MEMORIES II

2In the hushed sanctum of the library, Blur's contemplative thoughts were suddenly disrupted by a peculiar phenomenon. His gaze was drawn to a glimmer of pristine white light, an ethereal aura that danced at the fringes of his vision. It was a sight that left him profoundly surprised."Huh?!" he couldn't help but exclaim, his voice carrying a note of astonishment.Invisible strokes of radiant white light wove intricate patterns through the air, their ephemeral brilliance captivating his senses. Without hesitation, he shifted his gaze to the left, and his eyes widened in awe. The dazzling spectacle seemed to transcend the realm of mere light, evoking a mesmerizing display of luminescence."Hum... Hum".A faint, almost imperceptible hum lingered in the atmosphere, akin to hushed whispers from some enigmatic presence. Blur turned his attention to the source of this ethereal murmur, but he found nothing but the empty expanse of the library. The murmuring ceased abruptly, leaving behind an eerie silence.There were was some one? This question tugged at Blur's curiosity, and he quirked his head quizzically. His thoughts gravitated toward the mysterious nuns who had become an enigmatic fixture in this place, yet this time, something felt distinctly unusual."It's rather out of character for them to observe so openly," he mused aloud, recalling the myriad encounters with these enigmatic beings. Despite the late hour, the library was typically devoid of other souls, intensifying the disconcerting feeling that gnawed at him as he reminisced about the unsettling experiences he had endured.Resolving to explore further, Blur approached the bookshelf adorned with the distinctive white linings that had piqued his interest. As he ventured behind it, an instinctual anticipation of the unknown coursed through him.Suddenly, a white silhouette materialized before his eyes.The ensuing collision between Blur and the figure was met with a resounding thud, sending a sharp pang of pain through his body. "Oww…" he muttered, wincing as he instinctively massaged his aching shoulder.As his gaze shifted upward, Blur's realization dawned—it was not a mere shadow but a living person. Standing before him was a girl, seemingly around his age, yet there was an unmistakable fragility in her posture, as if she bore an invisible burden. A cascade of long, flowing white hair veiled her face from his view. She was attired in the same uniform as him, yet her trembling presence exuded an aura of shyness and apprehension, an enigma that tugged at Blur's curiosity."Who are you?" he blurted out, his voice betraying a mix of surprise and intrigue as he sought answers concealed within the depths of her hidden gaze.The collision had sparked a profound sense of déjà vu within him, and inexplicably, his eyes welled up with unshed tears. 
Emotions surged within him, leaving him to grapple with the overwhelming familiarity of the girl before him.Why am I crying? It was a question that echoed in his mind, but his emotions flowed freely, overpowering rational thought. Though this encounter was not the first of its kind, the specifics eluded him—how had they met, who she truly was, remained mysteries, obscured by the uncanny sense of recognition that enveloped him.
"Why are you crying?" Blur's surprise was palpable when the cat pointed out the glistening droplets of tears that trickled down his cheeks. He hadn't been aware of his own emotions, and the admission was unexpected even to him."I... I don't know, I just felt like that..." he stammered, his voice tinged with confusion and vulnerability.The girl, Number 102, extended a gentle hand and gently patted Blur's head, her actions speaking volumes in lieu of her limited speech. Her words, though concise, conveyed a deep sense of empathy and comfort."Let me introduce you to Number 102; she will be living here with you for the time being. I hope you all will get along," the cat continued, its voice taking on a tone of expectation.Though the cat seemed eager to bestow a name upon her as it had for Blur, a stark issue presented itself—Number 102's difficulty with speech rendered such an endeavor problematic."Why don't you try talking to her? Let's see if you can understand her," the cat suggested nonchalantly, encouraging interaction."Okay," Blur nodded, turning his attention to Number 102, his gaze filled with curiosity and an earnest desire to bridge the communication gap. "Welcome, I'm Blur. What's your name?""Na..." she attempted, her words broken, as though she was struggling to articulate her thoughts but could only manage a fragment. —As 102 spoke, her words carried a distinct quality, accompanied by a visible breath that lingered in the air like a gentle mist. With each utterance, there was a noticeable exhale, as if the words were accompanied by a subtle chill. The surrounding atmosphere seemed to cool, creating an otherworldly ambiance that hinted at an internal coolness. Her breath, made visible, served as a tangible expression of the frostiness within, as if the very essence of her speech brought a wintry touch. The sensation was surreal, as though the chill in her voice extended beyond sound, leaving behind a fleeting trace of icy vapor. In those moments, 102's communication felt like a delicate dance with frost, her breath a visible testament to the cold emanating from her core. The misty exhales added a layer of intrigue to her words, creating a unique blend of spoken expression and the tangible presence of a cold breath, as if a brief touch of winter had graced the air.But blur didn’t pay mind to the peculiarity surrounding her cold breathes, rather to blur’s astonishment, he somehow comprehended her truncated utterance, and a glimmer of hope lit up his eyes."Yes," he affirmed, his voice filled with encouragement.Number 102 nodded in response, though her movements carried a hint of ambiguity, signaling that she didn't fully grasp the situation."I wasn't sure if you'd be able to understand her, considering her speech difficulties. But I see it's going to be alright, leaving her with you since you'll be able to interpret her intentions somewhat," the cat mused, its tone implying a measure of relief."Really?" Blur inquired, seeking reassurance."Yes," the cat affirmed, instilling a sense of confidence in him."Are you certain it's alright to leave her without addressing the speech issue?" Blur questioned further, his concern for Number 102's well-being evident."Well, I could resolve it by heading to the adult section," the cat explained. However, a sense of hesitancy colored its tone as it continued, "But... it might take me up to a week.""I see," Blur replied, his understanding of the situation deepening. The complexities of their circumstances, as well as the responsibility of caring for Number 102, weighed heavily on his mind.As the weight of the decision settled upon Blur's shoulders, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu toward Number 102. Despite the challenges posed by her speech issues, he couldn't simply abandon her or send her away without attempting to help. Besides, the more time they spent together, the more the elusive fragments of his memory seemed to stir."Alright, I'll do my best to care for her," Blur declared, a newfound determination flickering in his eyes.The cat nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit, Blur. I knew I could count on you. Remember, patience is key when trying to understand someone with communication difficulties."Blur acknowledged the advice with a grateful nod, silently accepting the responsibility that had been thrust upon him. He looked toward Number 102, who regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.With a genuine smile, he turned back to the cat.The cat emitted a contented purr, its fluffy tail swaying back and forth. It seemed to content as he began to walk away. Blur watched as the cat gracefully departed, leaving him alone with Number 102. He turned his attention back to her, realizing that he was embarking on a unique and challenging journey. It was a journey of communication, understanding, and, perhaps, the unraveling of mysteries hidden within the confines of their shared world.Taking a deep breath, he approached Number 102 and offered her a friendly hand. "Let's start by getting to know each other better, shall we?" he said with a warm smile, hoping to convey his genuine intent to bridge the gap between them.Number 102 hesitated for a moment before tentatively accepting his hand. Though her speech was limited, the unspoken bond between them held the promise of a connection that transcended words.