As The Paint Dries.

Chapter 1

"Big brother big brother!!!"

I awoke to my baby sister jumping on my bed. 

"What.. is it Shumi..?" 

My voice is extra groggy today, I was up all night working on a last-minute commission piece. I sit up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

"Mommy told me to wake you!!" She said with a big smile plastered on her face.

"She did huh? Thank you, I definitely needed it." I smiled sleepily back at her and ruffled her messy brown hair.

My sister is only 6 but she has my entire heart, I'd do anything for her.

"Rio! Have you gotten dressed yet? You're going to be late!" My mother's voice echoed through the house.

I turned to put on my glasses and glanced at my alarm clock.  She was right, if I didn't leave in the next 5 minutes, I'd miss my train!

"Sorry, Shumi! We'll play later, I promise!" I say as I gently place her on the floor and hastily throw on my uniform. After I lace up my converse, I grab my school bag and exit the room.

"Here, your lunch. Have a good day, I love you." My mother says while Shumi waves goodbye next to her.

"Thanks! love you!" I grab the bento, throw it in my bag, and in one big swoop, I'm out the door.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I let out a sigh of relief, I made it just in time. I plop down on the train's warn-down blue seats and stare out the window, watching the world pass by.

I must've fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, my best friend,  Isaki Nakamura, was shaking me awake.

"Riooo! Wake up sleepy head!" He shakes me.

"mmph.." Is all I could muster to say in my semi-conscious state.

 "I'll pour this coffee on you. Don't you tempt me." His voice is threateningly serious.

"W-what?? You have coffee?!?!?" I bolt up as I am now fully awake to the thought of delicious bean juice.

He sighs, "How long did you stay up this time?" He says while handing me the cup of piping hot coffee.

I take the cup as quickly as I can while still trying to be grateful, "Thank you, you're a real-life saver Isaki." I take a sip and immediately scald my mouth. "Ouch!" I jump a little.

"Dumb ass, it's coffee. What'd you think? It was going to be cold??" Isaki spats as he sits in the seat next to me.

"You're so mean Isaki!" I stick out my tongue in hopes that'd stop the pain.

"Uh-huh, I'm the mean one who brought you coffee and woke you up so you wouldn't miss your station, righttttt" I can almost hear his eyes rolling inside his head. "Don't dodge my question." He says while folding his arms across his chest.

"Huh? Oh...Uh..Around 3 am.." I say as quietly as possible in hopes he wouldn't hear. 

"Again Rio?! You knew we had class today!" He scolds. 

Of course, he heard me..Sometimes I swear he has the ears of an elephant. 

I think to myself as I take a sip more carefully.

"But.. Tomorrow is the customer's daughter's birthday! I couldn't have just not done it..!" I pout.