As the sun sets ever deeper below the horizon and the evening begins to fade into night, after several minutes of aimless wandering, I come across what just might be where I was looking to go; in front of me is a wide passage leading down to a cliff, with small trees surrounding it on either side.

The trees closest to the outside of this opening and decorated with lovely pink flowers, just the color of my yogurt, and in addition, the ground is lightly coated with petals of the same type of flower scattered all across the lush grass. No other place in Goiky has ever been decorated like this until now, and I also remember what Snowball said to me before I had to leave him earlier today:

"...Um, OK! Don't forget, Yogurt Cup, I'll get everything ready in the meantime!"

Remebering this, I realize now that this is probably what he meant by that, and that I am certainly in the right place. I walk down to the cliff and prepare myself to meet Snowball again.

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"...Hello? Is anyone here? Snowball?", I softly call out.

Right after, though, I notice Snowball turning around to face me out of my peripheral vision. 

"Oh, you're finally here! I was thinking you forgot for a while, now... but anyways, do you like the decorations and stuff I put up? It took a really long time for me to find those flowers, 'cause I had to go in the forest since they never grow here in the plains."

"Heh, sorry I'm late, Snowball; I blacked out earlier for some reason and I only woke up just now. But I really love the decorations, they're really flattering, and the color of the petals is beautiful!"

"That's awesome that you think that, thanks! But, what do you mean by 'you blacked out'? Are you OK? Did someone hurt you? They're gonna be sorry if they did that!", he growls, starting to seethe with protective anger.

I find it awfully endearing that Snowball doesn't want me to get hurt, but it isn't exactly necessary in this case.

"Well, I got into a big argument with Firey earlier today, and a little while after I went away from him, I suddenly blacked out and went into this deep state of unconsciousness, where I had this weird vision..."

"Um, why don't you sit down next to me so we can talk more?", Snowball suggests. I comply and go seat myself down on the cliff's edge, on his right.

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"OK, so... during the blackout I had, I had this horrible vision where my past self was asking out this girl I apparently liked, and according to the context of the vision, I been been in love with her for several months prior and finally built up the confidence. But when my past self told the other girl, she just said she was already seeing someone, and my past self was devastated and ran home in tears."

"...What? How did talking to Firey cause this to you, they're completely unrelated things!"

"It's because of what Golf Ball explained to me the other day; that especially emotionally impactful memories of my past life are triggered by making interactions similar to the events in those memories. These events don't seem related, but they are, because of this."

"So what you saying is, if something super-serious happened to you while you're living, and then you die, and then you start over in another life, and something happened to you that reminded you of that event, you'd remember it? What Golf Ball's telling you sounds too crazy to be true!"

"Yeah... I know it's really hard to believe, but trust me; she's right! If what Golf Ball told me was a lie, I would've never had that vision, because there'd be nothing for me to remember."

"Huh? How couldn't there be anything for you to remember? How can you even remember this stuff if it never happened to you? It was probably just a dream, right?"

"No, not exactly. I don't think I told you this the first time we met, but according to Golf Ball, memories from the life before the one I'm in right now are recovered when you know a special bit of information called 'the secret of existence'. The "secret" is that reality is made up of a countless number of dimensions, which are types of worlds, each with their own conditions known as universal rules. Each dimension has an infinite number of different versions of itself, known as alternate universes, or AUs for short. Each time you die, you get sent to a different dimension, or just another AU in that same dimension. Also, when I said that there'd be nothing to remember if it weren't for 'the secret of existence', I meant that even if super-life-altering, major events happened in my most recent past life, I'd have no way to recover them. It still would've happened, I just wouldn't have a way to remember that it did."

"OK, I think I get it now... so that vision wasn't a dream, but it actually happened to you in your life before this one, and that you could remember it because of that "secret" thing? Is that how you came to Goiky all of a sudden?"

"Yeah, that explains it. See, I told you Golf Ball knows her stuff! But, I was wondering... why do you hate Golf Ball so much? Whenever I told you something she said, you sound so upset even just saying her name. Leafy told me what Golf Ball did to you, but I still don't really understand how it caused you two to hate each other so deeply."

Flinching in shock, Snowball suddenly grimaces at my question. I think I might've triggered him with that statement, and I anxiously await his reply.

"Well, I mean... she didn't physically hurt me, 'cause I'm stronger than her that I could completely crush her weak body with just my hands, but she insulted me calling my brain . I'm always used to hiding my emotions whenever I get insulted, and just in general, but that really offended me, and I never forgot it. So, because of that, I'd been really angry and jealous at her just because she thinks she's SO smart. I'm aware that I'm not a supergenius like Golf Ball, but nobody's that intelligent! I just want to... beatripPIECES!" 

Seething with anger, frustration and jealousy, Snowball even looks to be on the verge of tears. Now knowing his internal struggle and hostile feelings about the topic at hand, I feel really guilty for asking him of such a sensitive subject. Regardless, I put aside my own feelings to try to calm him down.

"Oh, no... I'm really sorry that I triggered you to feel like this, Snowball! I didn't know you felt so strongly about it, I was just curious to know... I'll change the subject to something more comfortable if you'd like! Please don't be mad at me..."

"Please... let's talk about something else. You're right, it wasn't a good idea to bring that up, but I'm not upset at you...", he assures me, slowly returning to his senses.

I sigh with relief and start to try to think up something else for us to discuss.

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Evening has since completely transitioned into night, and stars dance in the dreamy purpley-blue hues of the sky as the moon shines brightly in all its glory, beaming soft moonlight down on the peaceful island plains, and even making the ice crystals on Snowball's body glitter a bit. I haven't been able to think of another topic for us to talk about for a long time, and it's been a while since we've said anything to one another.

Through all this inactivity, Snowball's starting to fall asleep, leaning on me for support. Of course, his body is uncomfortably cold, but it doesn't matter to me, and I bear this unfavorable condition anyway.

"...I don't know if you're still awake, Snowball, but... you know... it's really pretty out tonight. The moonlight makes you glitter, and I think it looks beautiful on you."

I look back at him, lying on my lap, and he slowly flutters his eyes open.

"...Hm?... Sorry, Yogurt Cup, I was falling asleep... but, I heard what you said, and... that's actually really kind of you. I've never been complimented like that before."

Snowball smiles bashfully, and his face flushes a light blue. I bend over a bit and give him a hug, also blushing myself.

"You're so cold, but I don't care... and, I just want to thank you for caring about me and understanding me, Snowball. Ever since I first came here, I didn't make all that many friends, and even then, Leafy was the only one who seems to be truly interested in me; I mean, I like all my other friends and everything, but it just feels like they aren't really... like they aren't really invested in me. None of them ever wanted me to come back to them so I could get to know them better. But you... you were genuinely to see me again. Even though you were kind of... vicious when I first met you, and despite what Leafy said about you, you're actually the kindest object I've ever met besides her. You even took the time to set out picking those pretty flowers for me in that dangerous forest to make the atmosphere more comfortable, and to impress me even more than you already did. And, while I'm really glad that you did all of this, going out of your way to be so kind and compassionate... do you... do you have a crush on me?"

At that last question, Snowball is now more flushed than before, his face tinted a deep blue. He quickly sits up, turning to face me.

"...W-well, we haven't even known each other for a whole day yet, and I still don't even know everything about you, like... like who you're into, and you probably don't feel that way about me, but... yeah, I- I do..."

He plays with his hands and looks down, clearly trying to avoid my gaze. 

"I- I mean... I'm sorry that I bothered you if- if you don't feel the same way, but... you're- you're the cutest girl I've ever met. And, it was the happiest day of my life when we- we first met... I don't know what I'd have done with my life if it weren't for you, 'cause, you know... the whole 'friends situation'... but now, that doesn't matter, b-because... now, you're here, and we're friends, right? I hope this doesn't ruin... ruin our friendship, 'cause I- I know you haven't known me a long time, and you're probably not into this type of thing after that 'past life' thing you described ..."

Upon hearing Snowball's confession, I can feel my face heating up, as I begin to register the shock of the event. 

"R-really? I never thought that you might've felt like that... and, I'm extremely flattered. You know, in that vision I described to you earlier in the evening, I had my heart broken by some shallow girl I apparently considered to be my friend. All throughout then, nobody had ever liked me like this before, and I felt sad, worthless and alone. But, that's all in the past now, and I don't suffer from that anymore, because things have changed, and I'm in a new life, now; of course I'm open to that sort of thing, don't worry! But, enough about me, because I really like you, too. I know I've already told you this a little earlier, but besides Leafy, I've never had anyone in my life now or the one before it who genuinely cares about and loves me. And, while I can't consider us to be dating just yet, 'cause I know we haven't even known each other for even a day as of right now... it won't ruin our friendship, I promise. ...I still love you, Snowball."

He smiles and emits a sigh of relief. 

"But, I guess, now that it's getting really late, and it's looking really nice out tonight, before I let you go so you can go to sleep, there's still just one last thing I wanted to do, even though we're not dating and all. I- I just really don't want to miss this opportunity, 'cause there'll probably never be another time that we get to spend like this, so I hope you don't mind, but..."

Blushing harder than ever, Snowball sighs and moves a bit closer to me, until his face is inches away from mine, and gently puts his hands around my waist... and moves in just a little more to kiss me deeply, passionately, and already emitting soft, quiet moans as his hand travels up behind my head to secure me more strongly in his grasp.

About a minute later of this sweet embrace, he moves back off of me, gasping for air a little, with his face still tinted a moderate shade of blue. 

"I- I, um... I hope you liked it, Yogurt Cup. I c-couldn't resist, and I've never kissed a girl before... I- I guess this makes us friends with benefits now?..."

"Wow... that- that was... amazing! I've never been kissed before, either... and, I suppose you're right about that, n-now that we just... kissed. So it's like we're friends, b-but with the benefits of a relationship, then," I stutter, flustered from the ecstasy.

Snowball chuckles and stands up, seemingly about to start off somewhere.

"Well, then, if you really think so, then I guess it is... but now, it's getting really late, and the moon is starting to set. We should really be getting to sleep, now..."

I look back from him and up at the sky, and it is indeed considerably darker than it was earlier.

"Tonight was absolutely fantastic, Snowball. Honestly, thank you for your company; I've been under a lot of stress lately because of... of Leafy's problems and all those traumatic visions I'd been having, but I wouldn't know what to do without you, because you've really helped me feel a lot better. So, good night. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, you too! Thanks for the good time! ...I- I love you!", he waves as he walks off, disappearing into the dark distance. I smile to myself, and leave off in the opposite direction to head on my way back to Leafy and I's usual spot.

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Stumbling tiredly about, I finally reach the place by the shore where Leafy and I spend our nights, noticing it by the familiar yoyleberry bush Leafy sleeps by and the rock near it that I sleep on. Before I come closer, however, I'm greeted by Leafy, who's already half-asleep, but not enough so that she was still able to see me coming. 

"...Oh, hey, Yogurt Cup. How was your evening? I'm sorry about having to leave you earlier; I went off on a walk to think about what you said earlier this morning; about how I have to find a way to help myself deal with the consequences of my problems by finding something to do to distract myself from them... and I have to say, I've really taken your advice into consideration, and I've managed to think of a way to do what you suggested. But, I'm not gonna tell you... I'm gonna show you. That's for you to find out tomorrow, anyway. But until then, have a good night, Yogurt Cup. I'll see you in the morning."

She smiles weakly and turns around, completely falling asleep.

"You too, Leafy; sweet dreams."

Exhausted from the day's events, I finally go over to settle down and as I lay by the rock, slowly I too start to fall asleep, only wondering what events tomorrow will bring, and what Leafy might plan to do next.

I only hope it isn't what I worry it might be.