"Ring… ring… ring…!"
"Bang…"
Akira, who was sound asleep under the covers, couldn't stand the noisy alarm clock. He skillfully reached out and slapped it quiet, then immediately fell back asleep.
"Ring—"
"Clap…"
This time, before the alarm clock could go off again, he switched it off completely, along with the other five timed alarms set to follow.
He stared blankly at the ceiling for a minute or two before finally sitting up, yawning as he stood. After stretching, he quickly changed into his morning run clothes and headed downstairs.
The lights on the first floor were still off, but Akira didn't think much of it. He put on his running shoes, opened the front door, and stepped outside.
Last night, he had told his mom that the School Festival started today. Shizuka had said she would sleep in, leaving Akira in charge of breakfast after his run.
The faint morning light outlined the buildings. Convenience store lamps blurred into soft halos through the mist, and the hum of the coffee machine spilled out each time the automatic door slid open.
Warm yellow light glowed from the bakery window on the corner. The fragrance of baking bread filled the air as croissants crisped in the oven. A security guard munched on a rice ball during his night shift break, while a sanitation worker's cart rattled along the damp streets.
Akira exhaled deeply, slowing his pace. He stopped his watch timer, wiped sweat from his forehead with a tissue, then found a bakery, bought breakfast, and made his way home.
"Click…"
The door opened. Inside, the lights were still off. He left the bakery bag on the dining table, then went upstairs, pulled out his uniform, and headed to shower.
"This bakery deserves a bad review. They put too much yeast," his mom muttered as he walked out of the bathroom.
"Akira, I forgot to ask yesterday—what time can parents come in today?"
"Around nine… I think?" he answered, towel draped over his head. He wasn't entirely sure.
"Click…"
The front door opened again. Akira looked over and saw Shouko Nishimiya's head peeking in.
"Morning, Akira."
"Morning. Did you eat yet?"
"Yes, yes." Shouko slipped off her shoes and smiled. "I'll blow-dry your hair for you—wait for me!"
She greeted Shizuka in the dining room before quickly grabbing the hairdryer.
"Akira, do you think your standee will get stolen?" she asked over the sound of the dryer.
"Huh? What did you say??"
She didn't answer until his hair was fully dry. "I said, do you think someone will steal your standee?"
"I'm not that charming, okay?" Akira sighed. "Besides, it's just cardboard. Who'd want to steal it?"
"That's true…" Shouko said, though she kept staring at his face before quickly looking away.
"You two are unbelievable. Staring at each other so affectionately this early—aren't you afraid of being too cheesy?" Shizuka teased from the doorway.
Ignoring her, the two moved to the dining room for breakfast.
Morning mist still lingered as golden sunlight climbed the school's eaves.
Students dashed through the hallways carrying props. Ribbons were tied around cherry branches, laughter echoed, and the smell of takoyaki drifted through the air. It was the lively start of the School Festival.
"Minna-san, quickly, quickly! Keep moving!" Class Monitor Ayumi Atsuya's voice rang out from the classroom.
Spotting Shouko and Akira entering, she instructed, "Shouko-chan, check the back kitchen tools. Akira, help set up the standees at the front door."
"Got it."
Akira first carried out Ayumi's standee, which immediately drew attention from passing students—mostly boys, some snapping photos on their phones. Then he placed his own butler standee beside hers, adjusted them, and stepped back.
"Miyamura, this is…?" a familiar voice asked.
It was Kawai Miki. She hadn't seen him in a while, and her eyes shifted curiously between the standee and Akira himself.
"It's for our maid and butler café," Akira explained.
"N-nothing… it just feels like the standee looks a little… different," Miki murmured. She had only ever seen that soft smile on his face when he was with Shouko.
"Probably just photo editing," Akira shrugged.
"Then… if I come visit, do I get a discount?" Miki asked.
"Well… you can choose a maid or butler to serve you and even take a photo. Does that count?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Miki's eyes lit up as she stared at the standee.
But before Akira could continue, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He turned his head—and saw Shouko peeking out from the back door, glaring at him with an intensity that made him shiver.
"Welcome to visit then. I still have class duties—see you later." He hurriedly excused himself and rushed toward Shouko.
"Okay…" Miki replied absently, already pulling out her phone. She circled the standee, snapping pictures from several angles.
All she could think about was how soon she could step into the café—and order Miyamura himself to serve her.
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