Ruined Memories

War, violence and regret; they were an overly poured sauce to a pork cutlet. A little might have been needed, but too much ruined everything. Some might have still enjoyed it. But for Yori, it was entirely unpalatable and vile. He wanted to throw up.

For too many reasons to count.

Most importantly, right now, was the fact that they had to rely on the Saioji family for protection. A long night of healing from the family experts put both of them back on their feet. Their healer was actually a practicing doctor in addition to being an expert in the use of healing magic items. They required a very trained mana control that even Yori lacked. Healing tools were notoriously hungry for mana that a novice could kill themselves, just fade to dust before they even realized it was too late.

He was still grateful for their aid. Even if Yori felt like he had abandoned them, they seemed to just ignore his act. Or his status as the Guardian was too important for them to cast him away for his selfishness. He hadn’t been back in more than two years, and it hadn’t been normal for much longer.

A soft voice came through the door to his room before it slid open. Much like the entirety of the estate, the servant woman dressed traditionally. A point insisted on him as well with the kimono he wore now. She bowed deeply to him, not matching his eye. “Master Yori, Master Hiroshi wishes to speak with you.”

“Yes, I’d imagine he would, Hana. Tell him that he’ll need to wait. I’m going to see to our guest first.”

There was some reluctance to be given such an order, but Hana bowed. “Y-Yes, Master Yori.” The door closed, leaving him alone once more.

“That’ll only last for so long.” Yori glanced around his room. Spartan and devoid of any furnishings beyond the futon. It was how he remembered it. Lacking any memories of his past, he didn’t form much attachment to possessions. It wasn’t until he moved out on his own that such things started to matter to him in some small way. For being empty, he found it surprising that it still gave him washes of nostalgia. But he focused. Miho needed him.

Exiting his room, he tucked his arms into the big sleeves of the kimono and walked the short distance to the guest room. Though when he arrived, shouting came from the room. “Miho?”

“I’m ye sister, dammit!”

He slid the door open, a little concerned about what he might find with the shouting, but the room thankfully was in one piece. Though Miho stood over her sister yelling with the woman, almost seeming to ignore her. “I don’t need to ask if you’re feeling better.”

At the sound of his voice, Miho turned her eyes, darting a little before meeting him directly. “Yori!” She actually had a bit of warmth in her face and a small smile to her voice. Rare expressions for him. “Decided against dyin’ as well?”

“Something like that. Too much left undone.” He took a few steps into the room, trying to get a clearer picture of her sister, Shiori. Once Yori could see around Miho, it became certain. The woman that Miho knew was gone. He had seen that devoid look all too often, memory wiping. Damn syndicate didn’t even wait before preparing her. The bastards. He should have killed Hachiro when he had the chance. “I’m sorry. What were you arguing about?”

Miho sighed and fully turned from Shiori. “She doesn’t remember me.” Her hands clenched up with the anger that she tried to keep in check. Her voice shook, betraying her emotions. She was forcing herself to stay calm, even if it wasn’t that successful. “Damn magic, they erased everything!”

They had already discussed it before, but he really didn’t know if it was possible to reverse the effect. The government didn’t exactly keep it public knowledge. If anyone did, they never told him. Yori saw it too much, and it always burned him. Though seeing Miho made it far more personal than it had been. ‘Would they even consider it? She’s a Mado citizen.’ Sides shouldn’t matter, but they may not get involved because Mado would need to handle it. Damn procedures as always.

But as Yori looked at the sisters more, he realized that Shiroi looked nothing like Miho. In addition to the lack of bright red hair, her facial features didn’t resemble Miho’s at all. He remembered what Miho said, the lingering memories. She kept referring to Shiori as her sister, so he forgot that Shiori was adopted. Most of the mages that the syndicate captured were people already feeling the longing for something that they couldn’t understand, their old home.

This wasn’t their first time. ‘How young were they when it happened? When did Miho adopt Shiori?’ It couldn’t have made it any easier for her. They were going to have to start over. “Does she remember anything?”

“Not even her name. They brutally destroyed everything, even her personality. Bastards!” Miho looked away. Her body was shaking. “I should have just let ye kill him.”

“No, thank you for stopping me. Some Guardian, I make.”

She turned back, taking a step towards him. “Yori…if ye need—“

“But your wish might still come to pass anyway.” He groaned, casting his gaze to the floor. How many regrets would he have to bear?

“What do ye mean?”

Yori brushed a hand through his hair. It was time. “Probably best told once. The head of the family wants to talk, and you should probably be there.” He saw her immediately look to her sister. “The servants will see that she doesn’t disappear. Everyone here is trained. She’ll be safe.”

With reluctance, Miho nodded to him and stepped away.

He took the lead out of the guest room. Though not in sight, two watched them from the shadows. ‘Cautious as always.’

“Your family’s quite well off…”

“You mean rich. They’ve got direct ties with the government and claim ties all the way to the raising of the Veil. It's suffocating.”

“Ye hate your family?” There was some surprise and anger in Miho's voice. She tried to be polite, but Yori could still read it on her.

It probably didn’t make a lot of sense to someone like her, given the situation she was in. What he had was a luxury. “I wouldn’t put it that strongly. Probably when I was younger, that might have been correct, but it's muted since I left. But you’ll understand soon enough.”