A Stay in Gensokyo

Chapter Fourteen - The Human Village

Dreams are a strange matter. They're an uncontrollable chain of images, events and emotions that occur during one's slumber. There are some theories to what they mean; some think of it as a kind of foresight such as looking into the future and others think of it as complete nonsense; nonsensical things that have no alternate meaning. Your first dream of the night is the shortest as the next few begin increasing in duration; towards the end it can be up to an hour long. I usually remember my dreams the moment I wake up, so why is it that I seem to be forgetting them?

"There may be a time in which we repress memories for our own good. You may not believe of its existence because your brain has already deemed it as a highly traumatic memory and so it pushes it back in order to retain its sanity."

That was a passage in a book I've read a long time ago and if it's believable then that could mean I may have repressed several memories without knowing.

...

"Good morning, Alice..."

Alice appeared to personally wake me up from my slumber as I could already smell a breakfast prepared on the dining table. She must rise awfully early in the morning, perhaps at the break of day. It's something of which I'd to do with ease every day, however I usually falter and wind up back in bed which results in me being late to many occasions.

"Good morning, Yuuki."

Seeing Alice's face first thing in the morning, for some reason it tugs my heart strings. A strange feeling as I didn't feel this way when Marisa was the first one I saw the other day. With her hair damp, it seems she showered recently.

"You could sleep for a while longer if you'd like."

Perhaps it's obvious that I'm not quite a morning person to her as I'm already having trouble getting out of bed.

"A-Ah no it's okay... I just need a few moments to gather enough willpower to get up..."

If this is the usual time Alice leaves then I don't want to be the reason that's holding her back.

"Very well then, once you're ready I'll be waiting at the table. Do take your time; it's easy to trip when you're not looking."

As though she's referring to what happened the moment we first met, she reveals a small smile before walking out.

"I-I'll keep that in mind..."

Yawning into my cuffed hand, I hop off the futon and prepare for the day. Once I was finished, I move into the dining room to find Alice by the table. Two plates were upon it with buttered toast with scrambled eggs on top with a side of salad.

"It smells really nice."

Nothing like the smell of toast in the morning, just thinking about it is enough to make me hungry.

I move to sit against the chair; however Alice rises to intercept me.

"Yuuki, if I may."

"Umm... S-Sure..?"

Not entirely understanding what she meant, she places her hand against my head as I jolt just a little.

"A-Alice!?"

"Your hair's sticking up."

"O-Oh, it's usually like that, or should I say always like that."

Alice nods as I'm sure she realised this usual occurrence.

"I didn't say anything the first time as we were only strangers, however now I believe we're a little closer. ...Hmm, it won't stay down. Here, come with me."