The first golden rays of morning filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle light over the bedroom. The warmth of the sun touched Shin's face, stirring him from a deep, restful sleep. His eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the soft glow around them.
For a long moment, he didn't move—he just lay there, listening to the quiet rise and fall of Ai's breathing beside him.
She was still curled up close to his side, one arm wrapped lightly around his waist, her head resting just below his collarbone. Her long lashes brushed her cheeks, and her lips were slightly parted in the soft rhythm of sleep. Her presence was so peaceful, so gentle—it made his chest ache in the best way.
Shin smiled faintly.
"…You really wore me out last night," he murmured under his breath, chuckling softly.
Careful not to disturb her too much, he reached up and gently tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. Her skin was warm beneath his fingertips, and the little hum she made in her sleep made him smile wider.
He leaned in, brushing his lips against her forehead.
Then her cheek.
And finally, a soft kiss on her lips.
Her lashes fluttered. A slow, sleepy breath escaped her as she stirred. "Mmm… Onii-chan…?"
Shin rested his forehead against hers. "Good morning, Ai."
She blinked up at him, dazed but smiling. "Morning… Did you sleep okay?"
He smirked. "Slept like a rock.
Ai stirred with a soft whimper, her lashes fluttering before she peeked open one eye. "Nnh… Onii-chan…?"
"There she is," he grinned. "My adorable, shameless little sister."
Ai blinked. "Huh…?"
Shin chuckled low, brushing his nose against her cheek. "You cried last night, remember? When you saw what was under my pajama pants?" His voice dropped to a teasing murmur. "'I-I didn't mean to,' you said. Face all red, lips trembling. Honestly, it was kinda cute."
Ai flushed instantly. "D-Don't say it like that!"
"You were so dramatic." He rolled onto his back and placed a hand over his heart mockingly. "'I'm so selfish,'" he mimicked with a feigned tearful tone. "'I should've made you feel good too!'"
"I didn't sound like that!" she cried, smacking his chest lightly with her palm, hiding her face in the blankets.
"Yes, you did. You were all teary and guilty," he said with a lazy grin. "And then you looked at me with those puppy eyes and asked, 'Tell me what I can do…' Like you were about to go on some noble quest or something."
Ai groaned and burrowed under the blanket. "I hate you."
"No, you don't." He slid an arm around her burritoed form and pulled her close. "You love me."
"…Shut up…"
"Especially after last night. I do recall someone moaning 'Onii-chan~' like she was about to ascend to heaven."
"Shinnn!" she squealed, her voice muffled under the blanket.
Shin grinned smugly. "C'mon, Ai. You even said—and I quote—'It feels like I'm flying!'"
"Stop remembering everything!"
He laughed and kissed the top of her head. "I mean, I barely did anything, just a little sucking here…"—he casually tapped her chest, making her squeal—"…a little finger magic there… and suddenly you were saying you felt like you were flying."
"Not my fault your reactions are so vivid." He tapped her head gently through the blanket. "You were amazing though, seriously. I'll never forget how determined you looked."
"…You better not," she muttered shyly.
He smiled and nuzzled her hair. "You're the best, Ai."
"…You're annoying," she mumbled—but she didn't pull away.
"Soo cute," he teased, tilting her chin up so she had to look at him. "You love me. Especially when you're gulping me down like you haven't eaten in days—three times, Ai-chan. Three." He held up three fingers with a dramatic sigh. "I was worried I'd have to hydrate with sports drinks after."
Ai let out a tiny whine and covered her face with both hands. "You promised you wouldn't tease me…"
"I never promised that," Shin smirked, kissing her fingers as she hid. "Besides, you looked so proud of yourself when you wiped your mouth like a cat.
"I was dreaming!!" she yelped, trying to push him away—but he pulled her back in easily, wrapping his arms around her and burying his nose in her hair.
"And now I'm dreaming of teasing you forever."
Shin felt Ai shift beneath the covers, her small arms slipping around his neck as she peeked out from the blanket, cheeks still glowing red.
He looked down at her with a soft smile. "Hey, peek-a-boo."
She didn't smile back immediately. Her eyes, still half-lidded with sleep, were serious—earnest.
"Onii-chan…" she murmured, voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers curled slightly against his neck, as if trying to draw him closer but still too shy to tug.
"Hm?"
Her gaze flicked down, and then back up to his. "What I said earlier… about hating you and calling you annoying…"
Shin blinked, then smirked. "You mean it?"
"No!" she quickly said, her arms tightening a bit. "I don't mean any of it. Not even a little…"
Her lips trembled just a little as she pressed her forehead to his chest. "I was just embarrassed. You always tease me… and I don't know how to handle it sometimes. But I don't hate you, Onii-chan. I could never."
He could feel the way her heartbeat pressed against him—quick, soft, sincere.
Shin's teasing grin faded into something gentler. He wrapped his arms around her in return, holding her there. "I know, Ai. I was just messing with you."
She looked up again, eyes glistening with something softer. "Last night…"
He tilted his head, encouraging her to go on.
"It was… the best night of my life," she whispered. "Not just because of how it felt but… because you were with me. Because it was you."
Shin's breath caught slightly. He wasn't expecting that level of honesty, not so early in the morning. Her voice, quiet as it was, struck something deep.
"I love you, Onii-chan," Ai said, barely above a breath. "I love everything about you… even when you tease me, even when you say silly things… I love your voice, your smell, your smile when you're hiding something—your warmth when you hold me like this…"
She closed her eyes, her lashes brushing his chest. "You're everything to me."
Shin felt her words sink deep into his chest, past the playful teasing and morning haze, anchoring somewhere in the softest part of him.
"You're so unfair, Ai," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "You say stuff like that and expect me not to melt?"
She giggled shyly. "You tease me all the time. It's only fair I get to fluster you once in a while."
Shin leaned his chin on the top of her head, breathing in her scent—like soap, cotton, and something uniquely Ai. "I guess I deserve it."
She nuzzled closer, a small hum leaving her lips. "You do."
They stayed there like that for a long while—tangled in warm sheets and soft feelings, as the world outside the window brightened into a new day.
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END OF CHAPTER : 48 : GOOD MORNING!
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