¡Greetings everyone, KaleidoMirror is back! It's been a while since our last interaction, but I trust that the time we've spent apart has been worthwhile for all.

I'm thrilled to present to you the long-awaited Chapter 3 of our saga, "Echo of the Seasons." In this installment, mystery intertwines with drama, especially as I aim to leave you at the edge of intrigue and excitement by the end. Additionally, I'm eager to hear your opinions and feedback on this new release. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts, either through online comments or by contacting me directly.

Moving on to our regular segment, I want to express my great enthusiasm and appreciation for masterpieces such as "Kaguya-sama: Love Is War" and "Fate/Stay Night." I sincerely thank you all for giving me the opportunity to share my work with you. I hope you find as much pleasure in reading this story as I did in writing it.

Are you ready?

Enjoy it!

- Unknown Setting -

It was difficult to explain the situation Yamamoto Mei found herself in.

Upon awakening, the young ojou-sama found herself immersed in an unfamiliar landscape, far from her mother's private gardens or the familiar grounds of the Yamamoto estate. Despite having traveled through certain countries with her parents during summer vacations, she had never hesitated to accompany her godmother and aunts on their excursions. Not to mention her grandparents who spared no expense in indulging her with their constant requests. However, nothing she saw resembled the places she had visited before.

This new environment before her challenged all known logic.

Which was saying a lot for her, considering that ever since her servant, Nursery Rhyme, had entered her life, they had shared countless adventures. At times, they would frolic among fairy tales, while at others, they would spontaneously invent new children's stories to experience within their usual dreams.

It was almost hypnotic to behold the endless dunes of the desert stretching out to her left, disappearing into the horizon, while to her right, a sea of snow rose and disappeared into the distance. Between both landscapes, a dark line, sprinkled with golden glimmers, marked an abrupt division that caused a subtle ache in Mei when she stared at it for too long, hence her decision to not dwell on it for the moment.

Despite the peculiarity of the place, Mei sensed a familiar feeling, as if she had been there before in some corner of her mind. For now, she decided not to let the perplexing scene overwhelm her and instead set out to explore this new territory she found herself in. Time passed slowly, but as she glanced skyward, she noted the peculiarity of it being partially fragmented, yet she remained fixated on the presence of huge monolithic gears suspended between the clouds, inert, unable to turn.

"Hmph," a sigh escaped her lips, resigned to the magnitude of what lay before her. For a moment, the idea of exploring the place in depth crossed her mind, but the heat of the desert and the cold breeze of the snow sea colliding stopped her dead in her tracks. Mei frowned, feeling a mixture of amazement and bewilderment. A series of questions invaded her mind without offering a clear answer. Where exactly was she? How had she ended up there? Why did it feel both familiar and alien?

"This is... simply incredible," she whispered to herself, letting her words dissipate into the air, much like the questions that tormented her. She observed the landscape with a lump in her throat, trying to find an explanation for her situation. "Why does this place seem so desolate? Is it perhaps another nightmare, or maybe a game concocted by Alice-chan to settle scores?" she wondered aloud, though more to reassure herself than to get a clear answer.

She tried to ignore the tumult of emotions threatening to overflow within her, seeking to maintain composure amidst the uncertainty. However, her eyes betrayed her apparent calm as they moistened, and silent tears slowly traversed her cheeks, disappearing into the vast and silent scene that surrounded her.

Time passed with an almost palpable slowness, as if each second weighed heavier than the last.

But the ojou-sama clung to reality amidst that bewildering and ever-changing landscape. Feeling increasingly disoriented, with a sense of emptiness engulfing her. It was like being trapped in a dream from which she couldn't awaken.

Deep within her, a small spark of hope flickered. She longed with all her heart to see her parents again, to return to the warm and familiar home where they used to share magical moments, amid the laughter brought on by her mother's usual jokes, and she even wished to spend more time under her father's teachings in the dojo.

As she reflected on her situation, Mei noticed something unsettling: the connection with her servant, that constant presence that had accompanied her in moments of solitude and difficulty, was slowly fading away. A shiver of panic ran down her spine as she realized she was completely alone in this strange and shifting environment.

"Nursery Rhyme! Are you there?" her voice echoed with desperation, but it was only met by the empty echo of the place. "Please, tell me you're alright!" she shouted again, but the silence that followed was overwhelming, filling the air with a sense of abandonment and desolation.

Each faltering step Mei took seemed to draw her closer to the abyss of uncertainty. She longed desperately for it all to end, unaware of the subtle changes unfolding around her. Suddenly, a faint creak echoed behind her, causing her to swiftly turn, alert to the unknown.

A soft, melodious laughter broke the silence, drawing her attention to an ethereal figure materializing before her eyes. It was a woman of elegant and mysterious demeanor, with exquisite curves and an imposing bosom that stood out in the dim light.

Mei hesitated before responding, keeping her guard up.

It was strange, but her attention remained on the woman's pale skin barely exposed, and her long brown hair divided into multiple supernaturally curly strands. Mei felt strangely drawn to the woman's purple eyes, vaguely familiar to her, not to mention the blue and purple orbs adorning her with cat ear-shaped ribbons, conveying a sense of tranquility.

Feeling nervous, she tried to assess the intentions behind the woman's sudden appearance. Unexpectedly, the woman took a step forward, causing the fringe over her forehead to move with a déjà vu sensation that confused her emotions, and unable to help it, she murmured under the expectant yet mysterious gaze, "Mom?"

"Ara~, Ara~!" the lady seemed to find the misunderstanding amusing, and a look of complicity appeared on her face. "My dear little flower, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am not your mother," the woman knelt to her height, looking at her gently, "However, I am deeply sorry that our first meeting takes place under these circumstances," her response was graceful as she unfolded a dark and purple-colored umbrella in an obvious attempt to protect her from the inclement weather.

"Who are you?" Mei asked, her voice barely more than a whisper but with a tone mixed with nervousness and curiosity intensified by the woman's unsettling presence before her.

The stranger responded with an enigmatic smile, her eyes shining with deep mystery. "I am merely a 'spectator' in this little drama, but our lives are intertwined in a way that surpasses your understanding," she murmured, her voice carried by the breeze.

Mei frowned, trying to decipher the woman's enigmatic words. A feeling of familiarity bubbled within her, confusing her. It was as if she had known this woman in some corner of her memory, but she couldn't recall it.

"What do you mean by 'spectator'? What is happening here?"

The woman smiled gracefully, moving with a supernatural elegance, stepping back a bit from Mei in a subtle dance of Japanese movements. "Your journey is just beginning, Yamamoto Mei. It is regrettable that on such a special day as your birthday, you find yourself trapped in the midst of such a problematic situation. But not all is lost, my dear. It is also an opportunity for you to become aware of why you are so special," she said, unfolding a fan with an elegant gesture as the surroundings blurred around them. "Although we have little time, there is still much to learn, much to discover."

Mei took a step back, feeling her body giving in to the approaching unconsciousness, while she listened to the woman's whispering voice and more questions piled up in her mind. What did all this mean? And who was this mysterious woman who seemed to know her so well?

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand," she stammered, struggling to stay upright as her right leg refused to support her.

The enigmatic lady tilted her head, her fringe moving slightly in the breeze. "All will be revealed in due time, Mei-chan. For now, you'll have to forgive my lack of manners. For now, you just have to follow your heart forward."

With those words, the figure disappeared in the same way she had arrived, leaving her alone once again in that strange and changing landscape, completely immersed in a new dream with more questions than answers lurking in the shadows.

Mei woke up with a clouded mind, still dazed by what she had just experienced.

The young ojou-sama tried to clear her thoughts, blinking a couple of times until she convinced herself that she was once again in a completely new place. It took her a few minutes to adjust, but the feeling of bewilderment persisted.

Why was all this happening to her? What had she done to deserve it? Amidst so many questions, it was inevitable that she would have a small nervous breakdown that left her deeply analyzing her discouraging situation.

Above all, because from the very moment she regained consciousness, she was aware of a subtle aroma permeating the air, reminiscent of places where magic flourishes in its fullness, yet perfectly combined with ink, giving it an extra sense of familiarity.

At first glance, the place seemed to have been torn from the pages of a fairy tale, with its enchanted landscape and enigmatic atmosphere. But she soon deduced that she was in some kind of library, albeit different from any she had seen before. Nevertheless, the soft light filtering through the tall windows bathed the space in an ethereal serenity, bestowing upon it an aura of mystery and stillness.

Upon closer inspection, Mei observed that the dark wooden shelves were overflowing with ancient volumes and scrolls, some covered in dust and others freshly bound with care.

– Common Library –

Yamamoto was taken aback by the laughter and meows that unexpectedly filled the room. To her surprise, Alice emerged from among the nearby shelves, engrossed in an animated game with a black cat, absentmindedly petting it and receiving an affectionate response from the feline.

The familiarity between them was evident, especially in the way she allowed herself to be pampered in her servant's arms, experiencing the infamous "bubbling tickles," of which she could attest to the devastating effect they could have if she truly managed to anger her friend.

Nursery Rhyme, noticing her master regaining consciousness, submerged herself in a sea of emotions and leaped, propelled by her magic, to fly and end up landing on her friend, in a rather emotional moment that ended in laughter and hugs at their reunion. The cat, sensing the girl's actions, jumped out of her arms, deciding to stay on a nearby table, observing all the interaction between the girls.

"Mei-chan! Mei-chan! It's about time you woke up!" Alice's voice rang out with a mix of calmness and joy, radiating happiness around her. "Alice thought you were trying to be the new sleeping princess!"

"Clearly, that's not the case," she joked amidst intermittent laughter, still feeling fatigued. "It's just that apparently, I was a bit more tired than I remember," trying to regain composure, she observed Nursery Rhyme's emotional display. "It's nothing, really, I'm fine," she attempted to reassure her, though her friend didn't seem convinced.

Alice approached her friend, standing face to face. "Are you sure you don't need anything?" There was a brief silence between them until she decided to ask again, her tone betraying genuine concern. "Because Alice feels that..."

"Alice-chan," Mei interrupted abruptly. "I just had a little fainting spell, nothing to worry about really." It was just a moment, but it was no surprise to her that she ended up being embraced by her friend with such intensity. For now, she simply sighed at the emotions she felt for her best friend, letting herself be carried away by the guilt of speaking to her so abruptly. After all, she was just trying to comfort her. "I'm so sorry for worrying you, really, but I'm fine, I promise," she assured, still feeling guilty but trying to shift the conversation's focus and rearrange her thoughts. "What I don't understand is what happened. I'm quite concerned. What happened before I regained consciousness?"

Nursery Rhyme, with a mixture of palpable relief and concern still evident in her violet eyes, maintained her smile, using gestures to explain everything that had happened so far. "You know? Alice was so worried! She woke up and didn't find you, but Neko-chan told me everything would be fine. Alice knew she shouldn't trust strangers, but she promised me that when you woke up, she would talk to you to give us more details."

"Ma'am?" Mei asked, confused, as she watched the cat approach them. "Who are you referring to?"

"I don't know much about her, but she's really beautiful," Alice asserted, catching the cat that jumped towards her. The cat's meows expressed its happiness at being attended to in that way. "Alice didn't talk with her for long because she seemed very busy writing on a huge scroll, but she mentioned she would talk to you later. It's curious, but it seemed like she knew a lot about you, Mei-chan. Even now, I feel that by the way she talked to me about you, it was evident that she appreciated you a lot."

As she listened to her servant speak, Mei took a moment to stroke the cat's fur in her friend's arms, feeling its softness under her fingers and admiring the deep color of its eyes: a deep purple, similar to those of the woman in her dreams. She was completely captivated until she heard the last part, feeling dizzy and on the verge of fainting from the abrupt change in the conversation.

"Did something happen?" Alice asked, confused by what had just occurred.

"It's nothing," Mei replied, a little weary but remaining steadfast. "I just need a moment to fully recover," she leaned back a little more on the couch against her friend's shoulders, feeling a comforting warmth in her presence.

"Are you sure?" Rhyme gently squeezed her hand in an attempt to comfort her. "We can call someone if you're feeling unwell or... well, anything you need, just say it."

"Thank you, but it's not necessary," the master returned the pressure of the hand while shaking her head gently. "I'm fine, really."

"You know I'll always be here for you, Mei-chan, okay?"

Mei nodded with a smile, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Alice-chan. That means a lot to me."

For a few moments, Mei found herself enjoying her friend's company until her eyes wandered to the purple collar the cat was wearing, and a spark of curiosity shone in her gaze. "This collar is very beautiful, but it seems... familiar somehow."

Alice also glanced at the collar for a moment, as if seeing it for the first time, then smiled knowingly. "Oh, this collar... it also caught Alice's attention when she saw it because it has a special reason for Alice." She tenderly stroked the cat as she continued, "Because it's the same color as her mistress's eyes!".

Mei found herself immersed in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts upon hearing Alice's words. As she tried to process what she had just heard, the cat resting between them gracefully stretched, emitting a soft meow that seemed to carry a hidden message in its deep purple eyes. A shiver ran down her spine as if the feline were trying to communicate with her in some mysterious way.

"What a great idea, Neko-chan!" exclaimed Alice with infectious enthusiasm. "Mei-chan, the little one wants us to follow him."

The ojou-sama blinked, surprised by her friend's sudden ability to speak with cats. "Since when can you communicate with them, Alice-chan?" Her curious tone betrayed her unyielding curiosity as she watched her friend float, attempting to hide her mocking expression. But she kept thinking about the strange suggestion from the animal. "Are you sure he wants us to follow him?" she asked, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"I wouldn't know how to explain it, but I somehow understand him," defended the servant, maintaining a proud posture despite her diminutive size. "That doesn't matter now. We must follow him, Mei!" she added, taking her friend's hand with determination. "He's eager to lead us to his owner!"

"But..."

"Mei-chan, you don't have to doubt. Trust me, Neko-chan is sincere," insisted her friend with determination, dispelling the last shadows of uncertainty in her mind. With a firm gesture, the master stood up and squeezed her friend's hand, letting herself be guided by the small feline. It led them persistently, glancing back at them over its shoulder to make sure they were following.

They traversed long corridors and ascended spiral staircases, immersed in a world of mystery and enchantment. Finally, they arrived at a golden door that seemed to merge with the magic of the place itself. Mei and her friend looked at each other hesitantly, but the persistent meowing of the cat encouraged them to proceed. With a slight creak, the door gave way, revealing a room that seemed to have been torn from the pages of a fairy tale.

– Garden of Forgotten Dreams –

Mei was enveloped in a strange sensation the moment she crossed the threshold into that place. A comforting calm embraced her instantly, and as she regulated her breathing, she was captivated by the beauty that surrounded her.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" whispered Alice, her voice barely audible. Although she often showed her childish side, at that moment, she was aware of the serenity of the environment.

Mei nodded, relishing the scent of flowers in the air. "It is!" she exclaimed, her admiration blending with the soft rustle of the wind through the leaves.

Now, the two friends found themselves immersed in a garden overflowing with lush, blooming flowers. In the center stood a majestic, ancient tree, its twisted branches reaching towards the radiant blue sky, illuminating the scene as petals danced to the rhythm of the wind among the intricate engravings on its trunk. A soft, golden light seemed to emanate from the tree itself, filling the air with a magical and enchanting atmosphere.

Both were spellbound by the panorama, unable to articulate words in the face of the astonishing nature surrounding them.

Alice smiled, being the first to break the pleasant silence they shared, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's simply beautiful!" she said, reaching out a hand to try to pet the cat at her feet, but it skillfully evaded her hands. "Hey, where do you think you're going?" Despite her best efforts, the cat fled, deciding to find a comfortable spot at the foot of the tree. "Come back here!" she continued protesting childishly, but failing in her attempts to reach it.

The girl with golden orbs, for her part, enjoyed watching the struggle between her friend and the cat for a moment before turning her attention back to the tree. "What do you think all this means?" she asked in a low voice, watching as Rhyme finally gave up, pouting with crocodile tears.

"It's not fair that Neko-chan left us like this," the servant complained, shrugging with sorrow while exaggerating her sad state. However, she quickly decided to change her focus and began to pace around the place, exhaling smoke through her nose in an attempt to suppress her anger. "But Alice won't just sit idly by without a fight!"

"Whatever it is," Mei sighed, tired of the drama, knowing where all this was heading, but also suppressing her slightly sarcastic sense of humor. She blamed her father to some extent for this little slip. "You should let it go, I think the little one just wants a moment alone, what do you think?" she said, rolling her eyes in an attempt to calm her down, but only partially succeeding, because deep down she knew that Alice still wasn't giving up on the idea of chasing the cat.

"But... but... I just wanted to..."

"Alright... alright... you shouldn't feel sad," the ojou-sama approached her friend, placing a hand on her shoulder, "You just need to give him time to come back, you'll see."

"Are you sure?" Alice's doubtful expression made her reconsider the matter.

"100% sure," confirmed the girl with golden orbs steadfastly, "After all, we still don't know why he brought us here."

Rhyme glanced sideways at the tree, trying to spot the cat, but he was nowhere to be found nearby; after seeming to contemplate it for a moment, she decided to accept it despite her dissatisfaction, "You're right, Mei-chan," she trusted, as only she could, in her master's words, spinning around the nearby sunflowers amidst dances and laughter, calming her turbulent emotions with her usual cheerful and explosive tone. "After all, I love this garden!"

A soft laughter slipped from Mei's lips, confirming her internal thoughts. She felt taken aback when her friend intertwined their hands, attempting to widen her smile. She let herself be carried away by Alice's game, allowing the serenity of the place to envelop her.

"I think it would be wonderful to explore a little more of this enchanted garden, don't you think?" she suggested, as she let herself be carried away by the serene atmosphere.

"I think it's a brilliant idea!" exclaimed Alice, releasing their hands and beginning to float with a golden glow surrounding her, determined to explore every corner of the place to delight her companion.

Meanwhile, Mei approached the tree slowly, feeling the serenity completely enveloping her. She looked up at the branches swaying gently in the breeze, and she knew that this adventure was only just beginning.

With hesitant steps, she approached the tree, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. Timidly, she reached out her hand towards the rough bark, feeling the rough texture beneath her fingers. The moment her skin touched the tree, a strange current seemed to run through her body, enveloping her in an almost electric sensation, yet warm and comforting at the same time.

As Mei opened her eyes, she found herself engulfed in darkness, but immediately she was swept away by a powerful current, feeling the water exerting relentless pressure against her weary body, dragging her towards an abyss whose depth was impossible to discern.

Her heart pounded fiercely, the sound reverberating in her ears, mingling with the roar of the wild and unrestrained water surrounding her, making her feel trapped in a whirlwind of desperation. A startled "gulp" escaped her lips as she struggled to stay afloat, panic seizing her with every gulp of water she swallowed.

Every aggressive movement generated bubbles of air that escaped vigorously, and though she struggled desperately, she felt the darkness inexorably consuming her. "I'm going to die," she thought, resigning herself to the seemingly inevitable fate.

Suddenly, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of a mysterious light shining in the distance. Mei gritted her teeth, her survival instinct immediately kicking in, with her determination burning brighter than ever, she began to swim towards the light, each stroke an act of defiance against the darkness threatening to engulf her.

The water churned around her, the current seeming to drag her back with each attempt to move forward, but Mei refused to give up. In her mind, the smiling images of her parents waiting for her at home intertwined with her feelings, infusing her with the strength and courage she needed to persevere.

"I have to keep going," she told herself, pressing forward with one final effort towards her destination, defying the feeling of suffocation and exhaustion, driven by the fervent desire to reunite with her family once again.

As she swam towards the light, a soft, melodious voice broke the silence. "Are you okay?"

Mei felt confused by the unexpected question. How could someone be speaking to her in the midst of this dark and silent abyss? Unfortunately, she couldn't respond, as her consciousness was on the verge of collapse. The voice continued to resonate in her mind as her body was caressed by a gentle sea breeze amidst flashes of light that grew increasingly intense.

.

– Ocean of Memories –

Mei found herself in a state of confusion at first, her body still trembling from the traumatic experience she had just lived through. Fragments of terrifying memories invaded her mind as she struggled to understand what had happened. With her heart pounding fiercely, she tried to organize her thoughts, having no idea who had rescued her or how she had ended up there.

After making an effort to push aside her murky thoughts, she was amazed by the dazzling landscape that stretched out before her.

It was as if she were submerged in a dream, surrounded by a tranquil ocean full of vibrant colors and strange sea creatures gracefully swimming around her, illuminated by luminous flashes emanating from their bodies in the crystal-clear water.

The surreal beauty left her speechless, momentarily forgetting her initial distress. "Wow!" she exclaimed involuntarily, though quickly covering her mouth with her hand, surprised to realize she could breathe perfectly underwater. Despite the strange circumstances she found herself in, a sense of childlike curiosity and wonder overtook her, keeping her absorbed as she briefly enjoyed the unique spectacle before her eyes.

"What kind of magical place is this?" she wondered nervously, cautiously exploring her surroundings. However, her distraction led her to not notice that a whale-like creature was approaching her. Its calm behavior suggested it had no malicious intentions, but rather curiosity about her presence in that place.

"Hello?" Mei attempted to speak, surprised to hear her own voice echoing clearly underwater. The strange creature seemed to show some degree of intelligence, keeping its movements slow as it swam alongside her. Though initially nervous, she soon relaxed as the creature emitted a soft murmur, as if trying to communicate.

"What are you?" Mei whispered, captivated by the nonverbal communication flowing between them.

The creature emitted another melodious sound that resonated in the surrounding water, and Mei felt as if it was trying to convey emotions rather than words. Though initially intimidated by the creature's large size, sensing no threat, she decided to follow her instincts.

"Wow, despite your imposing size, you have such a curious personality!" she commented with a mischievous smile. "You know, you remind me so much of my best friend," she added with a laugh, imagining Alice's reaction in a situation like this. However, the idea quickly faded as absurd.

"But seriously, this place is simply incredible," she reflected aloud, but only received gentle movements and melodious sounds in response. "Hey, cut it out!" she exclaimed amidst laughter as she felt the bubbles of air produced by her new friend, which caressed her skin, creating endless tickles.

"You're naughty!" her words only seemed to further stimulate the animal. "In the end, you just want to scare me!" although a part of her wondered where exactly she was without knowing if all of this was a dream or if it was part of reality, she decided to set aside the doubts and simply immerse herself in this magical experience amidst uncontrollable laughter.

But despite the moment of joy, she began to distinguish between the bursts of bubbles what seemed to be fragments of images that quickly flashed before her, creating certain doubts as she had a better view of them. This fact only increased her curiosity as she noticed what seemed to be a story that the creature was trying to communicate to her.

"It's like I'm seeing the past," she marveled at this discovery as she glimpsed the figure of her father, or at least a younger version of him. "But why do I feel like not everything is as mom used to tell me in her stories?" Despite her amazement, a shadow of skepticism arose in her mind with each new image, questioning the accuracy of the stories her mother used to tell her. As she watched, she felt increasingly mentally exhausted, delving deeper into that ocean of memories.

On the other hand, the memory of her traumatic experience in the depths of the sea resurfaced with overwhelming clarity, reliving the moment when darkness enveloped her and her consciousness faded. However, this time, accompanying that memory was a comforting sensation, the warmth of a bright light enveloping her, offering her comfort and security amid the despair.

With gratitude shining in her eyes, Mei approached the mysterious creature, her heart timidly beating in her chest as she formulated the question that haunted her: "Was it you who saved me?" The creature responded with a gentle nod, and Mei felt a lump in her throat as she understood the magnitude of that act of kindness she had received.

Letting her words fade into the vastness of the ocean, Mei wrapped her arms around the huge creature in an attempt to give it a tender hug. "Thank you," her voice trembling as she expressed her gratitude. "Truly, thank you very much," she murmured, letting the warmth flood her being as anxiety faded away amidst the current of emotions that overwhelmed her as she caressed the soft, luminous skin of her savior.

– Boundary between the Shadow of the Void Tree & the Ocean of Memories –

Mei woke with a start, once again finding herself submerged in the vast ocean of memories. However, this time, a soft twilight enveloped her surroundings, creating an ethereal and mysterious atmosphere.

"Is anyone there?" she whispered uncertainly, but only the echo of her own voice answered her. "Anyone?" In the distance, the gentle whisper of the sea echoed like an ancient melancholic song.

She rubbed her eyes with her hands, trying to dispel the fog still clouding her mind after waking up. As she searched for answers in her surroundings, she shouted into the air with great force, "Where are you, little friend? Please respond!" Her voice trailed off into a whisper, "I don't like being alone!" Her words were lost amidst the complex sensations that enveloped her, like tumultuous waves.

"Mei."

A voice, barely a whisper in the twilight, snapped her out of her reverie. Mei reached out her hands, but it seemed like she was swimming against an invisible current, her movements hindered by a strange fatigue and disorientation.

"Mei-chan..." The voice repeated, clearer this time, though she still couldn't discern its origin. It felt vaguely familiar, but she couldn't remember from where.

"Who's there?" she asked aloud, but silence persisted.

However, at that moment, a comforting warmth began to spread from the center of her chest. Various emotions, ranging from joy to sadness, intermittently enveloped her.

"What is this?" she wondered with a lump in her throat, startled by the intensity of the sensations flooding her. It was as if a gentle electric current ran through her, making her shiver delicately but steadily.

In the vibrant pulsation of energy, a soft, melodious laughter seemed to add a touch of charm to the scene.

"How delightful it is to meet you again, Mei-chan."

"It's you again!" she whispered, surprised by the sudden ethereal presence of a beautiful woman, her impression almost causing her to stumble, but her quick reflexes prevented a comical scene.

The figure smiled tenderly at the completely embarrassed girl, but mentally apologized for being the reason behind her confusion and surprise.

"Yes, my dear flower. You look as radiant as the first time I saw you!" Her words were imbued with a comforting tone that gradually dispelled the girl's initial bewilderment. "Do you still remember our previous encounter?"

Mei struggled for a moment to reconstruct the scattered fragments of her now calmer memory. "I'm sorry, I can't remember clearly. Everything seems so confusing to me, miss."

The woman nodded understandingly. "Don't worry, it's natural to feel this way. This mysterious place tends to distort our memories and allows our souls to interact in mysterious ways beyond our own plane of existence, which can be truly worrisome if you get lost without knowing the established limits. You could really find yourself in a very dangerous situation," she explained with a tone of warning.

Mei frowned at the enigmatic words, but kept her composure. "I don't understand. What do you mean by 'this place'?" Her curiosity now mixed with a touch of intrigue, "Is it really so dangerous to be here?"

The female figure approached gracefully, stopping in front of her, with a penetrating gaze that seemed to read deep into her soul: "Indeed, my little one. But we'll have time to talk in detail another time," she replied, avoiding going into further details about the place. She elegantly extended a hand, gracefully waving a fan. "For now, there are more pressing matters to attend to, like why you are here."

"Is there a reason?" Mei asked bewildered. "Forgive my skepticism, but it's hard to believe in all of this," her hands trembled slightly. "But this defies all logic, especially because I don't understand what you're really trying to tell me with all this," at this point her heart was pounding, a mix of anxiety stirring in her chest.

The woman nodded sympathetically, her expression softening with a mix of sympathy and complicity. "Ara, ara~!" nevertheless, she seemed to enjoy playing with the innocent yet captivating expressions of the young girl before her. "As a lover of poetry and written words, I am captivated by people's feelings."

"Is that part of a passage from the sacred books written by Abe no Seimei?" Mei asked, her voice trembling with surprise. For her part, the woman let out a melodious laugh and once again gracefully waved her hand in a kind of performance, as if accustomed to this kind of reaction.

"Oh, dear Mei-chan, there is much more to this world than you think," she replied with a tone full of mystery. "And I, as a 'spectator', intertwined with you by the threads of destiny, have access to information that might surprise you."

Mei felt frustrated by the wordplay and riddles she was receiving. Was she some kind of seer or Onmyōdō sorceress? Or was she just playing with her?; Although the expression on the lady's face was partially hidden behind her fan, the mystery surrounding her only increased with each word she spoke.

Despite her initial confusion, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself in the face of the strange situation she found herself in. As a Yamamoto, she was expected to maintain composure, capable of responding gracefully even in this "situation," despite the perceived petulant and even insulting tone between the lines.

"Do you realize how impolite it is to appear and disappear so abruptly and without introducing oneself?" she expressed, partially releasing her irritation, feeling slighted and deprived of the courtesy she expected from this encounter.

She briefly recalled their previous encounter and even felt impressed by the aura the woman emanated, to the point of confusing her with her mother. Yet, now, in this situation, the woman was entirely different. Since her appearance, she had never formally introduced herself. Nevertheless, despite all this, she attempted to exhibit behavior befitting a young lady of her age.

Finding solace amidst the woman's disregard and jests, she decided to maintain grace and amiability. Much of this was due to her mother's teachings. Additionally, she enjoyed showcasing the virtue of a noble heart, inspired by the qualities of her father, which she aspired to attain. Hence, she chose to address the situation with sufficient grace and diplomacy.

"To begin, I am Yamamoto Mei. I request your care," she said, elegantly approaching the woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you, unknown miss, but I would like to know your name, if you don't mind."

The mysterious lady sighed with a certain resignation before responding with a bow befitting her aristocratic bearing. "Oh... this is interesting," she exclaimed, finding the situation highly entertaining. "So, this is how it works now, isn't it?" Though still somewhat skeptical, she was surprised by the refined and courageous gaze of the young girl before her.

"I don't quite understand what you mean, but as far as I'm concerned, you've presented yourself as a woman lacking manners and common sense," Mei sighed with a hint of weariness, trying to conceal her discomfort behind a mask of courtesy.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" The mysterious lady only managed to smile behind her fan, though she was fully aware of the harsh words from the girl. "You may bear the Yamamoto surname from Shirou-san, it's quite amusing how you try to maintain the distinctive bearing of an 'Emiya'. It's been a while since I last saw him, but he has certainly outdone himself with you. Unfortunately, that can't erase your roots, Mei-chan."

The enigmatic woman approached Mei, gazing deeply into her golden orbs before gently taking a strand of her silver hair. "It's curious how seamlessly the Fujiwara lineage you possess has adapted. No wonder you belong to the main branch!" she murmured as she delicately rearranged Mei's hair. "Your mother, Chika Fujiwara, has clearly pampered and indulged you, from what I've seen."

Mei felt paralyzed, trying to decipher the woman's words, but she simply couldn't grasp why she seemed to know her parents, especially since she was looking at her in a way that defied expression in words. As she looked into the woman's purple orbs, she felt a kind of connection that left her bewildered, especially by the unexpected mention of her lineage.

"How do you know my father's true surname?" Mei murmured, unable to resist as the woman arranged her hair. "And how do you know I belong to the Fujiwara family? My parents have never mentioned you before. I'm sure you have nothing to do with my family!" Her face was like an open book at this point as she ranted with anger. "But especially, how do you know my mother's name?"

The woman nodded, her smile still hidden behind the fan. "Roots run deep, Mei-chan. Sometimes, those connections define us more than we realize."

Mei lowered her gaze, contemplating the woman's play on words and hidden intentions. Her mind raced, trying to find answers to so many questions, wondering what else her family might be hiding, what stories and secrets lay in the shadows of her past.

Attempting to back away a bit, Mei felt her body freeze in place, noticing how the lady held a strand of her hair in her hands. Despite feeling a profound fear at the unexpected turn in their conversation, she was an Emiya, so she would stand firm and try not to show weakness.

"I sense a suitable change in my mood, hehe." The woman with purple hair merely smiled, gesturing with her fingers as the hair vanished into ephemeral flames.

Mei felt freedom return to her body, but she decided to confront boldly in her quest for answers. "Now tell me!" her tone fully raised, "I demand it, I'm not joking!" In her desperation, she began to prepare a basic offensive spell, assuming a combat stance at the slightest sign of danger.

"Poems and written words convey many things. They can transcend even time and space, just as stars shine in the night sky," the enigmatic lady lowered her fan, simultaneously her attire transforming completely into a traditional twelve-layered Japanese robe. "What do you think, Mei-chan? Do I look good?"

Mei summoned a brush with which she drew an ancient character in front of her, emanating a strong magical pressure. "I won't repeat myself!" her golden orbs glimmered calculatingly, and her voice tone was completely cold, leaving no room for negotiation. "How do you know so much about my family? Who the hell are you?"

Showing a bit of resignation, the mysterious woman sighed, looking disappointedly at the girl. "Though words may not be eternal, they shape thoughts that once had no form..." Feeling the girl's power beginning to overflow, ready to confront her, she decided to take a step forward, determined to calm the waters before the storm. Thus, she chose to hurry and present herself with the same etiquette and grace befitting a courtly lady.

"In the past, I was known as a novelist, poet, and Japanese lady-in-waiting at the imperial court during the Heian period," seeing the surprise and speechlessness of the ojou-sama at the unexpected information, she decided to continue, "That's why I was known as Kaoruko Fujiwara," with a mix of amusement and complicity, the woman swayed her long purple hair, which cascaded like a waterfall of shadows, as if she could read Mei's soul. "So, I am a descendant of Yoshikado from the prestigious Fujiwara Hokke family!"

We find ourselves at the end of this installment, and I trust you have enjoyed the outcome of this update. Though exhausting, I feel deeply satisfied with the achievements made in this third chapter, titled "Ocean of Memories."

Now, I invite you to collaborate in selecting the next worlds I will make available for exploration in our next installment. This process will allow us to focus on the topics that interest you most for the upcoming chapter.

It's gratifying to note that we've received a total of 9 reviews, as well as the support of 63 favorites and 84 followers. I'm excited to see how this project will evolve in the future, and I greatly appreciate your ongoing support.

Before bidding farewell, I'd like to address some comments received about the previous chapter.

Currently, my focus is on how Mei will confront her ancestor. I've meticulously laid the groundwork for the next chapter, which I've been eager to share with all of you for some time. I caution that future reading will be marked by individual responsibility to avoid spoilers from my other works or to discover past projects that, for various reasons, I abandoned or put on hold on my computer.

I sincerely appreciate your words and reviews. For now, I bid farewell as KaleidoMirror, but we'll meet again in the next update!