It was like any other morning, Monday at 9:00 AM. I woke up, feeling groggy from the lack of sleep. The weight of exhaustion clung to me, but there was no way I could sleep any longer. My stomach was growling, a reminder that I needed to eat, and I really had no choice but to get up.
Before dragging myself out of bed, I took a moment to glance around my room. It was a disaster, like always. Trash bags littered the floor, still sitting there from days ago, waiting for me to toss them out. My computer was a mess, the screen still showing traces of yesterday's gaming session. Books were scattered across the floor, light novels and mangas, even though I had a perfectly fine shelf sitting right there. And of course, my bed—untidy, the sheets wrinkled, just like everything else.
I sighed deeply, feeling a bit guilty. I knew this place should've been cleaned days ago, but I hadn't bothered. Even with my maid around, I never let her clean it. I kept pushing her away, feeling like I could handle it on my own, but deep down, I knew I just didn't want to face the mess.
With one last reluctant look at the chaos, I dragged myself to the door. I hesitated for a moment, and then glanced at the mirror hanging beside it. There I was—messy white hair, tired yellow eyes, still wearing my pajamas, looking like a child who couldn't get their life together. Honestly, I looked like a complete mess this morning.
I closed the door behind me, stepping into the long hallway that seemed to stretch on forever, always greeting me like it was some sort of routine. My mind was still foggy, lost in thought, as I began making my way downstairs. I barely registered the steps beneath me, my mind still hazy from waking up so abruptly.
That's when it happened. My foot caught on the edge of the carpet, and before I could react, I felt myself falling forward, my face heading straight for a painful meeting with the floor. But just as the ground seemed to rush up to meet me, a firm hand gripped mine, yanking me back and stopping me from completely eating it.
I blinked, barely managing to catch my breath, and looked up to see her—my maid. I'd pushed her away so many times, yet here she was, still there when I needed her most. She gave me a soft, quiet smile, one that almost made me forget how embarrassed I felt.
"Master, you really need to focus your mind when going on a path, or you'll fall like you did."
I sighed, relieved that I hadn't fallen completely. I didn't really pay much attention to what she said, though, still trying to process it all. But the words echoed in my mind for a second. What did she mean by that?
I steadied myself, getting my balance back, and reassured her.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."
I made my way to the dining table, the smell of breakfast filling the air. Olivia went to the kitchen to prepare the meal, and as I sat there, I sank deeper into my thoughts. My mind was filled with everything—the world, the mysteries of awakening, and most of all, my life.
"I really am lost, aren't I? What am I gonna do now…"
I rested my head on the table, eyes closed, trying to shut out the overwhelming flood of thoughts. It dawned on me that today marked my 18th birthday. I had passed high school, but nothing had gone as I had expected. I was supposed to awaken, to gain some kind of ability like everyone else my age, but here I was—empty, powerless.
I was starting to get scared about my future. Things hadn't been the same since my sister left, and I didn't have anyone to turn to, except for Olivia. Maybe I should try to open up to her more. She's always been there, even when I pushed her away. But even as these thoughts swirled in my head, something interrupted my self-doubt.
"Master, your food is ready."
Olivia's soft voice broke through my mental fog. I opened my eyes, groggy and tired, and responded with the same drained tone I'd been carrying all morning.
"Thanks, Olivia. Sorry… I was just tired."
She gave me a concerned look, as if she was about to say something. I could tell she was worried, but I quickly shut it down.
"It's okay. I'm just thinking, that's all."
I forced a smile, but I knew it was terrible. It was just to reassure her, though. I didn't want her to press me further. Olivia nodded, though she didn't seem fully convinced, and walked away to give me space. I picked up my ramen, my favorite, but it didn't taste the same today. Normally, I'd eat it with enthusiasm, but now, I felt a hollow sensation, like I was just going through the motions.
It was Olivia's ramen, though—special, made with care. The kind that would make anyone want to buy. Yet, I barely tasted it. I glanced over at her as she watched me, and I immediately started eating faster. I couldn't let her get suspicious; I wasn't ready to talk about it just yet.
After finishing, I stood to leave, ready to retreat back to my room, when Olivia stopped me at the doorway. Her presence felt a little too calm, like she knew something I didn't.
"Master, I am concerned about your well-being. Do you want to talk about something while I clean your room?"
I froze. She knew. I'd been trying to hide everything, but I couldn't anymore. I was caught, and there was no way around it. I sighed, feeling cornered.
"Yeah, I guess we can do that. Sorry for pushing you away."
I sat down on my bed, and Olivia moved around, cleaning my room with her usual elegance. I sometimes wondered if she really belonged in a place like this, with me. Her grace and poise seemed out of place in my messy, disordered life.
I was about to speak, but before I could, Olivia interrupted me.
"So, how has your day been, Master? Are you struggling with something, or maybe... a lot of things?"
Her question caught me off guard.
"How would you know? I've always been normal."
I tried to smile, but it felt forced, like my face was struggling to make the motion. It had been so long since I last smiled genuinely, and now I was questioning if I even could. It was embarrassing, but Olivia just laughed softly, brushing it off.
"I've been watching you a lot. I know there are many things you're dealing with, Master. You just never talked to me, or anyone else."
I felt a surge of frustration well up in me, and I sighed heavily.
"I don't have anyone else, Olivia! It's just you and me here, literally!"
Olivia smiled again, but this time, it was different. There was something almost knowing in her eyes, something that made my heart race with curiosity.
Then, she said something that completely threw me off.
"My sister is coming home."
The words hit me like a thunderclap. My sister? She was coming back? I hadn't expected to hear that, not from anyone, especially not from Olivia. But there was something in her tone that made me believe it was true.
Suddenly, I was filled with a mix of emotions—relief, hope, but also a lot of questions. What did this mean for me? What had been going on all this time?
My mind spun with all the possibilities.