After Selena and Sen repeat themselves multiple times, it seems like everyone finally came back to their senses. All of them seem troubled by the fact that I'm a Silverwolf and White Fox beastkin, though.
During this, Mina returns to my side, and we share the same sofa again. This sofa is so comfy, I can't even describe it well enough! It's so much better, and softer, than grass. But, it's not as comfy as the bed, of course.
Mina's leaning against my shoulder now, for some reason. I like having her lean on me like this, but it's messing with my hair a little bit. There's plenty of space left on this sofa, Mina! There's no need to be this close together!
Sen: "What do you guys think? Should be tell her?"
Hm? Do they have something to tell me now? But it's been like half an hour, now that they've finally recovered. Why didn't they just say what they need to earlier?
I don't like where this is going already. Maybe I should stop them from saying it. This sounds like it's going to be really bad for me.
Selena: "She'll be fine, so go ahead. Just trust me."
Maria: "Are you really sure we should tell her? This is one of those few times where I actually doubt your words, Selena."
Selena: "You still don't believe me? That's a shame~"
Come on, just say it already! Why is Selena stalling this out on purpose? If Selena says I'm going to be fine, then just say it!
...I really don't like where this is going.
...
And, everyone is silent. What is this tense atmosphere again? Even Mina's noticed it. She's sitting properly, not leaning against my shoulder anymore.
Maria: "Alright, here goes nothing... So who's going to talk?"
Arnold: "So, uhh, Mimin? What we're about to tell you is... Well, first, promise us that you're not going to do anything foolish after this."
"Alright, I promise! I get it already, so just tell me! What is this thing that you shouldn't be telling me about?"
This is making me really mad. At first, I was really hesitant to listen to them since it sounded like bad news, but after all that teasing... I just have to find out now!
Arnold: "So, you said that you're a mix of Silverwolf and White Fox beastkin, correct?"
"Yes."
Arnold: "I assume you're releated to the Silverwolves and the White Foxes, somehow?"
"Yes. They're the ones who raised me. I grew up in the Forest of Magic, together with them. What about it?"
Arnold: "Really?"
Maria: "Wait, what? You didn't say anything about growing up in the Forest of Magic earlier! Now, this is really bad..."
Arnold: "Well, you see, the truth is..."
What? What truth? Why are you being so difficult? I've never seen or heard you acting like this before, so please just say it already.
Arnold: "About the Silverwolves and the White Foxes... Lindis may or may not be related to the killing of the Silverwolves and the White Foxes."
"..."
What? What did you say? I don't think I heard that last part right. Please repeat that last part again, more clearly this time.
Maria: "That's why... We didn't want to tell you. I'm sorry."
"Wait, what? Why are you apologizing?"
Maria: "Didn't you hear what he said? Lindis decided to kill all of the Silverwolves and the White Foxes in the Forest of Magic."
"..."
Wait, no. That can't be right. There's no way Fluffy and Tails, together with 58 Silverwolves and White Foxes, can ever lose in a battle, right?
They're some of the strongest creatures in the entire world of Phantasia. I'm way stronger than the average human and beastkin, but even I'm nowhere near as powerful as they are. There's just no way they'll lose... Right?
Selena: "Are you unable to accept this reality after all, Mimin?"
"...Shut up."
Selena: "They were heavily outnumbered. As powerful as they are, do you truly believe that each of them can take on hundreds of humans and beastkin alone?"
"Shut up!"
Selena: "Why do you continue to deny facts? Is it simply because that's not what you want?"
"SHUT UP!"
Why are you doing this to me? What do you even know about me? Who are you to decide what I choose to believe?
I can't take this anymore. I can't stay around in Lindis anymore. Not around this orphanage, and definitely not around Selena. This is... too much...
(Wait, Mimin! Don't run away!)
I dashed out of the orphanage, and headed for the exit of Lindis. I can't stay around with these people anymore. They're making me feel sick.
When did I even start crying? I didn't notice it at all, like I usually do. My eyes are burning and flooding now, and I can barely recognize anything that I'm seeing, but I just want to get out of this place. I don't care about anything, except for getting away from the orphanage, and far away from Selena.
----------
It feels like an eternity, but I'm finally outside of Lindis. Far away in the distance, in front of me, is what used to be the Forest of Magic. I'm suddenly reminded of how a quarter of the forest has been utterly destroyed. And how everyone else is dead.
I can't run anymore. My knees feel weak, and I lost my will to do anything. I think I'll just sit down here, just some distance outside of Lindis. It's not like I have anything that I can do...
*hic* *sniff* *sniff*
It hurts. My eyes, they're burning and drying up so quickly, the sun's heat can't even compare to how hot my eyes feel. Except that the sun's warmth is a pleasant one.
It hurts. My skinny legs, they're tired from running, even though I've only ran for a little bit. They're starting to feel numb, from all the strength I put into them when I ran from the orphanage.
It hurts. My head, my brain, which refuses to believe that Fluffy and Tails lost to mere humans and beastkin. Nothing makes sense anymore, when my head feels like it's getting heavier and heavier, and my consciousness fades in and out.
It hurts. My chest, my heart, that still remembers the warmth and comfort of a family. I want to be spoiled by Fluffy and Tails. I want to be spoiled by my parents. I want my peaceful life back, from before my family was taken from me.
*hic* *sob*
Why does everything hurt so much? It hurts... so badly... But, I deserve every bit of this, don't I? For being weak, and unable to stay by Fluffy's and Tails' side when they needed me. For being vulnerable and showing it to the orphanage.
"Mimin! There you are!"
"...Mina?"
Even Mina's come all the way out here to see me. This is just some sort of punishment for me, isn't it? I can't take much more of this... My vision is nothing but a blur now, with a smudge of a brown colour where Mina is. What is happening to me?