Forgotten Dreamer 4

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Mana's eyes felt very heavy and yet they wanted her to open them. She felt her head weightily resting on a soft and fluffy surface. The first thing she saw was a black ceiling then a small gold chandelier.

Muttered voices were heard when she started to regain consciousness. She slowly turned her head to the sound. She let out a whimper as her weak body stirred.

"Hibiki-san," A person said, her eyes pointing to Mana.

Tricolore looked at Mana's half-awake state. Fuwari walked to the sofa and stirred Mana to sit down properly. She poured some water into a glass and then offered it to her.

Mana's hand froze when she reached out for it - she finally realized the situation she was in. Her eyebrow furrowed to the glass as her mind recalled what happened. Her heart pounded faster and tears prickled her eyes. She was not ready for what was about to happen.

Of course, Tricolore immediately noticed the girl stiffen composure. And it just added more questions.

Mana reluctantly took the glass and sipped down little water like they were the biggest lump in her throat while trying to delay the inevitable. She rested her hand on her lap, trying not to break the glass with her shaking hands.

Silence covered the room. Everyone was calculating what they should say or do in this situation.

Falulu was the first one who dared to ask, "Laala, right?"

Mana was frozen silent, not giving them any answers. Falulu thought that she should give her new (or old) friend an explanation.

"Your performance was amazing," she said softly, "It reminds me of your debut performance; your prism voice was echoing throughout the venue, I'm sure the audience was entranced by your singing."

Mana shifted her eyes to Falulu. But her eyes were being pulled by the daggering gaze from Hibiki. She was reading her (and unintentionally scaring her) making Mana look back down.

Fuwari glared at Hibiki to stop whatever she was doing. Hibiki raised her hands and stepped back letting her teammates handle it - for now.

But what should they do? Fuwari wasn't sure what to say to her old friend whom she just met.

"Why did you do that?" Mana spoke up.

The three of them looked at her, surprised that she had finally made a sound.

"Why did you have to go around and find out?" Mana's shoulder was trembling, "I am perfectly fine and content with what I have. I'm living happily with my friends. Can't you just leave me be?"

It felt like Hibiki was looking at her past reflection. She's sick of it. "Do you know what I hate most? Lies." she said sternly, yet soft enough if you know that she care, "You kept on lying to yourself and those around you. Pretending to live happily ever after while deep down you know you've committed something unforgivable. The illusion of your perfect little world will falter and I'm sure your companions are starting to see it."

Oh, how hard it was to hold herself from crying. "Look, I've learned a lot from those three, and I've realized that I made the biggest mistake of my life," she confessed, "But it's impossible to go back now," tears hung from her eyes as she gripped her dress, "Besides, I like my new life now and I don't want to go back."

"What mistake? What did you do that made everyone forget about you? And what do you mean by impossible?"

She took a shaky breath and recite, "There's one way to erase your place, but there's a price to be paid - Break the first gift from the system then by all you'll be forgotten - Though this act proceeds and done, you can't escape what's in front - If one wishes to turn back time, one must outshine the divine."

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