"Are you okay, Yukino?"
Huh?
Opening my eyes, I saw Denjirou in front of me, looking concerned in the café.
"I thought... I thought..."
"It's alright, he won't hurt you anymore. I've already called the cops on him. I'm here with you now."
"Y-Yeah..."
For an odd reason, it felt like there was nobody there but us in this nondescript café. There WERE people, but they all felt like living props.
Looking outside however... There was a vibrant night sky. It was like we're in space.
"Beautiful, isn't it? So many stars are illuminating the sky. Some dull, some bright... But the brightest one is sitting across me right now."
"O-Oh, um..."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, usually Denjirou isn't that... Overtly affectionate. And yet... It's that comfort, that warmth - I crave. Just hearing his voice makes me feel much more safer. Much more... Loved.
"Have you finished eating? I would like to show you around town."
That's when I knew what I was seeing was a mere fantasy. The area surrounding us was constantly shifting on a whim, and despite it all - Denjirou kept it cool, explaining it like it was something mundane.
I knew he wasn't my Denjirou, and yet... I felt oddly drawn to him. It felt awful longing for a person that doesn't resemble my beloved; I knew Denji would've been much more awkward, much more crass and that's what I enjoyed about him, but... Now it all feels like nothing but coldness.
I want to embrace him and feel his warmth, away from anything that could ruin this ideal. There's nothing but us, as it should be.
We danced atop the stars, his smile shone upon me as I was swept off my feet. His hands felt like they were really there.
I wished to stay...
And yet before I knew it I was back in reality, my body dulled by medication, IV needles piercing my skin as I could barely move due to bandages and that lingering pain.
Nobody was there.
That was the start of neverending nightmare.