Hey, so this chapter is big so it'll be split into three chapters.
I wake up early the next day as usual. I walk into the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee. I set it down on the table and grab my bag. I sit down at the table and start doing my homework. I think a lot better in the morning. Halfway through my math homework I stop and check the time. 6:30. I get up and make a cup of tea. Right on cue my uncle walks into the kitchen.
"Morning Kairi."
"Morning. Here's your tea."
"Thanks." He takes a sip and sighs in content. "I'll still never understand how you can make such good tea when you don't even like tea."
I chuckle. "I have my secrets."
I sit back down at the table while my uncle grabs the newspaper and sits across from me. I finish my homework and coffee just in time. It's 7:00.
"Breakfast or Aiko?" I ask.
"Aiko," he replies as he sets the newspaper down, gets up, and walks into Aiko's and my room.
I walk into the kitchen and make breakfast. This morning I make a dish I read about in an American cookbook. This one happens to be Aiko's favorite.
Uncle comes in with Aiko just as I pull the cinnamon rolls out of the oven. I put three on separate plates, pour two glasses of milk, and a glass of cranberry juice. With uncle's help, I bring the dishes to the table and settle Aiko down. As soon as she sees breakfast she gets excited.
"Kairi! You made my favorite!"
"Of course. It's not every day you turn 7. Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you Kairi!" Aiko digs into her cinnamon roll.
"Of course," I reply happily as I take a sip of my juice.
"Kairi, how can you stand that stuff? It's so bitter," Uncle asks.
"It's not bitter. It's delicious. I guess you just have to have a refined palette."
Uncle humphs. He grumbles something about me mocking him. I don't pay much attention as I get up and rinse my dishes. I gather my school stuff and change into comfy jeans, a SAO tee, and my black hoodie.
"I'm off. Bye. I'll see you guys later. Remember I don't work as late tonight. Love you guys."
"Bye! Love you!" I hear them reply. Taking a deep breath, I start walking the long journey to school.
I get to school a little earlier than usual. I glance at my watch. I have enough time to stop by the library. I have to return these anyway.
As I'm leaving the library I run into the Fujioka person from yesterday.
"Hello. Please don't run away. I'm sorry about yesterday. They meant well. They just don't always go about things the best way," Fujioka tells me.
"Ok. You're Fujioka right?"
"Yeah, but you can call me Haruhi."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. Then you can call me Kairi."
"Ok."
"Pardon my asking, but is there a reason you're dressed like a guy Haruhi?"
"Huh? How did you know I'm a girl?"
"I'm not blind. I can clearly tell you're a chick, unless you go by a different gender? It doesn't bother me, I just like to know so I don't misgender you."
"Oh. It's a long story. Long story short, I broke something expensive of the Host Club's and now I'm a host. They all thought I was a guy at first. I'm still female, I just have to act like a guy at school."
"Ok. Got it. He/him at school and she/her outside of school. You know, you seem a lot more grounded than the others."
"Oh. That's probably because they're all rich bastards and I'm a commoner with a scholarship."
"Makes sense. You've dealt with shit they haven't. I get ya."
"Are you also here on scholarship?"
"Yea. I'm a lot smarter than I look, I know. Most people don't believe me when I tell them I'm in a grade above my age."
"What class are you in?"
"2A."
"We're the same age then. I think Tamaki and Kyoya are in that class."
I look at my watch and check the time.
"We should probably head to class," I tell her. "I'll see you around."
"Ok. See you."