[51.3] The Nightmare Returns

After we all finished chatting and eating, we all went our separate ways. I was still so exhausted despite the coffee and sweets. I entered my house and yawned, "Anyone home?"

I casually walked to the kitchen cupboard and opened it up to find Zephyr. His tail and ears were protruding and twitching anxiously.

"She didn't come back with you, did she?"

I laughed, "No. She's not with me. You can come out."

I helped him crawl out of the cupboard, but his eyes still darted around nervously.

I smiled at him, "Are you hungry?"

He looked at me suspiciously, "Are you intending on cooking?"

I pursed my lips, "I will have you know I was a self-sustaining adult in my past life. I can cook a few meals."

He watched me nervously, "Like what?"

"How about spicy chicken?" I pulled out a spice packet from the cupboard, "I had this imported and apparently it packs a punch."

His expression paled, "P-Please no."

I ignored him and tied my hair up. I went to work preparing the chicken and cooking it with the oil and spices. Once I finished, I put it down.

Zephyr stared at it with a look of fear, "It's terrifying."

"I admit it's not the best-looking meal, but it's edible."

"Are you sure?"

I took a bite of the chicken and savored the explosion of spice on my tongue.

I let out a sigh, "Tastes like home."

Zephyr watched me for a bit before timidly reaching out to take a bite. As soon as it was in his mouth, his face changed from shades of white, red, blue, and green.

He let out a scream, "IT BURNS!"

"It is a bit spicy." I sniffed and wiped at my nose, "It seems my tolerance for spice isn't as it was in my past life."

Zephyr screamed and chugged down the milk, "WHY DOES IT HURT!"

I ignored his outburst and continued eating, "How nostalgic~"

As the days passed, Chief Gonza would occasionally come and feed us whenever he could. Other than that, I kept cooking for us.

On the days I would go to the Academy and catch sight of Cyrus…

I promptly ran away.

I haven't had the guts to face him ever since that night.

And thus, several days passed by in the blink of an eye.

Zephyr looked at me pitifully as we lounged in my bed, "Is Chief Gonza going to feed us?"

"No. He is too busy. Apparently, he's figuring out some conspiracy and doesn't have time for us, so I will make the food tonight."

Zephyr panicked, "C-Can't we have Caldwell come to feed us?"

I shook my head, "No way! He'd bring along Cyrus."

Zephyr glared at me, "And why do you care about that!? Usually, you're always looking for an opportunity to annoy him!"

"I don't know! It's not like it's my first time… It's just that-" My voice got quiet, "-He's so serious about me."

"And that's a bad thing?"

I poked the rabbit plush on my bed, "No… But… I don't know."

Zephyr shook his head, "Don't tell me you're avoiding him because of that pitiful reason!?"

"I don't know how to face him! We haven't really established our relationship with each other and… I don't know if I am even ready to be in one!"

Zephyr's eyes widened, "Eh? You don't want to!? You don't like him?"

"No! I like him! I like him too much!!!" I let out a sigh, "That's the problem…"

Zephyr blinked in confusion, "How is that a problem? You like him and it's obvious he likes you. I don't see the issue."

I bit my lip anxiously, "But what if he isn't who I think he is?"

"What do you mean? You think he's a pirate or something?"

"Ughh. No. I just mean- ah, it's not important." I walked away from him and towards the kitchen, "Anyway. It's time to make dinner. I'm thinking extra spicy tonight!"

Zephyr cried out, "Please have mercy!!!"

That night, I closed my eyes and had a dream.

A dream I hadn't had in a long time.

I walked down that hall turning my head from side to side to appreciate the paintings along the wall.

Pride swelled in my chest.

I was so excited, I skipped all the way home to give the good news.

However…

I was met by that smile infused with anger.

"Reika."

My eyes dropped to the ground automatically.

Don't make eye contact.

He let out a sigh and reached out to grab my arms, "Am I not good enough for you? Is everything I've done for you just worthless in your eyes?"

I winced as his grip grew tighter.

His voice always sounded harsh due to the years he spent smoking.

At first, I liked it.

But after a while…

Just a whisper from that voice was enough to make me tremble in fear.

"Reika… Reika… My dear Reika…"

Don't look up.

Don't look up.

His grip tightened on my arm, burying deeply into my skin.

"You know how much I love you, right?"

My voice cracked, "Y-Yes."

"So then why are you acting like this?

My eyes watched as his grip tightened, breaking the blood vessels under my skin.

My eyes watered, "Y-You're hurting me…"

He let out a sigh, "You know I don't like to do this, but why are you always forcing me to act like this?"

Just smile.

Admit he was right.

It will end faster that way.

I forced on a smile and dared to look up, "Y-You're right. I was wrong… I'm so sorry…"

He pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back, "I only do this because I care about you."

I forced my eyes close as I felt the tightening around my body.

Hugs aren't supposed to hurt.

I can't…

I can't breathe!

Smoke slowly crawled into my dream.

My eyes stung as I gasped.

It…

Hurts…

Orange eyes peered at me through the smoke, "It's always going to be like this."

"N-No… Cyrus is different…"

He laughed tauntingly, "Is he? Are you sure?"

I felt panic seize my heart.

My gaze slowly raised to see the one holding me so tightly.

I was struck by surprise to see that it was Cyrus holding me in a death grip.

The smile on his face was so malicious, my heart stopped.

No.

This isn't him.

It's not him.

He wouldn't ever look like this!!

Laughs echoed around me, "How can you be so sure? You should know that you never truly know a person."

My chest heaved quickly as a sense of dread crawled into my heart.

He's wrong!

Cyrus wouldn't act like that!

He's different!

…Isn't he?

"REIKA! YOU #@&#!!"

Suddenly, Zephyr pounced on me through the smoke, slapping my face repeatedly. I was released from the phantom holding me as Zephyr screamed in my face.

"YOU D*MNED MOTHERF*CKER! Are you trying to burn us alive!?"

My eyes snapped open as I woke up from his attack. Flames were spreading across my bed and smoke was filling up the room at an alarming rate.

"Oh sh*t!"

I panicked and quickly used my mana to suffocate the flames with snow.

Zephyr glared at me from under a pile of snow.

I forced a smile, "I had a bad dream."

Zephyr glared at me, "You don't say."