My life in the real world

Although I wander the dream world every night, I don't feel tired at all when I wake up. My days flow like any other high school student's, filled with the rhythm of classes, lunch breaks, and idle chatter. But even so, there's always a part of me longing for the night.

Today was no different.

As I walked through the school gates, the sunlight warmed my face, yet my mind was elsewhere. My steps were steady, measured, yet inwardly I was already counting down the hours until I could close my eyes and return to Yumeko.

"Yanagi, you're almost late!"

The familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Rio Uzumi, my seatmate and probably the only person who could claim to be my friend. He waved at me from his desk, his ever-present grin lighting up the room.

"Good morning, Rio," I replied, offering a small smile as I slid into my seat.

Rio was the first person to approach me when I transferred here. His easygoing nature and endless chatter had gradually broken through my walls. For the past year, he'd been a constant presence, someone I could rely on without feeling the pressure of explaining everything about my past.

Still, there was one thing I never told him about—my dreams.

"So, what's the plan after school?" Rio asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Nothing much," I said, shrugging.

"Perfect! Come with me, then. There's an anime convention at the mall, and I need someone to share my excitement with!" His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Rio was a huge anime fan. Because of him, I'd picked up a few shows and started enjoying them myself, though I wasn't nearly as obsessed.

"Alright," I said. "I don't have any plans, so why not?"

"Great! It'll be fun, I promise."

The morning classes passed uneventfully. The monotone voice of our teacher echoed through the room as I dutifully took notes. Occasionally, my mind would wander to Yumeko—her soft smile, the way her hand felt in mine, and the warmth she radiated that made the dream world feel more real than anything here.

But each time my thoughts drifted too far, Rio would nudge me or whisper some comment about the lesson, pulling me back to the present.

By the time lunch break rolled around, I was ready for a change of scenery.

"Let's eat on the rooftop," Rio suggested, already heading toward the stairs. I followed, our bentos in hand.

The rooftop was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of a bird. A gentle breeze swept past us as we sat down on the concrete, overlooking the school grounds. I opened my lunchbox and started eating, the simple meal tasting better than usual in the fresh air.

"So, what do you think?" Rio asked between bites.

"About what?"

"The convention! You'll love it, I swear. They've got everything—figures, posters, games, even cosplayers. I heard someone's going as that character you liked from last season."

I chuckled softly. "Sounds like you're more excited about this than I am."

I smiled faintly at his enthusiasm but didn't reply. My thoughts had started drifting again, back to Yumeko.

She'd saved me, in more ways than one. Because of her, I could sit here, eat lunch with a friend, and feel something close to normal. Yet there was still a nagging doubt in the back of my mind—what if she wasn't real? What if everything I experienced in that dream world was just a figment of my imagination, a coping mechanism conjured by my fractured mind?

"Hey, you okay?" Rio's voice cut through my reverie.

"Yeah," I said quickly, shaking off the thoughts. "Just tired."

Rio gave me a knowing look. "You always say that. Maybe you should stop staying up so late playing games or whatever it is you do."

I just laughed awkwardly, letting the conversation drift to other topics.

The afternoon classes were slower, the minutes dragging on as the teacher droned about equations I already understood. My eyelids grew heavy, and my mind began to wander again.

What if this world is the dream?

The thought startled me, and I shifted in my seat. The classroom around me seemed so mundane, so ordinary, compared to the vibrant, otherworldly beauty of the place I visited every night.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the questions swirl in my head. And then, like a soft whisper, a cool breeze brushed against my cheek.

When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the classroom.

The world of my dreams unfolded around me, vivid and alive. Yumeko stood before me, her hands gently cupping my face. Her eyes met mine, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite name.

"Don't worry, Yanagi," she said softly. Her voice was like a melody, soothing and reassuring. "I'm real. I'm here. And I love you too."

My breath hitched. I hadn't said those words aloud, but somehow, she knew.

"The day will come," she continued, her gaze, "when we'll meet for real, in a world where our hands can truly reach each other."

I wanted to ask her what she meant, but before I could speak, a sudden force pulled me away.

"Shirai!"

I jolted awake to the sound of my teacher's stern voice. The classroom was still, all eyes on me.

"Don't sleep in class," she said sharply, turning back to the board.

Heat rushed to my face as I muttered an apology. Rio gave me a sidelong glance, clearly holding back a laugh.

"You're hopeless," he whispered, shaking his head.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. When the final bell rang, I grabbed my bag and followed Rio out of the school.

The mall was bustling with life, the energy infectious. Rio dragged me from booth to booth, his excitement as endless as the merchandise. Posters, figures, and keychains filled the tables, each display more colorful than the last.

"See? Isn't this awesome?" Rio said, grinning as he held up a limited-edition figure.

"It's… overwhelming," I admitted, though I couldn't deny I was enjoying myself.

After an hour or so, Rio finally seemed satisfied. We left the convention with him carrying a bag full of purchases and me with a small keychain he'd insisted on buying for me.

"Thanks for coming, Yanagi," he said as we parted ways outside the mall. "You're a good friend."

I smiled faintly, watching him disappear into the crowd.

The walk home was quiet, the sky tinged with the warm hues of sunset. By the time I reached my apartment, darkness had fallen, and the familiar stillness of the evening settled over me.

After a quick dinner, I lay down on my bed, the weight of the day slipping away. My thoughts drifted to Yumeko, her voice still echoing in my mind.

As sleep claimed me, I felt a warmth envelop me—a promise that I'd see her again.

When I opened my eyes, she was there, waiting for me with that same gentle smile.

"Welcome back, Yanagi," Yumeko said, extending her hand.

And just like that, the world of dreams embraced me once more.