As Hina drifted into deep sleep, she found herself immersed in a vivid dream of the past, back in Shibuya City. In this dream, she was a male version of herself, known as Hinagawa. The voice of Nika, a familiar figure from his past, jolted him awake in the classroom.
"Wake up, Hinagawa," Nika said, her voice tinged with concern. "Are you sleeping in class again?"
Hinagawa blinked, momentarily disoriented as memories from his past flooded his mind. He remembered the comforting familiarity of Shibuya City, the bustling streets, and the faces of his one friend. But most of all, he remembered Nika, her presence always a source of solace in his troubled life.
"Don't overwork yourself just because your family isn't here anymore," Nika chided gently, her expression softening with concern.
Tears welled up in Hinagawa's eyes as he savored the bittersweet memories of his past life. It felt as though he was reliving those precious moments, every detail etched into his mind with painful clarity.
As they walked together along the familiar streets of Shibuya City, Hinagawa couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu that washed over him. It was as though he had lived this moment before, a nagging sense of repetition lingering at the back of his mind.
"What if this is my real life?" Hinagawa muttered to himself, the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon him like a suffocating blanket.
But before he could dwell further on his existential crisis, tragedy struck. A truck careened out of control, hurtling towards them with deadly speed. This time, Hinagawa was powerless to save Nika, his beloved friend, from the impending disaster.
"Nika, nooooo!!!" Hinagawa's anguished cry echoed through the streets as he watched helplessly as his friend was crushed by the runaway truck.
In the midst of his despair, a sinister laughter filled the air, chilling Hinagawa to the core. An unknown entity materialized before him, its presence oozing with malice.
"Who are you?" Hinagawa demanded, his voice trembling with rage and grief.
But the entity only laughed, mocking his anguish with callous indifference. Determination surged through Hinagawa's veins as he vowed to seek revenge, no matter the cost.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, the dream ended, and Hina found herself jolting awake in the beach house. Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to make sense of the tumultuous emotions that still lingered from her dream.
Unbeknownst to her, in her moment of distress, she unleashed a powerful burst of magic, tearing a gaping hole in the rooftop of the beach house. As the students and Hiku rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces, Hina stood with her back turned, hiding her tears from prying eyes.
"Are you okay?" Hiku asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Hina merely shook her head, unable to articulate the turmoil raging within her. But Hiku, sensing her need for space, gently ushered the students away, leaving her to grapple with her emotions in solitude.
*To be continue *