A White Dress and a Black Vortex
Our first outing. When Amy asked if she had time, Rain had naturally replied that she did. And just like that, our first trip out—to a theme park this weekend—was decided. I spent the remaining time researching the theme park, writing down my plans for the day in a small notebook in crooked, messy handwriting. First, ride the giant star-shaped disc to tour the entire park. After that...
As I scribbled with colorful colored pencils, I stared blankly at the notepad files multiplying on my computer desktop. I frowned at the messy clutter scattered all over the screen. The contents of the notepad files were all simple—repetitive lists of short words, with intense exclamation marks used multiple times. Was someone trying to send me a message?
I dragged the mouse to select the clutter of notepad files and threw them into the recycle bin. The icon changed to show it was full. Feeling an inexplicable sense of unease, I emptied the bin. With a soft rustling sound, the files vanished. Yet, the words burned into my mind wouldn't disappear so easily. I stared blankly at the screen for a moment, then shook my head and went back to scribbling with my colored pencils.
"Jeff, are your plans almost ready?"
"Yes!"
"Are you that excited?"
"Of course!"
Amy walked over to me as I sat in front of the computer scribbling in my notebook, stroking my hair. "We can't stay out too late, though."
"That's fine!"
The curfew Amy set was 5:00 PM. Since she said we would arrive around 1:00 PM if we left from here, it meant we only had four hours to spend at the park. Because of that, I kept revising the contents of my notebook, researching the most efficient route.
"What do you think, Shine?"
"As long as you like it, Jeff, I like it too."
I showed the notebook to Shine, who was sitting next to me, and asked for her opinion, but she didn't seem particularly interested in the plans I had made. Clutching the notebook, I sank into the plush chair and swung my short legs. My legs swinging back and forth made the chair rock slightly.
That night, for the first time in my life, I realized that sleep simply does not come when your heart is full of anticipation. The thumping of my heart sounded excessively loud. Even when I pulled the blanket over my head, my eyes refused to close.
"Shine...?"
Gently lowering the blanket from my head, I called out to Shine, who was lying next to me. But the response I hoped for didn't come. I puffed out my cheeks and buried my face in the pillow. I couldn't sleep. But I couldn't just wake up Amy or Shine either. After squirming under the covers by myself, I carefully slipped out of bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I looked down at the quietly sleeping Shine.
The exact same face as mine. My family, sharing the exact same body. Tiny hands, short legs, and soft cheeks. Not a single thing was different from me. I reached out a finger and poked Shine's cheek. The soft, squishy cheek yielded to my finger, feeling just like a glutinous rice cake.
"Jeff."
"Ah..."
It happened while I was busy poking her cheek. Shine's closed eyes gently fluttered open, and her hand softly wrapped around mine. Startled, I tried to pull my hand back in a hurry, but she tightened her grip and gently pulled me down. My body easily collapsed forward. I could have twisted my hand free, but I didn't resist her touch.
"Weren't you asleep?"
"Yeah. I couldn't sleep."
Collapsing softly onto the bed right next to Shine, I answered her as she asked with a gentle smile. Hearing my reply, she reached out and softly stroked my hair.
"Did you drink coffee?"
"No. I just can't sleep."
"Do you want to sleep?"
"Yeah. If I don't sleep now, I won't be able to have fun to my heart's content tomorrow."
At my response, Shine smiled silently. At the same time, her hand, which had been gently stroking my hair, began to move slowly. From my hair to my forehead, and then to my eyes. Her small fingers lightly brushed over my eyelids. When I looked at her as if to ask what she was doing, she brought her other hand up as well and covered my eyes.
"Goodnight, Jeff."
What is she doing...
"Je...!"
A faint voice. As if my hazy consciousness were floating to the surface of water, my senses gradually sharpened, and I moved my hand. My hand, which had been wrapped in the soft blanket, slipped out and was exposed to the cold air. I flinched at the sudden change in temperature. Rubbing my blurry eyes, I sat up.
"Jeff!"
"Rain...?"
I muttered blankly at the sight of Rain making a fuss, waving her arms in front of my face. My head felt heavy. Waking up felt different than usual, as if my fatigue hadn't been washed away. Dragging my sluggish body, I crawled out from under the covers. Why was Rain sitting on my bed? Wondering about the little chick who had appeared in a completely unexpected place, I asked her in a slow, drowsy voice.
"Rain... Why?"
Perhaps because the sleep hadn't fully left my system, a good chunk of my question got cut off, but Rain somehow managed to understand and replied.
"You said we were going out to play!"
Going out. When? Today? A slow succession of words connected in my mind. Theme park—Rain—promise.
"Ah!"
Only then did it hit me. Today was the day we were going to the theme park. Jumping out of bed, I stumbled as I looked around. Shine and Amy were sitting at the table, watching television.
"Amy!"
"Are you awake?"
"The theme park!"
"We still have some time, so go wash up first."
At Amy's words, I turned to look at Shine. She seemed completely ready, already wearing the outfit Amy had prepared for her. Dressed in a pure white dress, Shine looked just like a doll.
"Uh..."
My face stiffened. Anyone could see that the dress Shine was wearing suited her perfectly. That was the problem. When preparing clothes for Shine and me, Amy always chose identical outfits. Just like our glow-in-the-dark dinosaur pajamas or the tracksuits we wore when moving around. It wasn't that I disliked wearing the same clothes as Shine. It was an inexplicable aversion rising from the very depths of my being. My face, frozen by that twisted, alien sensation, showed no signs of relaxing. My gaze drifted away from Shine and landed on the table in front of her. Spread out wide on the table was a pure white dress, undoubtedly prepared by Amy. So... I have to wear *that*? Something that frilly and flowing?
"Jeff?"
Come to think of it, there was nothing strange about it. Which meant it *was* a problem. There was technically nothing wrong with me wearing that dress, but the moment I imagined myself in it, an inexplicable resistance welled up inside me.
"Jeff? What are you doing?"
"Ah... Rain."
As I stood frozen by that subtle sensation, Rain pushed my back, shoving me into the bathroom. Staring blankly out of the bathroom, I stepped onto the stool Amy had prepared for me and looked into the mirror above the sink. The face of a little girl with messy, disheveled hair stared back. Giving herself a slightly bewildered look, the girl reached out and touched her own face.
"This is me, right?"
I asked the girl in the mirror with a faint, wry smile. No answer came. Once I finished washing my face and stepped out of the bathroom, Amy, who had been waiting right outside, scooped me up, sat me down in front of her, and began brushing my hair. Her hands moved quickly, yet with incredible gentleness. Amy smoothly untangled the knots in my hair and began brushing it with rhythmic strokes. *Brush, brush.* The sound of the brush behind my head made my entire body melt with relaxation.
"Does that feel good?"
"Yes..."
The strange resistance vanished in an instant. Having finished brushing, Amy brought over various cosmetics and began slathering them onto my face. I tried to turn my head this way and that to escape her touch, but there was no escaping Amy's embrace as she locked me in place with her arms and legs. Under Amy's relentless grooming, as if the hesitation I felt earlier had been a mere illusion, I ended up letting her dress me in the white dress.
"You look pretty, Jeff."
Shine, who had been watching me from the side, said with a bright smile. For some reason, her words made me feel incredibly embarrassed. My ears flushed red. Unable to meet her eyes, I cast my gaze down to my feet. My toes, wrapped in pure white stockings, wiggled nervously.
"Yeah... You look pretty too, Shine."
It felt drafty down below. Feeling a cool, puzzling sensation, I toyed with the hem of the dress. The soft fabric tangled between my fingers.
"I look pretty too, right?"
Just then, Rain, who had been sitting on the bed, hopped down and spun around in a circle. The hem of her bright yellow dress fluttered softly, swaying as if riding a gentle breeze. The stark contrast between her pale blonde hair and the vibrant color of the dress made her face stand out even more.
"Why did you dress up so much just for an outing?"
Amy chuckled playfully and patted Rain's head.
"You never know!"
Rain slipped away from Amy's hand and replied with a confident look. Having dressed up to the nines, she looked even more beautiful than usual, causing me to stare at her blankly without realizing it.
"It's about time we head out."
As I was adjusting the folds of my dress, Amy stood up and spoke. At her words, I dashed to the corner of the room and slung my yellow backpack over my shoulders.
"I'm all ready!"
My heart fluttered with pure anticipation. At my energetic signal of completion, Shine and Rain walked over to my side.
"Jeff."
"Yeah?"
"Did you pack your notebook?"
"My notebook...!"
Rummaging through my bag at Shine's question, I remembered that the notebook containing my theme park plans was still sitting on the computer desk.
"Thanks!"
I had almost forgotten it. I gave Shine a quick hug, then dashed over to grab the small notebook.
"Now I'm really ready!"
Now we were truly set. Watching me, Amy chuckled softly and said:
"Let's go."
Stepping out of the room, I looked around. Since the holiday season wasn't over yet, the hallway was quiet and deserted.
"Where are we going?"
"To the stairs first."
Amy said as she kept walking. After following her for a while, we arrived in front of the stairs. Surely we don't have to climb all these stairs, do we? I looked up at Amy with a worried expression. Sensing my gaze, Amy turned around and smiled playfully.
"Were you worried that we'd have to climb all the way up?"
At Amy's teasing question, I nodded. Watching me, Amy tapped her phone screen. With a soft *tap-tap*, a massive hole opened up right behind her. It was an ominous, swirling vortex of pure black. Startled by the sudden phenomenon, I took two steps back.
"A warp...?"
"Come here, Jeff. Shine."
Amy stood before the massive vortex and held out her hands. Shine also looked bewildered by the sudden portal. While I hesitated to reach out and exchanged glances with Shine, Rain, who was standing next to us, leaped into the vortex without a moment's hesitation. It happened so fast that I couldn't even reach out to grab her. As I stood there, mouth agape in panic, the vortex that had swallowed Rain rippled, and her small face popped right back out.
"Aren't you guys coming?"
Rain acted as if this were the most natural thing in the world. Seeing her, Shine and I realized the vortex wasn't dangerous. Approaching Amy, who was still holding out her hands, we took them, and she began walking into the portal. The surface rippled with black. Rain's head floating on top of it looked almost grotesque at a glance. The moment we drew right up to the vortex, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Whoosh! The sound of rushing wind filled my ears. Cold air brushed against my cheeks, filling my lungs. Startled, my eyes snapped open as I looked around. We were no longer inside a building. The clean, white-walled room was gone. Instead, a vast, open view stretched out before us. As if to prove how high up we were, the distant peaks of a massive mountain range lined the horizon. Hoo. My breath turned into a white mist and scattered in the air. We were on a rooftop. The rooftop of some unidentified building, and an incredibly spacious one at that. Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud! A sound, arriving a moment too late, grew increasingly distinct. Right in the center of the rooftop, a black silhouette immediately caught my eye. Propellers spinning at high speed let out a deafening roar.
"A helicopter...?"