Different Choices

"1. Pull yourself together and believe this world is real, and that the Shiori before you is real too.

2. Remain skeptical. Question this world, calm yourself down, then head to other places resembling the monument and try to destroy the barrier."

"Choice: 2."

—Don't believe it.

—This place might not be real.

—My memories... some power must have tampered with them.

The thought alone made it impossible for her heart to settle.

What unsettled her a little was...

The other set of memories in her mind was growing fainter and fainter. At this rate, it would vanish entirely before long. Damn it. How underhanded.

If this place is fake, does that mean I'll forget my Shiori?

I absolutely cannot sit here and do nothing.

Qian Huanyue averted her gaze and said softly, "I'm sorry, Shiori. I made you worry... I've been so selfish today."

"No..." Shiori shook her head and said gently, "Huanyue, you don't need to apologize to me at all."

She looked at Huanyue's lowered profile.

"Your worries didn't come out of nowhere, Huanyue. There must be a reason for them. I'm just too clumsy to know how to truly put you at ease..." Shiori gently drew Huanyue's head onto her shoulder and stroked her hair to soothe her.

"It's not your fault, Shiori. I've always been like this... difficult... I can't help thinking about the worst..." Qian Huanyue leaned against Shiori's shoulder, feeling her hand brush gently over her head, and closed her eyes as she murmured,

"Just like before... I haven't improved at all."

"No." Shiori shook her head gently. "You're wonderful, Huanyue. You're always helping others, and you're almost too kind."

She paused. "Without you, Huanyue, I probably couldn't go on living." In every sense.

Liar.

Qian Huanyue silently objected, but remembering that she