I found myself floating in a field of soft sunflowers.

The lavender sky I had been accustomed to felt brighter. I could hear wind chimes softly. I looked around to see where that beautiful sound was coming from.

I had wanted to stand up and instantly a path cleared right in front of me, causing sunflower petals to float in the wind. I walked on it, heading towards the warming light.

I woke up, feeling light as ever. I stretched out, causing my body to give out little tingles. I took the time to be in the restroom, wash my face, cook breakfast. Then I got around to checking my phone. My phone was still plugged into the charger. I could see dozens of notifications and texts. Then I checked the date.

I’ve been asleep for two days.

Are you coming in today, from one of the house papis. Come baaack i miss you 💓,from Kosugi-kun.

I had to sit down to take it all in.

I can’t keep taking the pill. I texted Yamanaka.

I continued to scroll through the texts, then saw one from Haruki.

I was going to try to meet with Dr. Yamanaka again, from Haruki, two days ago.

Shit.

Have you taken the pill?

Another ping.

What pill?

I rushed to get dressed.

⃝

I showed up to Yamanaka’s door like a drunk ex, banging on his door.

Yamanaka opened the door, silently leading me in and he sat back down at his desk. His bonsai tree had been trimmed.

“How was your sleep, Yoshida?” he asked.

I could feel Haruki staring at me.

“It was...amazing. I don’t think I ever slept that well before.” I crossed my arms. “But I wish I didn’t have to sleep for two days straight.”

“You must have told him. Haruki refused to take the pill before I even showed them to him.”

I looked over at Haruki and could see his eyes widen. “T-two days?”

“Angel, sit down. Since you’re both here, I could tell you this now.”

I obliged.

“I will have to do more monitoring on you. The pill, after all, is only a temporary fix,” he shrugged.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“It’s in a bit of an experimental phase. That’s why I wanted you to report back to me.”

“So you barely even knew what would happen to me? To us?” I could feel my voice rising. “Nice to know I could be your guinea pig.”

He sighed. “You said you had one of the best nights of sleep in your life.”

“But what if he didn’t? What if he went insane?” Haruki said. We both looked at him.

“Rino,” Yamanaka said.

“I thought I would fail because of those nightmares!” he screeched. I never thought I would see him like this. “I thought this would work! I can’t afford to sleep for two days straight!”

“Um, Yamanaka, can I talk to him outside?”

He leaned back in his chair. “Go ahead.”

I pulled Haruki aside. I could feel his body shaking.

“It’s okay.”

“No...it’s not. I’ve worked too hard to get to this point. Zenigata was right. Something is wrong with him.”

“I was attacked by an incubus.”

He wiped his eyes on his sweater sleeve. “What?”

“I thought he was crazy too but...they’re out there. The break-ins are happening more and more.” I swallowed. “I don’t know what this Dream World is but...if we go there, we can start learning more about what we are. 

“But I don’t want to go by myself.

We can go together,” I said, holding his shoulders.

“I’m coming with Haruki,” I said as we walked back into the office.

Yamanaka gave a long exhale. “Fine. I suppose that would make it easier.” He stood up from his desk. “Are the both of you free for the rest of the day?”

Haruki and I glanced at each other. “Yeah.”

We followed Yamanaka out of the building. “We’ll need a more private space.”