Akane's POV
Morning at the Ino Residence
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains of the Ino residence like a polite guest who didn't want to wake anyone too abruptly.
The house was quiet and peaceful.
And filled with the heavenly scent of breakfast.
Eggs.
Toast.
And something sweet.
Very sweet.
Upstairs, in a room beneath a heroic fortress of blankets and pillows, a small figure shifted slightly.
A muffled groan escaped the pile.
Then a voice drifted into the room.
"Akane…wake up, or you'll be late for school"
No response.
The blanket mound remained motionless.
Standing beside the bed with his arms folded was Shinji Ino.
He stared down at the blanket burrito.
"Akane," he tried again.
A sleepy voice emerged from somewhere inside the pillows.
"Onii-chan, please. Five more minutes."
Shinji glanced at the clock.
"You said that thirty minutes ago."
Silence.
Then a soft snore.
Shinji sighed the long, weary sigh of an older sibling who had fought this battle many times before.
"Alright," he muttered.
He grabbed the blanket.
And lifted it.
Cold morning air rushed in.
The reaction was immediate.
"HEY!"
The blanket exploded upward as Akane Ino shot upright like a startled cat.
Her hair stuck out wildly in every direction.
Her eyes narrowed accusingly.
"You monster!"
Shinji leaned casually against the bed.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Akane glared at him.
"You're the worst big brother ever."
She paused, then sniffed the air around her.
Then smiled.
"…But at least you make a good breakfast."
Shinji blinked.
"You haven't even seen it yet."
Akane hopped out of bed.
"I can smell pancakes."
She sniffed dramatically.
"…Strawberry pancakes."
Shinji raised an eyebrow.
"Your nose is terrifying."
"Go have your bath first, and prepare for school, then come downstairs and have breakfast."
Breakfast Made with Love
Downstairs, the dining table looked like something straight out of a cooking show.
Akane all dressed in her school uniform, stopped halfway down the stairs.
Her eyes widened.
Fluffy omelets.
Golden toast stacked neatly.
Freshly sliced fruit.
And right in the center—
A tall stack of strawberry pancakes glistening with syrup.
Akane gasped.
"WHOA!!"
She slowly turned toward Shinji.
"You made all this for me, your sweet little sister?!"
Shinji poured himself coffee like it was no big deal.
"Yes, of course...I have to, you know man of the house duties."
Akane didn't even bother responding.
She teleported into her seat.
Fork ready.
Eyes sparkling.
"Onii-chan you're amazing."
She clasped her hands dramatically like a princess in a fairy tale.
"You're 100% future husband material."
Shinji immediately choked on his coffee.
"Come on, don't say weird things while I'm drinking."
Akane giggled as she stuffed her face with pancakes.
"Mmm! These are perfect!"
Shinji shook his head.
"You eat like a tornado."
Akane pointed her fork at him.
"Talent."
Despite the teasing, the moment felt warm.
Comfortable.
The kind of quiet happiness that filled a home without anyone noticing.
For a few minutes, the only sounds were forks clinking against plates and Akane making extremely dramatic "this is delicious" noises.
Finally, Shinji leaned back in his chair.
"So."
Akane froze mid-bite.
"…Yes?"
"Math test today."
Akane slowly lowered her fork.
Her smile looked suspicious.
"Oh that."
Shinji narrowed his eyes.
"You studied, right?"
Akane puffed out her chest confidently.
"Of course!"
Shinji stared at her.
Akane coughed.
The Walk to School
After breakfast, the two siblings walked down a quiet Kyoto street together.
The morning air was cool.
Akane skipped ahead happily, her school bag bouncing behind her.
Shinji walked beside her with his hands in his pockets.
"You're way too energetic for someone who just woke up thirty minutes ago," he said.
Akane grinned.
"That's because I had pancakes."
"Ah," Shinji nodded seriously. "Fuel of champions."
As they approached the school gate, voices immediately rang out.
"Akane!"
"Class President!"
Several students waved enthusiastically.
Akane waved back brightly.
"Good morning, everyone!"
Shinji rubbed the back of his head.
"You're popular."
Akane grinned proudly.
"Perks of being awesome."
Shinji sighed.
"Don't let it go to your head."
Too late.
Her head was already very high.
Before she stepped through the school gate, Akane suddenly turned back, and waved enthusiastically to her brother
She smiled softly.
"Onii-chan, Thanks for breakfast."
"Don't forget dinner"
Her voice carried a quiet sincerity.
"Onii-chan, You're the best."
Shinji blinked.
Then smiled faintly.
"Got it...Have a good day, Class President."
Akane saluted dramatically.
"Yes, sir!"
Akane the Class President
The moment Akane entered the classroom, the atmosphere changed.
"Good morning everyone!"
Her cheerful voice immediately filled the room.
Classmates gathered around her desk almost instantly.
"Akane! Did you finish the science homework?"
"Akane! The teacher said we need volunteers!"
"Akane! What are we doing for the upcoming Sports Fest?!"
Akane laughed nervously.
"Okay okay! One at a time!"
Being class president meant constant chaos.
But somehow —
Akane handled it all with impressive confidence.
She passed out worksheets.
Organized group projects.
And even helped a confused teacher figure out where the attendance sheets had mysteriously disappeared to.
Later, inside the staff room, one of the teachers smiled warmly at her.
"We're counting on you for the Sports Festival preparations, Akane."
Akane nodded proudly.
"Leave it to me!"
She paused.
"As long as it doesn't involve math."
The teacher laughed.
Queen of the Track
By the afternoon, the school field was buzzing with activity.
Akane changed into her sports uniform and stretched confidently.
Her favorite event?
Track and field.
Specifically—
Sprinting.
Her friends gathered near the starting line.
"Ready, Akane?!"
She grinned.
"Always."
The whistle blew.
Akane launched forward like a rocket.
Her ponytail whipped behind her as she tore across the field.
Her classmates erupted with cheers.
"GO AKANE!"
"CLASS PRESIDENT FOR THE WIN!"
She crossed the finish line first.
Again.
Akane bent over slightly, breathing hard, but laughing.
Her friends swarmed her immediately.
"You're so fast!"
"You're totally winning at Sports Fest!"
Akane rubbed her nose proudly.
The afternoon sun bathed the field in golden light as laughter echoed across the campus.
For Akane
It was simply another happy day at school.
The final school bell rang.
Students flooded toward the gates in noisy groups.
Akane walked with her friends, chatting about snacks and homework and the exciting stuff they plan on doing during the Sports Fest.
But for a moment —
She slowed down.
Her eyes drifted toward the sky.
"…Hmm."
She wasn't sure why.
But suddenly she thought about Shinji.
Her brother always looked calm.
Relaxed.
Like nothing ever bothered him.
But sometimes…
She wondered if he carried things he never talked about.
Akane smiled softly.
Her friends grabbed her arms.
"Come on Akane!"
"Let's get snacks!"
She laughed.
"Okay okay!"
And just like that —
The cheerful Class President ran off down the street with her friends.
Completely unaware
That at that very moment…
Far away inside a sealed, cursed district—
Her brother could be fighting for his life.