Chapter Text
It was happening again.
Tsukasa Tenma was a simple young man. He liked ginger fried pork, musicals, and dreamed of being a star. He went to school as a 3rd year at Kamiyama High School in Shibuya, and had friends like Nene Kusanagi, Emu Otori, and Toya Aoyagi, and an awesome little sister, Saki Tenma. Unfortunately, the minute he closed his eyes at night to go to bed, everything changed. For the past few weeks or so, he’d been having strange dreams. Always with the same strange young man in them. Tsukasa could picture his face clear as day: he had purple hair with two teal strands coming off. He had yellow eyes and a catlike smile. He had a strange mark of a moon and sparkle intercepted by a line that stretched down the left side of his face, from his eyelid to his cheek. He wore a stylish black, purple, and blue suit that reminded Tsukasa of the galaxy and a black, long and hanging bowtie that faded to blue at the ends. The thing is, Tsukasa never directly interacted with him. He was always in the corner of his eye, hidden in a crowd or behind a tree, always watching him but never approached him. It was seriously unsettling. He’d scoured the Internet, read many dream meaning books, even went to a psychic but he still had no idea what it meant. And now, Tsukasa had just fallen asleep and was back in dreamland. Lo and behold, the strange man was lurking in the back. His dream tonight was a fantasy of his aspiration: Tsukasa standing on stage after a successful, star-worthy show while crowds cheered his name and applauded fervently. But he couldn’t even enjoy it knowing the blight of his bedtime was there. Tsukasa waved absentmindedly to the adoring crowd while his eyes locked onto the purple creature. The man returned Tsukasa’s gaze, and the two quickly began a staring contest. It went on until Tsukasa’s eyes burned and his willpower ran out and he was forced to blink. But then, weirdly, the man smiled at him as if he were amused. Tsukasa gritted his teeth. That was it, he was going to confront this purple dream dweller no matter what! Tsukasa marched off stage, but was suddenly surrounded by his loving fans. “Ah- My lovely fans! I need to get through! Excuse me!” Tsukasa pushed his way through the crowd towards the man, who hadn’t moved. He was still staring at Tsukasa, still smiling as if he thought this was funny.
“HEY! YOU!” Tsukasa shouted, struggling towards him.
The man pointed at himself, in a sort of “who, me?” gesture.
Tsukasa had finally made his way to him, and got in his face. “Yeah, you! Who are you?”
The man smiled a little wider. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Huh? Are you not gonna say, th-”
The man suddenly shushed Tsukasa, pushing his finger against his mouth. “Let’s talk again tonight,” he said. “Your alarm is about to go off.”
And just like that, Tsukasa’s alarm went off and he jolted awake. “What the-” Tsukasa panted, sweating and hanging halfway off his bed. So the dream man was sentient? Or was that also just part of his dream? How could he even know? Tsukasa groaned. He hated how vague dreams were, and he just wanted to figure out who this guy was, damn it! Fortunately, Tsukasa had no school today as it was the weekend and was set to hang out with his friends Emu and Nene, so he could just forget about it for now. Or, even better, get their help in figuring it out. Emu was very enthusiastic about ‘Tsukasa’s dream boy’, as she called him, and Nene liked making fun of him about his ‘boyfriend’. He slid on his back down so his head hit the floor, and he flipped himself over so he could get up and comb his wavy blond hair. He changed into a white undershirt and his favorite oversized blue button-up with blue jeans and white shoes. Taking a second to admire his incredible appearance in the mirror, Tsukasa quickly started on his skincare, rubbing lotions all over his face and hands to make himself look glowing. He then headed downstairs to make himself breakfast. His sister was still asleep, his mother was at an early morning piano lesson, and his father had business meetings so he was alone for now. He grabbed the Depression brand bread and quickly made himself a piece of toast with a thick slice of butter on top. He always ate this toast with a smile. After finishing breakfast, Tsukasa didn’t really have anything to do other than sit around and wait for 1pm so he could go out with Nene and Emu. Fortunately, Saki came down from her bedroom at that moment and saved Tsukasa from having to be alone and bored with her presence.
“Morning, Tsukasa!” Saki said with a smile.
“Saki!! Good morning to the best little sister anyone could ever ask for!!” Tsukasa exclaimed, pulling Saki into a hug.
“How’d you sleep? Did you dream about the weird guy again?” Saki asked.
Tsukasa nodded. ‘Unfortunately so. Although, I did get to speak to him!”
“Oh really? What’d he say?” his sister asked.
“He was very vague. Just said he wanted to talk to me again tonight when I sleep.”
“That’s so weird how your dreams are recurring like that. Do you think it will actually be a continuation?” Saki asked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised since my subconscious is apparently so fixated on him.” Tsukasa responded. He really didn’t understand why this had started. It’s not like he knew who the man was. Why would he continuously dream about him for at least 5 weeks now? It didn’t make any sense! Maybe his own mind just wanted to torture him. Even now, he sometimes felt on edge as if the man were watching him, although that never was true outside of his slumber. Hopefully.
Saki checked her phone. “I have practice with the girls soon, so I’m gonna get dressed and go, okay?”
“This early?” Tsukasa questioned.
“You know how Shiho is. Plus, more time to practice!” Saki headed back upstairs.
“I suppose,” Tsukasa said, mostly to himself. He was proud of Saki for taking her band so seriously, but he couldn’t help but worry about her as her big brother. But after Saki left, he really didn't have anything to do but wait. Tsukasa sighed. This was gonna be a long morning.
“Tsukasa! TSUKASA!!!! WONDERHELLO!!!” Emu squealed as Tsukasa approached the shopping mall the three were planning to browse. Emu proceeded to tackle Tsukasa as a greeting hug. “Wah! Emu! Is Nene here yet?” Tsukasa asked, patting Emu’s back.
Emu released Tsukasa from her ironclad, rib-crushing grip. “Nope! I just got here super duper early ‘cause I was sooo excited!!” Emu started hopping in place out of excitement. At that moment, Nene approached. “NENE!!!” Emu screeched, leaping at her. “Ugh! E-Emu!” Nene gasped, taking the impact worse than Tsukasa due to her much smaller size.
“Speak of the devil,” Tsukasa said. He ruffled Nene’s hair. She glared at him. “Hey, hands off!” she snapped.
“Come on! Let's go, guys!” Emu proceeded to sprint to the nearest store.
“Hey! Wait! Emu!” Nene and Tsukasa exclaimed at the same time. They took off after her. The store was a candle store, and Tsukasa’s nose was immediately assaulted by all the scents the moment he stepped inside.
“Tsukasa, look!” Emu said, holding up a candle. “This one is supposed to give you better sleep if you light it before bedtime!”
“I feel like sleeping next to an unchecked open flame would be pretty dangerous, not gonna lie,” Nene said. “But maybe then you’d stop dreaming about your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend!” Tsukasa grumbled. “But, something revolutionary happened last night!”
Emu gasped and leaned closer. Nene rolled her eyes but seemed to be intrigued.
“So,” Tsukasa put on his best storyteller face. “Last night, when I dreamed about him again, he spoke to me! For the very first time!”
“What did he say?” Emu asked.
Tsukasa paused for dramatic effect, smirking knowingly. “He said he wanted to talk to me when I sleep tonight!”
Nene raised an eyebrow. “What? Is he sentient or something?”
“I don’t know! But, maybe he’ll give me some answers!”
“Or maybe since he’s just a figment of your subconscious he won’t tell you anything meaningful or maybe it won’t even happen,” Nene rebutted.
“I… suppose that’s also a possibility,” Tsukasa grumbled. Weirdly, he kind of hoped that the man wasn’t just a part of his imagination, but a real sentient creature living in Tsukasa’s dream. It just sounded more exciting and special, and as a future star Tsukasa wanted to be as exciting and special as possible, naturally. “Whatever!” he told the girls. “I’ll tell you what happens tomorrow!”
“Yeah, enough about your boyfriend,” Nene said. “Let’s do something else.”
“Hey, I like hearing about Tsukasa’s dream boy!” Emu argued.
“Can you please stop referring to him as if we’re romantically involved?” Tsukasa groaned.
Nene smirked. “But it’s funny,” she said.
“Yeah, to you maybe!” Tsukasa complained.
Emu raised her hand. “I think it’s funny!” she exclaimed.
“All you guys do is bully me!” Tsukasa cried indignantly.
“You’re an easy target,” Nene giggled. Tsukasa sighed and sulked, but he knew his friends were just joking and that's how they showed their love. More Nene than Emu, really. Emu showed her love by attacking him whenever she saw him and constantly clinging to him. The three left the candle store, with Tsukasa actually buying the candle due to Emu continuously recommending it to him. He doubted it actually worked, but it smelled nice so whatever. He would definitely extinguish it before he fell asleep, obviously. The rest of the trip was pleasant. Tsukasa and the girls visited many stores, buying clothing and snacks before ending their day at an arcade where Nene decimated Tsukasa at a fighting game. Ultimately, all good things have to end and the 3 friends all said their goodbyes, promising to text each other later. As Tsukasa headed home, he was actually pretty anxious to go to bed. Unfortunately, it was 6pm and definitely too early, especially on a weekend. His mother was home and was about to start the preparations for dinner, and Saki came home around 7pm. His father had to work late because of his meetings, so it was just the 3 of them. Finally, it was time for bed. “Good night Mom, Saki!” Tsukasa called as he stood at the bottom of the stairs.
“Huh? But Tsukasa, it’s 8pm…” Saki said confusedly.
“Yes, but I’m just… so tired…” Tsukasa yawned loudly to really sell it to them.
“Good night, honey. Sleep well.” Tsukasa’s mother walked over to him and gave him a kiss goodnight on his forehead.
“Will do!” Tsukasa responded, running up the stairs to his bedroom. He drew the curtains that he had over the open wall in his bedroom, and changed into his pajamas. He lit the candle he bought, the pleasant smell enveloping his room. After enough of it had filled his room, he put out the candle and settled himself in bed. He wasn’t super tired, to be honest, but he was anxious to meet with the purple man. Eventually, he drifted off. Tsukasa’s dream that night was him alone in a wide field. There were flowers of all types everywhere, and unfortunately insects as well. Tsukasa screamed as a bee buzzed past his ear. Why did he have to dream of such an awful meeting place for his mysterious dream dweller? And, speak of the devil, Tsukasa spotted him watering some flowers in the distance. Tsukasa ran towards him. “HEY! MYSTERIOUS PURPLE MAN!” he yelled. The young man looked up at him from his crouched position. “Hello, Tsukasa!”
“Hello- wait, how do you know my name??”
The mysterious man smiled at him. “How could I not? It’s your dreams that I visit.”
“Visit? Like you willingly come?” Tsukasa questioned.
The young man put down his watering can. “My name is Rui Kamishiro. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, offering his hand for Tsukasa to shake. Tsukasa shook it, but noted how Rui had avoided the question.
“Are you like, a character my mind made up or something?” Tsuksa asked
“No. I do exist independently of you. You might get a little surprised, okay?”
“Huh? Surprised about what?” Tsukasa questioned. “Was that not already surprising?”
Rui stood up. “I’m a lesser deity who’s responsible for managing the dreams of humans,” he said nonchalantly.
“DEITY??? ARE YOU A GOD??” Tsukasa screamed.
Rui shook his head. “Oh, no. I’m much too unimportant to be referred to in that way. Deity is a bit of a stretch, really. I’m more like a daemon, but calling myself a lesser deity is simpler.”
“Daemon? Are you evil?” Tsukasa questioned suspiciously.
Rui shook his head again. “No, you’re getting confused with demons. This is why I just say I’m a lesser deity.”
Tsukasa’s head was spinning. He sat down and put his head in his hands. “So I have a lesser deity visiting my dreams? This is insane! I think my mind is just making you up.”
“You can think that if it’s easier for you to process,” Rui offered.
Tsukasa glared at him. “Are you calling me stupid?” he shouted.
Rui smirked. “Perhaps I am.”
“Whatever. You’re not real, anyways, so I don’t care!” Tsukasa grumbled.
“Yeah. Not real.” Rui smiled at him slyly.
“So…can you do anything?” Tsukasa asked.
“Yes, anything.”
“Anything?” Tsukasa raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“Anything,” Rui confirmed with a nod. “It is a dream, after all.”
“Hmmm…” Tsukasa thought for a moment. “Can you make a pegasus appear? They’re my favorite animal!”
“A pegasus? How charming.” Rui closed his eyes and suddenly a white, winged horse appeared, neighing regally. Tsukasa gasped with delight. “OH MY GOD!” he squealed.
“Why don’t we go for a ride?” Rui suggested.
“Ha hahaha! You don’t have to ask me twice!” Tsukasa exclaimed, struggling to climb onto the pegasus. Suddenly, he felt an unseen force help him up so he was sitting comfortably on the back of the mythological creature. Tsukasa (embarrassingly, especially in front of this weird dream guy) squealed with delight. Rui giggled a bit, and he easily climbed on top.
“ONWARDS!” Tsukasa shouted pointing at the sky. The pegasus whinnied and took off, wings flapping powerfully. Tsukasa couldn’t help but giddily laugh as the two of them flew through the sky. He knew it was a dream, but he swore he could feel the wind flowing through his hair and Rui’s arms wrapped around his waist so he wouldn’t fly off. After flying around for a few minutes, the pegasus gently landed and the two boys carefully slid off of the horse. Tsukasa was breathless and full of adrenaline. His heart was pounding, and he couldn’t stop smiling. “Oh my god…” Tsukasa breathed.
“Did you… have a good time?” Rui asked quietly.
“YES! Yes, yes! It was incredible!” Tsukasa raved, moving his hands exaggeratedly to emphasize his excitement. “It was like a dream come true! Well… I guess it literally is!” he laughed.
Rui smiled, seemingly a bit relieved. “I’m glad you enjoyed,” he said. “Seeing people smile after a good dream is my favorite thing in the world.”
“Well, I’m smiling!” Tsukasa grinned a bit wider and then pointed at his mouth.
Rui chuckled softly and smiled back. “I can see,” he said. “You’re very expressive.” Rui’s face suddenly turned mischievous. Suddenly, a large insect flew right at Tsukasa. “BAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!” Tsukasa screamed, his previous excitement immediately being turned into pure terror. He fell to the ground and curled into the fetal position, whimpering. Rui started laughing so hard Tsukasa swore he could see tears. “You should’ve seen your face!” he gasped between laughs.
“H-HEY!” Tsukasa yelled, still on the ground. “YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE, DIDN’T YOU??”
“I couldn’t help it,” Rui said, catching his breath. “You’re something else, aren’t you?”
“H-how did you even know I don’t like bugs!?” Tsukasa sputtered.
“I saw it earlier,” Rui replied simply.
Tsukasa grumbled irritatedly. Just what he needed, another person who liked to tease him. Maybe Rui and Nene would get along. Actually, Tsukasa thought it would be fun to introduce Rui to Emu and Nene. Emu would find him fantastical, and would love how he helped people indulge in fantasies. Nene would appreciate having another person to tease Tsukasa with. Unfortunately, since Rui was just a figment of his imagination that Tsukasa’s mind made up (he refused to believe what Rui said about being a ‘lesser deity’, it just wasn’t possible!), he couldn’t ever meet them.
“Well, you’re about to wake up, Tsukasa,” Rui said. Then, he smiled. “I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night.”
“How long will you be ‘staying’?” Tsukasa asked.
“As long as you want,” Rui responded. “Dreamers don’t usually pay this much attention to me. It’s… nice. I’ll try to have a nice dream ready for you.”
“You can do that?” Tsukasa questioned.
Rui sighed, but it wasn’t an annoyed sigh. “Tsukasa, didn’t I say I could do anything?”
“But… doesn’t my mind just generate you when I go to bed? When would there be time to set things up?” Tsukasa asked.
Rui winked at him, and Tsukasa suddenly woke up, somehow flipped totally upside down while sleeping. Tsukasa groaned sleepily and rubbed his eyes. He checked his alarm clock: 4:56 am. He sighed. Tsukasa was one of those people who couldn’t fall back asleep after he already woke up. He adjusted himself so he was back in a normal position, and couldn’t help but be excited about sleeping again tonight. He almost didn’t want to tell Emu and Nene about what happened, even though he had promised. It kind of felt like a fun secret between him and Rui, even though Rui was literally just a figment of his subconscious. Whatever, he would do it anyway because he never went back on a promise. Tsukasa smiled a bit as he cozied himself back up in his bed. He couldn’t wait for bedtime, and it was only 5am!