This is Kawagoe Village. I do not particularly like villages, yet here I am, compelled to live in one. My name is Kazuki Matsumoto, and I'm in my third year of high school, eighteen years old. Although the landscape around me is dominated by buildings and fields, I have little fondness for the latter. My aspirations lie in Tokyo, where I dream of leading a fulfilling life.
Currently, it is a holiday, and I am tasked with managing our family shop. We own a small traditional shop, and my family consists solely of my mother and me, as my father passed away sixteen years ago. I have never met him, which leaves me unable to grasp the dynamics of a father-son relationship. Upon returning from school, I head straight to the shop, spending three to four hours there before retreating to my small room to study. This has been the routine of my life since childhood.
I harbor dreams of taking care of my family and earning a substantial income. However, whenever I express these ambitions to my mother, she insists that I should concentrate on my studies first and then consider financial pursuits. There is a degree of truth in her words; one cannot earn money without an education. While I am aware of many who succeed without formal schooling, I seek a structured path that leads to a good life—one that encompasses education, hard work, and financial stability. Right now, my priority is to assist my mother, who has tirelessly worked to provide for us since my father's passing. I genuinely wish to support her, which is why I am also striving hard in my studies, aiming to become a responsible individual capable of caring for my family. Admittedly, though, I am not particularly adept at studying.
"Kazuki! Oi... Kazuki-kun, open the window!"
"W-who? A ghost?"
"Your friend, Haruki Tanaka."
"Why are you knocking on the window at this hour?"
"Huh!? I mentioned in class today that I would come tonight."
"Oh? I forgot!"
"That's on you then. Listen, there's a big event at the Saito Tamataregu Shrine tonight. Let's go; they have some amazing things for sale!"
"I don't have any money, and I really don't want to go. I just got back from the shop, and I'm exhausted."
"But you promised you'd come! Come on, I'll buy you something."
"I'm not going, alright?"
"Stop making excuses, and hurry up!"
Haruki Tanaka is somewhat shy in class but becomes more animated when he's with me. To be honest, if I consider anyone a good friend, it's him. He genuinely understands me. I recall all the help he has extended to me.
"What are you thinking, Kazuki?"
"Nothing, but if Mom finds out..."
"Don't worry; I've sorted that out!"
"How?"
"My mom invited her over today for some gossip!"
"Heh! Really? I was just wondering where Mom went."
By the way, you could have just come through the door. Why the window?
"To scare you."
"I'm not scared."
There's a temple on the hill in the village where a significant event is taking place. I'm not entirely sure of the reason or the details, but since Haruki is so insistent, I suppose I have to go.
"Sir, come here and buy some delicious takoyaki!"
"Kazuki, are you going to eat?"
"No."
"By the way, Kazuki-kun, do you like any girl in our class?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"No, I mean I don't. I don't understand why you're asking me this!"
"I..."
"Do you like any girl?"
"Yes. Rina Fujimoto proposed to me today."
"W-What? How? When did she propose?"
"Aren't you jealous?"
"No, just surprised."
"You're always lost in your books; that's why you didn't know. I was surprised too, but she's a nice girl. I'll introduce you to her tomorrow."
"Okay, congrats, man."
"Thanks! By the way, I want to buy something for her as a gift."
"So that's why you dragged me along."
"Sorry for lying to get you to come with me."
"No worries; just hurry and find something for her."
"By the way, this pink necklace looks nice. Should I get it?"
"If you like it, then go ahead."
Afterward, we wandered around the event stalls for a while before heading home. My mother was standing by the door, and I froze in her presence.
"Where were you?"
"Haruki took me to the temple for the event happening today. He insisted I join him. It's not like I wanted to go just because he said so; I tried persuading him otherwise, but he wouldn't listen. It was getting late, and I felt it wasn't right to let him go alone..."
"Alright, alright, there's no need to explain so much. Come inside quickly."
After dinner, consisting of rice and miso soup, I retired to my room. Haruki had gifted me a mobile keychain. Soon, I drifted off to sleep.
"Kazuu... Kazukiiii... Kazuki-kun...!!!"
"Hmmm!!!"
"Kazuki, you're still glued to your books today. I told you I'd introduce you to Rina today."
I was struggling to comprehend anything...
"This is Rina Fujimoto!"
"Umm... Hello Kazuki-kun. Nice to meet you."
"Ohh, umm, nice to meet you too. So, you're a new student?"
"Hey Kazuki, she's in our class with the first years. And you're calling her a new student!"
"Is that so? Still..."
"Umm Kazuki-kun, do you enjoy studying?"
"Uh... Hmmm."
"Wow, that's why you top every year."
"Yes, Rina-chan. My friends are quite intelligent."
Yes, now I understand where I am. But I still couldn't find the keychain.
"Kazuki, soon it will be lunchtime. Why don't the three of us have lunch together?"
"Hmm... I would love that. I also want to be Kazuki-kun's friend."
I remained silent, aware of what would happen next. Initially, I was confused, but now clarity had set in.
"Hey, Rina-chan, do you know? Among my good friends, I consider Kazuki my best friend. I want you to become his friend soon too."
"Kazuki-kun doesn't talk much, does he?"
"Yes, Kazuki-kun doesn't converse much with girls."
In that moment, I realized... when I convinced myself.
"Hey. You both can cut the act now. Because I know this isn't reality! It's a DREAM."
"So you figured it out, Kazuki-kun!
Then get ready to die!"
Haruki and Rina transformed into repulsive monsters.
"Rather than die at your hands, I'd prefer to leap from here."
"No matter how you die, it's you who will endure the pain."
"Indeed, but I refuse to witness faces as ugly as yours."
Then I jumped and died, only to awaken from the nightmare.
"Aaa... ahhh.... aahhhh...."
I found myself in my room, and it was now seven o'clock.
So, it was just another dream. This is why I sometimes dread sleeping. I often find myself caught between dreams and reality, unable to distinguish one from the other until I meet my demise. However, if I die in a dream, I awaken in reality. If I die in reality, the end is truly final. Thus, each day, I place myself in scenarios like this. Only when I grasp something beyond my comprehension must I thoroughly understand the situation. I am uncertain about what is happening to me and why. While everyone enjoys dreaming, it terrifies me. I check my mobile keychain; it's there. Then, I feel reassured that I am indeed in reality.
To be continued.