**Episode 003: The Day Normality Shattered**

“Ah, it was just a dream after all…”

I woke up and headed straight to the toilet. Upon opening the door, the gradually familiar toilet space unfolded before me. I felt relieved knowing that yesterday’s events were just a dream.

Considering how insanely realistic the dream was, with the humidity and scent making the forest feel genuinely present, I got startled despite knowing it was a dream. Still, there was no need to be anxious about it being a dream.

After confirming that all the doors were fine, I quickly finished my morning prayers, had breakfast, changed into my school uniform, and headed to school.

However, the scenes from yesterday lingered in my mind…

“Good morning, Kotaro-kun.”
“Hey, Rokudo, good morning.”

As I entered the classroom, two classmates greeted me. They were my childhood friends, Sato, with silky hair and a somewhat deceptive gentle appearance, and Takahashi, with short hair, a fierce gaze, and a face that could be mistaken for someone involved in shady business. Despite his appearance, Takahashi was a kind guy who loved cute things.

“Listen to this, guys.”
“Hm, what’s up?”

As soon as I took my seat, I told them about the mysterious events from yesterday.

“No way, that’s impossible.”
“Yeah, probably just a delusion or a dream.”

As expected, they completely denied it as soon as I mentioned it.

“Yeah, you’re right. I think it was a dream too. But it felt so real. I can’t help but be curious about that unknown world.”

Since I believed it was a dream, it wasn’t unreasonable for them to deny it. But every time I recalled it, I couldn’t help but be curious about that unfamiliar world. Perhaps all five senses were whispering that the place actually existed.

“Hey, why don’t you guys come to my house today? I want to investigate over the next few days. If there’s nothing, I’ll give up, and I’ll thank you properly.”

I wanted them to be with me in case the phenomenon happened again, as being alone could be unpredictable.

“Pardon the intrusion! I have a cram school today, so it’s impossible.”
“I have a part-time job too, so I can’t.”

“You heartless guys!”

However, both of them flatly refused my invitation.

“Hey, you two, we’re starting homeroom. Take your seats!”

I didn’t expect them to decline, so I shouted, but our homeroom teacher came in, interrupting our conversation, and the discussion came to an end.

After school, we each went our separate ways without mentioning the morning’s conversation.

“See you tomorrow.”
“Later.”
“Yeah, see you.”

Suddenly remembering the uncertain contents of my fridge, I changed direction and headed towards the supermarket.

“Maybe I’ll make curry today.”

Arriving at the supermarket, I looked at discounted items while planning today’s menu and buying groceries for the next few days.

Satisfied, I paid for my items, exited the supermarket, and spotted the extroverted group of classmates walking.

As usual, I had no intention of interacting with them, and I should have been able to return home as always, taking the same familiar route and witnessing the same scenes.

“Hey, what’s that?”
“Huh? What’s going on there…?”

However, as I approached residential areas after walking for a while towards home, an incomprehensible situation unfolded.

It’s unclear who noticed first, but I turned my eyes to where everyone was pointing. Despite being an entertainment district, there was an alien, pitch-black vortex floating in the air. It looked nothing like a vortex and was unbelievably surreal.

Moreover, it wasn’t just one vortex.

Even within my visible range, I could confirm several of them. However, due to their eerie nature, no one dared to approach them. Yet, whether out of curiosity or simply being paralyzed, no one attempted to move away from the scene.

Just like with the doors yesterday, strange phenomena were occurring.

What on earth is happening?

As I tensed up, changes occurred within the vortex.

From the vortex, grotesque entities slowly emerged. They seemed like black shadows detaching from a flat surface, appearing in the real world like otherworldly beings.

“Monsters…”

Their appearance clearly did not resemble any Earthly creature, but everyone remained motionless, unable to escape from the thought-provoking sight.

The black shadows oozed out from the vortex one after another.

“Hey, don’t move, all of you!”

A brave police officer stood in front of the black shadows, brandishing a gun and giving orders.

“Vooooo…”

However, the black shadows started emitting eerie sounds, showing no sign of stopping.

“Hey, if you get any closer, I’ll shoot!”

“Voooo…”

The anxious police officer, however, the black shadows continued to approach him without stopping.

“Don’t take it the wrong way!!”

—Bang!

Despite the officer firing warning shots at the approaching figures, it had no effect. The black shadows kept steadily closing in on the officer.

Just a few more meters. The distance was almost nonexistent.

“Damn it! I don’t care anymore!”

—Bang!

He fired shots towards the shadows. The bullets were invisible, but there was a slight dent on the surface of the shadows. However, it had no further effect, and their advance didn’t halt.

—Gulp

Silently, unable to move from the spot, a lump formed in the throat.

“What the hell are these bastards!!”

—Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The officer repeatedly fired bullets, but there was no sign of any damage inflicted.

“Damn—”

As the officer ran out of bullets, he stepped back to reload. However, in that momentary distraction, a part resembling a person’s head from the shadow arched and engulfed the officer’s head, swiftly returning to its original position.

The shadow changed its shape, wriggling and transforming, leaving only the officer’s headless body in the spot where he stood. Like time starting again after stopping, blood sprayed from the body, forming a pool of bright red around.

…

A silence spread around.

—Shudder…

This is bad… I have to run no matter what…

A chill ran down my spine, but my body stiffened, refusing to move.

“Aaaaaah!”

However, a woman shattered the silence, and everyone present began frantically fleeing from the shadows, scattering like spiderlings. I, too, hastily ran away from the scene.