The Morning Sun Poured Softly Through The Curtains, Painting The Room In A Gentle Gold. Ren Stirred Awake To The Familiar Chirping Outside His Window — The Kind Of Calm That Usually Made Him Want To Stay In Bed A Little Longer. But Today Felt Different. The Weight Of The Moment Sat Lightly On His Chest. Graduation Day.
He Sat Up Slowly, Rubbing His Eyes As His Mind Drifted Through The Years He'd Spent Walking Those Same Hallways, Sharing Quiet Days, Small Laughs… And Then, There Was Miyu. The Thought Made A Small, Honest Smile Slip Across His Face.
As He Was Getting Ready, His Door Suddenly Burst Open.
"Good Morning, Graduate~" Riko's Voice Sang From The Hallway, Already Filled With Mischief.
Ren Looked Over His Shoulder, Sighing. "You Could Knock, You Know."
"I Could. But Then I'd Miss The Look On Your Face When I Surprise You," She Said With A Grin. "So, Today's The Day, Huh? I Finally Get To Meet Her."
Ren Paused Midway Through Buttoning His Shirt. "…Please Don't Make It Sound Weird."
"Oh, Come On," Riko Teased, Leaning Against The Doorframe. "You're Finally Dating Someone, And You Think I'm Just Gonna Stay Quiet? No Way. I'm Gonna Ask Her All Kinds Of Things."
"Riko."
"Like How She Even Fell For You In The First Place. Or Maybe I'll Ask When The Wedding Is."
Ren Groaned, Covering His Face. "Don't Do Anything That'll Make Me Embarrassed."
Riko Smirked. "No Promises, Big Brother."
He Shook His Head With A Small Laugh, Trying To Ignore The Heat Rising On His Neck. "You're Impossible."
"That's Why You Love Me," She Said Lightly, Turning To Leave. "Now Hurry Up. Breakfast Is Ready."
—
Downstairs, The Table Was Already Set. Toast, Eggs, And The Soft Aroma Of Coffee Filled The Air. Their Parents Were Chatting Quietly Before Ren Joined Them.
"Morning," He Said, Taking His Seat.
"Morning, Ren," His Mother Replied With A Smile. "Big Day Today."
His Father Looked Up From His Cup. "Feels Like Just Yesterday You Started High School. Time Moves Fast."
Ren Nodded Lightly. "Yeah… It Does."
They Ate Quietly For A Moment Before His Mother Spoke Again. "So, What Comes Next For You?"
Ren Took A Breath. "I'm Thinking Of Going To College. I Want To Study More — Figure Out What I Really Want."
There Was A Brief Pause, Then His Parents Exchanged A Small Smile.
"That's Wonderful," His Mother Said Softly. "Whatever You Choose, We'll Support You."
His Father Added, "We're Just Glad You're Starting To Think About Yourself More. It's A Good Step."
Ren Looked Down At His Plate, Hiding A Faint Smile. "Thanks."
Riko, Of Course, Didn't Miss The Moment. "Wow, Look At You. Growing Up And Everything. Guess Having A Girlfriend Really Changed You."
Ren Looked At Her With A Deadpan Expression. "…Eat Your Breakfast."
She Laughed Loudly, Almost Spilling Her Juice. "Okay, Okay. But You Know I'm Gonna Keep Saying It Until You Blush."
"Too Late," His Mother Said Lightly, Watching Her Two Children With Amusement. "He Already Is."
Ren Groaned Quietly As Everyone Laughed Around Him. But Even Through The Teasing, The Morning Felt Warm.
—
Across Town, Miyu's Morning Was A Whole Different Kind Of Chaos.
She Barely Had Time To Open Her Eyes Before Yui's Voice Pierced Through The Quiet. "Wake Up, Wake Up! It's Graduation Day!"
Miyu Pulled The Blanket Over Her Head. "Five More Minutes…"
"Nope!" Yui Said, Tugging The Blanket Away. "You've Got A Ceremony To Go To! And A Boyfriend To Impress!"
Miyu Sat Up Instantly. "Yui!"
Before She Could Say Anything More, Another Voice Cut In — Her Older Brother's, Sounding Way Too Cheerful For The Morning.
"Well, Well, Look Who's Blushing Already. What's The Plan For Today, Miyu? Smile, Pose, Then Hold Hands With Him In Front Of Everyone?"
Miyu's Eyes Widened. "You—! Don't Start With That Nonsense This Early!"
Yui Giggled, Clearly Enjoying The Chaos. "I Think It's Cute! You Two Are Like A Drama Couple."
Her Brother Crossed His Arms, Pretending To Think. "Actually, I Was Wondering… Should I Ask Him Today When He's Planning To Marry You?"
Miyu's Face Turned Bright Red. "WHAT?!"
He Grinned. "It'd Be A Nice Icebreaker."
She Grabbed The Nearest Pillow And Threw It Straight At His Face. "Get Out Of My Room, You Creep!"
Yui Collapsed Onto The Floor Laughing. "You Should See Your Face Right Now!"
"OUT!"
Still Laughing, They Both Escaped The Room, Their Laughter Echoing Down The Hallway.
Miyu Sat There For A Moment, Face Buried In Her Hands, Her Heart Still Racing. "Unbelievable…"
But As She Looked At The Morning Light Pouring Through Her Window, She Couldn't Stop The Small, Quiet Smile That Formed On Her Lips.
—
Breakfast At Miyu's House Was Much Calmer — At Least Compared To What Came Before. Her Parents Sat Across From Her, Warm Smiles On Their Faces.
"Good Morning," Her Mother Said. "You're Up Early. Must Be Excited."
"A Little," Miyu Replied With A Small Nod.
Her Father Folded The Newspaper. "Hard To Believe Our Little Girl's Graduating Already."
Miyu Smiled Gently. "It Still Feels Like A Dream."
As They Ate, Her Mother Asked, "So, What Do You Want To Do After This?"
"I Think I'll Go To College," She Said Thoughtfully. "And… See Where That Leads Me."
Her Father Nodded. "That Sounds Like A Good Plan. You Don't Have To Rush Anything. Take Your Time."
Her Mother Added, "We Just Want You To Find What Makes You Happy."
Miyu's Smile Softened. "Thank You."
They Talked About Graduation, Friends, And Little Memories From School. It Was Light, Comforting — The Kind Of Morning That Made Everything Feel Right.
Before She Left The Table, Her Mother Said, "We'll Be There Before The Ceremony Starts."
"Okay," Miyu Replied.
And Just As She Was About To Head Back Upstairs, Her Brother's Voice Called From The Hallway Again.
"Don't Forget To Tell Him I Said Hi, Miyu~!"
"Don't Push Your Luck!" She Shouted Back, But The Smile On Her Face Said Otherwise.
—
At The Same Time, In Two Different Homes, The Same Thoughts Passed Quietly Through Their Minds — That Today Was The End Of Something Beautiful, But Also The Beginning Of Something New.
—
The Morning Felt Lighter Than Usual — The Kind Of Morning That Carried A Quiet Mix Of Nerves And Warmth. Ren Stood In Front Of The Mirror, Fixing His Collar For What Felt Like The Fifth Time. His Thoughts Drifted Somewhere Between Excitement And Unease.
Should I Call Her?
He Looked At His Phone Resting On The Table. The Idea Had Been Sitting In His Mind Since He Woke Up. He Wanted To Hear Her Voice — Just For A Moment — But Another Thought Kept Whispering Back.
She's Probably Busy Getting Ready. Maybe I'll Just Wait Until We Meet At School.
He Let Out A Small Sigh, Running A Hand Through His Hair. Just As He Turned Away, His Phone Buzzed. The Screen Lit Up With A Name That Instantly Softened His Expression.
Miyu Calling.
He Picked It Up Almost Too Quickly. "Hey."
Her Voice Came Gently Through The Speaker, Soft And Clear. "Good Morning. I… Didn't Disturb You, Did I?"
Ren Let Out A Small Laugh. "Not At All. Actually… I Was Just Thinking Of Calling You."
There Was A Pause — The Kind That Held A Smile On The Other End. "Really?"
"Yeah. Guess We Were Thinking The Same Thing."
Miyu's Light Giggle Filled The Line. "Maybe We Were."
Ren Sat Down On His Bed, The Nervousness From Earlier Fading Little By Little. "So… How's Your Morning?"
"Chaotic," She Said Immediately, A Hint Of Laughter In Her Voice. "Yui And My Brother Were Nonstop Since The Moment I Woke Up. I Barely Survived Breakfast."
Ren Smiled. "I Can Imagine."
"What About You?" She Asked.
"Riko Wasn't Any Better," He Replied. "She Said She's Going To Meet My 'Girlfriend' Today And Wouldn't Stop Laughing."
Miyu Laughed Quietly. "Seems Like Our Siblings Would Get Along Really Well."
"They'd Probably Start A Teasing Club."
"Oh, They Already Have," Miyu Said Softly. "It's Just Us Two Who Didn't Sign Up."
Ren Let Out A Small Chuckle, The Kind That Came From Somewhere Deep. "Guess We'll Just Have To Endure It."
"Maybe," She Said. "Though It's Kind Of Nice… Having Everyone So Happy Around Us."
He Nodded, Even Though She Couldn't See It. "Yeah. It Is."
For A While, They Talked About Simple Things — What They Were Going To Wear, How Their Parents Were, The Small, Pointless Things That Somehow Felt Warm Just Because They Were Shared.
At One Point, Miyu Said, "You Know, It Still Feels Strange… Thinking That Today's Our Graduation."
Ren Leaned Back Against The Wall. "Yeah. It Feels Like Everything Went By So Fast."
"It Did," She Agreed. "But I'm Glad It All Happened. Especially… The People I Met Along The Way."
Her Words Hung In The Air. Ren Felt His Chest Tighten Just A Little — Not From Sadness, But From How Much Those Simple Words Meant.
"I'm Glad Too," He Said Quietly.
There Was Another Pause — A Soft, Comfortable Silence That Spoke For Them Both.
Then Miyu's Voice Came Gently Again. "We Should Probably Finish Getting Ready. The Ceremony's Not Going To Wait For Us."
Ren Smiled. "Right. See You At School, Then."
"See You," She Said, And The Line Ended With The Faintest Sound Of A Breath She Probably Didn't Mean To Let Out.
Ren Sat There For A Moment, Phone Still In His Hand. The Smile On His Face Stayed Long After The Call Ended. He Looked Toward The Window — The Sky Clear, The Light Soft — And Thought Quietly To Himself, Today's Going To Be A Big Day.
—
Miyu Stood Before Her Mirror, The Phone Still In Her Hand, A Faint Blush Lingering On Her Cheeks. The Conversation Had Been Simple, Yet Somehow It Left Her Heart Feeling Warm.
She Smiled At Her Reflection. "Get It Together, Miyu," She Whispered To Herself, Before Turning To Pick Up Her Bag.
Downstairs, Her Parents Wished Her Luck, And Her Siblings — As Expected — Threw In A Few More Teasing Remarks Just Before She Left.
"Don't Forget To Tell Him He's Lucky!" Yui Called Out.
Miyu's Brother Added, "And Don't Come Back Married!"
"GOODBYE!" Miyu Shouted, Her Voice Echoing Through The Hall As She Slammed The Door Behind Her.
The Smile On Her Face, Though, Never Left.
—
Ren Walked Down The Street A Short While Later, The Wind Light Against His Face. He Looked Around At The Familiar Path Leading To The Station — The Same Route He'd Taken Countless Times Before, But Somehow, It Felt Different Now.
He Pulled Out His Earphones, Letting Music Play Quietly As He Waited For The Train. His Thoughts Drifted Naturally, Unrushed. We've Been Through So Much… The Project, The Trip, The Days After. He Couldn't Help But Think How Much He'd Changed — How Much They Both Had.
When The Train Doors Opened, He Stepped Inside, Finding A Seat Near The Window. As The Landscape Slid Past, He Thought Back To That First Day — When They Hardly Spoke, When Everything Between Them Was Still Just Silence.
He Smiled To Himself. Funny How Silence Turned Into This.
—
Miyu Sat Near The Other End Of The Train, Her Thoughts Running Along The Same Lines. The City Passed By Outside Her Window, Each Building A Reminder Of The Days That Led To Now. She Leaned Against The Glass, Watching The Reflection Of Her Own Faint Smile.
"I'm Really Glad," She Whispered Under Her Breath, "That We Met."
To Be Continued....