The Dream (Wmatsui)
Dreams… There are people who say that dreams are images created by our conscious based on our thoughts that day. There are others that say maybe it’s a bit deeper than that. That maybe what we dream is a reflection of our heart and our innermost heart’s desire.
Rena woke up in a daze and blinked furiously. Where was she? This wasn’t her bed. Rena rubbed the covers with her fingers. The bed Rena laid in had scarlet covers instead of Rena’s beige covers. Around Rena wasn’t her neat pastel colored room. Instead Rena was in some strange white space. Rena furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, but somehow she wasn’t too worried and felt oddly at calm. Somehow while the setting was a bit off, Rena didn’t feel like she was in any immediate danger or anything like that. Still the odd location made Rena curious. What is this? Rena wondered as her eyes took in her surroundings. The last thing Rena remembered was falling asleep in the hotel room she was sharing with Jurina in Tokyo. Rena started to sit up, but she felt a pair of arms stop her by wrapping themselves around her slender waist. Rena’s eyes grew wide and she looked down in shock only to find her fellow younger member hugging her waist.
Rena turned tomato red and stammered, “J.. Jurina!?” Rena hadn’t even noticed there was someone else laying next to her. Jurina looked up at Rena with huge puppy eyes. Jurina’s usual smiling face looked sad and her eyes were glistening with tears. It was a look that didn’t suit Jurina. Not to mention it was a rare sight. Jurina never cried in front of people. Jurina hated doing that. Rena suddenly felt awful as a strange thought occurred to her. The crying Jurina looked painfully beautiful as well. Rena couldn’t believe herself for thinking such a thing in that situation. “Rena-chan….. Don’t leave me….” Jurina sniffed and tighten her grip on Rena’s waist. Rena felt her heart ache as she heard the younger girl’s voice break. Why was Jurina so sad? It was odd for the younger girl to be down. “Jurina! What’s wrong?” Rena demanded in a urgent voice. “Don’t leave me all alone. Please!” Jurina continued not really giving Rena much of an explanation nor letting go of Rena’s waist. Rena sighed and decided to just comply with the younger girl’s wishes.
“All right. I won’t go anywhere,” Rena answered and gave Jurina a reassuring smile. Jurina removed her arms around Rena, grabbed Rena’s arm and pulled her down. “EHHH???” Rena shirked at the Jurina’s sudden action. Jurina replied with a cat-like smile causing Rena’s heart to speed up. How did a girl go from being so depressed to being so happy? It made no sense at all. Then again what was occurring made no sense at all either. Jurina put her hand on Rena’s cheek and whispered, “I love you, Rena-chan… I always have…” “EHHH??? What are you saying Jurina?” Rena blurted out in utter shock. Why that all of a sudden? Rena didn’t know how to respond properly at all and the idea made her very nervous. Jurina simply gave her a warm smile and inched closer to Rena’s face.
Suddenly a hidden thought sneaked up to Rena’s head. Jurina was truly beautiful. Her eyes enchanting and mischievous causing Rena to drown in them. Her lips a faint color of pink that looked so soft. Jurina licked them in the most sensual way. All the time. Her supposed bad habit. One Rena secretly always founded attractive. Why was it that Rena was thinking about those things now? Rena knew in the back of her head that there was a very strong reason those sort of thoughts aren’t allowed, but the reason became fuzzy and ceased to matter. Rena’s breath hitched as Jurina came closer and closer to her face. “J… Jurina! What are you doing?” Rena stammered becoming nervous at the sudden invasion of space. Jurina simply kissed Rena’s nose playfully causing Rena’s face to turn bright red.
“Gosh, you are so cute when you blush, Rena-chan,” Jurina giggled caressing Rena’s cheek. Rena was speechless. What in the world was Jurina doing? Rena couldn’t move away from Jurina even if she felt a bit uncomfortable with the situation. It was almost as if Rena was stuck in some sort of spell. Rena couldn’t look away from those warm brown eyes. “Choose me, Rena.” Jurina whispered in a soft voice. Rena was broken away from her trance with those strange words and the odd sadness the voice contained. Rena blinked in confusion. “I am sorry?” Rena answered unsure of what the puppy-like girl meant. “Listen to me. Don’t listen to whatever they tell you. You’ll always pick me, right?” Jurina asked in a trembling voice. “What are you talking about, Jurina? They? Who are they?” Rena questioned sounding puzzled. Suddenly without a warning, Jurina’s lips were on Rena’s lips. Rena’s eyes widen as soft lips met hers. Her mind became blank. Her heart was pounding under her chest. Jurina’s hand found itself behind Rena’s neck pulling her closer. Jurina’s lips were insistent and warm.
All Rena could do was move her lips along with Jurina’s lips. So warm… So pleasant… Why wasn’t Rena supposed to do this again? Rena couldn’t remember. All she could focus on was on the warm sweet lips that invaded her own. Pulling away for air after a long time, Jurina’s and Rena’s breaths were heavy and ragged. “J… Jurina…” Rena finally managed to say. Jurina gave her a warm smile. “I love you, Rena,” Jurina repeated this time dropping the honorific from her name. “Jurina, I…” Rena started, but was suddenly cut off by a mysterious whirlpool. Rena began to panic as it began to sink her in the most strange way. It was almost as if Rena wasn’t a person, but a ghost. “What’s going on?!” Rena cried as she watched Jurina remain in the bed. “It’s time for you to go, Rena. I wish I could have heard your answer…” Jurina told Rena sadly. Slowly Jurina disappeared, and Rena found herself screaming, “Jurina!!!! I…” Rena’s world went completely blank for a moment, but then she founded herself in a school. It looked familiar yet unfamiliar all at the same time.
Rena sighed. Great another weird place, Rena thought to herself. Rena made her way through the school gates. Why did Rena have to leave when all she wanted was to stay with Jurina? Now Rena was all alone in a weird place. The entire school was a mess. Clearly it wasn’t anything like Rena’s old school with graffiti all over the place. The school grounds were deserted. A bit weird out by the surroundings, Rena decided to go inside and ask someone where she was. Would Rena be able to find her way home from that place? Once inside, Rena became frightened as she took a look at the students. Yankees… Yankees everywhere. What sort of school was that? Rena didn’t know how to fight at all! Suddenly asking for help no longer seemed like an option. “Who do we have here?” a voice behind her asked in a malicious tone. Rena gulped nervously and turned around to find herself surrounded by five girls with horrible gold tattooed eyebrows. “Do you think you can just barge in here like you own the place?” another questioned.
“I… That wasn’t my intention. I was just lost!” Rena explained nervously. A girl, probably the leader, grabbed Rena by her shirt’s collar. “I don’t believe you!” the girl hissed. Rena was almost at the point to tears. Seeing the fist prepare for a punch, Rena shut her eyes as a reflex. “Stop,” a fierce voice commanded. Rena opened her eyes to see her savior. She looked like Jurina, but somehow Rena knew that wasn’t Jurina. Not entirely, but partly. It was difficult to explain it. She wore the school uniform with a beige cardigan. She looked pretty normal compared to everyone else. “But this girl! She just walked in here like nothing! She could be from a rival school!” the leader argued. The girl in the cardigan didn’t respond instead she attacked the other girls from the group with a smirk in her face. Never had Rena seen anybody attack with such fierceness nor speed. In a blink of an eye, the girl beat up the group of girls except the leader.
“Let her go…” the girl in the cardigan growled. The leader slowly set Rena down. The girl punched the leader in the eye and pushed her to the floor. “It’ll be a lot worst next time you ignore an order!” the girl in the cardigan yelled. The group nodded and hurried away. Finally the girl turned to face Rena. She was so cool and her eyes so intense. They reminded her of someone. “Are you okay?” the girl asked. Rena nodded. “Yes, they just scared me that’s all,” Rena told her. The girl smiled. “I am Center by the way,” Center said introducing herself. “Matsui Rena,” Rena replied. “So Rena what are you doing here? It’s not safe for a normal girl like you to roam this place you know,” Center told her completely ignoring honorifics. “I am not sure how I got here myself. One moment I was… Somewhere else and the next I was here,” Rena explained wondering if she sounded like a crazy person. “Well you are safe now. I won’t let anyone touch you,” Center reassured her with that fierce voice again that made Rena’s heart sped up again. “I don’t want to trouble you though..” Rena replied shyly. Center smiled. “Like I said its not really a safe place for a girl like you to be alone and trust me no one will hurt you if they see you with me,” Center told Rena with a grin.
“A girl like me? No one will hurt me if I am with you? Who exactly are you?” Rena questioned as Center’s statements sparked her curiosity. “I am the top fighter of this school. President of Rapappa. I suppose you wouldn’t understand since you don’t strike me as the type that’s ever gone to a yankee school, but basically everyone fears me cause I am the strongest,” Center explained in a smug tone. Rena raised an eyebrow. “Someone seems to be a little full of themselves,” Rena commented in a teasing matter. Center chuckled. “I been told that a lot,” Center shrugged unfazed by Rena’s statement. Center began to walk up a nearby staircase and Rena just stood there watching her. Center’s determination seemed familiar to Rena. Not to mention Center saved her. It kind of attracted Rena to her. Rena wanted to learn more about her. “Are you coming?” Center asked not bothering to turn around to face Rena. “Y…Yeah!” Rena replied and quickly followed Center. “I am going to show you something,” Center told Rena as they walked up the stairs. Rena didn’t know how to respond so she simply nodded.
Rena followed Center and noticed that the school was completely empty. Other than the group of girls they encountered earlier there was no one else around. Maybe Rena was just being paranoid, but the school seemed very strange. The two girls reached a door and Center smiled. Center opened the door to reveal a rooftop. Rena slowly followed her as Center guided her out. The view was wonderful and at that moment the two girls could see the beautiful orange sunset. “It’s so pretty!” Rena exclaimed in excitement. Had Rena ever seen such a pretty sunset before? She couldn’t remember. Rena rushed towards the railing at the end and shut her eyes as the gentle breeze blew in her face. It was perfect. Completely perfect. Rena turned around and gestured Center with her index finger. “Well what are you doing over there? Get over here! The view is perfect!” Rena exclaimed like a child. Center chuckled, but joined her side. “Why are you laughing?” Rena asked with a pout.
“You’re acting so unlike yourself!” Center pointed out with a giggle. Rena furrowed her eyebrows. “Unlike myself? But you barely know me. How would you know?” Rena questioned. Center gazed at the sky. “I don’t know, but I just have the sense that I know you even though we never met before. Isn’t that odd?” Center said in a mysterious voice that made Rena felt like Center was hiding something from her. “I don’t know if I should believe you,” Rena admitted fidgeting with her hands. Center turned around to face her. Center’s face was only a few inches away from hers. “Trust me,” Center said with an enchanting voice.It happening again. The same thing that happened with Jurina, Rena thought as her body froze. “Who are you?” Rena managed to whisper. Center put her arm around Rena’s waist and pulled her close. “I could make you happier than Jurina you know,” Center told her while tracing her lips with her index finger. Rena loosely recalled Jurina’s panicked words before Rena left her. Was this what Jurina meant? “I doubt that,” Rena objected facing away from Center.
“But… I love you..” Center said in a small soft voice that made Rena’s heart break. Rena turned to look at her. Mistake. Center was looking at her with the saddest expression. “But… I hardly know you…” Rena countered weakly. I am losing myself in her eyes! Rena panicked. Center put her hand under Rena’s chin and lean closer to Rena. “I could protect you. I promise that I never hurt you or let anyone hurt you. I love you no matter what happens,” Center declared. Her words… They are making my head spin… But I love Jurina… But… Rena debated in her head. Center seemed to have sense her turmoil and took it as an opening to kiss her.
Center’s kiss was gentle and a bit rough all at the same time. Rena didn’t reply at first, but soon she herself was pulling Center closer. Why can’t I resist her? Even though I love Jurina so much? Rena wondered dizzily as Center’s tongue worked its way into Rena’s mouth. Rena finally found the strength to pull away. “This can’t happen… We can’t…” Rena stammered touching her lips. The kiss was incredible and looking at the girl before her Rena couldn’t deny she felt a huge attraction for her, but… “Choose me, Rena. Come on Jurina is just a child. I am more mature compare to her,” Center told her.
“I don’t know you…. I got to go…. But…” Rena’s voice trailed off in the end. “But?” Center asked in a sad voice. Rena’s turned her back on Center before saying, “I think I love you too….” With that the same void began to envelope Rena’s body, but this time Rena didn’t look back. “Rena!” Center called out. Rena wasn’t looking at her, but she knew Center was reaching out for her. Suddenly Rena didn’t want to leave her all alone. But if Rena stayed with Center then she couldn’t be with Jurina. The blackness took over again….
“Are you alright?” a voice asked. Rena blinked and rubbed her head. A pair of different colored eyes were staring into her average brown ones. One dark and the other one blue or silver? Rena couldn’t pinpoint the exact color in her head. The only thing Rena knew was that they were breath taking The girl looked completely wild with scars in her face and a leopard coat hanging from an odd looking jumpsuit, but she was beautiful in the way a leopard or tiger was. “I am fine…” she faintly registered herself saying. Rena tried to get up, but her body felt weak and she fell back to the coach she was laying in. “Whoa, I wouldn’t try that if I were you,” the unknown girl told her. “Who are you? Where am I?” Rena asked. “I am Nobugana. You’re in Prison Hope,” Nobugana said. “Prison?!” Rena exclaimed with bulged eyes. Nobugana chucked. “Yes prison,” Nobugana repeated with a bemused expression.
Rena ran her fingers through her hair. These places just keep getting worst and worst Rena thought to herself. Rena tried to get up again when she realized that Nobugana was on top of her. At the same moment it occurred to how… sexy the girl was as well. “Do you mind getting off me,” Rena stammered, her face bright red due to her sudden thought. “Ah, right,” Nobugana replied and got off completely unfazed. “You fainted. I was fixing you on the sofa, but then you woke up. Sorry about that,” Nobugana explained. “Fainted?” Rena inquired. “Yeah, I found you in the ground,” Nobugana told her as if it wasn’t strange at all. “Oh I see. I am Matsui Rena by the way,” Rena said realizing she never gave her name.
Nobugana smiled. “So what did you do to end up here? You look too sweet to be here, but then again the sweet looking ones are always the worst,” Nobugana mused with thoughtful eyes. “I… I didn’t do anything!” Rena exclaimed . Nobugana looked up at the ceiling. “Well I don’t know how you got in here, but you don’t belong here that I can sense,” Nobugana said in a more serious tone. “I… I need to get out of here…” Rena said in a frightened voice. While Nobugana was extremely… nice to look at, but the place was giving her the creeps and making the hairs in her back stand on it’s end.
“There is no way out. You may not have the bracelet, but this prison is in the middle of nowhere. Most of us could probably manage somehow, but you don’t know how to defend yourself so…” Nobugana pointed out. Rena sighed and bit her lip. “I guess then I am stuck here,” Rena said with a resigned voice. “At least you have me to keep you company,” Nobugana said in a seductive voice that was oddly familiar and made her heart throb. “I suppose,” Rena laughed nervously as Nobugana approached her. “You are very pretty you know,” Nobugana told her in a husky voice and pinned Rena down.
“S…Stop! What are you doing?” Rena demanded weakly. “Showing you why you should pick me of course. I love you you know,” Nobunaga declared. Rena drew a breath in shock. This was like what happened with Center again except this time it was worst. Rena hated to admit it, but even the way the girl spoke turned her on and despise her objections Rena wanted her very much to continue. Even though Rena knew it was wrong and that she loved Jurina.
Nobunaga smirked and planted a kiss on Rena’s neck softly. Rena remained hypnotized by the girl’s movements. Nobugana continued her path gently kissing and sucking on Rena’s soft milky skin. Rena scrunched her eyebrows trying to contain a moan that threaten to surface. Nobunaga slowly brought her lips near Rena’s and kissed her passionately. That hunger she kissed her with. Rena never felt it before and yet at the same time she had and couldn’t help, but to kiss back with the equal moment of passion. Rena gasped as Nobunaga pushed her tongue into her mouth without a warning. The warm wet sensation made Rena’s head spin. Hands were now roaming and tongues were now joined together and dancing a sensual dance. Rena’s body was so hot. Had Rena ever felt so hot before? She couldn’t remember at the moment.
Working her way to Rena’s ear, Nobugana whispered, “You’re mine.” Rena pushed her away and shook her head. “No.” She replied while trying to catch her breath. In spite the incredible passion Rena was feeling…. It would always be Jurina, but this feeling was oddly familiar as well. The same way there was a familiar feeling with Center, but what was it? Why did it feel so familiar? “No? Are you sure? Because you were kissing me back,” Nobugana pointed out with a smirk all while pressing her body closer to Rena’s. It was all too tempting. Rena’s couldn’t help, but to feel the urge to push the other girl down and have her way with her, but she couldn’t not until she figured this mess out. Rena hopped out of the coach and smoothed her hair.
“Sorry,” Rena mumbled. Nobugana sighed and put her arms behind her neck. “It’s her isn’t it? Jurina?” Nobugana inquired while avoiding Rena’s face. “Yeah…” Rena replied in a soft voice. “Would you at least consider choosing me?” Nobugana asked a in a charming voice. Finally fed up with the whole choosing nonsense, Rena exclaimed, “I don’t understand! Why does everyone keep saying that!? I don’t want to choose!”
Nobugana finally looked at her and smiled. “You have to…” She paused and looked thoughtful. “But since it’s you… You’ll figure it out. I am sure of it.” With that the odd void came again and began to pull Rena away again. “I love you.” Nobugana told her as the void began to take her away. Flashing her Jurina’s infamous catlike smile, she faded away. Wait, Jurina’s catlike smile?! Nobugana’s words echo in Rena’s head You have to… But since it’s you… You’ll figure it out.
Rena smiled to herself. Why didn’t Rena see it before? There she was again in that mysterious white void that started everything, but she wasn’t alone. “Did you choose?” Jurina asked behind her. “Did you consider your options?” Center questioned besides her. “What’s your decision?” Nobugana asked. Jurina then ran and hugged Rena’s waist. “You picked me right, Rena-chan? Right?” Jurina asked in a childish voice. Before Rena could reply, Center grabbed her wrist. “Rena consider your choices. I am much better than these two!” Center told her. Rena once more opened her mouth to speak, but Nobugaga grabbed her other wrist.
“I am sure these two can’t make you feel like I do? Am I right?” Nobugana demanded. Then it began. Before Rena knew it she was stuck in between their arguing each girl as childish as the next. The same expressions, the same comebacks. They might be a little different, but…. “Stop and let me go! I am not a toy!” Rena yelled to get the girls’ attention. The three girls recoiled and looked a bit bewildered. “I am sorry,” Jurina mumbled. The two other girls nodded in a agreement. “I am not choosing between you three!” Rena told them. “Why not?!” Center exclaimed in an outraged tone. “Because I love all three of you and besides… You are all the same person aren’t you?” Rena pointed out. The three girls smiled. Identical smiles. “You figured it out,” Nobugana said. Slowly Center and Nobugana began to faded away. “Wait?! What’s happening?!” Rena asked. “We are not really real,” Center said. “We are just fragment of Jurina. Characters bought to life by Jurina herself. We are not the real her, but at the same time we are,” Nobugana explained. With that the two girls faded leaving Rena and Jurina alone. “You figured it out,” Jurina said.
“Of course I did! I know you well,” Rena reminded. Jurina smiled and pulled her close. “So then what’s you response?” Jurina questioned. Rena was puzzled by her words at first and then realized what she meant. ” I love you, Jurina…”
“Rena-chan? Rena-chan?” A familiar voice called out. Suddenly the world around Rena became burry and she came to a disappointing realization. It was all a dream. Sure enough Rena opened her eyes and there was the real Jurina trying to wake her up. “You could have let me sleep a little longer!” Rena growled as she looked at the clock in wall. Jurina chuckled. “Geez forgive me for waking you up and giving you enough time to get you ready for work. You do realize we have a photo shoot in an hour right?” Jurina reminded her.
Rena sighed in frustration. Rena hated it when the young girl was right. Rubbing her eyes, Rena sat up. “I suppose you are right, but…. It’s to early!” Rena whined. “Any later and you would have had to skip breakfast,” Jurina told her. Jurina began to grab her clothes from the hotel drawers. “I already showered by the way so feel free to use the bathroom,” Jurina said. Rena smiled at Jurina’s consideration. “Thanks!” Rena chirped and began to grab a few stuff from her suitcase.
In a spite the fact Jurina sometimes had a little too much energy, she was a pretty good roommate. She was neat enough and responsible even for her young age. It was one of the things Rena admired about her. “Rena-chan… Can I ask you something?” Jurina suddenly asked in a small voice. Rena had no idea to what this question might be so she simply replied, “Sure.” “It’s just you were talking while you were sleeping and you said something…” Jurina stopped at the end and blushed. Rena bit her lip and turned red as well. This couldn’t be good. What could have Jurina heard? “What did I say?!” Rena asked in a panicked voice.
“You said you loved me… Is that true?” Jurina asked in a shy voice. Rena’s face turned three shades redder if possible. She had no way out. ” I… I do,” Rena answered while staring at the floor. Jurina approached with a small smile and hugged her. Rena froze and for once didn’t push Jurina away. “Really?” Jurina whispered softly in her ear. Rena’s heartbeat increased at the gesture. “Yeah… Since a long time,” Rena revealed knowing there was no going back either ways so she might as well be honest. “I love you too!” Jurina replied excitedly hugging Rena even tighter. “J… Jurina that’s too tight,” Rena managed to say as she felt the lack of air. “Sorry!” Jurina exclaimed and released her. Rena smiled and put her hand in her cheek. “It’s alright. Let me go shower and we will talk about this later,” Rena told her feeling oddly in calm in spite her erratic heartbeat.
Rena got up and began to walk away, but Jurina grasped her wrist. “Wait. Before that… I want to try something. Close your eyes,” Jurina ordered. Rena did as she was told. It took a moment, but then she felt soft lips on hers. It sent jolts of electricity though her body and made her melt all at the same time. It was only a short moment though. Rena slowly fluttered her eyelids open and saw Jurina’s smiling face. It was the most amazing thing in the world. That’s all Rena could think of.
“You know I don’t mind you staring, but you do need to shower,” Jurina teased. Rena frowned and grabbed her stuff. Closing the restroom door, Rena shouted, “I hate you!” “I love you too!” Jurina yelled back. Rena smiled and thought to herself that maybe sleep talking wasn’t such a bad thing