Ruby's POV:
It had been a while since that day. The day I found out the truth. Yoshiko never left me alone for long. She made sure to always be there with me. I still don't remember the event at all. I'd thought that maybe I'd actually recall it now that I knew the truth. I guess it wasn't going to happen, though.
I'd have liked to get the memories of the even back. I feel like it would bring me a little bit of closure. I don't like not being able to remember her death.
"Ruby, I'm heading home for the night. See you tomorrow!" Yoshiko called to me.
"Okay. Bye!" I replied.
Yoshiko left the house. I sighed. I didn't like being alone. Mom and dad barely paid attention to me. They never did. They were always more interested in Dia then in me. They didn't do anything to help me through this. They never said anything about Dia. I don't get it. Wouldn't they have wanted to clear everything up? Why'd they let me believe she was still alive for so long?
I locked the front door. I gave my parents a small goodnight and then I went up to my room. I got ready for bed. I'm tired. It's been a long day. I crawled into my bed and tried to sleep. I started having a hard time sleeping ever since I found out.
After an hour of me tossing and turning, I fell into a restless sleep. I would have dreams every night. They weren't very happy dreams.
DIVIDER--
I woke the next morning in a sort of dazed state. I sat up and looked around my room. Nothing seemed different. Why does it feel like something's changed?
Someone knocked on my door. I called them in. I don't know who would be at my door. Maybe it's my parents? Or was I expecting someone and I just don't remember?
The door opened. I looked over to see who it was. It was… Dia? Did I dream everything? Maybe. Maybe that's why I'm feeling this way. I got off of my bed. I ran over and hugged her tightly. She stumbled back slightly at the force. Dia hugged me back.
I don't know why, but I started crying. I started sobbing as I buried my face into her chest.
"Ruby? What wrong?"
Huh? That voice… that's not…
My weird feeling suddenly vanished. I looked up. Yoshiko was staring down at me with concern. I started crying more. It wasn't a dream… Onee-chan is… really gone…
"Did you have another bad dream?" Yoshiko asked me.
I nodded. I don't know what to call what I just saw, so I'll go with that. Yoshiko kissed me on my forehead and guided me back to my bed. We sat down on it together. I laid down and curled up into a ball. Yoshiko curled up behind me and hugged me.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Yoshiko asked me.
I shook my head. I don't want to. I don't even know what I would say. Would she think I'm crazy?
I kept crying and soon ended up falling asleep. When I woke up, I felt the weird lightheaded feeling again. I turned around. Sleeping beside me was Dia.
Is it her? Am I just seeing things again?
I tapped her on the cheek. She stirred. She looked at me and smiled slightly.
"You feeling better?" She asked me. This time, it was her voice. Maybe it was a dream? Maybe I just didn't wake up then?
I nodded, "Yeah…"
"Are you hungry?" Dia asked me.
I nodded, "Yeah. Um… can I cook today?"
"Sure. You want any help?" Dia seemed relieved.
Why would she… unless… is this not… I'm so confused. Is she here or am I seeing things? It's her voice, but… her actions don't seem normal. What's going on with me? Am I going crazy?
Come on, Ruby. It's okay. You're not crazy. You're fine. It's probably Dia. Maybe you just forgot about something that happened. Yeah. I just forgot something. That's why she's worried.
Dia got off the bed first. She left the room. I followed after her, only… she was gone. Instead, I saw Yoshiko again. What? Which thing is real? Should I tell her about this?
No! I can't! What if she thinks I'm crazy? What if she tries to take me to a therapist? I don't want that. I need to figure this out myself. I'm sure I can do that.
I ran after Yoshiko into the kitchen. She had already gotten the stuff out for cooking. I thanked her and then got to work beating eggs to make French toast.
"Hey… Yoshiko?" I hesitantly called.
"Yeah?" Yoshiko replied.
"Um… what do you want to do today?" I asked. I'm too afraid to ask about anything. What if she realizes why I'm asking? I don't want her to know.
"I don't know. You wanna go out somewhere?" Yoshiko asked.
"Not really…" I mumbled.
"Alright. Um… you wanna see what's on TV today?" Yoshiko suggested.
"Sure." I agreed to that.
I rarely left the house unless it was to go to school. I just don't like going out. I just feel weird outside. Even with Yoshiko there. I feel like everyone is staring at me.
After we ate breakfast, we did just that. We ended up on a TV channel that played songs from idol groups. We stayed on that channel. Yoshiko pulled me closer to her. I snuggled into her side.
At one point, an Aqours song came on. Yoshiko changed the channel. I don't know why. I don't want to ask. She probably won't tell me anything.
I got up and excused myself to the bathroom. I don't understand. I'm so confused. Is this the real world? It feels real, but… so did the other one. Which one is it then? What if… what if both are real? What if I'm randomly switching between two universes?
Get a hold of yourself, Ruby. That's not possible. One of these realities is fake. You need to figure out which one it is. You can do it.
I soon left the bathroom. I got lightheaded again. What's with that? I walked back into the living room. Dia was sitting where Yoshiko had been. So… every time I get lightheaded, I see her. Every time I'm not, I see Yoshiko. That's not really helpful. That doesn't mean one of them is fake.
I started walking over to her. As I did, suddenly, I got a really bad headache. When I looked at her, now it was… both? I kept seeing both of them. They were switching places.
"Ruby? Are you okay? You don't look so good."
I couldn't tell who I was hearing. I felt myself sweating. What's going on? I took another step forward, and then everything went black.
