MTLNOVEL Chapter 3
Chapter 3. Meeting a Big Fox in a Dream (1)
As my consciousness hazily surfaced, I found myself standing in a place surrounded by large trees.
——Ah, this is a dream.
I realized it immediately. There was no basis for it.
The large trees felt overwhelmingly present, almost oppressive. As I glanced around, a path began to form from my feet, stretching forward.
——Is this telling me to go forward?
Though unsure if I was interpreting it correctly, I kept moving forward.
Then, before my eyes, an old stone torii gate appeared. Beyond it was a dilapidated old shrine building. I passed through the torii and reached the front of the structure.
[You’ve come at last.]
Suddenly, a deep male voice echoed.
“Huh?”
I frantically looked around, but no one was there.
[Over here.]
The voice came from the direction of the building…
“W-wait, a fox!?”
A large fox slowly emerged from the building. It was probably about as tall as me. I stared, wide-eyed, as the fox approached. It stopped right in front of me, sat down, and peered into my face.
[Mochizuki Satsuki.]
“Y-yes!”
How does it know my name?
Oh, right, it’s a dream.
[How about buying a mountain?]
“…Huh?”
The fox tilted its head as it spoke.
——Buy a mountain?
I tilted my head too.
Why a mountain?
[I’ll give you a good deal.]
“Well, even if it’s cheap…”
[If you live on the mountain and maintain it, I’ll cover the management fees.]
For a dream, this is oddly realistic.
I mean, I don’t know how much the management fees would be, but maybe it’d pay off someday? Plus, if I’m getting paid, I wouldn’t have to work.
For a moment, the face of my ex-boyfriend, who works at the same company, flashed in my mind.
“Living on a mountain…”
Is this what they call slow living?
[What do you think?]
“Sounds nice. If I could live like that, I’d be happy.”
If it were really possible, that is.
Life deep in the mountains looked pretty tough on TV, but if it’s not much different from my current life, I might give it a try.
It’s just a dream anyway—living in a big log house, soaking in an outdoor bath. Without the city lights, the night sky must be beautiful.
[I see, I see….]
The fox seemed to smile as it spoke.
——A fox smiling?
[Well then, I’ll send you the bill.]
“W-wait, a bill!?”
[You’re going to buy the mountain, right?]
“Well, I haven’t decided yet… and how much does a mountain even cost?”
Even if it’s a dream, I need to know the price. I’ve got some savings for wedding funds in my bank account.
[Hmm? How about 900,000 yen for one mountain?]
“Ni-nine hundred thousand!?”
[Too expensive?]
Wait, how big is this “one mountain”? And where is it even located? The specific amount just made me more confused.
Oh, right, it’s a dream. But still…
[Oh, it seems you’re about to wake up. Oh well. See you later.]
“Huh?”
As the fox spoke, the scenery twisted and distorted, and everything went dark.