"Big sister?!"
Shinobu's entire face turned scarlet the second Kanae asked that mortifying question. She tried to push Shuya away and escape his arms, but her body had gone completely limp. With no strength left, she squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face against his chest like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand.
"Come on, little Shinobu, don't be shy~" Kanae teased, poking her sister's flushed cheeks with a playful finger. "Just tell big sister how it felt. It's not like it'll hurt anything."
Shinobu finally snapped. She jerked her head up, glaring at Kanae. "Then why don't you try it yourself and find out?!"
The words left her mouth before she could stop them. Regret hit instantly. She watched her sister's face light up with curiosity and excitement, already knowing what was coming.
Kanae's purple eyes sparkled. "Can I?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Shinobu backpedaled fast, but it was too late.
Kanae put on a wounded expression. "Little Shinobu is so selfish. You were enjoying yourself so much you didn't even want to leave Shuya's arms, but the second it's my turn you won't even let me try? That's not fair."
She leaned in with a sweet, teasing smile. "You know, little girls with too much possessiveness aren't very cute~"
Shinobu's face burned even hotter—this time from pure rage. She opened her mouth to snap back, but Shuya beat her to it.
Still holding Shinobu upright in his arms so she wouldn't collapse, he looked straight at Kanae with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Why don't you ask me for permission instead?"
Kanae blinked. "What?"
"Strictly speaking, I don't belong to little Shinobu," Shuya said calmly. "You and Shinobu both belong to me. So if you really want to know what kissing feels like… why not just ask me?"
Kanae's long lashes fluttered. She glanced at her sister still melted against Shuya's chest, then quickly scanned the room—Aoi, Kanao, Nezuko, and Saeko were all watching. Even though she was curious, the thought of her first kiss happening in front of everyone made her heart race.
She looked away, cheeks pink. "Maybe… next time? When no one else is around?"
Shinobu let out a tiny, victorious hum. See? Big sister's just as nervous as I was.
Kanae tried to recover. "I'm only thinking about your feelings, little Shinobu. I really want to know, but I care more about how you feel."
Shinobu wasn't buying it. She stared her sister down, purple eyes challenging. "You're scared, aren't you?"
Kanae smiled sweetly. "Of course not. Big sister just wanted to be considerate."
Shuya grinned, clearly enjoying the show. "So? Want to prove it, Kanae?"
Kanae took a small breath, then answered with surprising calm. "Okay."
Shinobu's jaw dropped. "Big sister?!"
Kanae gave her a gentle smile. "If you won't tell me, then I'll just have to find out for myself."
She turned to Shuya, cheeks flushed but eyes steady. "Is that all right?"
Shuya didn't hesitate. "Of course."
Kanae closed her eyes, her breathing turning slow and shaky. Her long lashes trembled. Shuya leaned in without another word.
The moment their lips touched, Kanae's mind went completely blank. Every thought vanished—including the "breathe through your nose" tip Shuya had given Shinobu. Her body stiffened, then slowly melted, exactly like her little sister had moments earlier.
When Shuya finally pulled back, Kanae sagged forward, soft and boneless. Shuya caught her easily with his free arm.
Now both sisters were pressed against him—one on each side—filling his arms completely.