The boy dreams.

Natsume Ken'go's perspective

Ah, I'm dead.

Even though it's about myself, the thought comes as if it were someone else's experience.

But there's nothing I can do about it.

After all, it's just a dream.

If this were real, I'd be panicking too.

But dying in a dream ends with waking up.

Finally, this godforsaken dream is over.

It really was a godforsaken dream.

Me, a prince of the empire? That doesn't suit me at all.

I knew it was a dream right away.

Of course it was.

What else could it be?

This is what they call a lucid dream.

Once you know it's a dream, anything goes.

It's just a dream, after all.

Whatever I do is my own choice.

I can indulge myself freely. I can be extravagant without restraint.

The First Prince, so everyone around me listens without question. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t do.

Still, no smartphone, no television. The food was mediocre. Not exactly luxurious, to be honest.

What can you do?

It’s a fantasy world, after all.

It’s strange that food tastes real, even in a dream.

I mean, it’s my dream. I could’ve at least made the food taste better.

Why can’t the system accommodate basic adjustments?

Complaining to the cook won’t change anything.

I miss my mother’s cooking.

Just that alone makes me want to wake up. But this dream drags on endlessly.

At first, slaying monsters and leveling up felt like a game—fun. But I grew bored halfway through.

Most monsters are weak. And going to places with strong ones takes too long.

Princes aren't allowed in dangerous places due to their status.

Don't be so particular about trivialities in a dream.

If it's a dream, you should be able to teleport instantly.

By the time I'd grown genuinely bored, I enrolled in a school in some distant country.

I didn't expect much from it.

I assumed the fun would only last at first, and once I adjusted to the new environment, I'd lose interest quickly.

Yet, contrary to my expectations, something unprecedented existed there.

More precisely, someone existed.

There were a few classmates.

Well, it's my dream, so their presence isn't surprising.

But the fact that people like Yamada and Oshima—normally not close friends—were among them came as an unexpected surprise.

If it were my dream, Ichinose would appear first, naturally.

Why isn't he here?

Something’s off—sensei showing up too, and sensei seems to know where the others are. Asking about Ichinose just gets me evasions.

I can’t accept that Ichinose isn’t here. But if others I recognize are present, the situation changes.

Perhaps this dream, which had been dull, might now have something worth waiting for.

That’s how I thought at first.

But that only lasted at the beginning.

In the classroom, Yamada is always at the center.

People naturally gather around Yamada.

Not out of obligation, but genuinely drawn to Yamada himself.

Around me, the ones who gather aren’t drawn to me personally—only to my title, Prince of the Empire.

Even when others tried to approach Yamada, Oshima was always there, pushing them back.

Thanks to that, Yamada never had to think about burdensome power structures or relationships built on status—just lived freely, naturally.

That naturalness drew people in, attracted them, gathered them.

I observe it from a step away.

That one step is blocked by a thick wall.

I knew.

That Yamada dislikes me.

I know my own nature isn't praiseworthy.

That without Ichinose, I’d make more enemies than allies.

It was only because Ichinose was there that I could occupy the center among boys like a gang leader.

Because he always covered for me, I was allowed to be myself.

Without him, only unsavory types would gather around me.

Why does Yamada seem so happy, while I feel so hollow?

Why must I endure such unpleasantness even in a dream?

If it’s a dream, why not let me have a more enjoyable one?

That’s right—this is a dream.

So why not let me do whatever I want, without restraint?

Trying to get close to Yamada now would be pointless. Might as well push back hard and see what happens.

Let’s test which one is superior.

I thought I’d try with determination—complete failure.

My pride lies in tatters.

Since it’s a dream, I keep escalating. Ends up with attempted assassination.

And even that fails. Worse, I lose skills and stats in disgrace.

Even I can’t help but laugh at how petty that is.

But I won’t give up.

This is my dream, after all.

Keep wishing long enough, and hope will come true.

With new power gained this way, I’ll get my revenge.

Yamahara’s been helping me. This time, I’ll win.

Wait.

When did Yamahara start helping me, anyway?

Can’t recall clearly. But it’s a dream—memory’s fuzzy like that.

Dreams shift scenes abruptly all the time.

Even a lucid dream is still a dream.

Gather resolve. Face Yamahara again.

Confidently, I charged. I was effortlessly defeated.

Wait. Seriously?

Too strong. Yamahara.

You’re supposed to be in my dream—why are you acting like the protagonist?

Switch roles.

Hilarious.

Then, in the end, someone crushes my head. Game over.

Still a minor character to the end. Me.

It’s so thorough it’s funny.

But yes, now I can finally wake from this bizarre dream.

A boring dream, but perhaps that’s the message: don’t get too overconfident.

That’s right.

When I wake, I’ll try to be a little more humble.

Always acting on impulse, just like before.

Always leaving the cleanup to Ise. I need to reflect.

For now, when I wake, I must say good morning to Mother.

What’s for breakfast?

Looking forward to it now.

Normally I wouldn’t think such things, but after dreaming so long, it feels nostalgic.

I should tell Ichinose about this dream once I get to school.

I’ll complain—why don’t you show up?

I can already picture Ichinose’s face—what’s this idiot talking about?

Right, I’ll tell Yamada too.

You were a real hero in the dream—truly impressive.

He dislikes me, but maybe this’ll help us get along a little.

With Ichinose around, I could take the first step.

Yamada would probably be thrown off by such a sudden conversation.

Ah.

I wish I’d wake up sooner.

Going back.

To reality.

Waking up.

Soon… wake up…