Dream

"I wonder why you don't like to talk. Your voice is nice—you sound like a singer—and you're handsome, like a mysterious guy. If you were more outgoing, you could probably get a lot of girls, right?"

Nina had been talking nonstop since Cirrus agreed to walk home with her.

He wasn't the type to casually walk with just anyone, but she was persistent. She had put in so much effort and courage that he couldn't ignore her. Besides, deep down, Cirrus also wanted to know what it felt like to have friends.

Since losing his parents at a young age, he has always been alone.

"Hey, I've been thinking..." Nina said thoughtfully, flashing him a smile. "Why don't we always walk home together like this?"

Noticing Cirrus's strange gaze, she quickly waved her hands in embarrassment. "No, no! It's not what you think! I mean… you don't have any friends—wait, I mean, you're always alone! And I'm alone too. We're kindred spirits, right? So if we walk together, we won't feel lonely. Plus, we can share homework, talk about romance novels… Oh! And action novels too, if you like!"

He admired her courage, but he couldn't help but wonder—was this okay?

Cirrus's ears were filled with Nina's voice, her endless chatter drawing curious glances from passersby. She never seemed to stop talking. But strangely, he didn't feel the need to stop her.

Sometimes, listening to her was better than hearing the words that haunted him:

"Have you thought about it? Everyone is dead because of you."

Something new was better.

A while later, the two of them were sitting inside a café—thanks to Nina's persistence. Cirrus couldn't help but give in, though, in truth, he was secretly looking forward to it. He had never been to a coffee shop before, partly because he never knew when his nightmares would resurface.

Maybe it was time to give it a try.

Cirrus took a sip of his caramel macchiato, watching as Nina enjoyed her cake while sipping her coffee. The way she ate made the food look even more appetizing, and for a moment, he found himself wanting to try some too.

"Hmm... here, this is for you."

With her cheeks full, Nina pushed the remaining cake toward him, then took another sip of her coffee, letting out a long, satisfied sigh.

Cirrus shook his head.

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Hey, why do you like me?"

"Eh… eh?!"

Nina froze, her cheeks flushing red. She fidgeted, struggling to form a response. The unexpected question had completely emptied her mind.

"I'm quiet," Cirrus continued. "I don't talk to anyone. I'm socially awkward. So why do you want to be friends with me?"

"F-Friends? Ah, right… friends!" Nina stammered. "Eh, it's because… I don't have any friends. I'm shy when it comes to talking to people, and I can never seem to understand them when I do. But then I saw this always-quiet, mysterious, and handsome guy—no, no! I don't mean you! I mean… yes! Ahhh!"

She buried her face in her hands, clearly flustered. "I just thought… maybe if I gathered my courage, I could finally make a friend—with you."

Before she could say more, Nina bowed her head too fast and smacked it against the table.

"Ow…" She groaned, rubbing her forehead, then looked up with an embarrassed pout.

"So… thank you for accepting me!" 

...

After that, they talked for a while, mostly about books and school life. Cirrus learned a little more about Nina. Even though she was average in appearance, when she took off her glasses, she was quite pretty—cute, even. She was courageous, too. But she was also so talkative that she completely drained his social energy.

Still, even though he didn't say much, Cirrus found himself enjoying the moment. For the first time in his life, he was having fun. Ever since he lost his parents, he had become detached—socially distant, almost depressive. Making friends had always felt impossible.

But now, he was starting to like Nina.

And deep inside, he hoped this could last—maybe even forever.

...

The sound of running water stopped as Cirrus stepped out of the bathroom. He had taken his time cleaning himself.

The mirror reflected a young man with lifeless black eyes, messy black hair, and a well-defined, muscular build.

After drying off, he made sure to leave the bathroom light on. Then, one by one, he switched on every light in the house—the balcony, the kitchen, the living room. Every single one. Only then did he prepare to sleep.

Before heading to bed, he took one last glance outside. The world was still and dark. The city lights and the moon illuminated the night beautifully.

Except for one thing.

People were standing outside his house.

They stared at him, their mouths moving as if they were chanting. Their eyes—pitch black, like the night itself.

Cirrus's gaze lingered for a moment before slowly shifting to the moon. Without a word, he pulled the curtains closed.

Lying down on his bed, he let out a long sigh.

There was one thing he hated more than anything.

Sleeping.

When he slept, he let his guard down. He became unaware of his surroundings. If someone wanted to kill him, he wouldn't even know. In his mind, sleep was the ultimate form of helplessness. The night was quiet and dark. And sleep? Sleep only made it worse.

But he had no choice. He needed rest.

'All the doors are locked, and all the lights are on. It's fine. I didn't forget anything, did I?'

He glanced at his phone. No messages from his uncle. The time read 1:00 AM.

Cirrus always stayed up late, exhausting himself completely so that when he finally slept, it would be deep and dreamless.

One last time, he let his eyes close. The world around him fell silent.

And then, darkness.

...

"Dad! Dad! I want to ride this new bird!"

A young Cirrus ran around excitedly, his voice filled with joy. He had no worries, no troubles—just pure, childlike excitement.

His father chuckled. "That's not a bird, it's an airplane. When you're an adult, you can ride it whenever you like."

"But..." Cirrus pouted. "I want to ride it now! I want to see what the world looks like from up there! I want to go to America and eat burgers, go to Africa and meet a lion, visit China, and so many more places!"

As he spoke, his little body bounced with excitement. His father couldn't help but smile, while his mother, who was cooking nearby, chuckled softly.

Then, his father's expression suddenly turned serious. "Son… do you know why I said you can ride an airplane when you grow up?"

Cirrus blinked, a little scared by the sudden shift in tone. "N-No?"

His father knelt in front of him. "Because when you grow up, you'll have money. You'll have a job. If you want to travel the world and ride as many airplanes as you want… then make sure you don't get a wife and kids."

Cirrus tilted his head in confusion. "Huh? Why?"

His father held back a laugh. "Because once you have a family, your money won't be yours anymore."

Cirrus gasped in shock. But then, as the thought sank in, his face lit up with determination. "Then I'll grow up fast! I want to see the world now!"

His father was silent for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Look at your face! Don't worry, your dad will take you on an airplane soon. After summer, we'll go to Japan!"

Cirrus's eyes widened with excitement, and he cheered, running around the house. His parents watched him with warm smiles.

---

That night, Cirrus lay in bed, listening to his mother tell him a bedtime story while his father sat beside them. It was a perfect moment.

But suddenly…

Blood.

His mother's and father's eyes began leaking blood-like tears.

"Run, Cirrus! RUN!"

The warmth of his home shattered in an instant.

Cirrus found himself standing, frozen in terror, as masked men loomed over his parents. Blood pooled on the floor. His mother lay motionless, while his father—injured but still fighting—desperately struggled against them.

Then, Cirrus saw it.

A die slipped from his father's trembling hand. It rolled across the floor, spinning until it landed on the number eight.

And then—his father began to change.

His body rapidly expanded, growing larger, more monstrous, more inhuman.

With his final strength, his father grabbed Cirrus and hurled him toward the river outside.

---

Cirrus woke up sometime later, soaked and shivering. He didn't know how much time had passed.

But he remembered.

His parents.

Panic surged through him as he ran back home—only to find it in ruins. The house was broken, and dilapidated. Smoke and fire lingered in the air. The stench of blood was overwhelming.

And then, he saw them.

His parents.

Lying lifeless beneath the masked men.

Tears streamed down Cirrus's face. His father had promised they would ride an airplane together. He had promised.

Rage and grief filled him. He wanted to scream, to fight, to take revenge—

But before he could, a hand clamped over his mouth.

Darkness overtook him.

And then—nothing. 

---

Cirrus opened his eyes and immediately took a look around, nothing changed except for the sun ray coming in from the gap of the curtains. 

He sighed. "Just a dream." 

Cirrus exited his bed and opened the curtain to let the sun ray bath his face. 

Despite the sun rising, the world outside still felt like night.

The streets were eerily quiet—few people, fewer cars.

But Cirrus didn't mind.

He preferred it this way. Less noise. Fewer crowds.

After washing up and getting ready, he grabbed his bag and headed for school.