The gentle chirping of birds, a subtle ray of sunshine seeping through the curtains, and the delightful aroma of freshly prepared French toast, saturated with the sweet scent of butter, roused Nao from slumber.
Mmm, what's that delectable smell...?
Nao sits up on her bed yawning as she stretches, her arms reaching for the sky as she greets the new day. Opening the curtains, she couldn't help but smile; mornings like this were a rare and cherished gift.
She rolled out of bed, her steps light as she made her way to the living room. There, she found her roommate Ema, the one behind the enticing French toast. Ema turned to Nao with a warm smile, the dappled sunlight dancing in her eyes.
"Good morning, Naoko-san. I brought us breakfast. We have a big day ahead," Ema said, handing Nao a plate of perfectly golden slices.
"Good morning, Takane-san. Thanks for bringing one for me too!" Nao replied, her eyes bright with appreciation. She took a seat at the cozy little circular table, the sunbeams gently warming her back.
As they savored the delicious breakfast, Nao and Ema began discussing their plans for the day. There was a mix of excitement and nervousness in the air as they realized that today marked the start of something new.
Ema, always the meticulous planner, started going over their schedules. "We have some time before we need to leave for classes. I think it's a good opportunity to review our schedules and make sure we're well-prepared for the semester."
Nao nodded, taking another bite of her French toast. "You're right, Takane-san. I'm a bit anxious about the classes, but I'm sure we'll be just fine."
After breakfast, they changed into the uniform that had been sent the prior evening, and they gathered their textbooks, notes, and stationery, ready to tackle any academic challenges that lay ahead. With a sense of determination, they knew that this semester was a chance for new experiences and personal growth.
As Nao and Ema left their cozy dormitory for the bustling world outside, they were filled with hope and anticipation. The gentle chirping of birds and the promise of a bright day seemed to echo their excitement for the journey ahead.
On their way to the main buildings, they couldn't help but notice the beautifully blooming sakura trees, and the petals that danced in the spring breeze, serving as a clear reminder of the new month of April.
"Woah, It's beautiful! " Nao exclaimed, admiring the atmosphere.
"It truly is. " Ema responded, enjoying the view with her.
_____________
"See you later, Takane-san! " Nao said, waving her off by the shoe lockers at the entrance inside of the main building.
"You too, Naoko-san! " Ema waved back without looking.
Nao couldn't help but think a loud, "How cool!"
"Ito-san...? " a gentleman's charmingly deep voice interrupted her train of thought.
"Gyaaa!?! " She flinched.
"Aha-Haha! What's with the shriek? " another voice of an energetic lass replied.
"Jeez... Will you two stop bullying her? " a third voice of a soothing lassie scolded the two.
Nao turned around fully aware of the source of the voices, "You're so mean... Kuro-kun, and Shiro-san! " She glared, pouting.
"Sorry, Ito-san... I didn't mean to scare you..." He replied dejectedly.
While shiro response was a playful one, "Sorry~ Nao-san, didn't mean to tease you too much! "
Nao heaved a deep sigh of resignation, "It's fine. More importantly, I didn't think to see the three of you this early! " She declared, her eyes widened with shock.
"How mean! Though I was late that one time, believe it or not, I'm a punctual person!" Yumi exclaimed, playfully hitting Nao's shoulder.
Nao who's clumsy, couldn't find the words to retort, and so she laughed it off, albeit awkwardly.
As the group of friends bantered, they made their way towards their class. The place buzzed with the energy of the new semester, students reuniting, and newcomers finding their way around.
Hm? This is strange. I've met with the trio, but I haven't seen a trace of Minamoto-kun. Where could he be? She wondered, lost in thought until she pushed it aside.
"So, are you guys ready for this semester?" Nao asked, breaking into a broad smile.
Kuro nodded lightly with a sense of excitement. "Absolutely! It's a fresh start, and who knows what awaits us."
Shiro's eyes sparkled as she added, "New friends, and new adventures. I can't wait!"
Yumi chimed in, "And we'll be there to support each other all the way."
Nao felt grateful for her friends and the new beginning that lay before them. With laughter and camaraderie, they entered their class, ready to face the challenges and joys of the semester ahead.