A Dream of Another World

Yumi's day had been like any other. She spent hours playing her favorite boy-love dating sim, her heart racing every time the game's beautifully drawn male characters confessed their feelings. Before bed, she lay back, clutching her phone, replaying her favorite scenes in her head.

"If I were a boy, I could experience all of this for real," she murmured with a grin before dozing off.

Her sleep was deep, yet strange. She dreamed of soft winds, warm sunlight, and the scent of flowers she couldn't recognize. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

The ceiling above her wasn't hers. It was high and ornate, with beams of carved wood and intricate designs. She sat up abruptly, taking in her surroundings. She was in a massive, elegant room, the kind you'd expect to see in a fantasy game. The bed she was on was far too big for her—or at least, it should have been.

Her hands, which she instinctively glanced at, weren't her hands. They were larger and stronger, clearly masculine. Her heart skipped. Was this part of her dream?

"This is so real," she whispered, looking down at herself. She was dressed in a light tunic, her reflection faintly visible in the polished gold of a nearby goblet. But before she could fully inspect herself, the door creaked open.

A boy stepped in. He was no older than fifteen, with soft blond hair that shimmered like sunlight and wide, curious blue eyes. He was dressed in light armor, like a knight straight out of a fairytale.

Yumi froze, her breath caught in her throat. No way… how did my mind create someone this cute? She leaned forward, unable to stop herself.

"Oh my gosh. This is my dream? I'm a genius! How did I imagine someone so perfect? Awww, my heart can't take this!"

The boy seemed startled by her intense gaze but quickly bowed politely. "My Lord, you're awake. I was worried when you didn't come down for breakfast."

Yumi blinked. My Lord? Her eyes darted to the side, catching sight of a full-length mirror in the corner of the room. She rushed to it, her heart pounding with excitement.

When she reached the mirror, she gasped. Staring back at her was a tall, handsome young man with sharp features, striking emerald-green eyes, and wavy black hair that fell perfectly into place. She grinned and struck a quick pose.

"I'm a boy! I'm actually a boy!" she said, practically jumping in place. "This dream is the best thing ever!"

The blond knight, looking confused, approached her hesitantly. "Are you feeling well, My Lord?"

Yumi spun around and crouched down slightly to meet his eye level, her grin widening. Without thinking, she leaned closer, cupped her hand over his ear, and whispered, "Do you like boys?"

The boy turned bright red, stumbling back as if her words had physically hit him. "W-What?!" he stammered, his face flushed.

Yumi burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "Oh, this is too good! My imagination is amazing!"

But even as she joked, a small, nagging thought crept into her mind. Why does this all feel so real?

The boy's flustered expression and the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window were too vivid for a dream. Still, she shook her head. It's just a dream, Yumi. Relax and enjoy the ride.

As she turned back to the mirror, admiring her new form, she couldn't help but wonder what other surprises her "dream" might have in store.