Chapter 15 – A Particular Dream

I found myself standing in a strange forest beneath a violet sky, where stars and planets shone brightly as if it were daytime. Despite the light, I could still see countless stars scattered across the heavens. The only sound was the soft rustling of the wind.

Then, out of nowhere, music began to play. A gentle piano melody drifted through the air—calm and soothing, as though it was inviting me to close my eyes and simply fall asleep in that place.

That was when I saw him. An angel. The same one from my previous dream.

Realizing this must all be a dream, I approached him to speak. But he only looked at me silently before turning away. As he vanished, he dropped a letter. I picked it up.

On the envelope, it said: For Taiyaki.

I opened it. Inside was a message from the goddess I had met the day I first died.

Goddess:
Dear Taiyaki—no, Franco.
I write this letter to tell you that you are on the right path. But you still have far to go if you truly wish to defeat the Demon Queen. Listen carefully: I do not believe that sacrificing yourself and dragging the Demon Queen down with you is the right answer. Tell me—what would Mizu, “Cleer,” think if she knew? Do you really plan to keep your true intentions hidden from your childhood friend? Please, be more honest with her.

I know it is difficult for you in this situation, but I will only say this once. Be open about your feelings toward your new companions. I gave you this chance not just to fight, not just to train and defeat the Demon Queen, but to live again. See the beauty in this second life. Cherish it. Do not waste it. This is not just about duty—it is about living, and about being happy. Remember: once this life ends, you will not get another chance.

So please… take my words to heart. I hope you achieve your goal, but also, that you learn to live as I intended. With love, The Goddess.

When I finished reading, I stood in silence. Did I really have to do that? I didn’t know what to think, but deep down, I understood. At the very least, I would have to try.

For now, I decided I would wait for the right moment to tell Mizuki, Akane, and Kori the truth about who I really was. Until then, I would continue to act as though I were just a twelve-year-old girl… even if, inside, I was already thirty.

As I pondered, I wondered if I could speak with my subconscious. Focusing hard, two figures appeared before me—both versions of myself. Franco, from my past life. And Taiyaki, from this world. They looked at me with serious expressions.

Franco: “You know what must be done. Or have you forgotten?”

Taiyaki: “It’s your responsibility to tell them the truth. You know that, don’t you?”

I hesitated, then answered:
“I know… but I need to choose the right time. Right now, we’re in the middle of an important mission.”

Franco: “Fine. We can’t force you. But remember—hiding something important from the people who matter most to you is wrong, especially if it affects them directly.”

Taiyaki: “We’ll be watching you from here. Everything you think, everything you do—we’ll know. But for now… it’s time to wake up.”

I nodded. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

The dream faded.

When I opened my eyes, I saw that the others were still fast asleep. Through a small hole in our shelter, I noticed the rain had stopped. The first rays of dawn were breaking through. It must have been around six in the morning.

Looking at my friends sleeping peacefully, I thought back to the dream. Was it a sign? Was the goddess truly telling me to open up to them? I wasn’t sure. But one day, I would need to.

For now, I decided to focus on something simpler: breakfast.

Moving quietly, I left to hunt. Before long, I spotted a wild boar about fifty meters away. Creeping closer, I struck swiftly and killed it. Oddly enough, it had been easier than I expected.

Carrying it back, I began preparing the meat for cooking. Before long, Akane and Kori woke up and saw me.

Akane: “Eh? Taiyaki, where did that boar come from?”

Me: “I woke up about half an hour ago and hunted it for breakfast.”

Kori: “Nice. That’ll give us plenty of energy for the journey.”

Akane said with a cheerful smile, “Perfect! I’m starving. I’ll start the fire. Kori, wake up Mizu and Mizuki. Taiyaki, help me with this, okay?”

Me: “Got it.”

Soon, Mizuki and Mizu awoke. After eating our meal together, we packed our things and prepared to leave for the Desert of the Minotaurs.

The walk was long.

Kori: “We only have about fifty kilometers left. We’ll reach the desert soon.”

Akane: “Mizuki, once we get there, make a floating earthen shield to block the sun for us, okay?”

Mizuki: “Got it. And Kori, you can keep us cool with your water magic, right?”

Kori: “Yes, but I’ll need to save it for when we really need it. Don’t forget that.”

The thought of battling minotaurs weighed on my mind. I had never faced one before. I was still new to this whole “Magical Girl” thing. But together, we could do it.

The further we walked, the stronger the scent of sand grew, dry and heavy like the smell of a beach before you enter the sea—except there was no sea here. Only desert.

Ten minutes later, the horizon shimmered with endless dunes. The heat pressed down on us.

Mizuki: “Alright… here goes. Are you ready?”

She raised her hands, and a wall of earth rose from the ground, reshaping itself into a canopy of sorts—like umbrellas joined together, forming a moving shelter. The sunlight no longer struck us directly.

The desert was still harsh, but with this, the journey ahead felt a little easier.

Even if the Minotaurs were waiting for us, we would face them—together.