The forest shrouded in an eerie silence, interrupted only by the rustling of leaves and the cheerful chirping of morning birds announcing the arrival of a new day. Sunbeams filter through the interlocking leaves, casting a dazzling shimmer upon the forest floor, beckoning to guide the steps of any wanderer who ventures into the woods.
The crisp, refreshing air, infused with nature's scents and sounds, feels incredibly vivid and lifelike. However, this is not reality, but rather a world of dreams.
While popular lore suggests that dreams are alternate realities inhabited by other versions of ourselves or that they reveal our innermost desires, the reality is that when we drift off to sleep, our consciousness enters a collective dream world where our bodies are recreated and the surroundings resemble our waking world.
In fact, humans are born dreamless. At the age of 21, individuals are divided into two groups - those who are "unconscious" dreamers and those who are "conscious" dreamers. The latter is a rare breed, making up only a small fraction of the population.
The first type are those who are "unconscious"; also known as Lucids. They are unaware that they are dreaming and lifeless. They exhibit no emotions and behave like NPCs (Non-Playable Characters). Nevertheless, upon waking up, they have no recollection of their dream experiences.
The second type are "conscious" dreamers; also known as Muggles. They are aware that they are dreaming and possess the ability to think logically and control their movements, as if they have been seamlessly transported into the dream world. They can recollect their dreams and even possess extraordinary abilities within them. However, with these benefits come certain sacrifices. Any harm suffered in the dream world is equivalent to reality, meaning that any injury sustained in the dream will also affect the physical body.
The inherent danger of the dream world lies in the fact that it exists beyond the reach of society's laws and regulations, a realm accessible only to those who possess the gift of consciousness within its borders. In this ethereal plane, the rules of the waking world held no sway. It was a place where one could indulge in their deepest desires, unchecked and free from the consequences of their actions.
For some, this was a source of great liberation, a chance to explore the boundaries of their own imagination without fear of reprisal. But for others, it was a dangerous and lawless place, where criminal behavior could be carried out with impunity. With no legal recourse for any harm that may befall them within its borders, the dream world was a realm that demanded the utmost caution and respect.
For the vast majority of people, the dream world remained unknown and elusive. Its existence was unbeknownst to the world at large, hidden away in the minds of a precious few. But for those who possessed the gift of consciousness within the realm of dreams, the possibilities were endless.
Natsume Yushio wanders through the forest, belonging to the latter of the dreamer category. His long, jet-black hair was tied back in a half ponytail, the length of which reached just before his broad shoulders. Other than the black hoodie and long pants he wore, the covered shoes especially spoke volumes about his experience as a seasoned dreamer.
A serious and firm expression hung on his face, as he observed his surroundings with hawk-like precision.
"Hmm, seems like they're not patrolling here today," Yushio thought to himself, knowing fully well that such a lull in security meant he could delve deeper into the heart of the forest. He pressed on, his mind and body fully attuned to the dream world's unique possibilities and dangers.
To his surprise, the serene ambiance of the forest was abruptly shattered when a piercing scream reverberated through the air. It appeared to be the cry of a girl, and the source of the scream seemed to be emanating from the skies above.
A girl's voice?
He had been wandering in the forest, lost in his thoughts, when he heard her scream. He looked up and saw her falling, tumbling through the air in a free fall. Panic seized him as he realized he couldn't do anything to stop her descent.
As she hurtled towards him, he tried to move out of the way, but it was too late. She crashed into him, and he felt the impact knock the breath out of him. He stumbled backwards, trying to regain his balance, and felt her body land on top of him.
For a moment, he was too stunned to move, too shocked to even comprehend what had just happened. The girl lay on top of him, her body scraped and bruised from her fall. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest, and he realized that she was just as disoriented as he was. Perhaps even more than him, considering her immense fall.
As Yushio lay there, dazed and confused, he heard the person apologize frantically, "Oh my god! Are you okay?"
He opened his eyes to see a girl on top of him, looking flustered. He couldn't help but notice how pretty she was, with her scarlet hair cascading down her back and her big, doe-like amber eyes. But he quickly shook off those thoughts, realizing that he was lying in an awkward position with a girl he had just met.
"I'm fine. Can you… get off me first?" he finally managed to say, feeling his face turning red.
She quickly got up and dusted herself off, apologizing once again for the accident.
"Thanks for saving me by the way. If it weren't for you, I can't imagine what would have happened," she said, looking at him with gratitude.
But I wasn't trying to save you…
He propped himself up and offered her a smile tinged with awkwardness.
"It's no problem. If there's nothing else, I'll get going," he said, turning around to leave with his ears blushing.
As he walked away, he could feel her eyes on his back. He turned around to see her shuffling her bare feet nervously, clearly unsure of what to do next.
"Wait!" she called out to him. "Can I follow you?"
He looked at her in disbelief, raising an eyebrow. "Why?" he asked.
"I don't know where I am and you're the only person I've met here so far," she replied earnestly.
Yushio furrowed his brow, studying her expression. She didn't seem to be lying. Perhaps she was a new dreamer.
"Fine, you may follow me for today," he relented. They walked in silence for some time, with the girl trailing behind him.
Suddenly, the girl asked with curiosity, "Oh, do you hear footsteps? Is there anyone else here besides us?"
Yushio's heart pounded in his chest as he heard the sound of footsteps. Yumeno's inquiry about other people in the forest made him realize that there could be danger lurking nearby.
He quickly scanned their surroundings and saw three menacing-looking men approaching with weapons at the ready. Yushio cursed to himself. How could he forget the main purpose of coming to this dangerous forest in the first place?
Without hesitation, he grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her behind a tree, shielding her from view. As the group drew closer, Yushio's muscles tensed in preparation. He couldn't let them harm this girl, who was still so inexperienced in this dream world. He silenced her with a gentle yet firm hand over her mouth and whispered for her to stay quiet.
He wished he could have spied on the group himself, but with this girl by his side, he knew he couldn't risk it. He could feel her trembling against him, like a newborn bird frightened by the world around her. The men's voices grew louder and more menacing as they approached.
"Hey, are you sure you heard correctly? I see no girl in sight," said one of them.
"I'm definitely sure. It was from this direction," replied another.
"We must get her. It's been long since our last capture and Boss is getting impatient," added the third.
Yushio's heart raced as he realized they were being hunted.
He turned to Hana, placing a finger over his lips to signal her to remain quiet. "Those men are after you," he whispered urgently. "They're dangerous, and we have to get out of here now."
The girl's eyes widened with fear and confusion, but she nodded in agreement, her grip on his hand tightening. Yushio scanned their surroundings once more, making sure the coast was clear. "We'll sneak past them," he said in a low voice. "Just stay close to me and do exactly as I say."
Together, they moved stealthily through the undergrowth, trying their best to avoid being seen or heard. Yushio knew that being caught by those men would be disastrous, so he was extra cautious.
As the sound of footsteps grew louder, the girl gripped onto his shirt tightly. Just as they were about to pass the men undetected, a twig snapped loudly under the girl's foot, shattering the silence of the forest.
"Did you hear that?" one of the men exclaimed, turning towards their direction.
Yushio knew they had to act quickly. Without hesitation, he pulled the girl behind a nearby bush, their bodies pressed close together as they hid. The men searched for a minute longer before giving up and continuing on their way, their voices gradually fading into the distance.
The girl let out a deep breath, and Yushio could feel her tension easing as she relaxed in his embrace. He couldn't help but notice the way her eyes lingered on his, and he found himself staring back.
Clearing his throat, Yushio broke the tense silence between them. "We need to keep moving," he said urgently. "They might come back."
He led the girl through the forest with a sense of purpose. They moved quickly, weaving through the trees and undergrowth with ease.
Abruptly, the sound of rustling leaves caught their attention and they both spun around, on edge. Yushio held his breath, hoping it was just the wind, but his fears were confirmed as one of the men appeared before them.
As the man's eyes fell upon them, his eyes glinted with a twisted delight. He had been expecting only one dreamer, but the sight of two was a stroke of unexpected luck. He savored the moment, relishing in the thought of capturing them both and delivering them to his boss. It was indeed an auspicious day for him.
"Hey! There they are!" he shouted to alert his comrades, while raising his weapon.
Yushio didn't hesitate. He grabbed the girl's hand tightly and started to run, pulling her along with him. The forest blurred past them as they sprinted towards the outskirts.
Behind them, the man gave chase, voice raised in anger. Yushio could hear his footsteps growing closer, and his heart raced with fear.
Just as he thought they were about to be caught, he remembered there was a secret hideout within the forest.
Hope welled up in his chest as he urged the girl to keep running.
"We're almost there!" he encouraged, his voice strained with effort.
Yushio noticed the girl slowing down, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. He turned to her, concerned etched on his features. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
She shook her head, trying to hide the grimace of pain on her face. She didn't want to burden him.
Yushio's eyes swept over her form, noticing the blood on her bare soles. Guilt washed over him - how could he have been so careless? He had failed to notice that she had been running without shoes this entire time. He felt a deep sense of responsibility for her pain and knew that he had to take care of her.
Not forgetting the urgency of the situation, Yushio turned his back to her and crouched down. With no time to waste, they could not afford to slow down. He had to think fast and come up with a plan to get them out of this situation safely. He knew that carrying the girl on his back was the best option, despite feeling slightly uneasy about it. But there was no other choice.
Yushio noticed Hana's hesitation and realized that she was struggling to keep up with him. "Hop on," he said, gesturing for her to climb onto his back. Though she seemed embarrassed, she didn't protest, knowing that they needed to move quickly.
Soon, Yushio could feel her arms wrapped tightly around his neck and her body pressed against his broad back. With her weight secured, he hoisted her up as he rose to his feet, not breaking his stride for a moment. They resumed their mad dash towards safety, with Yushio's powerful strides propelling them forward.
As the men's angry voices grew fainter and fell behind, Yushio couldn't help but feel a sense of relief washing over him. Finally, the danger that loomed behind them seemed to be subsiding. He allowed himself a moment of calm, even though he knew they were not completely out of the woods yet. Regardless, they were going to make it out alive.
Before them, their footsteps halted before a large bush. Yushio cautiously scanned the area to ensure that they weren't being followed. Carefully, he pushed aside the verdant vines cascading in front of them, revealing an enchanting courtyard with a cozy cottage nestled in the center.
The girl's eyes widened in amazement as she took in the sight before her. It was like something straight out of a storybook, and the beauty of it all left her breathless.
As they neared the small house, Yushio remembered the letter he had received from a fellow dreamer. It contained a code that would unlock the door and grant them access to a safe hideout.
With the girl still on his back, he fumbled in his pocket for the crumpled piece of paper. His heart leaped with excitement as he felt the familiar texture of the parchment. Quickly, he input the code on the lock, and with a satisfying click, the door unlocked.
As Yushio rushed inside, he gently placed Hana down on a couch, which was a plush beige fabric with fluffy pillows. He made sure to lock the door behind them.
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration.
"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you," the girl said. "I'm Hana, by the way".
Yushio felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words. He had never expected to be anyone's hero, but the way Hana looked at him made him feel like he was capable of anything. He couldn't help but smile at her.
"You can call me Yushio. Remain still," Yushio instructed, his tone firm yet reassuring. "I'll retrieve the medicine."
Hana could do little more than nod in response, her attention wandering around the interior of the house.
The couch sat in the center of a cozy living room, with a small coffee table set in front of it. The table was adorned with a vase of fresh flowers, adding a touch of elegance to the space. However, the rest of the room was cluttered with stacks of cardboard boxes, making it clear that the house was not yet fully unpacked. Despite this, the space still felt inviting, with a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Yushio quickly rummaged through the cupboards, searching for the first-aid kit. His heart thumped in his chest as he checked the contents, relieved to find it fully stocked. He picked out a bottle of antiseptic and gauze, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the sight of them.
He turned to Hana, who was still sitting on the couch with a blank expression. He approached her, kneeling down to inspect her wounds. Her feet were bruised and bloodied, with cuts and scrapes all over. It was no surprise that she was in pain.
Yushio uncorked the bottle of antiseptic, the smell of it filling the room. As he soaked a piece of gauze in the liquid, Hana exclaimed, "Wait wait!"
Yushio paused, looking up at her with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"I'm scared… Let me prepare myself." she admitted, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself.
Yushio looked at her amused.
Hana grabbed a cushion from the couch, clutching it tightly as she closed her eyes tightly in preparation. "Go on," she said, steeling herself for the pain.
"Alright. It will sting just a little," said Yushio as he carefully dabbed it over her injuries. At the point of contact, her body instinctively flinched at the jolt of pain. However, the sting was too intense to stifle. With a sharp intake of breath, a pained "ouch" escaped her lips, her face contorting in discomfort.
"Just a little bit more. It's almost done," he reminded her. Hana clenched her jaw and nodded with determination. Once the antiseptic had been applied, he carefully wound the bandages around both her feet.
"Try not to strain your feet so much. You should rest," he advised as he tidied up the first-aid supplies and returned them to their proper place.
As the chaos of the events settled in her mind, Hana finally gathered enough courage to break the silence.
"Can I ask you a few questions?" she inquired, determined to get the answers she wanted this entire journey.
Yushio paused, his back still turned towards her. Was he taken aback? Not really. In fact, he had been expecting this moment.
"Go ahead," he replied, turning to face her. "What do you want to know?"
Hana took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking. "Where is this place? I remember I was clearly sleeping before I got... transported to this world?"
It was not surprising that Hana did not guess that it was a dream. Afterall, it was a term only known to Lucids.
Yushio made his way over to the couch and took a seat beside her. He began to explain in a slow, measured tone the distinction between Lucids and Muggles, and went on to detail how the dream world functioned.
"... So, this place we're in right now is the dream world. It's a place where our subconscious can manifest itself. You were able to enter this world because you are one of the selected few that has the ability to dream consciously," he finished, his eyes fixed on Hana.
Hana sat there in silence, trying to process everything that had been said. It sounded like a fairytale, something that belonged in a storybook rather than reality.
"But how is that possible? How can I be dreaming and yet it feels so real?" she asked in disbelief.
Yushio spoke, his expression grave. "That's because in the dream world, anything is possible. Time flows differently, and our senses are heightened. It feels real because, in a sense, it is."
Hana nodded, her mind racing with new information. It all seemed so unreal, yet the events that occurred so far had been too vivid and too real to dismiss as simply a dream.
"Thank you for explaining everything to me. I...I still have so many questions, but I think I need some time to process all of this," she said.
Yushio nodded in understanding. "Take all the time you need. We have a lot to do, but we can worry about that later. For now, let's rest and focus on healing your wounds."
Hana gave a grateful nod, her body feeling exhausted and in need of sustenance. As she did, her stomach emitted a loud growl, causing her cheeks to flush with embarrassment.
Yushio let out a soft chuckle at the sound. "Don't worry about that, it's just a sign that you're hungry. After everything you've been through, the least I can do is to cook you a good meal. Let me see what I can whip up."
Yushio entered the kitchen, leaving Hana sitting on the couch. After a few minutes, she got bored and peeped into the kitchen. She noticed that the kitchen was clean and neat, with white walls and dark wooden cabinets that lined the walls. In the center of the room, there was a spacious countertop with a stainless steel sink and a gas stove with four burners. The smell of spices filled the air, and Hana could see several bags of flour, sugar, and various spices arranged on the counter.
On one of the shelves in the cabinets, she spotted a large pot and a jar of curry powder. She also noticed two bags of potatoes and carrots sitting on the counter. Beside them was a bowl of onions and a few cloves of garlic. On the other side of the stove, she saw a rice cooker with freshly cooked rice in it, steam wafting from the top.
As she approached the counter, she asked, "What are you cooking?"
Yushio turned to her with a smile. "I hope you like Japanese curry and rice," he said, gesturing towards the ingredients. "I thought it would be the perfect meal to warm us up."
Hana nodded, feeling her mouth water at the thought of the aromatic spices and savory vegetables. She watched as Yushio began to chop the potatoes, carrots, and onions into small cubes and mince the garlic. She could hear the sizzle of oil as he heated up the pot and added the vegetables, stirring them until they were coated in a fragrant curry sauce. As the aroma of the curry filled the air, Hana's stomach grumbled once again. She could hardly wait to dig in and savor the delicious meal.
Yushio grinned at her, stirring the pot with a wooden spoon. "It's almost ready," he said. "Just need to let it simmer for a few more minutes."
Hana watched as he lifted the pot off the stove and began ladling the curry into two bowls. She followed him to the table, where he had already set out chopsticks and spoons. She took a seat while he brought the two bowls over and placed them on the table. Afterward, he went to the cooker, scooped rice onto two plates, and served them.
Once he sat down, Hana took a bite of the curry and rice, savoring the rich and savory flavors that exploded in her mouth. She closed her eyes and let out a small moan of pleasure, unable to contain her delight.
Yushio looked at her with a small smile, pleased that his cooking was able to bring her joy. "Is it good?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Hana's eyes opened wide, and she nodded enthusiastically. "It's amazing! I can't believe you made this from scratch." She took another bite and let out another contented sigh.
"It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it. I'm glad you like it." He took a bite himself, enjoying the familiar taste of home.
Hana paused mid-bite, a look of surprise on her face. "Actually... I'm rather amazed that we still experience hunger in this dream world," she said.
"I get what you mean," Yushio replied, setting down his chopsticks. "When I first arrived here, I was struck by how much it feels like the real world."
Curiosity getting the best of her, Hana stopped eating and asked, "When did you first arrive here?"
Yushio furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "I would estimate it's been about six months now," he said finally.
Hana's eyes widened in astonishment. "Wow... no wonder you know so much about this place. Does that mean you're six months older than me?"
Yushio chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it does," he replied.
For the rest of the meal, Hana ate heartily, not realizing how hungry she was until she started eating. Yushio watched her with a sense of satisfaction, pleased to see that he was able to provide her with a good meal.
Moments later...
Back on the couch, Hana felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her. She leaned back against the couch, her eyes closing involuntarily as she let out a soft sigh.
As she drifted off to sleep, her mind was filled with questions and uncertainty about this new world she had found herself in. But with Yushio beside her, she knew that she wasn't alone. She felt a sense of comfort in his presence, and for the first time since her arrival, she allowed herself to relax.
Yushio watched as she drifted off to sleep, her body disappearing - proof that her consciousness has returned to the real world.
As the sun began to set outside, he settled into a nearby armchair and allowed himself a moment of peace. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift off his shoulders.
However, the peace did not last long as stressful thoughts soon intruded his mind. The patrolling men had caught sight of their faces, and he knew that from this day forward, things would change unfavorably. He let out a heavy sigh, unable to shake off the weight of the situation.