After I passed out in front of the shop...
Ren called Haga-san, and he let me rest in the shop for a while.
Even though I lost the bag I was supposed to deliver, Haga-san said with his usual smile that I could go home for today.
I decided to depend on Haga-san's kindness and obediently went home.

It seems like Granny isn't home yet, and the house is dark.

I turn on the light to the dark entrance hall, enter the corridor, and walk into the kitchen. I take a pill for my headache from the shelf and drink more water than usual.
The pills should technically be taken after a meal, but my top priority is to calm down the headache.
It might be because I'm relieved to be home, but I suddenly feel so tired that it becomes difficult to walk.
I want to fall asleep on the spot, but I make my way up to my room on the second floor first.

I take Ren out of the bad and put him on the bed.
I remove my jacket and lay down next to him.
Whew...
I lost the bag I was supposed to deliver, and after that I even left work early...
Haga-san's smile and consideration were great, and a sense of guilty flocks to me just for remembering it.

Me: "What am I doing...?"

This is all because of that weird rabbit head.
And... Rhyme.
Is it really worth hyping up and becoming addicted to it?
I slowly sit up while remembering the game-like space I was sent to, and I only feel worse.
I guess the medicine hasn't kicked in yet because the headache isn't going away. I'll try something else.

I take the headphones I threw together with my jacket and put them on.
I select my favorite music from my Coil and close my eyes, leaving my body to the flowing music.
Whenever I'm restless of feeling unwell for whatever reason, this method always helps me get relaxed again.
I become immersed in the world of me and music.

Me: "...Mn."

The rhythm and tempo of the music, my own breathing and heartbeat.
They tune together little by little, melting and eventually becoming one surging wave.

Me: "Ha, ......"

The whirlpool of melody wraps around my body and strokes it softly.
The sound permeates my skin, mingles with my blood, and flows throughout me.

Me: "... Ah..."

Light of all colors dance in my head like a soft film.
If feels pleasant and I slowly calm down. It was like telling myself that only I was allowed here, that this is a place only for me, and I felt peaceful.

Me: "Ahhh..."

The discord of headache and the noise in my body becomes distant, and only the quiet sound of my own breathing leaves me.
Like being pushed into a  wave that spread to all parts of my body, a faint breath escaped from my lips time and again.
So comfortable...
I feel like I'm sinking more deeply than usual today.
Pain and such had all gone off somewhere.
If I fall asleep like this, all that's left is to wait for a calm waking to come.
If I fall asleep like this...

Me: ".....?"

A sound...?

I open my eyes slightly, but with my consciousness blurry, I can't tell that it is for sure.
.....
...Well, whatever.
I give up on thinking straight and close my eyes again.

This place... I've seen it before.
I know it well.
I sit on a sandy beach and talk with a certain person.
I treasure what he says as if the words themselves shine.

Me: "....."

"....."

"....."

...What did he say again?
I can't remember.
What he said was important...

.....
Ouch.
Something hurts.
It feels like something sharp is poking me...
" Wake up, sleepyhead! Hey, come on!"
"Tch, ouch..."
"I'm telling you to wake up! I'll hit you, moron!"
"... Mmh, that hurts!"

I jump up in defiance of my persistent attacker, and the thing poking my face falls down. I reflexively grab it with both hands.

Me: "Oh, Beni."

" Aagh, let go of me! How can you treat a guest this way!?"

Beni flaps his wings in my hand and gives me a sharp glare.

Me: " Does that mean Koujaku's here?"

"Isn't that obvious?! Let me go!"

I stand up from the bed with the shouting Beni in my hand.
Huh? Where's Ren?
I look for him and see him lying in the corner of the bed in sleep mode.
Oh yeah, he said some data was damaged.
I have to do some maintenance on him later.
But I want to eat something first.
I feel a lot better because I slept for a while.
The headache's gone now, too.
There's some pain in my joints, but it's not so bad that I can't walk.
When I step out of the room, a delicious smell drifts in from downstairs.
Granny's back. She's started cooking a meal.
When I look at my Coil, I see that it's already time for dinner.

Me: "Is it already this late?"

"You almost didn't wake up, and I got angry. Do you finally get it now?"

Ignoring Beni's complaints, I head down the stairs and look at the kitchen.

Koujaku sits at the dining table, and the room is filled with an appetizing smell.
Granny is standing in the kitchen nearby.
When Koujaku sees me, he grins.

"Yo, morning there."

Me: "...Morning."

"looking super cool as usual, I see."

Me: "... No thanks to you."

A yawn leaks out against my will.

Me: "Here."

I shoot Beni, who I was still holding from earlier, at Koujaku. Koujaku catches him skillfully.

Beni: "I even went to the trouble of waking you up and you sill treat me badly! Don't look down on me, Aoba!"

Me: "Direct your complaints at your master. Doesn't he make you run his errands?"

Koujaku: "Can't help it. You're a real grump when You've just woken up."

Me: "That's not true."

Granny: "Aoba, if you're up, help a little! The meal's ready, so get chopsticks and tea!"

Me: "Okay, okay."

Granny's yelling forces me to hurry to the shelf. Koujaku listens in and laughs cheerfully.

Koujaku: "No matter how many times I visit, you never change, Tae-san. I feel relieved just hearing your energetic voice."

Me: "I dare you to be yelled every day. It's pretty hard."

Koujaku: "Ahahahaha."

When I shrug my shoulders while putting the chopsticks on the table, Koujaku laughs even more happily.

I pour a tea into three teacups as Granny arranges the plates containing the freshly-mad dishes on the table.
All the preparations for dinner are complete, and I sit at the table with everyone.

"Thank you for the food."