Morning sunlight poured in through the windows, warm and pleasant, with a gentle breeze drifting through the air.
For some reason, Inori Yuzuriha hadn't come to see Nagami last night.
If it meant her emotions had matured enough to understand personal space, then that was something worth celebrating—at least in Nagami's opinion.
As for today, Nagami was still buried deep under the covers, snoring away in blissful slumber.
Normally, with his dual-body mental stamina, his biological clock would have been sharper than a farm mule's—up and alert long before sunrise.
But today was different.
The reason? C.C. had pulled an all-nighter back in the Honkai world.
And not for anything shady—it was simply because a certain tuna had failed her math exam.
Yep, just another day like the sun rising in the east—utterly normal.
Of course, to C.C., such behavior was nothing short of rebellion.
After all, she'd already started a special cram school for Herrschers, with her main students being Raiden Mei and the tuna.
With Kiana's wails echoing through the night, C.C. began a terrifying knowledge infusion session.
Using the power of the Herrscher of Thunder, she even tweaked their bioelectric rhythms to keep them mentally alert through the night.
Thus began the C.C. Intensive Lecture Plan™—and it lasted all night long.
And until Kiana met her expectations, it wouldn't stop.
If even that couldn't discipline this little tuna… then C.C. was out of options.
Anyway, that was yesterday's problem.
'Knock knock knock!'
Just then, soft knocking echoed at the door.
Naturally, Nagami—deep in sleep—didn't hear a thing.
"Nagami? Nagami Onii-chan~?"
A sweet, soft voice called out.
Crimson hair tied with white ribbons framed a cute and delicate face.
'The little sister mode… it's been a while.'
Receiving no reply from within, Kotori tilted her head in confusion.
She knocked again and waited, but still no response.
So, she quietly turned the doorknob, carefully poking her head in.
She sneakily looked around the room first, like a little thief. Then her gaze landed on the bed.
"Nagami… onii-chan?"
Seeing Nagami fast asleep under the blankets, her ruby eyes sparkled mischievously.
A playful grin crept onto her lips.
With the grace of a cat burglar, Kotori tiptoed toward the bed.
When she was within a meter of him, she suddenly leapt into the air and landed squarely on top of the bed—both of her small, silk-wrapped feet pressing down on Nagami's body.
"Nagami-nii! It's time to wake up!"
Wearing an energetic smile, Kotori's delicate little feet playfully bounced on the blanket, pressing into him.
Even the way the covers dipped under her steps was almost… picturesque.
Apparently, she was trying to stomp him awake.
But with Kotori's petite, slender figure, she didn't quite have the force necessary to wake up a thoroughly exhausted Nagami.
"Ugh… Mei… just five more minutes…"
Nagami mumbled, expertly pulling the covers over his head.
Normally, whenever he said that, a certain gentle girl would quietly leave the room and even leave breakfast on the nightstand.
"…Mei?"
Kotori froze.
The cheerful smile on her face instantly turned sour.
Arms crossed, she glared coldly down at Nagami, her delicate features now as icy as the morning dew under the sunlight.
She pursed her lips.
Then—without warning—Kotori leapt again, this time raising one foot and delivering a flying kick square into Nagami's stomach.
"AGH!"
A muffled groan of pain escaped him as Nagami's black eyes cracked open.
He was still a little groggy.
He blinked hard, and the world gradually came into focus.
His mind began to clear.
"Oh! Morning, Nagami Onii-chan~!"
Kotori greeted him with a bright, dazzling smile.
Her cute face practically radiated warmth under the sunlight, like a flower blooming in spring.
Now, normally, being woken up by a flying kick—even for someone like Nagami, who didn't suffer from morning moodiness—was enough to complain about.
But the scene before him?
Made it hard to stay mad.
She was dressed in a soft pink nightgown that hugged gently at the waist—loose enough to be comfortable, but not so much as to seem baggy.
It perfectly framed her tender figure.
The hem was short, revealing a dazzling contrast between her pale skin and the white thigh-high stockings, creating that forbidden zone that could knock the soul right out of a man.
Nagami's gaze slowly drifted down her long, slender legs… and stopped at the dainty foot pressed against his chest.
Through the sheer silk fabric, he could see her pale, glistening toes.
Her nails were painted a soft pink—like tiny gemstones embedded in porcelain.
Truly… enough to disarm even the most hardened perv.
In her pure-hearted little sister mode, Kotori didn't notice Nagami's slightly dazed stare.
To her, he just looked like he wasn't fully awake yet.
Kotori puffed up her cheeks in mild frustration and lifted her foot again, ready to stomp down once more.
"W-Wait!!"
Nagami's face went pale in an instant.
He quickly raised one hand and grabbed her descending foot mid-air, stopping the impact just in time.
To be honest, even through clothing, the sensation of her soft foot against his skin was shockingly vivid.
If it were like before, Nagami honestly wouldn't mind getting stepped on a little… Ahem!
Not because he had any weird kinks or anything, of course!
It's just… well, standard SP protocol.
Let's just call it an early morning massage.
But this time, the target of Kotori's tiny foot was much lower than his abdomen!
And you're telling me this is her angelic little sister mode?
If that stomp landed where it looked like it would… even if a Spirit without unlocked power couldn't break a Herrscher's defenses, the psychological damage alone would be catastrophic.
And if he ended up with lasting trauma, well—there'd be no saving him.
"Yah!"
Startled by Nagami's sudden movement, Kotori lost her balance and tumbled forward.
She landed softly in his arms—slim, light, and unexpectedly delicate.
At this distance, Nagami could clearly smell the light fragrance clinging to her skin.
...Okay, scratch what he said earlier. She really is an angel.
His body instinctively froze.
Kotori, now pressed against his chest, could feel the warmth of his hands gently wrapped around her narrow waist.
If she had been in her commanding officer mode, she might have been able to stay calm and rational.
But in little sister mode?
Her heart was racing uncontrollably.
A deep blush bloomed across her porcelain cheeks like a rose in full bloom—vivid, and dangerously beautiful.
"Kotori, sweetheart… is this your idea of a normal wake-up call for your big brother?"
Nagami's arms hugged her gently from behind, his chin lightly resting on her soft shoulder as he leaned in close to whisper by her ear.
"I-I'm sorry, I was wrong… Nagami, could you please let go of me now?"
Her voice was soft and timid, adorably apologetic… though in this situation, it might've had the opposite effect.
"Request denied! A naughty little sister trying to prank her big brother like that? Of course, she has to be punished!"
Raising an eyebrow mischievously, Nagami swiftly flipped her onto the bed, pinning her beneath him.
He grabbed her struggling wrists and held them above her head, his face mere inches from hers, so close their foreheads nearly touched.
As his gaze fell upon her slightly parted lips, glistening and soft, Nagami slowly leaned in.
"Wait—Nagami! Mmph—!"
Kotori tried to lift her head, only to be met with his face closing the distance.
And the next moment, she was caught in a kiss.
[TL Note – Police, call the police!]
Her eyes widened in shock, her mind going completely blank.
Time seemed to stop.
The kiss deepened—long and deliberate.
She didn't know how much time had passed before her senses finally came back to her.
Her face burned.
Her breathing was uneven.
Her crimson eyes shimmered like a reflection on water.
Her whole body felt weak, like her strength had melted away.
The kiss lasted over a full minute.
And then…
"I knew I shouldn't have let you see me in this state!!"
With a sudden burst of energy, Kotori shoved Nagami off her.
At some point, her hair ribbon had changed from white to black.
She lifted her hand to her lips, still damp from the kiss.
The lingering warmth in her mouth and the rapid pounding of her heart felt like waves crashing against her chest—wild and unrelenting.
"Go die in a fire!!"
Even her angry face looked oddly cute—frustrated, teeth clenched, cheeks flushed.
With all the fury she could muster, Kotori clenched her tiny fists and punched Nagami straight in the stomach.
His body curled up like a shrimp, his face twisted in pain and flushed red from the impact.
And she didn't stop.
She kept punching him for a solid minute.
Then, cheeks burning, Kotori fled from the room in a huff.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Nagami's pained expression completely vanished.
He let out a resigned sigh and slowly sat up, casually starting to get dressed.
"Whew… what a delightful morning~"