The Newcomer's Ball II

 We were greeted by a firework display using nothing but magic. The firework blew into the air and exploded, sprinkling bits of magic to the ground before dissipating.

“Welcome, Haruki Nakamura and Touko Moriyama!”

Touko Moriyama…

That's not my name.

I'm Lili.

Haru glanced down at me, "Are you ready?" He asked, interlocking our arms. I gave him a smile and a nod. Together, we ascended the grand castle steps.

Chandeliers were hung throughout the castle, causing my vision to readjust itself. At the front of the court was a stage; on one half was a band of bards playing soothing classical music to the guests, and on the other was a group of sorcerers and sorceresses performing complex magic. Sticking out of the ground were various pillars with intricate designs and murals painted on the ceiling. Around the ball were people absorbed in various activities like eating, dancing, or scrolling on their phones.

Haru gently touched my shoulder, "I'm gonna bring us some food. Stay safe, alright?"

I stood alone, glancing around the ballroom to see where to sit. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman. She looked a bit younger than me, maybe 18-19. She wore a black dress with a slit down her right leg, and her hair was braided and reached the middle of her back with a lavender color. Something about her draws me close. But I wonder if she even wants me there; her standing in the corner told me otherwise. At that moment, the girl looks at me, then looks away when she sees me staring. Something inside my heart tells me to approach her.

As if expecting me to approach her, the girl locks eyes with me. She has a blank stare, with two moles under her blue eyes. The girl tilted her head in confusion.

"Hi! Sorry… I couldn't help but feel like I was supposed to talk to you, as crazy as that sounds…" I chuckle, breaking the silence between us.

The girl stares at me without saying a word. Feeling awkward, I speak again.

"My name is Lili. What's yours?"

"Lili…? You're Touko Moriyama, aren't you?" I jumped back at hearing that name coming out of someone's mouth that wasn't Haru's.

"How do you know about her?" I asked with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"I was at the Newcomer's Organization and often heard you and your boyfriend's names. You changed your name to reflect your new self, right?" She explained in a monotone, almost robotic voice.

"Yes…"

"I came here with no memories, too. But after a month, I gave up hope of ever finding them…"

"Why?" I asked, concerned by her words.

"Most people aren't lucky to have someone to help them like you do, Lili," She responded solemnly.

"In that case…"

What should I do? I have to become more like Haru, right? What would he do?

"I can be the one to help you," I declared with determination.

The girl looked down with melancholy.

"I've had so many people promise that exact thing, and none succeeded. What makes you different than everyone else?"

"I'm in the same boat as you… please let me try," I pleaded with the girl.

She sighed after a bit of pleading, seemingly resigned.

"You're not leaving until I say yes, are you? Very well… my name is Selene."

Finally, a chance to become more like the person I loved. A chance to finally do something right. At that moment, Haru approaches us with two plates full of food.

"Hey, Lili. Who's this?" He asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

"Oh! This is Selene, she lost her memories too, and I wanted to try helping them return to her!"

The suspicion on his face disappeared when he saw me so happy, "I see… I'll try my best, too."

I shook my head and insisted, "Haru… let me handle it alone, please."
—
That morning and afternoon were spent talking to Selene. I explained to her how it felt to regain a memory. She told me she could handle the overwhelming pain and panic afterward. She learned to protect herself, to not get overwhelmed. She told me she was strong and could withstand anything.

"I feel like… that's just what you want to tell yourself," I blurted out, "Oh! Sorry, I don't mean to make assumptions about you."

Selene took small bites from her salad, saying, "Maybe that's true. We'll have to see."

At the table we chose, it felt like Haru and I were attached at the hip while Selene sat on the other side. Such a large gap between us…

"You said your memories were repressed because your death was traumatic, right?"

I nod.

"I wonder what happened to me…"

"Aren't you scared to find out?"

Selene shook her head, "As I said, I can handle anything. Besides, that happened in the past, so it doesn't matter."

"I wonder how it feels to live like that…" I mumbled; I could feel Haru's eyes on me.

"To us, the past matters more than anything," He responds to my mumbling.

"I know… I just wonder."

An awkward silence falls at the table as we eat our food. Selene glances at me.

"You guys don't have phones, do you?"

We shake our heads.

"I use a lot of them to practice magic on, but it occurred to me that we wouldn't have any way to contact each other otherwise. Here you go," She explains and whispers a spell to herself before two stone bricks appear in front of us. Recalling a few spells I hear people chant around town, I carefully focus my energy on a brick. In an instant, it flashes on and displays a screen.

"Your magic is excellent for a novice… it could even be dangerous," She comments, sipping her drink. "You should already have each other and myself as contacts." At that moment, I consider the possibility that I have value as Lili. I'm good at something Touko isn't. Magic.

Selene stands up, taking her drink with her, "I told myself I wasn't here to make friends… but I guess I proved myself wrong. Nonetheless, I have things to do here, so this is the end for now. I'm grateful to be in your care," With a nod, she vanished into the shadows.
—
A slow song comes on, hoping to help me regain a memory; Haru and I step onto the floor.

"I remember the way we used to dance at parties. If you follow my lead, maybe you'll remember, too," He gave me a soft smile, leaving me in a position I couldn't refuse. But, as soon as we got up to dance, we noticed a man approaching us in a drunken state. He had such a large presence it was difficult to ignore him.

"Hey babe, are you with this wimp? I can show you what a real man can do," He flirted in between hiccups. Staying silent, Haru furrowed his eyebrows and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, glaring at the man.