"I will show you a beautiful world with song."
"I will sing and make the world remember me forever!"
"And you are my first member!"
"You must be by my side to see that world!"
"And I... promise you that!"
Those words filled her heart. A faint smile spread across her face. With steady steps, she continued walking, carrying with her a glimmer of memories that slowly blended with the moments around her.
"Yes, that's what she said. And that's why I came back to this city," said a girl with slightly wavy light brown hair, braided from her temples and pulled back into a small ponytail. She walked down the hallway of a building, smiling brightly as she remembered what her childhood friend had said.
"Ah~, now that I think about it, it's so cute~. I wonder how she looks now."
She then stopped in front of a door, taking a breath before opening it. Slowly, she opened the door.
"Good morning," she greeted the people inside.
"Oh, so you're the one, huh? Come sit down," one of them said.
"We've already assigned your classes, and I'll be your homeroom teacher. Since it's only the first semester, I don't think you'll have any trouble keeping up with the material, considering your entrance exam scores were... terrible. Welcome to Rosendale Girls' High School, Eva Arabella."
The teacher explained with a friendly smile, looking down at Eva's test score summary sheet—all 90s. It seemed as if Eva had deliberately made them all the same. That's what the teacher meant by "terrible."
The Rosendale entrance exam itself was extremely difficult. So far, only one person had ever scored a 98 on one of the exams.
At that comment, Eva smiled.
"Thank you, that's a compliment," she replied softly with a friendly smile.
Rosendale is known as an elite school, with rigorous educational standards and stellar achievements. Graduates almost always go on to bright futures.
Shortly after, the first bell rang.
The teacher immediately led Eva to her classroom—grade 1A. Each grade in this school has five classes, ending with grade E.
The teacher and Eva entered the classroom. The students, seeing their teacher enter, immediately greeted her as a formality.
"As you can see, our class has a new student. For some reason, she was late for the entrance exam and had to take a make-up exam. Eva, please introduce yourself."
The teacher was clear, not wanting to waste any time, and then invited Eva to come forward.
With a friendly smile, Eva introduced herself:
"Nice to meet you, my name is Eva Arabella. Nice to meet you. I'm from Agartha, specifically the city of Yesia. I lived here for a few years before moving again. From now until graduation, I hope you'll be able to work with me~."
She concluded her introduction with a small wave, conveying a warm and friendly attitude.
"Wow, she's really pretty...!"
"She seems like a nice person...!"
The whispers of other students echoed, making the room a little noisy in the silence. However, amidst the din, Eva's eyes glanced toward the corner of the room. There, the only student who wasn't staring at her like the others was instead looking out the window.
"Found you," Eva said to herself.
The teacher then instructed Eva to sit in the designated area before the lesson began.
Throughout the morning lesson, all the students appeared serious, listening intently to their teacher's explanation—including Eva. Although she appeared relaxed, Eva was also focused on her learning.
Time passed quickly. The first bell rang, signaling the end of the session. Eva was immediately surrounded by curious students, asking questions about her origins and other things that caught their attention.
However, amidst the commotion, Eva glanced toward the back corner of the classroom. The person who had been acting indifferently was no longer there.
Using the excuse of going to the restroom, Eva left the classroom. She walked down the hallway, climbing the stairs that led to the school rooftop.
Arriving at the rooftop door, she slowly opened it. As the door swung open, a breeze immediately greeted her face.
The expansive sky stretched out before her, framing the view of the city in the distance.
Near the railing stood a familiar figure. Her hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.
"Yep, just as I thought. If it were you, you'd definitely go to a place like this," Eva said, walking over to the girl.
"Doesn't this place feel refreshing? The breeze... makes you feel free and calm, doesn't it?" she continued, standing right next to the girl, gazing out at the cityscape from the rooftop.
"Yes..." the girl replied briefly.
After a moment's pause, in a soft yet cool voice, the girl asked:
"When did you get back here?"
Eva seemed to think for a moment, though she was actually just keeping quiet.
"Ummm~... last night?" she replied jokingly, followed by a small laugh.
"Come here. Didn't you miss me?"
Eva said, opening her arms wide, facing the girl.
Doubt, anger, and longing clung to the girl's chest. The feelings she had suppressed now surged forth powerfully. Not knowing what to do, she finally stepped forward and accepted Eva's embrace. She fell into her embrace.
Slowly, her voice broke. A sob, choked by mixed emotions. Her hands gripped Eva's shirt tightly—as if afraid of losing her again.
"Why did you go?!"
Her voice trembled, bringing up old wounds that finally found a way out.
"Why?! Why did you leave then?! When I needed someone... why did you leave?! I felt lonely! Isolated! Confused! Why did you..."
The girl wept in anger. But beneath her tears, there was a tinge of relief—after not seeing Eva for so long, nostalgia was also flowing through her.
Eva remained silent. She let the girl cry, letting all the burdens she had been holding in flow out.
Slowly, her hand lifted. She stroked Illya's head gently.
"I'm sorry... I had to. I tried to stay longer, but they wouldn't let me. I know all the feelings you're holding in. I know it's hard. Once again... I'm sorry, Illya," Eva said in a soft, sorrowful voice.
It wasn't without reason. Eva knew Eillya's past. She knew how devastated Eillya felt at that time—when she needed someone so badly, and Eva disappeared. That guilt continues to linger in her heart to this day.
Seeing Eillya cry, Eva felt the weight she'd been holding in weigh down on her chest. She knew that her departure had deepened Eillya's wounds. And now, all she could do was hope that her words would be enough to heal some of that pain. Eva tried desperately to hold back her tears, trying to provide Eillya with warmth, but she nearly failed—a single tear finally escaped her eye.
A cool breeze brushed their faces, carrying the scent of fresh leaves. In the distance, the faint sounds of the city could be heard, as if providing a gentle backdrop to this emotional encounter.
Seconds passed, minutes followed. Both had calmed down a little, though traces of tears still brimmed in Eillya's eyes. They sat against the railing, enjoying the calm that slowly replaced the previous wave of emotions.
Instead of Eva initiating the conversation, Eillya spoke up first.
"Sorry, Eva... I overreacted earlier..." Eillya said softly, trying to suppress her feelings and speak as calmly as possible.
"It's okay... I understand," Eva replied quietly.
"I want to apologize too. Back then... I didn't leave because I wanted to. My parents couldn't delay any longer; we had to return to Yesia immediately because of an urgent matter."
Eva explained softly, then tried to change the subject so Eillya wouldn't wallow in sadness again.
"By the way, what about uncle? Does he come home often?"
Eillya nodded slowly.
"Dad only comes home once a year, right when I move up a grade or graduate. Besides that... if there's something important, he usually sends his assistant for me."
Eillya said, slowly looking up at the clear sky above.
"So that's how it is... hmm, is there anyone else?"
Eva asked again, this time her tone changing slightly to one of curiosity. As if she had offended someone who might be important to Illya.
"Someone else? What do you mean? I don't think... anyone—ugh..."
Eillya's words stopped abruptly, and her body swayed slightly. Her head felt dizzy instantly.
A startled Eva immediately embraced Eillya in a panic.
"Illya! Calm down...!"
she exclaimed, her voice half-panicked, as she hadn't expected that reaction.
"It seems... she still doesn't remember... I have to be careful how I speak,"
Eva thought, as she continued to try to calm Eillya, who looked in pain.
Eva stared intently at Eillya's face, watching her every expression and response.
"Her gaze... was blank. But only when I mentioned someone earlier. Her body's reaction was a sudden rejection..." Eva thought. Her heart tightened slowly. "Maybe this isn't just ordinary forgetfulness... Is it possible...?"
Carefully, Eva asked,
"Illya... do you often have headaches?"
Illya lowered her head slowly.
"Sometimes... I feel like there's something important. But... I can't remember it. And every time I try to remember it... the headache comes back."
Eva was silent for a moment. Her face softened, and she took a deep breath, trying to remain calm in the face of the possibilities that arose in her mind.
"Dissociative amnesia... It seems she hasn't fully recovered. Some of the memories that are too painful may have been sealed away by her own mind. She may not be aware of it, but her body is protecting her from the trauma of losing her mother, and Ami, who's nowhere to be found, has also forgotten her," Eva muttered to herself.
She stroked Eillya's head gently and said softly,
"Then, don't force it. Whatever you've forgotten... we have time to find it again. Take it slow, Illya."
Eillya looked at Eva. This time, her eyes began to warm.
"Thank you... Eva..." she said softly, but sincerely.
Before Eva could reply, the distant sound of a bell rang, breaking the silence that had enveloped them.
"Ah, the bell," Eva murmured, standing slowly and extending her hand toward Eillya.
"Come on, let's get back to class. Otherwise, I'll get scolded on my first day~" she said with a bright smile.