Chapter 12:

Extra Trial 2: Fuwa's Dream

Inside The Dream: Yume No Naka De

Sora sits at his desk with a pencil in hand, trying to sketch out the amusement park of his dreams, "Wonderland," on a piece of paper filled with many different panels.

As Sora sketches, Fuwa hovers nearby in a light projection form, watching curiously.

Sora dreams all the time, even when he is awake. It's nice and peaceful, but maybe, just maybe, I’ve started to dream too.

He glances over Sora’s shoulder and smiles, then pauses.

Fuwa: Hey, Sora, I have a strange question...

Sora puts down his pencil and turns to Fuwa.

Sora: What is it?

Fuwa: Do you think I, your imaginary friend in your dreams and the other side of you, can have dreams of my own? Because I think I had one.

Sora tilts his head with curiosity.

Sora: Well, of course. We are two souls sharing a body. But what kind of dream do you think you had?

Fuwa then starts sharing his dream as we smoothly fade into it...

***

Fuwa walks in Wonderland.

It feels peaceful and colorful, as usual.

However, there's something that feels unfamiliar.

Just then, he hears soft footsteps behind him. He turns back and sees someone he never expected.

It's Aoki, exploring the park with curiosity.

Seeing Aoki makes Fuwa freeze. A strange distance grows between them.

She’s the reason Sora stayed strong. The reason he didn’t need me for a while was. The bright little sister with kind eyes. Perfect, precious Aoki.

Aoki: Are you...

Fuwa realizes that she has spotted him and freezes.

Aoki: You look a lot like my brother, but you have a purple hat and suit. Are you Fuwa, the imaginary friend, and the other side that my Big Brother mentioned?

Fuwa sighs softly before turning to her and crossing his arms.

Fuwa: So you know me, huh?

Aoki tilts her head and smiles.

Aoki: Sora told me his whole story about the "Trials." You’re just like he described. A little smug, a little silly.

Fuwa scoffs, though his heart tightens.

Fuwa: You forgot charming.

Aoki giggles softly as she steps closer, and the candy colored grass crunches under her feet.

Aoki: So, this is Wonderland?

Fuwa floats an inch off the ground, putting his hands in his pockets.

Fuwa: Yup, the world that your brother and I created, my domain.

Aoki looks around with bright eyes.

There are trees shaped like stars, flying goldfish weaving through the skies, and flowers that bloom into cotton candy.

She laughs softly, as if she fears ruining the magic.

Aoki: It's beautiful. I didn’t expect something so gentle.

Fuwa blinks.

Gentle? That was new.

Fuwa: I could make it darker if you want. Add some thunder, and maybe some creepy dolls too.

Aoki shakes her head.

Aoki: No, this feels like something Sora would have drawn when he was happy.

Silence settles in. Fuwa stares at her.

Not quite glaring, but not smiling either.

Fuwa: You’re the reason he was happy.

Aoki’s expression falters.

Aoki: That’s not true. He smiled more after meeting you.

Fuwa clicks his tongue and turns away.

Fuwa: He stopped needing me. After fixating on passing the "Trials" for you, he barely looked back.

Aoki: That’s not the same as not needing you.

Fuwa whips around.

Fuwa: Isn’t it? He built this whole place to escape. To run away from what hurt him. I was his escape.

Aoki walks slowly toward him. She isn’t afraid of the bitterness in his voice.

Aoki: But he managed to face all the challenges in this world head-on, did he? And you helped him. You were part of his strength, Fuwa.

Fuwa looks down at his reflection in a floating puddle: warped, shifting between child and shadow.

Aoki: Do you ever get tired of being perfect?

Aoki blinks.

Aoki: Perfect?

Fuwa: You’re the miracle kid. The reason he fought so hard to return. The reason he kept going.

Aoki looks at the sky, painted in shades of violet and pink. Then she looks back at him.

Aoki: Being seen as ‘perfect’ is heavy. Everyone expects you to stay strong, stay kind, stay calm. It’s hard.

Fuwa sighs, but not negatively.

Fuwa: Maybe we’re more alike than I thought.

After walking through the vibrant dreamland, Aoki and Fuwa settle under a tall, candy-striped tree. The branches shimmer with leaves that change color with every breeze.

Fuwa sits cross-legged, fidgeting with a leaf. Aoki gently joins him and folds her hands in her lap. A soft stillness falls over them.

Fuwa: I didn’t think I would ever get to talk to you like this.

Aoki looks at him, waiting. He doesn’t meet her gaze.

Fuwa: You’re kind. Strong. Always smiling. I thought I would hate you because you were everything he clung to.

Aoki's expression softens, but she remains silent. She lets him speak.

Fuwa: When he talked about you, he lit up. And I guess I was jealous. Like, I didn’t matter anymore.

Aoki slowly reaches out and pats his head, which feels... gentle and reassuring.

Aoki: You mattered to him in a way no one else ever could. You were there when no one else was.

Fuwa finally looks at her. His eyes are a little glassy.

Fuwa: But I was just imaginary.

Aoki shakes her head.

Aoki: That never made you less real. You helped him survive. You gave him joy when the world didn’t. I don’t think I could have done that from a hospital bed.

Fuwa sniffs and leans against her shoulder. She doesn’t move away.

Fuwa: You feel like a big sister...

Aoki smiles warmly.

Aoki: And you’re kind of like a little brother. A stubborn one who thinks he doesn’t matter.

A moment of silence passes as the sky above shifts into soft hues of orange and rose.

Fuwa: ...Thanks, Aoki.

Aoki: You don’t have to thank me. I think Sora would be happy knowing that we’ve met.

Fuwa: Yeah, I think so too.

The two sit together quietly as Wonderland glows peacefully around them.

***

Fuwa blinks back into reality.

Fuwa: It's one weird dream...