Except from Fray's perspective, she doesn't live in the future; she lives in the present.

But from Buffy's perspective she's just one possible future and why should she ransom her present and all the people in it to Fray's future over any less dystopic outcome? Melaka has the same choice Wishverse Giles did. Determinism or hope.


Nothing says Buffy has to.

She has a choice and she chooses to trust Willow. Which given that it's about Willow seems reasonable enough.