Life's Boring
Haruto's life had become a predictable cycle: wake up, go to school, hang out with Tatsuya and Rei, go home, and repeat. Nothing ever seemed to change. It was like living on autopilot, his days blending into one long blur of familiarity. Even his thoughts felt stagnant, weighed down by the monotony of it all.
"Haruto~"
"Big Bro!"
"Time to wake up!"
"Wakeeee uppp!"
Haruto groaned, his eyelids heavy as he tried to pull the blanket tighter around him. He wasn't ready to face the day yet, but Ren, his little brother, had other plans.
"I'm awake, Ren," Haruto mumbled, his voice thick with sleep, not even bothering to open his eyes. The warmth of his bed was too comforting, too inviting to give up just yet.
Ren wasn't the type to let anyone sleep in, least of all his older brother. Haruto felt a quick tap on his forehead, and before he could react, Ren flicked it.
Flick~
"Owwww!" Haruto's eyes snapped open, instantly wide awake from the sharp sting.
Ren's giggle filled the room as he grinned mischievously. "Gotcha!"
Haruto rubbed his forehead, giving Ren a playful glare. "You little rascal," he said, his lips twitching into a smile despite himself. He slowly sat up, stretching his arms above his head. "What time is it anyway?"
Ren stood at the edge of the bed, his energy never wavering. "It's 8:25! Tatsuya and Rei are waiting for you outside."
Haruto glanced at the clock and sighed, realizing he was already running late. "You better be quick, or school starts without you." Ren added, his voice full of bratty urgency.
With a groan, Haruto threw the covers off and swung his feet over the side of the bed. The cold floor sent a shock through his senses. He hurriedly grabbed the nearest clothes, tugging them on in a rush. The usual sense of exhaustion hit him, but there was no time to dwell on it. He grabbed a slice of toast from the kitchen, hardly tasting it as he bolted toward the door.
It was 8:28.
Outside, the morning air hit him like a slap to the face, cold and brisk, but it didn't matter. Haruto was already running to catch up with his friends. He could see Tatsuya up ahead, his long strides making him impossible to miss.
"You need to stop sleeping in, dummy," Tatsuya called back, his voice teasing, as always. Haruto didn't bother to respond, just huffing in frustration as he pushed himself to run faster. He didn't have time for Tatsuya's jokes today.
"Let's get to school quick, or we'll be late!" Rei's voice cut through the air, a little more impatient than Tatsuya's. Rei was always the one who kept them on track. Her ponytail bounced with each determined step, and Haruto could hear the urgency in her voice.
The three of them exchanged a look, the unspoken agreement between them clear. They couldn't afford to be late—not with everything going on. With one last glance at each other, they broke into a sprint. The concrete beneath their feet was harsh and unforgiving, but Haruto didn't care. He was so close to making it on time, so close to avoiding the dreaded lecture from their teacher.
It was 8:29.
The pounding of their footsteps echoed through the streets as they neared the school gates. Haruto's breath came in short, sharp gasps, his lungs burning from the effort. His legs were already starting to feel like lead, but he refused to stop. Not now. Not when they were so close.
The school came into view, the tall gates looming ahead of them. It was almost there, almost within reach. The three of them pushed themselves harder, their pace quickening as the seconds ticked away.
Just before the clock struck 8:30, they reached the gates, barely managing to slide through the entrance. Haruto stopped for a moment to catch his breath, his heart racing. He'd made it. They all had.
But then…
Huff…
Haruto stumbled, his vision blurring as dizziness washed over him like a wave. It started with a faint lightheadedness, but within seconds, it intensified, spinning the world around him. His knees buckled, and he clutched at the nearest wall, trying to steady himself.
"The world is spinning…" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible as his thoughts scattered. The dizziness felt so intense, like the very ground beneath his feet was slipping away from him. His vision flickered, and the once-clear outlines of the schoolyard dissolved into a swirling mass of colors and shapes. He couldn't focus.
"W-what's going on?" Haruto's head throbbed painfully as his legs failed him, and he collapsed to the ground in a heap.
Before Tatsuya or Rei could say anything, Haruto's body went limp, his eyes fluttering shut. Everything went black.