How could I keep dreaming of a woman?
If this question were posted online, say on a forum or Twitter, it would likely attract a flood of sarcastic comments and replies.
From a general perspective, such dreams might happen because you saw the woman before sleep, as the saying goes, "What you think of during the day appears in your dreams at night."
But Naoki didn't think so.
Because he had never seen the woman in his dreams—the woman now standing before him.
[This time, it's your turn.]
My turn? My turn for what?
[You once said you'd do it.]
What did I say back then?
It was the same every time he dreamed. Whenever he dreamed of this woman shrouded in light before him, Naoki would hear her say many confusing things. Most importantly, the conversation seemed one-sided. No matter how often he asked back, the figure wouldn't respond, only repeating her words.
[This time, you must fulfill your promise.]
[Please kill me, Naoki.]
There it was again, that line.
And upon hearing it, an intense pain suddenly surged through Naoki's mind!
*🎵🎵🎵*
A loud bell rang in his ears.
Opening his eyes quickly, his vision shifted instantly from darkness to light. Sitting up in bed, after turning off the alarm on the nightstand, Naoki drew the curtains. "That dream again… Who is she? That woman?"
Natsukawa Naoki was 18 this year. Since moving to Fuyuki City with his family ten years ago, this dream had accompanied him as he grew up. Anytime he slept, he was sure to have it. And because of this dream, it caused him quite a bit of trouble in daily life.
For example, dozing off in class, suddenly shouting [Who are you, woman?!] and jumping up—an act that could make him infamous school-wide—Naoki had done it. Thanks to that, he got into plenty of trouble, even being taken to a psychiatrist.
Though Naoki himself felt he probably should get checked out.
"Time to get up, it's school time."
Scratching his head, temporarily pushing thoughts of the woman out of his mind, Naoki got out of bed, starting the routine he'd repeated countless times.
Though he said he moved to Fuyuki City with his parents, in reality, the Natsukawa household was just him. His parents rarely came home—they were archaeologists and die-hard fans of King Arthur. Eleven months a year, they lived in Europe, only returning for New Year's.
As if they barely cared about their son. Aside from regular monthly allowances, the occasional King Arthur relics they sent back were the only proof they still remembered they had a son named Naoki.
No, more like a [Warehouse Keeper].
The reason for moving to Fuyuki City was because ten years ago, a major incident occurred here, supposedly tied to King Arthur. His foolish parents, whose brains were filled with nothing but King Arthur, moved immediately upon hearing the news. But shortly after settling here, they flew back to England for archaeological work.
And that absence had lasted ten years.
"Being parents to this extent, they're unrivaled, huh, Curry-stick?"
Looking at the object lying in the corner of his room, Naoki approached and gently stroked it—this was something his parents sent back a week ago. They claimed it was the holy sword and scabbard once used by King Arthur, and he was told to guard it with his life.
"With my life, huh… Who'd even want something like this?"
Kicking the holy sword aside, Naoki grabbed his school bag and left the room.
"Good morning, Naoki."
As soon as he stepped out of the house, as usual, a woman's voice greeted him.
Seeing the neighbor girl appear before him, Naoki's slightly sour mood from the interrupted dream lifted a bit. "Hm, good morning, Manaka."
Sajyou Manaka—living next door at the Sajyou residence. The girl he'd known since moving here ten years ago, his childhood friend. By some twist of fate or otherwise, from the moment Naoki joined her class ten years ago until now, they'd always been classmates, even seated next to each other.
As if there were some kind of magnet between them.
This meant they were almost always together twenty-four hours a day.
"Naoki, here's today's breakfast."
Manaka spoke as she pulled a box from her school bag. Inside were two sandwiches and a bottle of milk.
With parents always overseas, though he could cook, he hated washing dishes afterward—Naoki had survived these ten years largely thanks to his childhood friend, Manaka.
Three meals a day, except for dinner, were always prepared for him. For dinner, Manaka would drag Naoki to her house to eat together. Like Naoki's parents, Manaka's were company employees who constantly worked overtime. Though they came home to sleep at night, in practice, Manaka, like Naoki, was essentially living alone.
How to put it… like two abandoned kids banding together to help each other survive.
Though more often, it was Manaka taking care of Naoki.
"Troubling you like this every day, I'm really sorry, Manaka. You woke up early again today, didn't you?"
"If you feel guilty, then you cook tonight. Besides, I didn't wake up that early—I prepped it last night before bed and just warmed it up this morning."
Manaka smiled.
"Let me think, what should I have Naoki cook tonight? Your cooking opportunities need to be treasured."
"Treasured? Just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll make whatever you want."
"Then how about a Manchu Han Imperial Feast?"
"Uh… That's a bit heavy on my wallet… Plus, some ingredients can't even be bought. And could you even eat that much?" Naoki shook his head awkwardly. "Pick something else, something more realistic."
"I didn't say we had to eat that, just teasing a bit."
Hands behind her back, Manaka walked forward, thinking carefully. "Then… omurice? It has to have a rose drawn with ketchup on top."
"Isn't that too hard? Can't I just write something? Or draw a heart?"
"Then write [I LOVE YOU]?"
"Alright, that's at least easier than drawing a rose."
Hearing her request approved, Manaka immediately hugged Naoki's arm. "Then I'm looking forward to tonight's dinner, Naoki. I love you so much."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love you too, Manaka."
"So nonchalant… Say it seriously."
"I'm serious."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Behind a utility pole not far from the two.
Watching Manaka and Naoki walk to school so closely, a shadowy figure behind them trembled slightly.
"So close—it's getting a bit out of control… For now, let's stick to the plan."
"Support's on you, Merry."
Under the sunlight, a strand of golden hair glinted.