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𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚃𝚠𝚘: 𝙰 𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚕

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 1381

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Chapter Two: A Trapped Soul

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"Does the tea fit my friend's taste?"

"I love it so much, Ai!" Your smile could almost reach the heavens for how much you enjoyed the tea party that happens once in a blue moon. A small round table that's field with snacks and a teapot that never runs out of refreshments. On a small occasion such as this... can bring the most memorable time for the both of you.

You raised your cup, pulling it over to touch your lips and have a sip of it's goodness. Ai was always the best when it comes to brewing tea. Not even you, can take that title from her.

"Why can't we do this often?" You brought out a suggestion with a smile. For the longest time, the arranged tea party was only held for sixteen times which wasn't a lot. But, it was enough for you to anticipate everytime.

Guess, you're a big party person. You just love hanging out with your friends and chatting. Catching up with each other was the best part of it all. Before, you used to attend big birthday parties and dance with your peers. You ate a lot of sweet and you can recall the happiness— that you felt?

Something seems off, as you kept pondering. The earliest memory you had, is in this abyss. You never knew anything else, and that memory of a colorful and messy place was not the world you're used to. What big birthday parties are you talking about? You have never been into such a place. "Fushigina?"

"Yes?" Your head flung upwards as she called your name. "Does my friend not like the snacks I prepared?"

"No.. They're delicious." You forced a  short chuckle, hurriedly drinking from your cup. You haven't even taken a single bite at any of the snacks, yet she asked that question. "Then, is something bothering my friend?"

"Nothing. I just remembered something." You tried to brush off the memory you weren't even aware of.

What kind of nonsense were you talking about? Big birthday parties? Dancing with peers? It almost makes you believe that the divine existence above forgot to erase the memories of your past life. There was no way of you knowing another world. In this life, it's only you and Ai. You have lived here since the beginning, and you never questioned this fate.

"Oh.. remembered.." Ai repeated your words with a smile and chose not to question anymore. She continued on sipping her tea while looking into the void, as if there's more to see than a blank space.

For the past few days, you felt yourself getting weirder. Even you can't control the feeling within you. It's like something inside is wanting to come out... like they've been held back, and this was their only chance of escaping. You hated this feeling the most.

"Ai.." You called for her in desperation. There was something boggling with your mind, and there's nobody who'll listen but her. "Yes?"

"I keep having weird sensations. You know, those moments where I suddenly become emotional? It's like something's trapped in here." You placed your hand near my chest, where your heart was located. It somehow felt comforting holding onto it. "I keep getting confused.."

"Being held back..."

"Huh?" You heard her response the clearest, but it doesn’t make any sense. What does she mean by that? "My friend, you must be tired. Why don't we stop the tea party for now and let you get some rest." She smiled angelically. As per usual, she'll give you a comforting  expression. But you can differentiate what's the truth and what's not. For the longest time that you've spent with her. Ai's mouth curles downwards whenever she forces a smile out. She would always intentionally hide her eyes with her bangs. Her long strands dyed in a red shade slowly became less saturated.