Chapter 1: Just Another Morning
A groan echoed through the dimly lit bedroom, muffled beneath layers of blankets. A lump on the bed shifted sluggishly, barely moving as the alarm clock blared in the background.
"Ughhh… why is it so bright?" the figure whined, voice slurred with sleep. The complaint was barely audible, buried under the mountain of covers.
Meet Kaito Mizuno—third-year high school student, professional procrastinator, and an infuriatingly gifted individual. If the universe had favorites, he was one of them. Good grades, good looks, good skin—everything about him was effortlessly perfect. But if you looked past the pretty packaging, the first thought that came to mind was: what a waste.
By the time he finally wrestled himself out of bed, the morning was already slipping away. As usual, he entertained the tempting thought of skipping school altogether. That was, until his bedroom door was flung open with a force that rattled the hinges.
CRACK.
"WHY ARE YOU STILL IN BED?!"
Ah yes, how could we forget? Kaito Mizuno came with an older brother—Kento Mizuno, the polar opposite of his laid-back existence. If Kaito was the embodiment of effortless perfection, Kento was the relentless workhorse who carved his way forward with sheer willpower. One might assume that, being the only two children in the household, they shared a deep bond.
Wrong.
They butted heads at every turn, disagreed on almost everything, and if asked, would proudly claim to hate each other (not that anyone believed them).
Kaito blinked at his brother through half-lidded eyes, rubbing the sleep from his face. "Overslept," he answered plainly, not in the mood for a lecture.
Kento, already teetering on the edge of patience, nearly exploded. "IT'S ALMOST SEVEN-THIRTY, YOU DIPSHIT!"
Kaito sighed, stretching lazily. "Okay, okay, no need to scream."
Kento scowled, crossing his arms. His frustration shifted into something else—something dangerously close to concern. "…What's up with you today?"
Kaito stilled for a moment.
It was subtle, but his brother had caught onto something even he couldn't quite place. There was a strange heaviness in the air, a feeling Kaito couldn't shake. Not fear. Not dread. Just… off.
But rather than dwell on it, he smirked, slipping into his usual role. "Ohhh? Is big bro worried about me? Mhm?"
The flicker of concern disappeared instantly. "You wish, dumbass," Kento snapped, turning on his heel. "Hurry up and get out of the house."
With that, he slammed the door behind him.
The moment he was gone, Kaito's smirk faded.
That feeling—something was definitely off.
He just didn't know what.
Still, school was waiting. He might as well get going.