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“Hikaru” is having a dream. It’s one of those human experiences that “Hikaru” just can’t wrap his head around, because dreams rarely make sense to him. But “Hikaru” loves getting to experience them nonetheless.
In this dream, he is about to stuff his face with food at a strange restaurant where there is only one table for customers.
A waiter with a face that vaguely resembles their homeroom teacher serves him all kinds of meat dishes. “Hikaru,” without an ounce of hesitation, devours them in mere seconds. Next, he is served ramen. Then curry. And lastly, dishes from all over the world. “Hikaru” isn’t sure how he knows the names of the dishes, but he knows that Mango Sticky Rice, Fufu, Shawarma, Biryani, and Paella are all delicious.
“Hikaru” is in heaven. He must be. The only thing that could make this fantasy even better is if Yoshiki were there with him.
The weird-looking waiter reappears to serve him a sky-colored jelly for dessert. The sweet aroma emanating from the dessert is unlike anything “Hikaru” has ever smelled before.
“Yoshiki?!”
There’s no mistake about it. Trapped inside the jelly is a miniature version of Yoshiki.
“Yoshiki?! What’re you doing here?”
“Hikaru” can see Yoshiki’s attempts to move, but it’s no use, he’s frozen stiff inside the jelly.
The contrast between the colorful dessert and Yoshiki’s terrified expression is suddenly an amusing spectacle to him.
“Yoshiki~ you are so small!” “Hikaru” lets out a gleeful laugh as he shakes the crystal cup holding the jelly, just to see if Yoshiki can look more terrified than he already does, and his expression doesn’t disappoint.
“So good~ Yoshiki, I’m going to eat you now. Behave, okay?”
Yoshiki is trembling so much that the jelly trembles with him.
“Don’t worry, I won’t chew. I’ll swallow you whole. I’m a monster, after all.”
He swallows the Yoshiki jelly in one big gulp. “Hikaru’s” eyes almost pop out from the sensation of eating the most delicious food in the world.
“DELICIOUS! YOSHIKI, YOU ARE SO DELICIOUS!” “Hikaru” exclaims, standing up because he can’t contain the sheer pleasure of having finally consumed Yoshiki. “I KNEW YOU’D FEEL THIS GOOD!”
Ecstasy is the only word that can describe what “Hikaru” feels. No other sensation could possibly come close. “Hikaru” wants nothing more than to stay in that state of euphoria forever.
“Hikaru” is floating. Tendrils pour out of his eyes and scars, expanding and expanding until his true form is the only thing that occupies the hazy space.
Suddenly, and oh so cruelly, “Hikaru” is ripped out of his dream by the real Yoshiki, who is shaking him awake.
“Hikaru! Hey, wake up! Class is over.” For a dangerous while, Yoshiki’s silhouette is all “Hikaru” can see, his eyes zeroing in on Yoshiki’s delectable core.
He forces himself to snap out of it before his mind can think of doing something terrible—just as he’s practiced many times.
“I’m starving,” “Hikaru” mumbles.
“Already?”
“I’m craving jelly. Yoshiki, d’you know where we could get some?”
“Huh? Suddenly?” Yoshiki asks as he arranges his notes on his desk and gestures for “Hikaru” to do the same. “Um, I don’t know if the school has jelly, but we could drop by the mall later if you want.”
Later that day, after school, “Hikaru” satisfies his craving with grape-flavored jelly.
“We went all the way here for jelly, so I hope you’re satisfied.” Yoshiki buys coffee for himself—one of those strong, bitter ones that “Hikaru” only mildly likes—and a few snacks for his little sister.
“Hikaru” hums. The cup of jelly that’s already halfway empty is vastly inferior to the heavenly taste of Yoshiki in his dream. His eyes flicker to the owner of the bright soul sitting next to him, blissfully unaware of what stirs within his monstrous friend.
“Hikaru” half-listens as Yoshiki berates him for only eating food with “high sugar content.” His mind drifts elsewhere, back to that bizarre dream.
He studies Yoshiki’s profile in silence and imagines him encased in jelly again. He forces himself to remember the exquisite texture of that sky-blue dessert, the faint feeling of euphoria washing over him.
Maybe one day, Yoshiki will let him have a taste. Just a little bit.