[015]

[cherishedlight]

[Voice]

... Huh. It's been a whole year since I've been here. It doesn't really feel that long until I really think about it.

It's just funny to think about with all the reminders of home appearing. Don't you think?

[Action]

[Since it's after school, Hikari is sitting on one of the swings in the playground. The book is open on one of the

Comments

[voice]

[arlia_angel]

You've been here a whole year...? [She knew of others who had stayed much longer, but it doesn't cease to amaze her.]

I don't mind the reminders, but I wonder if it's just another experiment.

[voice]

[cherishedlight]

Uh huh. A lot has changed... and a lot really hasn't.

I guess it could be, but it doesn't really feel like one.

[voice]

[arlia_angel]

Is that a good thing or a bad thing to you?

I hadn't thought about if it wasn't one, but then again, I've only been here for two experiments. How is this one different from what you know?

[voice]

[cherishedlight]

I don't know. It's just strange to think of. It's not the first time I've been away from home... but even with all the bad things that happen, it's not so bad all the time.

Experiments usually feel sillier, don't they? And everyone talks a lot about them. I remember for my first one, I was turned into my brother's best friend. But nearly everyone had turned into someone.

[voice]

[arlia_angel]

Hm, that's true. It hasn't been too bad so far, although still far from ideal. I hope it doesn't become any worse.

[That causes Rena to pause and think for a moment. The younger girl also had a very good point.] It's hard to imagine that they have that kind of power, but not impossible. It must've been somewhat frightening to transform so unexpectedly.

[voice]

[cherishedlight]

Even if it does, we just have to keep going.

It wasn't really frightening at all. I think Matt took it worse than I did...

[voice]

[arlia_angel]

Oh, yes, you're right! We can't give up.

You're a lot braver than I would've been in that situation! But at least if it is an experiment, it doesn't have very lasting effects. ... If I can ask, what sort of reminders from home have you been experiencing?

[voice]

[cherishedlight]

We've been through a lot at home, so I guess compared to that it doesn't really seem too bad.

I've just been... seeing things. Like the buildings. There were a lot of buildings in the city.

[voice]

[arlia_angel]

I still think it's amazing how much you've gone through, and you're taking it all in stride... What's your name? My name's Rena, Rena Lanford.

That's a really big change to see, like a whole, different location coming into view. If there's someone else from your world here too, did they see the same thing?

[voice]

[cherishedlight]

Only if I point it out, but it can be hard to catch. It kind of fades when you try to get a better look...

My name's Hikari! It's nice to meet you.

[voice]

[arlia_angel]

That's also happened to me, whatever I saw disappeared moments later, but no one else around me saw what I did.

It's nice to meet you too, Hikari!