Manowa: Intermission 10

 It Was All Just a Dream Chapter: I'm Home


「... hama, Yuihama.」


「Heeh, Sexy Beam?」


「Are you an idiot?」


There was the sensation of her head being hit. That woke Kazane up.


「Huh?」


When Kazane opened her eyes, she was in the usual classroom. In front of her was the teacher Kimihiko Matsuzaka, who was highly acknowledged as a bit of a handsome guy.


「Not 'huh'. Why are you sleeping like a log during class? You played games in the middle of the night again, didn't you?」

「Ah, yeah, Ma-kun. I can't deny that.」

「Deny it. And stop calling me Ma-kun during class.」


Then once again, the rolled up textbook hit Kazane's head, and Ma-kun, or Matsuzaka, returned to the front.


「What are you doing?」

「Nn, I was sleeping? Hmm, what is this?」


When a whisper from her best friend behind her reached Kazane, she replied like that.

What is it... she thought. She had been continuing the game. Something like that?


(Adventurer? Guild? Tatsuo? Tiara and Jinrai-san?)


Names and memories of things were being recalled one after another in Kazane's mind. Kazane was remembering a world 1000 years after the game world. Then she looked at Yumika behind her.


「Yumikaaa.」

「What?」

「Try transforming into a wolf?」

「Sensei, it seems Kazane's still sleeping.」


With a suspicious expression, Yumika raised her hand and tattled to Ma-kun. She was a terrible best friend.


「Ahーwhatever, leave her alone. Even if she sleeps, that guy will get average marks.」

「Hey now, isn't it bad to be lazy, Ma-kun? Are you abandoning Yuihama?」


After a boy with close-cropped hair said that, Ma-kun replied「Shut up.」


「I'm the type to lovingly raise without interfering so they can grow as they please. Rather, I thought I said not to call me Ma-kun, lolicon Tamanegi.」

「It's Tamagi. Not tamanegi. Also, don't call me a lolicon.」


After that quarrel, the class erupted into laughter. Tamagi glanced at Kazane with a slight blush, but Kazane didn't pay any attention to him and leafed through her textbook with a pondering expression.


「Ah, they look like Enma-sama.」


The famous people had large beards for some reason. The criminal was, of course, herself.

At least, it must have been herself. Now then, when did I draw this... Kazane thought. Kazane felt like she hadn't seen a textbook in a long time. Even though that shouldn't have been the case.



＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊



「You had a dream that you went to another world?」


Then, lunch break started. With the usual members and her usual meal.

When Kazane spoke as if she was still half asleep, Yumika tilted her head. However, the stupid child's speech and conduct felt the same as usual, so there wasn't any particularly seriousness.


「Isekai... Isenoumi... shrimp; sounds delicious.」[TL: Just a weird word association; Isenoumi and shrimp both have the kanji for sea in them, hence the association.]


One of the people present, the natural airhead Maron, muttered that. She was a little chubby, but she was the only one there that had a boyfriend.


「Ahーthat may sound delicious. Come to think of it, I haven't eaten shrimp in a while.」


Because of Maron's comment, Kazane also thought about eating shrimp. However, there was no shrimp included in today's bento. Then Kazane saw the fried shrimp in Yumika's lunch box. Isn't there delicious-looking tender food right here?... she thought. However, Yumika noticed her gaze and rushed to bring the fried shrimp to her mouth.


「Tch」

「Fufufufufufu」


After Kazane clicked her tongue, Yumika smiled while chewing. What a petty guy... Kazane thought, but both were as bad as the other.


「Umm, in your dream, Kazane, Yumika, and your younger brother were traveling together in the game world, right?」

「Yeah, that's right. In addition, there was a Princess named Tiara, Yumika's master Jinrai-san, a big cat Yuuko-nee, and I have a son.」

「Wasn't he a dragon?」

「My son is my son.」


After Yumika's quip, Kazane replied. At least, Kazane had never looked at him differently because he was a dragon. She always thought of him as her own child and acted that way. Though that was a circumstance inside a dream.


「Or rather, why didn't we appear?」


Miyasako, who was eating with them, had a sullen expression. She seemed to be dissatisfied that she and Maron weren't included. She called herself the leader of this women's group. She was a person who easily became lonely.


「It's a setting where you can't join unless you play Zexiaharts. Probably.」

「Probably, you say... it's your own dream, so take responsibility. Look, uh, you can put me in bikini armor, so let me appear.」


「Must I?」was plainly written on Kazane's face, which made Miyasako continue「What are you dissatisfied with?」Yumika paid no attention to the two people's quarrel and muttered.


「Err, anyway. I'm treated as a monster? I turn into a dog, dragon, and, um, everyone is scared of me? And I can even become a katana?」

「When Tachiki is emotionally unstable, there are times when you're scary. Well, it's usually related to a man.」

「I want love.」

「Oh really? Though you're popular, you're extremely picky.」

「That's... I don't think that's the case, though.」

「Shut up! In that case, I'll take Naoki-kun. Kazane, introduce me soon.」

「Well, that's fine.」


After Miyasako's words, Kazane nodded. Kazane thought her younger brother would calm down once he got a girlfriend, but it didn't go well at all.

Yumika could only make a bitter smile after Miyasako's words, but it seemed she didn't feel like saying anything to stop her. They had already broken up, and she didn't seem to have any lingering affection.


「Come to think of it, speaking of men, Yoshinaga-san hasn't approached Kazane-chi since she got a boyfriend.」


After Maron's words, Kazane replied「Well, that's true.」

Kazane had a painful memory of being seriously confessed to by that aforementioned Yoshinaga once and replying「I'm sorry.」That memory became even more painful after she got a boyfriend and apologized to her.

Well, the distance between them had just reached a level of talking normally with each other; it wasn't like they had completely severed relations, but for people who knew how clingy Yoshinaga used to be with Kazane, that's how it looked.


「In the end, it was a temporary feeling? Rest assured, Kazane. I'll hug you tight in her place.」

「Aren't you going to date my younger brother?」

「I'll capture both siblings at the same time?」

「No way.」


As Kazane made an expression showing dislike from the bottom of her heart, Miyasako's face approached.


「C'mon, c'mon, kissーーーーー」

「Miya, you have sauce on your face, so don't bring it close. It's dirty.」

「What!?」


Pushing away Miyasako, who suddenly became angry, Kazane started gulping down her lunch. The lunch break was almost over. The idle talk had just finished, and Kazane dealt with her own bento.


Nevertheless... Kazane thought. Even though she should have been meeting them at school every day, why did talking to Miyasako and Maron feel so nostalgic? The two felt very far away.


And she bitterly smiled at how she was apparently still strongly influenced by her dream.


「Nn, Miya.」

「Yes?」

「My younger brother is truly an idiot, so don't be disappointed.」

「Ahーit's here, it's here. A person who strictly evaluates their relatives. With a face that good, I don't care about a slightly negative evaluation.」

「... Face, huh?」


Is that really fine?... Kazane felt, but each person had his or her own taste. So there's no need to purposely object... Kazane nodded to herself. Miyasako looked at her with a curious expression, but Kazane was absorbed in eating the rest of her bento and ignored her. Then, the bell signaling the end of the lunch break rang.




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The classes after noon were over, and it was after school.

Miyasako and Maron were already heading to their club activities. Seeing the two leave the classroom, Kazane felt a strange apprehension. She had a feeling like she would never see them again.


(Ahーjeez, I'm still being influenced by my dream)


Thinking it was a ludicrous story, Kazane shook her head to try and reset her feelings, and Yumika called out to her.


「So then, I have to go too. Or rather, what are you doing?」

「Reset?」


The person herself didn't really know either. Both of them tilted their heads.


「Nnn, Yumika isn't a spear user, right?」

「I'm not in the track and field club, but the archery club. Or is it a game story again?」


After Yumika's question, Kazane replied「That's right.」Yumika also started Zexiaharts a reasonably long time ago, but her character wasn't a spear user either. Being an all-rounder sounded good, but Yumika was a good-for-nothing gamer who changed her equipment according to the instructions on the capture site.


「A game's spear? Even if there were a club activity, wouldn't it be for something like a naginata?」


It seemed Yumika didn't know if there were any club activities for Western-style spears. And Kazane didn't know either. Maybe it exists in places like the United Kingdom? Who knows.


「But Yumika already feels more associated with the spear than the bow. You don't remember Jinrai-san, right?」

「I don't remember, or rather...」


Yumika bitterly smiled. Seeing that, Kazane also smiled. Naturally, there was no way for her to know someone who appeared in Kazane's dream.


「You're truly preoccupied with that dream, aren't you.」

「That's right. It feels like various things happened. Truly, various things.」


Seeing Kazane talk with a distant look, Yumika bitterly smiled as she flicked Kazane's head with her finger.


「Ouch!」

「So then, I'm going. It's dangerous to go home in a daze. Be careful. Really.」


Yumika said as she left, and while waving her off, Kazane decided to head home. Kazane belonged to a nonsensical club called the game club, which in reality, was the go-home club.

Besides, that dream was truly weighing on her mind, and she was self-aware that she was unable to concentrate on anything right now. In that case, what should she do? That was,


(Go home quickly and play the game)


Kazane concluded. She would quickly return home without any detours and go to the Philon continent in the game.

Everything in that dream was based on Zexiaharts, so she thought her feelings would be refreshed if she played it.


Then, after leaving through the school gate, Kazane encountered a duo she recognized on her way to the station. They were her game companions and a pair of lovers, Yasu and JINJIN. The two were riding bicycles and stopped in front of Kazane.


「Good afternoon, Yasu-kun and JINJIN.」


「Yo, Kazane.」

「Hiii. Kazane, are you going home from school? Students have it rough.」


So saying, JINJIN was swinging around the plastic bag in her hand, and since it was transparent, the content (a picture of a man tied up with a rope) was visible. Apparently, she was returning home with her harvest.


「I think JINJIN's Pooh-like personality means you have it rougher, though.」

「My family is wealthy, so I'm a winner. And after I leave the house, Yasu will provide for me, so it's my overwhelming victory!」


JINJIN made a V sign with her right hand, but Yasu made an awfully displeased expression.


「No... I don't want a future where my entire salary turns into BL books.」

「Hey now, Yasuuu. Was your love for me only to that degree?」

「Shut up. My love doesn't extend all the way to your hobby.」


After Yasu's words, JINJIN struck a pose to convey her feeling of「Good grief!」but it was obvious which of them actually deserved that response. A certain protuberance called big breasts shook.


「Well, Yasu-kun's love for JINJIN is mainly concentrated on that chest.」

「Nn, I won't deny it.」


After Kazane's words, Yasu nodded. JINJIN also nodded when she heard that.


「Yeah, Yasu likes to suck them like a baby.」

「Idiot. Don't say stupid things in front of Kazane.」


Yasu hurriedly closed JINJIN's mouth. Seeing the two acting like usual, Kazane laughed. At the same time, she wondered. Why did seeing them act like usual make her feel so nostalgic she wanted to cry? Kazane didn't understand.


「Come to think of it, why aren't Yuuko-nee and Tatsuyoshi-kun with you?」

「Nn, those guys seem to be busy.」

「Is that so.」


I absolutely want to tell those two about my dream... Kazane thought, but it seemed she couldn't meet them. Kazane wanted to tell them that they became a queen and a king.

When they heard that, Yasu and JINJIN tilted their heads, but seemingly remembering something, Yasu said「Oh, that's right.」


「I have a message from Tatsuyoshi for you, Kazane.」

「Well, what is it?」


After Yasu's words, Kazane tilted her head.


「Errr, what was it... if I remember correctly, it was『I'm waiting in that world』, I think?」


Apparently, it was already a vague memory for Yasu. Yasu was a chivalrous and nice guy, but his careless parts were his biggest flaws. JINJIN was riding behind Yasu and added more words.


「He said something about how he can tell you now because the wires are crossed, but you'll probably forget. I don't really understand, though.」

「What is he talking about?」

「Who knows?」


After Kazane's question, JINJIN tilted her head.


「What is that world he referred to?」

「Who knows?」


After her question, Yasu tilted his head.


「I think he said something about it being at the end of a dungeon somewhere, but was there a dungeon he was currently capturing?」

「I don't think so. I didn't get any emails either, so when I get home, I'll ask him on Zexiaharts.」

「That's right. That guy's always on there at night.」

「Yeah. Well then, I'm going home.」


Carrying out her original intention. Kazane's policy of going straight home without making any detours didn't bend. Besides, as it was, if she went with Yasu and JINJIN, it would become a BL book appreciation meeting. Kazane was at an age where she wasn't interested in the queer love between men.


「Ok. Come to think of it, your younger brother is about to exceed Level 100. He'll be able to come with us on quests, so talk to him about it.」

「No way.」


After Kazane's immediate reply, Yasu made a sullen expression.

It seemed Yasu personally wanted to change the ratio of men in their group a little more.

And the criterion was to exceed Level 100.

In Zexiaharts, growth was slow after Level 100, and with high player skill, even Level 100 was enough to fight Level 300 opponents.

Putting it even more extremely, it wasn't impossible for a Level 1 to win against someone Level 300 as long as they had an attack that could cause damage. It was a story unique to the games of this era; as communication speed increased, lag correspondingly disappeared, and the action elements of games increased, which made player skill into the overwhelmingly dominant factor.

For example, the videos of the legendary man『York』clearing the main scenario of the campaign with the restrictions of only using rolling attacks while wearing only skin-colored underpants.

That『York』was thought to mostly play offline, but after that, he became the founder of the skin-colored underpants group Stark Nude Squad. For some reason, he often pestered Kazane's character『Sieg』, so for Kazane, he was a very familiar yet incomprehensible existence.


In any case, since Naoki's character was over Level 100, there was no problem with having him act together with Kazane and the others, which is why Yasu made that invitation, but Kazane had complicated feelings about including her relative. Besides, her younger brother became a keyboard warrior when he went online. Also, her younger brother's character greatly resembled herself, so in any case, she had complicated feelings.


(Ah, if he and Miya get together, I wonder if his sister complex will fade?)


While waving at JINJIN and Yasu as they went away, Kazane thought about that meager wish.





And after a very familiar and nostalgic way home, Kazane arrived at her house.


Yes, Kazane arrived at home. The house she had seen in her dreams.


It should have been a house she had only left that morning. That house should have been nothing but a distant memory.


The house that she should have only been away from for 10 hours felt very nostalgic to Kazane.


(What is this feeling?)


The gate opened with a squeal.


「Oh, welcome home, Kazane.」

「Yeah, Mom. I'm... back?」


Her mother was before her eyes. Did she just come home from shopping? She was holding plastic bags and was about to enter the front door. And while Kazane was in the middle of talking, tears started falling from her eyes.


「Huh?」


They were spilling out. She didn't understand. But they wouldn't stop.


「Oh my, what's wrong, Kazane? Do you feel unwell?」

「I don't know... what is this? For some reason, tears are pouring out.」


As she wiped away her tears with her hem, Kazane replied. But still, tears flowed endlessly.


「Strange child. Jeez, come here. What's wrong?」


As if she were soothing a small child, Kazane's mother hugged her tight.


(Mom... Mom is here)


Kazane's tears only flowed harder due to that warmth. She didn't understand why. But she didn't want to let go. She didn't want to let go of the warmth she could never experience again.

Moreover, there was a thorn in Kazane's heart. Kazane had to tell her mom about the thorn that had been continually piercing her heart.


「There's something I feel like I have to apologize to mom about.」


「What?」


「I'm sorry.」


Kazane softly apologized.


「I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise.」


Together with overflowing tears, Kazane apologized.


「I'm sorry I couldn't come back with Naoki like I said I would.」


Kazane didn't have any memory of such a promise. But her soul remembered.


「I'm sorry I couldn't be with you. I'm sorry for being a terrible daughter.」


She couldn't repay her parents at all. That alone can't be helped anymore. The past that has passed by couldn't be regained no matter how hard one tried. That wasn't just theoretical for her, and the flood of such thoughts wouldn't stop.


Kazane's mother gently hugged her and spoke.


「What are you saying? You're with me right now, aren't you, Kazane? Besides」


The door opened with a clank. Naoki came out from inside.


「Naoki is at home.」

「Mother, Aneki, hey, what's wrong?」


His older sister hugging their mother and crying in front of their front door seemed to confuse Naoki. For some reason, that face looked younger than the one Kazane knew.


「What are you all doing?」


Then, a voice arrived from outside.


「Oh my. Dear, you're already home?」


「Indeed. I had a meeting with another party today and came back immediately after. Hey, Kazane. I don't understand what's going on, but first all, let's go inside. Ok?」


「Father.」


Seeing her father's figure, Kazane hugged him this time.


「What is it, Kazane? Wife, what's up with her?」

「I don't know?」

「Aneki, can I hug you too?」


While listening to the words of her family, Kazane continued to shed tears.


(Dream... is that so? It was a dream)


Fun things happened, and painful things happened. Kazane could already no longer remember everything that happened.

But that was a dream event. Nothing terrible happened, and there was no promise exchanged with her father and mother in front of her changed younger brother. She didn't part from Miyasako and Maron without being able to say anything.


Everything was a dream. Kazane was here, along with Naoki, her mother, and her father.

She would be able to talk with Tatsuyoshi and the others in the game, and tomorrow, she would be able to meet Yumika, Maron, and Miyasako again.


Kazane understood that being in this house with her father, mother, and younger brother, the people she called family, was reality for her.


Kazane understood that such a normal daily life was the happiest thing. Realizing her dream-filled adventure journey was only a dream... Kazane wiped away her tears and went into the house.


「I'm home.」


Those words were the form of happiness that Kazane desired above all else, but was never realized.


Tomorrow, and the day after, the world would continue without changing, and such days would continue.



That was the only thing Kazane originally desired.