Chapter 4: A Warm Embrace in a Fading Dream

Moon: "The next morning, in his dream…"

He was getting ready to go to high school. His friend Deric was waiting outside in his car, honking the horn impatiently.

Stars: "Deric? That Deric? The one you banned us from watching?"

Moon: "Yes, that's the one."

A new star, curious and wide-eyed, turned to the older stars.

New Star: "Why is watching his dream banned?"

An older star leaned in, whispering so the Moon wouldn't hear.

Older Star: "He has… peculiar and absurd fantasy dreams. The kind with 18+ content—maybe even more than that. Once, a little star peeked into his dream and was horrified by what she saw."

Little Stars: "What did she see?"

The older star lowered her voice even further.

Older Star: "Things like tentacles… and girls with… well, let's just say it was disturbing."

Little Star: "Girls with… what?"

Older Star: "Yes, girls with… you know. It's best not to ask too many questions."

Moon: "Enough of that. He's off to school in his friend's car now."

The Dream Continues:

Time passed in the dream. He found himself sitting on a stone bench under a cherry tree, its petals gently falling around him. He looked depressed, lost in deep thought, staring into the emptiness.

Then, she appeared.

The girl from school was dressed in her uniform—a white shirt with red lines and a short red skirt, paired with long black socks. Her short, brownish hair waved gently in the breeze. She walked toward him, holding a sweet bun in her hand.

She sat beside him and offered the bun.

Girl: "I brought this for you."

He: "Who are you?"

Girl: "I'm your childhood friend."

He took the bun, his expression softening.

He: "You're the one who came yesterday, right?"

Girl: "Yes."

He: "Why do you want to meet me?"

Girl: "I want to tell you… 'I'm here. I came for you. I'm here for you.'"

He: "What…?"

Before he could process her words, she gently pulled his head to her chest. He froze for a moment, surprised, but then relaxed, letting himself sink into the warmth of her embrace.

His Thoughts: "I can hear her heartbeat. It's fast… and warm. This is the best thing I've ever rested my head on."

He slid his head onto her lap, looking up at her.

His Thoughts: "I can't see her face clearly—those… ahem… are blocking the view. But this is better."

She bent down, her face now close to his, their eyes meeting.

His Thoughts: "I can see her face clearly now, bathed in the bright sunlight. I wish I could sleep like this every day and wake up seeing her face."

He closed his eyes, savouring the moment.

brrrrrrrrrrrr….. brrrrrr…. brrrrrrrrr…

The alarm in the real world rang, pulling him out of the dream. He woke up at 6:00 a.m., the warmth of the dream still lingering in his heart.

He couldn't remember the dream, but the feeling remained—a strange, comforting warmth that he couldn't quite explain.

Stars: "Mom, that girl in his dream… was that Sister Vega Lyrae the 5th elder sister, right?"

Moon: "Yes, it was her."