‘My name’s Akiko Inoue. Inoue’s a common name,’ Aki said, ‘but the aki in Akiko is the character for “crystal”, and ko is just the word for “child”.’ She shook her head, and turned to them. ‘Honestly, I didn’t want to share last names at the start because my mother had just remarried and my last name had changed. And I didn’t want to tell you my new last name.’

‘I’m Rion Mizumori. Mizumori means “protecting water” and I told you before that Rion is the ri in rika – science – with the character for sound, on.’

‘I’m Fuka Hasegawa. Fuka’s written with the characters for “wind” and “song”.’

‘I’m Kokoro Anzai. Kokoro’s written in hiragana, not Chinese characters,’ Kokoro said.

‘You all know my name. Haruka Ureshino. Haruka is the character meaning “distant”. Ureshino is written with the characters meaning “happy” and “field”.’

Masamune had remained quiet throughout. Frowning for some reason, he said, ‘Aasu Masamune.’

‘What?!’

They stared at him. They hadn’t quite heard properly, and pricked up their ears.

Masamune’s face turned bright red.

‘Aasu Masamune. The aa means “blue” and the su means “clear water”.’

‘Aasu, is that really your name? You’re joking, aren’t you?’

‘I’m not. In 2013 it’s a fairly common name. So why don’t you oddballs from the past just shut up, OK?’

‘Yeah, but aasu is how we Japanese say the English word “earth”, right? So what’s all that about?’ asked Aki, making Masamune sulkily turn away.

Even for Subaru, his best buddy here, this was news. For her part, too, Kokoro was surprised.

Now that she thought about it, when she was inside Masamune’s memories, the Wolf Queen had called him by his full name. And she had thought Masamune was his last name, but she wasn’t able to catch the first name.

‘So Masamune’s your last name, not your first.’

‘Yeah – which is why I didn’t want to tell you. Because I knew you lot would make some smart-arse remark.’

‘Wow, it’s weirder than my name,’ Ureshino said.

Masamune looked even more annoyed. ‘Don’t say it’s weird!’ he exclaimed.

THEY WERE STANDING SHOULDER TO shoulder in a line.

The cracked mirrors signalled that this was, indeed, their last journey. According to the Wolf Queen, beyond the castle on the other side, the mirrors were likewise shattered.

‘Aki,’ Kokoro said to Akiko, who was standing beside her.

‘Yes, Kokoro?’ Akiko turned her head sideways to look at her.

‘Give me your hand.’

Aki uncertainly held out her hand. Kokoro clutched it tightly.

She remembered what she’d seen. The ugly reality that was awaiting Aki on the other side of the mirror.

Her mother and stepfather were part of Akiko’s unchangeable reality. Once Kokoro let her small hand go, Akiko would have to return to that world. There was nothing left that Kokoro could do.