Shards of War: Eclipsian Secrets

Chapter 37

The next morning, Matsu was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for his sisters. He was focused on making a hearty meal, flipping pancakes and stirring eggs, when his phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced at it and saw a group video call request. Curious and excited, he answered the call.

Immediately, the familiar faces of his friends filled the screen. The group greeted him with a chorus of cheerful "Hi!" and "Good morning!"

Terry, with a big grin, was the first to speak. "Hey, Matsu! I proposed this idea of group morning video calls so we can stay connected and catch up before starting our day. What do you think?"

Matsu chuckled, his face lighting up with a smile. "I love it! It's a great way to stay connected, especially with everything that's been going on."

Calie and Marie, sitting comfortably in their shared living space, looked cozy and relaxed. Calie waved at the camera. "Hey, Matsu! We were thinking of having a private call with you before we head out to Optimist. Is that okay?"

Matsu nodded. "Of course! That sounds perfect. Just let me know when you're ready."

The group continued to chat casually as Matsu worked on breakfast. Terry and Jackie were in their call, discussing their plans for the day. Angelo and Orca were also on their own call, talking about their upcoming tactical training sessions. Opal and Marina shared their thoughts on the latest music trends, while Blaze and Wally, in separate calls, exchanged updates about their respective jobs and their plans for the weekend.

As the video call progressed, Matsu found himself enjoying the lively conversation. His friends talked about their plans for the day, shared funny anecdotes, and offered each other support and encouragement. The camaraderie was heartwarming, and Matsu felt a deep sense of belonging.

After a while, Calie and Marie signaled that they were ready for their private call with Matsu. He smiled and said, "Okay, everyone. I'm going to switch to a private call with Calie and Marie now. Thanks for the great start to the day. I'll catch up with you all later!"

He ended the group call and initiated the private video call with Calie and Marie. Their faces appeared on the screen, and they greeted him warmly.

"Good morning, Matsu," Marie said with a soft smile. "How's breakfast coming along?"

"Good morning! It's coming along nicely," Matsu replied. "I've got pancakes, eggs, and bacon on the way. What about you two? How's your day shaping up?"

Calie leaned closer to the camera. "We're just finishing up getting ready. We'll be heading out to Optimist soon. How's everything on your end?"

Matsu looked at them with affection. "Everything's going well. Just had a busy morning already, but it's good to catch up with all of you before starting the day."

Marie's expression softened. "We miss you. It's nice to have these calls to stay connected."

Matsu smiled warmly. "I miss you both too. It means a lot to me to be able to talk like this."

They continued to chat, sharing updates and plans. Matsu felt a sense of comfort in their conversation, the distance between them momentarily bridged by their heartfelt connection. As they spoke, he realized how much he cherished these moments of intimacy and support, even amidst the busy and demanding lives they led.

Eventually, Calie and Marie had to wrap up and head out to Optimist. They exchanged goodbyes and well-wishes, and Matsu watched as they prepared to leave, feeling a mix of pride and longing.

After the call ended, Matsu returned to his breakfast preparations. He felt a renewed sense of energy and motivation from the morning calls, ready to tackle the tasks of the day with a smile on his face.