Prologue: A Different Kind of Morning

  Takumi, a final-year high school student, slept heavily in his room, the morning sun already creeping across the floorboards.

  A strange breeze stirred the curtains, carrying a faint salty scent into the room.

  He didn’t notice. He was too deep in sleep, as usual — always pushing the last minute before sprinting to school.

  He wasn’t up all night gaming, either.

  On the contrary, he’d been studying late into the night, preparing for the entrance exams.

  That’s why he always woke up late.

  He was a bright student, after all.

  Despite his sluggish mornings, Takumi was never actually late for school.

  And the reason wasn’t just his punctual instincts.

  "Takumi, wake up, sweetie! Your breakfast is ready! Come eat or you’ll be late," his mother, Sachiko, called warmly from downstairs.

  Her voice, as always, carried a soft, comforting tone.

  But that wasn’t the real reason Takumi never missed school.

  "Onii-channnn! Wake up or I’m gonna tickle your feet!"

  Hina, his little sister, slammed his door open like a whirlwind and stormed into his room, fully dressed and full of energy.

  "Just wait for me downstairs… I’ll be there in two minutes," Takumi mumbled, half-asleep, not moving from his bed.

  "Hmph, fine! I’ll wait downstairs, then... You better come in two minutes!" she huffed.

  But she didn’t leave.

  She crept silently toward the bed, lifted the blanket from the foot of it, and launched her attack.

  "Hehe~ Tickle Tactic Number 999—Surprise Tickle Attack!"

  "Oi—stop! Hahaha, stop! I said stooop!!"

  Takumi writhed under the covers, helpless against the onslaught.

  "Alright, alright, I’m getting up!" he groaned, finally defeated.

  Dragging himself out of bed, he followed Hina downstairs.

  He launched into his usual speedrun morning routine: brushing his teeth, hopping into the shower (barely sprinkling himself with water), and throwing on his uniform.

  It was done in minutes.

  At this point, he could probably do it blindfolded.

  Downstairs, Hina clicked her stopwatch with a grin.

  "Whoa! You broke your previous record of 10 minutes and 32 seconds! Today you did it in 10 minutes and 20 seconds!"

  She looked genuinely impressed.

  Takumi just grumbled as he dropped into his seat for breakfast.

  "You’re still keeping records of my speedruns? Just stop it—it’s embarrassing, Hina."

  "But if I don’t keep you in check, who will?" she teased, scooting beside him.

  "Yeah, yeah, just don’t go telling anyone at school that I take two-minute showers."

  "Hehe~ I definitely won’t tell H-a-r-u-k-a~ chan if you buy me ice cream," she teased, flashing a smug grin.

  "You little—... Don’t you feel any shame extorting your big brother like that?"

  Takumi’s face flushed red at the mention of his crush.

  "Ara~ You two are so lively this morning," Sachiko said with a soft laugh, placing plates in front of them: a golden omelette, honey-dipped sandwiches, and fresh orange juice.

  "Mom, tell her to stop!" Takumi pleaded.

  "Mou~ she's just teasing you, sweetie. Don't take it so seriously.

  And Hina, don't tease your brother too much, okay?

  He'll treat you to ice cream if you help him talk to Haruka-chan~ fufu."

  "Mom—not you too!"

  Takumi’s face turned bright red again.

  "Sigh… Fine, fine. I'll help my poor big brother," Hina said dramatically, mimicking his tone with an exaggerated pout.

  "Haha, you two really don't stop, do you?"

  Takumi finally laughed along, mouth full of bread.

  "Where’s Dad?" he asked between bites.

  "He had to leave early for work. He had to go to another city today," Sachiko replied.

  "I see… But.. we’re still going to the sea, right? I hope Dad doesn’t cancel last minute again," Takumi muttered, trying to hide the worry in his voice.

  "N-No! We’ll definitely go this time, right Mom?"

  Hina looked desperate. You could see just how much she wanted the trip.

  The last time it got canceled, she was heartbroken.

  "Of course we will, Hina-chan. Your dad promised, remember?" Sachiko said gently, ruffling her hair.

  "Now hurry and get going so I can finish cleaning the house before we leave tomorrow."

  Takumi and Hina slipped on their shoes and stepped outside.

  The warm summer sun bathed the small town in golden light.

  A gentle breeze stirred the tall grass and distant trees, bringing a fresh, earthy scent.

  Takumi paused for a moment.

  Was it his imagination, or was the breeze carrying a strange, salty smell again?

  "The air feels a bit cold today, no?" he asked, glancing at Hina.

  Hina rubbed her shoulders. "Yeah, it’s a little chilly."

  Their peaceful countryside town lay nestled between green hills, with narrow roads winding through rice fields bordered by old wooden fences.

  It was the kind of place where time seemed to pass just a little slower.

  On both sides of the road, the rice paddies stretched out like glassy mirrors.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Shallow water reflected the pale blue sky, and tiny green shoots swayed gently in neat rows, like students standing at attention.

  Hina skipped ahead, her satchel bouncing.

  Takumi trailed behind, slinging his bag lazily over one shoulder.

  For once, his mind wasn’t full of cram books or test scores.

  Summer vacation started tomorrow.

  "Maybe I’ll finally be able to breathe for a while," he muttered, inhaling the fresh air.

  As they passed the fields, they stopped at a familiar sight: Yuka’s place.

  Yuka — their neighbor, classmate, and childhood friend.

  The three of them had been walking to school together for as long as Takumi could remember.

  "Yuka-chan, come down! Takumi’s here!" her mother called from the entryway.

  "Cominggg!"

  Yuka’s voice echoed from upstairs, followed by the thud of quick footsteps.

  She came rushing down, holding a makeup kit.

  "I’m ready! Just gimme one second!" she said, touching up her face hurriedly.

  Takumi sighed. "Why are you putting on makeup? We’re not going to a wedding."

  "But it’s the closing ceremony! I wanna look my best for the last day before summer break," she said, smiling.

  "You already look pretty cute, Yuka-chan. Right, big brother?"

  Hina said mischievously.

  "H-Huh? Wh-Why are you asking me?"

  Takumi turned away, flustered.

  "Let’s just go to school. No ice cream for you if you're late."

  "Eh?! Wait, wait! We’re coming too!"

  Yuka and Hina rushed after him.

  They crossed the last stretch of rice fields, reaching the edge of the forest road.

  Then they stopped.

  Nestled deep among the trees was a shrine — one none of them remembered seeing before.

  "Was this shrine always here?" Takumi muttered, uneasy.

  It was old and crumbling, with moss-covered stone lanterns and a half-rotted torii gate leaning sideways.

  A strange, almost sour smell drifted from it.

  "...You’re right," Yuka said slowly. "I’ve never seen it either."

  "Whoa, it looks interesting! Let’s go inside!"

  Hina said, already running toward it.

  "Wait, Hina! We really shouldn't—"

  Takumi felt a shiver crawl down his spine.

  The shrine felt... wrong.

  Heavy. Watching them.

  But Hina was already climbing the steps.

  Yuka and Takumi had no choice but to follow.

  Inside the shrine grounds, they stood before a cracked stone statue.

  The god it depicted was unfamiliar — it didn’t match anything from the usual town shrines.

  They clapped their hands together and rang the old bell.

  Takumi closed his eyes and prayed — for the exams, for some peace, for a break.

  "How’s life been lately, Takumi?" Yuka asked casually, still standing with her hands pressed together and eyes closed.

  "I’m doing what I can. I’ll leave the rest to the gods," he muttered.

  "I prayed that you get into the college of your choice," she smiled as she opened her eyes.

  "Thanks, but prayers don’t work if you say them out loud," he joked.

  Then a sudden chill hit him.

  "...Wait. Where’s Hina? She was here just now!"

  He glanced around quickly.

  "Takumi, you check the back. I’ll wait here in case she comes back," Yuka offered.

  Takumi nodded, heart thudding faster now.

  Behind the shrine was a clearing with a small stone fountain.

  There a girl stood by it, watering the flowers, It looked like a well maintained garden.

  Long sky blue hair flowed down the girl's back. The hair were like a very light shade of blue

  She wore a long white dress that fluttered in the breeze.

  Takumi froze.

  Should I go back? This feels like the beginning of a horror movie, he thought. (I think he should)

  He hesitated, then stepped closer.

  "Umm.. excuse me," he said cautiously. "Have you seen a girl in a school uniform come through here?"

  The girl paused, then slowly turned.

  Her eyes — bright, piercing blue — met his.

  They were too vivid, too clear.

  She was beautiful—ethereal almost—and her piercing blue eyes seemed to look straight through him. She looked slightly older than him, and somehow… otherworldly.

  "Yeah… That girl went back to the entrance, I think," she said softly with a nonchalant look on her face, like she has no emotions.

  Takumi swallowed hard.

  "O-Oh. Thanks."

  As he turned to leave, something tugged at him. Should he ask her name? About the shrine? Maybe even her number? (Really Takumi?)

  He turned to glance back—

  —but she was gone.

  Takumi stood there for a moment, Did she vanish? he wondered. No… maybe she just walked off quickly. He shook his head and hurried back

  At the shrine entrance, Hina and Yuka waited.

  "Big brother, hurry up or we’ll be late because of you!" Hina scolded.

  "You were the one who ran off!"

  Takumi shot back.

  "And did u see the beautiful garden in the back? Didn't thought there would be something like that behind this creepy shrine"

  Hina blinked.

  "Beautiful garden? The back of the shrine is just empty ground.""

  Takumi stared at her.

  "And what about that girl with blue hair? Didn’t you see her?"

  Hina gave him a weird look.

  "Blue hair? There was no one there," Hina blinked.

  "She was watering the flowers. Right behind the shrine!" Takumi insisted.

  Hina looked at him strangely. "Big brother, are you okay? The back of the shrine is just empty ground."

  Takumi’s chest tightened, he thought that maybe Hina is messing with him or maybe the studies have taken so much load on him that he has started to hallucinate, (Sigh, Poor boy).

  "...Never mind. Let’s go."

  The three of them continued walking, the school gates coming into view.

  The closing ceremony had already started inside, but no one cared much.

  It was that kind of lazy, heavy summer day.

  Takumi found a seat in the back with Yuka.

  Hina waved and headed toward the elementary section.

  The principal was giving his usual long-winded speech.

  Takumi only half-listened, scanning the crowd.

  He had decided — today he would finally talk to Haruka, tell her how he feels.

  But as he searched the rows, his heart sank.

  Her seat was empty.

  Haruka wasn't there.

  He checked again on other seats.

  Still no sign.

  "Tch… seriously?"

  He muttered under his breath.

  Maybe next semester, he thought bitterly.

  Maybe next time, probably.

  Later, walking home with Hina and Yuka, the sun hung high in the sky.

  They said goodbye to Yuka at her place and headed back home.

  At home, Hina was practically bouncing.

  “Big brother! Let’s pack our swimsuits later, okay? I wanna swim the second we get there!”

  Takumi smiled a little. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll help you pack. Just don’t forget your floaty this time.”

  But as they sat for dinner, the mood suddenly dropped.

  “I’m sorry,” their dad said smiling awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. “I got called in again. We might not be able to go to the sea tomorrow.”

  Hina froze. “Eh…? But… but you promised…”

  Their mom reached out gently. “Hina…”

  “But you promised!!” she shouted, pushing away from the table. She ran to her room crying.

  Takumi clenched his teeth. He didn’t say anything.

  Later, he heard mom singing softly as she tucked Hina into bed. She was still sniffing.

  Takumi stood in the hallway, arms crossed, back against the wall. So much for escaping. So much for even just one break.

  Later that night, after checking on Hina, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. (like a protagonist)

  He left the window a little open for air, curtains fluttering in the breeze.

  "Guess I’ll just sleep it off," he muttered.

  Tomorrow would be the same boring town.

  The same heavy summer.

  The same broken promises.

  Or so he thought.

  The next morning, he woke up to the sound of wind — strong and restless.

  Takumi blinked awake, rubbing his eyes.

  A heavy, salty scent filled the room.

  "Hmm? why do i smell sea?"

  He stumbled to the window.

  Threw open the curtains.

  And froze.

  Outside wasn't their town.

  It wasn’t anything he recognized.

  Just endless blue.

  Ocean.

  Waves lapping at a small beach.

  Palm trees swaying under a cloudless sky.

  "...What the hell...?"

  He slapped his cheeks, hard.

  Still real.

  This wasn't a dream.

  [Prologue End]

  Author's note :Thanks for reading! Chapter 1 coming soon! Feel free to follow if you enjoyed it.

  I hope atleast some people(maybe 5-10) will stick with me on this journey of our protagonist Takumi

  Chapter-1 will come soon this week, probably if i don't be lazy