In the depths of Roselle’s mind, where memories and fragments of her past were stored, the System echoed out after a long sile called out to her, addressing her as it always did,

  “Project Mage.”

  Roselle found herself in a dreamlike space, aware of her surroundings but uain of how she had arrived there. The st thing she remembered was f Runebelle, and now she was in this strange realm. fusion washed over her.

  “Project Mage,” the System called out once more, cutting through her bewilderment. “You’ve entered a pce of your own memories, where the past be relived. But you have a task to aplish, an important task in the real world. It’s time to view a new Memory Fragment.”

  Roselle’s curiosity iqued, and she felt a sense en the System’s words. She replied, “A new Memory Fragment? But I remember we were about to do something important in the real world. Why am I here?”

  The System responded, “Project Mage, the Memory Fragment is essential for yrowth and uanding. It will take you into the past, and this journey may reveal answers you seek. There is no time to waste. You must view the Memory Fragment now.”

  “System,” Roselle inquired with ay, “What about what’s going on in the real world? My sisters, Risebelle and Runebelle, they’ll be worried about me… You don’t know how long I’ll be here in this memory, aher do I…I might be left behind…”

  The System responded with sternness in tone, “Project Mage, your presen the real world is signifit, but so is this journey into your past. The Memory Fragment is a piece of the puzzle, a key to uanding your entire existe’s not a choice between the real world and your memories. Both are iwined, and one must not be ed for the other. You must embrace this journey, for it is crucial.”

  Roselle pted the System’s words. The System, embodied itself in front of Roselle with the Memory Fragment in its grasp. It brought the memory to life before her eyes, dispying the image of a hospital bed, where the memory ended during the st memory fragment. Roselle blinked and was enveloped her, and with a blinding fsh, she found herself transported back to her college years, her body now inhabiting the hospital bed.

  Surrounded by the ical white walls, Roselle’s eyes darted around. She was in her past. She looked down at her current body, which appeared older than the one she had beeed with. There were no physical injuries ns of pain. She also didn’t remember how she would have gotten here. Innerly, she questioned, “What happeo me?”

  Roselle slowly recalled her versation with Sadie. The st thing that tall girl said now came to the forefront of her mind. “It’s going to happen any minute now, I’ll leave you at a hospital,” Sadie had said.

  Now, standing in this room, Roselle muttered aloud, “Sadie knows something. In fact, Sadie knows a lot about what’s been going oly. I o find her again…”

  Roselle took off from the hospital a home. Oside, it was night time. Her mother, Mrs. Magenta, was waiting for her with worry and relief in her eyes. She embraced her daughter tightly. “Roselle, you were out so te. I’ve been having these bad dreams and visions of terrible things happening to our family, and when you didn’t e home on time, my worries just grew stronger…”

  Roselle took a deep breath and then said,“I met a girl named Risebelle on my way to find Tina. She looks just like me, but with blue hair, and she’s taller than me. Risebelle told me about a girl named Rosebelle who looks exactly like us.”

  Roselle tinued, “Risebelle took me to meet Sadie, who’s known as the Sleuth of Shadows on the forums. I think Rosebelle might be behind what happeo our friends. It’s the first time I’ve heard of someone named Rosebelle who looks exactly like me and Risebelle.”

  Mrs. Magenta listened ily. Tears welled up in Mrs. Magenta’s eyes. “Roselle, I don’t know what’s about to happen tomorrow, but I have this terrible feeling that something bad is on the horizon.”

  She pced a trembling hand on Roselle’s shoulder. “My heart ’t take this anymore. I….I don’t want to lose you. You’re my precious little girl.”

  Roselle shifted from a frown to a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Mom. Nothing’s happeo me yet.”

  Roselle theed something:

  “In every moment, through joy and strife,

  I promise you, my dear, I’ll love you for life.”

  Roselle’s Mother listeo Roselle’s words in surprise. She tinued, “I remember, Mom. You used to say that to me all the time.”

  “I’m so gd you remembered, my dear,” Mrs.Magenta whispered, holding Roselle even tighter. She pnted a tender kiss on Roselle’s forehead and gazed into her daughter’s eyes.

  “There’s o worry, Mom,” Roselle said with a smile.

  Mrs. Magenta began, “But, but—”

  Roselle interrupted gently, “We have to let some things happen. We ’t prevent every problem.”

  Mrs. Magenta, with a pout, replied, “I try, though! It’s just in my nature to worry.”

  Roselle giggled. “I know, Mom. And that’s one of the reasons I love you.”

  Mrs. Magenta smiled. “Alright then. I’ll try not to worry too much.”

  Roselle embraced her mother once more before saying, “Let’s get some rest. We both .”

  The sun rose on a quiet Saturday m. Roselle awakened with knowledge of the mission she had to fufill today. After a quick shower, she made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth. The refle in the mirror revealed a resolute face.

  Roselle stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her. Roselle began to speak softly to herself. “I hope Mom is alright. Sometimes she be too w.”

  She thought back to her past school days, recalling the slightest is where her mother had rushed to the se. Sometimes her mother had shown up at school with random household items in her hands. Mrs. Magenta had beeioned by the stern principal, who was always looking bewildered at the sight of a frantian clutg a whisk and a dish towel. Roselle chuckled at the memory.

  Stepping out of the shower, Roselle dried off and dressed quickly. She took o look at her refle. Then, she gave herself a nod of fidence.

  “It’s time to get to work,” she whispered, before heading out to start her day.

  Downstairs, in the cozy kit, Mrs. Magenta was busy preparing breakfast for her daughter. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air bined with the st of warm, buttery toast.

  Mrs. Magenta reached for her coffee cup, but her hand slipped, and the hot liquid spilled over the table. The dark brew spttered across the pristine white tablecloth, creating an unintended ink blot on the fabric. Mrs. Magenta’s eyes widened with a gasp. She quickly reached for a napkin to soak up the coffee and began to the mess with unease.

  Roselle came downstairs and withe se. Her mother looked like it was the end of the world. She was frantically wiping the table. Mrs. Magenta looked up and forced a smile.“I just spilled some coffee, b-but breakfast is ready.”

  Roselle looked at her with , noting the tension in her maze. “Mom, it’s okay,” she said softly, stepping closer. “It’s just coffee. o stress.”

  Mrs. Magenta sighed. “I know, I know. I just... I want everything to be perfect for you. Especially today.”

  Roselle pced a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Everything is perfect, Mom. And you don’t have to worry so much. Let’s just enjoy breakfast together, okay?”

  Mrs. Magenta nodded. Her smile became a bit menuine. “Okay, dear. Let’s eat.”

  A third omen struck when a pte of scrambled eggs slipped from her hands, scattering across the kit floor. Mrs. Magenta’s hands trembled.

  Panic set in, and her heart began to race. “I’m going to lose Roselle,” she muttered under her breath. She dropped to her knees, frantically trying to up the mess.

  Roselle rushed to her side. “Mom, it’s just eggs. It’s okay. I’m right here.”

  Mrs. Magenta shook her head. Her movements became even more hastened. “No, I have to this up. I have to make sure everything is safe for you. I ’t let anything happen to you.”

  Roselle grabbed her mother’s hands, stilling them. “Mom, listen to me, i’m here, and I’m safe. Please, calm down.”

  Mrs. Magenta looked up with fear. “But what if something happens? I ’t lose you, Roselle. I just ’t.”

  Roselle took a deep breath.“Mom, nothing is going to happen to me. You have to trust that. We ’t trol everything, but we be here for each other. Please, let me help you.”

  Mrs. Magenta’s breathing slowly began to steady. The panic gradually faded, repced by a relut acceptance. “Okay, Roselle. Okay.”

  They began to up the mess togetherMrs. Magenta eyed her daughter while they worked and then decided to speak. “You know, I was thinking about your bunny colle the other day. You’ve always loved those little furballs.”

  Roselle smiled. “Yeah, I still do. Remember that time I begged you to let me take care of a real bunny?”

  Mrs. Magenta chuckled softly. “How could I fet? You were so excited. You named him Flopsy, didn’t you?”

  Roselle ughed. “I did! But taking care of Flossy was a lot harder than I thought. I didn’t realize how much work it would be to keep his cage and make sure he had enough food and water.”

  Mrs. Magenta nodded. “You learned a lot of responsibility from that experience. And even though it was tough, you never gave up on Flopsy.”

  Roselle’s smile grew wistful. “Yeah, Flopsy taught me a lot. He was so adorable!”

  Roselle stood up and made her way to the drabbing her bag on the way. She turo her mother with a small smile. “I’m off, Mom.”

  Mrs. Magent raised her fists up as far as her face. “Be careful out there, Roselle. And if anything happens, call me. I’ll rush there no matter what!”

  Roselle chuckled softly. “Ohh, I believe you, Mom,” she thought to herself.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” she said aloud.

  Roselle tried to leave her house, but she suddenly collided with someo her doorstep. Stumbling back a step, she quickly regained her band found herself face to face with Michigo.

  Michigo extended hands to Roselle’s shoulder. “Roselle….I was really worried after you ran off the other day. Are you okay?”

  It all came rushing back to Roselle. She had pushed Michigo away. She had run off. She never expected Michigo to e back here Roselle looked away momentarily, gatherihoughts, and then faced her friend. “Michigo, I’m so sorry for what happened. I shouldn’t have pushed you away like that. I was… I was overwhelmed and didn’t know how to handle everything…”

  Michigo’s eyes softened.” You don’t have to apologize. I get why you acted the way you did. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  Roselle felt a lump ihroat. “I didn’t think you’d e back… I thought you’d be mad at me or even hate me.”

  Michigo shook her head. She formed a smile. “Roselle, you’re my friend. I could never hate you. I know what yoing through right now.”

  “I remember,” Roselle said quietly, “how you hugged me and tried to e. I was just… so lost at the time. It wasn’t fair to you.”

  Michigo’s gaze remaieady. “We all have moments when we’re lost, Roselle.” She raised her fist and flexed her arm, showg her muscle with a grin. “But we always find that irength to keep going.

  She g Roselle and lowered her eyes slightly while maintaining a grin.“e on, show me what you’ve got. Flex those muscles!”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. Her cheeks became flushed. She ainfully aware of the differeween her sy frame and Michigo’s well-toned physique from the Karate club. She hesitated.

  Michigo’s grin widened, and she nudged Roselle gently. “Just do it this once. I promise, it’ll be fun!”

  Roselle chuckled nervously, lifting her arms in a weak attempt to flex. She ughed at her own efforts.

  Michigo ughed along. “See? It’s all about trying, even if it’s just for fun. We all have our strengths, Roselle, and we just o keep finding them.”

  Roselle smiled. “Okay, okay. I get it. Thanks, Michigo. I’ll try to remember that.”

  Michigo set aside her ughter and became serious. There’s a crucial Detective’s Club meeting today. We need you there. Harty will fill you in oails. And speaking of Harty... do you have any i in him? I mean, it’s not like he’s asking or anything, but I ’t help but wonder.”

  Roselle’s cheeks colored slightly. Then, she chuckled at Michigo’s direess. “Well, he’s a bit of a mystery, and I do find that intriguing but... ehehehe…”

  Michigo gave Roselle a mischievous grin and replied, “Good, you should e to the Detective’s Club meeting then. Harty will appreciate it, and we might need your insight on things.”

  Michigo eyed Roselle’s pin dress. “But, Roselle, you ’t go dressed like that. If you want to make an impression, especially on Harty, you o wear ‘that’ dress instead of your casuals.”

  Roselle’s face turned another shade of pink. “That dress? What are you talking about? And, uh… I didn’t know I was trying to impress anyone.”

  Michigo’s eyes twinkled.“Oh, e on! You kly which dress I mean. It’s the one you wore that time at the festival. It’s perfect for the occasion!”

  “Um…Michigo I really don’t think—“

  Michigo, however, wasn’t giving her any room to protes. She grabbed Roselle’s arm and pulled her bato the house.

  “Wait, what are you—” Roselle began, but Michigo was already guiding her up the stairs.

  Roselle was back to her doorstep, and she looked down at herself in amazement. Her dress was adorned with a pattern ht yellow petals, and her hair, a cascade of long, flowing yellow locks, framed her face like rays of sunshine. She couldn’t believe the transformation in her own self.

  Michigo, who had helped her prepare, gave her a thumbs-up and excimed, “Roselle, you look adorable! Harty won’t know what hit him when he sees you like this.”