3:

"This is not a dream, is it?"

She didn't seem surprised by my question, moreover, she had a calm expression on her face.

". . .Well, you're half-right."

"Hm?"

". . .It's similar to a dream, but. . .not completely."

"Umm. . .Just to be safe, this is not the afterlife either, right? Haha. ."

She must've felt the fear in my voice even though I intended to sound frivolous.

". . .It's not, so don't worry."

I inadvertently let out a sigh of relief and wanted to ask more questions, but it didn't seem like the right time.

(She's nodding off even though she just ate. This won't do. But, should I use this chance to get more information? No, but-)

"So, umm. . .what do you often do in here?"

". . .Hmm?"

She roused up from her quick nap and sluggishly looked at me.

"What do you do in this place?"

"Hmm. . .Sleep. . .read books. . .play games. . .eat. . .sleep."

"That's all?"

". . .Hmm."

What an ideal lifestyle, although I can only imagine how boring that must sound to other people. Also, I got her answer, but it posed yet another question for me.

"Have you been all alone this entire time?"

". . .Not really."

This time, she gave me a hesitant look before answering, I wonder why.

(Let's see. . .)

"Ohh? Are there other people here? Where? What kind of people are they? Do they come here often?"

With the sudden barrage of questions, she seemed slightly uncomfortable.

(Hmm. . .too much.)

"Also, you mentioned games just now, what games do you play?"

". . . . ."

". . .Hm?"

". . .There are."

"Hm?"

". . .There are 3 more in here. . .at their own place. One of them is cheeky and perceptive, the other one is overly honest, yet endearing, and the last one is. . .well. . .sensible. They come and go at random."

"I- I see. . ."

(How unexpected. . .)

Honestly, I didn't think she would respond. Through her expressions alone, you'd think she would grow irritable towards me, but-

"Hmm~"

". . .What?"

"No, it's just that. . .you're quite soft-spoken, so I. . .thought you found me overbearing."

". . .Not really."

"I- I see."

Although the misunderstanding was cleared, another wave of silence threw me over. I really can't handle this awkwardness. All of a sudden, she stood up and grabbed her goat plushie.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

". . .Sleepy."

"Ah. . .but since you just ate-"

"I know. . .but I'm really sleepy."

"Then, at least sit for a while, also put some pillows behind your back and neck."

"I know. . ."

She made her way towards the bed and sat down. After a short while, she grabbed a book and began to read.

(Come to think of it, I should clean these dirty plates. Where's the kitchen?)

I wandered around for a bit, looking for a sink.

". . .Just leave it be."

"Huh?"

". . .It will disappear on its own if you just leave it be."

"Oh? Now that's convenient."

". . .Hm."

After a few minutes, it happened just as she said, everything that was on the table disappeared, and it seemed that she had fallen asleep too.

(She must've been really tired. Now then, let's clean this place up.)

I did my best to stay as quiet as possible to make sure I wouldn't disturb her. I folded the scattered blankets into a clean pile, arranged the pillows neatly, and sorted out the books.

(She has a lot of interesting books, from topics such as psychology, and logic up to romantic fantasy novels. What a variety.)

"Hm?"

I caught sight of the book she was reading before she fell asleep.

(Wouldn't it seem rude to read the books here without her permission? But I'm sure she wouldn't mind.)

"Let's see. . ."

And so, I sat on the couch and began to read the book. It was a long, and heartwrenching story indeed.