Year: 2017 | Ren: Age 11 (6th Grade), Haruto: Age 12 (1st Year of Middle School)
The house was unusually quiet that morning.
Haruto Akihara, now a first-year middle school student, tightened his tie in front of the mirror. His new navy-blue blazer looked slightly too big for his frame, but his eyes were filled with pride.
Across the room, Ren Akihara slipped into his elementary school uniform as usual. Sixth grade. His final year of elementary school.
"Don't forget your lunch," Ayaka Akihara reminded from the kitchen, placing two bento boxes near the door.
Haruto grabbed his bag. "I'm off. My school's farther now."
Ren looked up and gave a small nod. "Okay. Be careful."
Haruto paused for a second, watching his little brother. Then he smiled faintly and stepped out.
Ren followed shortly after. The two walked together until the main road, where they parted ways. One headed toward the middle school uphill, the other down toward the elementary school.
As they disappeared from each other's view, the morning felt quieter than usual.
Ren glanced up at the sky.
It was still the same sky. Still the same morning.
But somehow, everything had begun to shift.