(An ethereal voice drifted through the dream.)
Please... don't forget me...
You promised me...
I... will wait... don't forget...
In a daze, Cypher's consciousness began to awaken.
Gradually, he sensed that someone extremely important to him was leaving him.
The overwhelming panic jolted Cypher fully awake.
Ah!
Lying flat on the hospital bed, Cypher, who had been unconscious for days, suddenly sat bolt upright.
He gulped in air, raising one hand to brush his forehead as though trying to wipe away sweat that was not there. His other hand clutched the muscles over his chest, as if pressure could fill the sudden emptiness inside him.
Who was it?! Who was saying goodbye to me?!
Just as Cypher desperately tried to follow that intuition, searching for even the slightest hint or inspiration—
Beside his bed—
Iris wore a startled expression.
Hogwarts was holding a grand exchange event today.
Under Iris's "persuasion," Luna and Cassandra had left her alone to look after Cypher.
Just moments ago, while Iris had been gazing foolishly at Cypher's profile, she suddenly noticed his tightly furrowed brow.
Just as she reached out to smooth away the crease on his forehead—
Cypher suddenly jolted upright.
Caught completely off guard, she naturally gave a little start.
But when Iris saw that Cypher looked utterly lost,—
Though slightly frightened herself, she immediately put aside her own feelings and hurried to comfort him.
"Don't be afraid! We're all fine!"
Their familiarity, along with their close proximity, allowed Iris to sense the fluctuations in Cypher's emotions.
That lost and helpless feeling made Iris understand after only a moment's thought.
He had probably had a nightmare... and the dream was likely related to her and the others.
The familiar whisper by his ear reached him once more.
In his daze, the back