The dreaming boy

Authors note: from the point of view of Natsume Kengo

Oh look, Ive died. Even though Im referring to myself, the impression that comes to mind is that its like someone elses problem. Well, I cant help it you see. Its something that happened in a dream after all. If this was reality then Id be panicking though. Merely dying while dreaming, is something thatll end once I wake up.

At long last, this shitty dream has ended huh. It really was a shitty dream. Me being the prince of the Empire and so on is ridiculous beyond belief, right? I quickly realised that this was a dream. It has to be, right? This isnt just a dream, its that thing. Right, a so-called lucid dream, yeah.

Once I realised that this was a dream I did whatever I wanted afterwards. Since its just a dream after all. Since its my dream anyhow, I can do what I want, right? Saying whatever selfish things I like, enjoying whatever luxuries I like. Im a prince for a start, and everyone around me readily does whatever I tell them to do as well, so I guess there wasnt anything I couldnt do.

Well, saying that though, there was no smartphones or TV either, and the food was questionable so it didnt actually feel that luxurious though. No helping it I guess. The dream was set in a fantasy world after all. I guess its strange for food to have taste despite being in a dream though. Or rather, since this is a dream and all, couldnt the meals at least be a bit tastier? Why were they so inflexible about such things. Even when I complained to the chef nothing changed anyway. I started missing my mothers cooking. That was enough to make me want to wake up from this dream already, but this dream really seems to be continuing on for bloody ever.

Being able to raise my level by defeating monsters felt like a game at first and was fun, but I still got bored with it after a while. Most of the monsters were just too weak, while it would take a long time to get to places with strong monsters. Since I was a prince and all they couldnt just allow me to go to dangerous places you know. Why is this damn dream so fussy about the minor details? Since this is a dream after all, teleportation should at least be possible, right?

Just when I was getting seriously bored with it all I enrolled in an academy at some country. I hadnt expected much from that either. I had expected that at best it would only be fun at the start, and that once I had gotten used to the new environment then I would soon get bored with it. But, contrary to my expectations, there was something there that I hadnt had until now. To be precise, it was them.

Several of my classmates were there. Well, since this is my dream it wouldnt be strange for them to be here after all. However, whether its Yamada or Ooshima, it was strange for it to be the ones who I wasnt particularly friendly with. Since this is my dream the first one to appear should be Issei, normally. Why isnt he around, darn it. Somehow even sensei turned up, yet while sensei seems to know where all the others are, she wouldnt tell me anything about Issei when I asked her about him.

While I cant accept Issei not being around, its okay since theres others here that I do know. Maybe this dream that Id gotten bored with will finally become fun. Thats how I had thought at the beginning. But again, that was only at the beginning. My classmates at the academy were centered around Yamada at all times.

People naturally gathered around Yamada. On top of that, that bunch genuinely idolised Yamada. Yet the ones that gathered around me, were not those interested in me as an individual, but only those drawn by my title as prince of the Empire. Those types tried to approach Yamada as well, but they were turned away by Ooshima who was always together with him. Thanks to that he didnt have deal with complicated political powers, or those who associated with him on that basis, and could simply be relaxed all the time. That relaxed attitude attracted even more people, and they gathered around him.

I could only watch on from a short distance. That short distance was like an enormous wall blocking me. I knew. The fact that Yamada wasnt good at dealing with me. Im at least self-aware to the extent that I know my own personality isnt particularly praiseworthy. When Issei isnt there for me, Im more likely to create enemies than friends. Precisely because Issei was there, I could be at the center of the boys like the leader of the pack. Because he always supported me, I was able to behave as myself. When hes not here, the only ones who gather around me are just a bunch of useless ones.

How can that Yamada be so happy, when I feel so empty? Why do I have to experience something so unpleasant in a dream? If youre going to dream you might as well have an enjoyable one. Thats right, this is all a dream. In that case, I might as well just do whatever I like to my hearts content, right? It seems impossible to open up to Yamada after all this time anyway, so I might as well go completely hostile to him instead. Why dont we see whos better eh?

Yet, despite all my aspirations I was completely defeated. My pride is shredded. Since it was a dream after all I kept on escalating things, finally with an attempted assassination. Not only did I lose but I pathetically had my skills and status values stolen. I was made to seem like such a small-fry that its laughable.

However, Im not giving up. This is my dream after all. If I continue to desire it then someday that wish will be granted. Brandishing the power that I had gained that way, it was time for revenge. Wakaba-san is also cooperating with me, so this time Ill win for sure.

Huh? Come to think of it, when did Wakaba-san start cooperating with me again? My memory of that part is vague, but well, I guess thats how dreams are. In dreams its common for the scene to suddenly change completely. A lucid dream is still a dream at least.

I fired myself up and had a rematch with Yamada. Having thrown down the gauntlet while brimming with confidence, the tables were easily turned on me. Hey, seriously? Youre too strong, Yamada. What are you doing acting like the protagonist in my own dream. Swap places. Its laughable.

Then it all ended with my head being crushed by someone. Even in my last moments I was like a small-fry, dammit. Its so total that I could laugh continuously.

However, well, finally its time to wake up from this weird dream. It was a shitty dull dream, but I guess this is a message telling me not to get too carried away huh? It must be. Once I wake up, maybe Ill keep humility in mind a bit more. Im always always doing whatever pops into my head, arent I. Then every time it would be Issei cleaning up after me as well, so I better reflect on things

First of all, once I wake up I better say good morning to mother. I wonder whats for breakfast? Im looking forwards to it. I wouldnt think that usually, but after seeing such a long dream maybe Im feeling nostalgic.

Then, once I get to school I gotta tell Issei about this dream. I gotta complain to him about why he didnt turn up. I can just imagine Isseis face having an expression saying what the heck are you talking about?

Thats right, Ill talk to Yamada about this as well. Ill tell him that in the dream he was seriously like a cool hero. That guy hates me, but maybe itd be a good idea to use this chance to get along better with him. If Issei is there then surely Ill be able to take that step forwards. I guess Yamada might be a bit troubled if I suddenly start talking to him though.

Ahh. Wont I wake up already? Ive returned. To reality. I can wake up. Quickly, wake