Zzz — by Sasaki Sayaka (Nichijou Ending 1)
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Honoka's PoV
Waking up first thing in the morning, I was greeted by a familiar ceiling and an agreeable sunlight illuminating the inside of my room. A smile appeared on my lips as I wasted no time to stand up and open the window. From the second floor of the Homura bakery, I could see lot of awesome landscapes, especially one of these early mornings.
It was barely 7:00 in the morning and I woke up before my alarm clock. It was not like me but I was excited. After all, my days have become more fun lately. The past me would be very surprised if someone told her she was going to enjoy waking up earlier but it really is happening. It is like I have once said "miracles do exist!"
A yawn escaped me and I walked over to the bed to tidy what I could before rushing toward the washroom to wash my face. Passing by Yukiho's room, I peeked my head in and gave a smile. "Wake up, Yukiho! It's time for breakfast."
My younger sister groaned as she appeared from the pile of covers on her bed, her hair in a mess and her eyes still half asleep. "Jeez! What has gotten into you lately, sis? You've been waking up early everyday and are always smiling and happy for god knows what reasons."
The response just came as a chuckle as I walked back downstairs, putting an apron on and walking toward the kitchen. "Good morning, Mom!" I greeted the older woman who was already clad in her apron and housewife outfit.
"Morning, Honoka! You're early as always today."
I just smiled and helped her preparing breakfast. After that, I walked back in my room and got changed into my school uniform, grabbing my cellphone in which a tomato keychain was attached to. I smiled while browsing through the contact list and sent a message to my friends.
Honocchi: Good morning, everyone! It's such a nice morning, isn't it?
With that, I closed my phone and started walking downstairs. As I arrived at the kitchen though, the cellphone vibrated, notifying me about a new message. I quickly opened it and was redirected to the group chat of the µ's.
Nozomama: You're so full of energy since morning, aren't you, Honocchi~? Did something good happen with Maki-chan?
I just chuckled before composing a fast answer and took seat around the kotatsu. Yukiho and Mom were already sitting there and the three of us started right away. Dad was still on a business trip at Numazu to sign a contract with a mikan producer for our shop.
With that, I left to school and was greeted by my two childhood friends. Even if µ's has separated, the 9 of us were always very close to each others. I was now a third year in Otonokizaka and the president of the student council.
On that warm summer day, I have already concluded that once I graduate, I will pass the relay to Maki-chan… I mean the student council duty. Now that I think about it, we had lot of things in common. Back when I was still a freshman, I was designated to become the responsible of the orientation because I was the class representative. The same happened to Maki-chan and if I guess right, this year's orientation leader will be Alisa-chan.
As we arrived at the school gate, both Umi-chan, Kotori-chan and I felt vibrating from our bags and checked our phones to see a series of several message in the chatroom.
Elicchi: Good morning! How is everyone doing?
Rin-nya: Nyamazing! Rin heard Maki-chan and Honoka-chan went on a date last Sunday!
Elicchi: Khorosho!
ToMaki: RIIIIINNN!
I just chuckled before typing something as the three of us got to the locker room to change our shoes. Umi-chan was not as tense as she used to be, getting angry at the slightest thing because thanks to Maki-chan, I have turned better. Because my days were filled with fun, I was willing to wake up earlier and because she spoiled me for every good act I do, doing my homework in advance and getting good grade became a piece of cake.
Honocchi: Maki-chan's dress was so cute~ We went to the cinema to watch Kantai Collection the movie. Maki-chan almost cried at the apogee with the Mutsuki x Kisaragi moment.
ToMaki: NOOO! Don't tell them that, Honoka! Jeez!
Umi-dah: So shameless!
Another chuckle escaped my lips as we stepped into our classroom and homeroom started not long after. We all shut our phone down and focused on studying.
Maki's PoV
Jeez! I swear, that Honoka!
A sigh escaped my lips as class ended for the day. I was going out with the ginger and loved her responsible self but she could be very childish at other time. I really hate it while she organizes something alongside Rin and Nico-chan. Leaving these three together is the worst mistake that, I swear, will bring apocalypse on these sacred lands.
Afterschool!
My two friends and I left the classroom and met with our seniors. Honoka was, as usually, stuffing herself with a loaf of bread but quickly hid the snack as she saw us coming, running into our direction and giving a high-five to Rin.
"Honoka-nya!"
"Rin-chan!"
A sigh escaped my lips as Hanayo just chuckled awkwardly. After that, the six of us went downtown to hang out, visiting all kind of shops and stopping at the arcade.
Honoka has decided to challenge me on a fighting game and I was more than against it.
"Heeeeiiiinnnn!? Why?"
I didn't reply while just playing with the tip of my hair. Rin has taken the opportunity by adding her grain of salt. "Fufufu~" She scoffed. "Could it be that Maki-chan is scared of losing against the great Honoka-nya?"
"Nonsense!" I said, feeling like my pride was hurt. I quickly walked beside my girlfriend and grabbed one joystick. "Bring it on!"
"That's the spirit!"
And of course, it ended with Honoka's 10 successive victories. As I thought, I will never rival her in question of game. I sighed while turning to her. She turned a smile to me, making my heart skip a beat before stepping beside me and holding my hand.
"Never mind, Maki-chan! If you aren't that good with games, you are already talented enough in everything else."
I felt like my pride took a huge damage, like got critical hit in the game Honoka lent me. What was it again? Fire Emblem Thracia 776? Whatever. I just scoffed.
"Don't be that angry, Maki-chan!" She insisted, trying to get into my vision but I would turn my head elsewhere every time, feeling my cheeks puffing up. That only made her chuckle. "Come on, Maki-hamu! Let us have parfait after this!"
I can't tell you that you are my true love… that would be too out of character for me.
My pout only intensified and Honoka's eyes started to tear up. "A-are you angry, Maki-chan?" She gave a begging puppy-like face and my rock hard heart instantly melted.
"N-not really…" I said, attempting to save my remaining pride while my hand moved on its own to play with my strands of hair.
"Yay!" My girlfriend cheered, hugging me from behind. She was shorter than me so she had lot of difficulties. "Let us get some parfaits in that case!" She happily said.
The hug felt comfortable. Honoka has become more reliable from time to time despite always being careless most of the time. Well… it wasn't as if I totally hated it though. She was cute while pouting and her genki tendencies to drag me along have helped us a lot.
I can't tell you that you are my true love… that would be too out of character for me.
Just at that time, my cellphones rang. I took it from my pocket. It had a small bread keychain attached to it with the initials KH & NM printed on it. It was a gift my girlfriend has offered me a month prior after I gave her a tomato keychain I won at a lottery.
Nicocchi: We will have one week of holiday starting next Monday so how about we hang out somewhere?
Nozomama: Oh my! Nicocchi is so bold!
Nicocchi: What the-
Elicchi: Stop it, you two!
RicePana: I think it's a good idea though. Let us got to the new restaurant that has just opened recently!
Rin-nya: Let us do so!
Umi-dah: I have nothing in my agenda so why not?
Kotobirb: Count me in too!
Honocchi: Maki-chan and I will wear matching outfits!
Following that arrived lot of likes and happy stickers. Nozomi just took the occasion to tease us and I wanted to counter back but decided against it. In the end, I just typed a simple answer before getting Honoka off me so we could go to that café Eli and Nozomi always ate parfaits at.
ToMaki: That sounds like a good idea.
Now that I think of it… I have truly changed for the better.
It makes me feel glad that I came here…
Glad that I enrolled at Otonokizaka and joined µ's…
At that point, I think Honoka has a great influence on me.
If my past self saw me now, would she sneer and laugh?
No… I don't think so…
"Way to go, Maki!"
I think that's what she'd say.
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A/N: I wrote this after ready school idol diary chapter 16 (that focus around Maki being elected as orientation leader and Honoka was willing to help her). I borrowed few lines from it, like the last italics. The rest, I improvied.
Also, this must be among my favorite song out there for now.
