Chapter : 6 : Every Morning

The soft morning light filtered through the window, spilling across the bed in a gentle cascade, as though nature itself had blessed us with warmth and calm. My eyes opened slowly, and the first thing I saw was Aoi, snuggled tightly against me, her tiny body completely relaxed, cradled in the folds of my blanket. The early sunlight highlighted the gentle curve of her cheeks, flushed with sleep, and the messy tangle of her hair, which always seemed to spill in every direction, soft and wild.

I took a moment, simply gazing at her, savoring the quiet peace that wrapped around us like a warm embrace. A gentle smile formed on my lips. How fortunate I was to share my life with her, to wake up every morning to this sight. My heart swelled with a tender affection I could barely contain, almost aching with its own fullness. She held onto my shirt with her small hands even as she slept, as if some part of her, conscious or not, needed to be close to me.

As I lay there, still and silent, my thoughts drifted back to our day at the beach. Her laughter still echoed in my memory, bright and pure, like the crashing waves against the shore. We'd built sandcastles and chased each other along the surf, the salty breeze lifting our spirits, making the whole world feel light and free. But the moment had been tainted, if only briefly, by Ai's unexpected appearance. She'd approached us, her demeanor cold, her words biting. I'd felt a spike of irritation, but Aoi's happiness was all that mattered. Her smile had chased away the shadows, her joy overpowering the discomfort.

As if on cue, Aoi stirred, her eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, as she began to wake. Her sleepy gaze met mine, and for a brief, vulnerable moment, her face flushed pink. Instantly, she buried her face into my chest, her grip on my shirt tightening.

"Why does Aoi's heart beat so fast? Onii-Chan always looks at Aoi like this every morning... and it makes Aoi feel happy. But why? Aoi doesn't understand. Is it because Onii-Chan's eyes are warm and nice? Or because Aoi feels safe with him? No, no, it can't be that. Aoi is just happy to see Onii-Chan, that's all. But why does Aoi's face feel so hot?" I could almost feel her thoughts swirling in chaos. She couldn't explain the butterflies in her stomach or the flutter in her chest. All she knew was that being near me made her feel special.

I raised an eyebrow, though she couldn't see it. "What's wrong, Aoi?" I asked, a hint of concern in my voice.

Aoi peeked out from her hiding place, her eyes wide with an unspoken question. "Onii-Chan, why do you look at Aoi like this every morning?" She thought, almost shy, as though she herself didn't quite understand the thought or its weight. Her cheeks deepened in color as she glanced away, hiding her face again. "Every time Onii-Chan smiles at Aoi… it makes Aoi feel strange. It makes her heart beat fast, and Aoi doesn't understand why. Does it mean something? Or is it… just Aoi's imagination?" She thought.

"Good morning, Aoi," I whispered softly, my fingers gently brushing through her hair, hoping to ease the rush of thoughts that seemed to be overwhelming her.

She lifted her face to me, her cheeks still flushed. Her expression was tentative, as if she was still trying to comprehend the new feelings stirring within her. She was so young, so innocent, and yet so full of questions.

"Good morning, Onii-Chan…" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. We held each other's gaze for a lingering moment, the silence stretching between us, filled with unspoken words and quiet understanding.

For a moment, I wondered if Aoi was somehow aware of the way her presence brightened my life. Did she know how much I adored her? How every morning with her was a blessing?

In her mind, a whirlwind of thoughts was undoubtedly unfolding. "Why does Onii-Chan's gaze make Aoi feel so warm? His eyes are like sunlight on a chilly morning… When Aoi looks at him, she feels safe, she feels happy… but also something else. Something fluttery, something that makes her feel like she's soaring. Could it be because Onii-Chan cares for her deeply? Or… is there something more?"

I broke the silence, keeping my tone light. "Are you hungry, Aoi? We can have breakfast together."

She nodded, though her expression was still one of quiet contemplation, as if my question had not fully penetrated the depths of her own thoughts. "Aoi is hungry, Onii-Chan," she replied softly, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her distracted tone.

We went to the kitchen, where I began to prepare breakfast, setting plates and pouring drinks, all the while aware of Aoi's watchful gaze. She was quiet, which was unusual for her, as if her thoughts were still tangled up in the morning's events. I caught her glancing my way now and then, her cheeks still tinged with a soft pink.

"Something on your mind, Aoi?" I asked, my tone gentle, almost teasing.

She blinked, startled out of her reverie, and looked away quickly, her cheeks deepening in color. "Aoi… Aoi is just happy to be with Onii-Chan," she stammered, her voice almost a whisper. She couldn't meet my gaze, and I could tell there was more she wanted to say, but was holding back.

My heart warmed at her words, simple yet so heartfelt. I knew she wasn't telling me everything, but I was patient. I didn't need to press her; I'd wait until she was ready to share whatever was on her mind.

As we finished our meal, I glanced at the clock, the morning slipping by peacefully. "Aoi, do you want to go to the park today?" I suggested, watching her face light up instantly, her contemplative mood vanishing as excitement took its place.

"Aoi loves the park, Onii-Chan!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy.

I chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair affectionately. "Then it's settled. We'll have a picnic."

END OF CHAPTER : 6 : EVERY MORNING