Prologue

I opened my eyes to find myself in an endless, dark void. Silence surrounded me, broken only by the faint echoes of my own voice. The emptiness stretched on forever, making me feel small, insignificant.

Just when I thought I might lose myself to the overwhelming stillness, I heard a voice—soft and distant, yet filled with warmth.

"Ryu, take a look at this flower..."

It was as if the voice called me from somewhere far away, a tender invitation. Without thinking, I began running toward it. As I moved, the darkness began to change—bright flowers bloomed around me, their petals unfolding like a dream, their sweet scent filling the air.

A passage formed before me, framed by these delicate blooms. I hesitated but stepped forward, my heart racing for reasons I couldn't understand.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" I called softly, my voice shaking slightly.

The voice answered again, warmer now, closer. It was so familiar, like something I'd longed for without realizing.

I turned and saw her—a girl, standing among the flowers, her hands lightly brushing against the petals. She looked up, and in that instant, something in her presence made my heart skip a beat.

"Hey, who are you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

She didn't answer, but her form seemed to radiate warmth. Then, she began to run, her laughter echoing softly in the air.

"Wait, stop running!" I called, my feet moving before I could think.

She glanced back over her shoulder, and despite her playful demeanor, her face remained hidden, a faceless void that seemed both strange and comforting.

"You have to catch me!" she teased, her voice light and carefree, as though we were already familiar, as though we'd been playing this game for a long time.

I chased after her, the flowers around us flourishing with every step, but as I ran, the world around us began to change. The petals of the flowers began to wither, falling like leaves caught in a breeze.

Confused, I stopped. My chest tightened, unsure whether to keep chasing her or turn back.

Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I spun around.

She was there, standing just behind me, her expression unreadable. Her faceless gaze was somehow more comforting than unsettling.

And in that moment, I realized I didn't want to let go of this dream.

I woke up.