All content in this novel is for fictional and entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. This story may include emotionally heavy or distressing themes. Reader discretion is advised.
Sleep is just like death.
The weight won't let me breathe. I can't move. I can't speak.
My eyelids are sealed, like they've forgotten how to move.
A distant voice slips through the dark. "Mio…~"
It's warm.
Who? My voice sounds far away. I try to open my eyes. They barely twitch.
The voice giggles, bright against the dark. "It's me silly. You really forgot already?"
Forgotten?
"Am… I sleeping?"
"And it's good that you are."
Her voice drifts closer — or maybe I'm rising toward it. "If you hadn't… you'd probably be in the hospital again."
Hospital? Again?
The darkness feels closer, like it's closing in.
"You really need to take better care of yourself, Mio.
"You look thinner than last time…"
Last time?
"Wait…" My voice cracks.
"What are you saying? I can't… hear you…"
"—rasaki. Shirasaki!"
*GASP*
I jerked upright, breath sharp in my throat.
"Woah—! Are you okay?" A face hovers far too close to mine, filling my vision.
"…Takumi-san?"
He pulls back slightly, relief written all over his expression. "Seriously, Mio. You were out cold." He exhales. "I thought you stopped breathing for a second."
My throat feels tight, dry. My hands are shaking before I even notice—fingers trembling beneath the desk. I curl them into fists and force them still.
"…Like you're any human yourself," I mutter
"Ugh—excuse me for worrying!"
"Shut up," I say quietly. "What time is it, anyway?"
"You wake up and start giving orders already?"
Before I can answer, a sharp, sugary voice cuts in.
"Takumi–kun!"
Great it's her.
Kanzaki Airi's lip gloss catches the light as she leans in, smile already in place. Hair clipped just right, uniform just wrong.
The kind of girl who knows exactly who's watching.
She sashays over and hooks her arm through Takumi's, claiming him without a word.
"Don't hover over her like she's some fragile princess."
"Right...Shirasaki-chan." Her eyes flick towards me.
I stare back with a blank expression.
Airi leans closer…still loud enough for half the room to hear.
"You're the class rep — not her boyfriend."
Takumi stiffens as his ears redden. "It's not like that! I mean ive known her ever since grade school I just worry is all."
Airi beams and pulls him away before he can say anything else. "Well, the bell's going to ring soon. Come sit with normal people, okay?"
Takumi glances back awkwardly before disappearing into the chattering room.
I simply rest my chin in my palm and stare out the window.
Petals slide past the window, slow and quiet. I don't watch them.
The voice from my dream doesn't fade with them…it stays, whispering my name like it expects an answer.
The dream felt sharper than usual this time.
I've had it for as long as I can remember…the same voice, the same uniform, the lily-shaped brooch.