The sun rose quietly over the sleepy rooftops of the Kagurazaka household. A soft orange glow filtered through the misty windows, and yet again, I was the first one awake.
Like a dog excited for a morning walk, I crept out of my futon, careful not to make a sound. The house was still, blanketed in silence. My bare feet padded softly against the wooden floor as I tiptoed past Hinata's room. One creak and her father, Daichi, would explode into another Broadway-worthy monologue about manners, honor, and the sacred laws of breakfast timing.
I reached the staircase and paused. Something felt... off. The air was unnaturally cold. I rubbed my arms. A sudden gust whispered past me, and a thick fog—yes, actual fog—began to snake its way across the living room.
What the hell?
My heart pounded.
Every nerve in my body screamed to turn back, but I shook it off. "It's just morning mist," I whispered. "Totally normal. In a house."
Still, I pressed on toward the kitchen.
As I crossed the hallway, a flicker caught the corner of my eye.
I froze.
Something—or someone—moved past the living room's edge. My breath caught. My ears rang. My legs itched to bolt, but my pride shoved them forward. "You're just seeing things," I muttered, fists clenched.
Another step. Then another.
And then—
"Gwargh—!"
Pain twisted through my stomach like a rusty corkscrew.
No ghosts. Just gastrointestinal betrayal.
I sprinted to the bathroom, barely making it in time.
"Damn curry from last night," I muttered between groans, the haunted house illusion now replaced with the reality of digestive doom.
After what felt like surviving a horror film and a food challenge, I emerged, freshly washed and humbled. I made my way to the kitchen again.
But then—the tingling came back.
The fog had thickened. Even the light bulbs seemed to dim under its weight.
I paused.
Another movement. This one more distinct. A real figure.
My throat tightened.
Every footstep toward the kitchen felt like walking deeper into a nightmare. My fingers trembled. The wooden floorboards moaned beneath me.
I reached the hallway's end. The corner of the kitchen loomed like the entrance to some haunted labyrinth.
I peeked.
And there she was.
A figure in a white gown. Hair messy and long, hiding her face. She stood perfectly still. Silent. Eerie.
I couldn't breathe.
My mouth opened, but no words came out. Only a scream.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
The figure twitched.
Then she screamed too.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
I screamed louder. She matched it.
And then—
CRACK!
A sharp pain bloomed in my jaw.
Everything went black.
When I came to, I was lying on the floor of the kitchen.
Light had returned. The fog was gone.
Above me stood Hinata Kagurazaka. Her long hair was messy, her eyes wide with guilt.
"Oh no—Haruki! I'm so sorry! I thought you were a burglar! Or, like, some evil ghost! My fists acted on their own!"
I groaned. "You… punched me."
"Hey, you scared me! I didn't expect to meet Sadako and her screaming twin brother in my own kitchen at five a.m.!"
I slowly sat up, rubbing my jaw. "You… you looked like the girl from every horror movie."
Hinata stuck out her tongue and laughed. "Teehee~ sorry. I was trying to surprise everyone by cooking breakfast. I wanted to beat you to it for once."
That soft blush on her cheeks made my pain oddly worth it.
"You didn't have to go full Mortal Kombat," I muttered.
"I always go full Mortal Kombat," she declared proudly. "Now shut up and help me with the eggs."
The two of us moved around the kitchen, side by side. She handed me chopped vegetables, and I stirred the miso soup. Our elbows bumped, eyes met, and for a moment, the world felt… light.
"You're sweet, you know," Hinata murmured. "Waking up early. Cooking. Trying so hard."
I turned red. "I just… like helping out."
We were so close now. The steam rising from the pot couldn't hide the warmth building between us.
And then—
"MY LITTLE GIRL IS IN LOVE!!"
Daichi's voice boomed like a cannon.
He stood at the kitchen entrance, clutching a tissue, eyes shimmering.
"Young man," he declared, "you may have scared me half to death yesterday, but today… I give you my blessing."
"Daaaad!" Hinata cried.
"Ohh~ they're blushing!" Sayaka sang as she appeared behind her husband.
"Mmhmm," added Nami with a suspicious glare. "Are you two dating or what?"
"I—what?! N-no!!"
"They're definitely dating," Daichi whispered, nodding gravely.
Hinata and I stood frozen, cheeks on fire as the family celebrated our non-existent relationship.
Later that morning, at the company building, I dove back into work. I was still new, still learning, but I studied every manual like it was scripture. Co-workers started nodding, even smiling. Progress.
But then came break time.
I wandered to the vending machine. Just as I tapped for a sandwich, something barreled into me.
Splash. Thud.
My lunch hit the floor. Coffee soaked my shirt.
"Hey! Watch where—" I began, turning around.
A woman stood there, trying to balance herself in heels. Blonde hair. Porcelain skin. Dressed like a fashion magazine had vomited elegance.
Then she snapped.
"WATCH IT, DUMBASS! You almost destroyed my designer dress! Are you blind?!"
My mouth opened in shock. "Me? You ran into me! I was standing still!"
She scoffed, flipping her hair. "Tch. Typical."
"You're the one who spilled coffee—"
"Shut up. Apologize. Now."
I blinked. "Not happening."
"Unbelievable."
She shoved past me. Her perfume lingered in the air—like roses dipped in venom.
"Some nerve," I muttered, picking up my sandwich.
But her glare… it stayed burned into my thoughts.
That evening, the entire company gathered at a lavish restaurant. Chandeliers. Velvet seats. Sushi that looked like art.
Hinata sat beside me, humming while picking through her bento. "Hehe, excited?"
"Honestly? A little."
Our boss, Mr. Takamura, took the mic. A kind man with gentle eyes, known for his wisdom.
"I have an announcement," he began. "After thirty years, I will be stepping down. It is time for a new generation to lead."
Gasps filled the room.
"I'm proud to say… she is already here."
"She?" I whispered.
"Please welcome… the new president of our company."
Chairs shuffled as everyone stood.
My spoon fell. "Shoot." I ducked under the table.
I heard the click of heels.
Voices whispered. Men murmured in awe.
I stood up—
—and locked eyes with her.
That woman.
The arrogant, elegant disaster from lunch.
She stood beside Mr. Takamura, smiling graciously at the room.
But when she saw me, her grin twisted.
"Oh," she said sweetly, "him."
My knees nearly buckled.
Hinata leaned close. "Haruki? Are you okay?"
I couldn't speak. Only nod.
The woman gave a sideways smirk. Her eyes gleamed with danger.
And then she turned, brushing her golden hair behind her shoulder, like a final insult.
That night, back in my room, I lay on my futon staring at the ceiling.
Her face wouldn't leave my mind.
Her voice, her glare, her presence.
She was the new president.
This could only mean one thing.
My life… was about to become a very different kind of horror story.
To be continued...