place."

Shin: "Oh?"

Kaede: "Nice to meet you."

Shin: "Mm! Likewise."

Shin... Why do I feel like I know that name from somewhere. Just then, images of a bakery flash through my mind as the smell of freshly made bread enters my lungs.

Kaede: "D-does your mom perhaps own a bakery?"

Yui/Shin: "Huh?"

Kaede: "S-sorry."

Shin: "Well, it's true that my mom works at a bakery not too far from here. But gramps is still running it. My mom is taking over it next year."

Now I'm even more inclined to believe what I'm seeing is truly the future. If not, then how could I have known that?

Kaede: "I-I see."

Shin: "Hehe. You're friends quite cute, Yui."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Yui: "Oi. Stop flirting with my friend."

Shin: "Sorry, sorry. But is this a new friend of yours? I haven't seen her around before."

Yui: "Mm. We only met recently."

Shin: "I see... Wait, but didn't you two just walk out of your house?"

Kaede: "Yes. I stayed over for the night."

Yui: "!"

I don't know why, but I felt the sudden urge to link arms with Yui; which I ended up doing. And like I thought, it's incredibly relaxing. And the fact that she isn't trying to pull away from me only makes this even more so.

Yui: "K-Kaede?"

Shin: "Hohoo? You two seem quite close."

Yui: "Sh-shut up."

Shin: "Heh. Well you two have fun! I need to hurry up before my mom yells at me again. See ya!"

And with a wave of his hand, he runs off ahead of us. But even though he's now gone, I still keep my arm wrapped around Yui's.

Yui: "What was that for?"

Kaede: "You don't like it?"

Yui: "N-no, but-"

Kaede: "Then let's go."

Yui: "W-wait!"

I end up gently pulling Yui along as we walk along the foot path, heading towards the intersection leading to my house. However, it now dawns on me that I'm probably making Yui extremely uncomfortable right now. Even though she said it's fine, I still attacked her last night. I probably shouldn't be taking her arm like this. She might've just been letting me do this because her friend was there.

Yui: "Huh?"

And so, I let go of her arm as we continue to walk as the guilty feeling inside quickly builds up with each step I take.

Kaede: "You don't have to come with me if you don't want to."

Wait, why am I saying this?

Yui: "It's okay. Like I said, I don't want you to feel lonely there, so-"

Kaede: "But why?"

Woah, wait. What is wrong with me right now? Why now do I suddenly want to avoid Yui? I don't understand. Is it just because I'm confused as to why Yui tolerates me like this? Letting me grab her arm out of nowhere, and... Even going as far as nearly kissing her? I guess I'm not really mad at her, but rather at myself. I don't understand...

Yui: "...Do you not want me there?"

Kaede: "No! That's... That's not it."

Then what is it?

Yui: "Is this about last night? I was fine with it, like I said. So don't stress about it."

Kaede: "...What if it happens again?"

I end up muttering that under my breath. It might honestly be my biggest concern for me. Sure I wanted to stick around Yui to see if I can find any answers regarding these visions I've been having. But if I'm only going to inconvenience her, or even harm her... Then-

Yui: "Hmm?"

Kaede: "You hated it, right? I don't want that to happen again, so maybe it's better if we split up."

Yui: "What?"

Kaede: "Sorry-"

Yui: "W-wait!"

I end up running ahead of her, running straight home. Just then, I notice my vision growing blurry the more I run as I soon feel the tears gliding down my face. I'm sorry Yui-"

Yui: "I said wait!"

But just then, I come to halt as I feel my arm being grabbed by someone. That someone being Yui, who I just tried to run from. I pull my wrist out of her grasp, but that only made her hand tighten up even more.

Kaede: "L-Let go of me."

Yui: "No."

Kaede: "What?"

Yui: "You didn't think I noticed? I'm not about to let you run away like that."

Her words remind me of my still blurred vision as I quickly wipe my eyes with my free hand.

Kaede: "It's fine. Something just caught in my eye."

Yui: "Really?"

Kaede: "Yes, so let go."

Yui: "Why?"

Kaede: "What?"

Yui: "I'm using the same words as you. You asked me why I don't want you to feel lonely, so now I'm asking you why you're running away?"

Kaede: "...Because I don't wanna hurt you!"

Yui: "And like I said! You're not hurting me!"

Kaede: "Eh?"

Just then, another flash of memories enters my vision.

(Kaede: "I- I don't want you to hate me... Even if you say it's fine now, you'll end up hating me someday.")

(Yui: "That'll never happen. I know I'm being selfish, but I just can't see you in pain like you've been recently. So please, rely on me.")

(Kaede: "...")

(Yui: "I don't want to see you cry like this. It's painful right?")

(Kaede: "...")

The same vision I had previously, where I went and drank Yui's blood where she sliced the side of her neck. I can feel my heart begin to race just remembering it.

Yui: "So please... Don't worry about it."

I feel all my energy to flee leave my body as I just stand there on the street. I feel Yui's hand loosen around my wrist but I don't bother to escape at this point.

Yui: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "What's wrong with me?"

Yui: "What do you mean?"

I wasn't really asking Yui, but more so that woman from before; the voice in my head. But even after asking such a question, I don't get any response. Actually, I could just be asking myself...

Kaede: "Hahh~"

Yui: "Hey-"

I end up dragging Yui along as no more words were said. I'm not about to make this a scene in public, it's bad enough having cars drive past us seeing this commotion.

...

And so, after sometime walking, we make it into my house. My parents had already left, but like my dad said, the house was already unlocked for us as I soon closed the door behind us.

Yui: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "Hey, Yui."

Yui: "Yes?"

I've had enough of this... There's a good chance that I'm just crazy and should be locked up somewhere, so maybe it's just best to be straight with Yui.

Kaede: "Remember when I said I had dreams about you?"

Yui: "Y-yes?"

Kaede: "...One of those dreams, I see you taking a knife to your neck."

Yui: "..."

I don't bother to turn around to see Yui's face. I know exactly how crazy my words sound right now, which is why I don't want to see the kind of face she's making right now.

Kaede: "At first I didn't understand why you'd do that, but apparently it was for the sake of me drinking your blood."

Yui: "...Okay?"

Kaede: "And that's not the only instance of it. Last night... When I- attacked you..."

Yui: "You saw that vision again?"

Kaede: "No... It felt like... Like these visions I've been having are starting to affect me."

Yui: "..."

Kaede: "I'm honestly afraid. I'm starting to feel like I'm a different person... A monster..."

Yui: "You're not a monster."

Kaede: "!"

(Yui: "You're not a monster, Kaede.")

Those words of hers reverberated in my ears, almost like I've heard them before. I end up turning to face Yui this time. I expected to see a crazed look on her face, but she only wore a soft smile as I turned around, filling me with relief.

Yui: "I have no idea what it is you're going through, but whatever this is, we can move past it."

Kaede: "You say that, but wouldn't it just be better to avoid me?"

Yui: "..."

Kaede: "See? Even you think that's the right-"

Yui: "No!"

What the hell? I was seriously expecting Yui to just run away after hearing such a crazy story.

Kaede: "..."

Yui: "It's crazy, I know. But you helped me out before! You're very sweet, and... I find it quite fun to talk with you. So... So if you say it'll be better for me to stay away, then I have to disagree!"

Kaede: "But what about-"

Yui: "I don't care about it! If anything, I liked it okay!"

Kaede: "Eh?"

Is she talking about when I attacked her? What?

Yui: "So... Seriously. Don't mind it..."

She takes my hand in hers, as if to reassure me along with her words. But her words aside, just having her take my hand like this makes my heart feel incredibly light.

Kaede: "Really?"

Yui: "Mm."

Kaede: "...So you're fine if I ever attack you again?"

Yui: "...Yes."

But that lightness soon takes over more of my body as my entire body is beginning to heat up like a furnace. I take a step closer to Yui, hoping for it to settle down, but it barely does anything. If anything, it's only making my body grow hotter, yet I can't find it in me to stop.

Kaede: "Even now?"

Yui: "...Y-yes."

I take another step as I can now feel her staggered breath against my skin. I soon find myself focusing on her lips once more, just like last night. My body only continues to grow hotter as time feels as though it's moving at a snails pace. I slowly inch closer as Yui ends up pressed against the door, with nowhere to escape.

Kaede: "Then-"

Closing the distance, my lips ends up connecting with hers as all that heat inside my body dissipates as now the only thing I can feel now is the springiness of her soft lips pressing up against my own. Wait... It just now dawns on me what I'm actually doing. But instead of panicking, I slowly remove myself away from Yui, almost as if I was trying to savor the sensation of that kiss until the last moment.

Kaede: "..."

Yui: "..."

We both remain silent as our eyes fixate on eachother's. I thought I messed up, but the look on Yui's face calms me down. Wait, don't tell me she-

Yui: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "L-let's head inside!"

Yui: "Y-yeah."

Oh god! What's wrong with my body! Why the hell did I just do that to her?! But her reaction just now... Did she actually like it? There's no way.