Chapter 31: of Soul Expansion: Of Demons and Dreams

"So, uhm, Yumi..."

"Nn?"

"If there are no... Uhm... Who is taking care of you?"

Once Lefa had calmed down she asked me this. She was fidgeting, probably thinking it was an awkward question. And most likely she was trying to avoid directly mentioning my parents.

"Nn... That is..."

But, how should I go on about answering this? This girl firmly believed I was just a small child, so saying that I was mostly taking care of myself would be weird.

No, wait... Isn't Sis really taking care of me for the most part? She's waking me up, she helped me with my hair... Have I... become useless?

I froze. I was useless, wasn't I? Karen was indeed mostly taking care of me. Wasn't she more occupied with me than with Rina? Shouldn't it be the other way round?

"Yumi? Is something the matter? Are they maybe... a scary person?!"

"... Eh? Ah, no. No, they aren't scary."

"Really? Then, why aren't you saying anything?"

"Nothing, really. Ehh, my older sister is taking care of me? In a way..."

"Your older sister?"

Lefa tilted her head, the furry ears on her head twitching.

"Then, do you know where your older sister is?"

"... Not really, but until here is fine anyway. I'll find my way. Thank you."

"No, I won't leave you alone just yet! Only when I know you are in safe hands!"

Ahh, this will be a pain, won't it...

There was no telling where Karen was right now. She probably was busy with something as well now. Nonetheless, Lefa took my hand and pulled me towards the makeshift camp. There was no mercy to be found in her.

"Let's see, maybe we should ask someone? Mhh..."

Lefa was looking around for someone she could ask. She quickly spotted someone and pulled me over.

"Excuse me! I found this lost girl, do you know where her sister is!"

"Mh?"

The person in question turned around and scrutinised us.

"Oh? Aren't ya the little girly from the drinking party!"

"Nn? Oh."

The person in question was an older soldier who apparently knew me. I had only interacted with the other soldiers on one occasion, and that was when we were celebrating and drinking. The time when Merim had challenged the older ones to a drinking bout and lost spectacularly.

Regardless of that, this man sure decided on a troublesome choice of words.

"Drinking party? Yumi... I knew it, these people are a bad influence on you! You can't stay here!"

What should I do now? Lefa was clearly upset. I probably would too in her case. Maybe I should tell her that I wasn't a little girl but actually an adult? But then... It would be rather embarrassing to reveal that now. What to do...

"Gahaha! Furry girly, one has to enjoy what life has to offer, ya know! That sure ain't a bad influence, right?"

"But bringing such a young girl to a drinking party, that's not proper! And I'm not a 'furry girly'!"

Lefa's cheeks inflated. I didn't know whether it was on purpose or not, but it sure made her look adorable, rather than angry. The soldier laughed once more, seemingly amused by her inflated cheeks.

"Now, furry girly, don't be mad. Ya have to enjoy life. Ya never know when it ends, after all. Well now, I 've got work to do."

He laughed once more and then simply turned around.

"Ah, stop. Stop! We have to find this girl's sister!"

"Mh?"

Lefa successfully stopped him once more.

"Ya mean the silver girly? She should be somewhere in the back at their place..."

"Is that so, thank you!"

"Then, good luck!"

He raised his hand as a farewell and left.

"... Mercenaries are odd. Are they all like this?"

"Nn, no I don't think so... Probably..."

"Mhm, still, Yumi! You can't go along to wild drinking parties! That's not a good influence!"

"..."

I gave her a strained smile and hoped that was enough. Well, I wasn't that keen on another drinking party anyway, after I saw Merim's suffering.

"Now then, let's find your sister, yes?"

"... Nn."

Once more, Lefa pulled my hand, forcing me to follow her into the little maze made up of wagons. Thinking about it, it was kind of impressive that the fort was large enough to house 800 mercenaries in their makeshift camps with wagons.

"Mh, where do we have to go..."

"This way, Lefa."

"Oh?"

I pointed in the direction of the wagon that our group was occupying.

It didn't take long until we found a familiar face either. Probably hearing someone approaching, she lifted her face and turned towards us.

"Oh? Yumi? You are... back?"

Karen was sitting at the table next to our wagon, doing... something. The moment she spotted us, she froze. Thankfully, Lefa didn't take note of it at all.

"You are Yumi's sister? Thank god we found you. You can't take off your eyes from your family, okay? I found her lost in the guest quarters!"

"Lost... huh... lost..."

Karen's eyes darted from me towards Lefa and back to me, a grin slowly forming on her face.

"Thank you for bringing her back. And you are..."

"My name is Lefa!"

She cheerfully introduced herself and then turned to me.

"Isn't that great? We found your sister!"

That innocent smile she flashed me somehow hurt. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Karen holding back her laughter.

"Ahh... Thank you."

"You're welcome!"

She grinned and rubbed the top of my head clumsily. She wasn't really good at it so my hair became disorderly very quickly.

"Ah, now it's a mess, I'm sorry..."

"Nn, no, it's fine."

I'll just have Sis comb it with a brush. Perfect!

"Wait a moment, I'll get a brush."

Just as expected, Karen left her seat and went to the wagon, fetching the brush.

"Mh? Is that... a magical training device?"

"Nn?"

I followed Lefa's gaze. On the table, at the spot that Karen just had left, was an odd-shaped device.

"Yumi, is your sister a magician?"

"Well... kind of?"

"Ohh!"

At that moment, Karen returned, brush in hand.

"Is something the matter?" asked Karen, seeing Lefa staring at the device.

"Uhm, that's a magical training device there, right? So you are a magician?"

Apparently, my affirmation wasn't enough, so she asked Karen directly.

"Well, yes, I kind of am? In training."

"Ohh!"

If her eyes could shine, they'd surely do just about now. Her ears were downright fluttering in exchange.

"Well, even if you call me that. I can't yet cast any magic."

"Ohh..."

Karen smiled wryly at her obvious disappointment.

"Sorry about that..."

"No, it's fine..."

That reminded me, she was talking about her homework and something regarding needing a magician for it. Well, she'd surely figure it out. No need to get involved.

"Ehm, do you perhaps know some other magicians then? I'd, uh... need some help..."

"Help? I think they are all busy with the disease..."

"Ahh... as expected... Guess I have no choice but to wait for the professor..."

Karen was furrowing her brows. She was right that everyone had better things to do than bothering about Lefa's homework. It surely wasn't the best of times to pick out.

"Once everything calmed down, I'm sure someone can help you out."

"Yes... Sorry..."

Lefa hung down her head. I wondered a bit what her homework was even about, but it did seem pretty important to her. Karen, not really bothered by that, turned instead towards me.

"So, Yumi... Where did you run off to again? I thought you were supposed to help out with the supplies? At least Miss Fenna told me that..."

"That is... When I was meeting the Captain... I couldn't find the way back..."

"Wasn't Ria with you?"

"She left me there..."

"Haaa..."

Karen held her head.

"Whatever, you should get there and finish your work. I'm fairly sure they've been waiting for you there the entire time..."

"Nn..."

"Uhm, what do you mean, she has to help out, she's just a child!" interrupted Lefa.

Karen turned back to her. She had a troubled expression on her face, probably unsure how to respond to that.

"Lefa, that's my job, and I have to do it."

"Eh? Why do you have to work?"

"That's just how it is."

"Then let me come along! I'll help you!"

"Eh?"

Disregarding the fact that I clearly doubted whether she could even help me with that, I didn't know if it was even okay to bring her along. She wasn't part of the garrison, and we didn't really try to keep it a big secret anyway, but...

"You can't do that... eh, Lefa was your name?"

"Yes, it's Lefa! Why can't I help?"

"You see, that's... you are an outsider, we can't just have you help without permission with our matters..."

"Then I just need permission, right?"

She seemed really keen on helping me out it. A bit too much, if you asked me. Karen was visibly taken aback by it as well.

"So, who do I ask?"

"Eh... Uhm... Maybe Miss Fenna? Or Miss Ria? I don't know who you'd ask for that... the captain is busy, so..."

"Then, let's look for them!"

Once more, she grasped my hand and was already ready to depart again.

"Wait, you can't just... Ahhh... Wait a moment, I'll come with you. I know where they are..."

Karen quickly walked over to the table and picked up the weird device. She apparently wanted to take it along. Lefa called it a training device, but I was kind of wondering, what its purpose really was.

She put the device into a small bag and came over.

"Miss Ria and Miss Fenna were both at the supply wagons last I saw them, so we should go there first," suggested Karen.

"Nn."

"Then off we go!"

Lefa raised her fist into the air. This wasn't some kind of trip, we were just going to look for someone...

Whatever, let's just get there and ask Ria and Fenna... They probably won't give her permission anyway...

"The supply wagons are this way," mentioned Karen.

She pointed at a certain few wagons in the distance. Lefa quickly hurried in that direction and pulled me along. There was clearly no intention of letting my hand, that she was still holding, go.

I'd rather hold Sis' hand... Well, beggars can't be choosers... Actually, I'm not a beggar, I can very well choose. Ah, but she'd probably cry immediately if I did that... I can kind of see that happen.

Like always, my inner worries went unheard and I had to deal with Lefa pulling me. That she was pretty quick on her feet didn't make it any better. Her stride was wider than mine and in addition, she was walking really quickly, so I was closer to running than walking.

"Lefa, could you slow down, Yumi can't follow."

"Mh? Oh!"

Lefa abruptly stopped and I nearly crashed into her back. She turned around towards me with an apologetic expression.

"Sorry, I didn't think of that! I'll go slower, okay?"

"... Nn."

Well, she was a good girl, so it was hard to be angry with her.

Half a minute later, we stood at the wagons. There around a dozen people outside, sorting the supplies and taking the inventory.

"Oh, Yumi? Karen? You finally came over too? Oh? What's this?"

A certain person appeared. A certain person who was visibly holding back her laughter.

"Lily... Whatever, are Fenna and Ria here?"

"... Ahh... They are... inside..."

Lily turned around while holding her hand over her mouth. She clearly wanted to laugh at me. She held back though, for which I was quite thankful.

"Yumi, is that a friend of yours?"

"Nn? Yes, Lily is... Nn... rather than a friend, she's more like family?"

"Family... Hey, Yumi. I've been wondering but... How can a beastkin, a demonkin and a human be family?"

Lefa tilted her head. But instead of thinking about an answer, I was wondering how she noticed that Karen was a demonkin?

I looked over to Karen but there wasn't really much to give it away.

"Lefa, how did you know that Sis is a demonkin?"

I decided to simply ask.

"Eh? Well, her tail..."

"Her tail..."

I took another look. Karen's tail, that she was usually hiding inside her clothing, was out for everyone to see. Although it was hanging rather limply down.

"Ah, right. Lily mentioned that I don't have to hide it anymore, so I tried to leave it out... But it's a bit awkward. I'm so used to hiding it in my clothes..." explained Karen.

"Eh? Why were you hiding your tail? Isn't that weird?"

"... The Akkian Empire discriminates against non-human races."

Once more, Lefa tilted her head, not quite understanding what Karen meant.

"Well, it's not a topic for today, okay?"

Karen ruffled her hair with a smile. The sight made me a bit jealous. Actually, it made me really jealous.

"Mh, okay..."

"You three wanted to see Ria and Fenna, right? Come."

Lily had calmed down and offered to lead us to them. It was only a few steps into the wagon so there wasn't really the need for it though.

"Ria! Fenna! are you here?!"

"Miss Lily? Is something the matter?"

Once we entered the wagon in question, Lily called for the two which promptly made Fenna appear from behind a crate.

"Oh? Miss Yumi and Miss Karen are here too? Actually, Miss Yumi, where have you been until now?"

"Nn, well... You could say I was on my way?"

Fenna scrutinised me, clearly wanting to comment on that. My saving grace was, that Lefa quickly stepped forward, drawing the attention towards her.

"Eh, are you... uhm... Ms Fenna? I wanted to ask for permission to help out Yumi with her work!"

"... And you are?"

"I'm Lefa!"

"... A student at the academy?"

"That's right!"

Fenna raised her eyebrows in wonder.

"I didn't know there were students here."

"We came here with the professor! Who... shut himself in now..."

"Professor? You couldn't mean that wimpy man, could you?"

"... That's probably him."

Apparently, Fenna had also already met the man in question. He didn't seem to make the best of impressions to anyone.

"... The academy?"

Suddenly, a familiar, sleepy sounding voice appeared from next to Fenna.

A moment later, Ria peeked her head out from behind the corner. She stared at Lefa rather intensely. So intense, that Lefa stepped back, intimidated. Then Ria's gaze turned towards me.

"You're popular... Makes me a bit... jealous..."

I wasn't quite sure how I should feel about this popularity though. It made me happy, yes, but I already had Karen. And why was she jealous? Weren't Wenners and Krutz interested in her?

In any case, Lefa didn't quite seem to understand the meaning behind Ria's words and just tilted her head, her ears twitching again.

"Anyway... We can't give you permission... to help Yumi..."

"Eh? Why not?"

"It's simple... You are not part of our band."

"... That's it?"

"That's it..."

Lefa stared dumbfounded at Ria. Fenna apparently thought it was amusing and started laughing.

"No, but... I just want to help her? I don't see the problem?"

"Mh... Yumi is being paid for her work... So do you want us to pay you for 'helping' out?"

"Wha-, no! Wait, she's getting paid?! But she's a child!"

"What are you talking about... Yumi is probably a lot older than you..."

Ah, the cat was out of the bag. Lefa turned her head towards me, staring wide-eyed. All I could do was averting my eyes awkwardly.

"Older? Wait, are you also a demonkin? I'm so sorry, I didn't notice!"

Lefa suddenly grabbed my hands and apologised profusely.

"No, I'm the one who should've said something. Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry! Really sorry! I treated you like a child! Eh, should I call you Miss Yumi now?"

"Yumi is fine, really..."

I had a feeling I should just let her do her thing. Although I also had the distinct feeling that she would treat me as someone elder than her now... I could only hope that I was wrong with that feeling.

"If you are done... Yumi... How about you help us out here now?"

"Ehh... Wasn't I supposed to be at the warehouse?"

"Yumi... Aren't you here right now?"

"Eh?"

I was at the warehouse? But these were the supply wago--

Then it dawned on me.

Ahh... I get it. I was thinking of something else.

I was thinking of going to the empty rooms at the fort's warehouse and check on the dolls. Everyone else was talking about these wagons. I had already forgotten that Korwen told us to inspect our own supplies.

"Yumi?"

Karen called out to me after I fell silent.

"Nn... Sorry, I first have to do something else."

According to Korwen, Emily, Maya and Sele were waiting there as well. I couldn't just leave them there, could I?

"I have to look for Emily and the others."

"Those three? They are outside... Didn't you see them?"

"Eh?"

I quickly turned around and walked to the door of the wagon, peeking outside. Sure enough, it didn't take me long to find three familiar silhouettes outside.

"They were apparently playing somewhere and then they came back with a large box..." explained Fenna who had come up behind me.

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"A large box?"

I had already an idea to the contents of the said box...

"Yes. Apparently, it contained the... toys?"

"... Toys..."

"Toys."

Well, dolls certainly were toys as well. More or less.

In any case, apparently, that part of work was done with for now as well. One worry less.

"So, do you still have to find them?"

"No... I'll help here."

"Great. Then... What do we do with this little student here, though."

"Eh? Me?"

Lefa had kept silent and was staring at the ground for some reason. When Fenna mentioned her, Lefa's ears perked up and she turned towards us.

"Yes, you. I guess it would be best if you would just return to your quarters, I guess."

"But I... Uhm... Can't I help in some way?"

"Don't you have anything to do? As a student?"

"... Until the professor leaves the room... No..."

Lefa was looking down to the ground again, visibly disheartened. Ria was stared at her, then at Karen and back to Lefa.

"Mh... How about... You help Karen with her practice..." suggested Ria.

"Practice? That magical training device?"

"Yes... That..."

Did she mean that weird thing that Karen was fiddling with before?

"Well, if I can help..."

Lefa turned towards Karen with an insecure expression, only to be met with Karen's smile.

"I'll be in your care."

"Ah, ahh... Me too..."

"Now, if that's cleared up, you should get out of the way. And Miss Lily, stop grinning there to yourself and get back to work as well," added Fenna.

"Understood, Fenna!"

Lily quickly left the wagon upon being called out. Lefa and Karen left as well. I was a bit curious about this training.

"Now then, Yumi. I hope you are ready."

"Nn?"

"We have to check everything in here."

"... Everything?"

"Everything."

I took a good look around. Each wagon was pretty massive in size. And with this massive size came a lot of space. And with a lot of space... came just as much in supplies.

"We're going to check every crate's contents."

"... Just to confirm, what exactly are we looking for again?"

"Whether someone messed with our supplies. We have to confirm that everything is safe. Visually and you magicians have to check the mana as well."

"Of everything?"

"Yes."

This... was probably going to take a long time.

"Oh, and just so you know. We have to check the other wagons and each individual group's supplies as well."

"Please no."

Fenna grinned viciously, clearly getting some enjoyment from my reaction. My only comfort was, that she was supervising us and stuck here until we were done as well.

"So you mean... that five magicians... Have to inspect the supplies for over eight hundred mercenaries... manually?"

"That is correct. Although it's seven magicians. The Black Guards have two as well."

"... Save me."

"Stop complaining and get to work. Look, Ria is already back at it as well."

Today was going to be a long day.

"My nose, it hurts... What the hell is this smell?"

"Close the lid, Yumi, quickly. Don't let it spread!"

"I can't, the smell..."

"Just do it!"

"Ugh..."

Mustering all my courage, I held my breath and quickly heaved the lid back on top of the crate. Once finished, I quickly retreated outside the wagon.

"Air. Fresh... air..."

"What was that. Yumi, what the hell did you open there..."

"I don't know... I don't want to know..."

Whatever I opened, it released a stench that was simply out of this world. In the truest sense of it. Ria fainted nearly immediately and Fenna had to drag her out while I attempted to close the lid.

"Ugh, do you know what colour it was marked with?"

"I think... something black?"

"Black... Let me check on the list."

Over the course of the past two or so hours, or one hour for the people of this world, I learned about quite a few interesting things. The crates were marked with colours, indicating a rough idea of their contents. Due to the lack of available colours, there wasn't much in variation though.

"Black was... either old armour or old weapons that were sorted out..."

"Old equipment, huh... Just what did they do with that equipment that it can release such a stench?"

Were they rolling around in the droppings of some large monster? I truly couldn't imagine what one had to do for that.

"Mh... I don't know... It can't be really old yet... We got rid of most equipment back in Arkesta... And I don't remember fighting anything smelly either."

"Huh..."

So it had to be a recent fight. Or someone forgot to get rid of that equipment. The only fights I saw were the one in the underground hideout and that time when ogres stormed the camp.

"Mh? Wait... I think I know what it is..."

"You do? Yumi, please tell me, so I can slug the one responsible!"

Fenna's expression was truly scary right now. I had the feeling, it wouldn't stop with simply slugging them.

"Well... When those ogres attacked the camp... The vice-captain was bathed in one of the ogre's blood..."

"..."

"He had to change his equipment... because of the extreme smell..."

"I'm going to fucking kill that guy!"

Fenna turned around and stomped away, without a doubt towards Merim. Something told me that I absolutely shouldn't get involved, so I kept quiet and watched her walk off.

Seems like I got a sudden break... Not like I'm complaining. Also... Fenna dropped the 'Miss', huh. Well, not that I mind.

Checking the contents of each and every crate was mind-numbing in the truest sense. We didn't even find anything out of place so far, which just made it worse.

Let's see, Sis was practising with that weird device, right? I wonder where she is...

It only took me a minute or so to find Karen slumped onto the table. Next to her sat Lefa, similarly exhausted.

"Nn, Sis? Lefa? Are you two alive?"

"... Yumi? Are you guys done?"

Karen heaved herself back up and turned towards me.

"Nn, I got a sudden break."

"A break, huh... How nice..."

"... What happened?"

A deep sigh left Karen's mouth. Then she threw a meaningful glance at the girl next to her. Apparently, it had something to do with her.

"It was exhausting..."

The training... or Lefa?

I sat down next to Karen's free side and leaned on her. A moment later, her arm wrapped around me.

"Ehehe."

"You are quite spoiled, aren't you."

"Nn, I am."

"Not even denying it..."

Why should I deny it? I was rather sure we were past the point where I should pretend that I didn't want to get spoiled.

"How long do you think your break will be?"

"Nn... Until either Fenna finished off the vice-captain or Ria wakes up?"

"... Just what the heck happened, Yumi?"

"Hell."

There was no way that stench wasn't a product of hell. Actually, were the concepts of heaven and hell even known here?

"I guess I won't ask then..."

"Nn... Some things are better left unknown... Rather than that, Lefa is quite quiet."

I glanced past Karen towards Lefa who was also slumped onto the table.

"Ahh... She's sleeping I think."

"Sleeping? Really?"

"She was saying something about how comfortably warm it was in the sun and started dozing off."

"..."

Was this a sunbathing nap? We were sitting in the middle of the sun and it was rather warm, in fact, but...

"She's pretty carefree..."

"She is... She asked me about so many things... And then she just dozes off and sleeps."

Truly running in her own pace.

"That reminds me... Wasn't the bath available today?"

"It is. I already talked with Lily and we decided that we all to go after dinner when everyone is finished for the day."

"Is that so."

So we'd all go later. The first bath in the recent days. I was actually looking forward to it. Just a bit.

"Yumi."

"Nn?"

"Don't touch any of the other girls in the bath."

"... So it's fine to touch Sis?"

I was rather reluctant to do that in front of everyone else but if Karen was fine with it...

"Actually, don't touch anyone."

"... How unfortunate."

I wouldn't have touched anyone besides Karen anyway. Actually, I was the one that was always being touched...

"If you want to touch that much, we can still do so some other time."

"Nn... I don't want to wait for those..."

"Yumi..."

Karen shook her head in exasperation.

"I understand the feeling, but there's not much we can do, is there? We can't ask the captain to give us some time every day..."

"Nn..."

Karen ruffled my hair with her free hand.

"We also still have to find a way to prevent you from collapsing."

"Ahh... I forgot about that..."

"Yumi..."

Well, remembering that time gave me a complicated feeling. On one side, it was truly one of the happiest moments in my life. I was sure that would be the case even if I still had my memories. But on the other side, it also made me remember that dream. I hadn't told anyone about it yet. If I said that I simply didn't know who to consult, it wouldn't be a lie. But in truth, I simply wanted to forget it. I didn't want to remember it at all.

"Yumi, I also asked Ria for some... advice..."

"Nn? Ria?"

"She knows a bit about... my condition."

Karen paused and began gently caressing my head.

"There are many names for those with my condition. Soul Eaters. Dreameater. Nightchildren. Depending on where you go, the name changes apparently."

"Nn..."

"But you see... In Aldreigh they call children like me a true 'Demon'."

"A true demon?"

Was that any different from being a demonkin?

"Yes... The demonkin believe that their ancestors were real demons. And that these children inherit the qualities of these ancestors."

"How are real demons different demonkin though?"

"Eh? Ahh... Right, you don't know that, huh..."

A small giggle escaped Karen's mouth.

"Mh... That might be a rather long story to tell though... How about I tell you about it later? It's often told as a bedtime story, albeit not quite true to the actual legend. It's for children after all."

"A bedtime story about demons?"

That was quite a peculiar choice for a bedtime story.

"Yes. But let's put that for later, okay? I'll tell you about the legend when we have some more time. Rather than that, I want to tell you what Ria said."

"Nn. I'm listening."

"Ahaha, it's nothing bad, no need to look so serious, don't worry. You see, Ria apparently researched quite a lot about that topic."

"Huh..."

Not exactly something I'd expect from that aloof woman, that's for sure.

"She told me quite a lot about it. Many things I already knew, but also some things that surprised me."

"Nn."

"Apparently, this urge, this desire I have... she told me it was possible to control it, albeit only slightly."

"Control?"

"Yes. Enough that I... Well... Won't overdo it again."

That was indeed good news. Although, if I was honest, I didn't exactly dislike...

No, cease that thought, Yumi. Do you want Sis to have all the control? Get some guts!

"Well..."

"Nn?"

Karen paused and glanced at the weird device that was still on the table.

"It's pretty hard. I have to control my mana... The device is supposed to help me but... It's hard..."

"Huh... How does it work?"

"Mh, let me show you."

She grabbed the weird device and put it in front of me on the table. The device itself was shaped a bit like an hourglass, except that it was only a sphere on top of a socket around the same size. Inserted in the said socket was a mana crystal.

"So, uh... What does it do?"

"It's supposed to help you control the mana in your body. Look."

Karen put her hand on the sphere and a few seconds later some small specks of light were floating inside the sphere.

But they barely lasted ten seconds and then disappeared.

"They are gone..."

"Yes... It's actually pretty hard to do. There's also usually not really any point in it..."

"Not? Why is that?"

"Well, you only need to control mana enough to be able to use it for magic or on elemental stones. Having fine control over it doesn't influence anything, really..."

I was rather sure it did, in the case of those damn stones at least.

"Yumi, not everyone tries to blow off their own head."

"... Ah."

Apparently, Karen accurately guessed my thoughts. How embarrassing. Did it show on my face that much?

"Well, it's only an experiment for now. Whether it helps me in controlling it..."

"Nn... If not, we'll just need to figure out something else."

"You really take this easy... You'll collapse again."

"I won't. I promise."

I couldn't allow myself to collapse again. I didn't want to see those dreams again but more importantly... I didn't want to worry Karen. One time was twice too many.

"... Really?"

"Nn."

I wrapped my arms around Karen and hugged her. She was warm and soft.

"You're way too spoiled, Yumi."

"That's fine."

"Just what am I going to do with you."

Karen hugged me back.

"Nn, how about spoiling me more?"

"You'll turn useless like that."

"Then you just have to take care of me."

"I'm already taking care of you."

A short pause, and then we both broke out in laughter. It took us a while before we calmed down.

"I get it, I'll try not to worry too much, Yumi. As long as you promise you won't collapse again."

"Nn, I already said, I won't."

"I will not forgive you if you do."

"That would be troublesome."

The day Karen wasn't going to forgive me, I probably would lose all my will to live. Now I had one more reason to not allow myself to collapse again.

"Yumi."

"Nn?"

"Thank you. Really."

Karen squeezed me.

"You've been thanking me more than enough already, Sis."

"No matter how often I do, it won't be enough."

"Is that how it is?"

"Yes, that's how it is."

A wry smile formed on my face, buried in Karen's embrace.

"You've given me so much, Yumi. My sister is back, I have a new family, a new place to live at and I have someone I fell in love with. And just a week ago, I would've never thought all of these as possible."

"Nn, but Sis... The same goes for me too. If it wasn't for you... I don't even want to imagine how lost I would be."

Thrown into an unknown world, all alone. Changed, memories missing. But despite all this, I found my own little spot in life.

But... What about them? My previous family, on the other side. The ones... I saw in the dream... Is it... really fine that I am now this happy?

"Yumi?"

"... Sis."

"Yes?"

"There's... something I have to tell you."

As unwilling as I was, I separated from Karen. I couldn't run away. I shouldn't run away from it. Whether that dream was my past, or something else entirely, I didn't know. But it wasn't something I could ignore.

And so, I told her about what I saw at that time, in that dream.

Rinne

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