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A gentle hum filled the air as the scent of sizzling eggs and freshly brewed coffee drifted through the cozy kitchen. The soft clatter of utensils and the bubbling of something simmering on the stove blended with the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow across the kitchen, illuminating the neat countertops and the wooden dining table where Olivia Tatsuya sat, scrolling through her phone.
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One leg propped up on the chair, the other on the ground as she taps her foot against the floor, she lazily took a bite of toast, her expression relaxed as if she had all the time in the world. She glanced at the time on her phone before smirking.
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“Hey, Mom,” she said, stretching out her arms with a yawn. “Bet you anything that Kai’Kai is still knocked out, drooling all over his pillow.”
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Their mother, busy at the stove flipping an omelet, sighed as she glanced at the clock. “That boy’s still asleep?”
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“Yup.” Olivia barely looked up from her screen. “That kid’s a professional sleeper. If there were an award for best at ignoring alarms, he’d win by a landslide.”
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Their mother shook her head, wiping her hands on a dish towel before peeking into the hallway. “Kaida, sweetheart! Time to get up! You’ll be late!”
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Silence.
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Olivia chuckled under her breath. “Mom, do you really think calling him is gonna do anything? That boy could sleep through a tornado.” She set her phone down and stood, rolling her shoulders. “Watch and learn. I got this.”
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“Olivia, dear, I don’t think that’s—”
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Before their mother could finish, Olivia was already marching down the hallway with purpose.
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Kaida Tatsuya was completely and utterly dead to the world.
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Sprawled out across his bed, limbs tangled in his blanket, he snored softly, lost in whatever dreamland he had wandered into. His light brown hair was messy, sticking to his forehead, his face turned slightly into his pillow. The room was still, peaceful—until the door slammed open.
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Olivia stood at the threshold, hands on her hips, surveying her sleeping brother like a hunter sizing up its prey. She took a step forward, then another, her smirk widening.
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“Aww… how cute,” she mused, watching him sleep.
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Then, without hesitation—
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She leaped into the air and body-slammed directly onto him.
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“GOOD MORNING, LAZY BONES!”
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“AUGH!”
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Kaida’s peaceful morning came to a painful and abrupt end. A loud oof escaped him as Olivia knocked the air from his lungs, his limbs flailing as he struggled to comprehend what just happened.
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“Wh—What the hell?!” he coughed, squirming under her weight.
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Olivia grinned, resting her elbow on his back. “You weren’t waking up, so I figured a little encouragement was needed.”
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Kaida groaned, his face smushed into the mattress. “Get off me! You’re crushing me!”
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Olivia feigned offense, gasping dramatically. “Are you implying that your lovely, kind-hearted sister is heavy?”
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“Implying? No. Stating? Absolutely.”
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A dark aura seemed to form around Olivia as she cracked her knuckles. “Oh, you little—”
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Before Kaida could react, she had him in a headlock, gripping him tightly.
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“Say it again, Kaida. I dare you.”
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Kaida flailed, tapping out like a wrestler in defeat. “A-Alright, alright! I take it back!”
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Their mother’s sharp voice rang through the house.
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“KAIDA! OLIVIA! If you don’t stop roughhousing this instant, so help me—”
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Immediately, the two froze before hastily separating.
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“S-Sorry, Mom!” Olivia called out.
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“Y-Yeah, sorry…” Kaida mumbled, rubbing his sore neck.
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Olivia grinned, ruffling his already messy hair before hopping off the bed. “C’mon, hurry up before Mom loses it.”
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Kaida shot her a half-hearted glare before dragging himself toward the bathroom.
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By the time Kaida finally made it to the dining room, freshly showered and dressed in his school uniform, Olivia was already back in her seat, scrolling through her phone as if nothing had happened.
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She glanced up at him and smirked. “Oh, you’re finally awake? Good morning, Kai’Kai.”
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Kaida narrowed his eyes at the nickname but chose to ignore it as he sat down at the table.
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“You’re annoying.”
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“And you’re dramatic.” Olivia shot back.
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Their mother placed a plate of food in front of him, shaking her head. “You two are always at each other’s throats.”
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Kaida huffed, taking a bite of his eggs. “She started it.”
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Olivia grinned. “And I’ll finish it.”
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Their mother sighed, placing her hands on her hips. “You two will miss each other when you grow up, you know.”
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Kaida and Olivia shared a glance.
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“Doubt it.”
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“Not a chance.”
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Their mother just chuckled, shaking her head.
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After finishing breakfast, Kaida and Olivia grabbed their bags and headed for the door.
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“Alright, Mom, we’re off,” Olivia called over her shoulder.
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“Have a good day, you two! And don’t get into trouble!”
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“No promises,” Olivia said with a grin.
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Kaida snorted as they stepped outside.
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The morning air was crisp, a slight breeze rustling the trees as students filled the streets, all heading toward the same destination.
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As they walked, Olivia glanced at Kaida from the corner of her eye.
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“Seriously, though. You should start thinking about what you wanna do after school.”
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Kaida groaned. “Not this again.”
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“I’m serious. If you don’t plan something, you’ll end up working at Dad’s shop.”
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Kaida shuddered. “God, no.”
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“Then start thinking.”
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Kaida sighed, staring up at the sky. “I don’t know, Liv. I guess I wanna do something exciting. Something that actually matters.”
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Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Exciting, huh? Like what?”
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Kaida thought for a moment before shrugging. “I dunno. Maybe something heroic. Like a firefighter, or maybe join the police force. Hell, maybe even the military. Something where I get to actually make a difference.”
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Olivia looked at him for a moment before a small smirk formed on her lips. “Heroic, huh?”
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She reached over and ruffled his hair.
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“You’re a good kid, Kai’Kai.”
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Kaida swatted her hand away, but he couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at his lips.
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“If you follow your heart, maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
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As they reached the school gates, Olivia stretched. “Welp, this is where we part ways. Try not to embarrass yourself.”
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Kaida smirked. “Maybe you should focus on not embarrassing me.”
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Olivia grinned, ruffling his hair one last time. “Where’s the fun in that? Later, Kai’Kai.”
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Kaida watched Olivia disappear into the crowd before turning toward the main entrance of the school. He barely had time to scan the area before a familiar voice called out.
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“Yo! Kaida! Over here!”
