...Warmth. I feel warmth.

I feel as though I am wrapped in cherished light and warmth. As though everything surrounding me is peaceful and tranquil.

Where am I? It sort of feels like I am floating in... an unknown space?

I should try moving... I have to find out where I am...

...Huh?

I suddenly don’t have the urge to move. It’s not like I have no energy left to do so, it’s more like... I don’t want to move at all.

Why though? My body suddenly doesn’t want to move. My mind feels somewhat unflustered, although it’s also telling me not to move. My instinct is telling me to stay still and calm down.

I don’t even know where I am, and yet I feel like I am at peace. I somehow feel calm and pleasant while floating in this strange and blank space.

How? I am probably floating away in some random blank void, but... I feel wholly untouched by anxiety and fear.

...I never thought I would be able to feel like this while floating away in a blank space wherein everywhere you look or everywhere you turn, you would see nothing. Nothing at all.

In this space, I feel as though I have never encountered the sting of loss and loneliness. I can only think of... positive thoughts. Happy and unforgettable memories. The feeling of serenity and love.

An exquisitely sweet and serene feeling fills me, letting me stay still and float away with only peace and tranquility wrapping my body and soul, making me feel like I’m in the most peaceful and calm state of mind.

This feeling...

I can’t properly explain it, but I know one thing is for sure.

This feeling is... special.

...

Abruptly, my eyes open.

There’s the ceiling... and a window that reflects the bright sunlight... ah, I’m in my room. It’s morning.

I sit up in bed, rubbing my eyes and wiping off the slight sweat on my forehead.

“I've been dreaming... well, I guess that was a really nice dream.”

I get out of bed, I stand up, and I stretch a bit. I then start to fix my bed promptly but neatly, making sure that my blanket is tidily folded and that the linen sheets of my bed are smoothened out.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Mayumi-nee-chan, Mom said breakfast is ready, so go downstairs now! If you’re still in bed, you should get up now, or else I’ll eat your buttered toast!”

I hear a clear and high-pitched voice come through my door. It’s my younger sister, calling me for breakfast, as always.

“I’m awake now, Miyo. Tell Mom I’m coming! And... ah!”

I see one of my books laying at the top of the nightstand beside my bed. It was the book I was reading last night.

...I guess I just put it here, huh.

Reading before sleeping was always quite the trend. Many people do it, too. I'm quite obsessed with reading, so I guess that makes me happy! I just can't stop doing the things I really love, and knowing the fact that many people do it too makes me quite delighted.

I flip through the pages and I halt at the one where my bookmark was.

“Hm, I’m just on page seventy-three. I’ll continue reading this later. The story is really nice, and it's already turning deep! I hope the protagonists would end up together...”

I close the book and I touch the cover gently. The details of the book's cover are... so fascinating. I can't help but stare at it. However, the thing that catches my eyes the most isn't the tiny but beautiful details on the book's cover, but rather, a word. Or should I say, a name.

“...Saki.”

Not much is known about her private life, but Saki is a well-known author that writes outstanding novels with amazing plots and content. She is a writer whom you can truly look up to. Plus, most of her novels are Shoujo Ai! One of my favorite genres! Well, honestly, I think Shoujo Ai is a bit underrated, but Saki-sensei’s novels are helping this genre get more attention, and...

...Oh gosh, I shouldn’t space out. As much as I would love to waste my time admiring Saki-sensei’s works, I should go downstairs now, or else Miyo will eat my buttered toast! It would be... the fourth time this week!

Mhm, but... remembering Saki-sensei’s great works would always make me smile. I mean, her works are really amazing, and you don’t even know what to expect! Her novels just have that special touch that makes them stand out uniquely, and I can't even describe it. She’s such a great—

“...Onee-chan? Hurry up! What are you even doing in there? You’re taking forever! If you don’t go downstairs right at this instant, then you should just kiss your buttered toast goodbye because I’m going to eat it!” I slightly flinch at Miyo’s clear and loud voice, and I hear the sound of her footsteps gradually fading away as she goes downstairs.

Oh no, now I’ve done it. She's going to eat my toast... again!

I walk up to my door and I open it briskly. “Sorry, sorry! I get it, I'm coming! I’m going downstairs now, okay?” I rush to my bookshelf to slide my book right into a vacant space, and in that two-second span, I hastily walk out of my room.

“...And don’t eat my toast!”