Jun Takibana
"Onii chaaaaan, waaaake up!"
Jun mumbled something about it being way to early "Mari go back to bed", a smooth deep voice said in the still dark room.
Soon the room was illuminated with sound of the blinds of the bedroom window being pulled to the very top of the window valence.
"Waaaa Mari!", Jun over turned in his bed and landed with a thud in a pile of blankets on the floor, the giggle of a young girl following the thud.
"You're such a grump in the morning Jun, but you start work today so I made breakfast for you", Mari said.
As Jun eyes began to clear and grow accustomed to the light now spilling into the room, he gave a half hearted smile to his little sister smiling down at him. Mariko was five years younger than him but small for most girl her age. This however was because she spent so much of her time sick, from birth she had severe breathing problems and a weakened immune system. Jun loved his sister dearly and worried for her, that was his reason for such an early awakening and having to get this job. He had grown used to being out at night and doing things from petty theft to ruffing up tourists for money. The last time however had resulted in Jun being brought home by the police.
He was so embarrassed and ashamed, the look on Mariko's face hadn't helped when she came to the door and the cop had pushed him in still handcuffed. That was when he confessed to his little sister that he didn't have an evening job quite like he had told her and their mother. Mariko promised she wouldn't say anything to their mother who already worked three jobs just to get by about what he was doing as long as he promised to quit committing crimes for her account. He had never been able to deny Mari anything even when they were little he would not start now. So when he found out about the job just down the road from their apartment at the old candy shop he figured it was worth a try.
He came into the small cramped kitchen/dining room/living room to see Mariko buttering toast.
"Aww Mariko you didn't have to do all this... you're just gonna make yourself tired for the rest of the day" he said with a worried look.
Mariko just laughed a little and set the toast on a plate next to a sunny side up egg, "Then you'll be super worried when I show you this" she went over to the kitchen counter then turned around to him "Taaa daaa!".
In her hands was a very tasty looking bento and a big smile splashed across her face. Jun sighed she was so proud of her work how could he deny her simple things as this.
"That looks great Mari.... thank you", he walked over kissed her on the forehead the sat down at the small table and began to eat his breakfast. Mari went along her way getting ready for her day, Jun could hear her humming all around the apartment... then the coughing started. He shot up from his chair and hurried to her room.
"Mari-chan.... have you taken your medicine today?" he asked with a worried look.
She sighed and shook her head no, "Mari you can't do this you promised me that if I did get a legit job you would take care of yourself when I'm not here." he walked over and started to set up her breathing machine.
He then lead her to her bed, she sat down with a frustrated look on her face, Jun put the mask over her face and flipped the switch the, machine began the air pump pushing the smokey medicine into the mask. Mari leaned back on a pile of pillows and propped her feet up on the bed.
Jun tucked her blanket in around her "Okay I'm gonna head out I'll see you as soon as I get back after my shift is done", he said with a smile then kissed her on the forehead again.
"Have a good day at your job onii-chan and don't forget your lunch.", the medicine began to make her tired and her eyes soon closed and she fell asleep. Jun switched the machine from the medicine to oxygen and closed her bedroom door behind him.
After dressing in his uniform and grabbing his lunch he made his way down the street to the Heavenly Taste Candy Shop, he stood in front, the feeling of butterflies in his stomach.
"Well here goes..." he knocked on the door and waited to be let inside for his first day of proper work.