Shichen went upstairs first and stopped at Kotegawa Yui's room.
The two of them were past formality; he didn't even knock, just pushed the door open. She hadn't locked it—clearly felt at ease in his home… or maybe she'd been expecting something.
Inside, he found her already awake, leaning by the bed reading—of course it was a textbook.
"Studying this early?"
"Shi-Shichen, what are you doing here?" Yui looked surprised.
"What? I can't come?"
"Of course you can… Is… anyone else with you?" She glanced past him toward the hall.
"What would they be here for? You prefer an audience?" He sat on the edge of her bed.
Quiet in loose pajamas with a book in hand, she looked the very picture of a literary girl—long straight black hair, a delicate face, calm and refined.
"What audience…? There you go again, saying weird things." She pouted.
"But you understood me, didn't you?" He leaned in, blinking at her.
"Mmm…" She turned shy.
"Don't read first thing in the morning—bad for your eyes." He plucked the book from her hands and tossed it aside.
"How would this hurt my eyes?" She shot him a look.
"Either way, it's not necessary."
"Nonsense. Morning is the best time to read—'well begun is half done.'"
"You even know that saying?" He arched an eyebrow, then laughed.
"Of course." She lifted her chin, proud.
"You're not wrong. But a little time won't change much."
"You're the principal…"
"We're not at school." He leaned in again, face to face.
"Shi-Shichen…?" She tensed.
"What's wrong?"
"W-what are you planning to do? You still haven't said… why you came to my room."
"What do you think I came for?" he countered.
"I… I don't know…"
His heated gaze made her want to look down, but he pinched her chin lightly.
"Really don't know?" He moved closer; his breath brushed her cheek.
"Shichen…" Color rose in her fair, slim face.
His fingers itched; he gave her a light peck, dragonfly on water.
Her cheeks flamed. Under the blanket her hands and feet tangled; her heart pounded so hard she could hear it.
"You don't like that?" he asked.
"No…" She shook her head at once.
"Then… continue?"
"B-but I haven't brushed my teeth…"
"It's fine. I don't mind."
"How can—mmph!"
Before she could finish, he sealed her lips. She blinked beneath long lashes at his close-set features, then closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him.
…
He stayed nearly ten minutes before leaving Yui's room.
Out in the hall, he looked down at his right hand and flexed it once.
Nice feel—firm yet springy. Not quite Lala's scale, but a satisfying, one-hand fullness. Big or small didn't matter; liking did, and the feel did.
Take Frieren: tiny, no "give," and yet he still enjoyed… studying. In the end, it was about liking. Who would like a person only because of her chest? Then again—maybe someone would. The world's big; anything's possible.
NaNa's room was next door. He took two steps, knocked.
"Who is it?"
"Me. Your brother-in-law."
"B-bro… Why are you here?" NaNa still refused to call him that.
"Breakfast's ready. Time to get up."
"Eh? O-okay, coming!"
"Good."
He didn't wait and headed toward his own room.
As expected, Frieren wasn't up; Lala, however, was already sitting cross-legged with a handheld console. He'd asked her to reinvent the immersion game—full physical dive, not just the mind. That would be real.
Lala lived to meet his requests, so she planned to dive into research, folding in the best of every game she liked.
"Lala." He stepped to the bed.
"Good morning, Shichen!" she chirped, bright as ever.
"Mhm. Put on loungewear, though." He ruffled her hair.
She was sitting cross-legged wearing nothing; one glance showed everything. It was… distracting.
"Ehh, changing wastes time." She sulked.
"Wastes time…? You on some important schedule? Didn't you just say you weren't the type to run around naked?"
"I just want to make you happy~"
"Nice try. Clothes—now. Breakfast is ready."
"Okay~"
He ruffled her hair again and moved to Frieren.
She lay on her side, sleeping with a lazy contentment that begged mischief. He raised a hand—then brought it down.
Smack!
A clear crack snapped through the room. Frieren's eyes shot open. She looked at him evenly. "What are you doing?"
"Spanking you."
"Why?"
"Wake-up call. Breakfast."
"Why can't you wake me normally?"
"I figured that wouldn't work on you. This does. See?"
"But… it hurts." She finally looked aggrieved, lips puffing.
"Then I'll rub it better." His hand moved gently.
"You caused it!"
"It's not your first, and maybe you'll get used to it."
"…"
"Where's Yami?"
"She went to shower already," Lala replied.
"Shower? Why?"
"No idea."
"I'll check. You two get moving."
"Okay~"
At the bathroom door he heard the steady rush of water—so she was showering. He didn't bother with the courtesy; he went in.
A golden figure floated on the water—beautiful and striking. Eyes closed, peaceful as if asleep. Then Yami opened them. "What are you doing here?"
"Why are you showering so early?" He came to the edge, openly taking her in.
Two words: looked good. Every line perfect, skin silk-smooth.
"None of your business," Yami huffed, glaring.
"It makes no sense. Morning shower? I didn't even do anything to you last night."
"You forgot what you did?" she shot back.
"Me? Didn't Momo come?"
"Exactly."
"Oh—you mean, because of what I did to Momo, you need to shower?"
"…"
"You can feel it?"
"I cannot. Don't put words in my mouth." A faint blush betrayed her.
"Heh. Back to that tsundere again."
"…Why are you really here?"
"To call you to breakfast."
"I got it. You all go ahead; I'll be right there."
"Nope. Family eats together."
"…Fine. I'll hurry."
"You planning to linger?" he asked, already unbuttoning.
"What are you doing?"
"You're dragging this out—let me help you wash."
"Wha— N-no need!"
"Since when so polite?"
Splash!
Water surged. He surfaced and swam over. Yami didn't swim away; she held still until he scooped her up. Small, sleek, and absurdly comfortable to hold.
She sighed and let him fuss a bit—then her eyes flashed, features sharpening; a pair of horns sprouted.
Darkness mode.
With a feral little smile, her hand slipped under the water.
No voices—only the constant hush of water.
Ten minutes later, they left without either getting their "win"—any longer and breakfast really would be cold. There was time today, anyway.
Downstairs, everyone had gathered. Yami, back to normal, blushed and slid in beside Frieren. Shichen took his place by Lala with Momo on his other side.
"Brother-in-law, why so slow? We've been waiting forever," Momo asked, big-eyed and guileless.
"I was thinking where to take everyone today; lost track of time."
"Where are we going?"
~~~
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