Archive of Our Own ^beta

Today was a good day.

In fact, it was a great day. She woke up early, slipping out the door, squinting at the already bright sunlight. It was a slow day, the distant chatter and laughter fading into the background, the sounds weirdly underwhelming today.

“Be quiet,” she murmured, not registering the curious stares she got. It was warm, too warm to properly react.

School was good. Alice told her about her crush on her maths teacher. Or was it science? Lain tried her hardest to listen, but her mind refused to, that weird disorienting feeling taking over. Lessons were a blur, regular and consistent as usual. The final bell blared,the sound ringing in her ears. Chisa was waiting for her.

They walked out the gates, the tapping of their feet against the pavement the only sound. Lain squirmed, uncomfortable. Should she speak?

“How was school, Chisa?”

“Good.” She replied smoothly. Lain held back her smile. She waved, feeling a little happier when she parted ways with Chisa.

Home was good. There were two pairs of shoes by the door, Mother and Mika. Father wasn't home. Must be working. That was nice, she supposed. It was consistent.

She liked consistency. Consistency was normal. Lain liked normalcy.

Mother didn't acknowledge her as she walked in. That was normal, right? Her Mother wasn't the sentimental type.

“Welcome home,” she whispered out loud to herself.
“Welcome home, Lain.” She replied, a little louder. Mother ignored her, gazing intently at nothing.

She crept up the stairs, heading straight to her room. It's hot. She can't be asked to go on her Navi.

She barely even knows how to use it.

Today was very ordinary.

Today was good. Great, even. Lain has no regrets that night as she sleeps soundly, a smile on her lips.