A Lucid dreams: Fantasy of reality

"Hello, Yanagi Shirai-kun. I've waited so long to meet you."

Her voice was like a gentle melody, resonating through the surreal world around us. I stood frozen, her words lingering in the air, stirring questions that I couldn't quite grasp yet.

"What do you mean? How do you know me? And… who are you?"

The questions tumbled out of me, unfiltered and desperate. My mind raced, but despite the overwhelming uncertainty, there was something about her presence—a calmness that wrapped around me like a blanket on a cold winter night.

She tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You ask so many questions, Yanagi. Why don't we sit and talk for a while?"

Before I could reply, she reached out and placed her hand on my arm. Her touch was warm, and it sent a strange sensation through me. It wasn't just physical—it was as though her touch carried an unspoken promise, one that reassured me in ways words couldn't.

I followed her, unable to resist the pull she had on me.

The path we walked on glowed faintly, leading us toward an ornate staircase that seemed to rise endlessly into the sky. Above us, floating islands hovered, each adorned with crystalline waterfalls that shimmered in the moonlight. The air was cool and carried the faint scent of something floral, though I couldn't place it.

She glanced at me over her shoulder, her expression soft yet unreadable. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

I nodded silently, my eyes darting between the breathtaking scenery and the mysterious woman guiding me.

The journey up the staircase felt endless, yet I wasn't tired. Instead, an unexplainable energy coursed through me, filling me with a joy I hadn't felt in years. Every step brought a new sight—a flock of glowing birds soaring overhead, a forest of violet trees stretching into the horizon, and rivers that sparkled as if they were filled with liquid light.

Finally, we arrived at a floating island where a magnificent castle stood. Its spires pierced the sky, and its stained-glass windows shimmered like kaleidoscopes under the moonlight.

"This is my home," she said, gesturing toward the castle. Her tone was casual, as though she was talking about something ordinary. "But we won't go inside. Not today. Let's sit here instead."

She pointed to a simple bench perched near the edge of the island. The bench was surrounded by delicate flowers that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light, their petals swaying gently in an invisible breeze.

I sat down, unsure of what to say. She followed, sitting close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from her.

"Where am I?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. "Is this… heaven?"

She laughed softly, a sound so gentle it almost felt like the wind itself was laughing with her. "No, it's not heaven. And you're not dead."

Her words made my chest tighten. "What do you mean? I… I'm supposed to be dead. I… I killed myself."

Her expression softened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "Your neighbor knocked on your door to deliver a letter, but you didn't answer. They grew worried and asked the landlord to check on you. They found you just in time and rushed you to the hospital."

Her words struck me like a wave, leaving me speechless. I hadn't thought anyone cared enough to notice my absence.

"You're still alive, Yanagi," she continued, her voice gentle but firm. "Though you remain unconscious, your body is recovering. That's why you're here."

I looked down at my hands, my thoughts swirling. Part of me felt relief—a strange, unfamiliar relief that I hadn't expected. Was there really a part of me that wanted to live after all?

"So… if I'm not dead, then where am I?" I asked.

She smiled, leaning slightly closer. "You're inside your own dream. When you experienced that near-death moment, it unlocked something within you—a skill, if you'd like to call it that. Lucid dreaming. But this world you're in now, it isn't yours. It's mine."

Her words only confused me further. "Yours? What do you mean? And who… who are you?"

"As I said, this world belongs to me. But I'll allow you to visit here every night," she replied, her tone playful yet sincere. "As for who I am… I don't have a name."

Her gaze met mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. "Can you give me one?" she asked softly.

Her request caught me off guard. I hesitated, searching for a name that felt right, but my mind drew a blank. Finally, I blurted out the first name that came to me.

"Yumeko."

A genuine smile spread across her face, and she reached for my hand. "Thank you, Yanagi. Yumeko… I like it."

A hand slapped the back of my neck, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What are you doing, dreaming inside your dream?" Yumeko's voice carried a teasing lilt as she stood beside me, her arms crossed.

"Sorry," I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was just… reminiscing."

She gave me a knowing look. "Well, don't get too sentimental. Come on, let's explore this world before you wake up."

She grabbed my hand, and that familiar warmth spread through me again. A tear slid down my cheek before I could stop it.

"What are you crying about now, crybaby?" she teased, though her tone was kind.

"Nothing," I said, wiping my face quickly. "I was just… remembering the first time we met."

She pulled me toward a bed of glowing flowers, her laughter echoing in the air. "So many things have happened since then, haven't they?"

We lay down among the flowers, staring up at the endless night sky. The moon above seemed impossibly close, its light bathing everything in a soft glow.

"I'm lucky I met you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

She turned to me, her expression unreadable. "Don't go getting all sentimental again, Yanagi. But… I feel the same way. I'm glad I met you too."

For a moment, there was silence. Then I asked, "You always say you've waited for me. What do you mean by that?"

She hesitated, her eyes clouding with something I couldn't quite place. Then she placed a finger over my lips.

"When the time is right, I'll tell you everything."

Before I could respond, she stood and pulled me up with her. "Now, it's time for you to wake up. I'll see you again tonight, in this place where only the two of us can meet."

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window. It was 7 a.m., and I needed to get ready for school.

Even after a year of meeting her, there was still so much I didn't know about Yumeko. I couldn't even remember her face when I woke up. But none of that mattered.

Because in a world where I had nothing, she had given me something to hold onto.

She had saved me from this hell.