Book 1: Chapter 1 |
It’s not like I’ve forgotten. I’m pretty sure I remember where this place is, and I’ve actually seen this scenery in my dreams.
However, outside of those dreams, I can’t recall what it looks like.
But it’s not like I forgot. Not at all. It’s just that I don’t have the proper cue I need to draw the memory out. Reality offers me no opportunities to remember. I’m sure if I did try to recall it, if I even can, then I wouldn’t get the chance to do so.
I mean, the person standing before me now has absolutely no connection to the reality I know.
“Do you have a wish?”
The face of the man (woman?) asking me this in such placid tones keeps changing, never staying the same for long. The deepest parts of my psyche that weave this dream can’t seem to pin down its features. I’m sure I’ve seen this face somewhere before. It simultaneously resembles everyone and no one.
My answer must have been bland and noncommittal. That’s why I can’t remember the response I receive. But the person listens to my reply all the same and then hands me some sort of container.
“This Box can grant any wish, no matter what it may be.”
It really does look like a box.
And something seems very wrong about that. It’s like shaking an unopened box of cookies where you can feel the weight of the contents and hear them rattling around, only to find it’s empty when you open it.
I’m sure the next thing I did was ask some boring question like “Why are you giving this to me?”
“Because you’re so very interesting. You’re all so similar that I find it practically impossible to see the little things that distinguish you. You intrigue me to no end, yet I simply can’t tell one of you from another. It’s all very ironic.”
I have no idea what this means, but I nod as if I do.
“I can identify you, though. You might not think much of it, but that’s more than enough to catch my eye.”
I look inside at the bottom of the Box. Though there isn’t anything in there, I feel myself overcome by the uncomfortable sensation that something is trying to pull me within. I quickly avert my gaze.
“Use this Box, and whatever wish you could possibly have will come true. It doesn’t matter what you ask for. You could wish eternal sorrow upon the entire human race, and I wouldn’t lift a finger to stop you. All I want is to see what kind of wishes you, all of you, will make.”
Whatever I say next brings a smile to the other person’s face.
“Heh-heh… No, no, it’s not some sort of special power. It’s actually the innate ability of humans to possess clearly defined visions that makes their wishes come true. All I can do is give that ability a little push.”
I take the Box. But of course, I don’t remember that, or this dream, once I wake up.
I can still clearly recall how I felt about that man, and my impression never changes, even within the dream.
This guy’s…
…kinda creepy, isn’t he?
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