The toilet flushed, echoing proudly like a trumpet of victory.
Asahi waddled out, his oversized pajama shirt half-tucked and his face scrunched up in exaggerated triumph. "I did it!" he declared to no one in particular, his little fists raised like a hero returning from battle.
His dark hair was a tousled mess, still drying from his earlier bath, and his cheeks were pink with lingering heat. The hallway was quiet as he pattered barefoot across the floor, mumbling, "Now I can eat cookies!"
The living room came into view—its gentle warm light spilling onto the tatami mats. Asahi stepped inside… and froze.
There, in full view, standing in front of the couch and bathed in that cozy orange light, was his Onii-Chan.
And Onii-Chan was… kissing Rika-Nee-Chan.
Asahi blinked.
Their lips were touching, not in the way grown-ups did on TV where it was all dramatic and boring. This one was slow, soft, quiet—like the way his big brother used to kiss his forehead when tucking him in at night. But this one lingered. Rika cradled Shin's neck, Rika's eyes were closed, and Shin, his hands cupping her cheeks, had a calm, deep warmth in his expression.
Asahi tilted his head.
"…Huh?" he said in a tiny voice.
The kiss broke softly, like petals falling apart.
Rika gasped first, leaning into the couch with a deep blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears. "A-Asahi-kun…!"
Shin turned around slowly, like someone caught with his hand in the cookie jar—except all he did was smile. That smile. The one that always made Asahi feel warm and safe, even now when his tiny brain was confused beyond repair.
Asahi blinked again, waddled closer, and squinted up at Shin with his huge black eyes. "Onii-Chan…"
Shin crouched down to his level, resting his arms on his knees. "What's up, little bean?"
Asahi jabbed a small finger at Rika.
"Is Rika-Nee-Chan your girlfriend too?"
Silence.
Rika, hands resring on her thighs now and looking like a student caught chewing gum in class, was about to say something. But Shin just smiled, that same peaceful, tired but gentle smile.
"Yup," he said. "Just like Onee-Chan, Amu-Chan, and Yuki-Nee."
Asahi's tiny mouth formed a perfect little "O".
"So… she's my Onee-Chan too now?"
Shin ruffled his hair, making it look even more like a bird's nest. "That means you've got too many older sisters now, huh?"
Asahi immediately puffed up his cheeks. "I don't mind! I like Onee-Chans!"
Shin laughed gently. "I know you do, buddy."
Asahi turned to Rika with that same innocent beam, his voice suddenly high-pitched with joy. "Hi, Rika-Nee-Chan!! Are you gonna eat dinner with us?! Can I show you my drawing of the bunny spaceship?!"
Rika's heart nearly burst.
There he was. That tiny, squishy, angel-faced boy with those round eyes and flushed cheeks. Even his voice sounded like sugar dipped in sunlight. She was already pink from the kiss, but now her hands flew to her cheeks like she had to hold the blush in before it exploded out of her ears.
"H-Hello, Asahi-kun…" she managed, pressing a soft hand to her chest. "I would love to see your drawing."
Asahi giggled and clapped his hands.
"I really do lover her." Shin said, his eyes filled with love, gazing at Rika.
Asahi giggled even harder, clearly delighted that his brother had just turned Rika into a tomato. "Yay!! That means I have another Onee-Chan!! I'm gonna draw you with a tiara!"
Shin leaned back against the couch and grinned. "Get used to it."
Then Asahi marched straight up to Rika, arms open wide.
"Hug!"
Rika blinked. "Eh—"
But she didn't even get to finish. He had already latched onto her leg like a happy baby koala.
She melted.
Her hand fluttered to her mouth, eyes trembling with soft emotion. The little arms, so warm, so eager. His cheek pressed to her thigh without any embarrassment. He wasn't even looking at her now—he just stood there, clinging, trusting.
Shin watched them both, heart twisting a little from how painfully adorable they were. Rika, usually poised, was reduced to trembling breath and a mushy brain. Asahi, full of energy again, let go and grabbed her hand next.
"Do you like drawing, Rika-Nee-Chan?! I made Onee-Chan a drawing with seven cats and a flower that has wings!! I'll make one for you too!!"
"I-I'd love that…" Rika whispered.
"You want cookies? I'll share mine. But you only get the pink ones. The pink ones are special."
"…You're giving me the pink ones…?"
Shin tilted his head. "That's… high-level affection, just so you know."
"I know," Rika breathed.
Asahi beamed up at her. "You're gonna marry Onii-Chan too?"
Rika almost choked. "Wh-Why are you asking something like that?!"
Asahi blinked innocently. "I asked Amu-Chan that too! She said she wanted to! And Onee-Chan just got all red and ran into the closet! Yuki-Nee said 'BAKA!' and then fell off the bed!"
Shin started laughing so hard he nearly slipped off the couch.
Rika covered her face, shoulders trembling as she tried not to burst into a thousand pieces from the sheer adorableness assaulting her soul.
Then Asahi tugged her hand again. "Rika-Nee-Chan?"
She peeked between her fingers.
"…Yes?"
He held out his other hand, pinky finger extended.
"Pinky promise you'll stay my Onee-Chan forever?"
And that was it.
Her heart gave up. Done. Finished. Over.
She crouched down and wrapped him into a real hug this time, cradling the little boy to her chest like a warm, precious gem. Her fingers curled into his hair, and she smiled into it, eyes closed, trying to hold back happy tears.
"I promise, Asahi-kun… always."
He snuggled into her arms with a huge grin. "Okay! Then you get extra cookies!"
Shin smiled from the couch, arms behind his head, eyes half-lidded with warmth.
His family was growing.
And somehow, it all felt… right.
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END OF CHAPTER : 164 : RIKA-NEE IS ONE TOO?
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