Yoshiko's POV:

It had been a few days since the incident. I hadn't seen Dia since. I guess she's finally staying in the afterlife. That's good. She shouldn't be here.

I miss Ruby a lot. I want her back, but I can't do anything about it. Nothing will bring her back. She's gone. I'll have to wait quite some time before I can see her again.

Everything else had gone back to normal. There was a very noticeable gap now that both of the sisters are gone. It feels wrong without them here.

I started spending a lot more time with Zuramaru. I don't know how to explain it, but it's kind of like a temporary fix for the gap. It still hurts to not have Ruby here, but when I'm with Zuramaru, sometimes I can forget about it for a little.

At the moment, I was in my room. I had nothing to do. I didn't want to do any of my school work. I just wanted to sleep, but I was having a tough time doing so. I hate when this happens. I sighed and got off of my bed. I guess I should do something else then.

I went downstairs to the living room. Maybe I can watch some TV? I doubt anything good is on. I turned on the TV and started flipping through the channels. I ended up on a cartoon channel. It's not like I'm really going to be watching it. I just want some noise.

I leaned back against the couch and closed my eyes. After a few minutes, I heard strange sounds. It sounded like tapping. And, I swear I can hear voices too. I opened my eyes and looked around. I couldn't see anything. I heard giggling.

I sat up. What's going on? Is someone here? That's not possible. No one should be here but me. So, what am I hearing then? There's an explanation for it. I just haven't figured it out yet. I'm not going crazy. I can't be.

I feel like the voices seem to be coming from the kitchen. Maybe I should go look in there? I got up from the couch and made my way to the kitchen. I looked around, but saw nothing at all. Where are the voices coming from then? They have to be from somewhere. They couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere.

As I turned to leave, something happened.

"Boo!"

I yelped and jumped. Suddenly, I could see Ruby. She was smiling at me as she laughed. What. The. Hell. What's going on?

"Did I scare you?" Ruby asked.

I stared at her. Is she really here right now? I'm not just seeing things, right? Ruby is right here. I couldn't seem to find my voice. I couldn't say anything. All I could do was stare at her.

"Um… did I scare you too much?" Ruby asked as she looked me over, "I just wanted to have some fun. I've missed you."

"How're you here?" I finally got my voice back.

"Dia showed me how to come here." Ruby announced.

"Is she here with you?" I asked.

Ruby shook her head, "No. She's not."

"Why'd you have to scare me like that?" I grumbled.

"Sorry. I just thought it'd be fun to scare you." Ruby apologized.

"Well, I didn't find it very funny." I crossed my arms.

"Come on!" Ruby pouted.

"Anyway… um… you're dead…"

"Yeah. It's hard. I miss you a lot." Ruby sighed.

"Will you drop by occasionally or…" I was worried to find out the answer to that question.

"I'm not sure. I don't really think I should show myself that often." Ruby replied, "But, sometimes I might drop by."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Ruby smiled.

"So, how're things between you and Dia?" I asked.

"We're alright. I guess I've forgiven her a little." Ruby said.

"It's not something that's easy to forgive." I replied.

"Yeah… But, I don't want to hate her. I want things to go back to how they used to be." Ruby frowned.

"Maybe someday it'll be like that again." I tried to cheer her up.

"I wish I was with you…" Ruby sighed.

"So do I. But, there's nothing we can do about it." I replied.

"Promise that you won't forget me." Ruby said.

"I promise. I'd never forget you, Ruby. I love you." I said.

Ruby hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. I hate that this is how things turned out. I wish we could've been together for longer.

"I love you too…" Ruby whispered, "I have to go. I'll see you again. I promise."

Ruby vanished. I couldn't feel her anymore. She was gone again. I was alone. I started crying. Why can't I be happy? Why did I have to suffer like this? What did I ever do?

I just want Ruby back… is that too much to ask?

DIVIDER--

A few years had passed. Ruby would visit me about once a month. I don't think she'll have to for much longer. A few days ago, I got sick. Really sick. They said it's most likely terminal. That means I'll be able to see Ruby soon.

Do I want to die? I don't know. Part of me does, so I can be with Ruby again. But, part of me doesn't, because I'll be leaving everyone else. It's not like I really get a say in this, though. I can't stop this sickness.

I was confined in the hospital. I wasn't allowed outside. I couldn't really walk. I was stuck in a bed. When I did move, I had to use a wheelchair. It sucks. Honestly, I'd wish this illness would take me already. I'm sick of having to make all these adjustments to my life.

Hanamaru visited me every day. Kanan was every few days. Riko had only stopped by once. No one else had come to see me. I'm sad about that. I wish I could see them all again. But, everyone moved away after they graduated. Kanan's the only one who didn't.

I was tired. I guess I can sleep. I don't know when anyone is coming to visit. They don't ever tell me. They just show up. I don't really appreciate that. I'd wish they'd give me a heads up. That would be nice.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.

DIVIDER--

I felt a strange tingling on my skin. I opened my eyes. I'm not in the hospital anymore. Where am I? Is this a dream?

I was standing in a strange place. It was a misty white area. It looks like a forest. Just where am I? I've never seen this place before. I've never even heard of it. There are no signs anywhere. I have no idea where I am.

I started walking around. I guess I should see what's around. This doesn't feel like a dream. It seems too… real. Could I… could I be dead? Did I die?

If so, then where am I? Where is everyone else? Shouldn't there be more people around?

I heard voices after a while of walking. Finally. I found people. The voices sound familiar, though. I wonder who they are.

I walked toward the voices. As I got closer, I realized who I was hearing. It wasn't hard to tell I was hearing Dia and Ruby. So, this is where they are. Is this a different place? It just seems so weird to not have anyone else here.

I don't know how to approach them. It seems they aren't aware I'm here. Should I just walk out? Would that be too much? Should I make a noise? I don't know what to do.

I eventually just walked toward them. Let's just get this over with. They both turned and looked at me. Their eyes widened in surprise and shock. I hesitantly stood before them. This feels awkward. Really awkward.

"What's going on? Why are you here?" Ruby asked.

"Um… I'm dead?" I offered.

"What!?"

Right… she didn't know. She hadn't visited me in a while. She didn't know I got sick.

"I… I got sick…" I said.

"Really sick?"

I nodded, "Terminal."

"So… how are you here?" Ruby asked, though it looked like she was asking Dia to answer the question.

"Probably because you have a strong bond." Dia shrugged.

"Well, we're together again." I said.

"Yeah." Ruby tried to smile.

It's not the best situation. Both of us didn't want this outcome. But, nothing we can do about it anymore. This is what happened. I'm not going to complain. I'm happy to be able to see Ruby everyday again. Hopefully things will go well for all of us. And hopefully no one else joins us here for a while.