The sun filtering through the window was warm and soft, casting a peaceful golden hue across the room. The air held a faint scent of fresh tatami and subtle perfume. Aiko sat gracefully on the soft floor cushion beside Shin, her legs folded neatly, hands resting gently in her lap. There was a gentle sparkle in her eyes, the same one she always had when she looked at something--or someone--she loved deeply.
"A-Chan," Aiko cooed sweetly, a melodic softness in her tone that instantly turned heads. "Come here… sit on my lap. Don't I look really soft?"
Asahi blinked, tilting his head a little, confused. He glanced toward Shin with slight hesitation, unsure whether it was a joke or a serious invitation. Shin, lounging comfortably beside them, chuckled under his breath and gave the boy a small nod.
"You should go, buddy," Shin said, his voice gentle. "She's asking nicely."
Asahi puffed his cheeks slightly, letting out a small huff. "But Ama-Chan always squeezes me too much."
Aiko giggled softly, patting her thighs with open arms. "Don't worry, you'll feel good. I promise. I just love you too much."
Asahi hesitated a second longer, then let out a resigned sigh. "Okay, okay..." He shuffled over, plopping down onto her lap with the weight of someone who knew exactly what was coming.
The moment he did, Aiko's face lit up. Her arms immediately circled around him, wrapping the small boy into a deep, smothering hug. Her cheek pressed against his, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"A-Chan... you're so warm and tiny... I could hold you forever!"
She pressed her lips to his cheek repeatedly, rapid-fire kisses that made him squirm and giggle helplessly in her arms.
"Ama-Chan, you're crushing me again!"
"Shh, shh, shh, just a little more! Let Ama-Chan love you!" Aiko said, giggling herself, burying her face in his soft white hair. "You're just too precious. My sweet little A-Chan... You're my dear friend, my little brother too... and you make my heart so full."
Her fingers gently ruffled his hair as she rocked him slightly on her lap. Asahi's initial resistance softened. He grumbled but didn't try to escape, letting her hug him as his small smile peeked through.
Across the room, Yuki was sitting with both hands in his lap, watching with a nervous but warm smile. Shin turned to him with a chuckle.
"Yuki, wanna come say hi? Properly this time?"
Yuki looked over and gave a polite nod. Shin gestured to Asahi, who was still trapped lovingly in Aiko's arms.
"Asahi, this is Yuki," Shin began. "And... he's actually a boy."
Asahi blinked, clearly surprised, and looked at Yuki with wide blue eyes. "Ehh?! Really? But... you look even more like a girl than Ama-Chan does!"
Yuki huffed, blushing, arms crossed. "You're one to talk! You look like a little doll!"
"I do not!"
"You do too!"
"Do not!"
Their bickering was short-lived, broken up by Shin's laughter.
"Anyway," Shin added casually, stretching, "Aiko's my girlfriend now. And Yuki… well, he's kinda like my boyfriend and girlfriend."
Asahi's eyes widened again. "Wait... what? All three of you?"
"Mhm!" Aiko beamed brightly, still cradling him. She leaned down and kissed his cheek again. "But I'm your girlfriend too, A-Chan. Didn't you know? We share kisses, hugs, everything sweet. You're mine too."
Asahi blushed, cheeks going red. "Ama-Chan... that's not how it works..."
"It is in my heart," Aiko whispered, nose nuzzling into his cheek, gently rubbing his back. "You're a part of my world. My cute, squishy A-Chan."
Her arms tightened around him as if she never wanted to let go. She let her fingers softly run down his arms, then returned to holding him to her chest, humming a gentle tune.
Shin and Yuki watched quietly as the scene played out, both smiling at the bond forming deeper between the three of them.
"It's like watching a mom cuddle a kitten," Shin whispered to Yuki.
Yuki nodded. "Except the kitten complains a lot."
They chuckled together.
Aiko ignored them, too wrapped up in her joy. "A-Chan, did I ever tell you that your laugh is my favorite sound? When you giggle... I feel like my heart gets hugged."
Asahi blushed again. "You say weird stuff, Ama-Chan..."
"Weirdly true stuff," she whispered, placing her hand over his chest gently. "Here. My love reaches here. I promise, always."
Asahi looked away, but he didn't try to move from her lap. His fingers slowly curled around the fabric of her sleeve.
"...You're warm too, Ama-Chan."
That was all she needed to hear. Her smile bloomed, and she held him tighter, swaying gently as if cradling a lullaby. Her whispers grew quieter, speaking words only he could hear, of how much he mattered, how sweet he was, how special.
---
The scent of toasted bread and sweet jam lingered in the air as Ai stepped back into the living room, balancing a tray of morning snacks in her hands. "Okay, I brought food—don't eat Asahi before I serve these," she warned with a dry smile.
Aiko was currently in the middle of tightly hugging Asahi in her lap. Her eyes were practically glittering with affection, and her voice was a near whisper. "A-Chan… doesn't it feel really nice here? Am I not soft? You like soft things, don't you?"
Asahi blinked, looking up at Shin across the room as if silently asking for guidance. His big black eyes darted between his Onii-chan and the warm trap he had stumbled into.
Shin, leaning against the wall with a mug in hand, chuckled. "Buddy, it's okay. You'll survive. Just let Ama-Chan have her moment."
Asahi shifted slightly. "She squeezes too much," he said, half-giggling.
Aiko gasped theatrically. "You mean you don't like this?" She tightened her hug just slightly—not enough to squish, but enough to make Asahi giggle again. "But you always melt when I call you A-Chan! You're my favorite cuddlebug!"
Ai placed the tray down and crossed her arms. "Brat's too spoiled," she muttered, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her affection.
"Am I not soft enough for you?" Aiko teased, squishing her cheek against Asahi's and showering him with quick kisses. "Admit it, I'm the best pillow you've ever had."
Asahi giggled, wrapping his small arms around her as best he could. "Ama-Chan feels good… but Onii-chan feels better. I wanna marry him."
Ai facepalmed, and Shin nearly spilled his tea.
Aiko immediately pouted, puffing her cheeks out dramatically. "A-Chan! That's mean!" she cried before stuffing his face gently into her chest again. "No more dessert for you!"
Asahi's muffled laughter vibrated through the room as his voice squeaked out, "Ama-Chan is squishy… but Onii-chan is the best!"
Yuki, who had been quietly sipping from his juice box and observing the chaos, laughed nervously. "You guys are way too energetic for six in the morning."
Shin set his cup down and grinned. "Hey, Buddy," he said, walking over and kneeling beside Aiko and Asahi. "Just a reminder—your Ama-Chan is my girlfriend. I'm not sharing her too much. She's gotta come back to me at the end."
Yuki lifted a hand. "I'm not the one squeezing him to death, you know."
Shin turned to Yuki with a smirk. "I meant you too. You belong to me too, Yuki. Don't get any ideas about escaping."
Yuki let out a soft yelp and turned slightly pink. "I-I wasn't trying to!" he sputtered, crossing his arms. "Geez…"
That got a round of laughter from everyone in the room.
Aiko, never letting go of Asahi, was now humming softly and brushing his bangs aside with her fingers. "You're just too cute, A-Chan. Like, dangerously cute. I might take you home and never let go!"
"No," Asahi replied with a very serious pout. "Onii-chan will come find me."
Shin smirked. "You bet I will. Try taking him, Haa-Chan, and see how long before I break your door down."
Aiko snorted. "You'd probably end up joining us for dinner."
Ai laid out plates of toast and jam. "Alright, snack time before someone really does try to adopt the brat."
Asahi wiggled excitedly. "Food!"
"But you already have my arms as snacks," Aiko teased, pretending to bite his cheek.
Shin watched the scene unfold with a peaceful smile. Despite the teasing, the noise, the flurry of arms and affection, it felt like a real family morning—messy, loving, and just the right amount of weird.
He glanced over at Ai, who rolled her eyes at him with a smirk, then at Yuki who was already reaching for toast while still blushing.
Yeah, it was going to be a noisy breakfast.
And he wouldn't have it any other way.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 149 : AIKO'S CUDDLE BAG!
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