Distant Memories - 2

-----Yui's POV

I can't believe that Kaede told me that her past lover was a girl! But now I can't help but wonder why Kaede did those things to me. It seemed like at the time, she was just messing with me, but did she actually consider me as something more than a friend? It's not like I can just ask her that now though... Especially with how Kaede looks right now. I can't tell exactly because of the mask, but seeing her stare out into the river in front of us, I can't help but feel as though her eyes are filled with loneliness. Like she has no one around her.

Yui: "S-so... Your girlfriend... W-what was she like?"

Kaede: "Hmmm, I wonder~"

We then lock eyes with one another, as her eyes still look the same as before; still filled with loneliness, despite us looking at one another. It's almost like she's not looking at me, but something past me.

Yui: "You miss her?"

Kaede: "Yeah. She was really cool. She could do anything she put her mind to, live how she wanted. You look at her and the word that instantly comes to mind is "free." Overtime, I felt like I wanted to go wherever she went, together... It was honestly the most fun I've ever had."

There's no doubt about it. The way she's talking about her makes it seem like she really is dead. I had a thought that maybe Kaede was just being over the top, but I'm definitely sensing that she really isn't in this world anymore. Would it be rude of me to ask how she died? It might bring up painful memories for her, but I just can't help myself. And it doesn't help that my chest is beginning to feel a little tight.

Kaede: "I'm just happy that I can look back on the memories we spent together."

Yui: "...How did it happen?"

Kaede: "How we got together?"

Yui: "W-well! I mean, I guess I'm a bit interested in that, but I was talking about like how did she... Die."

Kaede: "Ah. Hmmm, I guess you would think that."

Yeah, I really shouldn't have asked that! She even looked away from me, back to the river as her eyes narrowed. It's clear to me that I should've just kept my mouth shut.

Kaede: "Well... I guess technically, she isn't dead."

Yui: "What? But you said she's-"

Kaede: "No longer in this world? Yeah. She isn't... At least not yet."

Yui: "Huh?"

Wait, what? "Not yet?" So she isn't dead? I'm a little confused now. Then where is she?

Kaede: "Well, I think this is enough depressing talk for one day, right?"

Yui: "Uh, mm. Yeah."

She stands back up, dusting her skirt off as I also stand up to join her. But I'm still trying to figure out what Kaede meant just now. So is her girlfriend alive or not? How can someone be alive if they're not in this world? Is her girlfriend an alien or something, coming back to Earth? I know it's silly to ask something like that, but it doesn't look like Kaede's in the mood to continue this further.

Kaede: "Hey."

Yui: "Y-yeah?"

Kaede: "Can I hang out at your place for a bit?"

Yui: "What about your parents?"

Kaede: "It's fine~ So Can I?"

Yui: "O-of course. My parents wanted to see you as well anyways, so-"

Suddenly, I feel my hand get grabbed as I look down to see that Kaede now has a solid grip on my hand. I couldn't help but notice her touch was quite a bit colder than my own as I instinctively grip onto her hand tighter in hopes to warm her up.

Kaede: "Fufufu~ Then I'll be in your care... Yui."

Yui: "M-mm!"

...

It wasn't long of a walk back home, but walking home while holding hands with Kaede made it seem like an eternity.

Kaede: "You like holding hands?"

Yui: "Eh?"

Kaede: "Pfft. Is my hand that nice that you'd space out like that?"

Yui: "I uhm-"

Kaede: "Fufufu."

And now she's toying with me? At least this is different than before as she seems to be back in a good mood, but I'm scared to misinterpret everything. She clearly still loves this girl from her past, so I shouldn't try and shove myself onto her. I mean, it's just hand holding, there's nothing exciting about it... But that said, my heart's still beating rapidly as she refuses to let go of my hand; not that I wanted her to in the first place.

Yui: "A-alright! We're here."

Kaede: "Mhmm!"

Finally, we make it to the door as I open the door for us."

Yui: "I'm back~"

Mom: "Ah! Kaede!"

Kaede: "Hehehe. Hello~"

Mom: "Yui didn't tell us that you were out of the hospital!"

Yui: "Well, I only just found out today at school myself, haha."

I can only imagine what's going through mom's head. She planned on making a cake for Kaede, but held off since we never knew when she'd be discharged. It's honestly cute to see my mom flustered like this, acting like someone my age.

Kaede: "I'm sorry if I caused you any unnecessary worries."

Mom: "No, no! You're fine! I'm just glad to see you're looking great."

Kaede: "Thank you."

Seems like my mom and Kaede are hitting it off. I feel the corners of my mouth steadily rise as I watch the two of them chat with one another.

Yui: "Where's dad?"

Mom: "He's working overtime at the moment, but he'll be back before dinner. Oh! Kaede, did you want to stay here for dinner?"

Yui: "No, that would-"

Kaede: "Sure! That's of course if I'm not too much of a burden."

What?

Mom: "Mmm mm, not at all. You're always welcome here, Kaede."

Kaede: "Hehehe, thank you very much!"

Wait, now she's staying for dinner? What kind of development is this?

Kaede: "Did you want me to help?"

Yui/Mom: "Eh?!"

Mom: "You can cook?"

Kaede: "A little. I had a pretty good teacher."

This is the first time I'm hearing this. From what I could tell, Kaede had her school lunch made by her mom, but now she's saying that she can cook?

Mom: "Even still, you don't need to worry about helping out. You should be taking it easy."

Kaede: "But I want to thank you somehow for your hospitality. Can't I?~"

Mom: "Mmm, okay. But follow my lead, okay?"

Kaede: "Yay~"

Wow, she really did just convince my mom like that? Wait! Then does that mean I'll be eating Kaede's cooking?! This development is only getting more serious by the second!

Mom: "Oh? Yui? What's wrong? Your face suddenly-"

Yui: "Ah, ah! It's nothing!"

Kaede: "Pfft. Cute."

Not you too, Kaede!

Yui: "Uhm! Then I'll be in my room!"

Mom: "Ah, Yui-"

I end up running up into my room before I embarrass myself any further.

Collapsing onto the bed, shoving my face in the pillows, I try to wash away the heat that has spread over my face, but I can't contain this feeling bubbling up in my chest.

Yui: "Mmmm!~

I'm so happy right now. But I can't believe I'm this hung up over her... I really need to calm down before dinner, otherwise I'll just end up making a bigger fool of myself.

-----Kaede's POV

Yui's Mom: "Hehe, Yui can be quite cute sometimes."

Kaede: "Mhmm. Yeah."

Yui's Mom: "But I won't be starting dinner just yet, so if you like, you can join her up in her room."

Kaede: "Mmmm~ I might hang out with you for a bit."

Yui's Mom: "Oh?"

Kaede: "I don't want you to feel left out, so I'll stay here a bit longer."

Yui's Mom: "Awww!~"

Yeah... I missed her parents as well. I was honestly hoping for her to hug me just now, but I guess I'm not "that" close with them yet. I am a bit worried how dinner will turn out since I'd have to remove this mask, but being here is far better than being in that house. When I saw my parents, I couldn't even see them the same way, and with my only other memories in that house being depressive, I'd much rather be here in this warm, welcoming atmosphere. I'd love to move in, but I know that's asking for far too much, but I am curious if I'm able to sleep near Yui. Maybe I can use tonight as a test.