A thin ray of sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, gently entering the room as if it didn't want to disturb the peace. It slowly stretched across the floor, climbed up the edge of the bed, and finally reached the face of a sleeping boy.
Kentarou.
His eyes remained closed, his breathing soft and steady, completely unaware of the world that had already begun to wake up outside. The golden light rested on his face, warm and persistent, as if calling him out of his dreams.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
"…Mmm…"
A faint sound escaped his lips.
His eyebrows twitched slightly, reacting to the brightness. The light grew stronger, refusing to back down, until it forced its way through his closed eyelids.
"Ah…"
Kentarou slowly stirred, his hand moving lazily to shield his eyes. His fingers brushed against the warmth of the sunlight, and with a quiet groan, he turned his face away.
But it was useless.
Morning had already found him.
With a reluctant sigh, he opened his eyes just a little, squinting against the light that filled his room. The peaceful darkness of sleep faded away, replaced by the soft glow of a new day.
"…Morning already…" he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.
And just like that—
Kentarou woke up as the rays of light entered his room.
Kentarou slowly pushed himself up from the bed, the warmth of the sunlight still lingering on his face. He ran a hand through his messy hair, letting out a quiet yawn as he tried to shake off the last traces of sleep.
For a moment, he just sat there.
Silent.
Still.
Then his eyes shifted.
They landed on the calendar hanging on the wall.
The dates were marked neatly, but one particular day had a small circle around it—nothing too noticeable to others, yet it stood out clearly to him.
Kentarou stared at it for a few seconds.
"…Three more days…"
His lips barely moved, the words forming more in his mind than in reality.
"There is only three more days for her to come".
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
Not exactly excitement.
Not exactly nervousness.
Something in between.
Something he couldn't quite name.
He looked away quickly, as if even thinking about it for too long would make it too real.
"…I should get ready," he muttered under his breath.
With that, Kentarou stood up from his bed, stretching his arms slightly before walking toward the door. The quiet creak echoed softly as he opened it and stepped out into the hallway.
The house was still calm, just like his room.
He walked a few steps and stopped in front of another door.
Kenta's room.
Kentarou let out a small sigh, already knowing what awaited him inside. Without much hesitation, he grabbed the doorknob and opened it.
The room was a mess.
Clothes scattered around.
Blanket half-fallen off the bed.
And right in the middle of it—
Kenta, sleeping like nothing in the world mattered.
"…As expected."
Kentarou walked inside, his expression turning slightly tired.
"Kenta… wake up."
No response.
He stood there for a second.
Then tried again.
"Kenta, it's morning."
Still nothing.
Kentarou's eye twitched just a little.
"…Don't tell me I have to do this again."
He stepped closer to the bed, looking down at his younger brother who was still completely lost in his dreams.
"…Oi."
Silence.
Kentarou exhaled slowly, raising his hand.
And then—
"Wake up already!"
Kentarou raised his hand—
And the next moment—
Thud!
"—Ah?!"
Before he could even react, Kenta suddenly turned in his sleep and smacked him right on the head with surprising force.
Kentarou froze.
"…What… was that for…"
He held his head, his expression filled with pure disbelief.
Meanwhile, Kenta slowly shifted, his eyes fluttering open as if nothing unusual had happened. He blinked a few times, staring blankly at the ceiling before turning his gaze toward Kentarou.
"…Nii-chan…?" he mumbled sleepily.
"You just hit me."
"Huh…?" Kenta tilted his head, clearly not remembering anything. "Did I…?"
"…Forget it," Kentarou sighed, already too tired to argue this early in the morning.
Kenta sat up, stretching his arms lazily. "Morning…"
"Yeah. Morning," Kentarou replied, still rubbing his head. "Get ready. We're going to be late."
"Five more minutes…"
"No."
"…Three?"
"No."
Kenta pouted but eventually dragged himself out of bed.
A few minutes later, the two of them made their way downstairs.
The soft clatter of utensils and the comforting aroma of breakfast filled the air. Their mother was already in the kitchen, moving gracefully as she prepared food for them.
"Oh, you're both awake," she said with a gentle smile, glancing over her shoulder.
"Yeah," Kentarou replied.
"Morning, Mom…" Kenta yawned as he took a seat.
"Wash up first," she said.
"Okay…"
After getting ready, the two brothers sat at the table and quickly finished their breakfast. It was a simple, warm meal—but enough to start the day.
"Don't be late," their mother reminded them.
"We won't," Kentarou said.
"…We might," Kenta added casually.
Kentarou shot him a look.
"Eat faster."
"I am eating!"
Once they were done, they grabbed their bags and stepped outside.
The morning air was fresh, carrying the distant sounds of students heading toward school. The streets were slowly filling with life.
Kentarou adjusted the strap of his bag while Kenta walked beside him, still half-asleep.
"…I'm sleepy," Kenta complained.
"You're always sleepy."
"That's because mornings are evil."
"…Just walk faster."
The two continued down the road, blending into the crowd of students.
And just like that—
Their ordinary school day began.
___________________________
The school gates stood tall, welcoming the flow of students as they poured in, chatting, laughing, and rushing to their classrooms.
Among them—
Kentarou walked quietly.
His pace was steady, neither too fast nor too slow, as if he didn't want to stand out. His bag rested neatly on his shoulder, his expression calm… almost unreadable.
This was his everyday world.
Kentarou was a Grade 10 student.
Not particularly popular.
Not particularly unnoticed either.
Just… there.
A boy who blended into the background without much effort.
If someone were to describe him, they'd probably say he was quiet. The kind of person who wouldn't start conversations but would respond if spoken to. The kind of person who preferred sitting near the window, watching the sky instead of joining the noise around him.
An introvert.
Through and through.
He wasn't bad at studies, nor was he exceptional. His grades stayed somewhere in the middle, just enough to avoid attention from teachers.
But there was one thing about him—
He observed.
A lot.
Things others ignored, things others forgot… Kentarou noticed them in silence.
The way the wind moved the trees.
The way people changed their tone when talking to someone they liked.
The small details that no one ever talked about.
And yet—
Despite understanding so much…
There was one thing he couldn't figure out.
His own feelings.
Kentarou stepped into his classroom, his eyes briefly scanning the room before he quietly walked to his seat near the window.
Right on time.
As always.
He placed his bag down and sat, resting his chin lightly on his hand as he looked outside.
The sky was clear.
Blue.
Peaceful.
"Yo, Kentarou!"
A voice suddenly called out.
Kentarou barely had time to react before someone casually dropped into the seat in front of him, turning around with a wide grin.
It was Senku.
Messy hair, energetic eyes, and a personality that stood in complete contrast to Kentarou's calm nature.
"…Morning," Kentarou replied.
"Man, you're as dull as ever in the mornings," Senku laughed. "At least pretend to be alive."
"I am alive."
"Debatable."
Kentarou sighed lightly, resting his bag down.
Senku leaned closer, lowering his voice slightly. "So? Anything interesting happen?"
"…No."
"Of course not," Senku smirked. "Your life is like a silent movie."
Kentarou didn't respond.
But for a split second—
His eyes shifted.
"…Something is happening, though."
"Hm?" Senku raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Oi, don't hide things from me," Senku grinned. "I'm your best friend, you know."
"…You're just noisy."
"Same thing."
—
Classes began soon after.
Teachers walked in and out, writing on the board, explaining lessons that most students half-listened to. The sound of chalk scratching against the board mixed with the occasional whispers and suppressed laughter.
Kentarou sat quietly, his notebook open.
He wrote.
But his mind wandered.
"…Three days…"
He stared at the page, the words blurring slightly.
"Kentarou."
He snapped back.
The teacher was looking at him.
"Yes?"
"Answer the question."
"…Ah…"
A brief pause.
Then—
He answered correctly.
The teacher nodded and continued the lesson.
From the front row, Senku turned slightly, giving him a teasing grin.
"Still a genius, huh?"
"…I just listen sometimes."
"Liar."
—
Time passed.
The final bell rang.
Students immediately burst into motion, conversations filling the air once again as they packed their bags.
"Finally!" Senku stretched. "Freedom."
Kentarou stood up calmly.
"Let's go," Senku said. "I need snacks."
"…You always need snacks."
"And you always complain. Yet you still come with me."
Kentarou didn't deny it.
—
The streets of Seoul were lively in the evening.
Neon signs flickered to life, and people moved through the sidewalks in a constant flow. The supermarket they entered was bright, filled with neatly arranged shelves and the soft hum of refrigerators.
Senku grabbed a basket immediately.
"Alright, mission: survival snacks."
"That's not a real mission."
"It is for me."
Kentarou followed quietly, occasionally picking up a few items.
Then—
Senku suddenly spoke.
"Hey… do you have a crush?"
Kentarou paused.
"…Why?"
"Just answer."
"…Maybe."
Senku's eyes widened. "Wait—seriously?! You?!"
"…Is it that surprising?"
"Yes."
A short silence.
Then—
"She doesn't live here."
Senku blinked. "Huh?"
"She's… in Japan."
"…Japan?" Senku repeated.
Kentarou nodded slightly.
"I used to live there," he said calmly.
The words came out naturally—
But they carried weight.
Senku stared at him for a moment, surprised.
"…You never told me that."
"There wasn't a reason to."
"And this girl?"
Kentarou looked away slightly.
"…Same place."
Senku smirked slowly. "Long-distance, huh… that's rough."
"…Yeah."
"But kinda romantic," Senku added.
Kentarou didn't respond.
—
After they left the supermarket, the sky had already begun to darken.
"Alright, I'm heading this way," Senku said, pointing in another direction.
"…Yeah."
"Don't overthink too much," Senku added with a grin. "Just confess when the time comes."
Kentarou gave a faint nod.
"…See you."
"See ya."
—
By the time Kentarou reached home—
It was quiet.
No one was there.
He stepped inside, placing his bag down gently.
For a moment, he stood still.
Then—
Without a word—
He started cleaning.
Sweeping the floor.
Arranging things.
Washing dishes.
Every movement was calm, practiced… almost routine.
The house slowly returned to order under his hands.
Alone.
Completely alone.
—
Night fell.
The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by a soft lamp.
Kentarou sat near the window, holding a small container of seeds.
Beside him—
A small, colorful cocktail parrot hopped lightly, tilting its head.
"Here, Rockie."
The bird chirped happily as Kentarou fed him.
"You're lucky," Kentarou said softly. "You don't have to think about things like this."
Rockie blinked.
"…There's someone I like."
The words came out quietly.
Almost like a secret.
"She's far away… in Japan."
The bird made a small sound, as if responding.
Kentarou smiled faintly.
"…Her name is Violet."
For a moment—
Silence filled the room.
But it wasn't empty.
Because in his heart—
She was there.
Always there.
And in just three more days—
That distance between them…
Might finally begin to disappear.