Chapter 1: Mornings with bickering
“Oah~” Azure yawned, stretched her arms, then shivered a little in the chilly morning.
Her sleepy eyes were about to close again when—
“-So, the Sleeping Ugly finally wakes up from her long sleep, huh?”
Azure froze. That deep, familiar voice belonged to Nishimura Riki, her best friend since he moved into the neighborhood nine years ago. They shared everything—hobbies, mischiefs, classes… even the same high school.
Wait… High school? Today was the first day of school.
Her eyes flew wide open when reality slapped her—and then another slap came from the same sender. Riki was carrying her to school because she had overslept. Again!
“-Urgh!” Her cheeks burned as she wriggled, trying to get down. Seriously—how was she supposed to when the guy was basically a giraffe?
“-Am I too tall, or are you too short, Azu?” Riki asked, smirking as he bent slightly so she could step off.
Azure wasn’t letting this slide. She jumped, landing with every ounce of strength on Riki’s shoes.
“-Ouch!” Riki winced.
“-Hah! Karma!” Azure smirked, gleeful, just like he did moments ago.
“-Violently hideous plus hideously violent,” he muttered under his breath. “Why can’t you be a girlie for once?”
“-Why can’t you be human for once, psyduck?” Azure shot back. Riki froze. For him, being called a duck was worse than being inhuman.
He sulked, tossing her backpack at her. Azure caught it, still smirking.
“-You must’ve done something ‘dirty’ while I was sleeping, huh?” she teased.
“-What nonsense are you yapping, silly? You should be thanking me for always car—”
“-Then how did I get my uniform on?” Azure cut him off, smug. “I was wearing my cute, pink Japanese pajamas!”
“-You ate, then fell asleep again! I had to carry you AGAIN!” Riki’s voice rose, frustration slipping through.
“-Oops, my bad,” Azure said, cheeks flushing. She strode ahead, confident she knew the way to school.
“-Hey!” Riki yelled, grabbing her bag strap.
“-Get off me, bro,” Azure yanked free.
“-You’re going the wrong way, drama queen. School’s the opposite direction.”
Riki spun her around. Naurr! One second she was proud of her victory, the next she was burning with embarrassment.
Life’s so unfair! Azure stomped her foot angrily. Poor ground.
How could she be silly and cute at the same time? Riki thought, shooting her a smug glance over his shoulders.
Somehow, bickering was their favorite way to say good morning.
