The morning began in the most traditional way possible at Harumi's house:
PAH.
— AAAHH MY LIVER!!! — Harumi screamed, jumping off the futon.
Takeru stood beside her, holding a pillow like a soldier who had just completed his mission.
— You didn't wake up. — he explained calmly.
— I was sleeping, Takeru! Humans sleep! It's biological!
Takeru replied with an "hm" that clearly meant:not my problem.
Mei, on the futon beside them, continued sleeping like a fluffy pancake. Didn't even move.
— Come on, Mei… — Harumi picked her up, dragging her feet to the bathroom. — Let's wash our faces…
In the bathroom, they washed together.Mei used too much foam.Harumi used too little.
— Harumi, it's getting in your eyes… — Mei warned.
— This is an advanced technique, Mei! Water born from chaos brings energy! AARGHH!!
She dried 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 miniature adult.
Harumi rushed in.
— Good morning, good morning, good mor— OH MY GOD I'M LATE!!!
She grabbed bread.
Knocked over two glasses.
Tried to spread butter.
Spread butter on her finger.
Tried to drink milk.
It was vinegar.
— WHO PUT VINEGAR IN HERE?! — she shouted indignantly.
Takeru replied calmly:
— You did. Yesterday. To "save time."
— AARGHH!!! PAST HARUMI, I HATE YOU!!!
She somehow swallowed half a loaf of bread whole.
Put on the wrong coat—Izumi's.
— Takeru!! Take care of Mei! I'll be back later, okay?! Behave! Be responsible! DON'T SET FIRE TO ANYTHING! Not pancakes, not broccoli, not yourself, Mei!
Mei raised her hand.
— But I—— EXACTLY!! — Harumi kissed her forehead. — DO NOTHING.
She tried the same with Takeru, but he dodged.She kissed his ear instead.
— Bye, my loooves!!!
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 looking like she'd just run a marathon while being chased by three bears.
Kei looked at her over his papers.
— Harumi.— Good morning, boss!! Beautiful day, isn't it?!— It's 8:05.— That's early!— You start at 8.— Intention matters!
Kei rubbed his face.
— Your documents are on the desk. Please try not to… destroy anything today.
— Me?? Never!! — Harumi said confidently. — I can totally handle paper!
Two minutes later:
BRRRRRR (printer choking)PIIIIIIIII (coffee machine screaming)CLAC-CLAC-CLAC (paper coming out crumpled like a college student's soul)
Kei slowly turned.
— 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 splashed coffee onto her shirt.
— SEE?! — Harumi yelled. — YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL TOO!!
Kei sighed and handed her paper towels.
— Go. Have lunch. Before you destroy the building.
Back Home (Where Normality Also Died)
Harumi returned home exhausted, dragging her soul behind her.
— Kids… Aunt Harumi is dyii—She froze.
The light was on.
And smoke…
Coming from the window.
— MY GOD!!! THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!! I ALWAYS KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONE DAY!! TAKERU!! MEIII!!
She burst through the door.
Takeru was cooking.Calm.Organized.Wearing an apron.
No fire.
The smoke came from… garlic.
— You— — Harumi clutched her chest. — YOU'RE COOKING?!— You were late. — Takeru said. — I made rice. And chicken.
Harumi almost cried.
— My… my son…— DON'T CALL ME THAT.— MY SOOOON!!— STOP.
From the other room—
— AHHH HARUMIII!!
Mei ran out.
Wearing:
Harumi's heels.Harumi's coat.Harumi's shirt.And… her bra on her head.
— I LOOK JUST LIKE YOU!!! — she shouted happily.
Harumi collapsed.
— MEI!!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!! But this part— — she gently removed the bra — is not age-appropriate yet.
Mei hugged her so tightly they almost fell over.
— I missed you!— ME TOO, MY LITTLE MUFFIN!!! One day you'll think I'm cringe, but for now I'm enjoying this!!
Takeru served the rice.Mei brought the plates.Harumi sat on the floor, 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.
Strange.Messy.Improvised.
But it worked.
And it filled her heart completely.