Morning Bliss

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Kaito's excited voice, while Sakura stood behind him, attempting to pull him away. Exhausted from the previous day's work, I had passed out on the couch after dinner, my mind consumed by tasks and responsibilities. Kaito seemed determined to wake me up.

"Kaito, stop bothering Haruki!" Sakura sighed in exasperation.

"I want breakfast," Kaito explained, taking a step back from Sakura's persistent pull. I couldn't help but chuckle as I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes. Sakura frowned and turned her attention toward me.

"I'm sorry. I wanted you to get more sleep," she apologized.

"Don't worry about it. Both of you must be hungry, right?" I asked, running my hand through my disheveled hair. Kaito's head bobbed up and down eagerly.

"Can we have eggs and sausages?" He beamed.

"If you place them on the countertop for me, then sure," I winked at him. Immediately, Kaito rushed off to the open kitchen to prepare the food.

"Can I try cooking today?" Sakura chimed in, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"You want to give it a shot?" I replied, heading towards the countertop with Sakura trailing behind me. She nodded confidently.

"I've practiced a few times with Aika," Sakura proudly declared. "I can handle it by myself."

"Only if one of us is watching over you," I decided, knowing that Sakura was a cautious child. I trusted her abilities, and I knew she would keep the two of them out of trouble when I wasn't around. Sakura and Kaito were very different in temperament. Sakura, at fourteen, already resembled our mother in many ways. She had a maturity beyond her years and took on the caretaker role when needed. I was certain that as she grew up, she would become a compassionate and brilliant person.

Kaito, on the other hand, embodied the spirit of a typical ten-year-old. He exuded confidence and fearlessness in everything he did. Whether it was fishing with our dad and catching fish with his bare hands or bringing joy to our lives during challenging times, Kaito's lively and spirited nature never failed to uplift our spirits. He was the light that brightened our gloomy days.

Even now, as Sakura fried the last few sausages, I found myself smiling just watching Kaito's energetic hops and skips. He carried the plate of eggs to the table, followed by the sizzling sausages. The three of us sat down to enjoy our breakfast, basking in the warmth of the pleasant morning.

--❦--

As I walked my younger siblings to the bus stop, I took in the sights and sounds of the beautiful morning. The melodious chirping of birds filled the air, while a gentle breeze brushed against my skin, accompanied by the warm caress of the sun. The day held promise, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation.

"Are you excited about your first day, Haruki?" Sakura's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she looked up at me. I returned her smile, feeling a surge of pride in my heart.

"Yes, Sakura. It's going to be an interesting day, for sure."

"Will you still be going to work after school, Haruki?" Kaito chimed in, his face beaming with curiosity. I glanced down at my younger brother, his innocence tugging at my heart.

"Yes, Kaito, but don't worry. I've already prepared dinner for tonight. We'll be having pasta and salad."

"Spaghetti and meatballs?" He blurted out with a glimmer of hope sparkling in his eyes.

"Yes, Kaito, just like you love. It's going to be delicious." I chuckled, nodding in affirmation. Reflecting on the upcoming day, I couldn't help but agree with Sakura's observation. "Just like Sakura said, there are good things about a first day."

Before I could even finish my sentence, Kaito wrapped his small arms around me in a tight hug.

"You're the best big brother ever!"

"Just promise me you guys will behave at school," I said as I patted Kaito's hair gently. Sakura met my gaze with a reassuring smile as she grabbed my hand.

"Don't worry, Haruki. We'll behave ourselves."

Her words filled me with pride and gratitude. I was fortunate to have such well-behaved and supportive siblings, always there to uplift my spirits.

As the bus arrived, I waved them goodbye, watching as they boarded and took their seats. They waved back with bright smiles, filling me with a sense of warmth and love. As they disappeared from sight, I turned and began my walk to the train station, feeling a mix of determination and anticipation for the day ahead.

--❦--

The subway station stood just a stone's throw away, a mere five-minute walk from where I stood. With every step, the anticipation of the day ahead grew stronger. As I descended into the underground labyrinth, the bustling crowd enveloped me, squeezing into the train cars like sardines in a can.

Finding a seat seemed like an impossible feat, so I settled for gripping a hanging strap, swaying with the rhythm of the train. To escape the cacophony of voices and the jostling bodies, I plugged in my earphones, letting the melodic tunes carry me away to a place of tranquility. With closed eyes, I allowed myself to drift, eagerly awaiting the moment my stop would be announced.

As I emerged from the station and set foot on the familiar path leading to the school, my eyes caught sight of two figures in the distance. Their silhouettes danced against the backdrop of the morning sun, filling me with a surge of excitement and prompting me to quicken my pace.

"Yujiro! Aika!" I called out, my voice carrying a mix of joy as I closed the distance between us.

"Well, well, if it isn't my partner in crime," Yujiro greeted me with a mischievous smile, encircling me in a playful headlock, his hand affectionately tousling my hair.

I skillfully slipped out of his grasp, retaliating with a playful punch. "Careful with the hair, man. Remember?"

"What's so special about your hair anyway?" Aika's laughter echoed through the air, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "I'm glad you decided to join us bright and early, Haruki."

"I promised you I would be here," I replied, a hint of a smile playing on my lips.

Curiosity piqued, Yujiro steered the conversation toward our recent endeavors. "So, what have you guys been up to?"

"Same old stuff, being a waiter, taking care of my younger siblings, you know how it goes," I shared, my voice carrying a tinge of weariness, yet a hint of determination. Yujiro slouched, hands finding solace in his pockets, an empathetic glint in his eyes.

"That's a bummer. Haven't you had any new experiences? Interesting stories from work? Difficult customers or maybe even a promotion?" His words hung in the air, laced with a flicker of hope.

"Not much, I'm afraid." I shrugged. "Although, I did catch my boss mentioning the possibility of a raise."

"Nothing else worth noting, huh?" Aika asked as she shrugged nonchalantly.

"If anything noteworthy happens, you two will be the first to know. I promise." I declared as I offered a reassuring smile.

"I hope so. Usually, it's us filling you in on our adventures." Yujiro interjected, his voice filled with playful banter.

With an affectionate gesture, I draped my arm around Yujiro's shoulder, teasingly remarking, "If you're craving a change of pace, feel free to swap roles with me."

A smirk danced across Yujiro's lips. "No thanks. I don't have the finesse to be a classy and charming waiter like you!" We shared a moment of light-hearted banter, a testament to the bonds forged over years of friendship.

"Come on!" Aika gestured us forward as she tapped her watch. "We don't want to be late on our first day, do we?"

Yujiro raised a finger to his chin, playfully pretending to contemplate the consequences. "Hmm, I'm not sure... It might actually be cool to make a grand entrance as the first person to arrive late!"

Laughter erupted from our cores, harmonizing with the rhythm of our shared joy. "Well, we'll leave that decision up to you,"

"Race ya there!" Aika smirked before she started to take off down the street. Yujiro and I share a knowing look before we nod and chase after her. With Aika's proclamation, our collective energies ignited, and like a trio of sprinters on a starting line, we propelled ourselves forward in a race toward the school entrance.