Love Live: Uchiura no Kiseki

3: New Dawn

3: New Dawn

"Come in! Sorry for my bad manners!" Chika said exasperatedly, ushering me into the house. It was a cosy, warm looking ryokan with a large common area adorned with sitting mats and a tea table. A couple hallways branched off into different rooms, presumably bedrooms made for visitors. "Ah, you must be hungry! Let me get you something to eat!"

"No, I'm fine... don't trouble yourself." I was actually really hungry, as I hadn't eaten since I got off the plane. I didn't care though, 'cause the fatigue was killing me. I felt my eyes droop and the blood pulsing through my head. "Sorry, but could you show me to my room? I'm very tired..."

"Oh, sure! Yes, you must be super tired. Here, leave your luggage right here. It'll be safe. For now, follow me to your room!" Chika grasped me by the hand and led me down one of the hallways. I felt her soft hand around mine, but was too tired to get all excited about it. All I wanted to do was sleep. A door slid open. I stumbled onto a futon. I fell asleep. I woke up. Only five minutes had passed. WAIT. IF THIS IS CHIKA'S HOUSE, AND THAT GIRL EARLIER LIVED NEXT DOOR, THEN... THAT'S RIKO! AHHHHHHH! HOW DID I NOT RECOGNIZE HER? Oh yeah this is real life. Lol. Then I fell back asleep.

My eyes opened. Where am I? I yawned, rubbing my eyes. I was in a lovely room, with a tatami mat and sliding doors. There was a low table next to the wall, and multiple sitting pillows. Sunlight filtered in through the blinds, illuminating a ray of dust particles in the air. I sighed, sitting up. I could hear the birds singing and cicadas chirping outside, their songs heralding the new dawn. The sound of waves lapping against the shore also reached my ears. What a beautiful day, I thought as I pulled back the blinds, opening the window. I was hit by a fresh breeze of ocean air and the smell of the sand. The road outside the ryokan, which I took to get here, ran alongside the ocean as far as I could see. The sea was so close. All I had to do was cross the street. Well, it's not like I don't see the ocean back home. But you can hardly find a tranquil scene like this back in Cali without five thousand other beach bums fooling around. The clear blue water lapped against the rocks, reflecting the bright rays of the sun. A small island could be seen across the bay. Is that Mari's? The scene was so beautiful I decided to climb out the window and jump into the ocean. When I had one leg over the windowsill, my bedroom door slid open.

"Darren-san? Good morning!"

"Ah sorry-" I quickly tried to retrieve my leg, sending myself tumbling back inside in a humiliating pile.

"Darren-san, are you okay!? What were you trying to do?" Chika exclaimed, running over to help me up. I took another look at her now that the sun was up. Her hair was a brown color, and three small braids tied with a yellow bow adorned it. The clover hairpin was there, too. She was wearing a light blue blouse and a dark blue skirt. I mean, she doesn't look the same as in the anime or anything, but she was quite a looker. Actually she was much prettier. Like seriously she's actually really hot. "Darren... san...?" Chika repeated, waving a hand in front of my face.

"Sorry! Yeah, I'm okay! Don't worry about me!" My face burned beet red. Hopefully she didn't notice me checking her out.

"Okay, that's great! Come on over to have breakfast! Come meet my family!" Chika pulled me by the hand and led me to the dining room, where a meal of sushi awaited me.

"Sushi? I don't usually eat that for breakfast," I remark.

"Really? Well, I wouldn't expect you to, coming from America and all. Hey look. It's my mom and my sisters!" Three females were seated at the table, all of which stood up to greet me when I arrived.

"Hello, Darren-san!" Chika's mother said. "It's so nice to have you here! You can call me mother! I am your host-mom, after all . If you ever need anything, just ask me! Chika, you better take good care of him!"