The alarm hit at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Hiro blinked up at the ceiling, already wondering what kind of lunch Aiko made this time. She liked to experiment. Sometimes it was great. Sometimes it was... ambitious.
He rolled out of bed, took a hot shower, brushed his teeth, and changed into his factory uniform. Hoodie, jeans, standard stuff. Nothing flashy. He wasn't going there to impress anyone.
The kitchen smelled like eggs and rice. Aiko had eaten and began washing her dishes and pan, her skirt swaying side to side in, hair tied up loose ponytail.
"Eat before it gets cold," she said, eyes on the hiro as he walked.
He sat down, grabbed a plate. "You used the good soy sauce this time?."
"Of course I did," she replied, mock offended cheeks turning a light shade of red. "I don't mess around on Mondays."
Noticing the time she wiped her hands as She grabbed then slung her bag over one shoulder, catching her phone before it slipped out of her pocket.
And walked toward the door waving"Later, big brother."
"Don't forget your lunch in the microwave."
A groan. "—right."
She closed the door waving her hand goodbye like it's a flag.
By 8:15, Hiro was out the door (locked) and then he started walking to the bus stop. The streets were calm, same as always. Rain clouds rolled slow across the sky, not quite ready to pour. He liked mornings like this—quiet, simple, not trying to impress anyone.
The factory welcomed him with fluorescent lights and the hum of conveyor belts. He took his place on the line—coffee maker inspection. Twist, test, tag. Pass or fail. Over and over.
Time passed easy. Not fast. Just easy.
Around lunch, his name echoed across the line.
"Hiro!"
He looked up. Mr. Sato—broad, red-faced, sweating like the coffee pots they boxed up.
"Office," he said, waving.
Hiro followed. The room smelled like new car and citrus cleaner. Sato dropped into his chair like the chair owed him something.
"You've been working too well," he said.
Hiro raised an eyebrow. "...Sorry?"
"No, no, not like that. It's a good thing. Consistent. Quiet. You don't break anything. I like that." Mr Sato explained then dug into a drawer and pulled out an envelope. "Bonus pay. Also, two weeks off. Go rest." He said with a smile
Hiro stared. "i dont know whay to say"
Satos grin widened "Don't make me change my mind."
"…Thanks."
"Use it. Do something fun. You're young."
Hiro nodded and backed out slowly, envelope in hand. Not scary, really. Just intense. That kind of boss.
---
The apartment smelled like fresh rice and grilled something. Hiro stepped in and kicked off his shoes.
Aiko was on the couch, holding her math textbook above her face like it had personally wronged her.
"I swear, if sine and cosine were people, I'd trip them in public."
He dropped his bag. Trying to ignore her
"I'm being attacked by invisible angles and evil triangles." aiko muttered to herself
He raised an eyebrow. "Need backup?"
"No," she sighed. Closing the book and standing walking over to an empty jar eyebrow twitching "brother sweets" she said bluntly
"I'll go grab some."
"thanks" She perked up immediately. "I'll make tea! And pick the movie!"
"it isnt gonna be horror again."
"No promises!"
She bounced onto the sofa.
He sighed and stepped back outside.