"So where are we going, mom?" Mieru asked as they walked though Maimai.
"You will be going to school here."
"Really? But why can't I go to the school by our home?"
"Well this one is special. They can do stuff with magic, like you can with your crystal apple."
"Really?" Her eyes light up. "So I'll be able to do more stuff now?"
"That's right." Second patted her head. They arrived at the school. Second then hugged her daughter tightly.
"You have fun, dear. Learn lots of new things."
"You're hugging me too tight, mom!" Mieru said, trying to get out of her arms. "I will! I will!"
"Sorry, dear." She let go of her. Vector hugged her next, and so did Michio.
"Alright, I'll take her in, I'll be back Vector."
"We'll be waiting out here."
She walked her into the school, where Mieru's room was already set up like it was at home. Quietly, Second laid her hand on Mieru's head and cleared her daughter's memories of her home back in Heartland—memories of her parents, grandparent, her brother. Everyone at the school would know her; she would know what class she'd need to go to the moment she walked in the school.
Second turned away. She felt that she was going to cry, but, she couldn't just yet.
"I love you, Mieru. I'll see you soon." She took her hand off her head and turned away quickly as if she didn't know the girl.
Mieru didn't turn around. She walked away as if she knew exactly where to go.
Second heard her greet her teachers, and they greeted her back.
She wiped her eyes and walked back to Vector. Michio was just sitting down, none the wiser to what was happening.
"All right, let's go," she said walking up to them. "Michio, the last time your dad and I were here, we found a very nice restaurant. Do you want to try it out?"
"Of course I do!" he said happily.
They walked to the place and just sat outside it for a moment. Then Second hugged Michio.
"Hey, why are you doing that?" he said, hugging her awkwardly back.
"Sorry, I just, felt like hugging you," she said with a sad smile.
Vector just patted his head. "Your mom's just being weird, just let her do that."
"Fine fine."
"I love you Michio," she said quietly. She straightened herself up and set a hand on his head. He froze when she did that. She moved him so he was facing the door. Just like Mieru, he wouldn't remember anything; instead his memories of home would be replaced with made up ones for his new home. His new parents would have memories of him from the day he was born. It was as if he had lived there all his life.
"Love you, Michio," Vector said from behind her.
She took her hand off of him and turned away and grabbed Vector. She heard him walk into the restaurant. She heard him call the lady there his mom. She couldn't take it. She ran away with Vector following right behind her.
"Slow down, I can't keep up!" Vector said out of breath.
She was breathing heavily and he could see tears running down her face. "I did it, I actually did it," she cried. "They're gone, I did what he said! Now what?"
He grabbed her arms. "Just, calm down first, okay?"
"How? How can I? After what I just did!" She was sobbing. "I can't believe I did that."
"It had to be done, there was no other way."
"I know, but I still wish I had more time with them."
Vector wrapped his arms around her. "We'll have more time when this problem is gone, all right?"
"I hope you're right. I really do."
"Mhm." He just nodded. "Let's go home. At least Eliphas will be happy."
"Mm, sure he will...but all right."
She turned her back on Maiami. She didn't want to look at it again until it was time to see her kids again. She and Vector were brought back to Astral World where Eliphas looked quite pleased.
"That seemed to go well," se said.
She looked away, fists clenched. "Just tell me what you need now that I'm free. I'll take out anyone who dares to invade our home!"
