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"You understand?"
Words that they had repeated hundreds of times now, across hundreds of loops, to the one person that had saved them many times over.
"Huh?" Yuri says, confused. Their eyes hold no glimmer of recognition, nor is there the familiar smile. The only thing there is: confusion, amnesia, and the bitter taste of regret on Setsu's tongue.
This isn't their Yuri. Not the one who saved them, and not the one who remembers.
Setsu is fine with this.
They offer their hand, and as the other Yuri clasps it, they search for something, anything that could be a part of their Yuri.
As usual, there's nothing.
Setsu's heart breaks a little more.
---
Setsu had prepared themself to never see their Yuri again. Yuri, who was calm, sometimes lonely, a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts. Yuri, who gave everything to save them, who longed to disappear so that the 'real' version of them could live on.
Anomaly or not, they were still Setsu's friend.
Was friend the right word, at this point? This connection that bordered on obsession, this longing that could never be soothed.
They would do it again, and again, just to give Yuri a world they could live in.
"You understand?" The words feel heavy, weighing on their shoulders, rehearsed, fake.
Get it together, Setsu, they think, and yet another loop plays out. Yet another loop passes, and they are unable to give the Silver Key to Yuri.
Because- it’s not Yuri.
They are trapped, with the parasite that clamors for something that Setsu cannot give, no way out, and the only option left is to slowly go insane as they loop for the rest of eternity.
They would never see their Yuri again.
---
Setsu has lost track of how many loops it has been since they started. At this point, Setsu finds themself apathetic, uncaring. The Gnosia threat is always imminent, Yuri never remembers, and Setsu is always trapped.
The other Yuri is so much like their Yuri, a ghost of the person they love loved. An echo, so similar yet so different, someone who cannot remember Setsu.
Every time they have to suppress their tears, keep their head up, and pretend everything is fine.
The medical pod finishes its treatment, and the all too familiar chime sounds as they touch the screen. As it opens, Setsu prepares themself for the same exchange they've repeated many, many times.
"You understand?" they ask, fighting to keep their face neutral.
The other Yuri looks up at them, an unreadable expression on their face, and Setsu swears they see a small smile on their lips.
"Figures. This instant learning system is dated. Can you get up?" they ask, repeating the same script that they always have, and will continue to repeat for eternity.
The other Yuri takes their hand, and Setsu has to remind themself that it's not their hand, it's not their Yuri. "Let me ask you about something." Setsu leans in, whispering in the other Yuri's ear. "Do you believe humanity should be eliminated?"
They know how this conversation goes. The usual 'what?' or 'huh?' from the amnesiac, barely understanding what the hell is going on.
"I don't."
Setsu's heart skips a beat. It's impossible, there's no way-
"You know I don't." Yuri continues, and Setsu stumbles back, in a state of shock. "No matter how many liars are among them."
"Y-Yuri." Setsu stammers out, hardly daring to believe. "Are you-?"
"Otome remembered you. Whenever she would hear your name, she felt it in her lip."
Setsu's heart is pounding as the realization sets in. Their Yuri is alive, and here.
"It is you. But... you can't." Their voice is barely above a whisper. "How?"
As Yuri explains, Setsu can hardly believe it. Yuri looped again, just to come back and save them? To end their loop?
For the first time in countless loops, Setsu feels their heart heal.
---
After everything is over, Setsu takes Yuri by the hand, leading them to the viewing lounge. Their Yuri, the one they hold so close to their heart.
"Attention, Setsu, Yuri. There is little time before warp commences. Please return to your living quarters." Stella says, over the speaker.
Selfish as it may be, Setsu insists, "We're fine, go ahead."
At the AI's insistence, they end up lying on the ground, right across from Yuri. The two are close, so close, that Setsu can feel Yuri's steady breaths.
Yuri says their name so gently, eyes shining like stardust, that Setsu almost forgets to speak. "Setsu." they whisper, their words just for them to hear.
Setsu smiles, their hand coming up to rest on Yuri's cheek, gentle, a reminder. They were both still here. "You just had to come back to me. To save my life."
Yuri laughs, a small smile on their lips. "You know, I never would've pulled off that last part on my own.”
The way Yuri looks at them is so gentle, so sincere, that Setsu feels themself relax further, their heart so full of love and warmth for Yuri. This...was all that they needed.
"I finally understand." Setsu confesses, gazing into Yuri's eyes, allowing themself to slow down and enjoy this moment. "You really are an irregularity."
"A Bug." Yuri supplies, and Setsu has to resist the urge to laugh, because they couldn't be farther from the truth.
"No. You're not a Bug, Yuri." Setsu replies, taking a deep breath. "You're..."
Yuri is there, right there. They're both safe, they're both here. Against all odds, they made it.
"You're my..."
How is Setsu supposed to express it? Yuri is their hero, their hope, their trust, their…
"Initiating warp countdown. 10...9...8...7..." LeVi says, and Yuri looks towards Setsu, eyes wide, reflecting the light.
"Setsu..." they repeat, and Setsu just smiles. Yuri came back for them, they're finally here, and Setsu knows everything will be okay.
"...5...4...3..."
Yuri reaches for Setsu, and their hand cups Setsu's face, as warp begins.
---
When Setsu wakes up after warp, they are surprised to see Yuri sitting up, and even more surprised when Yuri smiles, tears in their eyes.
"...Hey, Setsu." they say, beaming. "I'm right here."
Yuri smiles, and that is everything that Setsu needs.