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Mayu goes home, and Grandmother pulls her into an uncharacteristic hug. Mayu let’s her, after everything that’s happened.
“Do you know…” she starts.
“We knew,” Grandmother replies. “You would have been told, in a few years.”
Mayu nods.
That’s… something, she supposes.
…a strange grey wall opens up in front of the restaurant, and Mayu freezes. She doesn’t know what it could be.
And then a girl walks out.
“…Oh,” she says. “I guess this is a pretty open space. I… should probably introduce myself.”
…huh.
Mayu walks up, tense in case they’re here for her, or for her brother… but she’s been trying to learn how her Worm powers work, so she can chase down and at least talk to Souji.
Hopefully nothing bad will come of this.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she says. “I’m Mayu.”
The girl blinks.
“Why don’t you sit down,” Mayu says. “Get something to eat.”
The girl nods.
“Thank you,” she says.
“You’re surprisingly unsurprised with how I got here,” the girl says, as Mayu sets down a bowl in front of her. “Considering I came here from another World and all…”
…another World?
“Like Tsukasa?” Mayu asks, and the other girl freezes.
“…What?” She asks.
“Tsukasa and his friends passed through our World two months ago,” Mayu replies. “He… helped me a lot.”
“He…did,” the other girl says, with a surprise that makes little sense. Tsukasa is… he’s saved her, and he’d saved her brother… she can’t imagine where she’d be now, without him.
Mayu shakes herself from her thoughts.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “What did you say your name was again?”
“…Sayo,” the other says. “Just Sayo.”
She considers telling Sayo the whole truth, the part about who and what both she and Sohji are.
She doesn’t.
Maybe one day… but she doesn’t think she can, yet.
Mayu is more surprised than she should be when she sees Sayo again. And not just because it’s away from the udon shop.
“You came back,” she says.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Sayo asks. “I mean, you offered.”
Mayu looks away.
“I guess I’m just not used to people coming back,” she says. “Especially not this quickly.”
Tsukasa hasn’t, but that’s… well, she knows he’s out there. She thinks of him. She hopes he’s fine.
Sohji is just…
(Trapped, close but out of reach.)
(The reason that despite herself, sometimes she will go off, transform, and practice her powers, in case it means she can see him.)
“I haven’t been to that many Worlds,” Sayo says. “I guess I’m… still getting used to it.”
“Did Tsukasa give you the power?” Mayu asks.
“No,” Sayo replies. “He definitely didn’t give me the power. It just… took some time to use it is all.”
“Oh,” Mayu says. “Hey, why are you here?”
Sayo shrugs.
“I don’t know,” she says. “I guess I wasn’t looking for Tendou Oden; I was looking for you.”
Mayu smiles.
“Then it’s even better to see you,” she says.
(It’s not like she doesn’t have friends at school, it’s just that she’s felt too distant lately, and they’ve started picking up on it, too.
Sayo’s difference, she supposes. Maybe the other might understand Mayu.)
“This World,” Sayo says one day, “It’s right on the edge.”
“Of what?” Mayu asks. Sayo looks away.
“Nothing,” she says.
“That girl’s a strange one,” Grandmother says. “One should be careful when working with two cuts of the same meat.”
Mayu shrugs.
“I like her,” she says.
“I never said I didn’t,” Grandmother replies. “Don’t jump to conclusions that fast.”
“Nii-Chan!” Mayu cries, absolutely running into her brother’s arms. She had missed him so much .
“Mayu,” he says back, holding her tightly. “I’m home.”
She’s crying, she can’t help it. She’s missed him so much , and she just…
“I missed you,” she says. “Even more when I knew you were there.”
“I know,” Sohji says. “I saw you.”
…and that’s when they hear it.
“Decade is gone. The Riders will return, and the Worlds are saved.”
Mayu freezes. Decade’s gone… What happened to Tsukasa?
And then moments later she watches Sayo tumble through a veil, barely managing to catch her.
“Is she okay?” Sohji asks. Mayu checks her friend’s pulse.
“I think so,” she replies. “Do you think Tsukasa is really…”
Sohji looks up at the sky, and Mayu follows his gaze.
“I don’t know,” he says.
“I can still feel him in my heart.”
Sayo wakes up, a few hours later.
“Where…” she says, and then she notices Mayu. “Oh.”
“Are you okay, Sayo-San?” Sohji asks. Sayo nods.
“Yes, I…” she turns. “Wait, aren’t you…”
“I’m Sohji, Mayu’s brother,” he confirms. “Do you remember what you said before you appeared?”
“Onii— I mean, did you hear what I said?” There’s worry, maybe grief in the words.
“Tsukasa’s alive,” Mayu reassures the other.
“…Ah,” Sayo offers, getting up. “Well, I’m sorry for imposing like this.”
“You aren’t imposing,” Sohji says before Mayu gets the chance. “I’ve seen it, you’ve helped my sister more than you know.”
“Nii-Chan…” Mayu complains with no heat. Sayo starts laughing.
“You’re so close,” she says. “Even after all this time, it’s… it’s great.”
“I just knew he’d come home,” Mayu replies, and the other’s smile fade.
“I should go,” Sayo says. “I was… kind of busy.”
Mayu blinks.
“Oh,” she says. “I’ll see you soon?”
“Y-yeah,” Sayo promises.
(“I like her,” Sohji says. Mayu smiles.
“Me too,” she say. “I think… next time, I’ll tell her the full story.”)