The soft chime of Ayaka's alarm rang through her room at exactly 8:00 a.m.
It wasn't the harsh, jarring kind of alarm that ripped you out of sleep. It was a gentle electronic melody she had picked so she wouldn't start every morning with a shock. The sound floated softly through the quiet bedroom.
She groaned lightly, turning onto her side before slowly opening her eyes. Sunlight filtered through the pale curtains, casting a warm glow across her neatly kept room. Her cream walls, pastel bedsheets, and small bookshelf in the corner all looked faintly golden in the morning light.
For a moment, she simply lay there, staring at the ceiling. Her mind felt pleasantly blank, still drifting between dream and reality.
Then her eyes widened.
"…Eight?"
She turned her head quickly toward the wall clock. The short hand pointed right at the eight, the long hand at the twelve.
She sat up instantly.
Today.
The thought hit her fully. Her birthday. Her eighteenth birthday. The number felt strange and heavy at the same time, like a word that was too big for her mouth.
Ayaka pressed a hand to her chest, exhaling softly before standing up. Her feet met the cool wooden floor. She stretched briefly, then padded across the room and stepped into the attached bathroom.
Cool tiles greeted her feet as she turned on the shower, steam slowly filling the space. The mirror fogged a little at the edges. She caught a quick glimpse of herself—messy hair, sleepy face—and looked away.
The warm water washed over her, easing away sleep and nerves alike. Droplets traced lines down her skin as she shut her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the warmth soak in.
*Eighteen…* she thought. *Do I feel… different?*
After drying her hair and getting dressed in a simple but clean outfit—a soft sweater and a skirt she liked—she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her hair fell neatly around her face now; her eyes looked more awake.
Eighteen.
The word echoed in her mind as she studied her reflection. She didn't look dramatically older, but something about knowing the number had changed made her straighten her posture just a bit.
She left her room and called out softly,
"Mom…?"
Her voice carried down the hallway. Usually, she would hear her mother answering from the kitchen with a cheerful reply.
No response.
She blinked and walked upstairs. Empty. Quiet. The silence felt a little unusual.
"…Dad?"
Still nothing.
Ayaka frowned slightly and headed back downstairs. Her hand trailed along the railing as she descended, her steps slow, uncertain. On her birthday, she expected at least a "good morning" from someone.
The moment her foot touched the last step—
"SURPRISEEE!!"
The shout exploded through the living room. Party poppers burst. Colorful streamers flew into the air. A couple of balloons bobbed near the ceiling.
Everyone wore party hats, laughter filling the room.
Ayaka froze.
Her hand stayed on the railing, eyes wide, as her brain tried to catch up with what she was seeing.
Then—
"Happy Birthday!!"
Mr. Ishida grinned warmly, eyes crinkling. Mrs. Ishida clapped her hands joyfully, clearly proud of the successful surprise.
Three familiar faces waved excitedly—Rosie, Marie, and Claire, her close school friends. Rosie's party hat was already tilted at a ridiculous angle, Marie adjusted her glasses with a shy smile, and Claire flashed a casual peace sign.
And then—
Kai stepped forward.
He was properly dressed, casual yet striking—dark jacket over a fitted shirt, hair slightly styled as if he'd put in a bit more effort than usual. He held a medium-sized gift box in his hands, wrapped neatly.
Ayaka's breath hitched.
Her heart gave a tiny leap at the sight of him standing there among her family and friends.
"Happy 18th Birthday, Onee-sama."
He hugged her gently.
The contact was brief, but close enough that she could feel his warmth, his steady presence. His scent—clean, faintly fresh—brushed her senses for just a second.
Ayaka turned red instantly.
"Th-thank you… Kai… thank you so much…"
Her voice trembled a little as she spoke. She accepted the gift, holding it close without opening it, fingers curling slightly around the box.
Everyone took turns wishing her, laughter and chatter filling the house. Rosie hugged her almost too tightly, Marie handed her a neatly wrapped book-shaped gift, and Claire nudged her playfully while wishing her a cool "happy adulthood."
Small talk followed, teasing from her friends, warmth everywhere. They joked about teachers, gossiped about school, and made fun of each other in that comfortable way only close friends could.
Soon, the cake was brought out—candles glowing softly.
It was a simple white cream cake, ringed with strawberries, with "Happy 18th Ayaka" written in chocolate. The candles flickered gently, their reflections dancing in everyone's eyes.
"Alright," Mrs. Ishida smiled. "Count together!"
Rosie bounced slightly, Marie lifted her phone to take a picture, and Claire leaned in closer to see better. Kai stood a little to the side, gaze resting quietly on Ayaka.
"Three… two… one—"
Ayaka closed her eyes and blew out the candles.
She made a small wish in her heart as she inhaled, then exhaled, dimming the flames in one soft breath. Wisps of smoke curled upward, faintly scented with wax.
Cheers erupted.
"So?" Rosie grinned. "What did you wish for?"
Ayaka shook her head shyly.
"I can't tell."
Her gaze lifted—
Her gaze met Kai's.
He watched her with a calm, unreadable expression, but his eyes were a little softer than usual.
Her heart skipped.
For a second, the noise in the room faded for her, leaving just that silent connection between their eyes.
She looked away quickly, cheeks warm.
She joined the others in cutting the cake, laughing when Rosie tried to steal the first bite, and posing for a few photos. The atmosphere stayed light and cheerful, but every now and then, her gaze drifted toward Kai without her meaning to.
—
Evening came, and guests slowly began to leave.
The sky outside darkened into deep blue. The once-lively living room was now quieter, with only a few wrapping papers and party decorations hinting at the earlier excitement.
At the door, Kai stood awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
He watched as Rosie, Marie, and Claire put their shoes on, waved, and left with cheerful goodbyes and promises to chat later. Once the door closed behind them, the house felt calmer, more intimate.
"Sorry… I couldn't give you a better gift. As you know, I'm pretty bad at these gifting jobs… I'll try to give something better next time… (sarcastically) : haha…"
He let out a small, self-conscious laugh. His eyes flickered briefly to the plush toy and box she held, then away again.
Ayaka shook her head quickly, flustered.
"No—! It's really good, Kai! I really like it! Don't say that!"
She clutched the plush a little closer as if to prove her point. To her, it wasn't about how fancy the gift was. Just knowing he had thought about what to give her was more than enough.
"Really?" Kai blinked. "You really liked this, Onee-sama?"
His tone held genuine surprise. It was as if he honestly couldn't believe he'd chosen something she would actually like.
Ayaka nodded faintly, a small blush returning.
"…Y-Yes."
She kept her gaze low, but her answer was firm. The warmth in her chest when she'd first opened his gift was still there.
Kai smiled, visibly relieved.
"I'm glad."
His shoulders eased, and the small smile lingered for a moment on his lips.
A short silence followed.
The house sounds filled the gap—the faint noise from the TV in the living room, the clink of dishes being moved in the kitchen. Between them, something unspoken hovered in the air.
"…You're finally an adult now," Kai said casually. "Any future plans?"
He leaned lightly against the wall, trying to sound offhand. His eyes, though, watched her closely, curious.
Ayaka thought for a moment.
University, exams, maybe a part-time job—vague ideas floated through her mind, forming pictures without clear outlines.
Then Kai added, teasingly,
"Thought anything about love and marriage?"
"W-WHAT!? NO!!"
Her face burned red.
The word "marriage" echoed way too loudly in her head. Her heart tripped, and she instinctively took half a step back, as if the topic itself had physically pushed her.
*Ayaka (to herself)* : "Marriage… huh?"
The thought formed itself quietly in her mind. Marriage. The idea felt far away, yet strangely close at the same time. Her imagination involuntarily tried to fill in the faceless "someone" standing beside her in a wedding image.
Her eyes flickered to Kai's—just for a second.
Her heart skipped again.
It was a tiny glance, but her chest tightened as soon as their eyes almost met.
She looked away immediately.
"I don't want to think about that stuff now."
Her voice came out more defensive than she intended. Saying it aloud felt like she was trying to push that whole concept away before it could settle too deeply in her thoughts.
"Oi, Ayaka!" Mrs. Ishida called from the kitchen. "Come help me for a bit!"
Ayaka : "Y-Yeah mom,i'm coming!"
Grateful for the escape, she half-bowed in an awkward rush and hurried toward the kitchen, still feeling the warmth in her cheeks. The plush toy in her arms brushed against her sweater as she moved.
—
Kai returned to his room, grabbed a snack, and sat at his study table.
His room was simple: a bed, a desk, a small shelf with schoolbooks and a few random items. The evening light coming in through the window had turned faint and grayish now.
Homework lay open, he solved the last math problems he had left, his pencil moving steadily. Numbers and formulas were familiar territory; they allowed his thoughts to settle into something predictable.
After finishing his homework, Kai searched for his diary, but he couldn't find it in the drawer
"…Where did I put it?"
He slid the drawer open all the way and rummaged through pens, erasers, and loose notes, but the notebook he wanted was nowhere in sight.
He searched his room. No luck.
He checked under a few textbooks, between stacked notebooks, even beside his bed. Each place came up empty.
Then his steps led him to the storeroom where he hadn't been there much before.
The storeroom door opened with a faint creak. Inside, shelves were lined with boxes, old clothes, and random household items. Dust hung faintly in the air, and the single ceiling bulb cast a soft, yellowish light.
He checked the storeroom.
He scanned the shelves, looked around a couple of boxes, and glanced along the floor near the wall. The notebook wasn't there either.
Still nothing.
He exhaled quietly, already thinking he should just give up and look for it another day.
Then—
A photo.
Something caught his eye on one of the shelves—a single photograph lying half-hidden under a thin stack of magazines. Its corner stuck out just enough to be noticeable.
He froze.
He reached out and pulled it free, dust particles floating up for a moment in the disturbed air.
A tall man.
An Expressive woman.
The man stood with a relaxed but confident posture, dressed in simple work clothes, a hint of a smile touching his lips. The woman beside him had bright, vivid eyes and a wide, sincere smile that made her whole face light up.
The woman held a small child—around two or three years old. Dark brown hair. Blue eyes.
Kai's eyes widened. His mouth parted slightly.
The child clutched a small toy in one hand, cheeks soft and round, gaze fixed on the camera with innocent curiosity. Something about the eyes, the shape of the face, tugged at him in a way that felt uncomfortably familiar.
His world stopped, like something had clicked in his mind.
He stared a few seconds longer, heart thudding just a little harder.
He slipped the photo into his pocket and returned to his room. He closed his books, locked the door, and sat at his desk.
He examined the photo carefully.
Under the white desk lamp, the details stood out more clearly—the creases at the edges, the faint texture of the photo paper, the expressions on the three faces.
Nothing stood out.
No date. No names scribbled at the back. No explanation.
"…Maybe I'm overthinking."
He mumbled it, but the uncertainty lingered. Still, he forced himself to ease off the questions circling in his mind.
He placed it inside his drawer.
The photo slid into the dark space quietly, almost too quietly, as if it carried more weight than its size suggested.
—
Later, Kai dozed off to his bed for a quick nap briefly.
He had only meant to rest his eyes for a moment, but the quiet of his room and the day's events caught up with him. Lying there, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts slowly blurred until sleep tugged him under.
At night, a knock echoed.
"Kai?"
The familiar voice came with three soft knocks on his door. His eyes blinked open, still half-drowsy.
He opened the door.
Half-lidded sharp eyes. Messy hair. Sleep clinging to him.His gaze locked to Ayaka's for a second.
His shirt was slightly wrinkled, and his hair fell loosely over his forehead, making him look more relaxed than usual.
Ayaka's breath caught.
Seeing him like this, closer than usual, made her heart jolt unexpectedly.
She looked away quickly, cheeks red.
"Mom's calling you for dinner…"
Her voice softened at the end, almost swallowed by the quiet hall.
"Mm."
Kai stretched, checked his phone briefly, then headed downstairs and sat beside Mr. Ishida.
The dining table was set, the smell of home-cooked food filling the room. Plates clinked softly as everyone took their seats.
"Mom…I don't really have much appetite today,it would be great if you kept my plate a bit lesser than usual" he said quietly.
He kept his tone gentle. He didn't want to worry anyone, but he also knew he couldn't eat as much as usual tonight.
Mom (understanding, softly, with a brief smile) : okay sweetie, I won't force you if your stomach is upset.
She gave him a small, understanding smile as she adjusted his portion.
Dinner continued nonetheless.
They ate to the background sound of the TV and the occasional comment from Mr. Ishida. It was a calm, everyday kind of dinner, the kind that made the house feel alive in a quiet way.
After finishing, Kai smiled lightly.
"It was delicious, Mom. Like always."
He spoke sincerely, looking up briefly to meet her eyes.
Ayaka nodded.
"You're a genius cook."
She smiled, supporting his statement without hesitation.
Mrs. Ishida laughed softly, touched.
"Thank you, you two."
Her voice carried obvious warmth, pleased with both the food and the company.
They left the table. Ayaka helped with dishes. Mr. Ishida grabbed the newspaper and relaxed on the couch. Kai returned to his room.
The normal household sounds faded behind him as he closed his door.
He lay on his bed and opened his phone.
The screen lit his face, notifications from apps and chats lining the top bar. His thumb hovered a moment before tapping into the group he checked the most.
Gramstani — Group Chat — 'BFFS! 💖"
Kai: I'll be coming to school from Monday.
He hit send and watched the typing indicators appear almost immediately.
Replies flooded in.
"YOO FINALLY!"
"Bro it's been a week!"
"Can't wait to see you!"
"Welcome back 😄"
Some messages from girls followed too.
"Tenjou-kun, we were worried!"
"Don't disappear again, okay?"
"Looking forward to seeing you!"
Kai smiled faintly.
Their words eased something inside him. Even if he didn't always show it, it felt nice to know others noticed his absence.
He suddenly sat up.
The photo.
The thought resurfaced sharply. He reached for the drawer, pulled it open, and took the photo out again, studying it carefully.
Nothing.
He scanned it once more, paying attention to the man this time—his clothes, his posture, anything that might hint at who he was.
Then—his eyes narrowed.
A badge on the man's shirt.
TENJOU AUTO WORKS
Kai's breath caught.
"…Tenjou…?"
That's my surname… isn't it?
The recognition sent a small jolt through him. The printed letters on the badge suddenly felt heavy with implication.
Something clicked.
Questions he had never fully formed before,like why his surname was Tenjou when his sister and parents were ishidas, now pressed against the edges of his mind, demanding attention.
He slid the photo back into the drawer, heart racing, and lay down.
He stared at the darkened ceiling, mind caught somewhere between the comfort of his current life and the uncertainties hinted at by that single photograph.
—
In Ayaka's room, she finished the last problem of her math homework.
She underlined the final answer, then set her pen down with a small sigh of relief. Her desk lamp cast a warm light over her books and stationery.
Her phone buzzed.
She reached over, picked it up, and unlocked the screen.
She opened Gramstani. The same groupchat in which Kai just messaged.
She scrolled quickly, catching his message about coming back to school from Monday. A faint smile touched her lips.
Ayaka: I'll be coming from tomorrow too.
She sent the message, watching the chat quickly spring to life again.
Replies followed instantly.
"AYAKA YOU'RE BACK TOO?!"
"Yesss everyone's returning!"
"Tomorrow's gonna be fun!"
She smiled, plugged her phone into the charger, and lay down.
Her room was dim except for the faint glow from the streetlights outside filtering through the curtains. The plush toy Kai had gifted her sat beside her pillow.
Her thoughts drifted.
Birthday.
Kai.
That look earlier.
The hug at the stairs. The way his eyes met hers when she blew out the candles. His teasing about love and marriage that still made her heart beat a little faster just remembering it.
She closed her eyes.
Her thoughts drifted to that one person's face again
His sleepy expression when he opened the door for dinner. The way his voice softened sometimes when he said "Onee-sama."
Ayaka's cheeks turned faintly red again as she buried her head onto the plushy beside her which Kai gifted her today. The fabric pressed against her face, cool and soft, soaking up the warmth from her skin. For some reason, holding it made her feel both embarrassed and strangely comforted.
After some brief moments, she fell asleep too.
Under the same roof, two hearts slept—
Unaware of what tomorrow would awaken.