It's always been you

The Future

~Flashback~

"You killed Karen, your owner?"

"Spirits who kill their master cannot return to the Spirit World. I will now start to disappear. In front of her grave..."

"But, that's..."

"It all started three years ago..."

~~~~~~~

"Sorry, I'm heading to the spa now. You be good boys and run home now."

"Oh, Karen my dear, you're back?"

"If I must... Gate of the Ram, I open thee! Aries!" Karen said

A girl with pink hair curled at the bottom, horns and lamb-like clothes appeared

"Um... Did you call me? I'm sorry..."

"Do me a favor and keep them company, 'kay?"

"B-But, I... I'm sorry! I'm not a spirit for entertaining men, though..."

"Are you disobeying my orders, huh?"

"I'm sorry!"

"Honestly, when a spirit starts talking back to her master... What's the world coming to?"

"Karen, deary... Don't go treating your spirits so badly."

"I'm free to use my property as I see fit, aren't I?"

"Little Aries seems like she's suffering. Like when you used her as a shield to block the opposing wizard's attack..."

"Suffering? Spirits don't have feelings like that. They're just tools."

"Karen" Master Bob says looking angry, "Spirits are living things, too! Treat them poorly, and you'll be the one suffering next!"

~inside with Karen and Aries~

*Smack*

"Don't bring your petty grievance to the master!"

"No! I didn't say a thing! I'm sorry..."

"Making Master Bob angry at me is no laughing matter!"

"I-I didn't... I'm sorry..."

"Playing innocent, are you?"

"What are you doing?"

"As punishment, I will have you stay in the human world for seven days."

"Seven days? But you don't have that sort of magical power, Madama Karen. I'm sorry!"

"I wouldn't underestimate me if I were you. You'd do better to worry about yourself. I wonder what'll happen to a spirit that stays in the human world for seven days? I'm curious..."

"P-Please stop... I'm sorry...!" She said puffing away

"Running away? It's no use! I'll call you back as many times as it takes!" Then a hand grabs her

"You're wrong. I forcibly switched places with her."

"You..."

"Let it go, Karen."

"Leo, the Lion."

~~~~~~~~~

"That's how I was back then. Aries and I were both bound by contract to Karen."