NOVEL NEXT 68. Memory restoration attempt.
A warm, pleasant feeling was surrounding her as a pleasant fragrance entered her nose. Setting her tired mind at ease. The firm yet soft feeling against her back and the soft, fluffy feeling on her leg These feelings together made her feel like she was in heaven. Hm? Maybe I did die after all. She thought, interpreting the feelings surrounding her body.
"Hmm."
She heard a soft voice come from her right. Opening her eyes, she saw a silver-haired girl leaning against her shoulder. Her eyes were closed and her breathing steady; it was clear she was sleeping, and yet Nika clung to Julia’s arm with great force.
Julia thought of using her other hand to dislodge herself from the situation. But when she tried to move her other arm, she found it equally trapped.
On her other shoulder, a red-haired girl was peacefully napping. Likewise, she clung to Julia’s arm like her life depended on it. Seriously, you two. Julia sighed; she would prefer to not wake these two, but there didn’t seem to be another option.
Deciding to just wake the two girls up, Julia moved slightly. As she did, the soft, fluffy feeling against her leg reminded her of its existence. What is that? Julia thought as she looked at her leg.
Then she saw Lily lying on her lap, her tail rubbing Julia’s thigh. Just like Nika and Nemi, Lily too had a content smile on her face. Sighing again, Julia leaned against the thing behind her. Come to think of it, what is this even…
Julia looked over and was greeted by the sight of dark red scales. Stretching her neck to the limit, she confirmed what she was leaning against. A dragon? An enormous dragon lay behind her; just like the three girls, the dragon was peacefully napping too.
Gulping nervously, Julia wondered how she ended up in the current situation. Especially having a beast from legend as a backrest. Come to think of it, didn’t a perverted dragon arrive earlier? What was her name… Miyako, was it? Julia pondered for a bit. She sighed and rested her head against the presumed Miyako behind her. Surprisingly, she found the dragon’s body comfortable.
Julia then thought back to what led to the current situation. After Miyako made her appearance and was then promptly stomped to the ground. Miyako and Nika had begun using a variety of potions, spells, and magic circles that were supposedly able to make Julia remember her past. Sadly, for the three (including Kana), and unsurprisingly for Julia, she remembered nothing she hadn’t already.
"I swear on my honor master, I shall get your memories back."
After numerous failed attempts, not willing to give up. Miyako wiped sweat from her forehead and prepared next of her countless attempts. At this point, Julia had at least 20 different patterns of magic circles drawn on her.
"Sister, don’t you still remember anything?"
"No."
Nika, not being really able to assist, proceeded to just hold Julia’s hand instead. And as she did, she also periodically asked about Julia’s memories. Naturally, Julia’s answer was always negative.
"Miss, Nemi. There is nothing wrong with sisters being close to one another."
"Ha ha, she has more pretty girls around her... ha ha."
"Here eat this; it will make you feel better."
While Nemi looked like she had just lost all motivation in life, Kana was attempting to console her with a couple of cupcakes. Apparently, Kana also knows how to bake.
"She doesn’t need me…"
Nemi mumbled and took a bite of the cupcake. As she silently chewed on it, it looked like her mood had improved slightly. Though she still looked dejected.
"Now, please, master, drink this."
Miyako handed Julia a vial of purple liquid. Julia took the vial in one hand while the other was held by Nika. Nika looked at the vial expectantly as Julia slowly brought it to her lips.
The liquid was bitter, just like all the other potions Miyako had her drink so far. And just like the other potions and the circles on her body, it is supposed to help her remember, but as expected, when Julia drank the potion, nothing happened.
Master, how do you feel?"
Miyako as well as Nika were looking at Julia with expectation. Their eyes were almost sparkling. Julia didn’t really want to ruin it, as she saw how hopeful they were, but she also didn’t want them to live in delusions.
"No different in any way."
As Julia said so, Nika and Miyako’s expressions dropped in disappointment. Almost immediately, Miyako rubbed her chin as she began to think. While Nika was Just looking at Julia worriedly.
"Listen… I don’t think I am the one you think I am."
Julia said this to Nika, who was the only one of the two to pay attention to her. Hearing what Julia said, Nika showed a stained smile.
"There is no way I wouldn’t recognize my own sister. Even if you don’t remember anything. I will still be able to tell."
How do I actually prove that I am not her sister? Julia thought for a bit. But nothing came to mind.
"Then let’s try this."
Miyako returned from her thinking session and almost immediately began to draw another set of circles.
Like this, it went on for a few more hours. After which, Julia was so tired that she could barely stand on her own. The last thing I remember after that is that I sat down and closed my eyes for a bit…
Julia looked at the girls clinging to her. The last thing she expected was to wake up with them clinging to her. I shouldn’t fall asleep… Julia sighed; now she was not able to move.
But what is this feeling? Julia thought for a bit; she felt strangely nostalgic about this situation. As if it was something she always did. She couldn’t put her finger on why she felt that way. It isn’t bad. She smiled slightly as she closed her eyes briefly.
"For how long are you planning to run away from the truth?"
An accusing voice echoed around Julia. Sounding strangely like her own. Upon opening her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, though the room felt somehow familiar. The room was richly decorated, and despite multiple chandeliers, it was dark.
In the darkness, illuminated solely by the moonlight, stood a girl. Silently looking out of the window. The girl turned around to look at Julia, looking at her with her scar-covered face filled with contempt.
"Don’t you have anything to say? You awful excuse of a mother."
The girl looked at Julia like she was garbage. For some reason, Julia couldn’t say anything.
