Sweet Dreams
Thank you... for another delicious dream tonight, Captain.
I'll see you in the morning.
Lately, my body has been feeling lighter than ever.
Even after a full day of training, I still had plenty of energy left.
I couldn't remember the details of my dreams, but it was clear they were pleasant ones.
Maybe that was why?
I'd wake each morning refreshed, without any lingering fatigue.
You know, I've been sleeping so well lately.
Oh, really? You too?
I've been sleeping soundly and waking up in a great mood.
Same here. Even my insomnia seems to have gone away.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one getting restful sleep these days.
Did you sleep well, Captain?
Yeah. Morning, Seira.
Fufu. I'm glad to see you so well rested again.
Seira smiled contentedly as she looked at my refreshed face.
After finishing training with Seira, I was on my way back to the quarters, when...
You look a lot better these days!
Oh, really? You can tell?
Lately, I've been sleeping incredibly well.
I wake up every morning feeling completely recharged!
Hahaha, that's good! But... you should be careful.
It might be because a succubus has taken an interest in you!
A succubus?
You've never heard of them? They're those evil demons that feed on a person's life force.
If you suddenly start sleeping better and having good dreams, you just might have been marked by a succubus...!
W-what are you talking about? That's just a legend, a silly rumor!
B-but say this succubus really gets involved with someone... what happens to them?
Well, they say it appears in dreams, speaking softly...
Lulling its prey with sweet words to put them into an endless slumber...
Ugh... N-no way! I've never had a dream like that!
I've been sleeping so well lately, so don't jinx it!
...
I could've brushed it off as a casual rumor, but for some reason, it lingered in my mind.
Every morning, I'd wake with no memory of my dreams...
Yet it always felt as though someone had been there with me.
Oh my, you've forgotten.
Even though I told you back then...
Mm... who knows? Maybe we met in a dream?
As I recalled Seira's cryptic words...
I realized my restful nights could be traced to the day we started the Journey together.
...No. It had to be a coincidence.
...The more I tried not to think about it, the harder it was to shake the thought.
Once my thoughts started spiraling, one thing led to another, and I eventually decided to clear my head with a late-night walk.
Captain?
Seira?
Why are you awake at this hour?
Are you... having trouble sleeping...?
Oh, I just... have a lot of my mind tonight.
I see...
That's no good. You mustn't lose sleep.
Good rest is the key to good health.
Let me help you.
With what...?
I'll help you dream something pleasant.
Seira sat on a bench in the park and had me lie down beside her.
Almost entranced, I obeyed her words and rested my head on her lap.
Seira... I'm fine, really...
Let me put you to sleep, Captain.
Close your eyes... and relax your body.
If I fall asleep here, that's going to be... a problem...
Her cool fingertips brushed against my forehead.
The gentle motion of her hand combing through my hair made me drowsy almost instantly.
A blue butterfly appeared out of nowhere and fluttered around us.
Hush now, sleep...
Even as my eyelids grew heavier, I couldn't shake the thought that Seira always seemed so intent on seeing me fall asleep...
Why are you always...
Trying so hard to make me sleep...?
Because I want you to sleep well... and dream happily, Captain.
What's the point... of doing that...?
The point? Well, if I had to put it in words...
Mm...
It makes me happier.
That's all there is to it.
Seira smiled softly, then placed a hand over my chest and began gently patting me.
I'll stay right here by your side until you fall asleep.
Her voice, calm and hazy, pulled me further toward sleep.
So sleep well, Captain.
Hush, hush...
Her soothing pats continued until I finally drifted off completely.
...
When I opened my eyes, I was lying in my own bed.
I could've sworn Seira had put me to sleep in the park last night. Had she carried me back alone?
Or maybe... I'd woken up partway, said goodnight, and... returned to my quarters on my own?
...My memory was foggy.