Living… was a curious word.
People talked about it as if it were something natural, like breathing or walking. They said that everyone could live their own way, choose their paths, find reasons, create dreams.
As if it were that simple.
As if all it took was… wanting.
Akari never really understood that.
For her, living always seemed more… distant. Something that existed for others but never truly reached her. Like trying to hold something you can't touch, like listening to a song whose sound never fully arrives.
"How funny…" she murmured, her low voice carried away by the wind. "They say you can live however you want…"
She tilted her face slightly, as if trying to find something in the emptiness before her.
"…but what about when you're not capable of living the way you want?"
The silence didn't answer. It never answered.
Akari kept her eyes open, fixed, even though she wasn't really focusing on anything. No matter how much she insisted, how much she kept them that way — open, attentive, waiting — all that was there was the same as always.
Darkness.
A constant, dense, infinite darkness before her.
It wasn't fear or anything like that.
It was just… emptiness.
"Maybe… living is just that," she continued. "Continuing… even without understanding why."
The wind blew stronger at that moment, tousling her hair and making the fabric of her clothes flap against her body. Instinctively, Akari raised her arm to protect her face.
"It's really windy today…"
She carefully adjusted her footing, feeling the surface beneath her soles, recognizing every small detail with the precision of someone who had learned to trust all their senses except their own eyes.
She felt a small concrete wall beneath her hands.
And soon after, the emptiness just beyond.
With a slow, calculated movement, she swung one leg over the low wall, sitting on the edge. The wind seemed stronger there, freer, as if it wanted to push her or call to her.
Akari took a deep breath.
"I have to be quick… before someone gets to the roof."
Her fingers lightly gripped the rough edge beside her, as if that were the last point of contact with something solid.
Then the wind shifted.
It began to grow stronger and strangely turbulent.
Akari tightened her grip on the wall as the wind battered against her.
"Why did the weather turn so suddenly…?"
A sound came right after.
A tear in the air. A deep, distorted noise, like something being forcibly pulled.
And then—
THUMP
Something fell.
The impact echoed across the school rooftop, heavy enough to make the floor vibrate beneath her feet.
Akari froze.
Her heart raced, and for a second, her mind went completely blank.
"W-who…?"
Before she could react, a voice echoed in the background.
"Ugh… Pom-Pom's head hurts…" the unfamiliar voice complained, clearly dazed. "Mem, Pom-Pom told you to be careful with the landing…"
A soft sound replied, almost like a gentle little echo.
"…Memi…"
Akari held her breath.
"Hah… but thanks," the voice continued, now a bit more relieved. "If you hadn't cushioned the fall, I'd be in much worse shape right now. Are you okay?"
"…Mem… Memi."
"Great, great…" there was a brief silence, followed by a light shuffling of footsteps. "But… where are we? This doesn't look like—"
"Who's there?!"
Akari's voice came out louder than she intended, laced with a nervousness she couldn't hide.
Quickly, she backed away from the edge entirely and, with hurried movements, felt around until she found her guide cane leaning against the wall.
Her fingers recognized it immediately.
She gripped it tightly.
"Oh! Hello! Could you—"
"S-sorry!" she interrupted, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I didn't see you there, I'm leaving right now, I wasn't doing anything, I—"
Her heart was beating too fast. Fast enough to suffocate any rational thought.
"They saw."
The idea repeated in her mind like an alarm.
"They saw."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned in the direction she knew by heart and started walking quickly, the cane tapping the floor ahead of her in haste, guiding each step.
Her breathing was short and uneven.
"They were students. They had to be. What if they saw me there… in that position…"
The thought struck her like a punch. Her chest began to rise and fall more violently, air escaping in hot, ragged bursts.
"No."
"No."
"No."
"Where were the stairs…?"
A few more steps.
A little further.
The cane touched something different.
The change in texture.
The opening.
There.
Akari didn't stop to think twice. She adjusted her direction and advanced rapidly, practically fleeing, leaving behind the unfamiliar voices… and everything that had almost happened.
----------------------------------------
The roof fell silent once again.
The wind was still blowing strong as the stairwell door swayed gently after the girl's hasty exit, creaking at irregular intervals.
"…What was that about?" the small voice that had been complaining earlier now sounded more confused.
Rising with some effort, the figure straightened his impeccable uniform, though it was slightly disheveled from the fall. Pom-Pom, the peculiar-looking little conductor, dusted off his coat with dignity, as if that were more important than the fact that he had just plummeted from the sky.
His hat remained firmly in place, almost miraculously so.
"Pom-Pom was only trying to ask for help…" he murmured, frowning, clearly offended by the sudden escape. "There was no need to panic like that."
He turned his gaze to the side.
There, floating a few inches off the ground, was his companion. Small, ethereal, with a body of soft, rounded pink fur that seemed to emit a gentle, almost comforting presence—in total contrast to the strange surroundings.
"Mem?"
The little creature tilted its body slightly.
"…Mem…"
The sound came out low, laden with doubt.
Pom-Pom sighed, bringing one paw to his forehead.
"Either way, that doesn't matter now," he said, resuming his more serious demeanor. "We need to find the others!"
He cast a brief glance at the sky, as if hoping to find answers there.
"That wormhole…" he continued, rubbing his fluffy chin, deep in thought. "It appeared out of nowhere, directly in the train's path. There was no time to evade… If it brought us here, it's likely the others came too."
Without wasting time, he walked to the edge of the roof, his steps steady despite the height. He stopped near the edge, leaning forward slightly to get a better view of the landscape ahead.
"Hmm…"
The wind blew against him, gently swaying his long ears.
His eyes scanned the horizon.
Buildings.
Streets.
Movement.
Everything ordinary, yet… strangely different.
"Pom-Pom have seen many worlds…" he murmured. "But Pom-Pom have no idea where we are."
Behind him, Mem didn't seem to share the same concern.
Floating back and forth, she moved across the roof with light motions, searching for any of their companions who might have also fallen with them—small detours, brief pauses…
Until, suddenly, she stopped.
Her body went still in the air.
"…Mem?"
She had noticed something.
It wasn't visible.
Nor audible.
But there was a residue there.
Her expression shifted slightly.
The calm air from before gave way to a small discomfort. Instinctively, she brought her paws to her face, retreating a little.
"…M—Mem…!"
It was an accumulation.
Emotions left behind.
Fragmented.
Disorganized.
Sadness.
Loneliness.
Weariness.
Everything mixed together, without clear form.
Mem trembled slightly.
She didn't fully understand.
But that… was there.
And then—
Something specific stood out amidst that residue.
An emotion stronger than all the others.
So intense it seemed to cut through the rest.
Her eyes widened.
"…Mem…!"
"Mem?"
Pom-Pom approached, noticing the abrupt change in his companion.
"Did you find something? Any sign of the others?"
But Mem didn't answer.
Her body was already moving again, slow and uncertain at first, but then more decisive the next moment.
She turned towards the stairwell door.
Following the trail of emotions as if being pulled.
"Hey, wait—!"
Pom-Pom reached out a hand, but it was too late. Mem had already advanced, moving through the space with unusual urgency.
He stood still for a second, clearly torn.
He looked at the sky.
Then at the city.
Then at the door.
"…This is unusual."
He sighed.
And began to follow after her.
"Mem, don't go off like that! This place is still unknown, we need to proceed with caution—!"
----------------------------------------
The sound of the school gate opening echoed softly, mingling with the constant movement of footsteps and voices. Akari passed through it as she always did: without drawing attention, without interrupting anyone, simply… existing within the crowd.
Her cane tapped the ground with a steady rhythm, finding the tactile paving under her feet.
She let out a heavy sigh.
"That was…" she murmured to herself, her voice almost swallowed by the noise of the street.
She gripped the handle of her cane lightly.
"Someone saw me on the roof…"
The thought returned, persistent.
Her breathing was shorter than usual, and her shoulders remained tense, as if at any moment, she expected someone to call her name.
"Idiot…" she whispered, frowning. "I should have… paid more attention…"
Her free hand went up to her hair, trying to remove something stuck there. Her fingers found the sticky surface of a chewy candy.
She pulled.
Nothing.
She pulled again, harder, only to feel a slight tug.
"…Ah…"
She gave up for a moment, letting her hand fall to her side.
The wind on the street was different from the wind on the roof. Softer, carrying voices, hurried footsteps, laughter that wasn't meant for her.
Even with people passing by around her… it was like walking alone.
It had always been like this.
Behind her, a few meters back, two figures followed at a distance.
"Mem, Pom-Pom still don't get what we're doing."
Pom-Pom adjusted his hat as he walked, trying to keep pace — or rather, trying not to completely lose sight of the little floating creature ahead of him.
"We're… following that girl?"
He looked ahead, towards Akari, then back at Mem.
"That is, technically, highly indecent behavior."
"…Mem."
The response came simply, completely ignoring his concern.
"Mem isn't a valid answer," he replied, crossing his arms for a moment as he continued walking. "This kind of behavior falls under… what was the word…? Stalking?"
As they walked down the street, they drew stares from the people around them.
Whispers.
Some of the passersby slowed down.
Others stopped completely.
"Hey… is that a costume?" someone whispered.
"So cute…" a girl commented, bringing her hands to her face. "Look at his little hat!"
"And that other one… floating?!" another pointed discreetly.
Pom-Pom didn't seem to notice.
Or perhaps he simply didn't consider it relevant, since he was already used to people making comments about him, just like his passengers.
But then—
Tap
Something touched the top of his hat.
"Hm?"
He turned immediately, coming face to face with a small group of girls, smiling and visibly excited.
"Hello~! You're so cute in that costume!" one of them said, excited. "Can we take a picture with you?"
Pom-Pom blinked a few times, clearly trying to process the situation.
"Costume…?"
He repeated, confused.
But he quickly straightened his posture automatically the next second.
"Hmm. Well, Pom-Pom assumes that a brief interaction won't be a problem—"
He didn't get to finish the sentence as another group approached.
Then another.
And another.
"Wait, let me take a selfie too!"
"Can I touch the ears?"
"Look at this, everyone!"
Hands.
So many hands.
Petting and gently pulling at his ears without his permission.
Adjusting his hat.
Touching him.
"W-wait—! Careful! This is part of Pom-Pom's official uniform of the—"
More people.
More folks.
"How adorable!"
"Is it, like, a mascot?"
"Don't push!"
"I was here first!"
Pom-Pom started to back away, but there was no space.
"O-one moment! Please maintain a proper distance from Pom-Pom!"
His voice began to get lost in the chaos.
"Mem! Help!!"
Across the street, Mem stopped following her path.
She turned slowly, only to see the little conductor being completely swallowed by a crowd.
"Memi!"
She didn't hesitate to float back.
Some people noticed her approach.
"Look! There's another one!"
"It's a little floating creature?!"
"Grab it!"
The group stepped forward, but in the blink of an eye—
Puff
Mem vanished.
"Huh?"
"Where'd it go?"
"Disappeared?!"
Puff
She reappeared a few meters ahead, ignoring the confused group behind her.
She reached the crowd and vanished again before colliding with it.
And then, in the middle of the crowd—
Puff
The next second, Mem was holding and lifting Pom-Pom into the air.
Removing him from the crowd below.
"O-OH—?!"
And without giving time for anything else, she shot off.
"Wait! Come back here!"
"They're getting away!"
Mem darted forward rapidly, weaving through smaller streets and narrowly avoiding some people she encountered along the way. Pom-Pom, carried for a few seconds, was soon set down on the ground as they found a clear street.
"Pom-Pom is profoundly grateful—!" he said, panting, trying to catch his breath. "But what was wrong with those people?! It's as if they'd never seen—"
He looked back.
And the crowd was still coming after them.
"…anything like Pom-Pom."
"Mem!"
Mem shot ahead.
Pom-Pom ran after her, his little legs working at their limit.
"Wait! Don't go so fast—!"
She turned a corner.
Then another.
Reaching the end of a street and, without warning, went up the wall and over the house.
"W-What—?!"
Pom-Pom stopped, panting.
"That's not… fair…"
Muttering, he went around the house, trying to reach the same point.
"You need to consider Pom-Pom's physical limitations when plotting escape routes—!"
He ran around the corner, only to be pulled to the side.
"HUH—?!"
Before he could react, Mem dragged him into an alleyway.
The crowd ran right past the entrance, rushing without noticing where they had gone.
Pom-Pom slid to the ground, sitting right there.
"Pom-Pom… is exhausted…"
He took a few deep breaths before getting back up.
"Honestly… what was that about?"
He lifted his gaze.
"They acted like they'd never seen anything like Pom-Pom… like Pom-Pom was some kind of great, great find…"
A pause.
His eyes sparkled slightly.
"Ah! Maybe Pom-Pom famous on this planet!"
He turned to Mem, almost excited.
"What do you think?"
"…Memi."
The response came uncertain and without enthusiasm.
Mem walked past him, stopping at the entrance of the alley and looked around to confirm the path was clear.
Seeing that it was, she stepped out to resume her path.
She needed to continue on her way.
Something was still pulling her.
Pom-Pom soon stepped out of the alley as well to follow her.
"Wait for Pom-Pom!" he called, hurrying his pace to catch up. "You really need to work on your communication, you know?!"
After a few minutes of following Mem through increasingly quiet streets, they stopped.
Pom-Pom put his hands on his knees for a moment, catching his breath before looking up.
Ahead of them stood a simple house. Small, unassuming, with a low gate and a modest yard.
He blinked.
"…Mem?"
He turned to her, confused.
"Why exactly are we here?"
Mem didn't answer and simply went through the gate as if it were nothing.
"W-wait—!"
Pom-Pom reached out to stop her, but it was too late.
"MEM! That's breaking and entering—!"
He hurried to the gate, hesitating for a second before also entering with short, quick steps, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
"We can't just walk into people's houses like this!"
While he was still speaking, Mem was already in front of the door.
Puff
She disappeared.
Pom-Pom froze.
His eyes widened in a nearly comical way.
"M-MEM!"
For a moment, everything was silent until a clicking sound came from inside.
The door opened slowly, and Mem appeared floating just behind the doorknob, turning to him casually.
"Memi!"
Pom-Pom put a hand to his forehead.
"No… no, this isn't right…"
"Mem."
"There are rules that Pom-Pom and Mem must follow! Proper procedures for requesting entry—"
"Memi."
A long pause followed between them before Pom-Pom sighed deeply.
"…Pom-Pom will log this as an emergency exception."
With that, he entered.
His steps were cautious, almost ceremonial, as if expecting to be scolded at any second. He closed the door carefully behind him, avoiding any unnecessary noise, and then leaned slightly towards Mem.
"Pom-Pom would really appreciate a plausible explanation for why he is breaking and ente—"
His words died as he turned, only to come face-to-face with a cane raised just a few centimeters from his face.
Standing in the middle of the hallway was Akari, her breathing uneven and her body tense.
"Who's there?!" Her voice came out shaky, but firm enough not to sound weak. "G-get out of my house!"
She swung the cane from side to side without precise direction.
Pom-Pom ducked reflexively, narrowly avoiding the first strike.
"O-Oh—!"
Another strike.
He stepped back.
One more.
And then, with few options left, he quickly ducked under her, escaping to the other side of the hallway.
"Please, wait!" he said, trying to maintain his composure even after almost being hit repeatedly. "Pom-Pom can explain—"
Behind him, Mem was still within the cane's reach.
Puff
The cane cut through the air.
"Mem!"
Puff
Another strike.
"Memi!"
Puff
She would disappear and reappear, dodging all the cane strikes with ease, but clearly concerned.
"Mem!"
"Please, calm down!" Pom-Pom raised his voice enough to be heard, but without aggression. "Pom-Pom apologizes for the intrusion! This wasn't… entirely planned!"
Silence fell as soon as Akari stopped her strikes.
Her uneven breathing was the only thing audible.
"…That voice…"
She muttered.
Slowly, she turned her body towards an indeterminate direction.
The cane was raised again… but now it pointed uncertainly, slightly offset from the correct direction.
"You…" she said, hesitantly, "are you the same one from the rooftop…? Why are you here? Who are you?"
"O-Okay!" he replied, regaining some of his usual formality. "Allow Pom-Pom to introduce himself properly."
Pom-Pom straightened his posture automatically, even in that situation.
"I am the conductor of the Astral Express, Pom-Pom~!" He made a small dramatic pause before turning to Mem. "And this is Mem."
"M-Mem?!" she responded immediately, in a tone that sounded almost indignant at such a simple introduction.
Akari remained silent for a moment.
Her shoulders relaxed… just a little, but the tension didn't disappear completely.
"Astral… what?" she asked, confused, still trying to understand. "Wormhole… what are you talking about?"
Pom-Pom nodded slightly.
"Ah! The Astral Express is a biiig interstellar train that serves as—"
"Is this some kind of joke?" she interrupted, her tone firmer now. "You break into someone's house and start talking nonsense…?"
Pom-Pom hesitated.
"Pom-Pom apologizes again. Breaking in wasn't part of the original plan. At least, not Pom-Pom's plan," he said, shooting a brief glance at Mem. "But Pom-Pom is telling the truth. Pom-Pom and Mem were brought here by an anomalous phenomenon and don't recognize this place."
"That's a lie!" Akari replied, shaking her head slightly. "There's no such thing! Now get out of my hous—"
She bumped into the wall as she took a step forward.
Her balance faltered, and her body tilted.
"C-Careful!"
Mem quickly floated to her side and held her.
Pom-Pom came right after, supporting her from below.
The two small forces preventing her from falling.
Akari froze as she felt the small paws holding her. They were small, soft, and warm…
"…What…?"
Mem's little paws rested on her arm.
And Pom-Pom's supported her side.
It was all different from anything she had felt before.
Slowly, she moved her hand down until she found Pom-Pom's hat.
Her fingers traced the firm surface as she leaned down, her fingers exploring the shapes, contours, details. The long ears. The small, soft body. The watch tucked into the pocket—
"Careful!" Pom-Pom reacted immediately. "That is an item for professional use!"
Akari pulled back a little.
"S-sorry…"
But she didn't stop, continuing to map out Pom-Pom with her hands.
Trying to understand what was in front of her.
"…Why…" Pom-Pom murmured, more quietly, clearly bothered, "do all the people in this world feel the need to touch Pom-Pom…?"
"Sorry…" she apologized once more, removing her hands from him. "I can't see."
"Ah?"
"I'm blind."
The sentence landed simply and directly, but heavily.
Pom-Pom went quiet.
Mem did too.
Akari continued, now softer:
"Are you two okay?" she asked, frowning slightly. "Those people… they didn't hurt you, did they?"
Pom-Pom adjusted his hat.
"Pom-Pom and Mem managed to evade them. The situation was… messy, but Pom-Pom wasn't hurt."
"Mem…"
Mem approached, gently taking Akari's hand and guiding it to her fluffy cheek.
A request for her to feel her, too.
Akari hesitated for a second… but soon yielded to the extremely soft and smooth texture.
It was almost like touching a cloud.
The upright ears.
The small tail.
She squeezed gently.
"…cute…" she murmured, almost without realizing.
Mem let out a satisfied sound.
"Memi!"
Akari kept her hands close together for a few seconds after letting go of Mem, as if she were still processing the recent sensations.
Her body, which had been tense before, now seemed slightly lighter.
"…You must be telling the truth," she finally said, in a calmer tone, though still laced with caution. "I mean… you two are really… different."
She tilted her head slightly.
"And that was probably why those people were after you. Here… there aren't any beings like you."
Pom-Pom blinked, clearly confused.
"Pom-Pom requests a more detailed explanation."
Akari let out a small sigh.
"I'll explain… but—" she turned her body slightly, feeling the space around her "let's go to the living room. Talking in the hallway isn't… very comfortable."
Without waiting for a reply, she began to walk.
Her cane tapped the floor once… twice… guiding her steps carefully. Even though she knew the way, she still ran her free hand over a few surfaces, confirming positions and avoiding mistakes.
Mem floated beside her, silent.
Pom-Pom followed on her other side, observing.
And it was impossible not to notice the messy environment.
He made a slight, almost involuntary grimace.
"Pom-Pom feels the need to comment that…" he said, looking around with some discomfort "this environment exhibits high levels of disorganization."
Akari paused for a second.
Her shoulders hunched slightly.
"…Sorry," she replied, not defensively, just tired. "I clean… every now and then."
She resumed walking.
"But it's hard… the way I am."
Her hand ran along a wall, guiding herself.
"So… I end up cleaning rarely."
She continued walking until she reached the living room. The space was simple, with tatami mats on the floor and a low table in the center.
"And… I don't usually have visitors," she added, almost as a justification. "So… it's not like I was prepared for this."
Carefully, she knelt down near the table, her knees touching the tatami, and placed her hands in front of her.
"You can… make yourselves comfortable," she said, with a small gesture. "I want to hear more about you. My name is Akari Hoshino, and feel free to call me Akari."
She tilted her head slightly.
"And… sorry for almost hurting you earlier."
Pom-Pom adjusted his hat.
"It wasn't Akari's fault!" he replied promptly. "Pom-Pom and Mem intruded into the residence without formal authorization. The reaction was… understandable."
"I see…" she murmured, thoughtfully. "But why did you do it?"
Pom-Pom averted his gaze for a moment.
Looking at Mem.
And then back at Akari.
"Pom-Pom… doesn't know for sure," he admitted, a little sheepishly. "Pom-Pom just followed Mem. She seemed extremely determined to find Akari."
Akari raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Really?"
"Mem!"
Without hesitation, Mem floated over to her.
And held her hand.
Akari was surprised by the sudden contact, but she didn't pull back.
A gentle warmth began to spread through Akari's hands, rising slowly, like a comforting sensation that didn't come from outside… but also didn't seem to come from her.
Mem closed her eyes slightly.
"…Mem…"
And then she began to see absolute darkness, but with it came…
Fragments.
Sensations.
Distant echoes.
Muffled laughter.
The sound of something being thrown.
"Look, she didn't even notice us again!"
"Do you think you can find it?"
"Leave it there, it'll be funny to see her digging through the trash."
Soon she felt her hair being pulled hard, hurting her as something sticky was put in her hair, and she was kicked and knocked to the ground.
Mem trembled.
Her small body contracted for a moment, but she didn't let go of the hand.
The warmth increased and became gentler.
Trying to ease it and make it… less heavy.
A few seconds passed.
Then, slowly…
She let go of the hand.
Akari blinked a few times.
"…Strange…" she murmured.
Her body felt lighter.
Not completely, but certainly different.
Before she could think more about it—
Mem hugged her.
She rose to her shoulders and wrapped around her neck, pressing herself against her.
"…Mem…"
The sound came out broken, almost tearful.
"Huh…?"
She brought her hand up to her.
"What's wrong…?"
Pom-Pom tilted his head slightly.
"Pom-Pom isn't sure," he said, observing the scene curiously. "But it seems Mem has developed a strong affinity for Akari!"
Akari hesitated for a second.
But then she hugged her back, carefully, wanting to feel more of the warmth from that small body.
"…Thank you, I guess…"
----------------------------------------
Time passed without hurry as Pom-Pom explained everything that had happened before they fell into the wormhole.
"The Astral Express was on its normal route," he began, gesticulating slightly as he spoke. "Pom-Pom was in the Parlor Car talking with friends, when suddenly the train started shaking irregularly!"
He raised a finger, emphasizing.
"At first, Pom-Pom thought it was just normal turbulence. But it turned out to be something Pom-Pom and friends had been expecting!"
Mem let out a small "Mem!" in agreement.
"By the time Pom-Pom realized it, it was already too late. A wormhole of abnormal proportions appeared directly in front of the train and swallowed it whole!"
He spread his arms in a dramatic gesture.
Akari listened to everything in silence.
Trying to understand, or not even understanding anything, because half of it sounded like something out of a science fiction book.
"…I didn't understand all of it," she admitted, sincerely. "But…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"You're looking for your friends… and a way to leave here, right?"
"Correct!" replied Pom-Pom promptly.
"Memi!"
Akari nodded slowly.
"I see…"
A pause before her tone changed.
"But you can't just go out there like that looking for them."
Pom-Pom blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"There are worse people than those on the street out there," she explained. "People who… won't just want to take a picture."
The silence grew heavier.
"People who would grab you and take you away."
"W-What?!" Pom-Pom's eyes widened.
"Mem…?!"
"There are government people… Scientists…" she continued, clenching her hands slightly. "They would probably come after you if they found out about your existence."
Pom-Pom gulped.
"They would do experiments on you."
He took a step back.
"W-Why would they do that to Pom-Pom…?"
"Because beings like you don't exist here," she replied, simply. "And… because there are a lot of crazy people in this world."
Silence fell for a moment.
But soon Akari softened her tone.
"But… you don't need to worry."
She brought her hand to where Mem was still nearby.
"You can stay here for now."
Pom-Pom blinked.
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. I'll help you," she continued. "Find your friends… or a way to send you back."
Mem let out a soft sound.
"Memi…"
Akari smiled slightly.
"You don't need to worry about being followed for now."
A smile spread across the faces of the two little fluffy creatures.
Mem quickly floated around Akari excitedly, while Pom-Pom practically puffed up with satisfaction, bringing one hand to his chest.
"Pom-Pom deeply appreciates the hospitality!" he said, giving a small respectful nod. "Akari's help will be of great value to our mission."
"You don't need to thank me…" she replied, a bit awkwardly, running her hand over the tatami. "It's not like I have much to do anyway."
But before the moment could continue, Pom-Pom seemed to remember something.
"Ah! That's right."
Pom-Pom raised one hand slightly.
"Pom-Pom would like to know something."
Akari tilted her head.
"…Hm?"
"When Pom-Pom and Mem arrived at the school," he began, thoughtful, "they saw all the students in their respective classrooms while passing by quietly. However, Akari was on the roof."
He crossed his arms, serious.
"For what reason was Akari there?"
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Akari opened her mouth to answer, but stopped halfway.
The words wouldn't come.
Her body went still for a moment.
Pom-Pom tilted his head slightly, confused by the sudden pause.
"Akari?"
Mem, at his side, lowered her body slightly.
"…Mem…"
Unlike him… she understood.
Akari closed her mouth and took a deep breath through her nose.
"I just…" she began, trying to keep her tone casual, "went there to… get some air."
Pom-Pom tilted his head to the side, still confused.
"Understood," he nodded. "But for what specific reason? Was Akari stressed or something?"
There was a small hesitation.
"…Something like that."
Her fingers intertwined in her lap.
"I was just… tired."
The words started coming out with more difficulty.
"It's kind of… difficult there."
She swallowed hard.
"I can't… make friends." she turned her head to the side. "Everyone avoids me."
Her hand lightly gripped the cane beside her.
"It's not like they say anything to my face all the time… but I can tell." she let out a small sigh. "That they think I'm different… the kind that doesn't fit in with them."
She bit her lip.
"I just… wanted to be considered normal."
Her head lowered slightly.
The silence that followed was long, but not uncomfortable.
But it also wasn't light.
Pom-Pom blinked a few times, processing what he had just heard.
And then—
"Ah! If that's it, then it's settled!"
He lightly clapped one hand against the other, as if having a great realization.
"If that's the case, then Pom-Pom can fix it!"
Akari raised her head slightly, surprised.
"…Huh?"
"Friends!" declared Pom-Pom, pointing confidently at himself with his tiny thumb. "Pom-Pom has extensive experience with this! Astral Express passengers frequently start social interactions under Pom-Pom's indirect supervision!"
He nodded with conviction.
"Pom-Pom will help Akari become popular!"
"…Mem!"
Akari was silent for a few seconds until she let out a low laugh.
"…Really?"
"Absolutely!" he confirmed, already approaching her. "Firstly, presentation!"
Without warning, he pulled a small comb from somewhere in his uniform.
"Huh—?!"
Pom-Pom moved lightly across the tatami until he reached a better position and began, with all the seriousness in the world, to fix Akari's hair.
"Appearance is a relevant factor!" he explained, already starting to arrange her hair with surprisingly careful movements. "Even if Akari doesn't see it, others do!"
Mem immediately joined in, floating beside him and helping, her little paws adjusting loose strands.
"Mem!"
"Secondly!" continued Pom-Pom, "facial expression!"
He tilted her head slightly.
"Smile!"
Akari smiled somewhat crookedly.
"No… not like that," he said, thoughtful. "More natural!"
"Memi…" Mem gave a little push with her paws, trying to adjust the smile.
Akari tried again.
And this time… it came out better.
"There!" Pom-Pom nodded, satisfied.
"Third! Social initiative!"
He raised one finger.
"Say 'hello' first!"
Another finger.
"And offer something!"
"Offer something…?"
"Yes!" he confirmed. "On the Astral Express, offering tea to a passenger always works!"
Akari was silent for two seconds, then laughed.
"Tea…?"
"Exactly!" replied Pom-Pom, proud. "Hospitality creates bonds!"
Mem shook her head in denial and made an X with her little arms.
"Memi! Mem!"
Akari brought her hand to her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter… but she couldn't quite manage.
"That's… kind of the same thing as customer service…"
"It is, but Pom-Pom guarantees it's effective!" countered Pom-Pom, confident.
She took a deep breath, still smiling.
It all felt surreal to her, somehow… pleasant.
"…Thank you," she murmured, almost without realizing.
While Pom-Pom continued listing tips with all the seriousness in the world…
And Mem agreed with excited little "Mem!"s…
Akari just let it happen.
Sitting there.
Cherishing one of the few moments where she could smile and be treated like a person.
----------------------------------------
The morning arrived, waking to the soft sound of small, careful movements—light footsteps and the familiar tap of a cane against the floor.
Akari stood in front of the door, her uniform straightened, her hair neatly arranged, her posture trying to hide the nervousness that kept showing itself in the details.
Her fingers pressed lightly against the cane.
"So…" she began, hesitant. "Everything's really okay?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Like… *really*?"
Pom-Pom, standing just behind her, crossed his arms with confidence.
"Of course!" he replied, cheerfully. "Pom-Pom assures you that all the guidance provided was based on extensively professional experiences!"
Mem floated beside him, excited.
"Memi!"
Akari took a deep breath.
"…I see…"
Still, the insecurity didn't completely disappear.
But… it was smaller.
She adjusted her grip on the cane and reached out with her free hand, feeling around until she found the doorknob.
"I'm going now, then…"
Her fingers turned the metal carefully.
Before opening the door all the way, she paused.
"Hey… take care of yourselves, okay?"
She turned her head slightly to the side.
"And don't go out."
"Understood!"
"Mem!"
Akari gave a small nod, opening the door as the sounds of the street reached her in that same instant.
But before she stepped out completely—
"…Thank you."
And she closed the door.
The click echoed through the house.
Pom-Pom stood still for a moment, looking at the closed door.
"Pom-Pom hopes Akari has an excellent day," he said, with a slight nod, as if she could still hear him. "And that she makes many friends using the strategies presented."
Mem spun gently in the air.
"Memi…"
Pom-Pom turned and once again took in the state of the house.
The same as he'd noticed before… he still felt uncomfortable with the order and cleanliness of the place.
He brought a hand to his chin.
"Hm…"
Mem tilted her body, curious.
"Mem?"
"Right. Pom-Pom will carry out the organization and cleaning while Akari is away."
Pom-Pom pointed around.
"A suitable space contributes significantly to the overall well-being of passengers," he declared with conviction. "And, in this case, of the resident."
Mem seemed to understand immediately.
"Memi!"
And without further delay, they began the cleaning.
Pom-Pom picked up small objects scattered about, carrying them carefully and placing them in their respective spots.
"Items should be positioned logically and accessibly," he murmured, as he lined up things on the table.
Mem, meanwhile, floated from one side to the other, helping as best she could. With her little paws, she straightened papers that were on the floor, adjusted cushions, and occasionally… simply "polished" surfaces with her fluffy tail.
"Mem!"
At another moment, Mem found something small on the floor and brought it to Pom-Pom.
"Memi."
"Hm?" He took the object. "Looks like a bracelet."
He looked around, then placed it carefully on the table.
"Better leave it here in case Akari asks about it when she returns."
"Mem!"
And with that, they returned to the cleaning.
----------------------------------------
The sound of the bathroom door closing echoed louder than it should have.
After that, only voices could be heard.
And the dry thud of something falling to the floor.
Akari didn't have time to react properly. A shove in the back was enough to throw her off balance, and in the next moment her knees were already against the cold floor, her hands trying to brace herself without much success.
Her cane had been kicked away.
"Just look at this…" a familiar voice laughed, dripping with contempt. "She actually tried to be a person today."
Another laughed along.
"She really did. It's almost pitiful."
Akari pressed her fingers against the floor, trying to get up.
"I-I just…"
"Shut up."
A light kick to the side of her leg made her lose the little balance she had regained.
"Who do you think you are to talk back, huh?"
"The school's little blind pig," another finished, taunting. "All dressed up today… trying to fit in…"
Akari instinctively brought her hand to her hair, as if she could protect something she didn't even know exactly where it would come from.
"I just wanted—"
"You wanted what?"
The firmer voice drew closer.
"To be normal?"
Silence hung heavy for a second before laughter followed right after.
"Look at you."
A hand grabbed Akari's hair without warning.
"This here…" she said, jerking Akari's head. "is what you call effort?"
Another voice chimed in, amused.
"And the best part was her trying to talk to the new transfer student!"
"Oh, that was incredible!" the third one finished, laughing loudly. "Did you see his face?"
"Totally uncomfortable!"
"He didn't know what to do when he found out she's the little blind pig she is!"
Akari felt her face heat up.
"I-I just said hello…"
"And that was already too much," the leader replied, coldly. "Don't you get it?"
She let go of Akari's hair… only to push her head down slightly.
"No one wants you."
"No one wants you trying to force your way into their lives."
She yanked Akari's hair again, letting out another laugh.
"You should stay in your corner."
"Nice and quiet!"
"Invisible~"
"Ah, no," the leader corrected. "You're already all of those things."
More hands came for her, pulling, messing with her.
Someone poured cold water over her, soaking her clothes.
Akari hunched her shoulders, trying to protect herself, but there was nowhere to go in that vast darkness surrounding her.
"Oops… didn't mean to," one of them said, without a hint of remorse.
"Look at that… now it suits you better," another commented. "Wet, dirty…"
"A pig."
"A blind pig."
Laughter.
A hand pulled at her blouse while another messed up her hair even more.
"This here can't even be fixed," one of them said. "Not even if she could see."
Akari didn't answer.
She couldn't.
Her body trembled slightly, but she stayed there… silent.
"Hm…"
The leader's voice changed.
More thoughtful.
Her footsteps echoed through the bathroom.
Until they stopped.
"You know…" she began, with a different tone. "I think we can still improve your look."
The other two went quiet for a second.
"Improve…?"
"Yeah."
The sound of a lid being lifted echoed through the bathroom.
"We haven't given you a full evaluation yet, have we?"
She let out a low, malicious laugh.
"She needs a premium perfume that suits her~"
----------------------------------------
The afternoon light streamed in through the house's windows and reflected off surfaces now clean, the floor free of obstacles, the objects organized with an almost meticulous care.
In the kitchen, a small stool served as an improvised platform for Pom-Pom as he cooked.
"Proper temperature control is essential," he said, carefully stirring whatever he was preparing. "A good meal can significantly improve a passenger's mood."
"Memi!"
Mem floated beside him, helping as best she could, handing over utensils, ingredients, and sometimes just watching curiously as Pom-Pom cooked.
The atmosphere was calm and welcoming.
Until—
Click
Both of them stopped what they were doing at the sound of the door opening.
Mem was the first to react, spinning in the air.
"Mem!"
And she darted toward the entrance.
"Ah!" Pom-Pom perked up, quickly getting down from the stool. "Akari has returned! Excellent timing!"
He followed behind, adjusting his hat along the way.
Pom-Pom carefully stepped down from the stool and followed close behind, fixing his hat.
"Pom-Pom hopes Akari made many friends!" he began as he walked.
He passed by Mem, who had stopped halfway for some reason.
"While Akari was away, Pom-Pom and Mem—"
His words died in his throat as he got a better look at Akari.
She stood there in the doorway, soaked.
A foul, unmistakable odor filled the hallway.
Her clothes were wrinkled, stained, torn in places. Her hair… disheveled in a way that wasn't carelessness.
And in her right hand…
Was her broken guide staff.
The silence lasted a few seconds.
Too long.
Until Pom-Pom finally snapped out of it and reacted.
"A-Akari!" Pom-Pom hurried over to her, worried. "Is Akari alright?! What happened?!"
But she merely… walked past him with slow, dragging steps.
"I'm fine…" she replied, hollowly. "Nothing much happened…"
Pom-Pom turned, following her.
"Pom-Pom disagrees! Akari's current condition clearly indicates that—"
"I said nothing much happened."
Mem approached slowly, hesitant.
"Mem…"
She tried to reach for Akari's hand.
"Not now, Mem."
"Akari, please, Pom-Pom needs to understand what—"
"I told you I'm fine!" she replied, her voice starting to fray.
Mem tried again.
Her small paws reached out, searching for her hand.
"Mem…"
"I said—!"
Akari reacted sharply.
"I'm dirty!"
Her arm swung out with force.
"Don't touch me!"
Slap!
Mem was struck by Akari's arm.
Her small body hit the floor with a thud louder than expected.
"Mem—?!"
Pom-Pom's eyes widened, rushing to her immediately.
"Mem! Are you alright?!"
Mem lay still for a second, then pushed herself up and shook her head lightly.
"…Memi…"
Pom-Pom let out a relieved breath, helping her up.
But Mem wasn't looking at him anymore.
Her gaze was fixed on Akari, who stood frozen in place.
"I…"
Her voice failed her.
"I-I… I'm sorry…"
Her hands began to tremble.
"I didn't mean to…"
Her breathing became uneven.
"I just… I…"
The words tangled, breaking apart before they could form.
"Why do I…" she swallowed hard. "why am I always like this…"
Her head bowed.
"Maybe…" her voice came out weaker, "maybe I really am the problem…"
Before either of them could respond, she turned and ran.
She bumped a table clumsily with her foot, causing her to trip and fall.
But she got up and kept going.
She hurried up the stairs, guided more by memory than control.
Each step more unsteady than the last until she reached her bedroom door.
She flung it open in a rush and slammed it shut.
Click
The heavy silence enveloped her once more.
Her body slid down against the door as her legs gave out, and she sat against it.
And then the tears came.
Downstairs, Pom-Pom still stood beside Mem.
"…"
He took a deep breath.
"Pom-Pom believes it might be best not to disturb Akari for now."
Mem didn't respond.
She just stared up the stairs.
"…Mem…"
----------------------------------------
The next morning began quietly.
No footsteps.
No soft sound of a cane tapping the floor.
No silent presence that, though discreet, had already become part of the house.
On the living room sofa, Pom-Pom stirred slowly, letting out a small yawn as he rubbed his eyes with his hands.
"Hm…" he murmured, still drowsy, adjusting his hat which had shifted slightly during sleep.
Beside him, Mem remained asleep, nestled near the cushion.
Pom-Pom carefully climbed down from the sofa, his small footsteps echoing faintly through the now-organized space. He walked to the hallway, looking toward Akari's room upstairs.
"Akari?" he called, his voice still low.
No response.
He went up to the second floor, his little footsteps echoing down the corridor until they stopped in front of Akari's door.
It was open.
And the room… empty.
Pom-Pom blinked a few times, taking in the scene.
"…Akari left early."
For a moment, he stood there, looking at the silent space.
"Perhaps… Akari is trying again..."
He took a deep breath.
"Pom-Pom cannot remain idle."
He straightened his posture.
"There are tasks to be done!"
With that, he began moving through the house again, organizing what still needed attention, repeating the same care from the day before.
He made his way to the backyard to deal with the scattered leaves.
But he stopped halfway.
His eyes slowly widened.
"…This is…"
Above him, a black hole was spinning gently, distorting the space around its horizon.
A wormhole.
The same kind of phenomenon that had swallowed the Astral Express.
Pom-Pom stepped forward, completely focused.
"Pom-Pom has found it!"
He cried out in joy.
"The ticket home!"
Without wasting a moment, he quickly turned and began walking back inside the house.
"Mem needs to see this immediately!"
He hurried in, nearly tripping over his own pace, and approached where Mem still lay.
"Mem! Wake up! Pom-Pom has found—"
Mem began to stir slowly.
Her body floated up a little higher… and then stopped.
Something… had changed.
The air around her seemed heavier.
Her eyes didn't open immediately, but she felt the fragments of memories, emotions from Akari throughout the house.
"I always do this…"
"Maybe I'm the problem…"
"I'm dirty…"
"I wish I hadn't been born…"
Sensations came with them.
Guilt.
Shame.
Suppressed anger.
And underneath…
That.
The same thing she had felt on the rooftop.
The desire…
For suicide.
Mem's eyes snapped open.
"…Mem…!"
Her entire body tensed.
Without warning, she shot forward.
"Mem!"
Pom-Pom stepped back slightly, startled.
"Mem?!"
She began frantically searching the house for Akari.
Bedroom.
Bathroom.
Kitchen.
Each space checked rapidly.
"Mem! Memi!"
Her small cries carried urgency and anxiety.
Something Pom-Pom had never seen in her before, not like this.
"Mem, what's wrong?" he asked, following behind her, trying to keep up. "Pom-Pom does not understand—"
She floated quickly toward him, shaking her arms frantically.
"Mem! Memi! Mem—!"
She gestured.
Pointed.
Insisted.
But Pom-Pom didn't understand.
"Pom-Pom… cannot interpret this," he said, confused, trying to follow. "If Mem is looking for Akari, Pom-Pom has already checked. Akari went to school—"
He couldn't finish before Mem grabbed hold of him.
"Huh—?!"
"Mem!"
Without warning, she began dragging him.
"W-wait!" Pom-Pom tried to steady himself, but didn't have much success. "Mem, hold on! This does not follow any protocol—"
She ignored him.
Crossed through the doorway.
Went out into the street.
"Mem! The streets are still an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environment! Pom-Pom advises caution—!"
She continued dragging him hurriedly down the road.
Guided by something he couldn't see.
"Mem, please—!"
But deep down, he began to realize that this was probably more serious than he had thought.
----------------------------------------
Akari's hair was blown uncontrollably from side to side by the wind, touching her face, her shoulders, while the fabric of her uniform fluttered against her body.
Still, she remained motionless, standing on the concrete parapet.
She took a deep breath, feeling the cold air enter her lungs.
"So this is it…"
Her fingers trembled slightly before relaxing.
"Maybe… it's simpler this way."
Her body leaned a little further forward, and one of her feet advanced a few centimeters over the edge.
"Don't do it!"
The voice came from behind, making her freeze in place.
Her body didn't turn completely, but her head tilted slightly to the side, acknowledging the source of that voice.
"…Yuto?"
He was out of breath; he had clearly run to get there. His steps slowed as he approached, cautious, as if any sudden movement could worsen the situation.
"What are you doing…?"
Akari was silent for a moment, as if deciding whether that question really deserved an answer.
"What does it look like to you?"
Yuto took another step forward, carefully, keeping some distance so as not to startle her.
"Please, come down from there."
"Why?"
Yuto opened his mouth to answer but froze for a second, searching for something that wouldn't sound hollow.
"Because… there must be someone who cares about you. Your family… your friends—"
"I don't have them."
She interrupted him.
"My father died a long time ago. My mother abandoned me. My uncles pretend I don't exist because of her. My grandparents… they're gone too."
Each phrase was stated bluntly, without dramatization, like someone who had repeated it so many times that the words had lost their apparent weight.
Yuto didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
"I have no one waiting for me," she finished. "No one who cares about me."
Yuto took a deep breath before trying again.
"Then I'll be your first," he said, more firmly this time. "If there's no one, I can be the first person to care about you."
Akari let out a small, humorless laugh.
"It's too late for that."
"It's not—"
"It is."
She cut him off again.
"I don't believe in that stuff anymore. Words are easy…" she lightly clenched her fingers, "one second you say you want to be my friend, the next everything goes back to normal. When I leave here, my life will be the same."
The wind blew again, stronger.
"The same hell, day after day."
She paused to sigh.
"I just want… to rest from all of this."
Her body leaned forward again, and her foot advanced a little more over the edge.
It was at that moment that Yuto moved.
He lunged forward quickly, without thinking, and grabbed her hand.
Akari startled, her whole body reacting to the unexpected touch.
"I'm sorry," he said immediately.
She frowned slightly, confused.
"…Why?"
"Because I should have done this before."
His hand held hers firmly, but not too tightly.
"We only talked yesterday… but I've been watching you since I got here."
Akari was silent, listening.
"I saw everything," he continued, his voice growing heavier. "What those girls did to you. Every day."
He averted his gaze for a moment.
"And I did nothing."
The wind passed between them again.
"I just stood by… because I was scared. Scared of becoming the next target. Scared of how they'd look at me. Scared of being alone too."
He let out a small, bitter laugh.
"In the end, I just watched."
He let out a defeated sigh.
"I was a coward."
Akari didn't respond, but she also didn't try to pull her hand away.
"And even so… you kept coming back," he continued. "Every day. Even knowing it would be bad. Even knowing no one would help you."
He squeezed her hand lightly.
"That takes courage."
Akari tilted her head slightly, confused.
"Courage…?"
"Yes. Much more than I had."
He took a deep breath.
"Because you faced that. Even alone. You still kept going and endured everything."
Silence settled again, but this time it wasn't as heavy as before.
"I wish I'd had half your courage," he continued, his voice starting to crack. "But I didn't. And because of that… I let you go through all of that alone."
He raised his gaze again.
"But I'm here now! And I won't pretend I don't see you anymore!"
His voice began to tremble.
"Even if it's late. Even if you don't believe it… I care. I care about you!"
Akari remained silent, but her fingers lightly squeezed his hand.
"You must have been through so much… Akari-san."
Akari's body began to tremble slightly, and the tears came without her realizing when they started. First silent, then more intense, like something that had been trapped for too long finally finding a way out.
"I…" she tried to speak, but her voice failed.
Yuto didn't let go of her hand.
He just pulled her carefully.
"Come on… get down from there."
This time, she obeyed.
Slowly, still crying, still trembling, but stepping back.
Her foot left the parapet.
But before she could fully steady herself, a strong gust of wind hit them both. Akari raised her arm to her face instinctively, losing her sense of balance for a moment. When she tried to take the next step, her foot found something on the ground—the broken staff.
She misstepped and slipped.
Her body lost its balance completely and fell off the roof.
"Akari!"
Yuto reacted instantly, pulling her hand hard, but the momentum was too strong.
Her weight pulled him along, and in seconds they were both falling, the wind rushing past too quickly, the ground approaching too fast for any reaction.
Until—
A small pink figure appeared swiftly below them.
Mem.
Her small form expanded and grew rapidly, positioning itself exactly under their falling trajectory.
And the impact came against the two youths, but not against the ground—instead against Mem's soft, giant belly.
Their bodies sank slightly into the fluffy surface before stabilizing.
"Mem…"
Mem let out a relieved sigh before focusing her eyes on Akari.
The previously chaotically negative fragments and emotions were calmer.
Her gaze then shifted to Yuto.
His hand was still holding Akari's firmly.
"…Mem…"
Pom-Pom appeared a few seconds later, running across the courtyard with short, quick steps, clearly out of breath from the effort.
"Akari! Mem!" he called out, nearly tripping as he slowed down. "Are you guys okay?!"
Akari turned her head slightly toward the voice.
"We are…" she replied, still catching her breath.
Yuto nodded right after, still stunned by everything.
"W-we are…"
Pom-Pom let out a visible sigh of relief, placing a hand over his chest.
"Excellent… excellent… Pom-Pom was extremely worried—"
His eyes widened slightly as he remembered the main issue.
"The wormhole!"
His tone shifted immediately.
"Pom-Pom found a return point in Akari's residence courtyard! It's active, but there's no guarantee how much longer it will remain open!"
"Really? Then we need to take you guys there right now!"
Yuto blinked a few times, completely lost.
"Wait… what?"
"We need to go now!" Pom-Pom continued, already growing agitated again. "If the phenomenon closes, the chances of returning drop dramatically!"
Mem, still in her enlarged form, began to move slowly to allow the two to climb down. As soon as Akari and Yuto touched the ground, she gradually shrank in size… but her movement wasn't as steady as before.
Her small body wavered in the air.
"…Mem…"
The sound came out weak.
Before she could fall, Yuto caught her on reflex, holding her with both hands.
He looked at the small pink creature, confused, trying to understand exactly what he was holding.
"What kind of… pink rabbit is this…?"
Mem barely responded, simply nestling slightly, clearly exhausted.
"Yuto!" Akari's voice called out to him.
He looked up immediately.
"We need to go!"
He hesitated for a second.
Just long enough to look around—at the school building, at the ground… at everything that no longer made sense.
"R-Right!"
And he started running alongside them.
The four of them crossed the courtyard quickly, their hurried footsteps echoing against the concrete as they headed toward the exit. The wind still blew gently, but now it seemed irrelevant in the face of the urgency of the moment.
They left the school and ran down the street, their pace uneven.
Akari navigating carefully even while hurrying, Yuto adjusting his stride to keep up, Pom-Pom leading and guiding Akari when possible, glancing back from time to time to make sure everyone was together.
The path seemed shorter than before.
Or perhaps the urgency had shortened everything.
And it didn't take long for them to reach Akari's house, hurriedly entering the residence and heading straight to the backyard.
Suspended in the air at the center, the wormhole spun slowly, distorting the light around it into almost hypnotic ripples.
Yuto stopped a few steps behind, still holding Mem carefully in his hands, his gaze fixed on that impossible thing.
"This… this is really real…?"
Pom-Pom stepped forward, staring at the portal.
"It's our way back."
Akari stood still in the middle.
She couldn't see the portal, but she could feel its presence a few meters in front of her.
She didn't say anything.
Because she already knew what came next.
Pom-Pom took a deep breath, straightening his posture as he always did when he needed to seem firm.
"Pom-Pom must return to the Astral Express," he began, keeping his voice controlled. "There are passengers who depend on his services and… friends who are probably waiting for him."
He paused for a moment.
And then he looked at Akari.
For a few seconds… without saying anything.
"Pom-Pom…" he started again, but this time his voice faltered slightly. "Pom-Pom failed."
Akari frowned slightly.
"Failed?"
"Pom-Pom couldn't protect Akari at any moment," he continued, pressing his hands against his own uniform. "Even though he was there, even though he knew something was wrong… Pom-Pom didn't stop Akari from suffering."
He lowered his head sadly.
"You didn't fail."
Akari replied, approaching him carefully.
"You weren't there…" she continued. "And yet you tried to help in your own way."
She knelt in front of him.
"You cleaned the house… you cooked… and… you made me laugh."
She smiled.
"That's not failing."
Pom-Pom opened his mouth to respond, but couldn't immediately.
"You did more for me than a lot of people who've been here my whole life," Akari finished calmly.
He looked away for a moment, clearly trying to compose himself, but without much success.
"Pom-Pom…" he murmured, more quietly. "Is grateful."
He reached into his uniform, fumbling for a moment until he took out something small.
A simple sticker.
With the Astral Express symbol.
He walked over to Akari and, carefully, guided her hand to the object.
"A symbol of the Astral Express," he explained. "So that Akari doesn't forget… that Pom-Pom will always be with her."
Akari held the small object delicately, running her fingers over it slowly, as if trying to "see" through touch.
"…Thank you."
Mem, who was still in Yuto's arms, stirred slightly.
"Mem…"
Yuto carefully let her go, allowing her to float again.
She approached Akari slowly, unhurriedly, and stopped right in front of her.
And then… she pressed her small head against Akari's, and a soft light began to form around the two of them. It wasn't intense, it wasn't blinding… it was warm and gentle.
Akari held her breath slightly.
There were no clear images.
There were no defined memories.
But there were… sensations.
The warmth.
The movement.
And the Stars.
The same ones that slowly filled the dark void surrounding her, forming a starry sky around her.
The light gradually faded until it disappeared completely.
Mem lingered there for a second.
"…Memi."
Akari reached out to her, hugging her carefully, with an affection that needed no words.
"Thank you… I won't forget you either," she murmured.
Mem slowly pulled away.
And then…
Her gaze turned to Yuto.
He froze for a moment.
"…Huh?"
Pom-Pom walked over to Mem's side.
"Mem…" he began, looking at her. "And Pom-Pom… also have a request."
Yuto swallowed hard, still trying to process everything.
"Please, take care of Akari while we're away," Pom-Pom asked. "Pom-Pom believes that Yuto possesses the necessary ability to fulfill this role."
Yuto was silent for a few seconds.
Then he nodded.
"I… will take care of her."
He replied, this time his voice not faltering.
"I promise."
Mem let out a small, satisfied sound.
"Mem."
Pom-Pom nodded as well.
"Pom-Pom trusts Yuto."
Pom-Pom looked one last time at Akari.
"Akari… Pom-Pom hopes you keep moving forward."
Mem floated to his side.
"Memi. Mem."
Akari gently squeezed the sticker in her hand.
"I'll try."
Pom-Pom smiled and turned, walking towards the portal. Mem followed shortly after, floating beside him.
They stopped right in front of it for a brief moment.
And then, without looking back—
They stepped through.
The portal reacted immediately, its edges contracting, the light intensifying for a second before collapsing completely into a single point.
And disappeared.
The backyard returned to normal.
Empty.
With no trace of what had been there seconds before.
Akari remained still, the wind gently passing over her, until Yuto let out the breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding.
"…Okay," he said, running a hand through his hair. "That was… probably the weirdest thing that's ever happened in my life."
He smiled.
"But… it was pretty cool."
Akari let out a small laugh.
Something that was already becoming less rare.
Her hand found Yuto's again.
"…It really was."
She gently squeezed the sticker in her other hand.
"They were like…"
Yuto looked at her in silence.
"The Stars that guided me here."
The wind passed gently through the backyard, so different from the one on the school rooftop.
Lighter.
Calmer.
And in the middle of that empty backyard…
Beside Yuto.
Akari didn't feel so alone anymore.
Not just because she now had someone who cared about her…
But also because she had stars that had always shone for her from the sky.