9Several hours had slipped by since our preparations had begun. In the midst of the expansive cloud garden, encircled by the lush forest, we had convened in a picturesque clearing dominated by the colossal cherry tree. Everyone gathered in a clearing surrounded by the forest in the cloud garden, the centerpiece of which was the giant cherry tree.An excellent view of the cherry blossoms could be seen from the location. There was a sense of vitality and vibrancy as the pastel colored petals of the blooming flowers danced in the air, representing both life and death, beauty and violence. The location was not only visually appealing but also provided ample room for exploration without hindrance.At a cursory glance, it was an idyllic spot. Yet, there was more than met the eye—an emerging feast. With plenty of space to walk around without being hind. The center stage was claimed by a substantial apple pie resting atop white sheets, flanked by six plates of delectable curry rice. Curiosity prompted the question, "Ahh… How’s the new recipe?" A hushed mutter preceded the unmistakable sound of a spoon meeting curry rice, met by a contemplative "Hmm…"Then, Lia's voice chimed in with a single word, "Yummy!" The consensus followed swiftly. "Perfect," echoed Loy. "Mhmm… Much better than before," chorused the twins. My curiosity was piqued by the mention of "before," which sparked a cascade of explanations.Loy elaborated, "Yes, before it was just crunchy for some reason, and the more you chew the worse it gets." He was on a roll, unstoppable in his momentum. "It felt like we were eating a black hole of rocks. The only word I’ve for it was garbage. Truly we had to pretend to eat it up only to later throw up, a real garbage."Grinning menacingly, I retorted, "I'm glad to hear that." Loy retreated a step, the tension in the air palpable. My declaration ushered in an atmosphere laden with weight. "Well... Go ahead, everyone," I directed, seeking to lighten the mood.Observing the delight that danced across everyone's faces as they indulged in the meal was a genuine pleasure. Amidst the flurry of consumption, Aria's discerning gaze fell upon me. "What’s wrong, Blur? You've barely eaten anything?" Her concern lingered in the air, her blue eyes locking onto mine.I reassured her, "Ah... don't worry, it's not that I haven't eaten anything. I just have a lot on my mind. That's all." A pause ensued, Aria's curiosity prompting her to probe further. "O-oh, is that so?" Her inquisitiveness mirrored in her voice."Yes, just..." I hesitated, contemplating my response. Eventually, I decided to share my thoughts. "Well... It's nothing really... Just I feel as though I have finally gotten what I always wanted."Curiosity etched onto her features, she inquired, "Why?"Leaning into a small grin, I continued, "This year, I've done a lot of things I've always wanted to do and all the things I wanted to do but couldn't until now. Daily experimentation with and discovery of new things. I reasoned that perhaps what I really wanted was just a family rather than trying out different things."Her response was accompanied by a blush, "Well." Her voice was soft, carrying an underlying warmth. "I think we are a family already."Startled by her words, I averted my gaze, the unexpected sentiment catching me off guard. "Thanks.""Hey, Blur, what's wrong? Thou art blushing," Lia's playful comment joined the mix.Suppressing the hint of a smile, I responded, "Absolutely nothing, nothing at all." The subtle disappointment in her eyes didn't escape my notice, but whatever she had on her mind remained unsaid.Soon, a soft, muffled voice cut through the atmosphere, "Looks like you guys are having a feast here," initiating a moment of silence. A peculiar gust of wind swept across, tousling hair and rustling leaves as a new presence made itself known. The speaker drew everyone's attention, their identity immediately recognized. The collective voice uttered the name "Mr. Blanc."The cat, having disappeared only a short while earlier, had reappeared, seemingly unnoticed, as if his vanishing act was second nature. "Cat!" Lia's joyful exclamation accompanied her playful leap, landing her next to the cat, whom she scooped up affectionately, burying her face in its fur."Soft!" Lia's appraisal of the cat's fur texture was met with no objection. Instead, the cat's demeanor was one of contentment, its purring a testament to its enjoyment.A while later, the cat's tranquil moment gave way to a shift in demeanor, and it extricated itself from Lia's embrace. "It's time for your check-up, Blur." The gravity in the statement left no room for dismissal.Acknowledging the summons, I responded, "I see it's time." The passage of time had dulled the significance of the medical examinations, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the cloud garden's enchantment."What is it that you want to check?" I inquired as Mr. Blanc led the way beyond the picnic area. The path led us to a white hallway, and slightly ahead loomed the entrance to the adult section of the garden.With a measured monotone, the cat spoke, "It seems that the test period is almost up." Seated beside a translucent barrier that separated the adult section and the children section. I questioned, "Is it safe to pass?"Having experienced a heavy shock from trying to pass through without out access it was a plausible question.The cat's gaze met mine as he continued, "The security feature of the barrier isn’t currently online—so it’s safe to pass."Recollections of Aria's pause before the hallway came to mind. Crossing the threshold, I found the path clear, the corridor stretching onward. Mr. Blanc's voice cut through the silence, "What happened? You're awfully obedient today. Did something good happen?"His inquiry triggered a reflection, leading to an admission, "Nothing much... just noticed that I've finally found what my dream is.""Mhmm... And what is it?""To spend more time as a family with everyone.""That's a good dream; you must keep them close to you.""Yes."As his attention waned, Mr. Blanc's final words marked the conclusion of the moment. "It appears to be over for now."The cat's voice reached me, his curiosity propelling the question, "Hey, Blur."I turned to him, attentive, "What is it?""Are you having fun here?"A grin emerged, the pure joy of the cloud garden's embrace seeping into my response, "Yup! Lots of fun.""Is that so… I see… then how long are you going to play pretend with everyone, Nightmare?"A shift occurred, my expression morphing into an uncanny sensation that had often graced my dreams. A maniacal grin and the erosion of time blended into my subconscious. —Before I could grasp the transition, the cat had vanished, leaving me before an enigmatic door—a door distinct from the others.An operation table and unfamiliar instruments inhabited the space, accompanied by figures obscured by white boiler suits. The atmosphere was imbued with a sense of unease, a place that mirrored an operating room. Dread clung to me, acceptance of my vulnerability underlining my trembling form. Death's spectre hovered, and that was the last coherent thought before the void consumed my consciousness.—and that was the last thing I could remember.
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