After I woke from the dream, Saya, who had heard me getting up along with Nezusuke's squeaking, closed the thick book she had been reading.
"You're finally awake. You really made me wait a long time."
In truth, it had not been that long, not even an hour, roughly matching the time I had subjectively experienced in the dream. It seemed Saya's potion might also have the effect of accelerating the onset of dreams.
After I bluntly pointed that out, Saya asked eagerly, "So, how did it feel?"
I thought for a moment and described it. "After drinking the potion, I was indeed able to move freely within the dream."
Saya crossed her arms and laughed loudly. "Hahahaha! As expected of the genius that is me!"
"But it seems I can't create things out of thin air that I've never seen before, nor can I control the flow of time within the dream."
"Hm, is that so…" Saya frowned slightly and muttered, "No helping it. Looks like this method still has its flaws."
Success is always one's own ability, while failure is always due to external problems. Truly impeccable logic.
"Oh right, Sensei. Can you tell me what you dreamed about? And you too, Nezusuke."
Nezusuke, who had been trembling nervously ever since waking up and looked quite frightened, immediately let out a few shaky squeaks.
All I heard was a string of "squeak squeak," but Saya seemed to understand and nodded.
"Oh, you dreamed of giant cheese again. Honestly, that's exactly why your data is even less useful as a reference!"
Watching the interaction between this person and her pet, and recalling the dream of Nezusuke that I had seen, I nearly failed to control my expression.
With Nezusuke's example as a guide, I smoothly followed suit and claimed that I had dreamed of the Schale office. Saya did not doubt my story at all.
Along the way, I also asked why Saya did not test the medicine on herself.
"Are you an idiot? Who uses themselves as a test subject? I still need to observe any possible side effects."
Well… looking at it positively, that means she wants to be able to deal with any accidents in time, right?
Although it certainly looks suspicious, it probably is not that she simply enjoys bullying others… probably.
"Anyway, thanks for helping with this experiment."
Even though the results were not ideal, Saya still smiled as she spoke to me. "Next time I need to test a new medicine, I'll call you to help again."
…I do not remember agreeing to participate in future experiments.
Her tone was so matter-of-fact that I even began to wonder if I had remembered it wrong.
But since I still needed her help, I could only respond reluctantly, "Yeah, next time for sure."
Right after that, I made a request to the pharmacist girl, hoping she could give me a few more doses of the "dream potion" I had just used.
Saya's first reaction was the same as Tsubaki's. She suspected that I might be getting addicted to the dream world. Only after I repeatedly assured her did she finally agree to my request, but she still kept reminding me not to abuse it, and to contact her immediately if any adverse reactions occurred, and so on.
That actually put me more at ease. It seemed that although Saya might be eccentric and mischievous, she was not without the compassion a medical professional should have.
In any case, after quite a bit of effort, I finally gathered all the necessary conditions. Next, I would finally be able to meet that sleeping princess, right?
With the secret medicine in hand, I could not suppress the mix of anxiety and excitement in my heart. After exchanging a few final pleasantries with Saya, I hurriedly took my leave.
I first returned to Schale and did a bit of disguise, then, with Himari's help, secretly made my way to Seia's hiding place.
Wearing her pajamas and seemingly already prepared for bed, Mine was quite surprised by my late-night visit. But upon hearing that I might have a way to awaken Seia, she quickly assisted me in completing the preliminary preparations.
The hospital bed Seia lay on was spacious enough for two people to lie down without feeling cramped at all. There was no need to lay bedding on the floor. Simply adding another blanket beside it was enough.
Personally, I thought there was no need to add even a blanket. Since Seia did not object, she probably had no issue with it.
But my main concern was Mine getting jealous.
It was obvious that the head of the Remedial Knights, who had shown her vulnerable side in front of me last time, had already planted the seeds of affection toward me in her heart. Even if her outward attitude toward me seemed unchanged, she was surely already blooming with joy inside, merely putting on a calm front.
There was no helping it. Doing my best to consider and care for the feelings of the girls who like me was also my duty… no, my sin to atone for.
Taking a deep breath, I downed the strange potion in one go and lay down on the bed. I apologized to the blue-haired girl who had moved a chair over and was sitting by the bedside.
"I'll be counting on you from here."
Mine, who had volunteered to keep watch through the night, shook her head. "It's fine. I'm already used to it."
I looked into her earnest emerald-green eyes and let out a soft laugh. "That's a shame. I'd rather you not be used to it."
If you want to act spoiled in front of me, that's perfectly fine too.
Mine took a moment to react before realizing the hidden meaning in my words.
"…Please don't say such strange things!"
Even so, after rejecting me, her eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of a smile.
That alone showed that she was actually happy inside.
Sigh, another woman whose words did not match her heart.
She really is adorable.
After easing my tension a little through this pure and beautiful girl, I turned my gaze back to the sleeping beauty beside me.
At this point, there was no reason left to hesitate.
With a turn of thought, the authority activated.
When I regained consciousness, I had once again arrived at that strange and magnificent, breathtakingly beautiful scene, walking upon the surface of the water.
Here again? Was it just a coincidence, or is it always like this?
I felt a slight curiosity, but compared to the desire to explore, a sense of tranquil calm took precedence.
So this is it. This must be the "inner voice" that Seia, in her sleep, is conveying to me.
With prior experience and a highly rational mindset, I instantly understood the situation.
And the nature of this emotion… interesting.
Of course, there was no need to think too deeply about it. Once I met her in person, all my questions would be answered.
Next, I used the authority of [Dream Entry]. The scenery around me shifted, and in the blink of an eye, I arrived at yet another familiar place.
The venue of the Tea Party.
However, unlike anything I had seen before, this dream depicted the scene in the middle of the night.
Bathed in warm yellow lighting, the atmosphere felt exceptionally quiet.
At the other end of the long table, Seia sat gracefully in her chair, lifted her teacup, took a light sip, and smiled as she spoke to me.
"Sensei, you've arrived. Please, have a seat."
As if she had expected me all along.