Episode 7
I stopped in my tracks, staring hard at the unusually bright door.
No matter how many times I thought about it, it was such a strange dream — and an even stranger meeting. Honestly, even if the door was glowing like that, I didn’t want to get involved.
‘Um what’s your name?’
‘What’s that?’
Still, when I recalled the short conversation we’d had back then, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I shouldn’t just walk away.
The voice had sounded young, probably my age, or maybe even younger.
[Ugh…]
Get a grip. I’m at a critical point for raising the value of the Thales Abandoned Mines, aren’t I? Money matters.
But talent matters more.
[Better to die than to seriously regret it.]
Besides, walking past a kid who might need help without even trying that’s not something a decent human should do.
In the end, I turned back toward the nameless door.
In the pitch darkness, the small, bright door seemed almost to be tempting me.
Even looking again wow, that’s bright. I’ve never seen a door shine like this in my life.
If only my dreams could shine like that.
[Excuse me.]
I reached the door, took a small breath, and turned the knob.
What lay beyond was the same as before nothing but pure blackness.
Well, I had expected that much.
Without panicking, I cleared my throat and slowly spoke.
[Hello.]
I don’t know if you remember me, but I came to keep my promise from last time.
I believe you remember. Everyone whose dream I’ve entered still remembers it vividly when they wake at least, that’s how it was for people of the Sidus family.
I scratched the back of my head, speaking a little awkwardly. Before long, a small voice floated out from the darkness.
[Ah… hello…]
Still as fragile as a candle flame about to go out.
I smiled faintly and waved toward the empty blackness.
[Y-you really…]
The dream’s owner mumbled, as if just amazed I had come back.
Not like I’m a dog waiting for its owner, but somehow it tugs at my heart.
[Let’s take our time talking today.]
This time, there shouldn’t be any sudden waking like last time. Of course, if the dreamer wakes up, I’ll be kicked out too nothing I can do about that.
Honestly, I didn’t plan to stay long here anyway. It’s too dark, and there’s not much information I can make use of.
‘If it’s something I can’t solve, it’s better not to get too involved.’
After all, I’m going to die soon…
[B-but they told me I mustn’t talk to anyone]
That small murmur hit my ears. I frowned slightly.
So they said that last time, too.
[Don’t listen to that.]
[Huh?]
[I said, Don’t listen to that nonsense.]
Children need to socialize and interact who would say such an absurd thing?
My words were met with silence, deep and heavy, filling the space like a cavern.
I sighed and sat down on the floor.
[The moment you greeted me the first time, it was already too late.]
If you truly didn’t want to talk, you would have refused me outright when I said hello.
Besides, when I showed up, you made it pretty clear you’d been waiting.
[But…]
[It’s fine. Whatever you say here, no one will know unless you tell them yourself.]
I lowered my voice deliberately to sound more reassuring. Again, stillness settled in the darkness.
Maybe they were weighing my words.
‘Acting hesitant but strangely stubborn…’
Maybe they’ve been brainwashed so strongly that even in a dream, they can’t do what they want.
If that’s the case, then I really can’t just walk away.
[R-really, no one will know?]
A trembling voice came again closer than before.
I almost nodded instinctively, but instead I answered out loud.
[As long as neither of us tells anyone first.]
[I… I can promise that.]
[Good answer.]
Come to think of it, the voice sounded a little brighter now. Amazing — only two conversations and they’re already opening up this much. It’s like bonding with a timid puppy.
Maybe that’s why I keep slipping into casual speech without thinking.
In a dream, worrying about age and social rank is just silly anyway.
[Alright. Since we’re sharing a secret now, let’s talk casually.]
Nothing like dropping the formality to make things more comfortable.
When I smiled and suggested it even if they couldn’t see my face a confused reply came back.
[What does ‘talk casually’ mean…?]
[Like friends — no honorifics.]
[Casual speech…?]
[So instead of “Hello,” just say “Hi.” Instead of “What are you doing?” say “What are you up to?”]
[C-can I talk like that?]
[Why not?]
Judging by the voice, we’re about the same age. Even if not, a small age gap doesn’t matter — we can still be friends.
[Just use it once you get used to it.]
I waved my hand as if to lighten the mood.
These things take time.
[T-then…]
Then came the voice again — one I was starting to grow familiar with.
[What’s a friend?]
I froze. What kind of environment makes someone not even know the word ‘friend’?
In this pitch-black dream world, with such a fragile voice…
What kind of life do they have in reality?
[A friend is…]
I forced my voice steady.
[Someone you meet and talk to and spend time with, for no special reason.]
[…]
[Someone who teaches you things you don’t know, shares happy moments, and splits good food with you.]
[Th-that sounds a bit hard…]
[It’s not hard.]
There’s no reason for it to be.
I sighed again, chasing the invisible presence in vain.
‘All I did was find a glowing door, and now I’m way more involved than I planned.’
But talent scouting is one of my goals — and ignoring this would be wrong.
Worst case, I could bring them out and adopt them into the Sidus family.
Let them receive the love of two people instead of one.
[I’ll be your friend.]
Decision made, I lifted my lashes and spoke calmly.
I didn’t know exactly where they were, so my gaze was a little off.
[Be friends with me.]
It might be a limited-time event, but I’ll give them an unforgettable memory.
I smiled brightly on purpose, and heard a small gasp. I waited patiently for their answer.
After a long pause, a cautious voice reached me.
[…Can I really?]
[Of course.]
Just how badly have they been treated to have such low self-esteem?
I pressed my palm against my cheek to hold back my anger.
Still, I had to keep my face pleasant — who knows, maybe they could see me.
[Anyway…]
I fixed my expression into a smile and asked,
[What’s your name? I mean, what do others call you?]
[I… don’t have one.]
I’d suspected that from last time’s “What’s that?” answer — but hearing it confirmed still made me angry.
No matter what, before I die, I’ll find and deal with the people who made them like this. Adults are supposed to protect children, not…
Well, that’s not the point right now.
[Then can I give you one?]
If I want to find them again, I’ll need to send a paper airplane — and for that, I need a name.
[O-okay.]
The answer came immediately. I nodded, thinking.
If I gave them a common name with no surname, the paper airplane might lead somewhere wrong.
Better to choose something rare, something people don’t often use…
But what? I can’t just name them “Puppy” or “Choco.”
It should have meaning, and still be uncommon…
[Luminis. Nickname: Lus.]
The name Luminis isn’t used by anyone I know, so it should make finding them easier.
[Lus…]
The gentle voice repeated it several times, as if savoring it.
Feeling oddly proud, I shrugged lightly.
Alright, Lus.
Before I die, I’ll make time to teach you many things.
[I’m Miena Sidus, of the Sidus family.]
So don’t forget — and repay the kindness someday.
Not to me — to my family.
After that, I chatted with Lus a little more before leaving his dream. I didn’t have much time, so most of it was just light, everyday questions and answers.
‘Lus, how old are you?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Hmm… I guess that happens? Maybe? Anyway, do you know where you live?’
‘…I don’t know.’
‘Figures. I guess I shouldn’t have asked.’
The more I heard, the more determined I became to get him out of there.
Of course, to do that, I’d need information, and to get that, I’d have to.
