The next day, the early morning light was just beginning to filter through the window as I was roused from my sleep. Despite the hour, Kimura was wide awake, standing at the foot of my bed with an expectant look on his face.
Still groggy and disoriented, I reached for my phone to check the time, confirming that it was indeed a mere 5 am. I slowly rose from the comfort of my bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and trying to shake off the lingering haze of slumber.
"Wake up, Mizuhara."
"What's the rush?"
"We have to go now."
"Go where?"
"It's a surprise," Kimura said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
I rose from my bed and performed my morning routine of grooming and freshening up. As I dressed, I noticed Kimura already waiting impatiently at the door. I followed him out with a sense of detachment, feeling little excitement or curiosity about the surprise he had planned.
As we walked through the dormitory halls, Kimura suddenly turned to me.
