Even though I didn't get enough sleep, I had to wake up early because today was my turn to cook. Ah, I feel like running away because I'm not very good at this. Last time, Ushio and Ryui complained to me because the food was too salty. In that case, I'll just ask my brother for help.

"But I thought the salt was just right," I muttered to myself after getting ready. I stretched my body once more to feel a little more energetic. Though, it didn't really help. I'm still sore.

Mornings aren't for me. Speaking of time, I prefer the quiet of the night. No wonder I always think negatively. Midnight, that kind of time, is the worst for someone to stay sane. But that silence is my favorite. My eyes rolled, staring at the empty bed.

"Tch, they're out again, Yuki-nii and Kae-nii. At least if you're going out today, wake me up so I can ask you to bring something back!" I muttered, sighing. Then, I walked out and opened the door.

"Good morning, Shunin-chan."

A voice I had just met last night greeted me cheerfully. Right in front of the door, alongside a white fluffy dog. Only Shuumai, the dog I could tolerate because of its cuteness. My hand waved, then I gently stroked it while smiling, "Good morning too, Kafka and Shuumai!"

Kafka pouted, furrowing his brow and pursing his lips, "I want that too."

"Fix your greeting first. I'm Fukushunin, not Shunin. If Kae-nii is here later, we might both turn around if called by the same name," I explained.

"It should be fine if it's just the two of us. Fukushunin is too long. I want to enjoy every second with you, Kumiko-chan."

"Haha, in that case, just call me by my name. I also want to enjoy my time with Kafka."

The young man in front of me blinked, then frowned even more, his face turning red. He snorted roughly, his breath echoing in the corridor. Then, he turned his face away while tightening his embrace around Shuumai. The white dog barked, seeming to join in the scolding.

"Huh? Why are you two acting like that?"

"No, it's nothing. I know you didn't mean it the way I thought. But still, it's unfair, you know."

"Eh?! What did I do?!"

"Forget it."

"O-okay, then I'll go to the kitchen to cook..." Before I could finish my sentence, Kafka spoke up again.

"Oh, no need. I asked Yukikaze, Shunin-chan, and Sakujiro to cook earlier. Instead, during their cooking shift, please back them up."

"Why?" I asked, confused. I tilted my head in a questioning manner. He chuckled, lowering the Shuumai from his embrace, then stared straight at the white dog that was now running away from the two of us. It was usual for it to be just the two of us, but for some reason, the aura of the man in front of me felt serious.

He smiled, "You stayed up late last night because of work. And now you have to cook for us again? You're exhausted, and we won't get any delicious food either."

"Ugh, is it really that bad? If so, just take me off the cooking list. I'll handle the shopping instead," I replied, feeling attacked by the undeniable truth. My hunch was right, after all. I had felt pretty confident about my fried rice.

"Hahaha, I'm just kidding. Your cooking isn't that bad. It's just a bit too salty."

This time, I puffed out my cheeks in annoyance. He pinched my cheek, then reached out his hand, "Honestly, I just wanted to go out with you alone. You could say today is just for the two of us. I've kept Yukikaze busy with other matters, even if it means sacrificing Shunin-chan, tch."

Hearing his statement, I could only laugh to myself. He really dislikes it when Kaede is with my older brother. This still amuses me even as we've grown up. His hand on my cheek, I responded with a grip, touching it and holding it tightly, "So, where are we going?"

"Earlier, I planned for us to go out with Shuumai. But it seems Shuumai knows better than you, so he chose to go to Renga. Look."

Sure enough, Shuumai, who had run off earlier, was now leading Renga, who was laughing joyfully as he followed Shuumai, as if Shuumai were guiding him. My lips couldn't help but utter, "Wow ... there are two dogs."

"Haha, you're right," Kafka chimed in, agreeing as he held my hand, "let's go out first. Then we'll go fishing again at the usual spot."

"Ah, there, huh? Sure, why not."

We held hands with each other. The warmth and familiar atmosphere. I couldn't imagine if Kafka's operation that day had failed. How panicked I would have been with Kaede when we found the patient's room empty without him, with only Sakujiro left.

Midway through the journey, still walking calmly, I opened my mouth. I blurted out a question that suddenly popped into my mind, "Kafka, are you happy?"

A heavy question in the midst of this light morning. He didn't seem surprised like usual when I spoke. Instead, he closed his eyes with a understanding smile, "I often think, why is it that my life, which could be short, still burns with the desire to leave a mark and keep living? While you, who always seem happy, feel so distant even though you're right beside me."

"I can't understand your thoughts. It's a puzzle whose answer is harder to find than solving the riddle of getting a birthday present from my late mother."

"Now, it's my turn to ask you, Kumiko-chan."

Our footsteps had led us to the edge of the pier, I don't know when. The vast blue sea stretched out before us, caressed by the cool morning breeze of Hama. At that moment, he smiled, but for some reason it felt like a knife piercing my heart.

"Are you happy, Kumiko-chan?"

I blinked, confused. "Huh, me? Of course... I'm happy." No one had ever asked me that before.

"You're lying. Just like that day, you promised me you'd always be with me. But you always lie," he replied, sighing but still smiling. Ah, I didn't know what to say. Maybe because we were 'the same' and had been together for so long, he quickly saw through my facade.

"I wasn't lying when I said I'd risk my life for you," I replied, "But you're right. It seems like I can't ... keep this up for too long, huh."

"I'm not blaming you. It's just that I wish you could be more selfish and honest. I ... I want to be someone you feel comfortable with. I ... I want to be your home."

A bright morning with a sky full of blue. But his face was flushed. My heart was pounding. I was afraid that if I revealed all my feelings and thoughts, would you still stay with me? Would we ... would we have to endure the same fate again?

You've changed so much, but I'm still stuck in my own world. Watching you through the colored glass of my world. Ah, yes, one day, everyone will know that I'm no longer needed. When they realize how dirty and fake I am, no one will want to sit and play with me anymore.

The bait on this pier, I take it. Kafka remains silent, watching and waiting for my response. I will always follow him wherever he goes, making him happy because I too want to be happy. Seeing him as a mirror reflection of my once-gray self. Now, he is fully colored with light, like the sun's rays from a sky that has stopped raining.

"Thank you, Kafka. I'll tell you later ..."

That I'm useless and unworthy of living. About the fake me, hoping this spinning ride won't stop for me. The world should be more beautiful without me.

"... About my fears, my worries, and everything. If I tell you, can you not judge me later and just listen to my story?"

Hearing my request, he walked over to me, took the fishing rod, and sat down beside me, "When have I ever not listened to you, Kumiko?"

"Haha."

I still can't bring myself to get off. I don't want to be exposed. I still need time to prepare. Before they leave me ... I must be the one to leave them all first, especially you, Kafka.