Dream of the Lattice Window

Welcome to the Castle of Dreams. I am its current Master, Morpheus.

Master of the... Castle of Dreams...? You—what have you done?!

Exactly what you dreamt of, no? I had you all dream a dream. Simple.

*sigh* But your dreams are no entertainment. Just filled to the brim with boredom.

(Mutters) Not to mention those... two horrid pests.

You know them? Iris... and Bena?

I wouldn't say we're intimate.

So they're real? They don't just exist in the dream?

I wish they only existed in dreams.

Now could you stop bringing them up?

You're talking to me! I'm the Master of this place right now!

Let me leave.

Not happening.

Why would I just let you go, now? So few children have come to the Castle of Dreams lately.

The Corettons can't talk. There's a single Wolff and it can't stop stammering.

(Dismayed chirping)

S-Sorry.

You trapped me in this castle because you, personally, were bored?

As if I'd do it to just anyone! No.

Your memories were interesting—your experiences. And those alien places! I studied them over and over.

You pried into my memory...?

Didn't the blue one tell you? Understanding a child's past is vitally important to creating a dream for them.

Now. You're quite special...

Even after all the unforgettable things you've been through, your mind has stayed clear as a whistle.

Now, to make up for this little regret, I'll spin you another sweet dream. We happen to be face-to-face this time, so you can tell me—

Wallowing in dreams and the pain of the past is a sign of weakness.

Heh. Stubborn, aren't you!

Well, if you're to be believed, and those who cannot face the truth are cowards...

Then there certainly are a lot of cowards around.

Uika... Mutsumi?

Yūtenji-san... even Yahata-san?

...Why are they all sleeping?

Save it. It's useless.

I'm more than confident in my abilities. They're deep in their sweet dreams, and you won't be able to rouse them.

Say, is there anything wrong with the dreams I've spun for you?

Your Rhodes Island friends trust you. Isn't that nice? No unwanted farewells, and no need to hide behind a mask.

Look at these girls. Are you calling them cowards too?

Since I can wake up from your dream, they can too...

You are SO STUBBORN. Can't you just admit when a dream is beautiful?!

You...

You... you do seem confident in your powers, don't you?

Perhaps no one before me has escaped one of your dreams.

Of course! I'm the top dreamspinner of all the Castle's fairies.

Your awakening was an accident. Give it another shot, and I'm sure it won't happen again!

Yes... Sakiko Togawa, was it?

If you're so confident, let's make a bet!

...A bet?

Yes! An absolutely fair and even one!

......

Hah-hah! It's very simple!

I'll invite you into each of their dreamlands, and give you the opportunity to wake them up.

You can meet them, get to know them, and see the kinds of lives they're leading in there. I'll let you leave if you can make them wake up like you did.

And if you fail, they'll stay dreaming forever!

...I'll wake them up.

I won't leave a single member of Ave{@nbs}Mujica behind.

I selected each of them because they were the best of the best. I will not allow you to manipulate any of them.

Hah-hah! We'll see about that. If you fail, I'll have a nice tailor-spun dreamland for you to go back into too.

And this time, you won't wake up again. I'll make you forget all your old hurt and make you willingly live inside it.

......

Well? Getting cold feet? Do you want to take back all that bluster?

I could decline on the spot, but you would hardly let me go, would you?

Hah-hah! You're smart!

I look forward to seeing the look of despair and helplessness on your face when you find yourself in their dreams, Sakiko Togawa.

I'll prove it to you—you won't get away.

Nngh—!

Enjoy sweet dreams—

Am I out of dreamland now?

No...

Fresh finballs! Have a look, have a bowl!

Hurry! There's a whole line waiting! We'll be late for the event!

Hello! Package—nobody home? I'll leave it at the door then?

Modern buildings, animal ears... what is this place?

Lungmen... whose dreamland could this be?

Good even-nyamu-nyamu~!

Hello to all my fans! Fresh new talent Nyamu here!

My newest role as the lead in The Drummer Girl is in theaters right now! Support your local Nyamu today~

It's 3 in the morning! Sleepless nights! What if you get hungry then?

'NyamuX' finballs are here for you!

The favorite finballs of Nyamu and cloudbeasts alike! Order yours now!

Get your makeup done in just ten minutes!

The 'Dream Painter' express kit lets you get the perfect makeup in just a few simple steps!

Come with Nyamu! Let's be the mes we wanna be~!

Nyamu loves you too~!

Her ads are everywhere in this dream...

I'm going CRAZYYYYYYY!!!

Guh...!

Nyamu's so... SO cute!

Every expression, every move, every word, omigosh she just teases my heartstrings!

C-Can I really become as pretty as Nyamu?

—I wanna buy the same thing!

This place is packed. Is everyone here just to see her?

Of course... Nyamu, she's like a daughter to me, oh, she's so lovely...

Are you alright...?!

Nyamu! Nyamu! I see her!!

Where? Where? Move it, lemme through!

E-Excuse me! Please don't push...!

Yūtenji—!!

Hah-hahahahah...! Look at the state of her. And it's only just begun! How very, very fun!

(Joyful chirping)

W-Why?

Hm?

There—there's no need... she—she c-can't win...

And there's no need for you to chime in when you can't even talk properly.

......

I can figure this out... While she's in that dream, I can figure out what went wrong.

I AM the most talented dreamspinner in this castle.