Max: Sachika Uedo.....Steefan??
Chuck: Yeahh!! You can ask Melissa too!!
Max turned towards the red haired girl who was busy stitching the injured Lin's wounds. Albert was beside her, still holding the warrior.
Melissa: It's true Max...she is still inside.
Max was still pretty confused. Chuck had a lot of hope when he came to him with the question that Max almost believed his sister was alive. But he said a completely different name that was totally unrecognisable to Max. Yet, he wanted answers. It very well could have been a "Stephen" instead of a "Steefan.
???: I'm fine...now let go!
Albert: I don't think you should move.
Max immediately turned to see Lin now conscious. He slapped away Albert's palm when he tried to hold him back. Still silently struggling, Lin got up on his feet. Max kept staring at Lin and eventually their eyes met.
Lin: What?
Max: Man...you are still alive...I thought weak ass you would perish..
Lin was triggered by this remark.
Lin: Something like that isn't enough to kill me!! And why do you look disappointed!!
Max simply smed. He was happy that Lin was fine, but he couldn't outright accept it. And since Lin was so against friendship, even being happy for him, would have made the warrior uncomfortable anyway.
Max still was pretty cautious though. He looked at Lin and immediately realised that he must be in too much pain. There were severe burn Mark's all over his body, especially his unbothered face. A massive red hot scar had formed on his right cheek. Lin still acted normally, but it was pretty evident that he was going through so much pain.
Lin turned away despite that, leaving it to Lin, to come to terms with his predicament. Meanwhile, Max was so much more focused on this Steefan person. Who was she? Did she have any connection to his family? Max was anxious, when he noticed something crawling up his pants. Max immediately was scared and wanted to kick it away. But he was glad that he looked down before doing so, cause if he hadn't he would have hurt Pinky, the snowy white rabbit.
Pinky had come and started climbing his leg easily recognizing him, even though they had met once. Max had always known that animals remember a lot of people, be just didn't know that rabbit's were part of the list.
??: Ohhh...there she is!! And you guys are back too!!
Max and the gang looked ahead at the entrance to see old man Higurashi standing and waving at them. It seemed like was searching for Pinky and was surprised that the three that had separated were back.
Higurashi: Well come on in! Have some coffee! Your friends denied my request earlier, but since all of you are here...they might as well have some!!
Max looked at Melissa demanding an explanation.
Melissa: Well...it was the same time that you called us from the Transponder...so we had to step out.
Max turned back and shouted.
Max: Thanks we will be there..!!
Max then turned to his Troupe asking them to follow him. The members all started walking beside him slowly to the house.
Max: I just need to find how this Sachika Steefan person is related to me!
Albert: I don't remember anyone named Sachika from your recountings of your family..
Max: Cause there isn't!
Melissa: Do you have any cousins with that name? Are you sure you aren't forgetting?
Max: My dad had a brother. But even then my uncle had only two kids...and both were annoying brats. But they weren't Asian..
Albert: Asian..?
Chuck: She didn't resemble you at all too!
Max: Yeah, that's fine! None of my siblings resemble me too!
Finally they reached the entrance to the house. As soon as they entered Max saw televisions and lots of modern technology in the house. Max also remembered that the town had bulbs that ran on electricity too. It was something Max didn't realise back then, but he knew that the humans here were much more primitive. And yet, he was surrounded by technology of the past.
Max: What the...
Higurashi: Don't let it scare you...it's just a tele..
Max: ...vision...I know...no one here is scared.
Max turned to see his Troupe and was immediately annoyed to see both Lin and Albert with their blades out in a defensive stance against the T.V.
Higurashi: Wait...you know T.V.? Are you from the past too??
Max nodded.
Max: Oh my God...you too??!
Max smiled to find someone from his era. But then his granddaughter walked in. She looked like she was in her early twenties, roughly the same age as Max. She wore a green jacket above her black top. Her hair was black with the tips dyed pink. She looked bizarrely out of place
Higurashi: Meet my granddaughter...Sachika!
Max was flabbergasted. This was the woman! He had questions...but couldn't get them out. But then he realised that Sachika was staring at him.
Max: Umm...sorry..my name is
Sachika: Maximus Augilleris Steefan...I know..
Max was shocked, and so were his Troupe. This woman he had never met in his life actually knew him.
Lin: What..?
Melissa: You know him..?
Higurashi: Oh my God...so you are ...Max??
Max was silent, his eyes widened...waiting for an answer.
Sachika. I'm sorry to say this....but your family existed thousands of years ago. I'm the great great granddaughter of your sister Denise.
Max's heart sank immediately. He suffered full brain collapse. Tears welled up in his eyes. He was ready to bawl. His entire family was gone...but he bad descendants in the present day. He couldn't find his siblings...but he still found family. He faintly smiled. It was a sad smile.
Max: So...they are gone huh...?
Max was heartbroken but then he suddenly heard Sachika laughing like hell on the other corner of the room.
Sachika: Hahahah...you really are emotional like He said..
Max: He..?
Sachika continued laughing while evryone just stared at her.
Higurashi: Come on Sachika! That's too cruel!!
Sachika walked towards Lin and patted his head.
Sachika: Sorry sorry...do not worry..I am older than you! And I lived until 2025 too..
Max: Huh..?
Sachika walked a few steps back.
Sachika: I know everything about you Max. I have seen you sooo many times too...I've brought you flowers and fruits when you were in the hospital. But of course you wouldn't remember me..Cause you never saw me..
Max: What are you talking about??
Sachika turned with a smile.
Sachika: You see...back in college I fell in love with a man...I started dating him soon enough. One thing led to another and the world was frozen. When I woke up in this age...he was beside me. Eventually we married....he had taken me to see his brother so many times..and that's why I know you..
Max: What..? Wait...are you saying..?
Albert sensed footsteps walking towards the main door and turned.
Sachika: Yes. I married someone with your surname and became a Steefan. And that someone is your brother, David Mercurius Steefan. And he is right behind you at the door.
Max's eyes widened and he immediately turned to the door. He saw his brother standing at the door, with a huge basket over his head.
David: What's with all the commotion??