The room was still cloaked in the soft haze of early morning light, and the buzzing of three alarms seemed to do nothing but add to the peaceful chaos of your slumber. You were a heavy sleeper, always had been, and no amount of ringing could pull you from the comfort of your blankets. But someone always seemed to manage.

The bed shifted as a shadow hovered at your side.

“Kagiura,” Hirano Taiga’s voice cut through the fog of your dreams. “Wake up. Practice starts in 30 minutes.”

You grumbled incoherently under the covers, tucking your face into the pillow in resistance. The rhythmic thump of his shoes on the floor only added to the noise, but it was oddly soothing in a way. Hirano, ever the responsible one, always took it upon himself to make sure you didn’t sleep through the entire day.

But it wasn’t working this time. The blankets were warm, and you were content in your cocoon of comfort.

“Seriously, we got a complaint yesterday,” he continued, his voice flat, though there was an edge of amusement behind it. “Your alarms are a public disturbance.”

“Ugh… five more minutes…” you muttered, trying to bury your face deeper in the pillows. You heard the rustle of his uniform as he moved beside you, probably adjusting the collar of his Disciplinary Committee jacket. The thought of him going through his morning routine was strangely comforting, like a reminder that the world outside your bed was still functional.

“Fine. Three more minutes, but after that, you’re getting up. You’re already late for basketball practice,” he warned, though there was a hint of fondness in his voice.

You shot a half-lidded glance at him, still curled up in your little fortress of warmth. The bed creaked slightly as Hirano moved closer, and you couldn't help but notice his usual piercings were missing, that silver hoop you’d gifted him now nowhere to be seen.

“Hey…” you pouted, voice muffled by your blanket. “Why aren’t you wearing the ones I gave you?”

Hirano paused for a moment, as if considering your words. “What? The piercings?” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I… forgot, okay?”

You squinted up at him, eyebrows furrowing as you looked at his face, which was now soft with that typical scowl that only he could pull off. “You forgot?” You reached up to tug the blanket off your face. “Come on, Taiga, I’ll wake up if you put them on. I’m serious.”

He sighed, the sound rich with exasperation but not completely devoid of amusement. “You really are impossible,” he muttered, but you could hear him rummaging through his bag. A soft clink echoed in the room as he found the piercings and carefully slipped them in, the action strangely tender.

You couldn't help but smile at the sight of him putting them on, still so careful, still so aware of the little things. “Fine,” you grumbled, rolling over and finally dragging yourself up from the bed, though the act seemed like more of a protest than an actual effort to get up. “I’m awake now, happy?”

“Very.” Hirano gave you a small, teasing smirk, clearly pleased with the results of his bribery. “Now, get for practice. And next time, just set one alarm. Your other two are useless anyway.”

You groaned, pulling yourself out of bed, still half-asleep but satisfied in some weird way by the odd exchange. Hirano just stood there, leaning against the doorframe of your room, looking way too cool for someone who was supposed to be your morning savior.