CHAPTER 0

"Mayu."

"Wake up."

Huh?

I open my eyes and slightly rub them. I look around.

"Who.. is it?"

I see no one. Maybe it is my imagination?

Suddenly, a loud noise caused me to twitch. It is my handphone, vibrating on the desk. I snort.

"Man, I can't believe this phone of mine can make jumpscares.."

I stretch my hand over the desk, reaching for my handphone and flip it open. A new message came in. I click to view it. It's from my best friend.

Hello! We are coming to your house. You must be pretty bored all alone right? So let's celebrate our freedom tonight~

I smile.

"They haven't forgotten about me after all."

Then I reply with,

Sure, can't wait for you guys! :D

My friends and I have just finished our big examinations. By 'big', I meant reaaally BIG. Like, it will determine your life and death! Nah, I was just exaggerating. I feel glad it is all over so that I don't have to face any books for now on.

I turn my back and look at my wall clock. It is already 9 o'clock in the evening. I don't remember how I fell asleep on my desk. Perhaps I was too bored. Bored with everything. Everything seems dull to me. Reality. It's too dull. If only there's a way to colour this life.. to colour my life. I heave a sigh, a sigh of a gloomy girl. I decide to shrug the feelings off since my friends will come soon and I believe they will make my day. Once I stand up from the chair, I stretch my body a little and walk up to the kitchen. I have to prepare something for my friends. Drinks and snacks maybe? That will be perfect. After everything is prepared, I turn the television on. A guy in tuxedo appears on the screen.

"Hello everyone! You're watching... 'The Dream' reality show! A show where participants will be able to experience everything they dream for! Aren't you excited? 'Cause I sure am~"

"Eh.. this is ridiculous.."

I laugh, yes, I did, but something holds me from changing the channel. I take a sit on my comfy sofa and continue watching it. I want to know how they do it. How they are going to realize the participants' dreams. Is that even possible?

"HOOOOWEVER! Before we begin with our participants, I would like to ask our audience at home first! So tell me, what do you wish for right now? 10 seconds from now~"

"Huh? Haha.. well let's see.."

I start thinking. At that time, I was thinking of a looot of things. I want to be in a serene place filled with flowers, I want to be a certain character in my favourite books and games, I want to be with my parents… But out of all, there is this one thing..

"I wish.. I could meet different persons whom share my name. I want to see how their lives are."

After I talk it out, the counting stops.

"Done? OOOOHSOME! Now let's begin our show!"

I laugh. I laugh so hard.

"That's all? I can't believe I said that!"

For a moment there, I really thought my wish would be granted. What am I thinking? I must be insane. But this show itself is insane. I shake my head in disbelief. That is when the doorbell to my room rings. Twice. My friends. They have already arrived! I arise from the sofa and hastily walk up to the door.

"Hiya guys~~ Thanks for—"

I thought I would see my friends in front of me but instead…

xxx

A person in front of me raises one hand while smiling. It's a male, perhaps the same age as I? My forehead wrinkles. Who is this person? Is he lost?

"Who are you looking for?"

The boy is wearing a casual hooded sweater and a pair of jean trousers. He has orange blonde hair and eyes with the same colour. No matter how hard I try, I cannot recall making contact with this person ever.

"I'm looking for someone named..." he pauses for a moment.

"I forgot. You don't know me?"

"Of course not!"

I become pissed and unconsciously raise my voice. He looks shocked for a moment but his lips then twist to a grin.

"If you don't have anything else, then goodbye."

I'm about to close the door when he halts it with his hand. My heart thumps. I'm afraid he might do something bad to me but I'm ready to kick him off anytime.

"No, wait. I have something for you."

He digs into one of his sweater's pocket and takes out what it seems like- a letter. Then he hands it to me. I merely stare at the letter in his hand, hesitating.

"Oh come on, it's just a love letter."

"From who?"

"You'll know after you read it."

Once again, he flashes 'that' grin to me. Snorting, I snatch the letter away from him and read it up. The letter wrote,

Hello to you, Ohzora-san~ After you've read this letter, things you have wished for will come to reality! I've already sent someone who will guide you along the way. Whatever happens, I hope you will have the greatest moment ever! Now, heads up and get ready for full surprises! - Mr. XXX

"Done reading?"

I fold the letter back. It's not a love letter like he said and I think it must be a prank.

"This is not-"

The letter slips from my hands once I look up. Something is wrong. What I see in front of me is not the familiar and the same view I used to. I spin myself around. My room.. The apartment.. Where has it gone to? I am in total shock. I rub my eyes, slap and even pinch myself, but still.. it is no dream.

Why am I suddenly in a forest?!

It is dark too. Only the moonlight brighten the surrounding. Then, I can hear noises from far away heading towards me.

"Come on, let's hide. This place is going to be dangerous, you know."

I startle and turn behind. That guy is still here.

"Wait.. what happened? Why am I here?"

I'm feeling so lost. All I can see are trees, trees everywhere and the noises, footsteps. They are coming nearer. I don't know why but I feel very uneasy and insecure.

"They are heading this way. Come on, Silvy-chan!"

I frown.

"Silvy-chan? Why are you calling me that?"

"Because.." he looks around him, probably locating the noises before looking back at me. "Because your hair is silver, that's why."

"Hah?!"

Before I can speak any further, he has already grabbed me by the arm and pulled me with him into one of the bushes. He places one of finger on his lips, signalling me to keep quiet.

"Don't speak just yet."

I feel irritated but he is right. It's not the right time. I can see a group of men is about to pass by, wearing yukata with sharp-edged katana in hands. It really frightens me. Good thing they don't notice us hiding behind the bushes. Suddenly, my heart thumps fast. Really fast. I grasp my own chest. I don't know and I don't understand what is happening to myself.. It's strange.

"This is no good.."

In a blink of an eye, all of the men are bleeding on the ground. They are all.. dead. Both of us can't see who or what is killing them. It happened too fast! My eyes grow wide. Before me, leaves from the bushes are being cut down, leaving a gap. Something is cutting the bushes and what's more, it is right behind us! We both hastily stand up and turn our back. Someone is holding a katana, ready to slice me into half. At that time, I can only pray...

An old man in black coat is standing in a balcony. He puts his hand behind his back and closes both eyes. He can sense it.

"Sir! I've news to be reported!"

One of his servants has already returned from his mission. He opens his eyes and slowly turns his back. Even if his servant doesn't mention it, he already knows what is happening.

"Sir, a-all of them.. all of them.. have died.."

Grief and sorrow is all over the servant's face. He lowers his head down. Apart from feeling grief over the death of his comrades, he also feels disappointed that they have failed in carrying out the mission. The old man doesn't seem to be surprised.

"I see. It must be her.."