Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 135 – Ah, XX Dream

The weather is so delightfully pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, a gentle breeze dances through my hair.

But more than that, what lifts my spirits even higher is the reflection of myself beyond the mirror.

“Dear guest, you look absolutely stunning!”

At first, the attendant regarded me with a hint of caution, but as we delved into deeper conversation, a sense of familiarity blossomed, and they gushed with compliments.

Had it been any other day, I might have told them to stop their flattery… but today, I too was a little taken aback by my own appearance.

“Is this… me?”

The shimmering red dress. A garment I had only imagined in childhood fantasies, and now, here I was, wearing it.

In truth, I had never had the money to buy clothes, nor any real reason to, so I had always donned shabby tank tops and shorts.

But now, now was the time to transform into something beautiful. Because today… was my date with Venice!

Having never bought or worn such expensive attire before, my excitement was overshadowed by worry.

What if this dress doesn’t suit me? Or worse, what if Venice doesn’t like me in it?

Yet… the moment I caught sight of my reflection, all those worries evaporated.

Having never adorned myself with makeup or finery, I had always thought I was somewhat pretty in my own right.

However, perhaps due to the attendant’s efforts, the image reflected back at me felt almost like a stranger.

—

This should be enough… Venice will surely like it!

“W-will Venice really like this…?”

“Of course, dear guest! You are perfect just as you are, so hurry and run to her!”

“Thank you…!”

Clutching the red rose handed to me with a smiling face, I hurriedly thanked the attendant and rushed out of the clothing store.

Ah… Was the world always this beautiful?

The faint chirping of birds floated through the air like a celestial harmony, and the sunlight, which usually made me frown, felt so warm.

Yet, more than that warmth, it was the fact that I was on my way to meet Venice that filled my heart with hope.

Hoo—

After letting out a brief sigh, I began to run with a beaming smile. My destination… our home, where Venice awaited me!

Perhaps I was too excited, for when I regained my senses, I found myself standing in front of our house.

No matter how strong I had become, I had never been this fast… I must have momentarily lost my wits from sheer happiness.

Meow—!

Just as I was about to open the door and step inside, a wretched mewing began to echo in my ears.

Frowning again at the unwelcome sound, I turned around to find, as expected, three infuriating female cats that made me want to kick them.

“Damn it… why are you back again!”

There was the sky-blue cat, seemingly ordinary yet annoyingly persistent. The white cat with violet eyes, lacking in both action and expression, somehow more irritating for it.

And lastly… the black cat, behaving so suspiciously it made me wonder if it was even human.

The three cats, refusing to leave Venice’s side for even a moment, began to wail as if to block my path.

You might ask why I was so bothered by cats, but no matter how I thought about it, they didn’t seem like ordinary felines.

Venice always petted them affectionately, but each time, they looked at her with human-like eyes and rubbed against her.

It wasn’t just once or twice; it happened every time, so I had forcibly removed them from the house… but it seemed they had returned.

These annoying creatures, should I just get rid of them when Venice isn’t looking? At this moment, it wouldn’t take me three seconds to dispose of them.

“…No, no. Wait a moment…”

Thinking it over, today was a day that had to be filled with joy. There was no need to stain my hands with blood and ruin my mood.

And… today, I would surely convey my feelings and capture Venice as my own. If that were the case, Venice would look only at me, not those wretched cats.

Grin—

As that thought crossed my mind, a smile crept onto my face without me realizing it. The cats, looking at my face, puffed up their fur in anger, but what could they do about it?

“Pfft… you lot have good hearing, right? Then just listen.”

After all, they were the ones Venice cared for. I could extend a great generosity and allow them this much.

—

Meow…

In that moment, the cats seem to droop, their faces painted with sorrow. The sight of their defeated forms only deepens my smile.

After mocking their plight, I step into the house without hesitation. The sound of scratching at the closed door reaches me, but my grin only grows stronger.

“Venice! I’m here!”

“Kali, you…”

As Venice hears my voice and turns to look at me, he freezes in place.

What is happening? Is there… something wrong? Venice has never acted like this before…

“What’s the matter? Why are you suddenly like this?”

“Th…that is…”

I rush to him, shaking his shoulders, but with each moment, Venice’s face grows redder and redder.

“Why are you acting like this? Speak up!”

“Y…you’re just so beautiful…”

“….What?”

The shy words that tumbled from Venice’s lips leave my mind blank. At the same time, my heart swells.

“Pl…please say it again. What did you say…?”

“Kali. You look so… beautiful today. More than anyone else.”

“……….”

“Kali… I have something to tell you. Can you listen?”

Hearing his shy yet lovely voice, I barely manage to hold back my impulse. Unaware of my racing heart, Venice gazes directly into my eyes as he speaks.

“Will you… go out with me? Together… for a lifetime.”

The moment those short but powerful words reach my ears, I leap onto the bed, still holding Venice.

He lies below, looking up at me, and I quietly gaze down at him.

Thump-thump-thump-thump!

“…Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”

“Of course… I can.”

“Then… say you love me!”

“I love you, Kali. More than anyone in this world.”

“More than… those cats?!”

“Absolutely. To me… there’s only you.”

As he speaks, a small smile graces his face… and the scent that tickles my nose threatens to drive me mad.

“Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”

I clung to my sanity with a desperate grip, staring down at Venice as if I might tear the bedspread apart.

“….I love you.”

“Grrah… I can’t hold it in!”

And as those words burst forth in response, I let go of the last tether of reason.

*

BANG-BANG-!

“……..?”

What is this? How did it come to this?

As I regained my senses, I found myself lying in a bed so familiar, the sounds of car horns I had heard all my life filled my ears, along with the chime of traffic lights changing and the chatter of people.

I was surely… dead and reborn in another world… Ah.

“…Is this a dream?”

The moment I realized that this place I had come to my senses in was a dream world, the hazy reality began to clear.

A lucid dream… I had never succeeded in one during my time on Earth, yet here I was.

In truth, it felt like ages since I had dreamt at all. I had hardly slept, and even when I did, I never dreamed.

There were many reasons I hadn’t sought sleep… but most of them were for Venice. Just in case danger came, my love might slip away once more.

“Well… I suppose I needn’t worry with her around.”

After all, those far stronger and more resilient than I would be watching over Venice. Perhaps I should savor this long-awaited dream.

Quietly, I rose from the bed and gazed out at the world beyond the window.

Buildings formed a dense forest. Cars moved busily, and people lived even more hurried lives.

…It was a sight I hadn’t seen in ages. If measured by time alone… it must have been decades.

Yet… I felt no longing. The happiness of the times I lived was thanks to one person, not this world.

“…Wait. If this is a lucid dream… I can make it whatever I want, right?”

The lucid dream I had seen in the videos was a space where I could realize and act upon anything I imagined.

Then… since no one can see me now, and being in a dream means no one will be harmed, right?

I immediately began to focus intensely on a single thought.

Ding-dong—

-It’s me, Royu.

The sound of the doorbell to my tiny studio rang out. And… an even clearer voice followed.

I leapt from my seat as if I were flying, rushing toward the door.

“…Ha. Like a madwoman.”

In the midst of my frantic pace, I caught sight of the full-length mirror standing in the center of the living room. The face reflected back at me… was that of a true lunatic, so riled up that it felt as if I could commit any atrocity without a second thought.

Well, that notion might not be far from the truth. After all, this is a dream… It’s alright, isn’t it?

“Royu…! I’m here. Nothing happened, right?”

“…Of course! Come inside!”

As I opened the door, what greeted me was my light, my darkness, my love, my savior, my everything.

With that ever-bright smile, he looked at me, and I couldn’t help but return the grin, memories of that day flooding back, while he stepped into the tiger’s den without a hint of doubt.

“Haah… It was tough. Things have been hard lately…”

“…Really?”

He lay sprawled on my bed, limbs flailing about. It seemed he couldn’t even begin to imagine what awaited him.

“Hehe… But being with you, Royu, makes it all bearable.”

Thud-!

“……What the hell.”

“…What did you say, Royu? What did you just—”

“Shut up. This is your fault.”

…Even in a dream, you dare to say such things? No matter how I think about it, this is all on you.

I slowly approached… like a lion stalking its prey. To the lovely, trembling creature, paralyzed by fear.

Slap-!

“…Don’t worry. I won’t be rough…”

No, that’s not a promise I can make. Right now, it feels impossible to hold back.

…But what does it matter? This is a dream, after all; I’ll do as I please…!

I lunged at the bed, heart racing wildly and saliva pooling in my mouth.

*

Flash—

“”………””

“Oh? Everyone… you’re awake.”

How could this be? They all opened their eyes simultaneously, as if they had conspired to do so.

But… why do their expressions look like that? Hollow, as if they’ve lost something precious… and tinged with sadness.

…But why does it seem like there’s a strange emotion flickering between them? Perhaps it’s just my imagination. They must have had a nightmare.

“…Could it be. Ah….”

“Ha, haha…”

“Ah, damn it…”

“……..”

After a long while of glancing around and pinching my cheeks, the girls who had been watching me intently soon let out only hollow laughter.

I wanted to ask why, but… before I could even open my mouth, their gazes shifted dangerously, as if warning me of something.

It felt as if a part of my heart was telling me to remain silent, that speaking now would lead to dire consequences.

“……”

I simply… stared out the window without a word. Avoiding their eyes, I wished for this moment to pass quickly…