Shun opened his door, still half-asleep. His hair was messy, and his eyes were barely open. The morning sun was shining, but Shun wasn't thinking about it.
He was thinking about one thing.
Food.
His stomach growled loudly.
"I forgot to buy bread again…" he said to himself.
Then he saw something.
Someone was standing outside the house next door.
Silver hair, shining in the light.
It was Alice Tsukishiro.
She was holding a small trash bag, ready to throw it out. She looked calm, but there was something about her that made her seem special.
They looked at each other.
"…Oh," she said, blinking in surprise. "Good morning."
Shun nodded slowly. "Morning."
Alice smiled, a little shy. "Wait… You live here?"
"Yeah," Shun said. "Since I was a kid."
Alice smiled more. "I just moved in yesterday."
Shun looked down the path. "So… we're neighbors."
"Looks like it," she said. "That's funny."
Just then, Shun's stomach growled again. Grrrrr...
Alice looked surprised.
"…Was that your stomach?" she asked.
Shun didn't say anything. He just scratched his head.
Alice smiled softly. "Did you eat breakfast?"
"…No," Shun said.
Alice thought for a second. Then she said with a small blush, "Would you like something to eat? As… a thank-you for yesterday."
Shun blinked. "You don't have to."
"I want to," Alice said, smiling. "I made extra."
She turned to open her gate. "Come on. It's just breakfast."
Shun wasn't sure. He didn't like going into other people's homes. But…
His stomach growled again.
"…Fine," Shun said, feeling like he didn't have a choice.
Inside Alice's house, everything was neat and clean. The kitchen smelled like eggs, toast, and something sweet.
Alice set a plate in front of him: fluffy eggs, toast with jam, and a bowl of warm soup.
Shun sat down, still a little unsure. "You really made all this?"
Alice nodded. "I cook in the morning. It's relaxing."
Shun took a bite of the eggs. His eyes widened.
"…It's good," he said, surprised. "Really good."
Alice smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
For a few minutes, they ate in silence. The only sound was the soft clink of forks and spoons.
Then Alice looked at him. "It's strange… I feel like we've met before. I mean, really met… not just yesterday."
Shun stopped eating. He wasn't sure how to answer. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn't say what it was.
"…Maybe," he said quietly. "I don't remember."
Alice tilted her head. "Maybe I'm imagining it."
Shun didn't answer. He just ate more soup.
The silence was nice. It felt calm, like they had known each other for a long time.
After a while, Alice stood up to clean the table. "I should go now, but… I'm glad we did this."
Shun nodded. "Thanks for breakfast."
"Anytime," she said, smiling. "And… if you need anything, just ask."
He nodded again. "You too."
When Shun stepped outside, he turned to look at her. Alice was standing in the doorway, watching him. Her silver hair shined in the light. There was something in her eyes, but neither of them said anything.
They just looked at each other for a moment before Shun walked back to his house.
He didn't know it yet, but something was starting. Something that might change everything.