BEEP—BEEP—BEEP.
The sound of the alarm clock pierced Kuroki's ears.
"Mmm…" He groggily lifted an arm and slapped his phone, silencing it. Rolling onto his back, he let out a long yawn.
"Yawnnnn…"
Dragging himself out of bed, Kuroki stood there for a moment, hair a complete mess.
"Meow."
He glanced down at the cat weaving around his legs.
"Yeah, yeah. You're probably hungry," he muttered. "Let me see if we've got something."
Still half-asleep, Kuroki shuffled down the stairs toward the kitchen. As he passed the living room, something caught his eye. He stopped and slowly turned his head to the left.
A woman was sprawled across the couch, fast asleep. Empty beer cans littered the floor around her.
"…Are you serious?" he said flatly.
With a deadpan expression, Kuroki walked over and looked down at the passed-out woman.
"Hey, old hag. Wake up."
"Mmm… Kuroki?" she mumbled, barely opening her eyes.
"Yes, it's me. Your son," he replied. "Get up already."
She shifted slightly, still completely out of it.
"Mmm… Kuroki… make me breakfast…"
Kuroki stared at her in silence.
"Make your own breakfast, you old hag," Kuroki said with an attitude.
"Please, Kuroki~," she pleaded, looking up at him with exaggerated puppy eyes.
"Ehhh…" He scratched the back of his head. "Fine. I'll make breakfast."
"Yay!" she cheered. "I love you, Kuroki!"
She jumped up and wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
"Hey—stop it, you drunk," he said, pushing her away. "You smell like beer."
"Huhhh? Why can't I give you a kiss, Kuroki?" she asked, giving him the puppy eyes again.
"Sigh…" He let out an annoyed breath. "Fine. Come on."
"Yay!" She did a small cheer again. "Mwah!"
She quickly kissed his cheek while he turned toward the kitchen.
Kuroki switched on the stove and took out the eggs and bacon.
Crack. Crack.
He cracked four eggs into the pan, then placed the bacon on another pan beside it.
"Oh, I almost forgot the toast."
He opened the fridge, took out four slices of bread, and popped them into the toaster.
A few minutes later, he nodded to himself.
"Okay, the eggs and bacon are done."
He grabbed two plates.
"Mom!" he called out. "Breakfast is ready."
"Okaaay~," she replied, slowly standing up from the couch, still looking half-dead.
"Ow… my head still hurts."
"That's what happens when you drink too much," Kuroki shot back as he started eating.
"Huh? No rice?" she said in disbelief.
"I didn't have time to make it, so just eat."
"Ohhh…" She pouted. "Okay."
The two of them ate breakfast together in silence.
—
After they finished, Kuroki put on his school uniform and headed for the door.
"Alright." He slipped on his shoes.
"Ah… have a good day, Kuroki," she said with a warm smile.
"Okay," he replied, then paused. "Oh—and thanks for going shopping last night."
"Oh, no problem," she said, happy to hear it.
"I'm off."
He walks out the front door heading to school.
—
"Oh I almost forgot"
Before heading to school, Kuroki always stopped by Satsuki's place. Most mornings, he had to wake her up himself. If he was lucky, she'd already be awake, and they'd walk to school together.
That's how it had been for the past nine years—ever since they met.
Kuroki was on his way to Satsuki's house when he spotted her walking toward him from the opposite direction.
(Heh… talk about luck. She actually woke up on her own today, huh.)
He couldn't help but feel a little impressed.
As they got closer, Satsuki narrowed her eyes at him.
"What are you staring at?" she asked, clearly annoyed.
"Nothing," Kuroki replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just surprised, that's all."
She huffed and turned her gaze forward.
And just like always, the two of them headed to school together.