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Her footsteps, her laughs, her smiles, or simply the way she looks at the world was never meant to come back. Yuuko Ichihara my beloved mentor and friend was no longer in this time. She was gone wasn't she? But through chances and surprises she was back and in my life and I've never felt happier.

So e ing's wr ng.

No, nothing's wrong Yuuko is Yuuko and she's back but still.

"Watanuki! Be a dear and whip up some snacks will you? I'm dying over here" the constant whine of Yuuko badgered.

"Sure but with the constant snacking don't get mad at me if you hurt your stomach again." I replied and upon noticing the black plush doll hurriedly said, "Mokona! Quit it with the booze already. It'll be a bit before Doumeki can shop for us again"

"Awww fine" Mokona said in defeat and with a sigh dropped the sake bottle leaving a mess for me to clean up.

T i gs ar di f rent.

The days since Yuuko's return played just like this. The nonchalant carefree atmosphere in the wish granting shop occured on a daily basis and I enjoyed every bit of it. Everything seems right but I can't help but feel weird. It's probably those weird sea urchins Yuuko made me try. I swear that woman will be the death of me.

"Watanuki! Watanuki! Come play with us" Maru and Moro exclaimed with harmonized unision.

"Sure what would you like to play?" Maru and Moro have always been so full of childish innocence but over the years I've found them to be as mysterious as their mistress.

"Hide - and-" Maru started.

"-Seek!" Moro finished. The siblings giggled while looking up at Watanuki with beady eyes.

"Alright I'll play"

I closed my eyes "1 - 2 - 3..." and allowed Maru and Moro 1 minute to finish hiding. I searched the western styled room around a corner Maru normally hides by. No luck. I headed over to the kitchen where Moro loves to hide around the counter. Still no luck.

Not m nt to be here

After a long agonizing 10 minutes of locating the girls the last place I checked was Yuuko's old room. I haven't been here in awhile and while I knew the contents of the room by heart I was overwhelmed with an indescribably horrid feeling as I reached for the sliding door's knob. What I saw next left me breathless.

A beautiful purple kimono with butterflies and a black sash was displayed by Yuuko's bed. This kimono it can't be. I've seen it somewhere before but I can't remember where. I found myself gasping for air as it seems my lungs were collapsing and my heart breaking to many pieces. Why? Why is this happening.

"Y-Yuuko! help me!" everything became a blur as I was swallowed in the abyss of despair. Tears streamed uncontrollably from my face and I couldn't make sense of what was happening.

Long slender arms reached out to aid me and pulled me to an embrace.