‘Should I really tell Hashta? What if she thinks I'm crazy? What if she doesn't believe me? I can't keep this hidden…She's my friend, and she deserves to know… maybe…just maybe…by telling her this, I can find out more from her about what’s going on…’

After a moment of hesitation, Roselle took a deep breath and decided to confide in Hashta.

"I... Hashta, there's…something I haven't told anyone," Roselle began. "The reason I didn't recognize you or remember is because... I've been experiencing these bizzare memory gaps and fragments. Hmm… how do I even explain this...” Roselle held onto her head with both of her hands.” I'm seeing bits and pieces of the future or something... I don't know why it's happening.”

Hasta opened her mouth. She wanted to say something, but allowed Roselle to continue. "I get it, it does sound kinda suspicious, but it’s the truth! Okay? I really want to make things right. Can you help me understand what's been going on lately?"

Hashta listened to Roselle's explanation with surprise and skepticism. She leaned back slightly and folded her ams.

Hatsta studied Roselle closely with her green eyes. "That's... unusual, to say the least. I mean, we all have our fair share of forgetful moments. What you're describing sounds like something more. And it ‘conveniently’ happened right when we met at the arcade."

Hashta tapped her own elbow with her fingers. "Look, Roselle, I'm not saying you're making this up, but it's just hard to believe. Are you sure you're not just trying to find a very creative excuse for what happened between us?"

"I get why you might think that, Hashta," Roselle replied," I swear, this is all new to me, and I'm just as confused and frustrated about it as you are. I wouldn't make up something like this. I want to understand what's happening to me, and I thought maybe you could help shed some light on it since we’re…you know..."

She paused for a moment, her gaze searching Hashta's eyes for any sign of trust. "Can you at least hear me out and tell me if anything happened to you recently or if you've heard of anyone else experiencing something similar?"

Hashta sighed, "Alright, Roselle. I'll hear you out; however, just so you know, I've been pretty focused on my gaming lately, and I haven't heard of anything like this happening to anyone else. I'll tell you what I can, though."

Roselle nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Hashta. I appreciate it.”

Roselle silently pondered the contradictions of her statement and decided to seek clarity from the System.

"Wait," she thought and addressed the system in her mind, "did I really say something like that in the past? It just doesn't add up, considering I used to be a regular girl."

The System responded boldly “Yes, Project Mage, you did say something similar in the past. The memories you've experienced include moments from your life before these gaps started. Your past self had moments of ordinary life as well as extraordinary events. It's all part of your history."

Roselle disengaged with the system and returned to her conversation with Hashta who listened intently as Roselle recounted her experiences.

"Roselle," she began, her tone gentle, "I want to believe you, I really do. You have to understand though, if I told anyone else what you just told me, they'd probably think you've lost your mind. It's just... it's so bizarre, like something out of a sci-fi movie or a video game plot."

Roselle chuckled, shaking her head. "Believe me, Hashta, I wish it were that simple. This is real life, not some RPG where you can respawn after you die."

Hashta grinned, her eyes lighting up with mischief. "Well, if this were a video game, at least we'd have cheat codes to help us out, right? Invincibility mode, unlimited health potions, you name it!"

Roselle laughed, the tension easing from her shoulders. "Yeah, that would certainly make things easier.”

Hashta and Roselle shared a moment, but then Hashta looked at Roselle serious and put both of her hands on her sides with a glare.

Roselle responded with a deep sigh. "I know, Hashta, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Believe me, I've questioned my own sanity too.”

Hashta let out a small sigh. “Okay, Roselle, you win," she said with a hint of amusement. “You wanna to live in a fantasy land where you're the queen with ten boyfriends and a boss status, I get it."

Roselle blushed deeply at Hashta's playful teasing. "Come on, Hashta, don't make fun of me like that," she protested, her tone earnest. “Besides! What I have to talk to you about is something serious! And it does involve what happened at school."

Hashta chuckled, her teasing tone softening into a more serious one. "Alright, alright, I'm listening. Tell me what's going on."

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Roselle was frustrated about the events that had transpired at school. She leaned in closer to Hashta, her eyes searching for answers.

"Why don't you tell me, Hashta?" she asked with a frown. "You and the other girls, you surrounded me at school the other day. You acted like I was some enemy of yours or something. I need to know what that was all about. Please, help me understand."

Hashta grew serious. She leaned in closer to Roselle. "Roselle, I can't speak for the others, but I'll tell you what I know. It was like for me... it was like something came over me. I just couldn't recognize you ... It was the strangest feeling... After I heard what you 'supposedly' did to Sarah, and then I saw you again, I didn't know how to react, so I went to you and other's followed. I guess, I wanted to actually make sense of it, and maybe they went through the same thing."

Roselle listened attentively to Hashta's explanation her brow furrowed in deep thought. This was very baffling to her. So this is what was going on? They all saw her as something else over that one incident?

"It's as if something altered your perception of me, right?" Roselle mused aloud with one hand covering her mouth. "And you felt compelled to confront me because of what you heard about me supposedly hurting Sarah, then when you tried you didn't feel like you were talking to me."

Hashta nodded in agreement. “Yeah, see, you’re understanding Roselle. It was like I had this... this mental block, you see? You didn’t look like the girl that I knew you as. I'm really sorry about what happened, it was just so confusing."

Roselle gently placed a hand on Hashta's shoulder with empathy. "Hashta, you don't need to apologize. I know it's not your fault. This whole situation is just… It’s crazy, that’s the only way I can put it.”

Hashta’s face grew solemn. "After that event, things changed, Roselle. Ella and Aruka... they're different now. They seem more distant, like they've moved on from our relationships. I've tried talking to them, but they act like we were never close."

Roselle's heart sank at Hashta's words. It was becoming clearer that whatever had affected those in her circle’s perception of her had lasting consequences. The sense of loss and confusion weighed heavily on her.

"That's... really tough to hear… I…never wanted any of this to happen. I need to figure out what's going on, Hashta. I have to get to the bottom of these things and why they're affecting my life like this."

Hashta nodded in understanding, her green hair swaying gently. "I get it, Roselle. Just... promise me one thing."

"What is it, Hashta?"

"Promise me that you won't give up, no matter how weird or impossible things seem," Hashta said. She smiled making a distinct cat-like face. "You're still Roselle...and I still want to beat you at that one video game...”

Roselle smiled at Hashta's competitiveness.

"I promise, Hashta," Roselle replied closing her eyes with a smile. "I won't give up. I'll do everything I can to solve the mystery and get our group back together again. And hey, I accept your challenge in that video game. Let's see who comes out on top!"

Hashta grinned. "You're on, Roselle."

Roselle leaned in closer to Hashta.

"Hashta, I really appreciate your help. Maybe your skills are what we need to. There's someone I'd like you to meet. It’s a boy named Harty that goes to our school. He's a detective in training and has special permission to use the chess club as a secret base for our investigation. I think you'll get along well, and your gaming prowess might come in handy."

Hashta nodded in agreement, "Sure, Roselle. I'd love to meet Harty and see what we can uncover together. Just let me know the time of day, and I'll be there."

Roselle smiled appreciatively, "Thank you, Hashta. I'll arrange a meeting with Harty soon. "

“Call me, Roselle. You should have my number in your phone. It’s not like you forgot it or anything, right?”

Roselle nodded, feeling a sense of relief that Hashta was willing to help. She reached for her phone and quickly checked her contacts, finding Hashta's number listed there.

"You're right, I do have your number," Roselle admitted with a slightly embarrassed chuckle. "I should have checked before. Maybe that would have been better. I promise I’ll stay in touch this time. Thanks again, Hashta!"

Hashta grinned and gave a casual wave. "No problem, Roselle. I'm looking forward to helping out and seeing where this investigation takes us."

The two parted ways with a wave of their hand, but it was at this moment that Roselle came to remember: Sarah!

Panic surged through Roselle who just noticed she had lost track of Sarah in the crowded arcade. She frantically scanned the venue, searching for any sign of the familiar face .Sarah seemed to have disappeared and there was not a sign of her.

Desperation mounting, Roselle hurriedly weaved her way through the throngs of gamers, calling out Sarah's name in a worried tone. "Sarah? Sarah, where are you? Please, answer me!"

Despite her frantic efforts, there was no response.

Roselle, her heart pounding with worry, quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Sarah's number. She held her breath, hoping to hear the familiar ringtone nearby that would lead her to her missing friend. Sarah’s phone began to ring; however, to her growing concern, there was no sound, no indication that Sarah's phone was in the vicinity.

Upon anxiously scanning the arcade, Roselle realized that something was amiss. In a hushed voice, Roselle whispered to herself.

"Sarah left the arcade... why?" The question lingered in her mind.

After Roselle left arcade and stepped onto the street, she called Sarah’s number. Unfortunately, Sarah did not pick up.

“Sarah, Sarah…come on Sarah….” Sarah’s phone kept ringing and Roselle grewincreasingly concerned by the lack of response.

Unbeknownst to Roselle, while she focused on her phone call, a tall figure with striking blue hair walked right past her, flanked by two others. The resemblance between the blue-haired figure and Roselle was uncanny, but this person appeared taller and had a more serious demeanor.

Once Roselle returned home, her mother, Mrs. Magenta noticed the serious look on her daughter's face. She was accustomed to Roselle's usual cheerful demeanor, and this change in her daughter's mood was concerning.

Mrs. Magenta put down the book she was reading and stood up. She walked over to Roselle. She gently placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder and asked with genuine concern, "Roselle, is everything okay? You look so serious. Is something bothering you?"

Roselle hesitated for a moment. She took deep breathe and decided to speak softly, "Mom, there's something really weird happening to me, and I don't know how to explain it. It's like…I'm seeing memories that don't make sense, and today, I couldn't find Sarah. I'm just... I'm really confused and…worried."

Mrs. Magenta patted a spot for Roselle to sit down, and they both sat.

“I should let you know about your abilities…”