Chapter 1

Prologue

It had been a long time since I had a dream.

The place was a study.

A place that only existed in dreams, filled with old bookshelves and worn books. When I inhaled, the smell of old books filled my nose.

It was a strange thing to feel a smell in a dream.

Was that why?

Every time I saw it, I thought it was a magnificent place. It made me want to have it at least once.

I always read books there.

To be precise, I watched myself reading books. In the third person, I observed my younger self.

My younger self would pick up a book when the sun was high and read until it was pitch dark outside.

The topics were diverse. Not just literature, but history and philosophy as well, without any particular preference. There were also comic books, quarterly magazines, and various other publications.

Was I like that when I was young?

I momentarily took my eyes off the scene and turned them to the bookshelf filled with books. I suddenly wondered,

Who is the owner of this place?

The study seemed familiar, yet it was a place I couldn't recall. It must have been from when I was very young. Was it a neighbor's house? Or perhaps...

I had to pause my thoughts.

The door opened, and someone came in.

An old man with gray hair.

"You're here again today."

The old man smiled warmly at my younger self, as if looking at a grandson.

With my arms crossed, I tried to recall. But it wasn't a face I recognized. It felt like I had seen him somewhere, but I couldn't quite place it.

"Sure. What are you reading today?"

My younger self closed the book and showed him the cover. He sat down in a chair, exclaiming in admiration.

"You really love books, don't you?"

"Yep."

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Someone who makes great books."

"I see."

His rough hand stroked my younger self's head. My younger self smiled brightly, and I couldn't help but smile along.

"Sure. You will definitely become that. This old man will watch over you."

"From where?"

"From here."

From here?

This dream always ended with such a question.