The morning started in the most traditional way possible in the Harumi household:
PAH.
— AAAAH MY LIVER!!! — Harumi shot up from the futon.
Takeru stood beside her, holding a pillow like a soldier who had just completed his mission.
— You weren't waking up. — he explained calmly.
— I was sleeping, Takeru! People sleep! It's biological!
Takeru replied with a simple "hm" that clearly meant:your problem.
Mei, on the futon next to them, kept sleeping like a fluffy pancake. Didn't even move.
— Come on, Mei… — Harumi picked her up, dragging her feet toward the bathroom. — Let's wash your face…
In the bathroom, Harumi and Mei washed their faces together.
Mei used way too much soap.Harumi used way too little.
— Haru, it's all going into your eyes… — Mei warned.
— This is advanced strategy, Mei! Water born from chaos brings energy! ARGHH!!
She wiped her face with a towel that was DEFINITELY not a face towel.
Meanwhile…
In the kitchen, Takeru perfectly arranged three plates, two pairs of chopsticks, and a glass of milk.
He looked like a tiny adult.
Harumi burst in:
— Good morning, good morning, good mor— OH MY GOD I'M LATE!!!
She tried to grab bread.Knocked over two cups.Tried to spread butter.Got butter on her finger.Tried to drink milk.
It was vinegar.
— WHO PUT VINEGAR HERE?! — she yelled, offended.
Takeru replied:
— You did. Yesterday. To "save time."
— ARGHHHH!!! PAST HARUMI, I HATE YOU!!
She finally managed to swallow half a piece of bread (whole, because she didn't have time to bite properly).
Put on the wrong coat — Izumi's.
— Takeru!! Take care of Mei! I'll be back later, okay?! Behave! Be responsible! Don't set ANYTHING on fire! Not pancakes, not broccoli, not yourself, Mei!
Mei raised her hand:
— But I don't—
— EXACTLY!! — Harumi kissed her forehead. — DON'T DO ANYTHING.
She tried to do the same with Takeru, but he dodged.
She hit his ear instead.
— Bye, my looooves!!!
She ran out the door.
Takeru closed it with a sigh.
— …She forgot her bag. — he muttered, holding it.
Work: How Harumi Challenges Technology Daily
Harumi entered the office like she had just run a marathon with three bears chasing her.
Kei, her boss, looked at her over some papers.
— Harumi.
— Good morning, boss!! Beautiful day, isn't it?!
— It's 8:05.
— That's early!
— You start at 8.
— The intention is what matters!
Kei rubbed his face.
— Your documents are on the desk. Please try not to… destroy anything today.
— Me?? Never!! — Harumi replied. — I am perfectly capable of handling paper!
Two minutes later:
BRRRRRR (printer dying)PIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (coffee machine screaming for help)CLAC-CLAC-CLAC (paper coming out wrinkled like a college student's soul)
Kei slowly looked over.
— What… exactly… did you do?
Harumi held the printer like she was negotiating with it.
— It hates me, boss. I swear.
— Harumi, printers don't have feelings.
— THIS ONE DOES!!! AND IT'S EVIL!!
The coffee machine spat coffee onto her shirt.
— SEE?! — Harumi pointed. — You need to be careful too!!
Kei sighed, handed her a paper towel.
— Go. Lunch. Now. Before you destroy the building.
Back Home (Where Normal Also Died)
Harumi came back home exhausted, dragging her soul behind her.
— Kids… Harumi here is dying—
She froze.
The light was on.
And there was smoke…
Coming from the window.
— OH MY GOOOOD!!! THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!! I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONE DAY!! TAKERUUU, MEIIIII—
She opened the door.
Takeru was cooking.
Calm.Organized.Wearing an apron.
No fire.
The smoke… was garlic frying.
— You… — Harumi held her chest. — YOU'RE COOKING?!
— You were late. — Takeru said, like it was obvious. — I made rice. And chicken.
Harumi almost cried.
— My… my son…
— DON'T CALL ME THAT.
— MY SOOOOON!!
— STOP.
From the other room—
— AHHH HARUMIII!!
Mei came running.
Wearing:
Harumi's heels.Harumi's coat.Harumi's shirt.And… Harumi's bra on her head.
— I LOOK LIKE YOU!!! — she shouted proudly.
Harumi collapsed.
— MEI!!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!! But this part— — she removed the bra from her head — is still not for your age.
Mei hugged her so tight they almost fell over.
— I missed you!
— ME TOO, MY LITTLE BUN!!! In a few years you'll think I'm cringe, so I'm enjoying this now!!
Takeru served the rice.Mei brought the plates.Harumi sat down, smiling like a proud mom.
— Let's eat!! — she announced.
And they ate together.
Calm.Warm.Peaceful.
And Harumi realized something:
They had a routine.
Weird.Messy.Improvised.
But it worked.
And that made her heart full.