During the first two weeks of a new semester, students are often still lost in the lingering aftertaste of vacation—reluctant to let go of their memories while sluggishly getting up at their parents' urging, yawning as they put on uniforms, groggily brushing their teeth, and sitting at tables where warm breakfasts await. For Kitagawa Ryo, however, this kind of domestic scene has never been part of his life.
Getting up early was never painful. Especially since he'd barely slept last night anyway.
Like a machine with perfect calibration, Ryo's biological clock woke him precisely on time. He opened his eyes to the same unchanging ceiling.
First, he reached for his fully charged phone, turned off the hour-long loop of white-noise ASMR, and untangled the earphone cord wrapped around his neck. Swiftly dressing and neatly folding his bedding, he drew open the curtains and squinted at the morning sun. After a good stretch, he stepped out of his room.
The apartment he currently lived in came as part of his Blue Talent [Minor Asset]. Spacious enough that even when he had lived with Hotaru, it never felt cramped. Now that it was just him, it felt even roomier.
On the sink sat a pair of neatly placed toothbrushes—sky blue and pastel pink—leaning against each other.
Ryo had never erased these traces of their life together. Even during the past two years when he was away for performances, Hotaru had always left his toiletries untouched. Perhaps that was her way of keeping him company.
While squeezing toothpaste, Ryo examined Hotaru's favorite brand: a bright orange-red tube with a citrus flavor that clearly catered to kids.
In some ways, she really hadn't grown up at all.
At least, he hoped she no longer swallowed toothpaste like she used to.
While brushing his teeth and thinking absurd thoughts, Ryo tapped into the morning news broadcast on his phone.
"Morning news: The city's well-known drama troupe 'Asahi' has officially returned. According to the director, the troupe will focus on local performances this year..."
Hearing the familiar name, Ryo blinked in surprise, but his hand movements didn't pause.
Ding-dong.
He spat out the mouthwash and glanced at his phone.
[Awake yet?]
The sender: Ichinose Honami. Her profile picture was a photo with his sister.
Ryo had first met her while picking up or dropping off Hotaru. Because Honami's sister Maki and Hotaru were close, they got to know each other.
Surprisingly, Hotaru had a good impression of Honami too, so the two became more and more familiar.
[Just woke up. Brushing teeth. About to cook breakfast.]
After wiping his face with a warm towel and hanging it back neatly, he typed his reply.
In truth, Ryo and Honami had a lot in common—especially in handling younger siblings. That topic alone could fuel hours of conversation.
Ryo also didn't want Honami to go down the path of theft again.
So he had arranged some backstage work at a drama troupe for her. He had expected her to be hesitant due to her mother, but she readily accepted.
What troubled Ryo now was how seriously she took the favor. Not only did she add his contact, but she always found her way to his home to do small chores whenever he returned from trips.
He knew Honami wasn't the type to take help without repayment. And he was too busy to care for Hotaru properly at the time, so he let her take over.
There was even one occasion when he was out of town and Hotaru fell sick. Honami took her to the hospital and looked after her for days.
She had become part of their lives—soft and gentle, like water.
[No need to cook. I've already made breakfast and I'm bringing it over.]
[Ryo's taste hasn't changed, right?]
[The supermarket had a sale yesterday, so I grabbed some fruit. I still remember that blueberry pie you made.]
[I'll be there in ten. Be ready.]
[My slippers are on the third row, far left of the shoe cabinet—the pale blue ones.]
[Don't mix them up with Hotaru's sky-blue ones, okay?]
[(੭ु´･ω･`)੭ु⁾⁾]
A series of rapid-fire texts came in. Ryo barely had a chance to respond before he finally typed a simple: "Got it."
Honami always had everything planned down to the last detail. Most of the time, all Ryo had to do was nod.
After finishing his morning routine, he checked the clock, walked to the door, and pulled out the pale blue slippers. He heard footsteps on the stairs and timed it just right—opening the door thirty seconds early.
And then came her greeting.
"Good morning, Ryo."
Honami smiled, holding up a bag.
Ryo once watched a movie that said the first thing you see and hear in the morning determines your day's luck.
If that were true, today might be a pretty good day.
"...Didn't sleep well?"
He was briefly lost in thought, and Honami waved her hand in front of him.
"It's nothing. Morning, Honami."
He stepped aside, took the breakfast bag from her hand, and watched her change into slippers before walking in.
She had brought ramen.
The containers held fully cooked ingredients. All he had to do was mix the noodles and broth. Still, Honami followed him into the kitchen and found bowls and chopsticks with practiced ease.
Ryo worked fast. Soon, two steaming bowls of ramen were ready.
Ramen wasn't exactly a breakfast food—if anything, it was a bit heavy—but neither of them minded.
Honami reached for a bowl with a cloth but turned around to see Ryo already holding both with ease.
"Ryo, your hands aren't afraid of heat?"
"Used to it."
They sat down at the table.
"You know, you really don't have to keep bringing breakfast. I have plenty of food here."
To prove his point, Ryo pulled out two beautifully wrapped boxes from a nearby cabinet.
"Here."
Honami opened one curiously—inside were colorful, bite-sized macarons. The other held equally elegant pastries.
"From a fan?"
"Yeah. For the past month, I've been receiving gifts from the same address."
Ryo spoke between bites.
He'd received plenty of fan mail before, but always through the drama troupe.
"They know your home address?"
Honami frowned.
"That's kind of over the line. Could those be... dangerous?"
"No, I checked. They're safe."
Ryo nodded.
"Each box is labeled handmade. From the craftsmanship, it's clear she made them herself."
"She didn't even try to hide her identity. The return address is real."
He pulled out his phone and showed Honami a photo.
A girl in a pink and white idol outfit posed with a heart-shaped hand gesture. Her white knee-high socks highlighted her slender legs. A golden autograph gleamed in the corner:
Shizuku.
Ryo sighed softly.
"Oh, I've seen her. She got really popular recently. Used to be a model, right?"
"Maki likes her too. Said she wanted her hair clip last week."
Honami leaned in.
"So she's the one sending you gifts? Did you know her before?"
"Sort of."
Ryo sipped his soup.
"Wait, did you win some kind of fan lottery? Like buy an album, get a handshake ticket?"
Honami was still puzzling it over. She knew Ryo's schedule like the back of her hand and couldn't recall any connection.
"Yes and no."
Ryo finally finished eating, wiped his mouth, and explained:
"Before Hotaru left for overseas treatment, she really liked this idol. Probably watched her with Maki. So I bought three concert tickets—for Hotaru, Maki, and myself."
"Less than half a month later, I started getting bombarded with gifts."
"I followed the address and looked her up."
He picked up a macaron and lowered his gaze.
"Shizuku is her stage name. Her real name is Sakura Airi."
-------------------------------------
"Airi-chan, long time no see!"
Karuizawa Kei pulled out the chair in front of her and greeted the unassuming girl sitting across the table with a dazzling smile.
"Kei, you too. It's probably been close to a year since you last came back."
Wearing red-framed glasses and letting her hair fall to cover half her face, Sakura Airi responded with a warm tone.
"Yeah, the theater troupe's been on the road nonstop."
"But it should settle down a bit over the next couple of years."
Kei took the menu her friend handed her, casually ticking off a few items as she teased, "It's been so long, and now Airi's become a big star."
"I've just gained followers a bit faster recently, that's all."
At Kei's playful comment, Airi's cheeks immediately flushed with a rosy hue.
"It really is impressive. I bet your fans wouldn't even recognize you like this."
Kei giggled as she brushed her friend's bangs aside, peering into her eyes as she continued, "You may still dress the same as two years ago, but you've grown a lot, Airi."
"Back then, you barely said a word and were as shy as a little animal. If the theater troupe saw you now, they'd never believe you're the idol who can hold her own solo concert on stage."
"That's why Ryo was right from the beginning. Not everyone has to find their value in the same way. He said back then that you were better suited to be a shining idol than a stage actor."
"Seems he nailed it."
"...Yeah."
Hearing that familiar name, Airi's face turned an even deeper red, nearly steaming.
Kei genuinely felt happy for her friend. After all, she remembered how even after Airi became a print model, she was still too shy to go public about it. Throughout high school, she remained timid and withdrawn.
But now, Sakura Airi was far more confident than she used to be.
Although Kei had originally approached Airi on Ryo's orders, intending to use her for some purpose, she had come to understand and appreciate Airi's kind personality. Seeing her growth now filled Kei with heartfelt satisfaction.
"But Ryo's been really busy these past few days. I'll ask him to join us for a meal once he's free."
"That's okay. Ryo always works so hard. A bit of rest would do him good."
"Haa, now that Ryo's out of the theater circle, he can rest. But I still have to juggle both school and acting."
Kei casually complained, "I even have to go to Azabu Junior High in a few days as a final judge for their drama club. If it weren't for the chance to see Ryo there, I wouldn't even bother."
"Ohh."
Patiently listening, Sakura Airi nodded in agreement.
Her gaze drifted slightly.
For reasons unknown, she didn't mention that she had already seen Kitagawa Ryo recently.
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