Chapter 32: Manaka and Misaya

"What. Did. She. Just. Say?" I muttered with an expression full of nothing but overwhelming confusion.

"T-That's impossible! There's no way she is-" Bernkastel yelled but she was cut off before she could finish.

"She is indeed. That girl is none other than the real 'Misaya Reiroukan.' That is a fact." Merlin declared as she not only spoke but moved toward us even though time was stopped.

"H-How are you-" Bernkastel spoke as sweat dripped down her face but she was cut off again.

"Oh please. I can perceive everything that is happening in the present. Time does not affect that. So, a simple Time Stop spell has no effect against the greatest Magician who has ever lived." Merlin replied with a smirk.

"What the hell is going on. Manaka is Misaya? None of that makes sense." I muttered.

"Have you not been listening to me? It is a fact that she is-" Merlin spoke but this time she was cut off.

"THEN WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?! YOU CAN'T PROVE THAT UNLESS YOU HAVE EVIDENCE!" Bernkastel roared at the top of her lungs. She was sure that there would be no way for Merlin to prove it. But she was wrong.

"Evidence? It exists." Merlin replied.

"W-What?" Bernkastel asked.

"Did I stutter? I said that 'it exists.' Not now, but in the past." Merlin admitted.

"Ah." I gasped and Merlin noticed that.

"Hmm. You are beginning to piece together the truth, aren't you? Would you like me to show you what really happened in 1987, Ayaka Sajyou?" Merlin asked with a smirk.

"Ayaka! Don't believe her! There's no way she's telling the tr-" Bernkastel yelled but I cut her off.

"Show me and Bernkastel." I replied.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You can't just ask me to show you, you have to w-" Merlin spoke, but I cut her off.

"I wish for you to show me and Bernkastel the truth of what really happened in 1987." I spoke with a confident expression that matched both my eyes and tone of voice.

"A-Aya-" Bernkastel spoke my name but she was cut off before she could finish.

"You seem strangely familiar. Have we by any chance met before?" Merlin asked.

"Try again in eight years." I replied.

"Hahaha!" Merlin laughed until-

"…Then you shall know everything of what happened to both the real Misaya Reiroukan and Manaka Sajyou in 1987." Merlin declared as she snapped her fingers and then she vanished. And what happened next…

"Ah." I gasped as I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in a park with Bernkastel.

"I remember this park. Me and Onee-chan used to always play here as kids." I admitted.

"Ayaka. Look over there." Bernkastel spoke as she pointed at something. I looked in that direction to see a small group of people. Father was there. He was meeting with… is that Misaya's parents? That's definitely her Mother. So I guess the man in the red suit is her Father. Then that girl behind her parents… that means… she is-

"It's nice to see you again after all of these years, Hiroki." Misaya's Father spoke with a smile.

"It's been a long time, Mr. Reiroukan." Hiroki replied.

"You don't have to address me so formally. Please, call me Makoto." Misaya's father who is named Makoto asked.

"Then… it is an honor to meet you again, Makoto." Hiroki replied as he bowed forward.

"The honor is all mine." Makoto replied with a smile.

"If I may ask, what is the purpose of us meeting out here. With our families no less?" Hiroki asked.

"That's because I would like for our daughters to meet each other. If this First Grail War takes an… unexpected turn, then they will be the ones fighting each other next." Makoto replied.

"I understand. Manaka! Ayaka!" Hiroki yelled at two girls who were playing in the sand together.

"Coming!" Ayaka and Manaka replied in unison as they ran over to their Father.

"You both are taking a long bath after this." Hiroki spoke.

"Yay! I love the bath!" Ayaka replied.

"Ha. You just want an excuse to play with your rubber ducky again, right?" Manaka asked.

"Y-Yeah. So what?!" Ayaka replied.

"Nothing. Hahaha." Manaka laughed.

"O-Onee-chan! You're treating me like a kid again!" Ayaka replied.

"But you are a kid." Manaka pointed out.

"So are you!" Ayaka replied.

"Yeah. But I'm older! Soon I'll be a teenager going on dates with boys while you'll still be playing with your rubber ducky!" Manaka spoke as she teased her younger sister in a playful way.

"O-Onee-" Ayaka spoke but she was interrupted before she could finish.

"That's enough, girls. There is an important reason why we went to the park today." Hiroki spoke.

"Presents?!" Ayaka blurted out.

"A new friend?!" Manaka blurted out.

"Ayaka, you're wrong. But your sister is right." Hiroki replied.

"Ha! Take that, Aya-chan!" Manaka spoke as she-

'Flick.' Flicked her younger sister's forehead.

"Ow! You're so mean, Onee-chan!" Ayaka yelled with a pout.

"I'm just teasing you. T-E-A-S-I-N-G. You know I'd do anything for you, Aya-chan." Manaka replied.

"R-Really? I love you Onee-chan!" Ayaka replied as she tackled her older sister to the ground.

"Gah! Don't do that here! You're embarrassing me!" Manaka replied with a blushing face that is bright red.

"Ahem!" Hiroki spoke.

"Eh?" Ayaka and Manaka replied in unison as-

"Go on, Misaya." Makoto asked.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Misaya." Misaya's Mother Mikasa asked. And then…

… A young girl appeared from behind her parents' backs.

"…Um, uh… I-I-I-AH!" Misaya spoke as she stuttered like crazy until she gasped when-

"My name is Manaka Sajyou! And this here is my lovable younger sister who loves to eat anything and everything in a quarter-mile radius!" Manaka spoke with a smile as she introduced herself and her younger sister while she grasped Misaya's hands in her own.

"Eh?! That last part isn't even true! You are such a meanie, Onee-chan!" Ayaka replied as she punched her older sister over and over but it was so light and didn't hurt Manaka in the slightest, so, it couldn't even be considered a proper punch.

"Oh! I almost forgot her name is Ayaka." Manaka spoke.

"Y-You almost forgot?! Meanie! I hate you, Onee-chan!" Ayaka yelled as she continued punching her older sister and not hurting her at all whatsoever.

"Hahaha…" Manaka laughed until-

"…And together we are…" Manaka spoke but paused for dramatic effect once more until-

"… THE SAJYOU SISTERS!" Manaka roared at the top of her lungs and the resulting wind pressure caused by her roar made Misaya fall to the ground.

"Ow!" Misaya groaned in pain as fell on her butt.

"Let me help you up." Manaka spoke as she extended her hand outward.

"T-Thank you." Misaya replied.

"Hey Onee-chan, aren't you gonna ask her name?" Ayaka replied with a pout.

"Oh yeah! That reminds me! I just remembered to ask for your name! So, you are?" Manaka asked as she took all the credit which caused her younger sister to playfully punch her once more.

"…Me? M-My name is…" Misaya spoke but paused for a second as she struggled to get the words out until-

"…Misaya. Misaya Rei-AH!" Misaya spoke until she gasped because-

"Nice to meet ya, Misaya! Hey, now that I think about it. We look pretty similar, don't ya think?" Manaka asked as she put her arm around Misaya. This was true. Both had blonde hair though Misaya's hair was longer compared to Manaka's hair. That and they both wore different outfits. Misaya wore an extravagant dress. While Manaka wore casual clothes.

"I-I guess so." Misaya replied.

"Hey. Maybe we could…" Manaka spoke as she got closer to Misaya. And then…

"… Switch places?" Manaka finished as she whispered into Misaya's ear.

"HUH? S-S-S-SWITCH PLACES?!" Misaya yelled out loud.

"Yeah! You can have Ayaka if you give me your fancy dress!" Manaka replied as she puffed out her chest.

"You're trying to abandon me?! You're so mean Onee-chan!" Ayaka yelled as she was on the verge of fake crocodile tears. But then…

"I'm only kidding. I'll never trade my adorable Aya-chan for anything!" Manaka spoke as she grasped her younger sister's hands in her own.

"Really? Do you mean it? Not even for the world's most expensive dress?" Ayaka asked.

"Well, if it was for the world's expensive dress. Hmm… yeah, I'd abandon you on the spot!" Manaka replied.

"ONEE-" Ayaka spoke but was interrupted as her older sister hugged her.

"Just kidding. I wouldn't trade you for the world's most expensive dress or anything else for that matter. I love you, Aya-chan." Manaka whispered into her younger sister's ear.

"I. LOVE. YOU. ONEE-CHAN!" Ayaka shouted as she tackled her older sister to the ground.

"Gah! Not again! Quit embarrassing me in front of Misaya! Aya-chan!" Manaka demanded but was ignored as her younger sister nuzzled her head into her Onee-chan's chest.

"Girls, stand up. Makoto has something to say." Hiroki snapped his fingers.

"Yes, Father." Ayaka and Manaka spoke in unison as they stood up from the ground.

"In order to commemorate this occasion, you three should take a photo together." Makoto spoke.

"That's a great idea dear!" Mikasa interjected it.

"Then it's settled. Manaka. Ayaka. Get near Misaya." Hiroki spoke as he held a camera in his hands.

"Ok!" Ayaka and Manaka spoke in unison once more as they stood near Misaya. Specifically, Misaya was on the left, Manaka was in the middle and Ayaka was on the right. But then…

"Hey, Aya-chan. Look over there! I see King Arthur!" Manaka spoke.

"Really?! I'm coming Arthur!" Ayaka spoke as she ran off but since it was so sudden…

'Snap!' The picture was taken without Ayaka. So, Manaka and Misaya were the only two in it. And then…

"Onee-chan! You lied!" Ayaka spoke as she ran and tackled Manaka to the ground.

"Oof!" Manaka spoke as she fell onto the ground.

"Hahaha…" Misaya laughed until-

"… If only I could switch places with you. The girl who has everything." Misaya muttered to herself as she opened her eyes and found herself back inside Father's study.

'Then switch places with her.'

"Ah." Misaya gasped as she heard the same voice that she heard once before. That's right. She is-

"So, you weren't an illusion." I muttered.

"That's right. No mere mortal can mimic the great and powerful. The one and only. The Mage of Flowers. Merlin. And get away with it. Which means it is now the second time we are meeting like this, Misaya Reiroukan." Merlin spoke as she was as translucent as a ghost.

"I-I understand." I replied. The first time I met her. I fell unconscious and hit my head really hard on Father's desk. I had to be taken to the hospital though I ended up being ok. And now, here I am meeting her once again.

"Then do you also understand how easy it would be to take Manaka Sajyou's place within her family?" Merlin asked.

"W-What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Exactly as I just said. You can just 'wish' to take her place. All you have to do is use that wish inside of you to do so. Isn't that right, child of God?" Merlin asked. S-She even knows that much about me?!

"Of course. I can perceive anything and everything that happens in the present. That is the gift that was given to me. However, that is the only gift I possess. So, I don't have True Magic." Merlin admitted.

"Anyway, you also have a gift too. A gift that allows you to claim anything that you would want for yourself…" Merlin continued as she read me like a book.

That's right. My mother was the daughter of a certain family named Sakatsuki. They have the power to wish for a single thing and make it into a reality. My mother has already used her wish a long time ago to escape her life on the island that the Sakatsuki family resides on by wishing to marry a man who's rich. It just so happened that the man turned out to be my Father, Makoto Reiroukan.

I didn't know this fact for a while until my Mother explained it to me. However, she has always kept it a secret from Father. This is because if he learned of this fact. He might disown his family or even worse sacrifice me to the Holy Grail. She told me all of that. And then…

"You can wish for anything. Anything your heart desires. You can wish to be great with Fire Magic like your Father wants. Or you could wish for something else. Just please, please don't run away from us. I don't want to lose my one and only daughter." My mother explained as she cried and held me in her arms.

My Mother acted like she was independent. However, it was the opposite. She was very dependent on others. Specifically, my Father and me. Even still, she did not want me to run away from it all just like she did. Her words were utter hypocrisy but I was her daughter. So, I said-

"Ok, Mother. I won't run away." I replied.

"Good. Just stay with me and your Father forever and ever." My mother whispered into my ears as I felt her arms around me. What was supposed to feel like a comforting hug, felt nothing like that. Instead, it felt like chains being wrapped around my body. They were utterly suffocating.

"So, what will it be? Just think about it, Misaya Reiroukan." Merlin spoke as her words brought me back to reality.

"M-Mer-ah." I gasped as she vanished without a trace. To trade places with Manaka Sajyou, is that really what I want? But if I do that, then she will…

'My name is Manaka Sajyou! And this here is my lovable younger sister who loves to eat anything and everything in a quarter-mile radius!'

… die.

I can't do it. I can't take a life. If I do, then I'll be nothing more than a murderer. I guess, I'll just stay here for-

"DEAR, PLEASE RECONSIDER!" My mother shouted at the top of her lungs. So loud in fact, that even I heard. Mother? What got her so worked up about? I decided to find out what all the commotion was about and moved closer to the room that is right next to the study. That's Father and Mother's room. Could Father and Mother be arguing about some-

"I will not! I've never been more embarrassed in my entire life! Hiroki told me that his daughter Manaka is able to use Fire Magic with ease! Even though my daughter has Reiroukan blood in her veins, she can't cast fire if her life depended on it!" Makoto snapped back.

"That girl… is not my daughter! She is an utter disgrace to this family! And it's all your fault, you vile woman!" Makoto continued as he-

'Slap!' Slapped his wife across the face.

"I have no choice but to sell her off. If only that other child in your womb survived. God chose the wrong daughter to bring into this world!" Makoto roared once more at the top of his lungs. And then…

I'm truly worthless then. Father thinks so. And even Mother can't defend me. I'm tired of this. I don't want anything else to do with this family. But even still, I refuse to take a life. I will not kill Manaka Sajyou. So, I have no choice. I have no choice but to-

RUN!

I ran. My only option was to escape so I snuck out of the house and ran away. It was pitch black out since the mansion that the Reiroukan family owns is on a hill. I walked around as my eyes blinked more and more… I would soon lose consciousness… I have to at least make it to a-

But before I knew it, I blacked out.

The sun's rays shined onto my eyelids as they flickered open as a result.

"Ah." I gasped as I opened my eyes and noticed that I was sleeping on top of garbage in an alleyway. How fitting for someone who is considered as garbage by her family and even herself. I'm truly the worst of the worst.

"…" I wordlessly walked out of the alleyway while I still had the revolting scent of garbage on me. But then…

"M-Misaya! Is that you?! Hey!" Someone called out to me. It was-

"M-Manaka?!" I spoke. W-What are the odds that I would meet her outside?

"Of course, it's me. So, are you going to school too?" Manaka asked.

"Eh?" I asked.

"I see. Oh, the classic exchange student trope! Well, I can't wait to see ya there! Also, nice haircut!" Manaka replied. What is she talking about? I looked down and noticed that I was wearing a new outfit. Though not just any outfit, but the same school uniform that Manaka is wearing! And my hair is-

"S-Short?" I muttered.

"Anyway, I have to go to school with Aya-chan. Huh? Where did she run off too?" Manaka spoke as she looked all around her but couldn't find any trace of her younger sister. And then…

"A-A-AH!" I gasped as I couldn't say a word. All I could do was point out sheer terror at what I was looking at. Manaka took note of this and-

"AYA-CHAN! CRAP!" Manaka shouted at the top of her lungs as she ran out onto the street. This was because Ayaka was walking onto the street and didn't notice that there was an incoming car heading straight at her!

"AYA-CHAN!" Manaka shouted her younger sister's name once more. And then…

'Bam!' Manaka pushed Ayaka out of the way. This resulted in…

'BAM!' Manaka being hit by the car.

W-What the hell just happened? I-I didn't wish for this. So, why did Manaka just get kill-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ayaka screamed at the top of her lungs as she saw her older sister die in front of her eyes.

"W-Where did that girl come from?! H-Holy shit! I'll call an ambulance!" The man who was driving the car shouted as he noticed that he hit a child. But he was far too late. Manaka Sajyou's head was caved in, and her entire body was twisted into something that was unrecognizable when compared to a human. The result was a gruesome accidental murder.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! PLEASE! PLEASE WAKE UP! DON'T DIE!" Ayaka screamed at the top of her lungs as she begged for her sister to survive but before she knew it, she passed out of shock.

I-I have to run away. This isn't my fault. I didn't do anything. I didn't see anything. I have to-

And before I knew it, I ran straight toward the deceased girl and her younger sister and-

"BY THE POWER OF THE WISH INSIDE OF ME… MANAKA SAJYOU… YOU WILL BE…" I shouted at the top of my lungs as a gust of wind encircled me and the corpse's hand I'm holding in my own!

"W-Where did this wind come from?!" The man shouted to no avail. As I have-

"… RESSURECTED!" I finished as a bright glowing energy that was pure white transferred from me to her. And then…

… I blacked out.

'Onee-chan.'

Huh?

"ONEE-CHAN! YOU'RE OK! THANK GOODNESS! WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Ayaka screamed as she cried while holding me in her arms. Huh? What is this?

"It's nothing short of a miracle. Your heart stopped and you were declared dead in the papers a few hours ago. We were about to give up when your vitals started rising again. Welcome back to the land of the living… Manaka Sajyou." The doctor spoke with a smile.

I-I-I'm Manaka Sajyou? But that can't be right! I'm Misaya Reiroukan! And where's the real Manaka Sajyou?! I looked around as all these questions piled up one after the other. And then…

… I saw someone in a bed next to mine, but she didn't look like anyone I've ever seen before, so I shouldn't have been able to recognize her. But I knew without a doubt that was the real 'Manaka Sajyou!' However, her hair color is now black, and her face is completely different!

"W-Who's that?" I asked.

"That's… to be honest I have no idea. The police have been trying to find out the identity of this girl… but her fingerprints were messed up really bad. I'm sure we'll find out who she is soon enough. But so far, she hasn't woken up yet." The doctor explained.

"B-B-But she is-" I muttered but I was cut off by Mr. Sajyou.

"I'm so glad you're alright, Manaka." Hiroki spoke as he hugged me too.

"Onee-chan saved me! Thank you! I love you so much!" Ayaka spoke as she nuzzled her head into my chest. At that moment, I wanted to reveal that I wasn't her… that I wasn't… his daughter… or her sister.

However, for the first time in my entire life up to this point-

"No problem!" I replied with a bright smile. I smiled. I truly smiled from the bottom of my heart. For the first time in my life, I was happy. I was happy to be appreciated and loved by others. Prior to this moment, I felt dead. So maybe it wasn't Mana-no. Misaya Reiroukan who was resurrected…

… Maybe it really was Manaka Sajyou. However, even if that's the case…

"Onee-chan is my hero! She's a Hero of Justice!" Ayaka spoke.

"She sure is." Hiroki agreed.

… I've committed a sin. I murdered the real Manaka Sajyou by switching places with her. And the only way for me to make up for that sin is by doing exactly what Ayaka said. I have to become a Hero of Justice. And the only way to do that is to-

I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have to save everyone. I have-

That is the only way for me for a murderer and sinner like me to be truly redeemed.

'BAM!' A loud noise was unleashed as everything turned grey and time stopped. And then…

"N-No more. I don't want to see any more of that. Please just stop. Ayaka muttered as she had her knees on the ground and was shaking uncontrollably.

"Eh? Wasn't it you who wished to see the truth-" Merlin spoke until she was cut off.

"ENOUGH! RETURN US BACK TO 1991! NOW!" Bernkastel demanded.

"Fine. Have it your way." Merlin spoke as she snapped her fingers and the three of them returned to her Garden of Avalon.