Three days had passed since the small chaos that had briefly shaken the atmosphere of the house.
That morning, sunlight entered through the gap in the curtains, forming a thin line across the bedroom floor. The air felt fresh. There were no loud noises, no strange incidents, no lightning strikes. A peaceful atmosphere that Arou had rarely experienced lately.
Arou slowly opened his eyes.
The ceiling looked ordinary, but his thoughts were not. Something had been constantly circling in his mind for the past three days.
It was not about what had happened before.
Nor was it about the small argument that had occurred.
It was about himself.
He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands. Silently.
"I need to start changing," he muttered softly.
On the other side of the house, light footsteps could be heard. Akari had already woken up first. Unlike usual, she seemed energetic that morning.
A few minutes later—
"Arou! Wake up! You're going to be late!" Akari shouted from outside the room.
"I'm already awake," Arou replied calmly.
He stood up, made his bed, then headed to the bathroom. Cold water touched his face, fully awakening him from the thoughts that had been floating around in his mind.
Today was not an ordinary day.
Today, he had already made a decision.
---
The Journey to School
The morning streets were quite crowded. Students walked in groups, some joking around, others busy looking at their phone screens.
Arou and Akari walked side by side.
Akari glanced at him several times.
"You look really serious today," she said curiously.
"I'm thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
Arou did not answer immediately. The morning wind moved the ends of his hair.
"I want to find a part-time job."
Akari stopped walking.
"Huh?"
Several students almost bumped into her because she had stopped so suddenly.
"A part-time job? Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sick?"
Arou looked at her flatly. "No."
Akari narrowed her eyes. "It's unusual for you to have initiative."
"I always have initiative."
"No, you usually have weird ideas."
"That's also a form of initiative."
Akari let out a long sigh.
"Why did you suddenly think of this?"
Arou looked straight ahead.
"I don't want to keep depending on others."
That answer made Akari fall silent.
Arou's tone sounded different. He was not joking. He was not playing around.
Serious.
Their steps continued side by side.
"What kind of job?" Akari asked more quietly.
"I don't know yet. That's why I'm going to look for information today."
Akari smiled slightly. "Then I'll help."
Arou looked at her. "You?"
"Yeah. You're not going alone."
The corner of Arou's lips lifted slightly. "Alright."
---
The School Atmosphere
The bell rang.
Class went on as usual. The teacher explained the material in a steady voice, the blackboard was filled with writing, and the sound of chalk scraping against the hard surface could be heard.
However, Arou was not completely focused.
His hand was holding a pen, but his mind was busy making plans.
When break time came, he immediately stood up.
"Let's go," he said to Akari.
"That fast?"
"We're going to the bulletin board."
They walked toward the hallway near the administration room. Usually, various pieces of information were posted there: competitions, courses, and even part-time job openings.
Sure enough.
Several sheets of paper were neatly posted.
Bookstore assistant needed for afternoons.
Weekend assistant at a coffee shop.
Light delivery work around the school area.
Akari read them aloud softly.
"The coffee shop sounds fun."
"I can't make coffee."
"Learn."
Arou shook his head. "Too crowded."
"How about the bookstore?"
Arou thought about it for a moment.
A quiet place.
Lots of books.
Not too much interaction.
"Interesting," he muttered.
Akari smiled. "See? It suits you."
Arou took a picture of the announcement with his phone.
"Four to seven," Akari read.
"That's reasonable."
"Won't you get tired?"
"I want to try first."
Akari looked at him with an expression of pride that she tried to hide.
"You really are changing."
Arou did not answer, but his steps felt more determined.
---
An Unexpected Conversation
As they were about to return to class, Mei appeared from the direction of the stairs.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for a job," Akari answered quickly.
Mei fell silent for a few seconds.
"Are you short on money?"
Arou sighed. "It's not like that."
"Then?"
"I just want to learn responsibility."
Mei stared at him intently.
For the first time, she did not tease him.
She did not make a sarcastic remark.
She simply looked at him seriously.
"Good," she said briefly.
Akari and Arou exchanged glances, slightly surprised.
Mei turned around. "If you need a recommendation, my uncle owns a stationery store."
Arou fell silent.
"Wait… you're helping?" Akari asked.
"I didn't say I was helping. I'm just giving you an option."
Although her words sounded cold, her tone was not as sharp as usual.
"Thank you," Arou said sincerely.
Mei stopped for a moment, then continued walking without looking back.
---
Afternoon
After school, Arou did not go straight home.
He stood in front of a small bookstore whose address was written on the announcement.
The building was simple.
The front glass was clean.
The shelves were packed and visible from outside.
Akari stood beside him.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"Afraid of being rejected?"
"I've just never had an interview before."
Akari smiled. "Just relax. Answer honestly."
Arou nodded.
He opened the door.
A small bell above the door rang softly.
A middle-aged man behind the cashier looked up.
"Yes?"
"I saw the job opening."
The man looked Arou up and down.
"What grade are you in?"
"Second year of high school."
"Can you come on time?"
"Yes."
"Do you like reading?"
Arou paused for a moment.
"I like understanding."
The answer made the man smile slightly.
"Interesting."
Akari stood silently, offering her support through her gaze.
"The job is simple. Arrange books, help customers, and do some light cleaning. Three hours in the afternoon. Very disciplined. You can't take time off frequently."
Arou nodded firmly.
"I can do it."
The man stood up.
"Come tomorrow afternoon for a trial."
Akari's eyes immediately lit up.
Arou bowed slightly. "Thank you."
---
The Journey Home
The sky began to turn orange.
Arou's steps felt light.
"You got accepted," Akari whispered excitedly.
"It's still a trial."
"That's already good!"
Arou looked at the sky.
A strange feeling warmed his chest.
Not pride.
Not satisfaction.
More like the beginning of something.
"I never expected you to do this," Akari said.
"Neither did I."
They laughed softly.
The afternoon wind blew gently, carrying the scent of leaves and dust from the road.
For the first time in a long while, Arou felt like he was truly moving forward.
Not being dragged along by circumstances.
Not trapped by a situation.
But choosing.
---
Night
In his room, Arou sat at his study desk.
His textbook was open, but his thoughts were focused on tomorrow.
Four in the afternoon.
His first day at work.
He took a deep breath.
No one knew how far this small step would take him.
But one thing was certain.
He did not want to become the version of himself who only waited.
Outside the room, Akari could be heard talking to someone on the phone, her voice cheerful.
The house felt warm.
Arou closed his eyes for a moment.
"Tomorrow begins," he muttered.
A small step.
A simple decision.
But for Arou, it was the beginning of a major change.
And behind his faint smile was a determination that would no longer waver.
Arou began to fall asleep.
And in Arou's dream—
Arou was working at the bookstore, but suddenly the store became an abandoned building.
Arou woke up.
"Huh... Just a dream..."