Tells the story of Aruta Kuroyuki, a 19 year old guy who thinks life is boring with his monotone routine. He's just an ordinary person.
Or is he?
With something he hides in his past, and after his encounter with Noarin Otorii, who shares the same fa...
The gentle chirping of exotic birds and the soft rustling of palm leaves in the morning breeze slowly pulled me from my slumber. As consciousness crept in, so did the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet wafting up from downstairs. Noarin was up early again, it seemed.
I glanced at the clock on the bedside table - 7:30 AM. For a moment, I considered burrowing back under the covers, but the promise of Noarin's cooking was too tempting to resist. Throwing on a comfortable t-shirt and shorts, I made my way down to the kitchen, following the mouthwatering scent.
There I found Noarin, her back to me as she stood at the stove. She was humming softly to herself, a melody I didn't recognize but found instantly soothing.
"Morning," I said, my voice still rough with sleep. "You're up early as usual."
Noarin turned, a warm smile lighting up her face. The morning sunlight streaming through the kitchen window seemed to make her glow, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
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"Good morning, sleepyhead," she replied, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I thought after yesterday's excitement, we could all use a nice breakfast."
I moved closer, peering over her shoulder at the pan. She was making pancakes, thick and golden, a stack of them already warming on a plate nearby. Next to the stove, a bowl of mixed berries and another of whipped cream waited to be used as toppings.
"Wow, you've really outdone yourself," I said, impressed. "Need any help?"
"You can set the table if you'd like," she replied, her focus returning to the pancake in the pan. "And maybe try not to burn the toast this time?"
I feigned offense, dramatically clutching my chest. "That was one time yesterday! And in my defense, that toaster is clearly possessed by some toast-burning demon."
Noarin's laughter filled the kitchen, the sound making my heart skip a beat. As I began setting the table, I couldn't help but steal glances at her, admiring the way she moved with such grace and confidence.
Our domestic tranquility was soon interrupted by the sound of thundering footsteps on the stairs. Kai burst into the kitchen, his hair a wild mess and his eyes wide with excitement.
"Do I smell pancakes?" he exclaimed, making a beeline for the stack Noarin had just placed on the counter.
Noarin swatted his hand away with a spatula. "Not so fast, Kai. Wait for everyone else."
Kai pouted dramatically, but his attention was quickly diverted by Rishia's entrance. She walked in more sedately, already dressed for the day in comfortable hiking clothes.
"Morning, beautiful," Kai said with an exaggerated wink. "You're looking particularly adventurous today."
Rishia rolled her eyes, but I caught the faint blush on her cheeks. "Save it, Casanova. I need coffee before I can deal with your charm."
