I'm aware that I'm sleeping. I see my hands multiply every time I look at them, I can breathe through my nose, and my surroundings change every time I glance around. At that moment, I didn't know where I was. I also didn't know how it happened. I was just dreaming when suddenly my mind cleared.
I found myself in a room. Not too big, at least the size of my own bedroom. It was naturally bright without windows like I experience at night. I thanked my mind for not letting me be scared alone. Everything was made of concrete. Except, of course, the chair I was sitting on. That's when I heard a faint ticking sound. Someone was tapping on a metal-like window. I listened carefully. My head was trying desperately to remember the sound, trying to check all the sound recordings cataloged in my head.
I felt myself floating around the room, trying to find the source of the sound, but it grew fainter. As if he knew I was looking for him. It didn't occur to me that maybe I could control my own dreams, that I might be able to stop the sound and change this gray room. I just knew it wasn't real.
I turned around. I saw someone sitting in that chair, and I knew it wasn't me. I immediately recognized them. It could be a dream, but my mind still remembered that my dreams were made up of memories. And this person is...
Everything turned orange. The light piercing through my bedroom curtains woke me up before my alarm went off. By "alarm," I mean my sister, who often wakes me up before I realize it. It tends not to happen, so it's fair if I'm selfish and try to sleep as much as I can. It's not been long since the second year began, and my body is still sluggish to adapt to waking up early. Having weird dreams doesn't help either.
Shortly after, my sister rushed in and woke me up rudely. I didn't do anything at all, so I went through my routine robotically: brushing my teeth, washing my face, having breakfast, making sure I don't look like the walking dead, and, of course, putting on my school uniform.
Even before I realized it, I was riding my bike without the coordinated treatment to make it look like I wasn't drunk. But, at least that's what really woke me up.
With a year's experience of traveling to North High School, I'm sure I can do it with my eyes closed, but even so, I can't shake the feeling that I forgot something. Did I leave something at home?
After a smooth journey and safely parking my bike, I saw two figures I knew. The taller one is clearly Yusue, and beside him is Kanekawa.
"Hey, hey, if it isn't Mr. K!" Yusue said as he approached me slowly.
"I'm good with just one nickname," I said, greeting him.
"Yeah, yeah...! But you know, we should come up with a new nickname. I thought it would sound better if I said it louder, but you have to admit that Kyon is hard to beat!"
"You also call me Mr. K," Kanekawa murmured before smiling again. "By the way, hello! You look more tired than usual," she continued.
"You noticed? I'm not sure why my body is so sluggish today."
"Nervous about the test results?" Kanekawa said, continuing. "Well, I'm not sure if this will help or hurt you, but we won't get them today."
I wasn't too nervous until she mentioned it. But why should I be? It's just a mock exam; it's not the end of the world. Still, I'll feel better once it's over.
"Ah, you simple-minded creature," Yusue suddenly spoke with an arrogant grin. "Still thinking about test results and such, without focusing on what truly matters at our age." He tapped his chest twice. "Having someone special to care about."
I stared at him for 5 seconds before asking, "What's wrong with her?"
"Many things." Yusue's satisfied smile disappeared as Kanekawa chuckled. "But I think it's because she has a date," he said, walking away from her.
Yusue then started rambling about how he made a big leap forward or whatever, my brain stopping any information caught by my ears. I'm not jealous or anything. I'm happy for him, but he's gotten too big to fit his shoes when something like this happens.
Not long after, we entered our classroom. I sat in my seat and opened my bag. I stretched while thinking about what topic we'd discuss on Wednesday, trying to pull information from my brain. My body said it's math, but my mind argued it's physics.
"It's math," I heard a familiar voice behind me say. "So, you better put away the biology book in your hand."
I looked at my hand and realized I did grab the wrong book. I definitely haven't fully woken up today.
"Yeah... Thanks for that, not sure what's happening to me today." I didn't turn around as the girl behind me giggled. "Have you been there since I arrived?" I asked.
"Yes, indeed. I noticed because you didn't say anything to me." Without looking, I already knew she had a wide smile on her face. "I actually thought you were ignoring me," she said, hiding her delighted expression.
"Right... Sorry about that. The sun woke me up, so maybe it messed with my internal clock." I took the math book and looked at my friend.
"If anything, the sun should've fixed your internal clock. Maybe it's more related to the mock exam we did?" She said, tilting her head. "Last year, I helped you through the final exam; maybe you shouldn't have rejected my help." There was no ill intent behind her words, just a hint of concern.
"That was then, and who knows? Maybe I've stumbled upon a miracle."
As I said those words, Okabe entered through the door and began his lesson.