A sound of an alarm clock, the sizzle of a frying pan, the rhythmic steps of shoes on the stairs, the chirping of birds outside, and the hum of cars passing by. Such a relaxing atmosphere to wake up to. A boy sits up in his bed, glances around, then stands up and leaves his room.
Downstairs, his mother is cooking, wearing an apron. He heads to the bathroom and knocks on the door. A girl with wet hair, slightly taller than him and dressed in her school uniform, steps out. The boy enters, stands in front of the mirror, and sees his tired eyes and shaggy hair staring back at him. He cleans himself up and changes into his uniform, slipping a black hood over it.
"Ki, you have to take your breakfast first before you go," his mother shouts, but the boy ignores her. He steps outside, and thus Ki's day begins. A 16-year-old boy, in his uniform, walking to school. As he enters the classroom, an energetic boy with a bright smile greets him from behind, placing a hand on Ki's shoulder.
"Good morning, Ki," the boy says energetically. A girl with long curly hair and a flower headband steps in front of Ki, also saying, "Good morning, Ki.
"Zephyr and Septh have been Ki's childhood friends. Zephyr, a 17-year-old boy with a delinquent-looking hairstyle—blonde hair shaved at the sides—despite his appearance, is smart and athletic. Ki, on the other hand, has a more unenergetic look. Septh is a smart girl, often at the top of the class. She excels in any mental-related activities, such as chess. She is popular, with brown hair.
"Oh, come on. Just him?" Zephyr protests to Septh. "Good morning to you too, Zephyr," Septh adds. "Good morning, guys," Ki speaks for the first time, his voice low and calm.
Ki takes his seat as the bell rings. The day ends with Septh busy with her duties as the student council president, Zephyr playing football with friends, and Ki napping on the rooftop. By the time they are done, it's already dark. The three always walk home together.
They met in kindergarten. Ki was playing in a sandbox when Septh approached him with a smile, introducing herself. Zephyr teased them from afar, but soon joined in. It was a vivid memory in Ki's mind, and he smiles as he drifts off to sleep on the rooftop.