Both siblings continued on their voices became muffled indicating that the dream was about to end soon. Atashi covered his face with his hands refusing to do his homework when Eiko reminded him about it.
In pure anger, Atashi grabbed the papers on his table and ripped them into pieces. Eiko tried to stop him but he didn't listen until the floor was covered in torn pieces. The voices of their parents were heard from the hallway but nobody came in to check on them.
Douma watched the outburst of Atashi happening right in front of him, the homework was long gone his teacher wasn't getting it back.
Once I find Atashi we're gonna need to talk. Despite feeling numb as always when it came to human emotions, the young founder wasn't going to let this slide. The incident happened a longtime ago but Atashi wasn't over it he had to at least help Atashi overcome this trauma.
A shimmer of light appeared in the middle of the room like the spiral before, causing everything to swivel together before going dark. From here Douma had to prepare for whatever was about to pop up again.
"This really is an adventure. Where are we going next?" Douma scanned the strange dark place looking for some door or opening waiting for him in the corner.
In a split second the atmosphere turned into static before a masked face appeared. The only thing that was visible in this dark abyss.
Douma jumped back, looking up close at a distorted image of someone he didn't recognize.
"W-who is that?! He looks terrifying that creepy mask sure is doing a good job at giving others the creeps. It's a good thing I don't need sleep I guess." Still shocked from what just happened, Douma walked towards the image wondering what this has to do with Atashi. It's not unusual to see random people in a dream but this was downright terrifying.
Unfortunately for him, seeing through the Oni mask would only alert Atashi this was his dream he was watching everything. If Atashi found out about Douma's 'secret power' that would be the end of their friendship.
After a while, the distorted image and dark abyss faded away spiraling into the shimmer of light. This was a sign that either another dream was about to start or Atashi was waking up. Douma hoped it was one of those possibilities.
But he still didn't get to relay the message. What a shame he's going to have to find Atashi and Eiko himself.
Soon after the light brightened the surroundings revealing a row of stores at a mall. The jumpscare really did the trick. It was taking him somewhere else now perhaps another dream but was it still Atashi's?
"Isn't this Mitsukoshi?" Douma took a quick look at his surroundings. This was definitely the mall. Everything seemed normal but something was off, the environment was a little gloomy.
That's when he heard the familiar voice of Eiko's getting closer to where he was. Douma immediately spun around and saw Atashi's younger sister skipping towards him with someone else beside her, a girl with dark hair and clothing that matched the goth-like theme she was going with.
This is still a dream, Eiko is sick there's no way Reiji and Aunt Mai are going to let her go out by herself after recovery. Is Atashi even here? Douma had the feeling this was Eiko's dream now, Atashi was nowhere to be seen. The vibes were different, Eiko's dream was more relaxing while Atashi's was tense.
"Hey Douma! I didn't expect to see you here." Eiko said with a cheerful tone in her voice, one that made Douma feel slightly remorseful. The actual Eiko was fighting for her life it's been a few days since he and Shinobu saw her. If this was really Eiko's dream that means she's doing alright which made Douma feel a little better but still worried nevertheless.
"Oh hey there Eiko I'm just taking a stroll here." Douma responded trying to sound as casual as possible so Eiko wouldn't notice anything strange about his sudden presence.
"We're just about to have dessert! Join us Douma!" While Eiko was jumping up and down waiting for his answer, the girl next to her stood there watching their conversation with a calm expression. Douma hoped this was someone Eiko knew because even though she seemed harmless it was too early to underestimate her intentions.
Eiko glanced at the girl and smiled. "This is Martha she's my friend." Finally, at least now Douma didn't have to worry much, right? Eiko seemed comfortable around this person, way too comfortable in fact.
"Hello it's nice to meet you Martha." Douma tried not to sound uneasy by her presence but there was a possibility she already knew from her observable nature.
"Hi Douma you're the shrine leader from Hasu Mountains aren't you?" Martha replied, just as Douma was about to gradually introduce himself as Eiko's friend, Martha had to pull up a surprise; who he was, did Eiko even tell her anything about him because Douma doesn't recall any Martha mentioned in Eiko and Atashi's conversations.
In all honesty, Martha looked to be around Reiji's age, she could be Eiko's cousin but it still left a huge question mark. Eiko wouldn't let her guard down let alone Atashi.
"Yes that's right." Douma reminded himself this was just a dream and who Eiko's friends were didn't really matter that much. It was still strange that he was now in Eiko's dream, regardless he could try to relate the message to her. The problem was how Eiko was going to direct it to Atashi after this, her brother has gone rogue there's no way she can communicate with him unless he returns home.
"I know! Let's go to the bookstore I feel like drawing something right now." Eiko looked at both Douma and her friend gleaming.
"Of course. I hope there are seats for us sometimes the art and craft corner is full." Martha said with a subtle smile.
"We must hurry!" Eiko urged Martha who nodded.
To be fair, Eiko seemed calmer with Martha. It was hectic back at Reiji's with the shouting contest Eiko and Atashi were having in the living room.
"Alright Eiko we'll get there in no time." Douma reassured her with a smile.
"You just don't get it do you?! Quit standing around and get moving already!"
Guess Eiko was always the same regardless.
---
"Origami is really fun! I love making swans and frogs." Eiko picked up one of the colored sheets from the stack and laid it flat on the table that was filled with various shapes.
Martha hummed and watched Eiko fold the paper skillfully, she really knew which pieces to fold. It was impressive.
"What are you making Eiko?" Douma asked, it was great to see Eiko bubbly but how long was he going to sit here and wait? There were more important things he had to do in this replicated version of Mitsukoshi.
There was now a swan on Eiko's palm. Looking at her creation in awe, Eiko squealed and picked up another sheet of paper from the stack.
Douma lifted a brow. This Eiko was more enthusiastic, if his speculations were true than it could be that this is who Eiko wished she was. It could only play out in a dream where those she knew wouldn't notice her behavior. Coincidentally, it just so happens that Douma ended up in this dream of hers and was aware of this personification she was keeping up with.
Which makes the situation depressing to even think about, Eiko's sickness in the real world isn't letting her live her dream of wanting to be a cheerful person who wasn't bothered by other's comments.
"I just remembered something," Martha suddenly spoke after a long silence.
Both Douma and Eiko waited for what she was going to say next, especially the shrine leader this person Eiko was hanging out with in this dream was quite the mystery to say the least.
"What is it Martha? Do you need to go somewhere?"
"Eiko that monster is still after us he was at the lower levels. We can't stay here for too long."
Monster? What monster there isn't any strange creature here. Douma was starting to feel uneasy there really was more to this dream than what he initially thought. The surroundings made everything seem like a normal day at the mall however it wasn't. The lighting gave off a more nightly feel so there being a monster lurking in the mall at a time like this isn't surprising but it specifically hunting down Eiko and Martha is just downright disturbing. How is Eiko and Martha able to keep up with this game of hide and seek their lives were at stake. Wasn't anyone in the mall even aware about this literal beast roaming around it was a nightmarish disaster.
"Oh yeah he's still after us."
"What monster? Are you guys serious, there's a monster in the mall looking for the two of you?" Douma's voice quivered, even though this was a dream he was still worried about Eiko and Martha's safety. The actual Eiko can get affected by the events happening in her dream so she can't get caught by this beast.
Eiko fiddled with the swan in her hands. Her expression held one of dread. "We call him the cotton candy monster he's really fast and mean."
"Come on Eiko don't take this lightly you know he's dangerous. Don't treat him like some misunderstood animal, he doesn't want hugs." Martha replied firmly.
"Yeah I know I just don't understand why he's so angry with us."
"That doesn't matter Eiko we need to leave and you're not staying here any longer, got it?"
Listening to their conversation intently, Douma wondered why Eiko felt remorseful about something that wasn't her fault. Even though he didn't trust Martha she has a point, this monster wasn't to be taken lightly. Eiko shouldn't be feeling bad her safety is what matters right now and the shrine leader wasn't going to let her dwell on about it.
"Eiko listen, Martha's right you can't let that monster continue chasing after the both of you something needs to be done about this." Douma's iridescent eyes narrowed into slits, if no one else is going to step in and help, he will. It's a good thing he got here at the right time who knows what could've happen if it was just the two of them facing this mess alone.
"Ugh you don't understand I just don't want anyone to get hurt!" Eiko cried, flailing her arms helplessly.
"No one's getting hurt once that monster's gone," Douma looked at Eiko in disbelief, was she trying to protect this creature? "Are you trying to pity that thing? It's targeting you and Martha think about the outcome if this continues."
"But it's just trying to-
"Can you stop whining Eiko? We can't keep hiding!" Martha didn't mean to raise her voice but she couldn't control the boiling feeling anymore she just had to let it out.
Eiko distanced herself from them. The pieces of art she made were beginning to lose their significance. Why can't I put the words correctly? She thought to herself in anger, Martha saw her hands clenching into fists.
"Do you know where the monster is currently?" Douma asked Martha who was still watching Eiko's incoming tantrum.
"Like I said earlier, it's at one of the lower levels." The dark-haired girl responded, glancing at the escalator distances away. "I'm not surprised if it's getting closer."
"Fine but I want ice cream and I'm not taking no for an answer." Eiko glared at Martha demandingly.
"Whatever don't get mad at me if-
Eiko dashed out of the bookstore towards the escalator. She ignored Martha's calls and continued running until she reached the stairs and hopped on.
"That does it. She can get mad at me all she wants, running off like that when there's a literal beast in this mall is a terrible idea. Wait till her parents find out about this." Martha immediately ran after Eiko who was about to reach the lower level.
What is going on with Eiko? This is a dream but she's not like this in the real world. Eiko never pities her foes, what is this Eiko trying to imply here? While he didn't want to even guess what Eiko was trying to do, Douma wasn't surprised if the actual Eiko was trying to be more empathetic after the recent incident with Atashi, but she was doing it in the most irrational way: attempting to make peace with the one tracking she and another person closest to her down. That's not how one should display empathy.
"This is a disaster, I sincerely apologize." Martha narrowed her eyes at Eiko joyfully skipping towards the ice cream parlor.
"We'll catch up to her eventually don't worry about." Douma observed the entire mall, everything including the escalator he and Martha were standing on seemed normal there was nothing out of the ordinary so far.
Hearing Douma's response only made Martha more furious. Why was everyone so calm about Eiko's carelessness? Is there something she's not grasping at all? Martha didn't bother anymore she wanted Eiko and herself out of the hectic situation, playing mind games wasn't going to solve their problems let alone stop the monster that was hunting them.