"You can have us both, A-Chan!" Aiko cooed dramatically, pulling Asahi even closer into her lap like he was a prized plushie she never intended to let go. Her voice was high with emotion, overly theatrical, and brimming with mock despair. "You can marry Onii-chan and love me too!"
Asahi, nestled tightly against Aiko's chest, blinked up at her in confusion as her cheek smushed into his. "You mean I can marry Onii-chan and you?"
"Of course!" Aiko declared, her eyes sparkling with glee. "I will fight in the war of love and accept defeat just to stay by your side! That's how much I love you!"
"That makes no sense," Ai said from the couch, biting into a buttered slice of toast. "You sound like you're starring in a tragic romance anime. And don't encourage the brat!"
Shin sipped from his mug, smirking. "He's gonna get the wrong idea, Haa-chan."
"It's A-Chan! And there's no wrong idea when it's love!" Aiko insisted, squeezing Asahi tighter. "Say it again, A-Chan. Say you love Ama-chan. One more time, please? Pretty please with whipped cream and strawberry syrup on top?"
Asahi giggled, wiggling a little from the snug embrace, then nodded slowly. "I love you, Ama-chan!"
Aiko's heart exploded.
"Aaaaaah! I knew it! My baby brother loves me!" she wailed dramatically, fake tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. She rocked him in her arms, covering his cheeks in endless kisses as Asahi laughed uncontrollably. "You're the most adorable thing in this entire planet, I swear! Look at these cheeks! This little nose! You're the sweetest creature to ever exist!"
Yuki, standing with a plate of melon bread half-raised to his mouth, smiled nervously. "She's gone full romcom side character... I feel like I'm watching some overly affectionate aunt at a family gathering."
Ai flicked a piece of bread crust at Yuki. "Don't talk like you're not part of the chaos, Yuki-san. You're in this too."
Yuki shrugged. "I'm just here for the snacks."
"You say that," Shin said as he lowered his mug and pointed at Yuki, "but you yelped like a startled cat when I told you you're mine too."
"B-Baka!" Yuki flushed, his voice rising, hands clutching the bread tightly. "I didn't yelp! That was just a... dignified sound of protest!"
"Sure it was," Shin smirked.
Aiko, meanwhile, was humming a random lullaby as she rocked Asahi back and forth like a human teddy bear. "A-Chan~ A-Chan~ Who's the cutest little bun-bun? You are! Yes, you are!"
"Ama-chan, stop! I'm ticklish!" Asahi squealed, trying to push her back as her kisses stormed his cheeks again.
"Too late, you've activated my ultimate move: Love Bombardment Maxx!!" Aiko declared as she dramatically smothered his cheeks in kisses again. "No escape!"
Shin leaned over to Ai and whispered with a grin, "Should I be jealous of my little brother?"
Ai gave him a flat look. "You should be worried she'll actually kidnap him at this point."
"Fair point."
Aiko turned toward Shin, still hugging Asahi. "Taa-kun, say it's okay! Say I can keep him forever! He can be our adorable little child!"
Shin pointed to her chest, raising an eyebrow. "Just remember those belong to me. So don't squeeze him into oblivion."
"I'm just letting him enjoy the soft life while he's young! It builds character!"
"It'll build trauma if you keep up like that," Ai muttered under her breath.
Yuki took another bite of his bread and nodded solemnly. "Soft trauma."
Aiko ignored them all, instead twirling Asahi gently in her arms. "Hey, A-Chan... do you like girls? Or are you serious about marrying Onii-chan? Because if you like girls, I will campaign to be your number one!"
Asahi gave a thoughtful hum, then pointed at Shin. "Onii-chan first."
Aiko gasped.
Ai laughed.
Shin tilted his head smugly. "Can't beat the original."
"You little traitor!" Aiko cried in mock heartbreak, pulling Asahi close again. "I gave you snacks, kisses, and love! What do you mean Onii-chan first?!"
"He makes me ramen," Asahi said proudly.
"I make you love," Aiko countered.
Yuki choked on a piece of bread.
"Oh please," Ai said dryly, "He's seven. He wants Pokémon and food."
Asahi nodded. "Pokémon, ramen, and hugs."
"See? I'm in third place!" Aiko gasped again.
"Fourth," Yuki said. "Don't forget the Switch."
"You know what," Aiko pouted, then put Asahi down just long enough to lie flat on the floor dramatically, arms sprawled. "Let me perish in peace. My love has been rejected by a tiny, adorable child."
Asahi stared down at her curiously. "Ama-chan, are you okay?"
Aiko sat up slowly, peeking over her shoulder. "Do you still love me, even just a teeny bit?"
"Yes!" Asahi shouted with a smile.
"Then everything is forgiven!" she cried, pouncing again and gathering him in another snuggle attack. "Come here you little sugar dumpling!"
Asahi giggled, completely surrendering to the endless hugs.
Shin sighed, sipping his now lukewarm coffee. "We should start charging people to watch this level of cuteness."
"I'd pay to end it," Ai grumbled, but her lips were fighting a smile.
Yuki held up a hand. "We should sell merchandise. Aiko hugging plushies. The ultimate cuddle attack."
Aiko paused her onslaught, peering up. "Actually, that's genius. Shin, let's start a family brand. A-Chan and Ama-chan's Hug Café!"
"Can I still be the ramen chef?" Shin asked.
"Only if I get to do the advertising!" Aiko grinned.
"I'll design the uniforms," Yuki added.
Ai rolled her eyes. "If you turn my home into an anime-themed daycare, I'm moving out."
Asahi raised a hand. "Can I eat pudding now?"
Everyone paused.
Aiko gasped. "Yes! A thousand yeses! You can have pudding, kisses, hugs, and more pudding!"
"Ama-chan is the best," Asahi mumbled with pudding in his dreams.
Aiko beamed. "Say that again. Slower. Louder. I need it for my soul."
As laughter filled the room again, Shin leaned into Ai and said, "I guess we're stuck with both of them now."
Ai gave a small smile. "Not stuck. Just very, very cuddled."
The morning sun poured in as the chaos continued—overflowing with giggles, soft bickering, and the unmistakable warmth of a family that was growing in the weirdest, most loving way possible.
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END OF CHAPTER : 151 : YOU CAN HAVE US BOTH, A-CHAN!
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