Fragments Of Us

The sun rose slowly above the horizon, bathing the city of Arden in a soft, golden glow. Its rays stretched across rooftops, filtering through windows and creeping into the quiet corners of the city. In Toshi's apartment, the morning light seeped through the half-opened window, casting warm streaks across the floor and his bed.

Toshi lay sprawled under his blanket, his white hair tousled against the pillow, his face peaceful—until the abrupt, piercing sound of his phone alarm shattered the calm.

He groaned softly, pulling the blanket over his head like a shield, but the relentless beeping dragged him out of his slumber. Reluctantly, he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and ruffling his already messy hair. "Damn alarm…" he muttered, letting out a tired sigh.

Reaching for his phone, he squinted at the screen. 7:00 AM. February 11. He lingered for a second, the early chill brushing against his skin, before forcing himself up. College. Right.

The sound of running water echoed through the small apartment as Toshi took a long, hot shower, the steam filling the space and loosening the last remnants of drowsiness. Emerging from the bathroom, he tugged on his crisp college uniform—a white shirt tucked neatly into black pants.

He stood in the kitchen, quickly warming a readymade meal. The faint hum of the microwave broke the quiet as he stared blankly ahead, mind still waking up. Toshi ate in silence, the ticking of the clock his only company, before grabbing his bag and heading for the door.

The moment he stepped into the hallway, he noticed the door across from his own creak open. Aiko stepped out, her dark hair tied neatly, her sailor uniform crisp—a white blouse paired with a black skirt. A bag hung casually over her shoulder, swaying as she moved.

"Hey, Toshi. Good morning," Aiko greeted him with a small but warm smile, her voice gentle as the morning air.

Toshi blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden brightness. He raised a hand in an easy wave, a faint smile curling his lips. "Morning."

Aiko adjusted her bag and tilted her head slightly. "Heading to college?"

"Yeah. Let's go together." Toshi's tone was casual, but there was something natural about the way he offered.

They fell into step side by side, the hallway echoing softly with their footsteps. The sun filtered through the narrow windows, painting the walls with streaks of gold and shadow as they walked toward the exit.

Outside, the city was already alive, a distant hum of cars and conversations filling the air. The two moved in a comfortable rhythm, their pace steady, their presence effortless.

Over time, Toshi and Aiko had grown unexpectedly close. Aiko, once an introverted girl who rarely spoke to anyone outside of Ren, now seemed to carry a quiet openness in Toshi's company. And Toshi—never a social butterfly, but far from a recluse—balanced her withdrawn nature with his grounded calm. Their personalities, though different, seemed to complement each other, creating an unspoken connection that neither of them could fully explain.

The gentle breeze carried with it the faint scent of blooming flowers from a nearby park. Aiko glanced sideways at Toshi, her expression soft, while he looked ahead, lost in thought. Together, they moved through the city streets, their presence a small yet steady contrast against the backdrop of Arden's bustling life.

After a brief walk, they arrived at the college. The campus was alive with the hum of students, their chatter filling the crisp morning air. Together, Toshi and Aiko stepped inside, their footsteps echoing faintly in the entryway where they were greeted by familiar faces.

"Hey, Toshi! Good morning," Alex called out, his usual grin in place as he waved from across the hall.

"Morning, Alex," Toshi replied with a casual nod, his tone easy but warm.

Mitsuki joined them shortly after, adjusting his bag strap. "Ready for another day of this?" he asked with a smirk.

Toshi shrugged, "As ready as I'll ever be."

The morning passed in a blur of lectures and the rhythmic scratching of pens on paper. Teachers came and went, their voices blending into the steady hum of the classroom. Time slipped by unnoticed until the bell rang, signaling the end of the day.

By afternoon, the group—Alex, Mitsuki, Toshi, and Aiko—made their way home together, their conversations light and filled with the ease of familiarity. Midway, Alex and Mitsuki branched off, their homes leading them down a different path.

"See you tomorrow!" Mitsuki called over his shoulder, waving as he disappeared into the crowd.

"Later!" Alex added, following close behind.

Toshi and Aiko continued their walk in companionable silence, the sun dipping lower in the sky. Soon, the tantalizing aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, pulling their attention to a small food shop nestled on the corner of the street.

Aiko paused, inhaling deeply. "Smells so good… I think I'll grab some for dinner. Want me to get you something?"

Toshi hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, I wouldn't mind some grilled meat. It smells amazing."

Aiko stepped into the shop, the faint sound of sizzling and the clatter of utensils reaching Toshi outside. Moments later, she returned with two neatly packed meals—fried noodles with a mix of grilled meat. She handed one to Toshi, a small smile playing on her lips.

"A little treat from me," she said lightly.

"Thanks," Toshi replied, his blue eyes meeting hers briefly before they continued their walk.

The golden hour painted the streets in warm hues, the atmosphere tranquil as they strolled side by side. In no time, they reached the familiar facade of their apartment building, the day's rhythm gently winding down.