It was morning again, just like always.

But for some reason, I woke up earlier than usual, feeling strangely excited.

I jumped out of bed and pulled open the curtains.

A perfectly clear blue sky greeted me, without a single cloud in sight.

I opened the window, filled my lungs with the fresh morning air, and slowly breathed it out.

In the distance, I could see the park looking small below.

Beyond it, the river along the embankment sparkled in the morning sunlight.

Somehow, I had a feeling today was going to be a good day.

I left my room and headed into the bathroom directly across the hall.

Since I had plenty of time this morning, I felt like taking a shower before school.

In the changing area, I took off my pajamas and tossed them into the washing machine. My underwear was washed separately, so I dropped it into the laundry basket instead.

When I opened the door and stepped into the bathroom, the air felt slightly cool against my skin.

I turned on the water and waited until it became warm before switching it over to the shower.

Closing my eyes, I let the warm water pour over my face.

It felt as though my entire body was filling with energy.

When I finished, I wrapped a towel around myself and went back to my room.

After drying myself thoroughly, I put on my underwear and changed into the school uniform hanging on the wall.

Our school uniform was a blazer.

The blazer was navy, while the bottoms were a green-and-black tartan check. The tie had the same green-and-black pattern.

The colors were different for each year.

First-years wore green, second-years wore white, and third-years wore red.

And each class kept its assigned color as they moved up through all three years of high school.

Once I was dressed, I picked up the school bag I had prepared the night before and headed toward the kitchen.

Dad was already there eating breakfast.

“Morning, Dad! You’re up early today.”

I kissed him on the cheek.

“I just got home. We were filming a fight scene last night, so I had to stay pretty focused. I’m exhausted.”

He took a sip of miso soup and let out a huge yawn.

I placed my bag under my chair, then leaned across the counter and kissed Mom on the cheek.

“Morning, Mom!”

As I sat down beside Dad, something suddenly occurred to me.

“Oh, Dad. Do you know an art director named Yano?”

“Yano... Yano...”

Dad thought about it for a moment.

“Ah. Masahiko Yano?”

“I don’t know his first name. I didn’t hear it directly from Yano-senpai, either, so I’m not completely sure. But someone who knows his family told me that the father of Yano-senpai—the president of the art club—owns a film production company and works as an art director. So I thought maybe you might know him.”

“Ah, then that has to be Masahiko Yano.”

“Do you know him?”

“No, I’ve never actually worked with him.”

Mom, who had just brought over my breakfast, suddenly joined the conversation.

“Come to think of it... remember a few years ago? That Mr. Yano who came to one of my concerts and brought flowers all the way to my dressing room. Wasn’t that him?”

“Oh, that’s right,” Dad said. “He came with his son, didn’t he?”

Mom’s eyes widened.

“Ah! I remember now! That boy was Yano-kun! He was still in middle school back then, wasn’t he?”

“Ohhh... so that’s why Yano-senpai knew who Mom was.”

Everything suddenly made sense.

“That’s right. Tsukasa-kun, do you remember? Yano-kun used to send me so many fan letters. He was such a devoted fan.”

“What?”

That was news to me.

“Yeah,” Dad said with a nostalgic smile. “They were almost like love letters. You used to say how cute they were.”

“That’s right! I even wrote back to him once. He was so happy about it...”

“Does Senpai still send you fan letters?”

“Not as often as before, but yes, he still does. I read every fan letter I receive. I just never realized that Yano-kun and your Yano-senpai were the same person! What an incredible coincidence.”

Even Mom looked surprised.

But now something else was beginning to worry me.

“Then... if we invite Senpai over, won’t he figure out who you are?”

“Hm?”

“The other day, he said you looked like Yuu Kisaragi. He even had pictures of you. He said he keeps magazine clippings and everything in scrapbooks...”

If he was that devoted a fan, surely he might recognize Mom if he saw him up close.

“It’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about it, Kaname.”

Mom didn’t seem concerned at all.

“Are you sure? Senpai seems pretty perceptive.”

“Well, if he figures it out, he figures it out.”

Mom said it as if it were no big deal.

“You trust Yano-kun, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I know Senpai would never do anything bad!”

I answered without hesitation.

Mom smiled.

“Then that’s good enough for me. Besides, apparently he’s a devoted fan of mine.”

He gave me a playful wink.

Dad immediately jumped into the conversation.

“But Yuu-kun is mine!”

As always, Dad was hopelessly in love with Mom.

“I’m off!”

I opened the front door.

“Watch out for cars!”

As usual, both of my parents had come all the way to the entrance to see me off.

I took my usual shortcut through the park and headed toward the riverbank.

The morning path was busy with people on their way to school and work.

Then, among the crowd, I spotted a familiar figure from behind.

Wait...

Could that be...?

“Yano-senpaaai!”

I called out loudly without even thinking.

Senpai turned around.

“Oh, Kaname-kun! Good morning!”

As soon as he saw me, he raised his arm and waved enthusiastically.

I ran over to him.

“Good morning! Do you walk to school too, Senpai?”

“Yeah. Are you a walker too, Kaname-kun?”

“Yes. I live pretty close by. But I heard you went to Third Middle School... Wouldn’t that be in the opposite direction?”

“Ah, that was until middle school. I moved when I started high school.”

“Then... maybe we’ll run into each other in the mornings sometimes?”

Just thinking about it made me a little happy.

“Do you usually go to school around this time?”

“I woke up earlier than usual today. Normally I leave a little later than this, but... if this is when you usually go to school, maybe I’ll try harder to wake up early too.”

“Hahaha. It would be fun if we could walk to school together.”

Senpai smiled.

Looking at that smile, I had a feeling I really might start waking up early from tomorrow on.

“By the way, have you decided whether you’re going to join the art club?”

“I really want to.”

I paused for a moment, choosing my words.

“But my parents are really overprotective. They worry about everything. So I talked to them last night, and... they said I should invite you over for dinner.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I’m sorry to trouble you, but it sounds like there are a few things they’d like to talk to you about...”

Senpai didn’t look bothered in the slightest.

“That’s no trouble at all. When should I come over?”

“Are you sure it’s really okay?”

I couldn’t help asking again.

“Of course. Anytime is fine with me.”

“Then I’ll ask Mom what day works best. Thank you so much!”

I bowed my head.

As Senpai and I continued walking toward school together, my heart fluttered with excitement.

It wasn’t just today.

Maybe from now on, I’d get to walk to school with Senpai like this again.

And soon, Senpai would be coming to my home.

That feeling I’d had while looking out the window this morning—

Today is going to be a good day.

It looked like I’d been right.