[Alarm Clock Rings]
Kazaki's hand slinks out from beneath the warm blanket, fumbling until it finds the alarm clock's switch to silence its insistent blaring.
Kazaki woke up to the gentle glow of dawn creeping through his window, the soft sound of birds chirping pulling him from his dreams. He stretched, letting out a resigned sigh. "Another day," he murmured to himself as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. The routine was comforting, almost mechanical, but today felt different somehow.
After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he stared into the mirror, taking in the familiar reflection. With tousled hair and sleepy eyes, he didn't quite recognize the expression staring back—was it determination or just weariness? He couldn't tell.
"Looks like everyone else is asleep," he said, glancing around the quiet house. It was a Saturday, and his friends had probably stayed out late. Kazaki moved to the window, pulling aside the curtain. Outside, he spotted a lively group of friends making their way down the street, their laughter echoing in the stillness of the morning. A pang of loneliness struck him as he watched them, their carefree joy contrasting sharply with the solitude he felt.
He turned away from the window, his heart heavy. "I could go back to bed," he contemplated, but something pulled him downstairs instead.
In the kitchen, he filled a glass with water and leaned against the counter, gazing out at the now-empty street. The sun was climbing higher, casting a warm glow over everything.
Kazaki glanced at the clock as he poured himself a steaming cup of coffee. "No time to rest then," he said with a determined nod. He slipped on his favorite apron, a little worn but full of memories from countless breakfasts made in this kitchen.
"Let's see… oatmeal, rice, and some leftover chicken I just fried," he muttered to himself, already planning his culinary masterpiece. As he moved about the kitchen, the familiar rhythm of cooking began to soothe his nerves.
He set a pot of water on the stove for the oatmeal, the sound of the bubbling water harmonizing with the distant hum of the city waking up. Meanwhile, he rinsed the rice, letting the grains slip through his fingers, grounding him in the moment.
He glanced at the leftover chicken, perfectly golden and crispy. "Nothing like a little protein to start the day," he grinned, quickly slicing it into bite-sized pieces. The aroma filled the kitchen, a comforting scent that made his stomach growl.
With everything coming together, Kazaki arranged the oatmeal in a bowl, topped it with the chicken, Rice and drizzled a little soy sauce for an extra kick. It wasn't gourmet, but it was hearty and satisfying.
He sat down at the table, As he waits for everyone else to wake up
Just as he leaned back, lost in thought, a sharp knock echoed through the room, interrupting his moment of tranquility.
His brow furrowed in curiosity as he set down his mug. Who could that be? He walked to the door, his mind racing with possibilities. As he reached for the doorknob, he called out, "Who is it?"
A familiar voice, tinged with urgency and authority, responded from the other side. "Open the door! It's me, Kiyoshi!"
Kazaki smirked, a playful glint in his eye. "Kiyoshi? Who?" He leaned against the door, enjoying the game with his father.
"Don't play dumb, Kazaki! Open the door already!" Kiyoshi's voice was half-exasperated, half-amused, and Kazaki could picture his father on the other side, likely rolling his eyes.
Unable to suppress a giggle, Kazaki finally relented and swung the door open, revealing Kiyoshi standing there, looking slightly disheveled but with a broad smile on his face.
"Why did it take you so long to open the door?" Kiyoshi exclaimed, stepping inside.
Kazaki crossed his arms, feigning annoyance. "I was enjoying my coffee! Some of us have a relaxing morning routine."
Kiyoshi shrugged, a playful grin on his lips. "Relaxing? More like you were about to doze off in that chair. I had to save you from your own boredom!"
Kazaki laughed, closing the door behind his father. "Alright, alright. So, what's the emergency? You didn't come all this way just to pester me, did you?"
Kiyoshi plopped down on the couch, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Actually, I did! I've got a brilliant idea that can't wait. We need to talk about it over coffee—preferably your good stuff!"
Kazaki raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Brilliant idea? You've got my attention."
Kazaki smiled, relieved at the light-hearted banter with his father. He gestured toward the kitchen, his annoyance fading. "Well, I made breakfast, so you're in luck. You can enjoy my culinary masterpiece while I hear about this brilliant idea of yours."
Kiyoshi's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Count me in! I can't resist a good meal. What's on the menu?"
Kazaki led Kiyoshi to the table, where he had laid out the oatmeal topped with chicken and rice. "Oatmeal with chicken and rice. I know it sounds strange, but trust me, it's delicious! I added a little soy sauce for flavor."
"Looks like a feast fit for a king," Kiyoshi said, chuckling as he grabbed a spoon. "You should open a restaurant, Kazaki. People would flock to your establishment for this breakfast!"
Kazaki laughed, enjoying the praise. "Maybe someday. For now, it's just a way to keep myself fueled for whatever adventure you have in store for us."
As Kiyoshi dug into the food, he couldn't help but savor each bite. "You've really outdone yourself."
As Kiyoshi was enjoying his food, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He slowed his eating while Kazaki looked in the direction.
"Oh, hey Mom, good morning!"
"Good morning… Kaya," Kiyoshi added with a casual grin.
Kaya's eyes narrowed as she reached the bottom of the stairs, her expression hardening. "What are you doing here? Can't you leave us alone?" Her voice was sharp, slicing through the warmth of the morning like a cold breeze.
Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her intensity. "Wow, no need to be so dramatic. I just came to check on my family and enjoy his famous breakfast," he replied, feigning innocence.
Kaya stepped closer, her frustration bubbling over. "Family? Are you kidding me? You show up at our house unannounced, every Saturday morning, like it's some kind of privilege for you. It's getting old, Kiyoshi!"
Kazaki exchanged glances with his father, sensing the tension escalating. "Mom, it's just breakfast," he tried to intervene, hoping to defuse the situation.
Kiyoshi, undeterred, chuckled lightly. "Come on, Kaya! You know you love having me around. Who else would keep Kazaki from falling asleep at the table?"
Kaya shot him a glare that could wither plants. "You think this is funny? You just swoop in, make a mess of our routine, and expect us to roll out the welcome mat?"
"Mess? I'm just trying to bring a little excitement into your boring lives!" Kiyoshi retorted, now rising to the challenge.
"Excitement? Or chaos?" Kaya shot back, her voice rising. "Every time you come over, you disrupt everything. Can't you respect our space for once?"
Kazaki felt the tension thickening the air, realizing his breakfast was quickly becoming a battlefield. "Alright, let's all just take a breath," he suggested, hoping to quell the brewing storm.
But Kaya wasn't finished. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't just about breakfast. It's about boundaries. You can't just barge in whenever you want and expect everything to be fine!"
Kiyoshi opened his mouth to respond, but Kazaki quickly interjected. "How about we sit down, eat, and then talk about this? There's plenty of food, and I'm sure we can figure it out."
Kaya huffed but reluctantly took a seat at the table, crossing her arms defiantly. "Fine. But this isn't over, Kiyoshi."
As Kiyoshi resumed eating, a sheepish smile broke across his face, and he attempted to lighten the mood. "You know, I can't help it if my charm and culinary critiques are irresistible."
Kaya rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "Charming? More like annoying," she muttered, but there was a hint of amusement beneath her irritation."
Kazaki and Kiyoshi exchanged a look of disbelief, saying in unison, "Huh? Her again?"
Kaya rolled her eyes, the irritation evident in her tone. "Yes, her. The same coworker who thinks it's perfectly fine to show up at all hours and invade our home. I didn't get a wink of sleep last night!"
Kiyoshi leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Great. Just what we needed—another round of 'loud and obnoxious' in our house."
Kazaki sighed, feeling the familiar annoyance settle in. "Didn't he learn his lesson last time? I swear, if she pulls another stunt like that…"
Kaya cut him off, shaking her head. "It's okay for her to come and stay, but she doesn't do anything! If you're someone else's guest, you should at least help out or show some respect. I thought we agreed to keep our home a bit more private!"
"Agreed? More like we had no choice," Kiyoshi added, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your brother seems to have a knack for bringing chaos into our lives."