"If I say I love you, would that be enough to stop you from leaving?"
That was what I said to Katja-sama, our conversation so fresh and so clear in my mind.
"No, Not even a bit." was what she said, with a contemptuous look she would show infront of us whom she call "slaves".
"If I reach out my hand like this," I stretched out my arms and flexed my hands, my voice quivering, tears streaming from my eyes, "Would you reach out to me and grab hold of my hand?"
She looked down on me and chuckled scornfully. "No."
"Right. I sniffed, wiped my nose with the back of my hand and continued with the same fading voice, "I hope you find someone better than I am." I tried to smile. I really did, even though I'm so hurt I cannot bear it any longer. "Good-bye.". She turned away from me and vanished.
That was it. She left as fast as my fallen tears. Everything happened so sudden I had no time to prepare myself. The galaxy had been greedy when I asked for its time, for preparation. It happened two years before but it feels like yesterday, the pain still lingering.
Back then, when she left, I just sat there, staring where Katja-sama had once stood. I cried every tear I had left and my life. It was months of pain and grief. For me, it would be for eternity, to bear that feeling forever until my life fades away. I also had to face the fact that she would never come back and tried to rise from what I can call death. I tried going to bars and all, finding someone fit for me, with no such luck.
If we're to go back to my present, that would mean today, I am with Miyuri in a luxury gem store holding things for her. She is examining something that looks like topaz when she speaks up.
"You know, you shouldn't let your sadness get to you. You've been down since Ekaterina went away. I've noticed that, 'cause I am no fool. Though I look like it." She smiles. My body stiffens. I hate this topic but I listen anyway. "Look at me," She spins around once, "All cool and jolly."
"I'm trying." I replied. I try focusing on the rows of gems infront of me.
"To cheer you up, I have good news for you." She faces me. I glance at her. "What is it?" I ask.
"A transferee's to attend our class starting tomorrow. I'm so excited to meet her."
"How's that any good to me?"
"I don't know." She shrugs. I sigh.
"You're making me feel worse."
"What did I do?!" She asks.
I leave that question of hers hanging. Talking about transferees would not do me any good since Katja-sama is a transferee herself, cheering me up by saying something like that strikes me opposite. Miyuri is not such a bad company, but sometimes she can be really annoying. Nevertheless, I need and I do treasure her, she's my one and only friend after all. Diversion is the solution whenever I think of you-know-who, though it's not so effective.
Her shopping, not mine, eventually ended. The sun set hours ago, the night dotted with stars with a full moon resting on it conquers the sky by the time I went out and hired a taxi. The shimmering lights of the city is beautiful, like this simple thing as a perfect place for dates and everything. The taxi picks up speed and the buildings with their lights pass in a blur. It screeches to a stop so sudden it almost overthrew me to the windshield.
"We are here, madam." The driver says, looking at me through the mirror, offering me an apologetic smile for stopping so suddenly, I think. I smile back and slightly nod. I pay him and get off the car. I walk to my apartment and open the door with a creaking noise, yelling "I'm home!" even knowing I'm the only one that occupies this apartment. I did anyway. As I was about to walk to my bedroom door, I notice the window widely open. Frankly, I panic. What if someone was looking for me, to kill me? Then I remember: me being a Maria, containing within me the power of the Magdalena of Thunder. I even forgot my secret training. I scan and check every piece of furniture, if ever something is altered. Nothing, everything is in its place right before I left. I scratch my head and bang the open window close while I run to my bedroom and jump in my bed.
I woke up two hours earlier than intended having nothing in my mind. I slept great so I convince myself not to sleep again. I take a bath, dress myself, and eat a quick breakfast. I grab my bag and fasten the strap of my knife holder to my thigh, the sharpest dagger already in it. Safety first, as the saying goes. I head for school.
First student to arrive. I look around. With the sky the tinge of bluish black associated with the cold wind and a slight haze, plus the eerie silence that shrouds the school, it looks haunted. Not that I'm scared or anything. I went straight for my classroom without my knees wobbling.
"How early." A voice whispers. It comes from a young girl, like Katja-sama, but I don't see anyone around, making me shiver. Instincts kicked in and I snatch the knife from under my skirt. I flip it in my hand and hold it horizontally. I still know how to fight, I am a Maria after all. Former Maria.
"Show yourself." I growl with my jaws clenched together. I then perform a fighting stance. The faceless girl snickers and answers, "Later, girl." There is something familiar about that voice. A gush of wind ripples through me, the haze vanishing. I put my feet together, standing straight and I started walking to my seat at the far left side, by the window. I sit with my elbow on my desk, hand supporting my head, looking down the window. I sit idly, concentrating everything I have in finding the presence of what I think is a Qwaser. I feel it in my guts. The girl, however, had also vanished with the haze. I replace my knife under my skirt. I just can't help thinking it might have been a coincidence with the haze. I can't shake the feeling there's something unusual about to happen.
After an hour or so, students started pouring by the gate, neighboring classrooms' doors banging open and close. I am still staring down the window, catching sight of some of my classmates including Miyuri, Mafuyu, Tomo and Alexander. The clock ticks fast and class started. Homeroom.
"Everyone settle down," our teacher orders just before she enters our room. This dame just hates wasting time. She places her hand-carried books to the teacher's table and claps her hand once as if showing anticipation. I'm starting to get sleepy already. "We are having a transferee, as I have announced the week before." She did? I must have been sleeping when she announced that 'cause I can't remember a thing about such. Sensei faces the door and through the door's window, beckons the girl to come in.
The door flashes open, revealing a cute, young girl in perfect gothic clothes with long blonde hair tied in pigtails, nails glinting in the light as if polished so many times, her mesmerizing eyes deep amber, her lips thin and cruel. I tried not to scream. It was Katja-sama.