บท 1: Entrance Exam

Waking up to the sound of people working outside, just the usual morning around here people just can't seem to take a break. The walls of the house aren't thick enough to block the noise of the neighbour's early morning activities.

Still, I set an alarm, just in case they learn to quieten down one day.

*brrrrr brrrrr brrrr*

And there it goes again. Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth it. It's been about 9 years now and the alarms never done it's damn job. Now I need to climb across my bed to switch it off.

Am I lazy, possibly but I still end up doing this everyday.

Switching the phone alarm off I get out the bed and walk over to the window.

The house I stay in is an old Japanese style one, so it was wooden floors for me. Luckily it wasn't cold and never caused any discomfort. Sliding the window open, the fresh air hits me as I take in the hustle and bustle of the early mornings around here.

Honestly I've got no clue where they get all their energy from, they're not young anymore but they still wake up extra early to meet a new day.

As nice as the fresh air is, I went to wash my face with cold water it's the only thing that can fully wake me up in the mornings.

After splashing my face with water and ridding myself of the gunk that plagued my eyelids, I grab a dark blue yukata and went down stairs to make myself some breakfast.

The noise from the streets begins to die down as the kitchen was near the centre of the house. It let me have my first meal of the day in peace, something I've always liked since I began living here alone.

Breaking my peace was the sound of hot toast coming out the toaster. Good thing it automatically released the bread when it's done, or the birds would've had a free burnt breakfast.

With well practiced movements I spread the condiments onto the toast while it was still hot. Picking it up I began eating the first slice, normally I don't sit down to eat my breakfast, just lean against the worktop or eat it at the window. Unless it's a heavier meal. Saves the hassle of washing the plate I'd use if I never.

The first bite was all that was needed to remind me why I love jam, the sweet but not too sweet flavour tickled my taste buds, making my tired looking face light up for a splt second before returning to normal.

Polishing the food off I check the time on my phone, 6:43 huh. The train leaves at 7:30, take away the 15 minutes it takes to get to the station and I'm left with about half an hour to get ready. Should probably check in on Konro and the twins, they'd never let me hear the end of it if I left without showing face.

With my plan of action my legs took me back upstairs to go and get changed.

The weathers quite warm today, so I ditched the kimono and just wore a white baggy t-shirt along with a black vest and trousers. It only took a few minutes to get changed and grab the things that were necessary to take, so there was plenty of time to spare before I had to leave.

Sliding open my back door that led out to the engawa, I take a quick look at my garden to make sure everything's okay before flipping over the 6ft fence to land in my neighbours back yard.

Not bothering to knock I walk in through the back door and step straight for the kitchen, where a man and two young girls sat at the table eating a hearty meal.

The man called Konro had long brown hair which he ties back while also sporting a distinct horizonal facial scar across his nose. He sat across from the two petite girls with identical sizes and facial features. They even had the same haircut and put it in the same style, although right now it was looking a bit wild since they just got up. Hinata and Hikage both stay with Konro who has acted as their caretaker since their parents passed.

Seeing me arrive Konro put his plate down and greeted me "Morning Beni, you get a good sleep last night".

"It was alright, still could use those extra couple minutes in the mornings" I replied taking a seat at the table.

Chuckling slightly Konro grinned "You would've though you'd be used to it by now".

Before I give my thoughts on the matter the twins had already finished their food and began bombarding me with questions in their cheery voices.

"You ready to kick some ass today Waka?"

"You going to show the rest their places underneath you?"

"Remember if you do crap you might as well not come back hehe"

"Yea, yea what she says" and the both laugh in unison. Twisted midgets.

Honestly these two have such rude mouth on them, wonder who they get it from.

"You know that Konro doesn't like-" I tried to tell them

"Sorry, not taking any complaints right now" They both happily sang with cheeky smiles on their face.

Konro pipes up and says "They get it from you, you know"

"Not taking any com- crap" I cut myself off realising my mistake causing Konro to show a sly grin.

"But really how you feeling about today, you nervous or anything" Konro sincerely asks, unlike the twins before him.

"Me, nervous, what a joke. I honestly think it would be harder for me to fail than pass." I tell him, if I somehow managed to fail this exam something horrible must've happened to me.

"Full of confidence as usual, but that's just like you" he speaks before turning back to his meal.

"Hinata, Hikage, I've got some time before I need to leave, want me to do your hair"

"Of course!"

"Who else would do it"

Like that the rest of the time I had was spent fixing the girls hair for the day. Something I've always done since they first arrived under Konro's care. By the time I finished with the hair, Konro has begun taking away the plates.

"Right, it's about time I made a move" I said as I walked over to the front door.

Konro gave the the thumbs up "Give 'em hell"

"Make sure you whoop some ass for us Waka" The twins said in unison as I waved the three of them off and left for the train station.

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