Chapter 5 : New Morning

Morning has arrived—fatigue has faded away—a new day has begun—free from the nonsense of dreams.

There's no need to prick my finger with a needle.

"Mom, I'm heading to school."

"Okay, dear. Be careful."

As I walk to school, I take my time. I really enjoy the chilly morning breeze of this season. But I don't like it too cold. On my way, I catch a glimpse of her. The dream girl! Why would I dream about someone I hardly know? But it seems she's waiting for someone. I should be surprised... but maybe I've seen her before, which is why she appeared in my dreams. But thinking about all this won't help me; I need to get to school quickly.

"Hmm… Hellooo… Kazuki-kun."

"You're Haruki's girlfriend. Hello."

"My name is Rina Fujimoto."

"Ah, Fujimoto-san, got it."

"Do you go to school alone? Doesn't Haruki come with you?"

"His house is in the opposite direction. Mine is this way. So, we only meet at school. Sometimes he comes over to my place."

"Oh, that's fine. From today, I'll walk to school with you. My house is in this direction too."

"Thanks, but I think it's better if I go to school alone! What will Haruki think?"

"Hey, you too! He asked me what time you leave school. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been going to school this early. Anyway, don't worry about all this."

I can't help but think how different this girl is from the dream girl. She seems so lively in reality. But is her house really in this direction? Maybe it is. Anyway, let it be!

School's over... it's time to go home. People are gossiping about what to do during the cold holidays. Meanwhile, I'm contemplating how long I'll have to sit in the shop at night in this cold. It looks like Haruki and his girlfrie— Fujimoto-san are planning to hang out somewhere. Ah, the thrill of youth! I guess I should head home; the longer the sun sets, the colder it gets.

Today, there aren't many customers in the shop. Should I close it? Let's close it.

"Wait..."

"Yes, how can I help you?"

Oh, it's that dream girl.

"Um, hello! I need a pencil."

Does anyone really rush for a pencil? Well, customers—customers are like divine gifts from above.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

And she's gone... She seemed so graceful in my dreams. She was cute and sweet in conversation.

Alright, time to close up. CLOSED!

I'll step outside for a bit. It's cold, but wandering outside feels good. Sitting in the shop all day can get boring.

"Hey, what are you doing out here at night?"

Oh, a policeman. Maybe they've increased surveillance due to a murder case. I shouldn't have come here.

"I was just taking a stroll."

"Don't linger here. Head home quickly."

This is why I dislike small towns. In Tokyo, night feels like day. Here, as soon as dusk falls, darkness envelops everything.

"By the way, have you caught the criminal? I used to eat ramen at their shop sometimes."

"No, not yet. That's why I'm keeping an eye everywhere. And you kids shouldn't be asking about such things."

"Why am I a kid? I'm taking care of my family's responsibilities. I manage a lot on my own."

"Hey, Ryuzaki. Come here. Keep an eye on him. And don't take his words to heart. I'm Atsushi Minamoto. I recently came to this town for this case. You could say I'm sort of the boss here—at least that's how you can think of it."

Minamoto? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere.

"Oh, I'm Kazuki Matsumoto. A third-year high school student. I'm already 18, so I'm an adult."

"Alright, don't take his words too seriously. Why are you out here at such an hour? What do you do in the evenings?"

"Oh, I take care of my shop after school. Sitting all day can get boring, so I came out for a little walk."

"Heh, it's rare to see someone like you nowadays. Nice to meet you. Since you might know this town well, could you help me after your work? I came here just for this case from Tokyo."

T-Tokyo!!! And their behavior is so pleasant. I love talking to nice people; it motivates me. And since they're from Tokyo, I might get to ask a lot about the city. But I have to be careful with my responses.

"Although—I'm busy with work and studies, I'd be happy to help you whenever I can."

"Alright then, could you tell me where the Saito Tamatageru Temple is located?"

"It's that way..."

I directed the police officer to the temple and felt good about meeting someone from Tokyo. This was also my first real conversation with a police officer. I should indeed offer my help when I have the time. It's strange that there's been a murder in this small town. Even the police from Tokyo had to come here. Heh!

Anyway, I should get some sleep now~

Morning has arrived. But there's not a hint of cold outside! Isn't it strange? It's still winter. It should be snowing! But no snow is falling. To top it off, the harsh sunlight is piercing through the glass and stinging my eyes. Am I dreaming again? I should prick my finger with a needle. I did, and blood flowed. But everything feels so real! Maybe everything is as it should be? The weather must have changed! According to science Weather can change quickly due to several reasons 1. Air Movement: Different air masses move around. A cold air mass might bring chilly weather at night, but if a warmer air mass arrives by morning, it can lead to a warmer day. 2.Humidity : The amount of moisture in the air affects whether it will snow or not. If the air is dry in the morning, there won't be any snow, even if it felt cold at night. Well...

Everything feels calm—silent. Not a sound! What is happening? Why is everything so quiet? Mom isn't even home. Could I really be in a dream? Then what should I do? I need to wake up from this dream—but how do I wake up? Die? What a stupid thought. Where am I, anyway? There's no one here. Dream or reality? I slowly started walking and soon saw a crowd. For two seconds, I felt relief. But as I got closer, I realized that on the ground lay the body of a person. And Mom is there too!

"Mom, what's happening?"

"Someone has been killed again. This body was found by the Mitsu family this morning."

"Another murder? That's why everyone is here."

"Kazuki, go home. I'll be there soon."

"Okay, but please hurry."

"Go on, I'll be there soon."

As I turned to leave, I encountered that dream girl again. She was truly beautiful. But she seemed very quiet. Just then, the policeman from last night appeared behind her. He looked at me, but before that, he said something to her, and then she walked away. Relatives?

"Oh, Atsushi-san..."

"Hmm? How do you know my name? Have we met before? Anyway, I have work to do."

I didn't say a word. I couldn't understand what this meant. I just walked away.

How can there be so much sunlight in this cold weather?

How did I forget about that policeman so quickly?

And who is the man who was killed? I've never seen him around here.

Mom was acting strangely too.

Dream or reality? What am I living in? Just then, I felt cold. Suddenly, I jolted awake. I found it amusing. When I opened my eyes, I felt the chill and noticed that a light snow was falling outside. Suddenly, I burst out laughing. What absurdity is this?

Dream, dream, dream—damn it!

I couldn't calm myself down. After so many days, I suddenly had another dream. Why am I dreaming? A dream that feels so real?

Even after pricking my finger with a needle, I bled but didn't feel anything. What's going on? Why am I enduring all this? I want a good life. Then what's all this nonsense happening? And why is it happening? Oh wait! Ever since I went to that temple, everything has been going crazy. What did I do there? I just bought something for Haruki's girlfriend. What else—what else?

Yes! Uncle Ramen set up a shop there, and Haruki and I had noodles. After that, I don't remember anything.

For now, I need to calm myself down. It seems normal outside. Maybe Mom is calling me.

"Kazuki, Kazuki-kun, come down quickly!"

"I'm coming, Mom."

A man—no, that policeman.

"Hello, Kazuki-kun. I came to see you."

"Mom, what does this policeman want with you?"

"No, no, ma'am. I met him last night, and he's a good kid. So, don't worry."

"Hello, policeman, you're here so early."

"I was passing by this way, so I thought I'd stop by to see you. And you can call me Atsushi, just like a big brother. The title 'policeman' sounds too formal for me."

"Um, okay, Atsushi-oniichan, but how did you know this shop is mine?"

"Last night, my sister probably bought a pencil from your shop. She told me about it."

"Sister—she's the dream girl?"

"What?"

"No, I mean, she doesn't know me; how could she tell you?"

"She came to meet me before you left yesterday. I saw you then, and that's when she mentioned it."

"Oh!!"

"I'll come to buy some things from your shop too. And I liked you. By the way, which school do you study at?"

"School name..."

"Okay, I'm thinking about my sister too. What would she do alone in this town? I'll get her transferred to your school. She'll make friends. By the way, you should become friends with my sister."

To be honest, I wasn't able to grasp a single thing he said. Well, what should I say now?

"Say whatever feels right to you."

"Okay, fine. By the way, can you give me that candy?"

"Sure."

After buying the candy, Atsushi-oniichan left. He's quite an energetic guy and talks a lot. But he's a good person. I feel like I'm truly living in reality. But I was quite surprised to find out that the dream girl is his sister. I never thought something like this would happen. But if this is the case, could she become my girlfriend? I embarrassed myself again in front of reality. What am I even thinking? Why am I thinking this? And I feel like Mom is calling me again!

"Kazuki, Kazuki-kun. Where have you been?"

"You go out at night; why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh, Mom, you were sleeping, so I didn't wake you."

"Still, from now on, tell me. If something happens to you... A murder recently happened in the village. Don't go out at night."

"Okay, Mom."

"And get ready quickly. I'll prepare breakfast for you."

"Oh yes, I'm getting late."

I quickly got ready, but nothing makes sense. For now, I want to skip class and go to that temple. But exams are also approaching. I'll manage somehow.

"Yo, Ka-zu-ki-kun, Ohayooo!!!!"

"Hello, Fujimoto-san. Ohayo. You're so lively in the morning."

"Hmmm, and since we're friends now, call me Rina."

"Friends? Alright then, fair enough."

"You look tired. Did something happen?"

"No, nothing at all!"

"Okay."

"By the way, Fujimoto—Rina-san, how did you come to like Haruki?"

"Heh!!!! You want to know?...."

"Hmmm."

"OwO, I saw him running somewhere one day. I got curious. Why is he running? When I followed him, I found out he was buying medicine for you. He ran to get it after hearing you were sick."

"Sick!! Yes, I had a fever once. I thought my mom bought it."

"Haruki asked your mom not to say anything. Just think, if he can do so much for a friend, imagine how much he could do for someone he loves. That's when I really liked him. But he doesn't talk much in class; he always sticks to you. One day, I mustered the courage and proposed to him. He accepted, but he told me to become friends with you too. You need more friends since you're such a studious person."

I felt a little embarrassed. Haruki thinks so much about me. Maybe I'm not that alone. There are people who care for me. I should tell Haruki everything.

"Rina-san, thanks."

"No need for that. We're just your friends. So if you have any trouble, just let me and Haruki-kun know."

"I might have some problems that I need to discuss with you both."

"Problems! I knew something was up."

"Rina-san, I might have to skip class today. Will that be okay with you?"

"N-no, no. Just tell me."

"I'll tell you. I've already messaged Haruki about skipping class. We're going to a place today."

"Wow. Adventure... I'd love that."

"Rina-san, you're really so lively."

It's rare for me to talk this much with a girl. Talking to girls isn't that bad. And just as I thought, Haruki came running back.

"Kazuki, what happened? Oh, Rina, you too. I'm truly surprised today that this studious Kazuki is saying he'll skip class. It feels like the sky has fallen on my head."

"Haruki, first calm down. We need to go somewhere together."

"Yay, Haruki-kun, something exciting is going to happen today. First, Kazuki-kun, you need to tell us about your problems."

"Problems? Kazuki, what problems do you have? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, what I'm about to tell you both, you might find hard to believe. But I ask you to listen carefully, understand, and try to trust me."

"Hey, Kazuki, don't be so formal. Just tell us what happened. I trust you."

"Hmmm, I'll trust you too."

"Actually—----- TO BE CONTINUED.