Asahi blinked slowly, his soft eyelashes fluttering like tiny wings. He lay curled up against Aiko, resting between her arms like a lazy kitten nestled in a nest of warmth. His hoodie hung loosely off one shoulder, making him look even smaller than he was, and his legs, smooth and pale, were folded beneath him in a half-doze of waiting.
It had been over thirty minutes since his Onii-chan and Yuki had disappeared upstairs. He didn't really know why they'd gone or why Aiko hadn't let him follow, but he was promised kisses afterward—and Asahi always remembered promises.
"A-Chan~" Aiko whispered, brushing her lips gently against his forehead, "Don't think about it too much, okay? Your Onii-chan and that little tsundere fluffball are just doing whatever they want…"
Her fingers stroked his soft black hair, and she kissed him again—this time on the cheek, then again on the nose. Asahi tilted his head, his black eyes sparkling in innocent confusion.
"Doing what they want?" he asked, blinking up at her with an expression so pure and adorable it made Aiko's heart skip.
She looked down at him and immediately froze. His wide, round eyes… his cheeks slightly puffed… that little clueless tilt of the head...
"Ughhh—A-Chan, you're too cute!" she squealed, grabbing a cushion and smashing it into her face to stifle the scream. "You're gonna kill me with that innocence!"
When she peeked again, her nose was bleeding.
"Eh?! Amu-Chan, you're bleeding!" Asahi panicked, gently tugging at her sleeve. "D-Did I do something?"
"No, no, you did everything right," she moaned, leaning back and pressing tissues to her nose while her cropped top stretched against her chest with every heavy breath. Her toned stomach and soft, full hips peeked out from her shorts, but right now she was too overwhelmed by Asahi overload to even feel self-conscious.
And just then…
The door creaked open.
Shin stepped in first, looking relaxed and very pleased with himself, followed closely by Yuki—whose legs were wobbling slightly as he walked. His cheeks were burning bright pink, and he was clutching the back of his shorts like a lifeline, clearly trying to hold something in or perhaps hide the aftermath of what had just happened.
"Ai… Haa-Chan… Buddy... we're back," Shin announced with a casual grin, brushing his tousled hair back.
Yuki didn't say anything.
He was too busy limping forward slightly, eyes watery, lips slightly parted. He let out a tiny squeak when Ai raised an eyebrow at him. "Yuki… your legs… and… why are you holding your butt?"
"Shut up!" Yuki shouted instantly, his voice high and flustered as his face went completely red. "I-It's nothing! Nothing happened! N-Not like that!"
"Oh?" Aiko's tone was sweet, dangerous. "So Taa-Kun didn't just turn you into a mess, huh?"
Yuki turned to her in horror. "D-Don't say that!! AAHHH!"
Ai sighed beside her, arms folded. Her long black hair fell over one shoulder and her calm, knowing eyes gazed at Shin. "You didn't hold back, did you?"
"He wanted it," Shin said without a single trace of shame, tugging his collar. "He begged, in that cute little tsundere way."
Yuki growled through gritted teeth, "I hate you."
"No, you love me," Shin winked.
Aiko pouted deeply, her cheeks puffing out. "Hmph! You're such a meanie, Taa-Kun! Me and Ai-Chan are your girlfriends too! You can't just take the kitten and run off to play!"
Ai nodded quietly. "We're supposed to share, remember?"
Shin laughed nervously and scratched his cheek. "Yeah, yeah… I owe you two, don't I?"
From his spot on Aiko's lap, Asahi sat up a little straighter. "Onii-Chan!"
Shin turned instantly, smile softening as he walked over to them where his little brother waited with big black eyes.
"You promised me cheek kisses…" Asahi said, holding up one hand with three fingers out. "Three."
"Did I?" Shin chuckled and leaned down.
He kissed one cheek. "One."
Then the other. "Two."
Back to the first. "Three."
Then a final, slower one on the tip of Asahi's nose. "And one extra."
Asahi giggled and wiggled adorably. "Ehehe~ You gave me four! But that's even better!"
Everyone watching melted a little at the sight.
"Ughhh! I can't!" Aiko buried her face in a cushion again. "A-Chan, you're illegally cute!"
Even Ai cracked a small smile, watching Shin gently pat Asahi's head, brushing his bangs back into place.
Then Aiko stood up suddenly, carefully putting Asahi off her lap. "Taa-Kun, I want my kiss now."
Shin blinked, still crouched by Asahi. "You mean a cheek kiss too?"
"No," she huffed, walking up to him, her hips swaying slightly in those snug little shorts. "I mean my kiss."
He stood and faced her, curious. "Now? In front of everyone?"
She nodded, folding her arms, looking defiant. "Yes. In front of everyone. You kissed Yuki like a hundred times and gave A-Chan four… so now it's my turn."
Asahi blinked up at them innocently. Yuki stood behind, flustered and still trying to recover. Ai stood to the side, watching closely.
Shin smiled slowly. "Alright, Haa-Chan. Come here."
Aiko stepped up to him, her big, expressive eyes watching his face carefully. Then—without a single second more of teasing—Shin cupped her chin and leaned down.
And kissed her.
Right on the lips.
It was firm and warm, not hurried or shy. It lasted several seconds and left Aiko blushing all the way down her neck. She trembled slightly as she pulled away, biting her lip and staring at Shin with hazy eyes.
Silence.
Asahi blinked slowly. "Onii-Chan… you kissed Amu-Chan on the lips."
Yuki's mouth dropped open. "W-What the hell!? In front of him?!"
Ai blinked once, then exhaled softly. "You really don't hold back anymore, do you?"
Shin turned, still smiling. "Why should I? They're mine. I love all of you. And I don't want to hide it."
Aiko clutched her chest and squeaked. "Taa-Kun… you can't say things like that so easily!"
But she didn't mean it. Her flushed face, glistening eyes, and the way she leaned into him afterward told everyone that she was more than happy.
Asahi crawled over to them, tugging at Shin's sleeve. "Onii-Chan, can I have one more?"
Shin chuckled. "One more what?"
"A kiss."
Shin ruffled his white hair. "You want five now?"
"Five's a good number," Asahi said shyly.
Yuki groaned and slumped onto the couch. "This is too much. I need ice."
Ai moved beside him, patting his head with a cool cloth.
"Don't worry," she said softly. "You'll get your kisses again too."
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END OF CHAPTER : 154 : FOUR IS BETTER!
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