KAIRI AKASHI
"Danna-san, wake up, you need to get ready..." Kei's voice broke through the haze of my deep sleep, gentle yet insistent.
I groaned, rubbing my eyes as I slowly became aware of my surroundings.
"Why are you here?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep.
Kei grinned, his enthusiasm infectious. "I'm here to pick you up. It's a school day, daarin. It's our first day in 12th grade!"
"Oh, right..." I mumbled, sitting up on my bed and stretching. "Can you wait for me? Just thirty minutes."
"Of course, I'll wait for you downstairs." He smirked and playfully pinched my nose. "But be fast..."
I watched him leave before dragging myself to the bathroom. The cold tiles against my feet woke me up completely. I took a quick shower, the warm water a comforting contrast to the chilly morning air.
After a few minutes, I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a robe. Laid out on my bed was my school uniform: a crisp white long sleeve shirt, a black tie, a black coat, and a short black skirt.
"Kawaii!" I couldn't help but smile at the sight.
I dressed quickly, tying my hair into a messy bun and dabbing on a bit of perfume. A touch of red lip tint completed the look. Turning to the mirror, I did a little twirl and giggled, grabbing my bag before hurrying downstairs.
"You smell so good, daughter," Mom said, looking up from her morning coffee. "Is it because you need to smell nice for Kei?"
"Mommy..." I pouted, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "That's so—"
"Obasan, we're late, we need to go now..." Kei interrupted, holding out his hand.
"Here, your allowance." Mom handed me my wallet. "I already put some money in there, and remember, eat lunch. Don't make yourself starve."
I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Arigatōgozaimasu, Mom. I love you!"
Kei and I dashed outside to his car.
"Really, a senior high student with his own car?" I teased.
"You have your own too, but you still need to learn how to drive." He smiled.
I sighed. "I wish I could remember everything sooner..."
Kei fell silent, his smile fading slightly. I glanced at him, puzzled. "Why?"
"Nothing..." he murmured, focusing on the road.
His odd behavior gnawed at me.
Why didn't he want me to remember my past?
What was he hiding?
These questions swirled in my mind as we drove in silence.
Finally, we arrived at Horikoshi National University.
"Let's go?" Kei asked, taking my hand as we stepped out of the car. "Kairi?"
"Ah, yeah..." I forced a weak smile, letting him lead me.
The moment we entered the hallway, whispers and stares surrounded us.
"Isn't that Kairi, the girl who was in that accident with her boyfriend?" I heard a girl murmur, her words loud enough for me to catch.
"She looks fine after a year. Even more beautiful. But why is she with Kei instead of—" I didn't catch the rest as Kei tugged me along, his grip tightening.
