The bathwater lapped softly around them, a golden warmth cocooning their quiet world. Shin's arms were still around Ai's waist, but his fingers began to move now—slow, careful, like they were learning her all over again.
His palms slid up, tracing the subtle curve of her waist to the swell just beneath her chest. Ai's breath hitched, but she didn't move, only tensed slightly against him, her small hands still gently holding his.
Shin's voice, low and rough from fatigue and emotion, brushed her ear.
"You're so soft," he murmured, fingertips brushing the underside of her breasts now, barely there, but enough to make her shiver. "I used to think I was imagining it, when we hugged. But… you really are."
Ai's face flushed a deeper pink, her eyes flicking downward as she instinctively curled into him more.
"O-Onii-chan…"
"Shhh," he whispered, nuzzling her shoulder, one hand now fully cupping her breast with a tenderness that made her heart thud. "Just let me hold you like this."
His thumb moved gently, drawing circles against her sensitive skin, not rushed, not teasing—just slow, reverent affection. Ai trembled in his lap, her forehead leaning against his as she fought the instinct to squirm.
"I… I'm really happy right now," she whispered shakily, eyes closing.
Shin rested his other hand just beneath her navel, holding her still, letting her feel how close he was. His breath warmed her neck as he continued softly stroking, his fingers full of quiet intention.
Her breath was soft and shallow, caught between nervousness and comfort. Shin's hand slowly traveled upward from her waist, gliding over her side, the slick warmth of the water making every touch feel dreamlike.
Then his fingers found her chin.
Gently, he tilted her face up toward him. Ai looked at him through hazy eyes, her lips slightly parted, breath warm against his cheek. Shin gazed down at her like she was the most fragile thing in the world—something he never wanted to break.
His thumb brushed across her lower lip.
Soft. So soft.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Shin leaned in, but didn't kiss her. Instead, his fingers traced the outline of her mouth, slow and deliberate, feeling the shape of her lips, the curve, the tiny tremble that ran through her as he caressed them. Then, with his index finger, he gently pressed at the corner of her mouth and slid inside just slightly—touching the edge of her teeth.
"Cute…" he whispered. "Even your bite is small."
Ai gave a tiny whimper, eyes fluttering shut. Her lips parted further, unconsciously welcoming his touch. He let his finger linger there, feeling the warmth of her mouth, the soft wetness, before pulling away and replacing it with the pad of his thumb again, rubbing slow little circles over her bottom lip.
Her hands curled around his forearm, clinging.
Then he leaned in—not to her mouth, but to her temple. He pressed a kiss there, feather-light. Then one to her cheek. Her closed eyelid. Her jawline. One after another, a trail of gentle kisses that traced her face like poetry.
Ai trembled in his arms.
Shin's other hand moved up, gently cupping her breast again as he kissed her forehead.
"I love touching you," he murmured. "It's not about lust. It's… you just feel like home."
His fingers tightened slightly, squeezing her tenderly. She gasped—soft and high—but didn't pull away. Instead, she turned her face toward him, pressing her forehead into his, her lips brushing his nose.
"Onii-chan… I'm yours…"
He smiled, his fingers gliding over her face again, brushing her lips one more time before his hand rested over her heart.
"I know," he said softly, "And I'll never let go."
Shin's fingers continued to roam gently—trailing down Ai's jaw, brushing her lips again, then slowly gliding lower, over her collarbone and finally resting on her chest once more. He gave a slow, tender squeeze, just enough to make her shiver and press herself closer against him.
He chuckled softly into her hair.
"You really do have boobs now," he murmured, lips brushing the edge of her ear. "Not as big as Haa-chan's though."
Ai's eyes flew open instantly.
"Don't talk about other girls while you're touching me!" she pouted, squirming slightly but not pulling away from his hand. "That's not fair…"
He laughed again, low and teasing, the sound vibrating through his chest and into hers.
"Sorry, sorry," he said, grinning. "I'm just saying. You're cute—but maybe a little late bloomer?"
Ai huffed, her cheeks puffed adorably as she narrowed her eyes at him.
"I am still growing, okay?! And I'm cuter than her anyway! You said it yourself!"
"I did," Shin said softly, his teasing voice turning warm. His thumb slowly circled over her breast again, affectionate and unhurried. "You're the cutest thing I've ever seen. Way cuter than Haa-chan. And you're all mine."
Her pout faded instantly, replaced by that small, glowing smile only he ever got to see.
His hand moved again—this time returning to her face. His fingers traced her lips once more, gently tugging at her lower one with his thumb before brushing over it. He kissed her cheek, then trailed kisses back to her lips, not quite kissing her mouth, but hovering—close enough to feel the warmth, the anticipation.
Ai looked up at him, eyes shining, breathless.
"Onii-chan…"
"I love every inch of you," he whispered. "Even the parts still growing."
She blushed furiously and hit his chest with her tiny fist, making him chuckle again. But then she curled up against him even tighter, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck.
"Say that again," she whispered.
"I love every inch of you."
Her lips brushed his collarbone.
"…Me too."
"…Should I get out now?" he murmured, voice low and teasing, lips brushing the top of her head.
Ai froze.
Her fingers clutched at him instinctively. "W-Why?" she asked, tilting her head up with wide eyes, a slight pout forming already.
"Well…" Shin drew his voice out slowly, fingers sliding lazily up her back, tracing each ridge of her spine. "You're being too cute. If I stay here any longer, I might not be able to behave."
Ai's blush bloomed instantly, her whole body tensing against his.
"B-Behave?!" she squeaked, shrinking in just a bit, though still pressed against him. "But you're already not behaving…"
Shin gave a soft laugh and kissed the corner of her mouth, just barely.
"I've been very restrained, you know. Just a few touches… kisses… squeezes…" His hand gently returned to her chest, giving a light teasing press. "All very innocent, right?"
Ai let out a little gasp, her hands flying up to weakly bat at his shoulder. "T-That's not innocent at all!"
He chuckled, voice rich and deep, his free hand slipping beneath the water to rest on her thigh, fingers stroking tenderly.
"You want me to stay?" he asked, nuzzling his nose against hers.
She turned her face slightly, too embarrassed to meet his gaze directly.
"…I-I didn't say that…"
Shin leaned in closer, voice dropping into a whisper.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Ai squeaked and curled up tighter into him, her forehead pressed to his neck.
"J-Just… don't talk about Haa-Onee-Chan again…"
Shin laughed softly, his chest vibrating under her. "Deal. Only Ai from now on."
Then he gently trailed his fingers up her leg, over her side, back to her lips—touching them again with loving reverence. He pressed a slow kiss just beside them, and whispered:
"…Because you're the only one I want to share my bath with."
Ai didn't answer, only buried her blushing face deeper into him—her arms clutching tightly as the steam swirled around them, hearts fluttering in perfect rhythm.
His fingers didn't stop.
Under the water, Shin's hand moved slowly, almost lazily, but with deliberate affection. His palm cupped the softness of her chest again—fingers giving a tender, slow squeeze that made Ai's breath hitch. She trembled just a little, her arms still wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Onii-Chan…" she whispered, voice trembling—not quite a protest, not quite approval. Just a breathy, confused sound.
He leaned down, lips brushing against her cheek, then her jaw. "Mm? What is it, Ai-chan?" he murmured, squeezing her again, his thumb brushing teasingly along the edge.
"You're… you're doing it again," she managed.
"I know," he answered with a smug smile. "Feels nice, doesn't it?"
Ai didn't respond. Her face burned too much. Her body was warm from more than just the bath. Shin's hand didn't stop, and she felt her back arch slightly against him, like her body was responding even if her mind couldn't keep up.
Shin's hand didn't stop, and she felt her back arch slightly against him, like her body was responding even if her mind couldn't kAi-cp.
His hand gave another gentle squeeze, and Ai let out a tiny, helpless whimper against his skin.
Shin chuckled quietly, the sound thick with affection and something deeper. He leaned in close, brushing his lips by her ear.
"Maybe…" he whispered, voice dark and teasing, "…we should take this to bed."
Ai gasped, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders, nails just lightly digging in.
"W-What?!" she squeaked, completely red from head to toe.
He chuckled again, giving her another slow squeeze under the water. "Mmhm. I mean, the bath is nice… but the bed's softer. Warmer. And I'd get to hold you properly. Touch you… everywhere."
Her legs squeezed around his waist unconsciously, and her entire body curled in against him like she wanted to disappear. "Y-You're so mean, Onii-chan…"
"I'm just being honest," he whispered, kissing her temple. "Besides… you started it, Ai. You're the one who climbed into the bath with me."
"I-I didn't think you'd do this!" she whimpered.
He gave her one last gentle squeeze before wrapping both arms around her fully, pulling her flush against his chest. "That's on you, then," he said with a grin. "You should know better by now."
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END OF CHAPTER : 27 : SHOULD I TAKE YOU TO BED!
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