Chapter 1: Morning Routines

The alarm clock buzzed sharply, breaking the serene quiet of the morning. Riku groaned, burying his face deeper into his pillow. The light streaming through the curtains felt merciless, even though it was a soft glow of the early sunrise. Reluctantly, he reached out, silencing the persistent noise with a clumsy slap.

Next door, Yuna was already awake. Her mornings started with energy—partly because she loved the routine and partly because she couldn't stand the idea of being late. She hummed softly to herself as she braided her long, dark hair, tying it with a bright ribbon that matched her cheerful personality. Her room, decorated with fairy lights and framed photos of friends, felt warm and lively, much like Yuna herself.

Riku, on the other hand, took his time. His room was simpler—a desk cluttered with books and a small shelf holding a modest collection of figurines he'd never admit to collecting. By the time he finally dragged himself out of bed, Yuna was already knocking on his window. She always did this, no matter how many times he told her it wasn't necessary.

"Riku! You're going to be late again!" she called, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

Riku pushed the window open, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Morning to you too, Yuna," he mumbled.

Yuna grinned. "You're hopeless! Hurry up, or we'll miss the train."

Walking to the train station together had been their tradition since middle school. Yuna chatted animatedly, waving at neighbors and pointing out things she found amusing. Riku walked beside her, his hands tucked into his pockets, offering the occasional nod or quiet remark. He didn't mind letting her carry the conversation; her energy was enough to fill the silence.

At school, they were greeted by the usual bustle of students. Yuna was immediately swarmed by her friends, a lively group that included Ayaka, who was always quick with a witty remark, and Kaito, whose jokes were either hit or miss. Riku gave them a polite nod before slipping off to his desk. He preferred the quieter moments before class started.

"Riku, you're always so serious in the mornings," teased Hiroki, one of his classmates. Hiroki was outgoing and popular, often the center of attention in their class. While Riku didn't dislike him, he couldn't shake a subtle sense of unease whenever Hiroki spoke to Yuna.

Yuna, meanwhile, was chatting with Ayaka about an upcoming school festival. "We're planning a cafe for our class booth. It'll be so much fun!"

"You're going to be the main attraction, aren't you?" Ayaka teased.

"What? No way!" Yuna protested, laughing.

From his seat, Riku glanced over at Yuna. She always seemed so at ease, as if the world naturally revolved around her brightness. He admired that about her, even if it sometimes felt like she was a world apart from him.

Sure enough, Ayaka and Kaito were already there, sprawled out on the grass. Yuna waved him over enthusiastically. "Riku! Hurry up, or Kaito's going to eat all the snacks again."

"Hey, I resemble that remark," Kaito joked, though his hand was indeed hovering suspiciously close to Yuna's bag of cookies.

Riku sat down quietly, observing the group as they bantered. Yuna's laugh was infectious, and even Ayaka's sharp wit couldn't dampen the warm atmosphere. Still, Riku couldn't shake the feeling that Hiroki's presence was looming over them. He glanced toward the sports field, where Hiroki was practicing with the soccer team. Even from a distance, Hiroki's confident demeanor was unmistakable.

"You okay, Riku?" Yuna's voice pulled him back to the present. She was leaning toward him, her expression genuinely concerned.

"Yeah," he replied, offering a small smile. "Just thinking."

Ayaka smirked. "Thinking about how to confess your undying love to Yuna?"

Riku nearly choked on his drink, while Yuna's cheeks turned a faint pink. "Ayaka!" Yuna protested, though her tone was more flustered than angry.

Kaito laughed, slapping Riku on the back. "Don't worry, man. We're rooting for you."

Riku shook his head, trying to suppress his embarrassment. "You guys are impossible."

But as the laughter died down, Riku couldn't help but steal a glance at Yuna. Her smile was radiant as always, but there was a softness in her eyes that made his heart race. For a moment, he wondered if Ayaka's teasing might hold a grain of truth.

"Yeah. I need to finish that history project," he replied, standing up.

"Great! I'll join you. Ayaka and Kaito said they'd meet us there too."

On their way to the library, they passed Hiroki, who gave Yuna a friendly wave. "Heading home?" he asked casually.

"Library, actually," Yuna replied. "We've got a group project to finish."

Hiroki's gaze shifted to Riku, and for a split second, there was a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. "Well, don't work too hard," he said, flashing a grin before walking away.

Riku watched him go, his unease returning. Yuna, oblivious, continued chatting about their project plans. As much as he tried to focus on her words, Riku couldn't shake the feeling that Hiroki's presence in their lives was only going to grow.