I pictured myself as a child completely innocent unaware that eventually a massive storm would arrive and break my small world. The purity of me was. Giggling in a park blanketed with snow. The sky appeared gloomy and the breeze was bitterly chilly yet somehow the laughter felt remarkably warm… mischievously warm.
Next, to me stood a girl. Her dark hair and wistful eyes were alike. Not merely resembling each other—it was Yura.
We must have been six or seven years old. Yet I as if a wandering spirit, stood there completely suspended in time observing my past springing to life.
Unexpectedly cozy arms wrapped around me from the back. I was so surprised that I turned around, at once.
Yura.
"How… How did you enter my memories?" I inquired, my voice quivering like the snow beneath our feet.
She rested her cheek against my shoulder. Whispered, sweet yet sorrowful "I asked Yuna to allow me to view them alongside you. See… there."
I glanced in the direction she indicated. Near a tree a small girl stood very still and timid nearly concealed by the snow. Yuna. She remained unchanged like years before—only more reserved and unsure of how to be, around others.
I noticed my father approaching the two children – myself at my youngest age and little Yura.
"Honey let's head home. It's getting late " my father whispered gently.
He grasped my hand and guided me off. Little Yura was flailing her arms like a person, overwhelmed with joy, from her tiny heart.
"See you later, Aki!"
The current Yura, beside me was no longer able to contain her emotions. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at her self, who was waving.
"My childhood was sorrowful " she murmured softly. "I was without parents. I longed to have you every day…. Just to spend a brief moment playing. Yuna was the one I had and, in truth only I could see her."
The image transformed.
Little Yura was perched on the snow her face flushed from the chill. Yuna approached her carefully. Settled beside her like a quiet guardian.
"Do you, like Akira?" Yuna inquired quietly.
Little Yuras face gleamed brightly resembling an exploded firework.
Aki is the boy anywhere, in the world! I truly adore him immensely. He resembles a prince out of fairy tales. I long to spend the day playing with him.
Yuna stayed quiet. Used her small hands to brush off the snow. After some time she hugged Yura tightly her fingers gently stroking her hair with the affection of a sister.
"It's time to head back " Yuna whispered gently. "Follow me. I will escort you."
The recollection grew hazy swirling swiftly like a cyclone.
We found ourselves before the orphanage gate. My father spoke calmly with the warden.
Thanks. I'll sign the adoption documents.
After that he approached Yura and softly rested his hand on her shoulder.
"I took you in so you could spend time with Akira and have fun with him every day."
Her reaction was nothing but pure delight.
She was leaping with delight embracing Yuna closely and exclaiming "Did you catch that?! I get to spend the day playing with Aki! I'm thrilled!"
More the situation had changed. My father returned home with Yura.
I noticed my younger self rushing toward her eyes shining with enthusiasm. She leapt into my embrace.
Aki! Your father mentioned that we'll be living together now! We get to play all day !
My tiny self was clinging closely to my father. "Thanks, Dad, for bringing her along."
My younger self took the hands of young Yura chuckling, dashed into my room that felt like a separate universe a realm of my lost memories and vanished.
The current Yura approached me. Her tone was wavering.
"Weren't we charming when we were kids? Oh how I long… I long to relive those times more."
Her tears resembled fragments of moments.
I. Experienced everything collapsing within me—the history we shared the connection, Yuras isolated soul and Yunas quiet affection.
She recalled each and every one. Each instant. Every chuckle. Every vow.
However I recalled nothing.
And that void was hurting immensely more than any demon's blade could.