Last time, they forced me against my will to do the ritual. I felt my life felt as if they ripped me out me. I cried in pain as they watched. Before I knew it, my life was fading. I was in Aoi's arms. He screamed my name. I saw him crying for me. I smiled. Aoi, don't cry for me. Even though my life is fading, don't cry. I collapsed. The others ran over. Kaoru! Ally yelled. Ally cried. Ren ran over and started crying. No, who did this to my sister? All she ever did was help others selfishly. Ren replied. Megumi pushed Ren out of the way. My mom put her ear to my chest. Kaoru is not dead yet. I don't know how to explain it, but they forced her body into a comatose state. Megumi replied. You're right, Yumeko. I put her body in that state on purpose. Aoi Yoshida, I told you I will make you learn to value of life. Tempus replied. So this is your fault my sister is like this? Ren replied. He punched in the jaw. Ren, calm down, Kaoru would not tolerate the what you are doing. Ally replied. Rumiko pinned Ren down. I need you to calm down. Rumiko replied. Why are you doing this?! Ren yelled. You're not the only one who is hurting. Kaoru was special to all of us. Poppy replied. Aoi cried and spit the blood out of his mouth. Listen well, I took her soul and I am giving her a choice. To live on or die. I wonder about her choice. Tempus replied. She vanished.
As I watched everyone cry over me. I felt hopeless. I wish I could confront them. Tempus showed me two portals. My choice of if I live or choose death. She let me see what happened.
I walked through the one of death.
What I witnessed was melancholic. Aoi was grief stricken. It has been seventeen years. He has become a shut-in. He lives a life of alcohol and depression. Ally and the others are still sad but living their everyday life with kids. Hey, let's check on Aoi. It's been seventeen years since Kaoru died. Ally replied. He had a huge crush on her. She died in his arms. He hasn't been right since then. Tomoe replied.
Everyone went to Aoi's.
As I saw him, I placed my arms around his neck and mumbled in his ear.
"I never want to see you live like this." He turns his head and cries. I turned around and grabbed his cheeks. His facial expression changed. He cried. I wiped his tears. Didn't I tell you? Don't cry over me. I replied. How are you here? Aoi asked. Let's just say she gave me a "choice". The others came to check up on him. They saw a ghost of me. I kissed him. Live a better life than this for me, Aoi? I replied. He cried and said yes. Bye for now. I replied. Kaoru? Ally asked. I vanished.
Tempus, I want to see my future if I live. I replied. Go through the portal. Tempus replied. As I went through, I saw a smiling Aoi as a doting father. Dad, stop being overbearing. Kagami replied. Aoi, stop being over bearing. I replied. Are you thinking about what "happened"? I asked. I just don't want that to happen again. Aoi replied. Dad, what do you mean "happened"? Kagami asked. He sat on the couch. Something that changed my entire outlook on life. Aoi replied. I placed my arms around Aoi's neck. Let's just say, I went into a comatose state and never woke up. I was given a choice to live or die. You see what choice I chose, Kagami. I replied.
I kissed Aoi on the cheek.
He smiles.
Wait, is that a wedding ring on my finger? I asked. In this reality, you are happily married to Aoi and you have a seventeen-year-old daughter named Kagami Yoshida. Tempus replied.
Kagami comes from this reality? I asked. Yes. Tempus replied.
I looked at the two futures.
Tempus, I have made my decision. I replied. So what is it? Tempus asked. I want to live. I replied.
That is the right choice. Tempus replied.
I woke up.
Aoi was holding my hand.
It looked like as if he was crying.
What did I tell you? I asked.
He suddenly woke up.
Kaoru, you're finally awake. Aoi replied. I made my choice. I replied. Aoi smiled and collapsed from exhaustion. I gently pat his head. What did I just tell you, Aoi? I asked. Kaoru? Ally asked. Did he fall asleep? I asked. Kaoru, you are alive and among the living! Ally yelled. He came to see about you for the last two months in half. Ally replied. I was out for that long? I asked. To me, it felt like two days. I thought. Yes, and the others will be happy to know this. Ally replied. Stop yelling. Rumiko replied. Could you please. Poppy replied. Kaoru! Poppy yelled.
The girls hugged me.
You guys are going to squish me and Aoi. I replied. He deserves it. Poppy replied. Yeah, he's been bitchy and moody of late. Ally replied. Aoi yanked Ally's hair. Hey blondie, I can hear in my sleep. Get off me. Aoi replied. Shut it moodiness. Ally replied. Aoi looked very agitated. He picked up Ally and put her over his shoulder. Put me down, Aoi! Ally replied. Katsu walked in. Hey put Ally down. Katsu replied. Get your girlfriend. Aoi replied. He tossed her to him. I'm not a rag doll, ass. Ally replied. Telling from the antics, Kaoru is finally awake. Megumi replied. Mom? I asked. Oh Aoi, since she's awake, you remember the arrangement. Megumi replied. Wait, what agreement? I asked. Starting the day you are discharge for the hospital, you are under house arrest and I am taking care of you. Aoi replied. What? So you're living with me? I asked. Yes, until otherwise. Aoi replied. Why do I have to live with him? I thought.
I placed my head down and put my hands on my face. A flashback of that night at the Nova Gala resurfaces. Kaoru, are you embarrassed about something? Poppy asked. Everyone leave except Ally and Rumiko. Poppy replied. Aoi walks into the hallway. Is she thinking about the Nova Gala? I mean, I almost kissed her and that other night, too. Aoi thought. He shakes his head. Wait, did something happen between you two? Poppy asked.
Stay Tuned.