Half-asleep, Ayase faintly heard the voices of her brother and Auntie Sayuri talking.
How strange, why do I hear Big Brother's voice?
Am I not in Eriri-nee's room? And Big Brother should be at home... Did he come over?
"Mm..." A dreamy murmur escaped Ayase's slightly parted lips. Then, her little face full of sleepiness, she reluctantly reached her hand out from the warm covers.
Opening her eyes, Ayase blankly stared at Eriri's face, which was still sleeping peacefully right in front of her. Her black eyes, identical to Miyahito's, were filled with a fragile, dazed look that tugged at the heartstrings.
Eriri-nee... Oh, right, Eriri-nee slept with me last night.
After spacing out for a moment, Ayase's brain, which had become incredibly sluggish from pulling her first all-nighter, finally cleared up a bit.
"Sleepy...."
Mumbling with a slightly aggrieved tone, Ayase rubbed her eyes and sat up, her hair a messy bird's nest as she sat on the mattress.
Just as Ayase was trying hard to wake her groggy self up.
"You're right, Auntie Sayuri... Ayase... where, where is Ayase-chan so cute...."
Outside the room, a few fragmented snippets of conversation drifted through the crack in the door and into the ears of the little Ayase, who was still struggling to 'wake up'.
Big Brother... Auntie Sayuri?
Although Ayase hadn't fully recovered from her sleepy state, she was at least much better off than the completely out-of-it, half-asleep state she was in just now.
She dragged her legs out of the covers and stepped her tender little feet into the slippers by the bed.
With a face full of dazed sleepiness, Ayase stood up from the bed with sluggish movements and swayed over to the door, pushing it open.
"Hmm? Good morning, Ayase-chan."
"Mm... Auntie Sayuri..." Hearing the familiar greeting, Ayase, whose eyes were still half-open, mumbled, "I'm sorry I woke up so late...."
"Really, if you woke up late, you woke up late. Why are you apologizing?" Hearing the little girl apologize, Sayuri stood up helplessly.
Walking over to the dazed little girl, Sayuri gently hugged her. Stroking Ayase's head, she asked softly, "Are you hungry, sweetie? Should Auntie take you to get some breakfast?"
"Mm... thank you, Auntie Sayuri."
Mumbling a dazed reply, Ayase obediently let her auntie take her hand. Just then, she suddenly realized something.
"Wait, Auntie Sayuri, I haven't brushed my teeth or washed my face yet."
The moment she finished speaking, a very familiar voice drifted into Ayase's confused little head.
"You still remember you haven't brushed your teeth or washed your face? Honestly, you little scatterbrain."
".....Big Brother?"
Turning her head to follow the voice, Ayase's gaze landed on her brother, who was looking at her with a helpless expression. She couldn't help but freeze.
"What's wrong? Don't recognize your own brother anymore?"
Seeing the completely blank look on his sister's face, Miyahito walked over to her helplessly. He reached out and lightly pinched his dazed little sister's nose.
Feeling the familiar pressure on the tip of her nose, and faintly smelling the familiar shower gel scent, the confusion in Ayase's eyes gradually faded.
It was replaced by a clear awareness mixed with a hint of surprise.
"You're awake." Seeing his sister's eyes regain their clarity, Miyahito smiled. "Go wash up. Don't sleep in this late next time."
"Okay...." Being told off by Miyahito, Ayase lowered her head in embarrassment.
Leaving aside Eriri, since this was her house.
But as a guest, sleeping until this time of day after staying over at the Sawamura house was indeed a bit inexcusable.
Well... although a large part of the blame lay with Eriri, who had been making a racket all night.
Meanwhile, Sayuri, who was resting her cheek on one hand and holding her chest with the other, watched the interaction and little expressions between the siblings. A look of gratification and envy involuntarily appeared on her face.
'Sigh... what a pity. If only I could have given Eriri an older brother.'
As for why she wanted Eriri to be the younger sister instead of the older one?
(Hah, no matter how you look at it, Eriri doesn't look like she could ever be an older sister at all — by Sawamura Sayuri)
"Alright, alright, Miyahito-kun. Boys shouldn't be as naggy as Auntie, you know." Seeing that Miyahito and Ayase had talked enough, Sayuri, who had just stepped aside to give the siblings some space, teased the chattering Miyahito.
Then, turning around, her gaze fell on the little girl wearing the same style of pajamas as her Eriri. Sayuri smiled and said, "Come here, Ayase-chan." Reaching out to take the little girl's delicate hand again, Sayuri blinked at her like a caring big sister and said softly, "Let me take you to the washroom."
"Mm, okay. Thank you, Auntie Sayuri."
.....
A short while later, after washing up, Ayase changed into a light blue slip dress full of girlish charm, with a pure white sheer shawl draped over her shoulders, and walked into the living room.
Without even thinking, the newly dressed Ayase immediately ran to her brother, who was chatting with Sayuri about family anecdotes, and sat obediently on the sofa, smoothing out her dress.
"Big Brother."
"Mhm." Responding, Miyahito turned to look at his sister, who looked completely refreshed. He nodded in satisfaction.
Reaching out to tuck the slightly messy long hair beside her ear, he asked softly, "Are you hungry?"
"What do you want to eat later?"
"Mm... I'm fine with anything."
Pouting slightly, Ayase said in a small voice.
"I see."
Just then.
"How about you stay for lunch before you go? Miyahito-kun, Ayase-chan."
Hearing the siblings discussing where to have lunch, Sayuri smiled and invited them to stay.
"Eriri should be waking up soon. Let's have lunch together."
Hearing this, Miyahito thought for a moment. He was about to agree out of habit, but suddenly turned his head to look at his sister, then changed his mind.
"Thank you for the invitation, Auntie Sayuri."
After thanking her, Miyahito reached out and gently patted his sister's head with a smile.
Then, under Ayase's confused gaze, Miyahito said to the smiling Sayuri,
"I've been in Tokyo for a while, and it's been a while since I took Ayase out to play."
"Today I want to take Ayase out to have some fun. I'll have to say sorry to you, Auntie Sayuri."
Swish—!
Opening her fan again, covering half her face, Sayuri felt a bit regretful.
Sigh, if only her Eriri wasn't still sleeping right now, she could have taken this opportunity to go out and play with Miyahito and Ayase-chan.
Really, why is my daughter so useless~
"Since that's the case, alright. Come to Auntie's house for a meal next time."
"Mhm, definitely next time, Auntie Sayuri."
"Thank you, Auntie."