A "real" world within the regular one

Hana's POV – End of the School Day

I said that, but no matter where I looked, Makoto-sama was nowhere to be found.

The nurse's office, the P.E. area, the science lab, the library—every department of the high school had been scoured. Yet, every person I asked would respond with a surprised, "Huh? He was here just a moment ago!"

If I didn't know better, I'd say he was intentionally avoiding me.

But that's impossible… right?

Right?

...

The school's sprawling courtyard stretched wide before me, a space meticulously designed with a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern flair. Paved pathways meandered through well-manicured gardens, vibrant with seasonal flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. Stone lanterns dotted the scene, casting long shadows in the late afternoon sun, while a koi pond at the center added an air of serenity.

Morgana, whom I had sent to search for Makoto-sama separately, returned with an uncharacteristically tired expression.

"My Lady... I think we should stop pursuing Murasame. For today, at least," she said, her voice calm yet firm.

"What?" I exclaimed, my voice louder than intended. "Are you giving up already—?"

A fit of coughs cut through my words, shaking my chest with its intensity.

"My Lady, your medications!" Morgana's usual stoicism gave way to concern as she quickly handed me a bottle of water.

"I know, I know."

I dabbed at the blood smearing my lips with a handkerchief before downing the water and taking my prescribed pills.

When will this fragility end?

Maybe when Makoto-sama kisses me?

With a defeated sigh, I resigned myself to Morgana's advice. School had already dismissed—around 3:30 or 4:00 PM.

However, curiosity tugged at me, and I couldn't leave it at that.

"But Morgana..." I began, my tone more inquisitive. "Why do you think we should stop for today?"

Her suggestion puzzled me. Morgana was not one to shy away from a task, no matter how grueling. Despite her stoic demeanor, she often worked herself to exhaustion for my sake.

"Hmm," she hummed, seemingly deliberating how to phrase her thoughts. "I don't know how to explain it in terms you'll understand..."

Her hesitance struck a chord, and I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry about that," I assured her, my tone both patronizing and oddly affectionate. "I am a far more intelligent life form than you, so it's impossible I won't understand you."

Morgana's expression didn't falter—her deadpan nature was truly impressive.

"Understood, my Lady." She nodded and began her explanation. "There's another world inside this one: a world regular people know nothing of."

I arched a brow, skeptical but intrigued.

"So I should know about this world too, right?"

Morgana glanced at me briefly, then fell silent for a moment.

"…Some amazing people, like yourself, can't perceive this world, still." she finally said.

I frowned slightly, suspicion creeping into my thoughts. Morgana was not one for making jokes, let alone mocking me—her mistress.

Is she making this up?

Still, I decided to humor her. "Continue..." I urged, leaning forward with a curious smirk.

"Yes, my Lady. There are certain requirements needed to perceive this other world... I meet those requirements, you see. While Murasame doesn't exactly meet them, he's awfully close."

"What is this 'other world' then?" I asked. "Is it a metaphor?"

"You can see it that way, but we who are AWARE call it the 'real world.' The one regular folks live in is the 'surface world.'"

Morgana is oddly good at spinning tales. I found myself strangely hooked.

"And?" I leaned forward again, my curiosity genuinely piqued.

She continued. "People who are aware of the real world are mostly capable of feats regular humans can't dream of achieving. Speed, strength, and sorcery, among other special abilities."

Oh, it's getting interesting!

"The existence and understanding of spiritual energy makes this possible," Morgana went on, "for those who have awakened to their power. Awakening simply means being able to perceive the real world."

"So, you're one of these AWARE people?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.

Morgana hesitated, then admitted, "Yes, my Lady."

"...Pfft! Hahaha, hehehe." I couldn't hold back my laughter. "Sorry, Morgana, I never knew you joked like this. I'm genuinely surprised!" I playfully slapped her shoulder.

Her expression didn't change much, but I could sense her displeasure from the way her brow twitched.

"So..." I added, still chuckling, "you believe Makoto-sama is beginning to 'awaken?'"

Morgana, visibly fed up with my reaction, replied, "This is no joke, Lady Hana. And yes, I think Murasame is awakening. Whenever I felt his spiritual presence, it would almost vanish as soon as we got close. He's remarkably skilled at it. I wanted to find him earnestly, but overusing my awakened ability for something of this scale might cause trouble with my higher-ups."

"....."

Speechless again. Morgana was oddly skilled at leaving me at a loss for words.

She truly meant what she said.

"Uhm, Morgana," I said, more serious this time, "you can take tomorrow off. Get some rest, okay?"

Her jaw dropped.

"Mistress! Do you think I'm mentally unwell?" she asked the obvious, trembling slightly.

"No... I do not think I've worked you to the brink of destruction and am now preparing to have you disposed to a psychiatric hospital or anything of the sort," I said, keeping my tone even.

"Ahhh! I was fooling around, my Lady! It was just a mere tale!"

Nonsense. Trying to deceive someone as all-knowing as myself. I'll accept her apology for now.

"Alright, if you've learned your lesson, stop with the expensive jokes. By your logic, Makoto-sama has been avoiding me all day, which is impossible."

As I said this, Morgana, who was kneeling on the soft grass at my feet, stared at me silently.

"What?!" I yelled, disturbed by her silence. She quickly composed herself, rising back into her usual stoic butler form.

"The car will arrive shortly to take us home," she said calmly. "Let's prepare."

But I was certain she had something rude in mind! This butler of mine...

*

Akira's POV.

4:40 p.m. School had long since dismissed, and the grounds were hushed. Most students had already gone home, leaving only the faint hum of activity from clubrooms. I sent Kowai off to fetch me some pudding—I love pudding. Meanwhile, I stood on the ledge of a wide school window, overlooking the gates below.

The orange hues of the setting sun stretched across the courtyard, painting everything in a warm, golden glow. The stillness wasn't unpleasant, though I thrived on attention and praise. This quiet, fleeting moment was a rare solace.

As the light bathed my skin, I found my mind wandering. What is it that I truly want? When the earth itself bends to my will… what comes after? I couldn't pinpoint where my unshakable confidence stemmed from, but I knew—one day, I would rise to the very top.

It's a conviction I've had for as long as I can remember.

.....

….

..

"Hey, Ma-chan?" Six-year-old me called out, lounging beneath the shade of the towering cherry blossoms in my family's garden. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, and the distant hum of cicadas underscored the peaceful afternoon.

My elegant Doberman Pinscher, Jack, rested obediently on my lap, his sleek coat glistening in the dappled light.

Makoto, scrawny and quiet, sat cross-legged a short distance away. His deep blue hair fell untidily across his forehead as he focused on the sketchbook propped on his knees.

"What?" he muttered absently, without looking up, his pencil scratching faintly against the paper.

"What do you want… in life?" I asked, stroking Jack's ears with idle hands.

"Hm?" He turned his head, puzzled. His short hair caught the light, almost blending with the sky.

"I mean, what do you want to do when you're older? When you're… an adult?"

"Ah." He tilted his head thoughtfully, the pencil tapping against his cheek. "You mean my ambition?"

I nodded, intrigued.

His eyes brightened with a rare spark as he answered. "I want to be a strong man who protects the people he loves."

He smiled—that smile of his. Always so innocent, so utterly unguarded.

"I don't like seeing people sad or afraid. Sooo… maybe I'll join the military or become a policeman. Something like that."

"Wow, Ma-chan." My voice wavered slightly. "You have such a clear vision for your future already."

Makoto frowned as my gaze dropped. "What's wrong, Akira?"

"Ah, nothing. Nothing at all," I replied quickly, brushing it off with a wave of my hand. "It's just… I don't have a vision as clear as yours. Not yet."

He smiled again—soft and reassuring—and reached over to pat my head.

The nerve! But back then, it felt strangely… comforting.

"Don't worry yourself about things like that," he said lightly. "You'll have plenty of time to figure it out. We're only six, you know."

Jack stirred at that moment, his dark eyes opening to glare at Makoto's hand. Makoto froze, the color draining from his face as Jack's sharp teeth flashed in warning. He began trembling, cold sweat beading on his brow.

Suppressing a giggle, I rubbed Jack's belly to calm him down. As the danger passed, Makoto relaxed but kept a wary distance from my loyal protector.

"What is it your heart wants to do?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"My… heart?"

"Yes, your heart," he repeated. "What do you love so much, it feels just right?"

I blinked in surprise but answered without hesitation. "Ah, that's simple."

A slow grin spread across my face, one that felt a little too wide, a little too sinister.

"I want to be the strongest there is. I want to pull my weight; I want to look down on people. I want even the most powerful to bow their heads in fear of me. Yes, power! It's power! I want power. A lot of it!"

Jack shifted nervously on my lap, sensing the shift in my tone. I could swear I saw cold sweat coming off him.

I clenched my fists, my voice rising with determination.

"I believe I see it now. My destiny is to become the highest of all. I don't want to ever be looked down upon by anyone, even the gods themselves. I want my power to expand to infinity. I want infinite powe—"

"And you can get it." Makoto's soft voice cut through my declaration, startling me.

"If it's you, Akira," he continued, his tone as steady as ever, "the world can, and will, bend to your power."

Then, with a small laugh, he handed me the drawing he had been working on. It was… terrible. A misshapen blob of something vaguely resembling a tree—or maybe a broccoli? It was impossible to tell.

"You like it?" he asked, grinning ear to ear.

"What… is it?" I asked, careful to not hurt him.

"It's a drawing of you, silly!" he exclaimed, pouting.

"Ah, I see. A drawing of me, yes?"

I stared at the atrocious sketch. Objectively, it was awful. But for some reason, my chest warmed as I held it to my heart.

To me, it was beautiful.

"Now, don't go forgetting about me when you get all-powerful, okay?" he added, turning back to his sketchbook.

Jack, sensing the life-threatening moment had passed, returned to my lap.

.....

….

..