Final: A Beautiful Dream

Sora woke up on his mattress. Sunlight was coming through the dusty blinds.

He stretched and then slapped his cheeks lightly. It's real.

Sora: Guess... I'm back, huh. 

Sora looks around his room, with cracked walls, trash on the floor, an old laptop on the desk, a small bookshelf, and a small wardrobe. That heavy silence.

Once, this room had been his world. It was also his prison. Now? It is just a place to start again.

As he looks around, he starts remembering the old days when he would shut himself in this small room, gaming and eating unhealthy snacks almost every day, until his sister got sick and he had to take care of her. 

Fuwa appeared in front of him again, as a light projection. A light projection that only Sora could see.

Fuwa: ... Are you okay? I mean... Here's the same room where you will lock yourself inside, and secretly pray that someone besides your sister will come and show you concern...

Sora: Yeah... I'm fine. 

Sora pauses a bit before smiling softly.

Sora: But now things are different. At that time, I was lost... But now... I-- or we, just found our way, the path I want to walk. 

Fuwa smiled back.

Fuwa: You're right.

Sora pats Fuwa's back gently.

Sora: Come on, let's go to the convenience store to buy some gummies. We don't want to keep her waiting, yeah?

Fuwa laughed softly.

Fuwa: Yeah. 

                                                                              ***

After reaching the hospital, Sora is now outside the room where Aoki is, holding a plastic bag. Sora wanted to knock on the door, but paused midway.

Fuwa: Nervous?

Sora: Yeah... A bit.

Sora took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

"Come in."

Those words sounded like a young girl. He paused a bit before opening the door. 

Aoki: Big brother!

The little girl sitting on the bed called out in delight. 

Sora: Aoki...

Sora smiled and walked towards her, sitting on the chair next to her bedside. 

Sora: Sorry for not being here for a while... How are you feeling right now?

Aoki let out a big, cheerful smile. 

Aoki: I'm fine! The doctor said that within a month or two, I should be able to be discharged...

Sora: That's nice.

Aoki: But... Mom and Dad will be going on a trip until the end of the year... So, they told me to tell you that.... You have to take care of me until then... I'm sorry for troubling you...

Aoki looks down in shame. She expects that her brother will be unhappy with their parents' demands. 

However, Sora just pats her on the head gently and smiles. 

Sora: It's alright... I don't mind taking care of my sister, no matter how long I have to...

Sora then proceeds to take out a pack of gummies from the plastic bag and hands one to his sister.

Sora: Here's your favorite gummies. Eat this and cheer up. 

Aoki smiles wider and nods. She took it from her brother's hands slowly.

Aoki: Mm! Thanks!

Sora smiles as he watches his sister eat the gummies happily. 

As Aoki was eating the gummies happily, she suddenly paused.

Aoki: Brother. Can I tell you something... That might be a bit... Weird?

Sora: Y... Yes?

Aoki sat up straight before continuing.

Aoki: Last night... I had a weird dream... I saw you on a stage, tied up and looking dead. I shouted and encouraged you... Then, you forcefully broke free from all the strings and thanked me. It felt so... real, like I was really there with you. Which made me wonder if you are okay or not...

Sora's eyes widen. 

How can his sister see the "Trials" when it's all happening in his "Dream world"? 

Fuwa, still hovering beside him in light form, said:

Fuwa: Hmm... I don't know either... But maybe the bond between both siblings is... Too strong?

Sora closes his eyes and smiles as he replies to Fuwa using his thoughts. 

Maybe you are right. Who knows? 

Sora: I see... Maybe because I had a tough time recently... But... I'm fine now. 

Aoki tilts her head in confusion. 

Aoki: What do you mean...?

Sora ruffles her hair gently and teasingly.

Aoki: What's that for...?

Aoki said as she pouted, which made Sora laugh. 

Sora: Nothing... Don't worry about this too much. Maybe... that’s a story for another time. 

Aoki: Hmm... I see.

Aoki continues eating her gummies. Just then, she hands one to Sora.

Aoki: There's only one left. Here. 

Sora: Don't worry about me... We still have more...

Aoki: Just take it.

Sora: Fine...Thanks. 

Sora smiled once more, but that smile was almost the same as his very first one.

Sora took the gummy and tossed it into his mouth.

Sora: You know... After some thinking... I finally found something that I want to do... A future I want to create myself.

Aoki: Oh? What is it?

Aoki looks at him attentively and excitedly. Sora glanced at Fuwa's light projection and nodded before continuing. 

Sora: I used to picture a world full of wonder when I was a kid. Maybe it’s time I make it a reality.

I want to make an Amusement park and make all the children in this world happy. 

Aoki widened her eyes in admiration and started giggling.

Sora: W... What?

Sora blinked, caught off guard by her laughter.

Aoki: No, no... It's just...That sounds exactly like something you’d say.

Sora: Huh...?

Aoki: I mean... I'm glad that you are still yourself, big brother.

Sora pauses as he recalls the "Trials" he took. Even though it's difficult for him, even though he got hurt, to him, it's a memorable memory of growth. 

Aoki: You got a dream now, right? Stop staying here for me... Go ahead... And chase your dream. 

Sora: Thanks, I'll come tomorrow!

Sora stood up and started dashing out of the room. 

Aoki: W... Wait. Your gummies...!

Sora: You can have all of them!

After that, Sora is now out of her sight. Aoki sighs, but in relief.

Aoki: I'm glad... That big brother managed to find himself...

As Sora was running out of the hospital, Fuwa's projection followed. 

Fuwa: Hey... So what are our plans now?

Sora: We'll do some research... And maybe... Start a manga or novel series about Wonderland first? Or do we do some research first?

Fuwa: Both sound good!

They stepped out of the hospital. 

The sun was warm, and the sky was clear. For once, Sora’s steps felt light.

Sora leaped to the sky in excitement, followed by Fuwa--

As they both take off towards a Beautiful Dream.