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They only met once. Two girls with the same face from different worlds, but in that brief moment in time Serena had never felt so changed. Raised to support Academia, valued for her strength but never allowed to see the outside world at Leo Akaba's orders, the veil finally lifted by Yuzu's words.
She'd see Yuzu again a few times, watch her duel against Sergey in the Friendship Cup, be held captive along with her, Rin, and Ruri in Academia itself. But she'd never have another chance to talk to the girl who changed everything before they were suddenly forcibly merged into one again. They were together, but Serena had never felt so alone.
Zarc has since disappeared from all four worlds thanks to Yuya. Yuzu has returned safe and sound to her loved ones. But while Serena lives on, she is unable to see or speak to Yuzu.
It was Reiji Akaba who was her first friend in Academia, introduced her to the possibility of a life outside the bars of her gilded cage. But it was Yuzu who introduced her to a life beyond being Leo Akaba's soldier, a pawn in his grander scheme. In hindsight, a mere fragment of the person he wished to bring back to life. Yuzu had been just as much a fragment as her but radiated such life and will. She had feelings, dreams, hopes, family and friends waiting for her back home.
For a time, Serena had been able to fool herself into thinking someday she'd be among those people, a part of Yuzu's life. That someday she'd be able to tell her how much their single, brief meeting meant to her.
Instead, her spirit lingers, but she cannot interact with the person who changed her life.
One day, though, she's able to see Yuzu for a brief instant. She senses the reactions Ruri and Rin, and realizes exactly where their spirits have been lingering. Once again, the four of them are together, but the reflection of Yuzu's smile in the mirror stays with her.
Even if you'll never see me or hear me, I'll always be with you.
And perhaps that's enough.
