Aria of the Planetes

~A Time not Remembered~

Three girls continue on, searching for companions they hardly remember. All three harbor doubts, but also know what they must do. Step by step they shall continue. The road they take is slow and dangerous, but even so they will continue. For the feeling inside that refuses to let them quit. For the friends they are sure they have. Also, for a future they can't see and a past they can't remember.

"And... Found them!" 

Aria whisks around instantly, throwing her arm in front of Miku and Kokone.

"Remember me?" The girl standing before them asks. Miku could never forget. None of them could. Not those dark yellow eyes that had flashed among all the screams and smoke.

"Mayu." Aria speaks the name her two companions are to scared to say. "What do you want?" The light blonde is prepared to fight.

Mayu laughs. "No worries, no worries. I was only bored." she says. "I see that you've found Kokone already?" She giggles. "Going smoothly, isn't it?"

Aria's eyes narrow. "Where is Tei?"

"Sukone?" Mayu asks. "She's with Kyoko right now."

Once again Aria can feel that little pain in her heart when she hears Kyoko's name. "Why are you here, then?"

Mayu's eyes flash dangerously and she leans in close. "Didn't I just tell you? I'm ve-ry bored." Elongating the two words, she taps each syllable out with her finger.

Aria flinches but doesn't back away when Mayu leans in close. Compared to Kyoko it's nothing. The fear that strikes her heart every time she even thinks -- let alone sees -- Kyoko is so much greater than any other fear she's ever felt.

Backing away with a satisfied smile Mayu asks, "Would you like a hint?"

"A hint?" Miku asks, finding her voice.

"Yes!" Mayu grins. "About where the next one is. She'll be a bit harder to find so I thought I'd help you out."

"What's the price?" Kokone asks. Mayu looks towards her and blinks. "I'm sure there's a price for your help."

"Nope." Mayu shook her head, causing her hair to fly around her a bit. "I'm feeling nice today! Bet that makes you happy." She turns and begins to walk away, and the three girls knew she wanted them to follow.

Although hesitant, Aria begins to follow her, the other two following suit after a moment. No one spoke, but Miku fidgeted ever so slightly, helping Aria to slow her heart, which had been beating slightly faster than usual.

"Hey, Mayu." Kokone says.

"Yeah?" Mayu asks over her shoulder.

"Why would you help us?"

"Why?" Mayu echoes. "Haven't I told you already?"

"No, you haven't." Kokone says. "I can tell. What are you hiding? Are you leading us into a trap?"

Mayu pauses and turns around to face her. "Am I leading you into a trap?" She repeats. Suddenly she laughs. "You should just be grateful for my help, brat."

Kokone doesn't flinch even once when Mayu steps towards her. "Then what is your reason?" she asks, looking Mayu straight in the eyes. "You're bored? In a good mood? Don't give me that crap."

Mayu stops, just inches away from Kokone's face. "You're a smart one." she says. "Imagine what would've happened if the experiment succeeded." She adds quietly, and something flashes across Kokone's face. Aria notices it also. If the experiment succeeded... Meaning the experiments haven't succeeded yet. Aria thinks. What are they aiming for?