Haruki saw the cat and, in surprise, asked, "How did you... end up here?"

  It was strange. That deserted forest, where no humans could be found, suddenly had this beautiful white-furred cat with deep blue eyes and a long fluffy tail. How was it possible? They had walked all the way here and hadn’t seen anyone else, yet this cat had arrived before them. Haruki was puzzled. But then he shook his head and dismissed the thought.

  Haruki: "Ahh, whatever... It doesn't matter. All cats look the same anyway. I'm too tired to think about this."

  Sighing, he walked ahead. Meanwhile, the cat just stood there, watching him with its piercing blue eyes.

  Haruki finally reached home, opened the door, and stepped inside.

  Haruki: "Hey, Mom! I'm home..." (He took off his shoes and sanitized his hands.)

  Mom: "Haruki, what took you so long? You said you'd be back by 12, but look at the time! And what have you done to your clothes?! Ahhh, what am I going to do with you?"

  Haruki: "Ehehe... Sorry, Mom. I'm going to bed. Don't worry about my shoes and clothes—I'll clean them myself."

  Mom: "Fine... Good night."

  Haruki: "Good night, Mom."

  Lying in bed, he sighed.

  "Ahh, I'm exhausted. My head hurts… but that cat… those voices..."

  His thoughts drifted back to what had happened earlier—the strange noises, the cat on the wall, the eerie feeling in the air. Lost in his thoughts, he eventually fell asleep.

  Suddenly, he found himself in a dream.

  He was near a tranquil ke, where a beautiful girl was sitting by the water, humming a soft melody. Her voice was mesmerizing, almost magical.

  Girl: "We will meet again… no matter where we are. Take care of me, and I will take care of you."

  Haruki was captivated by her presence.

  "Who is she? She's… beautiful."

  He stepped closer, feeling the soft grass beneath his feet, inhaling the fresh scent of nature. The sound of the ke, the gentle breeze, and the girl's melody made everything feel surreal. Her golden-white hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her delicate hands looked so soft that one would want to touch them. Her voice was unlike anything he had ever heard.

  Haruki reached out, pcing his hand on her shoulder.

  Haruki: "Hey… who are you?"

  The girl smiled and gently pced her hand on his face. Haruki froze.

  Her eyes… those beautiful, familiar eyes. Her soft pink lips curved into a gentle smile.

  Girl: "I finally found you… eheheh."

  And just like that—Haruki woke up.

  He sat up in bed, staring at the clock. It was still 11:30. For a few minutes, he just sat there, lost in thought.

  "Who was that girl? What was that dream?"

  He let out a sigh.

  Haruki: "Ahh, I wish it was real... She was so beautiful. I never expected a dream to feel this real."

  A slight blush appeared on his face.

  But little did he know, this happiness would only st for ten minutes.

  Just then, his friends arrived outside his house.

  Kouki: "Oyy, Haruki! Get down here already!"

  Haruki remained on his bed, pretending not to hear them. He didn't feel like going out. But Kouki, being Kouki, wasn't going to let it go.

  Kouki (to Haruki’s mom): "Aunty, is Haruki home? We've been calling and shouting for him, but he’s not answering."

  Haruki silently gestured to his mom, "Tell them I'm not here!" But his mother simply gave him a side gnce and smirked.

  Mom: "Ahh, Haruki? Yeah, he’s hiding behind the wall. You can go in and get him."

  Kouki: "Thank you, Aunty!"

  He ran inside, smirking.

  Kouki: "Oi, Haru, stop hiding like a newlywed bride! Come out already—your husband is here to take you!"

  Haruki: "You idiot! How many times have I told you to call before coming?!"

  Kouki: "Pfft. Check your phone, you arrogant fool."

  Haruki picked up his phone.

  Haruki: "Ahhh… okay, I didn't answer, but still! You should’ve just assumed I was sleeping!"

  Kouki: "Yeah, yeah. Now hurry up and get dressed. We’re all going out."

  Haruki: "What? Since when?"

  Kouki: "We decided while you were lost in the jungle."

  Haruki: "Nice. No one bothered to tell me, huh?"

  Haruki got up, changed his clothes, and came out of his room.

  Haruki: "Look at me, bro. All dressed in bck—don't I look like a hero?"

  Kouki: "More like a zero. Now shut up and let’s go."

  Haruki: "Hmph. Anyway, is Emma, Hina, and Shiru coming too?"

  Kouki: "Yeah, but instead of Shiru, Emma brought someone else."

  Haruki: "Wait, who?"

  Kouki: "You'll see."

  Haruki kept nagging him to tell, but Kouki just smirked and said, "Find out yourself."

  Soon, they reached the park.

  Kouki: "Oi, Haruki, get off already. Your ziness is ruining my bike."

  Haruki: "Ugh, stop whining. You act like a girl sometimes—ugh, such a drama queen."

  The moment he said that, he felt a strong kick from behind.

  Haruki: "AHHH! EMMAAA!!!"

  Emma stood behind him, smirking evilly.

  Emma: "And WHO exactly are you calling a drama queen, huh?"

  Then, without warning, she flicked his forehead.

  Emma: "Next time, think before you speak."

  Haruki rubbed his forehead while Kouki tried to hold in his ughter.

  Kouki: "Well, he did say you overreact too much."

  Emma: "Oh really? You’re no different!"

  Just as another argument was about to break out, Hina stepped in.

  Hina: "Alright, enough. If all you guys do is fight, why even bother coming out?"

  Haruki, Emma, and Kouki exchanged guilty gnces.

  Hina: "Haruki, that comment about women was unnecessary. And Emma, you didn’t have to hit him. Kouki, you…" (Kouki braced himself for scolding.) "…never mind, you didn’t really do anything this time."

  Haruki: "What?! He literally started everything!"

  Hina: "Enough already!"

  The three of them sighed in defeat.

  Haruki, Emma, Kouki: "Yes, ma’am…"

  After a moment of silence, they chuckled.

  Emma: "She’s like our mom, huh?"

  Haruki: "Yeah. Maybe it’s because she takes care of her younger siblings, so she ends up scolding us like them."

  Then, suddenly—

  Unknown Girl: "Hey, Haruki! It’s nice to finally meet you."

  She smiled warmly.

  Haruki turned to look at her.

  His eyes widened in shock.

  "No way…"

  Was she…? The girl from his dream?

  Who was she?

  Could he believe what he was seeing?

  The truth will be revealed in the next chapter...