So started another day, with the ritual smack of the alarm clock. Half-asleep, I sluggishly dragged myself to the bathroom and performed my morning routine.
Dressed and ready with an apron hours before the sun would dare peek above the horizon, I started preparing breakfast. It wasn't much, but it was the go-to with what I had on hand.
The scent of toasting bread along with frying eggs and ham woke me up from my standing slumber.
With all the breakfasts prepared, I set them on the table along with glasses of milk. Untieing my apron, I walked over to the girls' room and knocked on the wall.
"Wake up, wake up!" I called, "Moon's setting, gotta get to school!"
I heard mumbles and shifting around through the wall. Nobody in this household was a morning person, unfortunately.
The absurdity of this situation didn't strike me until I saw five breakfasts in front of me. "The number of mouths to feed really snapped up..." I thought. I pulled up a stool so I could sit at the dining table for breakfast.
The ham and egg sandwiches didn't look particularly bad, but they weren't too good, either. I still had a ways to go, but I'm sure that I'll improve in no time with the amount of cooking ahead.
"Good morning," called a voice.
"Morning," I called back. I lifted my head to see Hatsu dressed in her sister Suzu's old clothes. White gloves, white leggings, and a short skirt similar to her own.
"Hey, that's the wrong uniform, isn't it? Where's your school uniform?"
"Oh, uh, sorry!"
"Don't apologize. This is your first day, after all."
Hatsu ran back into the room amidst laughter.
I walked up to a mirror and adjusted my tie. To support these new mouths, I had to find a higher-paying job. It was difficult, but I'm glad I did so I can give these girls a new shot for the future.
When I came back into the dining room, all 4 girls were sat around the table, practically drooling over the sandwiches without taking a bite.
I sat down on the stool, the remaining seat. "Hey, why are we not eating?"
Aki spoke up. "Is this food really for us?"
I glanced around. "Well, there's nobody else that I'd make it for, so go ahead and eat up."
Their eyes lit up, and they immediately picked up the sandwiches and took a large bite. I followed suit, and it tasted just like it looked. Lackluster at best.
However, what was registering on the girls' faces was complete bliss. Teru even muttered, "Oh, wow."
"Is it really that good?" I asked.
"Yes," came the resounding answer.
They finished the sandwiches in record time, even though it looked like they were savoring every bite. They all thanked me for the meal (which I was unaccustomed to) and gathered their materials for the school day. They were to start in the spring semester that day, so there was a small scramble to make sure everything was in line.
"You girls got everything you need?"
"Yup!" "Yes." "Yeah." "Yes!"
"Then off to school! Stay safe and have fun!"
I opened the door, and they filed out of the door. Suzu briefly hugged me and whispered, "Thank you for all you do." We had known each other for only 3 days, but my heart was warmed nonetheless.
I waved them off as they walked to school. They looked like a group of wandering ducklings. I had drilled into their minds the directions to their school, and I could only hope that they do not get lost.
This would be their first day of normal high school, and as second-year students! They were of age to attend fourth-year classes, but the school thought that dumping them in such classes would be setting them up for failure.
With them out the door, I could focus on myself. I gathered all the dishes and set them in the dishwasher. I picked up my packed lunch and headed to work.
There was a learning curve to the new job, but I felt I kept up well. All according to plan.
Even at work, I could not help but think about them during my lunch break. Are they doing well? Are they making good friends?
"Mr. Egusa, lunch break is over. Please head back as soon as possible."
"Oh, sorry! I'll be right there."
On the bus back, I checked my phone briefly to see if anybody had messaged me. I expected at least one message from Aki when they arrived home, but nothing was there.
I hoped that she had just forgotten, but when I returned home, I saw an empty house.
"Hello?"
Nobody was home.
I called Aki to check on her. No response.
That's peculiar. Hatsu. No response.
Teru. No response.
Suzu. No response.
Aki again. This time, somebody picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, this is Kenjou! Where are you guys!?"
"Oh, we're just strolling by the canal." Silence. "Oh, shoot, I forgot to tell you. Sorry."
"Is everybody with you?"
"Yes." I hear a distant, "Hey, a ferry is coming!"
I sighed. "Get back as soon as you can, okay? It's almost dinnertime, and I don't want to see you guys hungry."
"Got it."
"See you soon."
"Bye!"
I breathe a sigh of relief. The canal isn't too far from the school, so I can rest easy for now.
I started to prepare dinner (I was feeling a pot roast, and it fit what we had at the time), and the girls arrived a few moments later.
"School go well?" I asked.
"Yeah! It was great!" Teru exclaimed.
"Glad to see you guys are enjoying yourselves. Go ahead and get unpacked. Dinner will be ready in an hour or so."
"Alright," commented Hatsu.
They all sauntered into their room, backpacks in hand. I heard a ruckus from their room barely after they all entered.
I shook my head. With this many people in this small house, it'll be noisy and rowdy every day of the week.
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