Blank Dream

Ryotaro

FIVE YEARS AGO

A PHONE CALL

"Hello, sis?"

"What are you calling about?"

"That young girl on the New Years card photo. Is that your daughter?"

"Can't you tell? Would I put a photo of a mother, a father, and a stranger for a card?"

"Huh. I suppose."

"So, what about her?"

"Oh, she just looks like you when you were a kid. But at the same time, much too cute for that..."

"...Ryotaro. You making fun of me? Trying to start something?"

"I'm complimenting her! Something about her is just... Oh, so adorable."

"Maybe she gets it from him more than me... And I'd appreciate the compliments more if your tastes didn't give me such a chill..."

"Now, stop misunderstanding me. I'll have you know it's nothing like that."

"You can't hide it. The whole Sengoku family trades rumors about how you've got a thing for kids."

"Seriously? It's really not that at all... I don't see them in any lewd way, truly."

"You're turning thirty. Think about marriage already. A bride should clear up any strange rumors."

"Talking my ear off as usual. Oh well. Regards to your daughter."

"Yeah, yeah. Bye."

"It's really not anything lewd. I just see beauty there."

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"I see, I see. I remember... Erm... Boy, what a mean mirror. Why a memory like this, of all things... I'm not after any sick desires. I just see them as a kind of beauty, to be held in high reguard! I have no desire to trouble them in the least! It's in my memory, and I'm dead already. No sense throwing a fit. There's no need to break it. I should thank you. With that, a piece of my memory has returned. Now, now, what'll it be this time?"

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ONE YEAR AGO

A COMPANY

"Should we get going, Sengoku?"

"Yep. Are you worn out, sir?"

"Yeah... Trouble at home lately."

"At home? Ack, is sis up to something again? She's seemed upset lately."

"No, Not that. Well, it's not the kind of thing you tell people about, but you're not a stranger. See, my old man's inheritance is proving to be quite a mess."

"The inheritance of a famous artist, eh... I'll bet that's a lot. But didn't your father pass away last year? Why is it only a problem now?"

"Actually, it's been trouble ever since then. I'm the eldest son, but the will says everything should go to someone else, except they're refusing it. That said, they won't even give it to me. So it's up in the air. What was the old man thinking?"