Prelude Of The Nightmare: Epilogue- Back To Reality

“...Mm,” I slowly opened my eyes, “This place…?”

My body was cold as I felt something soft beneath me. It was relaxing and comfortable, it immediately washed away my exhaustion.

As my vision cleared, a familiar ceiling came into view and I could smell the aroma of rice porridge.

“My room, huh”

Looks like I somehow made it back here. I wonder how many hours have passed since then, after that accident I don't remember much. My guess is I might have passed out at some point.

Yes, apparently I was unconscious for five minutes. Aoki’s cries still echo in my ear. But the strange thing is I don't have the memory of getting hit. And not to mention…

So this was a legit email…

I blankly stared at the email as I softly held my phone. I still find it hard to believe that I spent three weeks in a dream. If it wasn't for this email, I probably would brush it off as just another dream.

But now I can say one thing for sure, that it wasn't just a dream.

【 “When you wake up, find me once again. And this time—don’t delete that email.”】

Kurogane tatsuya, so that was his real identity? I wonder.

More importantly, I still remember. I remember the contents of that dream.

Normally, I would forget most of the contents if it was just a normal dream. But it was…something else. At the very least, I still remember every scene I spent in that staff room like it really happened.

If those three weeks were really a dream then that’d explain all the strange occurrences happening around me.

Dreamscape…huh

That’s what Kurogane called it. But even now, I still have no idea how I ended up in that world—or why they, DreamLink Corporation, chose me. What kind of “experiment” are they even talking about?

I think it’s about time to consider responding to this email. Because sooner or later, I have to meet him again– Nah I have to.

“...ghh”

A small ache pulsed in my head. When I reached up, my fingers brushed against a cloth. It was a bandage wrapped around my head tightly. I could tell that someone treated my wounds. My clothes also changed. And for a while I can hear some noises from the kitchen.

Which could mean only one thing…

“Sigh…So what's the big idea, Aoki?”

The door creaked open, revealing Aoki stepped in, balancing a bowl of porridge in both hands. Her eyes widened the moment she saw me awake.

“Ry–A..Araki-kun, you finally woke up! Thank God! How do you feel?” Aoki hastily walked over and put the bowl of porridge on the table as she took her seat on the floor.

“Let me have a loo–” Aoki reached over hand in an attempt to check my temperature, but I quietly leaned back.

“It’s fine. More importantly, what are you doing in my room?”

“You…are you seriously telling me that? This is no time for joking! You just had an accident! You know how worried I was?! Isn't it obvious that I would help you?!”

That was just meant to be a light joke, but she was unusually worked up. That’s when I noticed the red marks beneath her eye lids.

How long did she cry…

Just the thought that someone was crying for me makes me…a little happy. She must be really worried. I wonder when was the last time someone cared for me.

When was the last time I felt warm inside?

“Thank you, you saved me”

“I-its nothing…,” She averted her eyes, slightly blushed, “If it's for you I would…”

“Hmm, you would what?”

“Ah—! The porridge’s getting cold!” She snatched the bowl, flustered. “Eat it before it loses its effect. For your information, I made it myself.”

“Oh…got it (Did she just change the subject?)”

Following her suggestion, I took a spoon of the rice porridge that Aoki made. To be honest, it was warm and the taste was alluring. It quickly warmed up the insides.

Each bite melted in my mouth, leaving a tint of sweetness on my tongue.

She must’ve taken her time making it. Maybe that’s the reason I can’t help but notice Aoki’s eyes quietly asking for a feedback.

“This is tasty…So you can cook too, huh”

“Really? Thank you! Guess all that effort didn’t go to waste after all”

If it weren’t for Aoki, probably no one would be there to take care of me. Even if that person knows, he probably would send one of his men to look after me. So I quietly acknowledged Aoki’s kindness and her genuine gesture.

“Say Aoki, For an acquaintance why are you going so far?” I asked, keeping the bowl down.

Aoki froze, her expression slightly turned serious before she looked down.

“Isnt that obvious…” She clenched her fists, “It’s because I am not an acquaintance, I…am your friend”

My eyes widened, before I realised I was looking at Aoki. She tilted her head slightly and smiled. And for a brief moment, I felt an undeniable sense of déjà vu—like something that had already happened before.

【 “We’re friends right?”】

I smiled, “In every world, you’re still the same, huh”

“Eh? Did you say something?”

“Nah, just talking to myself. But we’re still acquaintances"

“Oh ho, fine for now. But…” She brushed her hair behind her ear, “Someday…I'll definitely make you say it yourself–I'm your friend”

…huh.

That last sentence of her froze my mind, without realising I felt my brain struggling to recollect.

Her phrasing, her tone and even her expression and this series of events were just far too…similar.

Wait…isn't this flow…?

“Ah-! I get it now!” She clasped her hands, “The reason you don’t want me to be your friend is because you want something more than that. Isn't that right? Like, say… girlfriend~?”

It's way too similar from that–ghhh

“Wai–Araki-kun? Araki-kun! What's wrong?!”

“I-its fine, just an headache”

I felt a jolt in my head when she phrased it that way. Although,

The situation might be different, yet I could tell…it's the same as that dream. The way she said it is exactly what I saw in that dream.

What's going on…?

“Araki-kun…are you sure you are really alright?” Aoki asked, her cheery expression faded into worry.

“Who knows… I think I am.” I rubbed my temple. “That reminds me, what happened after that?”

“So you don’t remember, huh.” She sighed. “After you passed out again, we took you to the hospital. Honestly, I was scared… I thought the doctor might say something serious. I expected the worst, but…” she hesitated.

“But…?”

“But he asked me if you were really hit by a car.”

“...Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Right? Even I was surprised. You don’t have a single broken bone, moreover you can still move your body without any struggle. It's like…you were never injured in the first place.”

“Hold on, I quite don't follow. Just what happened that time?”

Aoki nodded, pulling out her phone. “Well, luckily someone at the scene contacted the CCTV office. Here's the video, I thought you have to see it for yourself”

Aoki handed over her mobile, and on the screen I could see a video. A video of myself walking down the street.

It was the time I had to cross the road, so I patiently waited for the pedestrian lights to turn green while fidgeting with my phone.

I remember up to this point clearly.

But what came after that completely shook me. The lights have finally turned green, a brief 10 seconds cooldown for the vehicles. That's when I stepped forward.

On the crossing, I saw myself bumping into another. This was the moment where my phone slipped from my hand. After that…

I…COLLAPSED?

The video itself is not clear but I can see myself crouching to pick something, that's when the lights have already turned red and I…

“...that's when you collapsed and got hit by a car. Apparently the driver was in a hurry, he overtook another car and it…just happened”

“I see, so that's what happened”

Aoki nodded faintly. “Apparently, these days a lot of people have been collapsing like that. And most of them were… high schoolers.”

Wait…I think I've read something like this before.

“It was becoming news on Zwitter so I'm sure you've also come across it.” She looked at me curiously, “So, Araki-kun, do you remember something? Anything is fine, just try to remember. What happened that time?”

What happened…huh

“I wonder…I feel like I was dreaming. It wasn't exactly long nor short. Apart from that I don't remember anything…”

I couldn't say anymore, because I don't know what exactly happened.

I want to know how I went into that world, and why I don't remember getting hit.

But I can't tell what truly happened in those 5 minutes to Aoki…

“Dream…huh”

“Anyways, nothing big happened. So it doesn't matter–”

“It doesn't matter…?” Aoki repeated after me, looking down.

“How… how can you stay so calm?” Aoki’s voice trembled slightly. “Of course it matters! It was an accident! Luckily, the driver managed to hit the brakes before impact, so the damage was minimal—but you still got hit! Your head hit the ground directly, Araki-kun!”

She leaned forward, placing her hand gently over mine.

“Araki-kun, if something serious had happened… something unrecoverable, you could’ve been held responsible too. Technically, you did break a few rules.”

I clenched my fist, there was no way for Aoki knowing that in my memory I had already crossed that road. Even though I haven't done anything yet, I feel this sense of guilt.

“I am already…aware of that”

“If you are aware…please take care of yourself more. You only get to live once. If you die…it will be over.”

“If I die, huh. If that's truly happened I wonder if anyone would cry”

Huh…what was I saying? At that moment, it just slipped from my mind. I just had an accident, but I was only thinking about that dream.

Even though my head directly hit the ground, at some point I stopped thinking about myself.

Maybe…I don't really care about myself. Even if I die– I imagine myself thinking- ah, this is it.

It's not that I want to die…it's just I don't know. If there is a meaning to this life. I end up thinking if anyone's actually cared for–

“I'll cry” Aoki cut in.

“...huh?”

“If, by chance, you die someday… and there’s really no one there to cry at your grave, I’ll be there,” she said softly. “I’ll cry beside you. Maybe it could last for a week or a month… every time I remember you, I’ll cry.”

“...why?”

“Because… you’re an important person in my life.”

I wonder why I couldn't respond right away. I still don't know what lies behind her words but I can feel right here…in my chest.

The words of someone who really cares for me.

She was considerate this whole time. She tried her best to lighten the mood, and even nursed me.

For an acquaintance…you're doing way too much, Aoki.

“So don't say such sad things…”

“Looks like I made you worry, But you're wrong

“Wrong?”

“It's not like I don't care about myself and that was meant to be a normal question. You're just overthinking. Do you really think I would waste my time thinking about what-ifs?”

“Pff, haha” Aoki chuckled, “Now I am sure you are fine, this is the Araki Ryota I know”

“But still, thanks for worrying about me. I'll make up for this sometime. I took up your time, after all”

“It's totally fine! I am doing this just because I want to. But… if you insist, I think I can take up on that offer someday”

“That reminds me, what happened to my clothes?”

“Ah, I already put it in the laund–” she paused mid sentence.

“Hm? What's wr–Ah”

Wait a sec, this t-shirt is without a doubt it's mine. It must be in the wardrobe. And right now, the only ones in this house are me and Aoki.

And I don't have the memory of changing, which means…

“Aoki, you…”

“I-I-I had no choice! Your uniform was completely covered in mud, so–”

“So you changed my clothes… yourself?”

“I-I’m sorry! I just grabbed a shirt from your wardrobe and changed it, that’s all! W-wait, don’t look at me like that! It’s making me feel guilty for some reason!”

“...”

“And for the record—!” her voice cracked, face turning bright red. “I didn’t touch your p-pants or see a-anything! Except your upper body”

I sighed, “seems like I kept you in a hard spot. Don't worry, I am not angry or anything”

<<9:35 pm>>

That reminds me, I was so preoccupied by these events that I haven't taken a look at the time. It was already that late.

“Wait, Aoki, are you fine on time? Aren't your home worried?”

“Oh, that? I already told them I’m staying at my friend’s place.”

“I see… huh? Staying?”

She blinked innocently. “Why do you look so surprised? I’m staying here tonight.”

…Oh. I see.

For a few seconds, we just stared at each other. Aoki looked as innocent as she could be. She doesn't seem to realise the situation we're in. Since it came to this, I forced myself to set things right.

“Mm, I get it now.” I nodded. “That's it, Go home.”

. . .

“Eh!? Wai-Araki-kun, are you really sure? You're still–”

“It’s fine. I can’t let you overstay any longer.”

“Could it be… you’re conscious about a boy and girl spending the night under one roof—”

“Just go home. I’ll walk you back.”

Without letting her finish, I hurriedly pushed Aoki toward the door and got ready to leave. After changing my pants, I followed her out.

She probably lied to her parents. If they found out it was a boy’s house, she’d be in serious trouble. I know she took care of me, but this is the right thing to do.

So the least I could do is walk her home. My body’s moving fine now, and I don’t feel anything strange… so it should be okay.

. . .

The sky was clear, horizons were illuminated with city lights as I walked along with Aoki down the streets. If I have to describe it was the perfect time for a night walk.

“Araki-kun, don't push yourself…I still can’t believe how you can even move”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard enough of that. Let’s just drop it already.”

“B-but… sigh, fine. Just make sure you rest when you get back, okay? By the way, did you tell your parents?”

I paused, my steps deliberating growing slower as Aoki walked past me.

Parents huh…

“It’s fine, I don't want to make them worry”

“Atleast, you should inform your sister. ”

“I’ll consider that”

“Ah,” Aoki stopped near a gate and turned with a small smile. “This is my house. Thanks for walking me home.”

Her house was surprisingly close to my house. Maybe it's about 15 minutes apart.

“By the way,” I asked, “how did you even know where I live? I don’t remember mentioning it.”

First of all, how did Aoki even manage to get me back home?
My best guess is that she called a taxi—but for that, she’d have to know my address in the first place.

It’s not just that—it must’ve cost her quite a bit. Hospital fees, taxi fare… the whole thing.

“Uh… so you finally asked,” she said, puffing her cheeks slightly.

“You really thought I wouldn’t? Tell me how much you paid. I’ll pay you bac—”

“No, no! I didn’t pay anything!” Aoki waved her hands frantically, shaking her head. “Actually… someone else covered it.”

“Someone else?” I raised a brow.

“Yeah. He told me not to mention him, but at this point, I think you should know.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “After you passed out, the ambulance was taking too long, so the driver who hit you decided to drive you to the hospital himself.”

“Well, since he’s the one who hit me, that’s the least he could do.”

“Actually… he was in the middle of an important job. He had to cancel it because of you,” she said softly.

“...I see. So he’s the one who paid for me?”

Aoki shook her head. “No. There was someone else. He said he knew you. The driver tried to insist on paying, but that person handled everything instead.”

“He knew…me?”

For a moment, I’ve thought about that person. But there’s no way he would know about my situation currently. Then who could it possibly be…?

But that can’t be—there’s no way he’d know about my situation right now. Then who could it possibly be…?

“It’s as he guessed, you’ve asked me,” Aoki said, tilting her head slightly.

He predicted I’d ask her about this?

“Did he mention a…name?” I asked, my tone low.

“Name? Uh… I think he did.” She tapped her chin, trying to recall. “What was it again? I’m not sure if I’m saying it right but… Kuromine? Kurosaki? No—ah! It was Kurogane!”

My eyes widened, I could feel my blood running cold. Despite that I felt a sense of satisfaction. At that moment, reality became clearer than before.

So that's how it was huh.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. If possible, skip school tomorrow and get some rest. Just because you can move doesn’t mean you’ve fully recovered. It hasn’t even been three hours. Well, take care. ”

With those parting words, she left but I still stayed. An undeniable sense of unease grew inside me. Every part of my body is itching and screaming. All I could think is–

I HAVE TO MEET HIM.

I can tell that I'm being impatient. Afterall, he still owes me an explanation, the answer I’m seeking is not fully revealed yet. That’s why…

I picked up my phone from my pocket, opening the email app. I skimmed through the contents once again, but I ended up starting at the last sentence–

【….We are awaiting your reply.】

If he wants me to play this stalker game once again then I'm afraid I don't have that sort of time. The stalker’s game is already over.

As promised, I’ll make him spill everything I want to know.

Especially if they’re the reason I ended up in that world… then there’s no way I can just sit back and let it go.

I glanced at the bottom of the email and noticed a contact number. Without a second thought, I dialed it.

Yes, I am about to call them.

After a few rings, someone picked up.

[“Greetings! This is Dream Link Corporation. How may I help yo—”]

“Dream Link Corporation(DLC), right?”

[“...Yes, that’s correct. If you’re interested in joining our experiment, please go thr–”]

“Let’s skip the formalities for now. I want to meet someone.”

[“By someone…? May I know who you’re referring to?”]

“Kurogane Tatsuya,” I said firmly. “I want to meet him. So inform him, Araki- Ryota is waiting for him”

I don’t care what lies at the end of this road anymore. I’ve already come too far to turn back. No—he’s the one who dragged me this far…

So there’s no way I’m going back now.

【 “When you wake up, find me once again. And this time—don’t delete that email.”】

With this, I’ve upheld my part of the promise. Now it’s your turn, show me what you’re hiding behind that smile,

Kurogane Tatsuya.

【September 4th, 2025–10:08 PM]

??? perspective

I'm tired…

Even if it’s only been five minutes here, technically my mind has aged three weeks. Not that it actually affects my body in reality—but still, I deserve some kind of bonus for this. I should ask him for extra payment next time.

Bzzz bzzz

My phone vibrated violently in my pocket as I stood beside the vending machine, waiting for my drink to drop. When I glanced at the caller ID, it quickly made me smile.

Speak of the devil…

“It’s about time you called. I was just thinking about how I should make you pay me for the overtime.”

[“...great job, Kurogane-kun”]

“I don’t need praise. But anyway, it’s just as you said—his affinity with dreams is exceptionally high.”

[“Told you. Looks like I won our little bet. With him, our experiment will yield far better results.”]

“I hate to admit it, but you’re right”

[“So what do you think? Will he accept our invitation?”]

“I can’t guarantee it, but he’ll definitely reach out. Once someone’s tasted that world, there’s no way they wouldn’t be curious. By now, he’s probably already heard about me from that woman. It’s only a matter of time.”

[“Well, if it’s coming from your mouth, then I guess I don’t have to worry.”]

“It's my job afterall–bzzz” A notification popped up on my screen, the glow reflecting faintly across my cheek. One glance at the preview made me chuckle.

[“What’s wrong?”]

“I got a message from the information ward, apparently Araki-Ryota contacted our HQ”

[“ha…haha. You never fail to surprise me, Kurogane-kun”]

“You flatter me too much, Nakabachi-san”

Araki-ryota is waiting for me huh

The feeling is mutual, I can't wait to meet you too. Afterall, we still have some unresolved business to take care!

[“With this, 457 participants have responded. We’re finally moving forward”]

“Yes… it seems we’re once again standing at the starting line.”

[“Do you think we can conquer dreams– that world this time?”]

“Regardless of my answer, you’ll still do it, won’t you? This time, we’ll complete it. After all…” I smiled faintly at my reflection in the vending machine’s glass.

“This long dream of ours has just begun.”

Yes, my job here is almost done. All that’s left now… is to advance to the second stage. At last…

WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE PROLOGUE.

……………………

Author Notes,

Hey everyone! Yukine here. Thank you so much for reading so far, it really means a lot to me. With this epilogue, Volume 0: Prelude of the Nightmare is finally concluded. It was an exciting and marvelous journey for me. I hope you’re having fun reading this novel.

Yume no Kyoukai (Yume-Kyo), also known as Dreamscape: Survival of the Smartest, is about to enter its Prologue.

That’s right, the story has just begun. What exactly is this experiment, what is the answer that Kurogane is hiding, that mysterious caller Nakabachi and how did Araki enter into the dreamscape–I’m sure you have many questions and I’d love to see your guesses in the comment section.

The Prologue will continue advancing the story, exploring the experiment and its mysteries. I plan to start releasing Volume 1: Prologue of the Nightmare within a week—and I’ll do my best to upload consistently.

Thank you again for supporting this book. Your comments and reactions give me the drive to keep going, so please share your thoughts and reviews of Volume 0 in the comments, I’m excited to hear them!

I don’t want to take up too much of your time, so I’ll leave you here. Let’s meet again in Volume 1!

-Yukine Haru