"I've enjoyed this tea party of ours."
Furina carefully set down her now empty tea cup and looked out the window. It was around noon.
Eventually, a small smile appeared on her face.
"Aether, Paimon, Y/n, thank you all for such a memorable moment."
Aether and Paimon smiled back at Furina as Paimon nodded,
"Mhm!~ This was really fun! We should do it again sometime!"
Furina then looked at you, who was currently taking a sip of your tea.
"Yes, we should."
Although you didn't talk much, Furina still felt a little curious about you.
Just what were you really like under that facade?
Even though Furina wanted to know, she decided to keep quiet.
After all, everyone has their reasons for the way they act, right?
"Well, I should be getting home now."
Furina pushed out her chair and got up.
"Thanks once again for the tea and dessert. It tasted good."
Aether got up from his seat as Paimon stretched.
"Ugh, Paimon doesn't know why, but she feels more exhausted than usual!"
"..."
You placed down your teacup as you looked down at your half-eaten cake.
It tasted sweet and delicious, yet you couldn't bring yourself to finish it.
How odd...
"Uh, Y/n. Are you okay? You seem to be spacing out more than usual."
You felt a sharp pain shoot up in your head and found your vision getting blurry
"I'm fine. I just need some air."
You got up from your seat and walked out of the kitchen.
"!!!"
Aether and Paimon stood there with their mouths agape.
That was the most you've ever spoken to them!!
Without even realizing it, Furina followed after you, leaving the travelling pair behind.
All Paimon and Aether could do was stare at each other, flabbergasted.
-
You walked to the far end of the island in the teapot and sat down. This was the first time you went outside on your own.
You didn't know why, but eating sweets brought a sense of familiarity that you just can't quite pinpoint.
"Did the cake make you feel sick?"
Furina walked towards you and stood next to you. She didn't sit down, though.
"No."
"..."
Furina looked down at you as your attention was directed towards the water.
Just like her, you clearly had a lot on your mind.
"You feel lost, don't you?"
"....I do.."
"..."
Just by looking at you, Furina could tell that something was bothering you. A lot.
Eventually, Furina sighed and sat down next to you.
Although it was getting late, she couldn't just leave you here alone.
"Even though I am not good at comforting someone, I'll try. So, what is it that is on your mind?"
The light breeze moved the leaves and grass and gently touched you and Furina's face, giving you both a comfortable feeling.
"I.. can't remember. My memories, they're all gone.."
"Ah, so you're suffering from memory loss.."
Furina watched the water sway with the wind with you, but she made sure not to get too close to the water.
She thought about what you said.
So, while she was trying to forget, you were trying to remember...
She wondered if, if she were to lose all of her memories right now, would she become like you?
Would she try so hard to remember the painful memories?
The memories of her suffering all my herself, weeping every night?
Pretending to be someoneshe wasn't...?
Even though she wanted to say no, she knew that she would.
This is because this was all meant to happen...
"..."
Furina suddenly stood up from the ground and confidently put her hands on her hip.
She smiled at the sky above as if challenging whoever was up there.
Even though the floating island wasn't currently visible, maybe she was challenging Celestia itself!
She already fooled them once, so she could do it again, right?
The sunlight shone brightly on her, making it look as if she was glowing.
She promised herself that she won't go on stage anymore, yet without realizing it, she managed to look as if she was on stage.
You looked up at her. For the first time, an emotion showed up on your face.
Without even trying, she managed to captivate someone in her audience.
You. You were mesmerized.
Your face... It held pure admiration for the former hydro archon, Furina.
"...Here."
"Hm?"
Furina looked down at you when she heard your voice.
She was met with a small plastic bag in her hands, filled with cookies.
She hesitantly took the bag, and after studying it for a few seconds, she recognized these cookies.
These were the ones Neuvillette used to give her.
"Ah, thank you. I'm suspecting that Neuvillette asked you to deliver me these, right?"
You nodded.
You avoided looking at her because you didn't want her to see the amount of admiration you held for her.
Furina looked at you confused but sat back down next to you.
Even though you weren't looking at her, you knew that she was opening the bag of cookies.
"Here, take one."
"..."
You turned your head.
Your face luckily went back to normal.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am!"
"..."
You looked at the bag of cookies and hesitantly took one.
Furina threw one in her mouth as you studied the cookie.
You've seen these before. What were they called again?
Ah, yes, Macrons.
You put it close to your mouth and bit it.
Sweet. Not as sweet as the cake, but you still tasted the sugary taste of the cookie.
...
How odd.
...
This time, you didn't feel that horrible feeling when you ate the cake.
This was more of a welcoming feeling, like a feeling you get when someone finally listens to you.
Like... your voice was heard.
It felt like you could finish that half-eaten cake back in the house.
You looked at the macron you bit into and then at Furina.
Half the bag of Macrons was already gone. She was probably on her tenth.
Realizing that you were looking at her, Furina swallowed the cookie and directed her attention towards you.
"What is it?"
A small and barely noticeable smile appeared on your face.
"I.. enjoy talking with you."