E003I4

<Gaah!>

A-am I in...

Huh. You keep getting these nightmare cycles on the Bus, Manager Bud.

N-nightmare...? So it was all a dream?

<Hah. Figures...>

As the buzzing in my head gradually settled, the sound of the bus engine came back into focus - I guess what just happened must've been a dream, nothing more.

<Ngh... Thanks, Gregor... You saying it was a nightmare snapped me out of it.>

Hey, no problem. Or if you really wanna thank me... We could use a hand with that.

Where Gregor pointed, the Sinners were arguing loudly over something.

*sigh* Again with where to go for the team dinner. They each want what they think is the best since it's been a while.

Dream or reality... Some things never change. It's almost amazing how they keep getting into the same arguments.

... And I don't even get to eat anything.

Well, Manager Bud... I'm sure you oughta have a wise way to shush them quick. Right?

"Wise" way? Did I ever have a "wise" way to quiet them down?

<Uh, well... To the time-out chair, everyone!>

Oh, I'm probably still half-asleep...

<... Sorry, that came out weird. What I mean to say is...>

I was awkwardly scratching the back of my head when I noticed that somehow, the Sinners had all gone quiet.

<Huh?>

Slowly, one by one... they clenched their mouths shut and took their seats...

As if they were children who were anticipating one heck of a scolding.

<W-what's going on, guys...?>

Everyone... Please keep quiet... The Terror T-rexes will come if you're noisy in the time-out chair...

Terror T-rexes...?

Hang on... Why do they recognize that name?

I'm so, so scared... Heard the Terror T-rexes gobble up bad kids in a single bite...

There's even a rumor saying... that they always go on external learning... so they can catch any children who misbehave...

What are they on about? We're on Mephistopheles...

Aha.

There are two seats empty.

Big Teesh Danteeehh....

The otha fwiends are being noisy again...

Eeek...! It's the Red Theropod, Terror T-rex's Class Captain!

When do I get... uppies fwom you...?

<W-w-what on earth are you saying...?! S-stay back...!>

Uppies...? Uppies...? Uppies...?

<Nooo!!!!>

<*huff* *huff* *choke*>

Is this... my room?

Then... was that just now also a dream?

So I had two dreams in a row, huh...

<That was such a weird-ass dream... *sigh*>

... No, it's still too early to let my guard down.

I could still be trapped in a dream world. R-right, I should try pinching my cheek to make sure!

<Dang it! Forgot I got a clock for a head. Fine, then the thigh... and one on the arm too!>

Apologies for coming in without knocking, Dante, but there is an urgent matter to discuss -

<…….>

Have you developed a sudden urge for self-harm? No such phenomenon has ever been reported before...

<No, no, Faust. Wait. Hear me out first.>

You may require immediate medical examination. First...

It took a good long while to try and explain to Faust the ridiculous situation I found myself in, but in the end, I managed to clear things up.

And thankfully, this part wasn't a dream.

Just...

Just another anecdote to be told about a certain day on the Bus.