The lush green forest appears before me. It takes me a few minutes to register the new environment. Now, I just realise that I have been surrounded by trees. But, where am I? My memory feels hazy. I can’t remember why I end up here.

[Stop spacing! Now look at me!]

Huh? I hear that voice again. And.. Why it feels like the voice is echoing INSIDE my head?!

[Hey, human! Here, on your right!]

I turn my head to the right but it is devoid of people. I can’t find anyone talking.

[Not up there! Down here!]

I try to follow the voice’s lead.

Looking down, it is just mere ground. I can’t find something worth focusing. It is just grass, some twigs, fallen leaves, a stone…

[Stop right there! You’re looking at me just now]

Huh, where? I repeat it once again. Grass, twigs, fallen leaves, a stone…

[Here! I am here!]

“Uhhhhhh…” 

I am speechless. 

I see nothing but a stone.

[Yes, I am a stone.]

Huh? 

Huh?! 

Do you know when your science teacher explains any findings or theories that are unheard of for the first time? When you can’t understand what your teacher is talking about, explaining to you something that a mere school student is unable to understand. Instead of focusing on the class, your mind goes elsewhere. Sometimes to your lunchtime, sometimes to your breakfast, yesterday's dinner, the calm and flowing river, your favourite anime episodes and floating freely in space. 

I feel like I belong to the last one. 

I slap both my cheeks hard and fast. I try to bring myself together.

I look at the stone back. 

“Uhh.. You’re the one talking to me?”

If my sister sees this, she must be laughing hard and I will become a laughing stock for the next two years. 

[Yes, you are.]

It is actually answering me. 

[Now, behold my pure form of solid. I am not a mere stone but the legendary spirit of the stone.]

Okay. I hope I can wake up from my dream really fast. I slap my face twice. But I can only feel the pain on my cheek. 

[You’re not dreaming. What’s in front of you is real.]

Huh? 

[You dare to kick me. So, as a punishment, Tamaya, you are now my guardian.]

“Eh….”

What?