Chapter 148: Meeting You in a Dream (2) |
“Phew, but I’m glad I found you, Shinichiro-kun. It was getting a little boring being alone in this dream all the time.”
Saying this with relief, Haruka separated herself from me, pulling away from our close embrace. While I felt reluctant to let go of the lingering warmth, there was something more pressing on my mind.
“Hm? You’ve been alone in this dream… all this time?”
“Yes, that’s right! At first, I found myself in a pitch-black dream, but then the scene suddenly switched, and it was like I was in a vivid movie.”
A vivid dream like a movie… This was exactly how I had described the dream I saw before accomplishing my second time leap.
“Moreover, it’s got this really strange reality to it. Because it’s set in the future, the townscape is completely different from now! And for some reason, everyone walking around has these flat, tablet-like devices…”
(This can’t be…)
In the midst of my intense confusion, a hypothesis formed in my mind about the situation unfolding before me.
The reason high school Haruka lost her spirit was likely because information about the future’s destruction was sent back to her in her high school days. In essence, it could be referred to as receiving future information.
(And, judging by everything that’s happened so far, it seems like dreams are particularly susceptible to paranormal occurrences. So… the Haruka here might not just be a character in my dream, but the real—)
With a cold sweat forming, I turned to look at Haruka. Her innocent face didn’t show any signs of realizing the extraordinary state I was in. She just found the long dream a bit peculiar.
“I see… It really is a weird dream.”
“Yes, it’s definitely bizarre even if it’s my own dream… It was tough to watch.”
High school Haruka, in her school uniform, seemed to cloud up a bit as she talked about the future she had glimpsed.
“As an adult, I felt incredibly lonely, and even when I smiled, I wasn’t really happy. It’s both sad and… somehow, understandable. Ah, I could really become that kind of adult…”
“Haruka…”
This Haruka doesn’t know about that, but the adult Haruka, I could say with confidence, was the true history.
The Haruka before me was veering away from that path, but she still judged her potential future self based on that.
“But! I won’t turn out like that when I become an adult!”
“What!?”
While she seemed melancholic just a moment ago, Haruka suddenly raised her voice and declared vehemently.
“I understand how painful it must be! I know it’s even more excruciating than I can imagine right now! But to make such a despairing face and not ask anyone for help… I just can’t comprehend it! That kind of thing is not cool at all!”
Although she was criticizing herself from the past, perhaps because it was herself, Haruka was angrily chastising the yet-to-be-seen future version of herself. Well, it was proof enough that this Haruka and that adult Haruka were walking very different paths…
“…Hey, Haruka. About that adult version of you…”
Perhaps, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. As the thought flashed through my mind, I addressed Haruka.
“Why do you think she’s so stubbornly rejecting suggestions from the adult me? She must believe what I say is correct, right?”
“Huh? Um, well… That adult version of me must have gone through a lot, so her way of thinking is quite different from mine. To be honest, I can’t give a clear answer because of that…”
Haruka said with a troubled expression, and that was only natural.
After all, the me seven years from now would be an entirely different person from who I am now.
“But… if I were to describe it based on my impression, it feels like she’s being driven by something… That adult version of me, despite being a working adult, seems kind of like… a ‘child trying hard to be an adult.'”
“…!”
Haruka’s analysis brought enlightenment to me. Perhaps, it could be succinctly expressed as the adult Haruka’s obstinacy.
I see…! If that’s the case, then everything can be explained…!
“All right! Yes yes yes yes…! If this is correct, then maybe this time it’ll work! Thanks, Haruka!”
“…”
Having found a breakthrough in our current stalemate, I couldn’t help but pump my fists in celebration.
Alright, with this, a glimmer of hope is finally in sight—
“…Um, Shinichiro-kun.”
Just as I was cheering internally, Haruka’s delicate voice reached me.
When I turned to look at the girl, the brightness that was there just moments ago had vanished, replaced by an expression filled with anxiety.
“Shinichiro-kun, am I really a part of my dreams…? Or rather… the things I’ve been seeing here… are they really dreams?”
“…”
“It’s different, isn’t it…? There’s no way things like my reality where I lost my spirit, or you going to a future where you might never return, could be true, right? It’s just a dream overflowing with my overactive imagination from reading too many light novels, isn’t it…?”
With an awareness of the excessive reality in her dreams, Haruka asked me, clinging to hope with a pale face.
From the looks of it, she had rapidly started feeling a sense of incongruity with the current situation, perhaps triggered by our contact. It was as if she was waking up from a dream.
“…There’s no need to worry, Haruka. Everything will be back to normal soon.”
Without directly answering Haruka’s question, I reassured her with a light smile.
Or perhaps, I might not be in that returned-to-normal daily life.
If I think about it rationally, that possibility is far more likely.
But if…—
“Hey, Haruka. If we ever meet in a place that’s not a dream again, there’s something I want to tell you. This time, properly.”
“Huh…?”
“…Well, it seems like it’s about time for you to wake up.”
The view of the classroom gradually began to blur, and I was enveloped in the familiar sensation of waking up.
It was a strange dream, but… thanks to it, I felt revitalized, my weakened spirits rejuvenated.
Now, all that remained was to think of a plan and execute it with all my might, just like usual.
“—Wait, Shinichiro-kun! Wait!”
As the surroundings grew increasingly hazy, Haruka shouted after me.
Ah, Haruka.
I’m sorry for making you look like you’re about to cry.
But I have to go.
To prevent this story that began with my death from turning into a sad repeat of the future.
So please wait for me.
I will definitely save Haruka’s future.
The last thing imprinted in my vision was the sight of Haruka, reaching out to me with a pained expression.
With that image in my mind—my consciousness faded to black.
(TLN) Today is queue day! That means I will be filling up the queue for next week’s chapters tonight. If you want to be able to binge them all in one sitting, head on over to ko-fi in the morning tomorrow!