Chapter 2

……

(Ngahh… Yep, just like I thought. This is definitely a dream.)

(When I opened the door of the ryokan, I found this big ol’ jungle on the other side.)

(Obviously that’s impossible. Which is ridiculous—It’s gotta be a dream.)

(There’s all this gossip and stuff based on those official SS broadcasts. Like how Trickstar apparently did somethin’ dumb again and got thrown in the jungle.)

(But like, why a jungle…? Even if it’s just some cock an’ bull, y’all should try to make it at least a li’l realistic.)

(…Maybe I just had it bouncin’ round in my head, so now I’m dreamin’ I’m in the jungle too.)

(It’s gotta be that, but it does feel weirdly real. Like I can feel it when I take a step, and I can hear all the trees rustlin’... It’s all so real.)

(I–It’s kinda creepin’ me out… I wonder what kinda meaning a dream like this’s s’posed to have.)

(If I really was thrown in some wild jungle, I’d be dead in a ditch in three days tops.)

(And Oshi-san’s a total clean freak, so he wouldn’t even last more than a few hours.)

Eeeeeek—?!

(…?! Huh? Was that—?)

Oshi-san? Heyyy, ‘s that you, Oshi-san?!

K–Kagehira—

Non! You aren’t supposed to call me “Oshi-san,” correct?

Or haven’t you enough brains to understand the complexities of your order?!

Naw, I thought real hard about it and got it all figured out? You should know that already, Oshi-san, since you live in my head an’ all?

What? In your head?

Yup. ‘Cause I’m dreamin’ right now, yanno? So that’d mean the Oshi-san I’m lookin’ at right now is one I made up in my head…?

I told you not to call me “Oshi-san!”

Ngah? I know that, but I dunno what else I’m s’posed to call ya?

You can just call me “Itsuki-senpai” like a normal person, no? Why is this even a question?

As it is right now, I wouldn’t even get angry no matter what you call me.

Ngahh? Maybe it’s ‘cause you’re inside my head, but you sure are bein’ real kind, Oshi-san ♪

Fufu. If that’s how it is, then maybe I could call ya Onii-chan… ♪

Non! I can’t quite put my finger on it, but that makes me feel sick!

Huh…? But you’re just a figment of my imagination, ain’tcha? Can’t you go along with me just a li’l bit?

Honestly, what on earth have you been going on about? I’m the one who’s dreaming, aren’t I? So what you’re saying should actually be the opposite of the reality—

Ahaha, reality’s all turned upside down. Kinda like Alice Through the Looking-Glass, right?

If I were to get lost somewhere, I’d rather it be in Wonderland—Wait, no. This is not the time nor place to be discussing that! I need to hurry up and figure out a way to awaken from such a detestable dream!

Who knows what kinds of disgusting insects or beasts might be creeping around in this jungle? I don’t even want to take a breath!

Ngah~ Ya really are a city boy ain’tcha, Onii-chan~ ♪

Didn’t I say not to call me that? I don’t recall ever having a younger brother like you!

W–well then, maybe I could call ya darlin’...?

Good lord, you’re not getting it at all! This must be a dream after all—It’s all a horrible dream…!

“HaHa~ ♪ HiHi~ ♪ HuHu~ ♪”

…?! That voice is…?

Ngah, it’s that little fairy I caught sight of earlier ♪

If I squint, don’t it look just like Sora-kun? It even chirps (?) like ‘im~ ♪

Well it is my dream, so it ain’t none too weird to see people I know in it.

I just told you—If this truly is a dream, it’s my dream…

Non! I refuse to accept it! I have no desire for my beloved children to become even smaller!

No one said anythin’ like that, though? But he is super tiny—He’s sooo cute ♪

He’s always kinda felt like it from the start, but now it’s like Sora-kun is even more fairy-like, right?

I would say he’s more like a small child than a fairy. Were he a fairy, he’d look more like this, with translucent wings sprouting from his back, and he’d be barefoot—

“HeHe~ ♪ HoHo~ ♪”

Ahhh—There he goes! Wait up, Sora-kuuun!

W–wait! Don’t just rush off without thinking! You don’t know what will happen if you’re too careless!