Love Song (Kotori Minami x Original Character)

Chapter 1

Beep! Beep! Beep!

His hand quickly turned the alarm off, silencing the unbearable noise. A pair of eyes slowly opened to the gentle light of morning leaking through the curtains, prodding him to turn away and lay on his back. For a moment, he stared at the ceiling. Thoughts, torn between either getting up or sleeping in for a few more minutes. But any idea of prolonging his rest was immediately junked when a yawn escaped his mouth. And with it, his drowsiness. He sat up, shaking his head. The dimly-lit room brightened up for a new morning. Sluggishly, he got out of bed and opened the curtains to finally let the early sun coat him with its warm rays. Akihito stretched his body, shaking off any remaining hint of sleepiness.

The cool dawn air greeted him as he walked down the corridor, causing a slight shiver. He entered the bathroom. Its walls were made of pastel-grey tiles; the floor, white ones. Lukewarm-bubbly water rushed from the faucet to his cupped hands, splashing his face, rejuvenating his energy, mind, and soul for the new day ahead. Once he got ready, he headed downstairs to get some breakfast, only to stop by the front entryway of the house when he saw his younger sister.

"Mornin'."

"Oh, nii-san! Good morning."

"First day, huh?"

She looked down, smiling, resuming to put her shoes on. "Yup~"

"Well, someone's in a good mood."

"Of course I am. It's my first day, after all! And not only that, I get to join Numazu High's famed drama club," Her eyes filled with excitement. "Aah~! I get to be in the same club as Himeno-sama~"

"Himeno?? Didn't she graduate years ago?"

"Yes... But that's beside the point!"

He giggled, "Well, you should work hard on your acting then. After all, Numazu High School is one of the best in Shizuoka. They won't let you in the club if you don't take acting seriously."

"I... I will do my best!" She exclaimed, balling her hands into fists from the sudden spark of motivation.

Her brother smiled, "Good."

He reached out a hand to pat her on the head. Seeing her now, being so passionate about her dreams, reminded him of his time in school.

"I... I want to join the d-drama club!"

The surprise he felt at that time felt like it was yesterday. Ever since then, he too became more motivated to pursue his interests. 'And to think that Himeno was so shy back then,' He thought.

"Oh, I better get going!"

"Hm? But it's still quite early."

"I promised senpai to meet up with him since it's his first day there as well."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that."

They said their farewells with a wave as she jogged out the door. Turning around, Akihito marched towards the dining room. Upon entering, the delectable scent of breakfast welcomed him.

"Good morning Akihito," His mother chirped.

"Morning, mom. Where's grandpa?"

"He went out early today."

"Probably went to fix that coffee machine again. That thing's older than me," Akihito retorted.

"Hehe. No, it's not the coffee machine this time. He went to Uchiura to fetch some oranges for you and your father." She said, laying a bowl of fluffy white rice on the table. Along with it: pickled plums, freshly grilled mackerel, and an enticing bowl of warm steaming miso soup. He could feel his hunger growing by the second. "Come, sit. Eat some before you go."