𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 8: First Day?

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#070722
•••

The next morning, Aeris woke up early, the soft sunlight spilling through her curtains and warming the room. She felt unusually energized, like the kind of day that demanded productivity and movement. She had been thinking about changing up her daily routine, adding some structure to her mornings, and today felt like the perfect day to start.

After a quick stretch, she slipped out of bed and made her way down the hall. Tobio's door was closed. She knocked lightly. No response. She knocked a little harder. Still nothing. Curious, she slowly turned the knob and peeked inside, but the room was empty.

"Where did he even go this early?" she wondered aloud, frowning slightly.

Grabbing her phone, she quickly typed a message to Tobio.

⤷ Aeris: Hey, where are you?

A few moments later, a reply buzzed back.

⤷  Tobio: Jogging.

She decided to make the most of her morning. Pulling out her yoga mat and some basic workout equipment, she moved to the living room. The quiet house gave her a rare sense of peace as she stretched, did some exercises, and focused on her breathing.

Finishing her routine, she glanced at the clock and realized she had some time to spare before Tobio returned. She thought it would be helpful to prepare his lunch ahead of time—a small gesture, but one she knew would make his day easier.

Not long after, the sound of the front door opening signaled Tobio's return.

"Nana-chan?" he called, his voice echoing through the kitchen doorway.

"Kitchen!" Aeris responded, turning toward him.

"What are you doing?" Tobio asked, a hint of curiosity mixed with concern in his tone.

"Cooking your lunch," she said casually, smiling.

Tobio raised an eyebrow. "Oh... you don't have to. Really."

"I'll cook while you take a shower," Aeris replied firmly. "That way, you can go to school without worrying about it."

He hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. This would be last because I might get lazy, go on, or you'll be late," she encouraged, waving him toward the bathroom.

Alone in the kitchen, Aeris focused on preparing a healthy and hearty bento. She carefully arranged vegetables, rice, and protein into neat compartments, making sure the meal was balanced. As she worked, she felt a quiet satisfaction knowing that Tobio would start his day with a good meal.

Soon, Tobio returned, dressed for school and looking a little more awake after his shower. The warm aroma of freshly prepared food filled the kitchen, and he stopped in his tracks.

"Thanks," he said sincerely, bowing slightly.

"You're welcome," Aeris replied, smiling warmly.

Tobio quickly ate his breakfast, grabbing his bag and checking his schedule. Just as he was about to leave, he paused, a puzzled look crossing his face.

"Nanachan, we go to the same school, right?" he asked.

"Next Monday," Aeris answered without hesitation.

Tobio's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Why?"

"Harumi-san booked the wrong date," Aeris explained. "She thought school started next week, but I checked. It's today."

He shook his head, a mix of amusement and disbelief in his expression. 'Nana-chan, never change. She's still the same,' he thought, smiling to himself.

Aeris chuckled at his reaction. "You should go now—you'll be late if you keep standing there."

With a quick nod, Tobio headed out the door. Aeris watched him leave, feeling a sudden sense of freedom. She had the entire day ahead of her, unplanned and open.

Throughout the day, Aeris decided to keep herself busy. She tackled chores, tidied up the house, and even explored the nearby town. She found herself wandering through familiar streets, noticing small details she had previously overlooked: a café with a new sign, a bookstore she had never entered, and a park where the morning sunlight danced through the leaves. Each little discovery felt like a small adventure.

Later, she returned home for another round of exercise, stretching and jogging lightly in the backyard. Her muscles ached pleasantly, a reminder of the effort she had put in that morning. The quiet of the house gave her time to reflect, to enjoy her own company, and to savor the small victories of a productive day.

By the time Tobio returned from school, the house was filled with the warm, lazy light of late afternoon. He stepped inside, carrying his backpack slung over one shoulder, and immediately began recounting his day.

"That orange-haired guy, Nana-chan," Tobio started, clearly both frustrated and impressed. "He's... so competitive. But I have to admit, he's incredibly talented. It's... it's frustrating."

Aeris couldn't help but laugh at his mix of pride and exasperation. "Sounds like you've met your match," she said, a teasing note in her voice. "Just remember to focus on your own growth. Enjoy the challenge, don't let it get under your skin."

Tobio nodded, a spark of determination in his eyes. "You're right, Nana-chan. I won't back down. I'll do my best, no matter what."

The rest of the evening passed quietly. They shared a simple dinner, talked about minor events in their lives, and laughed at small, silly moments. Tobio sometimes complained, sometimes bragged, but Aeris listened with patience and warmth, appreciating the bond that had quietly grown between them.

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.