Chapter 9

Another days, weeks that seemed like months had passed… and little by little… Janin was able to gain her memories back. She remembered Murata and the days they had together. But sadly, she still didn't remember Yuuri and Aya.

Aya returned safely to Earth. She was saved by the townspeople after being chased by Belal's soldiers. She told her parents everything that had happened to her and they're glad she's safe and all right.

One week later

"You're out already? Are you sure you're fine now?" Murata asked.

"Hey. You didn't visit me in the hospital last 3 days ago." Janin said.

"I'm so sorry. I was so busy. We had our exams for the last 3 days, remember." He said.

"Oh yeah." She said.

"Janin-chan! I'm glad you're alright!" a girl said.

Janin turned around to see whom it was. It was Aya.

"Do I know you?" she asked.

"Of course you know me. I'm your friend!" Aya said.

"Huh?" she said.

"Aya, can I talk to you? And Janin please excuse us for a while." Murata excused.

"Sure." Aya said.

"Okay." Janin said.

"Uhmmm… Aya, do you still remember what happened to Janin on the day of the battle? She suffered a memory lost because of that incident." Murata explained.

"So, that's why. I know. I'll----" Aya paused and took a thing out of her pocket.

"But—that's the cursed crystal. Your life depends on it." Murata stopped, staring at the crystal.

"I know. But it doesn't matter. A friend's life is more important than my damned life. [Yeah, it's already ruined. And besides, this will be my very first time to use it. And I assure you, nothing will happen to me." Aya said. [Ohhhhhhh---- No comments for this one. These words just came out on my head.

'If that's what you think. But it's still not right. And now, the prophecy has begun.' he thought.

So the three went off and looked for a deserted place. She let Janin sit on one of the benches, told her to close her eyes and to relax. Aya released a soft green light from her hand and touched her forehead. Murata was watching carefully on what she's doing. It had taken a few minutes and now it's done.

"Now, open your eyes." Aya said.

And Janin slowly opened her eyes. "Who are you?"

"Huh? What! But why?" Aya panicked, looking astonished.

"Calm down. I'm just kidding you know!" Janin said, laughing.

"Hey! Don't scare me like that! You're giving me a heart attack." Aya protested.

"Did I scare you?"

"Yeah! You even did!" Aya said, placing her hand in her chest. And then, she suddenly cried.

[What a scaredy cat she was. Sighed

"You're such a crybaby, you know!" janin joked.

"No, I'm not!" Aya protested.

"Then tell me the reason why are you crying?"

"Nothing. Tears of joy, maybe."

"Oh, but you're still a crybaby."

"I'm not!" Aya said, pouting.

"Yes! You are!" Janin yelled.

Murata grinned, pushed his glasses through his nose bridge. "Stop it you two. You're acting like kindergarten kids. Do you two even know how to behave in your age? Classes about to start now. And Aya, you need to go to the principal's office to report." Murata said.

"Alright! Sir!" the two girls chorused, laughing.

"Hey, Aya, thank you. And I'm so glad you're here." Janin said.

"It's no big deal. That's what friends are for, right?" Aya said.

"Right."

'Hmmm… I wonder where he is.' Aya suddenly thought.

"What are you thinking?" Janin asked. "Is it about him? You know, he's been absent for a week now. I didn't get to see him. He must be upset, really upset."

"He's devastated!" Murata agreed.

"I wonder what's he doing now. I missed him." Aya said, blushing.

But the three didn't know that they're being followed by Mikaru.

"I can't believe it. She's a witch!" Mikaru said. She was hiding behind the trees, making sure that they will not see her.

"Your Highness! You're back!" Gunter rushed towards him. But Yuuri didn't seem to have seen him nor heard him. I'm sure that hurt Gunter. Yuuri went towards the hallway, into his room and sat on his bed. Conrad received the news that the Maou was back. So, he went off from the village and went back to the castle. Conrad knocked on the door and let himself in.

"Your Majesty." Conrad greeted him.

"Conrad, how many times to I have to remind you that you should call me by my first name." Yuuri said.

"I'm sorry, Yuuri." Conrad apologized.

Then someone knocked on the door and also let himself in.

"Your Majesty… Sorry to interrupt you…but you need to do…" Gunter said but Conrad cut it off.

"Not now Gunter, the Maou's not feeling well." Conrad said.

"I should call Gisela." Gunter said.

"No, Gunter. I mean, he's not in the mood to do all the work today. Maybe, next time." Conrad said.

"Alright." Gunter said and went off.

"Now, Yuuri. Would you mind to go outside and breathe some fresh air? You look pale." Conrad said.

"Sure." He said.

Conrad accompanied Yuuri to the ballpark.

"I missed playing this." Yuuri said while swinging his bat. "I know, let's play."

After a few rounds of playing baseball, he soon began to feel tired. So, he stopped playing and sat in a bench. He remembered the events that they had together. 'She's dead and I can no longer see her. I have to accept it.' Yuuri thought with a look of frustration in his face.

"Heika. Are you alright? We can go back if you want." Conrad said.

"Yeah." Yuuri said. They stood up and walked back into the castle.

After the classes

"Hey! Let's go out! To celebrate!" Janin suggested.

"That would be great." Aya agreed.

"So, where do we go?" Murata asked.

"At the park!" Aya said.

"Okay." The two chorused.

At the park

"Hey! Wait for me there." Aya said while pointing at the bench beside the fountain. "I'll get something for us to eat. We'll have our picnic here."

"Alright. But please hurry. I'm getting hungry!" Janin said.

"Okay. You voracious… friend of mine." Aya said.

"Hey!" Janin exclaimed.

"Hehehe. Okay… I'm going now." Aya said.

Instead of sitting in the bench, the two sat beside the fountain. Janin took off her shoes and socks so that she could cool her legs in the water. Murata was chewing on a piece of bubble gum that was left in his pocket.

15 minutes had passed

"Why she's taking so long? I'm already hungry!" Janin said, impatiently. "I'll give her a penalty for this."

"And what is it?" Murata asked.

"She's gonna buy a Shawarma for me!" Janin said.

"That's all?" he said.

"Many… many Shawarma! With a lot of sauce in it!" Janin exclaimed. [A shawarma with lots of onions would be nice. Oh, to tell you, Tamanegi wa die-suki desu!

Then suddenly, Janin felt that the water current was becoming heavier. She looked and saw a whirlpool forming. The two tried to get out but it was pulling them. And they both ended sucked in.

"Janin! Ken!" Aya saw them, and ran towards the fountain. "No, not again." And she followed them in.

"Where's Wolfram?" Yuuri asked, noticing that the blond was not there.

"He's with Gwendal, at the village." Conrad answered.

And suddenly, they heard some splashing at the fountain. Yuuri and Conrad went to see whom it is.

"Murata!" Yuuri shouted.

"Your highness. Welcome back." Conrad greeted him.

"Hey! Yuuri!" Janin shouted.

"And Janin. Glad to see you again. But how did you…" Yuuri said, surprised.

"It's a very long story." She said.

"Lady Janin, glad to see you again, after that incident. Welcome back." Conrad said.

"Yeah. Glad to see you too." She said.

"Let's get you two, dry up. Shall we?" Conrad said, and led them into the castle.

"See you guys later!" Yuuri said. 'I'm sure Murata's very happy to see her again. But how about me?' Yuuri thought.

"Ouch! Where am I?" Aya said. She landed on a village. She saw 3 villagers and asked them.

"Can you please show me the way to get to the castle?" Aya asked.

"The Cursed Crystal! You're a cursed witch! We better get out of here!" the villager shouted, looking at the crystal, showing out of Aya's pocket. They hurriedly ran away.

"Me? A cursed witch? Hey! Wait for me!" Aya shouted. 'Why are they afraid of me? Do I look like a murderer or something?' Aya asked herself. "How will I get there? And I'm hungry but I left the food, What will I do?" When suddenly, she felt a sharp pain from stomach. And everything went black.