Chapter 62 – Reunions at the Love Capital

Mugi's POV

Okay, so…ignoring the moment in which we had to listen to Mika-chan's sister asking how to measure her…TH-THAT…nothing else happened for the rest of the flight. Miharu and I did teach Yoko-chan some French words. And she did struggle (as we expected her to). But after that, we each did our own thing for the remaining 12 hours. And I decided to sleep it off.

But that was when the weirdest thing happened. Something that…I can't really explain.

"Tsumugi…Tsumugi…"

"*moan* Wha…?"

"Hey…can you hear me? Wake up, Tsumugi…"

"Wh-What? Huh?" After having that strangely familiar voice wake me up, I stared at what looked like the sky sitting above me. And the more I stared at it, the more it looked familiar.

"A-A rainbow-y sky? Wh-Why does it look…"

"*giggle* Rainbow-y? Wow, that's the first time I've heard the sky being described as such. Interesting wordplay there, Tsumugi."

No way…that voice…

I quickly sat up and caught sight of the source of the familiar voice. Which ended up being a familiar sight, as well.

Mainly because…this person is me. Kinda.

"Wh-What the…Dreamy Mugi?!"

"*giggle* Long time no see, Tsumugi Kotobuki." My dreamy doppelgänger said with a smile.

"Wh-What's going on?! Wh-Why am I here?! Did the plane crash on the way to Paris?! DID I REALLY DIE?!"

"H-Hey, calm down! You're not dead. You're sleeping on the plane and I brought you here through your dreams."

"O-Oh. That's good to hear." I said with a huge sigh of relief. "But wait…you said you brought me here? What for?"

"I wanted to show you something. A lot of things have changed since you last visited the Dream World. And a special one happened recently that definitely caught my interest. Plus, it's something you really should see."

"Huh…okay, then. Well, I got nothing else to do on this long flight. I guess I could take a look at this "special change" you're talking about."

"Trust me, Tsumugi. You're gonna find this one REALLY interesting." Dreamy Mugi then went silent for a bit. "Although…I'm not sure you'll like it."

"Like it? What do you mean?"

"Well…you'll see." Was all my doppelgänger said before leading the way.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?


We continued to walk through this dreamy replica of the real world. The place where the souls of the dead create their own world and live in peace (from what Kaho-chan told me before).

The area was nothing more than a grassy field. With flowers of different colors littered all over…making it rather hard to walk through them all.

But it did compliment the area well. With this and the always rainbow-colored sky, it's no wonder this Dream World place became the new afterlife.

Now, I'm all the more curious as to what my own world would look like…

"So, um…how's Father doing?" I asked my dreamy self. "It's been a while since I said my final goodbye to him…or rather his spirit."

"Father is doing well. He's working just as hard here as he was in the real world."

"That's just like him."

"Plus…he's always happy knowing that you're out there living the life you wanted. The guilt and shame he felt before is now nonexistent. He's finally resting in peace."

"I see…" I replied with a small smile.

At least he's finally at peace…

"In any case, Tsumugi…we're here."

"Huh? Here?" I looked around the area to see that…it was barely an area, to begin with. Whatever streets, buildings, trees, and other stuff that was around us was only partially complete. Even the rainbow-y sky was missing a few spots here and there.

"Uh…this place looks…incomplete."

"It does, doesn't it? This may look like a new Dream World being formed…but in reality, it's been here for the past 11 months."

"11 months? So, the spirit that's taken residency here is still somewhat recent, right? I'm still not getting why you're showing me this."

"Well…take a look at that unfinished building over there in the distance."

"What? That one?" I asked as I looked over in the direction my dreamy self pointed at. Even squinting a bit to get a better look.

"It…kinda looks like…the Eiffel Tower. W-Wait, is this Dream World based on Paris?"

"Yes, but…it's not just Paris."

"Huh?"

"This is a Dream World that's based on Paris, France and its nearby small town Sceaux. And its creator seems to be the spirit of a person named…Akiyo Neroni."

"Akiyo Neroni?" I thought about that name for a bit. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks to the head. "W-Wait…that's…Miharu's mom."

"Indeed it is, Tsumugi. You're starting to get it now?"

"S-So, this is…Akiyo's Dream World? Why does it look like this?"

"Well…you see…" Dreamy Mugi said with a depressed tone. "It seems that an outside force has infiltrated this afterlife world with malicious intent. Some kind of virus is eating away the memories of the deceased."

"E-Eating the memories of the deceased?! Wh-What kind of virus does that?!"

"*sigh* As of this moment, we don't know. We managed to contain it before it ate this entire world. But it's quickly showing signs of spreading. Other Dream Worlds are in grave danger at this point. Even Father's."

"No way…" I said in disbelief. "…please tell me you're working on a way to stop it."

"We're currently doing tests on it. Nothing's come up so far. Which is why I brought you here."

"Me? What can I do?"

"For now, you can help restore this Dream World. Since you're on your way to Paris anyway, you can recreate the memories this world once had."

Suddenly, a bright ball of light appeared in front of us and slowly landed in my hands. The light then disappeared to reveal that what was inside was a camera.

"This Dream Camera has the ability to recreate the pictures it creates into actual structures here in the Dream World. Use this to take as many pictures of Real-World Paris as you can. If you do that, Dream World Paris will be able to rebuild itself from the pictures."

"I see…" I said as I gave an extensive look at the camera. "…it's truly amazing how dreams work nowadays. When I was a kid, I thought it was as simple as going to sleep at night."

"The concept has definitely evolved over the past centuries or so. There was even a time where dreams didn't exist because the humans at the time were so damn stupid."

"You mean during prehistoric times?"

"No, I mean during the Heisei Period."

"But that's right now."

"Exactly." My dreamy self said with a smile.

I'm going to ignore the fact that she just called the entire present world stupid…

As I was pushing that insult aside, my body began to glow. And sparkles formed around my feet. Quickly making my body disappear.

"In any case…good luck, Tsumugi. I hope we can count on you."

"W-Wait, a second!" I yelled out. "Can I at least tell Miharu what's going on? This is her mom's Dream World, after all."

"Well…okay. But only her. If too many people found out not only the existence of the Dream World but it's currently in danger, all hell will break loose."

"Right. I promise. It'll only stay between us two."

"Okay, then. Good luck, Tsumugi Kotobuki. This Dream World is in your hands." This was the last thing I heard my doppelganger say before she and everything else around me disappeared from my sight. And I was engulfed in a bright light for what felt like a few seconds.

Until…

"Mugi…Mugi…come on, Mugi! Wake up!"

"H-Huh? Wha…Miharu?"

"Geez, Mugi. You really are a heavy sleeper."

"You're also a wild one, too." Yoko-chan added. "I can't tell you how many times you kicked me in the stomach. The hell is your strength~?"

"S-Sorry, Yoko-chan…" I said while rubbing the back of my head. "…so, what's wrong? Why did you wake me up?"

"What's wrong? Look out the window!" Miharu yelled.

I did what she said and looked out the tiny plane window. The sight I saw was amazing. Small white buildings with blue roofs were everywhere. Trees and rivers were more abundant here than back in Japan. And at the very center…although you can barely see it…was the world-renowned Eiffel Tower. Standing tall & proud as the city's main attraction.

"Woah~…so amazing~…" Yoko-chan said next to me.

"Miharu…is this…"

"*giggle* Ladies…Welcome to Paris!"

Once that was said, everyone within earshot was now looking out a window. Taking their first glimpses at an entirely new country. One that's thousands of kilometers away from home.

"Woah…so this is Paris…" Mio-chan said.

"The Love Capital of the World…Himeko, it really is pretty!" Yui-chan cheered.

"Yeah, no kidding, Yui. I've never seen anything like it."

"Hey, Nodoka…if this place really is filled will love as they say it is…maybe you and I can get some lovers here, if you know what I mean."

"Wh-Wha…?! R-Ritsu-san! What are you…?!" Nodoka-chan replied to Ricchan with a mild blush on her face.

"Hey, everyone! Back to your seats!" Sawa-chan yelled. "We still got 15 minutes left and the plane needs to land with all of us seated!"

Everyone soon complied and all of the windows were cleared again. Giving me a better view of the city which my half-sister came from almost a year ago.

And also…the place where we BECAME sisters in the first place.

So, this is where it all began, huh? I should really get that part out of my mind already…but…it's kind of hard to forget such a thing…

"Hey, Mugi. Where'd you get the camera?" Miharu asked me.

I then noticed the camera sitting around my neck. The same white camera my dreamy self had given to me in hopes to fix Akiyo's Dream World.

I want to tell her…but not now. There's too many people around…

"Oh, um…I bought it last minute before we left Japan. Figured I take some pictures while we're here, you know."

"Huh…well, I hope you brought enough film. Cause you're gonna take a crap load of them!"

"Hehhehheh…" I laughed somewhat nervously.

You have no idea how right you are…


Miharu's POV

Getting off the plane and grabbing everyone's bag took longer than it should've. I mean, I get that it's 5 different classes all coming here…but no way it should take nearly 2 hours just to get everyone's luggage. Even if some of them got lost.

Which is why I stuffed everything into one bag…

Once that mess got out of the way, we all waited in the baggage claim area just sitting around. Apparently, the school had hired a chaperone here to help guide us around here. Which I found to be completely ridiculous, by the way.

"If you guys needed someone to show us around, why didn't you just FREAKING ask me?!"

"Because you're a student, Neroni." Sawako said. "Regardless of this being your home or not, school rules state that all students must be guided by a school-appointed chaperone. This is a learning experience, after all."

"I've lived here for 17 years. What could I possibly learn here?"

"I don't know. You'll figure it out."

What kind of teacher says THAT?!

"*sigh* Whatever." I gave up and sat back down in my chair.

"Do you know who the chaperone is?" Mio asked.

"Well, I personally had to make some calls…took multiple attempts to get Yoriko to help me out…"

"Huh…" We all gained a sweatdrop.

Yoriko still hates her, apparently...

"…But once she did, she hooked me up with someone that'll definitely help us out greatly. And it's a person you know all too well, Neroni."

"Someone I know?" I asked. "Who would help chaperone a bunch of Japanese school girls across a city like Paris?"

"La réponse est assez évidente une fois que vous l'avez comprise."

No way…that voice…

"Alors... tu es revenu à ton lieu de prédilection, Miharu Neroni? Il était temps que tu ramènes ton cul là où il faut."

"*giggle* Oui. Je suis revenu." I said as I faced the brown-haired girl with a ponytail. "Et maintenant que je suis revenu...je vais vraiment m'assurer que tu t'agenouilles devant moi, Danielle Trézel. Ton cul sexy sera à moi pour le conquérir une fois de plus."

"C'est vrai? Devons-nous avoir une autre guerre pour régler définitivement cette question?" The girl came closer to my face.

"Si c'est La Guerre des gros Italiens, je suis d'accord." I came closer to her face.

"À LA GUERRE NOUS ALLONS! ESPÈCE DE SALOPE!"

"Miharu, knock it off and just speak English already." Mugi called out to us.

"*snicker* *chuckle* Baahahahaha! Sorry, Mugi. It's just something we do a lot."

"W-Wait, what were they even talking about?" Ritsu asked.

"I didn't get some of it…but it was something about sexy asses and "War of Fat Italians". Whatever the hell that is."

"Uh…"

"*giggle* In any case…Danielle!"

"Miharu!"

The two of us hugged each other greatly as we were so happy to see each other again. After nearly a year, I finally get to see my best friend again. It's a dream come true.

"Damn, I missed you, girl!" I cheered. "It feels like forever!"

"I know, right?! It's been far too long since back then! Welcome home, Miharu!"

"Woah…this is Danielle?" Yui asked. "From the picture you showed us?"

"Did she come here to meet up with Miharu?" Mio asked.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot." Danielle said as she let go of me and faced the rest of my classmates. "*clears throat* Welcome, Sakuragaoka High Students! My name is Danielle Trézel and I shall be your chaperone for your school trip! C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer tous!"

"W-Wait…what?" I said in shock.

"Ah, so you're the last-minute chaperone Raphael-san was talking about." Sawako said. "He never did give out a name so we were wondering who would actually show up."

"Huh? Papa?"

"To tell you the truth, Miharu…your dad was actually supposed to chaperone you guys." Danielle said. "But he got caught up in some last-minute work and couldn't do it. So, he asked me to take his place."

"Aw, what? Papa…"

"Don't worry, girl. He said he'll definitely make time to see you. In the meantime, you got me! I can show these Japanese around better than any French girl would!"

"Uh…these "Japanese" are standing right here!" Ritsu yelled in an insulted tone.

"Right…sorry. It's my first time seeing foreigners. Stuff like like gonna come out sometimes."

"Oh, we totally get it." Yoko said. "We were like that with Miharu for a good couple of weeks. Most of us were shocked that she wasn't a mime."

"Again with the mime thing…?" I gained a sweatdrop.

"A-Anyway…" Danielle continued. "…I've got all the deets of your trip on my phone. I'll be your personal guide as you all enjoy this sweet little home of ours. Je vous souhaite à tous beaucoup de plaisir."

"She said: "I wish you all a lot of fun"." Mugi translated.

"Thank you again, Trézel-san." Sawako said.

"We'll be under your care, Trézel-san." The others added.

"T…Trézel-san, huh?"

"It's a thing. You'll have to get used to it." Was all I said to her about it.

Author's Note: Coming close to arriving in Paris, Mugi is let known of a dilemma: the Dream World belonging to the late Akiyo Neroni has been nearly erased by a virus. And now she has to restore it back with a camera given to her by her dreamy doppelgänger. All while trying to enjoy her school trip in an entirely different country.

At least Miharu's happy to be home again.

So, there's a bit of a change here. You know how I said that no more guest characters will show up here aside from Honoka? Well…I actually got two more in mind. One of them is more deserving since this character's been brought up so many times. The other is a character I grew fond of after watching a specific anime a while back. Both with show up in later chapters.

Also, this will probably be the last chapter of the year. I know we still got one more month left…but I've got other stories to work on PLUS work gets in the way of it all. So, my time is rather limited.

If this doesn't get updated before Christmas, then don't expect one until January.

Thanks for reading. Later.