A New Outlook

The sunlight filtering through the gap between the curtains was what stirred Sota from his slumber. It was supposed to be a slow Thursday morning, but a lot of things had already entered his mind like a sudden avalanche downhill.

Sota's eyes shot wide open as he extended his hand into a stretch, barely yawning before he heaved a huge exhale. A couple of seconds later, his alarm clock rang, greeting him a good morning with its steady buzzing sound. 

"Well... another day, huh," Sota muttered to himself, letting out a sigh after the huge exhale he just released. The scenes from last night continued to replay in his mind no matter how hard he tried to forget them. 

Ayane, whom he had known to be a bright and cheerful girl, just collapsed midway home and started bawling her eyes out. To Sota, this was a scene straight out of nowhere. He had never seen Ayane cry before, nor had she seen her wear a downcast expression on her face.