Chapter 1 — The Dark That Didn't Feel Like a Dream (Final Polished)

  Breathing.

  Heavy. Uneven.

  I don't understand… Wasn't everything just a dream?

  Why…?

  WHY?

  What does any of this even mean? Wasn't I just at home a moment ago?

  Am I going to die here?

  I'm scared.

  I'M… TERRIFIED.

  His eyes slowly closed.

  Kisaragi Ryuka lived the kind of life most people wouldn't wish for.

  He wasn't good with people. In fact, he avoided interacting with them whenever possible.

  But he had to.

  They were his classmates, after all.

  Sometimes they teased him. Sometimes they tried to include him in their groups.

  It wasn't like he had any real interest in joining them.

  Another school day ended.

  Ryuka headed home. As he stepped inside, he called out to let his family know he was back, then went upstairs to his room.

  He pulled out his chair and sat down. From his bag, he took the homework assigned a few days ago and placed it on his desk.

  Grumbling to himself, he began working.

  After a while, his head started spinning.

  He didn't know why.

  I guess the exhaustion and hunger from today are finally catching up to me…

  He lowered his head onto the desk.

  If he rested for a bit, everything would probably go back to normal.

  After waking up, he could eat something and fix everything.

  Right?

  He closed his eyes.

  The dizziness worsened. His hearing became strangely sensitive. Sweat rolled down his temple.

  He slid off his chair and collapsed onto the floor. Nausea surged up his throat. He stumbled toward the bathroom, dropped to his knees in front of the toilet, and rested his head against it, hoping the spinning would stop.

  Slowly… sleep overtook him.

  And then—

  Darkness.

  When he opened his eyes, he was somewhere pitch black.

  Not even the faintest outline of the walls was visible.

  He tried to look around, but he couldn't see anything.

  He stood up and began walking carefully until his hand touched something.

  Wood.

  Is this… a door?

  He pushed it open.

  Light flooded in.

  He stepped outside and kept walking.

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  "This dream feels way too realistic…"

  It made sense to think it was a dream. Five minutes ago, he had laid his head down and fallen asleep.

  But…

  What if it's not?

  After walking for a while, he found himself in a town square filled with people. A strange feeling settled in his chest.

  When he pushed through the crowd, he saw police officers blocking off an area, preventing civilians from getting closer.

  He approached one of them.

  "Excuse me, what's going on?"

  The officer looked at him suspiciously.

  "So you people are still showing up, huh?"

  The officer was tense. Irritated.

  "There's nothing here that concerns outsiders. Law enforcement has already taken control of the situation. Step back and follow instructions."

  Ryuka didn't understand the hostility.

  He was about to step away when—

  A small girl's crying echoed from inside the building.

  He froze.

  The officer noticed.

  "You're still here? I told you to step back. Move away and stay safe. Trust me—there's nothing inside you'd want to see."

  Ryuka's chest tightened.

  I can save her… right?

  It's just a dream anyway.

  And if I just stand here waiting to wake up… how would I ever forgive myself?

  A nervous smile spread across his face.

  Before anyone could react, he leapt over the caution tape and ran into the building.

  "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" the officer shouted.

  But there was something inside that building.

  Something everyone else was too afraid to face.

  "How can someone be this stupid…?" the officer muttered.

  Ryuka pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  Pitch black.

  He left the door open behind him and moved forward carefully. The girl's cries were coming from the basement.

  The rotten wooden floorboards creaked beneath each step.

  The closer he got, the louder her sobbing became.

  "YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY! I'M HERE TO GET YOU OUT!"

  Water droplets fell from the ceiling onto his head.

  I can feel it clearly… This dream is way too real…

  He suddenly bumped his head against something.

  "Ah—damn it… I seriously need a flashlight."

  He reached into his pockets.

  Nothing.

  Right… I'm in a dream. How would I even bring my phone in here?

  A trembling voice echoed through the darkness.

  "Help… please… help me…"

  "You don't have to worry anymore," Ryuka said gently. "Big brother's here for you. Come on, hop on my back. I'll take you to your mom, okay?"

  The warm sincerity in his voice seemed to calm the little girl.

  She tried to stand, but her legs gave out.

  "It's okay. I've got you."

  He took off his jacket, wrapped it around her, and lifted her onto his back.

  Still…

  Something felt off.

  This was too easy.

  …Right. I should stop looking for logic. It's just a dream.

  When Ryuka finally stepped outside, the crowd stared at him in shock.

  Police officers rushed forward and carefully lifted the girl from his back.

  Okay… people are staring at me like I'm some kind of miracle…

  And—wait… why is that girl running toward me like that?

  The mysterious young girl sprinted straight past him.

  "...(o_O)"

  Why did I take that personally…?

  "YUIIIII!"

  "HINAAAA!"

  The two girls crashed into each other's arms.

  Behind Hina, a strangely dressed man approached, watching them with a gentle expression.

  "Wait… you guys know each other?"

  Ryuka observed them carefully.

  His eyes widened.

  "WAIT—DON'T TELL ME YOU HAD A KID THIS YOUNG?!"

  "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Hina snapped.

  Silence.

  "Ehe ^^"

  "I'LL KILL YOU, YOU IDIOT! I'M STILL A VIRGIN!"

  "Why are you yelling at me?! I'm not the one judging!"

  Hina stared at him blankly.

  "Idiot… She's my little sister."

  Ryuka blinked.

  "Huh?"

  "That's my father," Hina added flatly.

  Ryuka froze.

  "...^_^"

  An awkward smile stretched across his face.

  Hina pinched the bridge of her nose.

  "Ugh. I'll overlook your rudeness since you saved my sister, but… that doesn't mean I like you."

  Why does she look like she's about to stab me?

  Ryuka forced a dry laugh.

  "Hey, I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

  "You didn't."

  "...Right. Then I'm saying it now."

  The man cleared his throat.

  "Regardless, you have my gratitude. Entering that building alone… that was reckless."

  Reckless?

  "...You were lucky," the man continued quietly. "Very lucky."

  A faint chill ran down Ryuka's spine.

  Lucky…? Why does that word feel so heavy?

  The crowd was still staring.

  Watching him like he shouldn't have survived.

  …Why are they all looking at me like that?

  For the first time since stepping into this "dream," something twisted in Ryuka's chest.

  What if… this isn't a dream at all?

  "It's fine…" Ryuka scratched the back of his head. "By the way… how did this even happen?"

  Hina exhaled slowly.

  "My little sister went out to play with her friends. But then I couldn't find her. Lately, a lot of strangers have been coming into town…"

  Her expression darkened.

  "And as if that wasn't enough, the more outsiders show up, the more the murders—"

  "WATCH OUT!"

  A sharp sound split the air.

  The whistle of a blade slicing through space.

  And then—

  The metallic scent of blood.

  Something cold touched his skin.

  A second later, it burned.

  "AAAAAAGHH—!!"

  Ryuka collapsed, clutching his abdomen.

  The last thing he saw—

  Was a smiling face rushing straight at him.

  Wasn't this supposed to be a dream?

  Then why does it hurt this much?

  Why am I freezing?

  Are all of these things… real?

  His vision blurred.

  The world spun.

  And as his consciousness faded, the final thing reflected in his dimming eyes—

  Was Hina's face.

  I don't understand… Wasn't everything just a dream?

  Why…?

  WHY?

  Am I going to die here?

  I'm scared.

  I'M TERRIFIED…

  His eyes slowly closed.

  To Be Continued…

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