"Friendship isn't about being the same; it's about balancing each other's chaos and calm.

  One lazy step and one responsible push can still lead to the same destination."

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  Chapter 1: Lazybones and the Responsible One

  ?? Quick Note Before You Read!

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  The Morning Rush

  The last traces of winter hung in the air as melted snow dripped from the neighborhood's Christmas trees. The warm sun peeked through the curtains of Kenji Ryu's room, but it wasn't enough to keep him from groaning when his alarm clock blared at 6:00 AM. He lazily turned it off and snuggled back into his blanket. Just five more minutes...

  By the time his eyes fluttered open again, it was 6:30 AM.

  "Oh no, not again!" Ryu muttered as he jumped out of bed. He dashed around his messy room, shoving books, pens, and who-knows-what-else into his bag. His breakfast consisted of snatching a piece of toast as it popped out of the toaster. With bread dangling from his mouth, he slipped on his shoes and bolted out the door. Pedaling furiously on his bike, he managed to slip into his classroom just as the bell rang. Barely.

  The Search for Aido

  The morning classes passed in a blur. By break time, Ryu had only one thing on his mind: finding his best friend, Aiden "Aido" Rys. After a fruitless search through Class 2-D and a couple of hangout spots, Ryu sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew exactly where Aido would be.

  Ryu pushed open the door to Aido's room without knocking. The sight was all too familiar: Aido sprawled out on his bed, blissfully asleep, completely ignoring the world outside.

  "Aido! Wake up!" Ryu yelled, pulling the blanket off his friend. When that didn't work, he resorted to slapping him.

  Aido groaned, pulling a pillow over his head. "Five more minutes..."

  "Five minutes my foot!" Ryu grumbled, giving Aido's shoulder a shake and, for good measure, a gentle kick to his rear. Eventually, Aido dragged himself out of bed, half-asleep and entirely unbothered. Ryu had to practically shove him into clothes to get him ready for the day.

  The Convenience Store Detour

  Once they were finally on their bikes, Ryu took the lead, pedaling aggressively through the streets. The scenery blurred past them: a wide bridge over a sparkling river, colorful spring forests, and a mountain shrouded in clouds. Aido, trailing behind, marveled at the view—until his stomach let out a loud growl.

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  "Hey, there's a convenience store!" Aido called out, pointing to the side. "Let's stop for a snack."

  Ryu groaned. "Seriously? You just woke up!" But he gave in, following Aido inside.

  Aido grabbed a meat bun, and Ryu picked a sweet coffee. Aido, being unusually generous, paid for both. They were halfway through enjoying their snacks when Ryu glanced at the clock near the bus stop. His eyes widened.

  "Break time's over!"

  The two scrambled back to school, trying to sneak in unnoticed. However, their luck ran out at the hallway, where they encountered Mr. Theodore Brookshade, the school's notoriously strict teacher. He was busy signing the attendance register when he caught sight of the duo attempting their usual routine of slipping in as if it were just another ordinary day.

  Trouble with Mr. Brookshade

  "Late again, Ryu? And Aido, I see you've decided to grace us with your presence," Mr. Brookshade said, his sharp gaze boring into them.

  Ryu bowed deeply, stammering out an apology. Meanwhile, Aido stood there with his hands shoved in his pockets, his posture slouched and his eyes half-closed, as if the lecture was nothing more than background noise. His laziness only seemed to fuel the teacher's frustration. After a scathing lecture, Mr. Brookshade walked off, leaving Ryu fuming.

  While walking to the class...

  "Why is it always because of you that I get into trouble?!" Ryu snapped, shaking Aido's shoulder.

  Aido rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Relax, you'll live."

  Before Ryu could stop himself, he swung a fist. Aido, caught off guard, blocked poorly, and Ryu's punch grazed his cheek. The entire class, which had been quietly watching the scene, gasped in unison.

  Ryu froze, his anger replaced with instant regret. "Oh no... Aido, I—I'm so sorry!"

  Aido straightened up, touching his cheek where a small red mark was already forming. He shrugged. "No big deal. Just don't punch me next time."

  Whole class was watching but no one seemed to care much. A classmate who sits next to both blockheads nudged Ryu. "You better get him to the nurse's office before Mr. Brookshade sees that."

  The Nurse's Office

  The nurse's office smelled faintly of herbs and antiseptic. Nurse Viola Dawnstone gave Ryu a knowing look as she used healing magic to soothe Aido's cheek. Aido leaned back in the chair, looking as if he might doze off again. Meanwhile, Ryu sat by the window, lost in thought.

  He gazed out at the horizon. The sight of students practicing magic in the courtyard below brought a pang of longing. Ryu had no magical affinity like Aido's. All he had was his determination—and his best friend's infuriating laziness to deal with.

  A Walk Home

  The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As they walked home together, Ryu tried to convince Aido to start coming to school more regularly.

  "You missed three months at the beginning of the year! You're going to fail at this rate," Ryu lectured.

  Aido smirked. "Maybe I'll transfer to the magic academy. With my affinity, I'd fit right in."

  Ryu rolled his eyes. "You? The weakest in the academy? Good luck with that."

  "You've never seen my actual power", Aido smirks.

  They both laughed, their footsteps echoing down the empty street. When they passed a vending machine, Ryu stopped to buy two cans of coffee. Handing one to Aido, he cracked his open and took a long sip.

  "Caffeine is the best," Ryu said, sighing contentedly.

  Aido grinned. "I could sell my soul for caffeine."

  Ryu snorted, and the two dissolved into laughter. By the time they reached home, the day's chaos felt like a distant memory. Despite everything, their bond was stronger than ever.

  Chapter End

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  End-of-Chapter Note

  If you enjoyed this chapter or have any thoughts, I’d love to hear them! Whether it’s something you liked, something that felt off, or any suggestions, feel free to share. I’m always open to feedback, criticism, and discussions to make the story even better.

  I’m also experimenting with my update schedule! If you’d like to see more frequent updates or have any input, drop a comment or leave a review. Your support truly makes a difference!

  If you're enjoying the journey so far, please consider leaving a review and rating—it helps a ton and keeps this story going strong. Your feedback and encouragement mean the world to me!

  Thanks for reading, and see you in the next one! ????

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