Level 3: Hiragi, Kaede and Aoi

Yukio's temporary stint in the dream world ended as he was awoken by his alarm clock signalling another day at school.

"Ugh I wanna sleep for 5 more minutes" groaned Yukio. 

He then noticed something, he was back in his house, in his very own bed. He is so happy, he thought that he'd be stuck there forever inside the dream world. 

As Yukio and his party members are back in the real world, they come to realize that they can switch between the two worlds, between the dream world and reality. 

He was up all day in the dream world yet he didn't feel haggard, stressed, tired or whatsoever when he woke up. It's like he had a perfect 8 hour sleep. 

Seeing that understanding more about the dream world Iwabe introduced to everyone is currently not worth his time, Yukio goes down to take a shower, wear his school uniform then eat his breakfast.

As he reached the school, the chimes of school ringing in his ears. And that he's on time for school like a good student.

He slides the classroom doors, opening it to see everyone in high spirits talking about stuff, especially about what happened last night in the dream world and what they did in the dream world.

"Another school day, another day of suffering. Yay!" he said lazily.

He cracks a yawn and greets everyone present.

 "Good morning" greeted Yukio.

"Morning Yukio" said by his friend Kaede back to him.

"What's with all that commotion?" asked Yukio to Kaede. 

He wondered if Kaede knew what they're talking about.

Kaede doesn't know what they're talking about either, maybe something private like a funeral or a birthday. But no that's not it.

Kaede told Yukio that there's that guy in the class who just keeps spitting lies left to right.

"Wait, wait he's gonna drop another lie" hinted Kaede.

"Hey Hiragi, believe me this once I really did slay a dragon in the dream world" Akagi said, trying to persuade Hiragi that what he said isn't total baloney.

If he really did slay a dragon how large is it? can he describe it accurately on how many meters or feet tall or long is it and how can a noob like him beat a big ass dragon on the first week in the dream world.

"I-I forgot" he slurred.

Then those who are listening proceeds to laugh at him and tell him that there's an imaginary limit.

Hiragi asked him if he and his team could beat Atsuto as a team. Well no. Akagi replied that he asked a local strolling the streets of Dili on how strong that guy is. They said that Atsuto is a difficult nut to crack, and is so hard to defeat, has a body as hard as a rock, exhibits an extremely brash and aggressive way of fighting just like a bull does.

His fighting style is similar to Mexican pro wrestling and grappling. The local insists on his story as well as its authenticity, then double downs that he can perform such feats like a pro wrestler does and that all of those who challenged him went home with broken bones 

But everyone disagrees to Akagi's statement, thinking it's another baloney that came out of his mouth.

"Hmph! don't give me the nods of disagreement. If you don't believe what the locals are talking about. Then you have to see it for yourself then" he pouts with a little anger.

"Seeing is believing they say" said Kaede to Yukio.

"Yeah you're righ-" he cuts his answer short when he sensed something unwelcome.

In accompaniment to the loud footsteps that are approaching, it suddenly gets louder and louder, closer to Yukio's position and ends with a loud crash from the classroom door; grabbing everyone's attention in the process and they knew Yukio's gonna scolded again.

Opening doors with a rude awakening, Aoi Asami the Class Representative and a member of the Hanagasaku Middle School Student Council committee appeared and is obviously giving her trademark upset demeanor and face to Yukio as always, but today it seems like the whole gang was getting a mouthful of annoyance early in the morning.

"Hey Miyamoto, Tachibana and Nishida, you're late again for the hundred and fifty sixth time this year." scolded Aoi to Yukio, Ayane and Keita.

He quickly rectified the girl by reminding her that it's exactly 7:30 in the morning, therefore they're not late. 

"And you've done your maths about how many times I've been "late" better than how you do your math homework." Yukio ripostes.

Maybe Yukio's worth solving, after all he's popular, he just doesn't show off about it.

Unfortunately Aoi and his classmates disagree on his popularity. 

"Hey Asami, what did you do in the dream world? I'm curious to know" Yukio asked her.

Aoi got a book with various spells, judging from its color. It's a water magic book, but it looks exactly just like Ayane's tome. All the more reasons to say that Aoi's book is counterfeit from which Aoi defended herself quickly as well as her weapon.

Aoi then asked Yukio the same question.

Nothing eventful, it's just that he and Keita acquired some badass weapons then spent the days dozing off and wandering the town.

Taking this opportunity to flex Aoi proudly told them that her teammate Kaede has an ability called "Double Sword" which make him wield two swords without any effort at all on such fast speeds.

"Sounds like your average action adventure anime character, besides anyone can wield two swords including me." said Yukio, telling her that Kaede's talent ain't that good to begin with. 

While his other teammate, Hiragi can turn his fist into a large cluster of rocks that form huge shockwaves.

"So he can turn into a golem?" asked Yukio, fascinated.

Even though Hiragi is known as the face of the class, and that he doesn't get embarrassed easily, with Kaede being a flawless completer and a perfectionist as well as a heartshooter; labeled as this section's Casanova.

"This is so damn embarrassing. Aoi would you please shut up, no need to brag that besides class is starting" Kaede said to Aoi who's incoherent to his pleas.

"Please Aoi, there's no need for bragging" Hiragi pleased.

"No can do Hi-chan" said Aoi sulked and Hiragi then responded to not call him "Hi-chan" as it's much more embarrassing for him to be called such a name he's referred to in private. 

"What do you want me to call you? Dungeon golem Hiragi?, Conglomerate Hiragi?, Hiragi the Schist?, Metamorphic rock Hiragi?, or Pumice stone Hiragi?" Aoi asked him for suggestions. 

"Pumice stone Hiragi" Yukio said snickering, stifling a laugh.

"None of those!!!!" He shouted in embarrassment.

It's Yukio's turn, he flexed that he has an ability called Absorption which he could absorb any element he is fond of and convert it into energy, armor or even as a substitute or a fuel for mana, and can be used to heal himself that way Ayane wouldn't have a hard time healing him in the future.

So Yukio's ability is just like how biogas work. Organic wastes turning into fuel.

Aoi asked him if he can absorb any wastes. For example, garbage and poop, can he turn it into energy as well?

"No, of course not it's disgusting, why did you even ask that?" Yukio replied.

Lastly for Ayane she has the ability called Shift that can make her strength match to Keita and Yukio and can also be twice as powerful when comes to raw power, her healing capabilities are also enhanced too at this state but that makes small veins appear in her head and her eyes giving a green hue and also her aura is green. Quite a wacky power she has.

"So Ayane turns into a gorilla, she is like a big green muscular monster but is much more smaller, and cool. Bet that can't smash trucks" she said in mockery of her power.

Ayane asked her to not insult her power as maybe she is much more stronger than her.

Aoi admits that Ayane's power is superior to her but at least it doesn't make her unattractive.

"Alright kiddos back to your proper seats, class is starting" said their teacher with a lesson plan in hand.

And the students obeyed instantly.

******

Meanwhile

 Iwabe was out for the day to search for something for the household to eat for the next few days. He can just ask Riku to buy it for him but he wants to touch some grass once in a while. After all, the man had a busy time calling those other Ensemble members.

"Let's see what we can buy with my 56 billion dollar personal fortune today?" He said 

With 56 billion dollars in his hands he can buy anything to keep them fresh, stocked and hydrated. International banks and other government agencies and companies cannot freeze his assets due to Iwabe not being known as Tsukishima Ren who introduced himself to the world via broadcast so he's able to walk and act scot free without anyone noticing it.

With that amount of money, Iwabe can literally have all his children including Yukio to go to a more prestigious school abroad, just like him who is a Harvard graduate and a Summa Cum Laude of Computer Engineering and has a doctorate degree in the aforementioned course. Maybe when Yukio graduates third year high school, he'll have him enroll there.

All that thinking about school made him unknowingly reach the supermarket.

When he stepped foot on the supermarket, no one bat an eye, he wasn't even hated on, what a surprise. These people are clueless to the fact that they're currently looking at the one who put them inside Yumegemu. But he can't blame them if they only know him as Iwabe Hanazono and not as Tsukishima Ren.

Knowing no threat existed nearby and with his identity still safe, he proceeds to buy all the stuff that he needs at home especially fresh ingredients and some other foods.

But Iwabe almost forgot the most important thing of all, his daughter's weekly manga. She would always request him that every time he goes shopping, that cheeky little squirrel. 

Unlike other kids who read children's books and fairy tales with happy endings like Cinderella and Snow White or other books suitable for her age. His daughter is an oddball like him, a glitch in the human genealogy that prefers to read mangas instead.

"Daddy! Daddy! I want you to read me a Shōnen Jump manga or some novels in your bookshelf not some story for little babies, I am a little lady now not a baby you know that" she said. 

His little bundle of fun really acts like her mom sometimes, being pushy yet at the same time a lovable little child he kept reminiscing as he walked back home, if only she could see her daughter acting that way, if only she was awake. 

"What is Yukio up to now" he suddenly wondered 

******

Noon arrives and lunch is here, Yukio and the other two are now having lunch at the school rooftop it was peaceful, so peaceful and no noisy people around them, ignoring the whirring noise that the fans produced beside them.

As they were about to take a bite out of their lunches, another noise joins the rooftop; an unpleasant one at that.

Aoi's voice

She appears suddenly at the door and finds Yukio who was about to eat his own lunch. 

"Hey Yukio, can you at least forgive me for such a loud racket earlier? I just wanted attention but I guess was a little over with the argument hehe" she sheepishly said

"But Aoi you should try to talk to Hiragi and Kaede as they were the one who were embarrassed of what you've done" said Yukio who doesn't give a damn about her racket as she's used to it.

 "Also I will forgive you" he added making Aoi smile

"Really, thank you thank you, thank you!" she replied. 

"Man Aoi is being overgrateful for a small apology she received from him" Keita said to Ayane. Ayane nods in agreement 

Seeing no further reason in talking anymore they then told Aoi to sit down and eat alongside them, they wouldn't be liable anyways if her skirt gets dusty. Though in the first place he wanted some privacy but her grumbling stomach denies her that opportunity 

"Dear me, looks like somebody's a little hungry" Yukio said with a smug face. 

"Don't mind me just carry on eating" Aoi fires back at Yukio, seemingly blushing like a tomato due to embarrassment.

Yukio now thinks that she just wanted to have lunch along with them and using the whole apology charade as a guise? What a sneaky little girl, Aoi was.

Discovering that her plan have been foiled, she gives up and admitted to it without any shred of lie. Well, that's to be expected from Yukio, he's one of the sharpest tool in the shed.

Yukio pulls Aoi down to sit, thank fully nothing spilled. Telling her to sit on the floor like any good students would without complaining about her skirt getting dirty.

As she managed to sit herself, Aoi then took out her rather fancy bento box, before realizing that she's besides Yukio. Why so? because Keita is alongside Ayane and maybe they could do the same hoping she wouldn't take it in another context.

"How do you like it now up here?" queried Yukio while munching on his food

Aoi would rate it as a decent experience as she took a bite out of her bento box. The air is cooler here and there's not much noise present unlike when she ate at the classroom below. While she was talking with Yukio, Ayane was envious of Aoi's packed lunch wishing she was as rich as her. 

Yukio told Ayane that Aoi is just lazy rich, she just made her maids do all the work, from cooking her lunch, plating it and then packing it; she doesn't make her own lunch let alone cook in her own house. Another advantage of being rich.

Though Aoi defended herself by saying she can cook too, Yukio was skeptical thinking that the only thing she can cook are hardboiled eggs followed by him laughing.

She can cook, if he doesn't believe her skills. She can make him his very own bento, for him only. Unfortunately Yukio refuses the offer stating that he can make a better bento than all of her army of maids combined. Yukio remarked that Aoi should be making bentos for his boyfriend and not him, he's just a regular student and her friend, he is unworthy and unprivileged enough to be spoiled by a princess who was afraid of getting her skirt dusty.

In chagrin, Aoi declared that one day he will have a taste of her fine home cooked meal in a bento box and maybe that day is now. She then picks up a piece of tonkatsu and asked Yukio to open his mouth. Yukio obliged with little complications, and overall the taste isn't that bad, like store bought tonkatsu which was parried by Aoi stating that she cooked that herself.

"Aoi's cooking is the best, I wish I can have another bite" he said sarcastically hoping to cheer up that sulking rich girl.

Keita asked the two of them to stop as they're currently eating and what they're doing right now is so cringe.

"Tch!, Couple of bitter gourds, let's wrap this up and return to class" snarled Yukio.

******

Iwabe is now home from the supermarket, laden with bags of groceries and with a long receipt inside one of the plastic bags. 

His youngest daughter Ritsu jumps and hugs her father, welcoming him back home, all joyful and blissful. With that, she deserves a surprise and he proceeded to show her the continuation of the manga he bought for her last week.

Happy to say that the little squirrel was overjoyed when she held the newly bought issue, and was jumping up and down in joy. She goes to her room but not before thanking her daddy for buying it for her.

Anyways, his son is probably still playing in the living room. Seriously he should take a break from time to time. He can face his wife if their son is already wearing glasses he's still in second year middle school at that. Kids these days honestly.

"Eiji! could you please help me here with the groceries and also prepare the kitchen I'll make lunch after this. And stop playing now dude your study time will begin once we finished eating lunch." He told his son. Luckily he's an obedient one at that. 

After Iwabe unloads the groceries, he goes up to the master's bedroom. A room where his wife is laying in a comatose state, kept alive with oxygen flowing in her own nasal cannula through a ventilator. She's sleeping peacefully like a princess as she should be, while her husband is waiting for the day she wakes up.

"I miss you already, Tamaki" Iwabe said with a stifled cry as he hugged her tight in the bed. With Eiji looking at his parents being all affectionate, because just like his father, he too wants to see his mother awake and moving now.

If only that day didn't come, if only she didn't die on the dream world that day, if only she was still awake and conscious. His friends wouldn't be suffering his wrath in the first place. 

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting my son. Come, help me make lunch, your sister is hungry." Iwabe told his son without looking at him from behind.

"It's okay.......father" Eiji said with a sniffle

Later in the afternoon 

Yukio proposes to walk with Ayane but she refuse as she wants to walk home with Keita

"Why do you want to walk home with him, you could've made Yukio join you two and the three of you can walk home at peace, do you like Keita or something?" Aoi said with a confused face.

 "Don't get the wrong idea class rep idiot" she fired back at her. 

"Idiot?!, well you're the idiot here!" she argued back at her. 

And when they got out first separated from Yukio and Aoi who was in the school. Aoi then made a move.

"Yukio can we walk home together?" she asked.

 "Sure thing Aoi, after all it's boring walking alone'' he answered.

"Oh my god I can't believed he accepted it easily, kudos outer Aoi, kudos!" she said to herself.

While those near her are saying "Wait do you like Yukio or something Aoi?" everyone said with utmost curiosity.

she lets out a deep breath

 "IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!!!!" she shouted loudly while visibly embarrassed then they broke free from the rest

Yukio then agreed to be his "acquaintance" for arguing with him as no one other than Keita and his parents have argued back at him with great intensity, she made the class a room for debates which she made an absolute clown of herself in the process.

 And then they take off to their respective houses and with the Asami Mansion being about 1.45 kilometers away from the Miyamoto Residence. So Aoi have to walk more distance alone but right now she is gonna be accompanied by Yukio until they reach the mansion and also with Aoi saying goodbyes to Yukio she thought. 

As they parted ways, Aoi could only blush as she entered their mansion's gates. Thinking if she should give her heart's pitpats a chance. 

-Level 3 completed-

Author's note 

Lazycat here, a big thank you to those who tuned in to the third chapter of my novel. I am grateful for the views and time y'all give in reading. Though it would motivate me lots if many more people would come to know about Yumegemu and give it a read as well a like so that it would be recognized other users across Honeyfeed. ✌️😁✌️