Aiko Kurozawa awoke with a start, her heart pounding like a drum echoing through an empty hall. The remnants of her dream danced at the edge of consciousness, slipping away like sand through her fingers. She glanced around her dimly lit room, reassured by the familiar sight of her cluttered desk, her collection of manga, and the posters of her favorite anime characters adorning the walls.
But this morning felt different. As her breath steadied, a vivid image lingered in her mind: a sprawling field of orange wildflowers stretching endlessly beneath a blushing sunset. In the center of the field stood a boy, silhouetted against the glow, his face obscured yet hauntingly familiar. "Aiko," he had called, extending a hand.
"What are you doing here?" Aiko murmured to herself, swinging her legs out of bed. She loved dreams, especially the fantastical ones, but this one felt oddly real, as if it were urging her to remember something vital. Shrugging off the feeling, she padded into the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water. The mirror reflected a girl with tousled black hair and large, doe-like eyes—ordinary, yet yearning for something more extraordinary.
As she got ready for school, the weight of the dream lingered in the back of her mind, and she found herself lost in thought. Aiko brushed her teeth mechanically, replaying the moments in the field over and over. The boy's voice echoed in her head, infused with an emotion she couldn't quite place.
Once at school, she tuned out the sounds of her classmates, her mind still wandering in that dream world. Despite the mundane chatter of students rushing to classes and the ringing of the bell, her thoughts drifted back to the boy. Why had she felt such a connection?
"Hey, Aiko!" a voice called, jolting her from her reverie.
She turned to see her best friend, Yumi Tanaka, waving enthusiastically. Yumi was a bright spark of energy, known for her infectious laughter and adventurous spirit. "You ready for the math test? I'm unprepared!"
"Oh, come on! You'll do fine," Aiko said, forcing a smile and pretending to check her notes. The truth was, she hadn't been focused on math—not when shadows of dreams were so enticing.
"Did you have those strange dreams again?" Yumi asked, her tone turning serious as she eyed Aiko. She had been Aiko's confidant through many of her nighttime escapades, especially the nightmares that sometimes left Aiko trembling.
Aiko hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "Yeah… but this one felt different. I think I saw someone. A boy."
Yumi raised her eyebrows, leaning in as if enthralled. "What happened?"
"He called my name," Aiko said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He looked like someone I might know, but I can't quite remember."
Yumi grinned. "Sounds like a romantic dream! Maybe you're destined for love!"
Aiko chuckled but felt a heaviness in her heart. It was more than mere infatuation. For reasons she couldn't explain, the dream stirred emotions deep within her—questions about who she was and what her capabilities could be.
"Hey, Aiko, watch out!" Yumi exclaimed suddenly.
Aiko snapped to attention just in time to see a basketball hurtling her way. She instinctively ducked, the ball soaring past her head and crashing into a row of lockers. Laughter erupted around them, and Aiko's face flushed with embarrassment.
"Nice reflexes!" Yumi teased, but Aiko barely heard her. Her heart raced again—not from excitement this time, but from fear.
The day dragged on, punctuated by lessons that felt unimportant compared to the realms she'd seen in her dreams. After school, she retreated to her favorite spot—the rooftop of the school building. Here, she could let her mind wander without constraints.
Sitting cross-legged, Aiko closed her eyes, imagining herself back in the field of flowers. With every breath, she felt herself drifting closer to that other world. The sun set beyond the horizon, bathing the sky in scarlet and gold.
Suddenly, Aiko opened her eyes, startled. The warmth of the sun had faded, and a cool breeze swept across the rooftop, carrying with it a disquieting sensation. She sensed a presence, as if she wasn't alone.
Whirling around, she gasped. Standing at the edge of the rooftop was the very boy from her dreams—his dark hair ruffled by the wind, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of starlight.
"Aiko," he said, his voice resonating in her core like a forgotten melody.
"Aiko? Who are you?" she stammered, her pulse racing.
The boy stepped forward, his intensity palpable. "My name is Ren. I've come to warn you."