The Girl In My Dreams

-----Kaede's POV

(Girl: "I thought- I'd never see you again.")

Once again, I was having another weird dream about the girl with long red hair. Last time in the dream, she confessed her love to me, but now I find myself wrapping my arms around her as I can hear the pain in her voice, almost like she's crying.

(Kaede: "You kept your hair-")

(Girl: "Mmm- for you.")

Why did I say that? Wait, do I know this girl? But before I could experience anything more, the sound of my alarm goes off, waking me up from that weird dream.

Kaede: "Eh?"

But what I found surprising was that my face was drenched, and when I go to wipe my eyes, I then realize that I've been crying in my sleep; even now.

Kaede: "What the..."

It's not like I feel sad, I'm more confused than anything, but my body says otherwise. I guess for now I'll just wash up and get ready for school.

...

After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I walk downstairs as once again, my breakfast was prepared for me just like the days before with a heartfelt message attached to it.

Message: "Hope you're feeling better sweetie. I'll have mom check on you when you finish school. We'll move our plans for a later date. Good luck! <3"

Did they hear me crying in my sleep?

Kaede: "I'm sorry..."

They were in a good mood yesterday and I ended up worrying them. I was planning on going with Emi after school, but if mom will be here, then maybe I shouldn't?

With those thoughts, I get my stuff ready before heading outside, however... I fail to realize from inside that it's raining, quite fitting considering how I was apparently crying earlier. And so, I grab the umbrella from the stand inside before stepping outside, as the sound of rain hitting the umbrella mutes all the other sounds around me.

Kaede: "Just hope it doesn't storm..."

The wind is a bit strong, but it's nothing I can't deal with. My main concern is if lightning starts. I know it's not impossible in spring, but it's quite rare. That said, I try and observe the sky for any darker clouds as I make my way towards the train tracks. Hehe, I doubt that girl would be running in this kind of weather. Wait! Then wouldn't that make for a good opportunity? She always like to run, but maybe we can actually walk together to school this time. I still need to thank her for taking care of me on my way home yesterday.

And soon enough, I make it to the train tracks. But instead of crossing over the empty crossing, I choose to wait there, looking out to my right. But still no sign of her.

Kaede: "I wonder if she called in sick."

I'm aware Emi has done that in the past, faking being sick just to get out of going to school on days like this, or if there's a big P.E event. I wonder if I should've asked for Yui's contact details? Who am I kidding, we're just acquaintances. And with that, I decide to continue forward, crossing the train tracks alone as I make my way to school.

...

Approaching the school gate, there's barely anyone like me with umbrellas outside, as I can count the amount of people on one hand alone. Some students end up running out of their parents cars with a bag over their head, which I thought was funny.

Man: "Alright. Yui, take care."

Yui: "Will do!"

Woman: "We'll pick you up if it's still raining!"

Yui: "Got it. Good luck with work!"

Man/Woman: "You too~"

I couldn't help but stop as I heard Yui's name being called out. I suppose that must've been her parents dropping her off? And with the sound of the car door closing, I watch Yui run ahead, not caring about the rain at all while her parents leave. She must be quite close with her parents...

I'm not too sure why, but I find myself picking up the pace as I make my way inside the school building as I quickly begin to change shoes and putting my umbrella in one of the racks.

Boy1: "Hah! Did you go for a swim or something?"

Yui: "Pfft. Yeah, it's better to take a swim early in the morning. Helps loosen up the joints!"

Boy2: "I wonder if our P.E class will be cancelled..."

Boy1: "It better not! I was looking forward to our soccer game."

She sure it popular, already being crowded by her friends. I sort of feel like an idiot rushing in here now. But I wonder why I feel like this? Do I really want to be friends with Yui this much that I'd rush after her like that?

Yui: "Hey, but maybe we can do dodgeball instead! The gymnasium should be free."

Isn't my class meant to be in the gymnasium today at some point? I'm not the greatest with P.E, but maybe Yui's class will use it instead of ours.

.....

...

Teacher: "Alright class. Since the outside grounds aren't safe due to the excessive rain. We'll be having joint P.E with another first year class."

Wow, talk about a coincidence... I wonder if it's actually Yui's class? Maybe this could be a good opportunity to make friends with her and maybe with others as well.

However... Things wouldn't turn out exactly as I imagined. As when our P.E class rolled around, we were not joint up with Yui's class, but instead class 1-C. Which I found to be quite hilarious considering-

Teacher: "We'll be doing dodgeball for today! Class 1-A vs class 1-C."

We're doing dodgeball; what Yui wanted before.

Kaede: "Hahh~"

Maria: "You don't like dodgeball, Kaede?"

Kaede: "Hmm? Ah, no."

Emi: "Hehe. Kaede's one of the best defenders there are!"

Maria: "Really?"

Kaede: "I'm not the greatest at throwing the ball though."

Male Classmate: "Alright, then just pass the ball to me when you catch it."

Kaede: "O-okay!"

I was a bit startled with the boy speaking from my side, but I appreciate the support.

Emi: "Hey~ Catch my balls as well please, Kaede."

Kaede: "Fine~"

Maria: "Hehe. Good luck."

.....

...

Long story short, we sucked... I did manage to catch out some of the other class, but they quickly found out my strength and stopped trying to get me out and instead targeted everyone else around me. Eventually leading to me being the only one left as I wound up being the receiving end of three balls at once.

Class Representative: "Nice try everyone."

Boys: "Hahh!~"

Most of the boys in our class were clearly not happy, but I didn't think we were too bad. If I was faster, then I could've protected more people.

Maria: "You weren't kidding though Emi. Kaede, you were amazing!"

Kaede: "I wasn't all that amazing."

Maria: "Nuh uh! You caught like eight of their balls! That's like a fifth of their class!"

Male Classmate: "Yeah! Kaede, you were amazing!"

Kaede: "Hehe. Thank you."

Female Classmate1: "I never expected you to be so good at dodgeball!"

Female Classmate2: "Yeah yeah!"

To my surprise, I became the hot topic of conversation as more and more of our classmates began to come over to us. I wave of relief washes over me, thinking that maybe my past mistakes might be also washed away with this dodgeball game. That said, I'm not overly fond of all of this attention.

Emi: "Right right~ Next time don't rely so much on Kaede."

Sensing my slight discomfort, Emi already begins to nudge some of the students away, clearing up some room whilst making stabs at the others. It's true that a lot of our class did just immediately get smacked by the dodgeballs, but at the end of the day, it's just a game. I'm just happy that no one got hurt.

...

The walk back to the class was also quite eventful as more students in our class approached me, much to Emi's displeasure, but I didn't mind. It's clear to me now that the whole sleeping in class thing is all behind us.

Kaede: "Hmm?"

But it was then that we passed another class as they were heading inside the gymnasium just behind us. However, I couldn't help but notice that red hair.

Kaede: "Hnng!"

Emi: "Kaede?!"

Out of nowhere, my knees collapse as I fall to the ground, as my head feels like it's on fire. I desperately try and block out the pain by pressing a hand up to the side of my head, trying to suppress the burning, throbbing pain, but to no avail.

(Girl: "You look beautiful.")

Another vision? And that same girl as well... I feel my heartbeat quicken as I feel my body growing lighter and lighter by the second.

?: "Kaede!-"

I'm not even sure who was shouting my name as it was so muffled, but in the next moment, I feel my vision going dark.

.....

...

(Kaede: "This isn't a dream right?")

(Girl: "I hope not. If I'm to wake up with this being a dream, I'm not sure how long I can last.")

What's this?

(Kaede: "Mmm- If it was I wouldn't be feeling this warm from our bodies together like this.")

(Girl: "I can't believe I passed out on you though.")

(Kaede: "Fufu~ It's okay. It was cute having you cling onto me in your sleep.")

(Girl: "D-don't say it like that~")

What am I seeing? All that pain in my head is now gone, but why am I having a vision like this? I thought it was a dream at first, but it's clear I have no control over this. What's worse is that I'm extremely close with this girl now as our bodies are even pressed up against one another! Wait, now I'm even brushing her hair past her face? How bold am I?!

(Kaede: "I don't know how many times I had dreamed of this moment. To have you with me like this.")

(Girl: "It was tough waking up to finding out they were all just a dream...")

(Kaede: "Mmm. Even now, I'm praying that all of this is real.")

(Girl: "Lets clear our worries then, with a test-")

No, no, no! What?! I'm the one going for a kiss?! With this girl?! This doesn't feel like me, but I can very much feel every detail. The softness of her lips, her heartbeat. I feel my own heart race as our kiss slowly becomes more passionate as time passes. Are kisses meant to be this exciting? But after a few more moments, we part away from the kiss. Oh god... This feels strange... It's like-

?: "-Kaede..."

It's like I'm the one about to-

Emi: "Kaede!"

Kaede: "Huh?!"

Suddenly, I wake up to find that Emi, Maria and a few others have gathered around me. Taking in my surroundings, it looks as though I'm back in the infirmary... Not again...

Maria: "You scared us!"

Emi: "You just suddenly collapsed in the hall! Are you okay?"

Kaede: "I-I'm-"

I then realize who else is in the room as I lock eyes with those crystal blue eyes, the same ones that was in my dream just now. I feel my heart tighten up instantly, but at least my head doesn't feel like it's about to burst.

Yui: "Hey, you alright?"

Why is she here?

Emi: "Yes yes, We've got this under control."

Yui: "Okay. I'll be heading back to class. Take care, Kaede."

Kaede: "..."

I was meant to say thank you, yet I couldn't even say anything! What the hell is wrong with me?

Emi: "Hmm? Wait, Kaede. You know her?"

Kaede: "Kinda... We met at the train tracks a couple times."

Emi: "Ah! I didn't know! Sorry."

Maria: "Hehe. That girl though. She just picked you up immediately, right as you collapsed. Emi and I thought you were being kidnapped for a second."

Emi: "But if she's a friend, then I suppose I should apologize."

So she's the one that brought me here? Hnnng! Now I have even more things to thank her for! And I don't even have her number or anything! But... That dream just now...

Nurse: "I advise you rest up for today. Could I have one of you girls take some notes for her?"

Maria: "I'll do it."

Nurse: "Thank you. So, Kaede. Just rest up for the rest of today."

Kaede: "O-okay."

Emi: "Rest well, Kaede~ We'll be back soon!"