Katawa Shoujo - Akira Satou Route

Intermission - Bridging the gap

Beep. Beeep. Beeeep.

Fighting back the call to cruel reality, I reach out from underneath the blankets and give a sluggish whack to the 'snooze' button at my bedside.

It's too early in the morning; I don't care what time it actually is, it's too early.

The quiet that results is only enjoyable for a few more moments before the alarm clock chimes up again, earning it yet another slap on the head. I sandwich my head between two pillows, letting all the outside sources of annoyance fade away.

I still don't know what time it is and as of whenever five minutes ago was, I don't care - the morning is for resting and falling asleep in the bath. And breakfast, but breakfast is also equally delicious in the evening.

Of course, that doesn't stop that naggy beeping from interrupting my sleep again. There's no point in fighting it this time so I go ahead and sit up, not even bothering to open my eyes before I stretch my back out.

The alarm clock continues its incessant cries as I move to the edge of the bed, buttoning up my shirt and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Sister, I do think it's time to wake up." A soft and calming yet commanding voice calls out after a few knocks against my door.

"Yeah yeah." I call back as I pick the annoying black box up and switch the alarm off, making me wish I hadn't bought one that gets louder each time I press snooze. If anything, the alarm should get quieter - pressing the snooze button should re-assert that I refuse to get up and that it should be more understanding. The alarm clock doesn't have a desk job and a dozen errands to run, unlike certain others.

Well, it's not like I'll have a job for a while either. At the moment I'm on an indefinite leave of absence, not so much because I refused a job offer from the head of the company himself but more because there's a lot of paperwork that needs to get taken care of before I can come back. Nullification or retrieval of transferred records and all that.

At least I've got enough in savings to tide me over for a few weeks. A few months if I decide to live with a bit more frugality, but where's the fun in that? I don't think I'm a very expensive person in the first place; I try to limit myself to one vacation a year.

For now, I'm sitting in my penthouse enjoying the time off without worrying myself over the uncertainty of a total lifestyle change. Although considering everything that's happened recently, I'm just glad I don't have to pack up and move out; I like it here.

The clattering of plates, pots, and pans manages to pierce through the wall, helping to remind me that I've got to take care of two more girls now. Although, it's more like they're taking care of me by the sounds of it.

Not that I mind.

I'm already on my feet by the time another set of knocks sound, pushing the door ajar to reveal my baby sister still in her cute pajamas. The navy-blue cloth shimmers even in the morning light, the top button of her shirt undone and her pale legs bare below the thigh.

"How long have you and Hana been up?" I ask, unable to stifle the yawn that follows.

She gives me a curt smile, "ever since your alarm clock rung the first time."

I glance over to the black box, no bigger than both of my fists put together. "Ah, yeah, I do have it set kinda loud. I always have trouble getting up in the morning, you know that."

"Perhaps for your birthday I should get you an alarm clock that doesn't turn off until you get out of bed." Lilly muses, one hand over her mouth as she gives me that overly-polite giggle.