Fuli remained silent, allowing March 7th the time to absorb this overwhelming truth.
A full ten minutes passed before she finally snapped out of her daze.
She turned to Yuki, seeking confirmation—or perhaps hoping he'd deny it.
"This... this can't be real, right? I'm the child of an Aeon? And I was sealed—my memories taken—by my own father?!"
Her voice wavered. Then, as if clinging to a lifeline, she added, "I must be dreaming. Yeah, that's it. This has to be a dream."
Anticipating this exact reaction, Yuki reached out and gently pinched her smooth, elastic cheek.
"Ow! Oww! That hurts!" March 7th yelped, smacking his hand away and glaring at him. "What was that for?!"
Yuki shrugged calmly. "Still think you're dreaming?"
"Ah..."
Reality crashed down on her. This wasn't a dream. It was all true.
Slowly, she turned back toward the mirror, locking eyes with Fuli's crystalline form. Silence stretched between them.
She understood now—this Aeon before her was her father. But she still didn't understand why.
Was this how Aeon families raised their children?
Sensing her lingering confusion, Fuli finally spoke again.
"Countless Amber Eras ago... this was before I became an Aeon. Something happened back then. Because of it, you—my child—sealed yourself away. Your heart, your emotions... they froze. You lived like a walking corpse."
His voice grew heavy.
"As your father, it broke me to see you that way. After I ascended and became an Aeon, I made a choice. I sealed your memories. Made you forget the past. Forget who you were. So you could start over. Live a new life. As someone new."
Fuli's explanation was simple, skirting the specifics of what exactly had happened long ago. But even these sparse words were enough.
March 7th felt her eyes grow wet. Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
"Ah... why am I crying?" She wiped at her damp eyes, confused by the ache spreading through her chest—a pain she couldn't explain.
Fuli remained silent, quietly observing March 7th's reaction. Even now, he clearly had no intention of revealing the events that had led them here.
Yuki understood Fuli's reasoning. If he brought up that past now, March 7th might begin to recover her original memories—and everything Fuli had done would be for nothing.
"Why did you do it?" March 7th finally asked, after wiping away her inexplicable tears and sitting in silence for a moment.
"Because I wanted you to have a new life. Free from the past. Free to create happy, unforgettable memories." Fuli spoke from the heart.
March 7th fell silent again.
Then Yuki spoke calmly from beside her. "Losing your past memories... isn't that just losing a set of burdens and chains? Starting a new life from scratch—that can be its own kind of adventure."
His words were meant to comfort her, to help her see things differently.
Hearing this, Fuli turned slightly toward Yuki—a subtle gesture that might have been gratitude for the timely support.
"So... you really are my father?" March 7th asked again.
"Without a doubt, my child."
"And you won't tell me what happened? Or even my original name?"
"Not... not yet." Fuli shook his head slowly. "But one day, when you're ready to face those memories—to face what happened—I will lift the seal."
March 7th considered this, then nodded gently. "Okay... I guess that's fine."
She didn't fully understand what "being ready" meant, but that was a problem for future her. For now, the important thing was that most of her questions had been answered.
"So I'm the daughter of an Aeon? But because of some past stuff, my dad sealed my memories so I could start a new life? That's my backstory?!" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Huh. When you put it like that... that's actually pretty cool!"
She nodded to herself, apparently quite satisfied with this newly discovered identity.
Fuli remained silent. Yuki just watched her, mildly exasperated as she enthusiastically crafted her own "character lore."
"Wait a second," March 7th suddenly said, a new thought occurring to her. "If I was supposed to start a new life, why did you have to seal me and toss me out into space?!"
Fuli's voice carried a hint of resignation. "Originally, you were meant to be discovered by the crew of the Astral Express. You would have boarded that train—a vessel traveling the Path of Trailblaze—and begun your new life there."
He paused, then turned toward Yuki. "But... this being from beyond fate awakened you ahead of schedule. So..."
"So the plan got wrecked!" March 7th finished triumphantly.
Fuli gave a slight nod, the tassels on his crown swaying gently.
March 7th grinned. "Hehe—bet you didn't see that coming!"
Fuli said nothing, but there was a distinct air of helplessness about him.
Fuli's demeanor shifted as he addressed Yuki, his tone more measured and cautious.
"This one is from beyond fate—he does not belong to this world." It was clear that Fuli sensed something extraordinary in Yuki, something even he, an Aeon, could not fully comprehend or fathom.
Yet, instinct told him that Yuki was dangerous—profoundly so—and that his power was beyond measure.
March 7th, never one to miss an opportunity, grinned. "Hehe—looks like even an Aeon has limits!"
Fuli pretended not to hear.
Sensing she'd pushed far enough, March 7th moved on. "So what's this Astral Express thing?"
Fuli explained simply. "The Astral Express was once the vessel of Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze. It travels the star rails, passing through countless worlds. Its purpose is to walk the Path of Trailblaze—to explore the universe without seeking fame or gain. It is the last remaining train of the Nameless. The Nameless themselves are brave, curious interstellar explorers, driven by a passion for discovery."
March 7th's eyes lit up. "So they're like space-faring adventurers?! That's so cool! I've made up my mind—I'm joining the Astral Express!"
Fuli was mildly surprised by her sudden enthusiasm, but this was a good thing. His slightly derailed plan was now back on track.
"Before that, though—I can't just go without a name, can I?" She looked from Fuli to Yuki.
Without hesitation, Yuki answered, "March 7th."
"March 7th?" She tilted her head.
"It's March 7th today. What better name for someone starting a new life?"
March 7th considered this for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction. "March 7th... I like it!"