The bathroom was thick with steam, curling like soft whispers around the tiled walls. Ai's bare legs glistened slightly as she poured hot water into a shallow basin, stirring it with her fingers. The scent of cherry soap hung in the air.
"Stay still," she said, adjusting her grip on the boy's small shoulders.
Asahi, sitting cross-legged on a low wooden stool, his damp hair clung to his cheeks, and his feet kicked slightly, impatient.
"Hurry up, slowpoke," he grinned, "I'm getting cold!"
Ai tied her hair up into a messy bun, strands clinging to her flushed neck. "You're lucky I don't use a steel brush on you, brat."
"That sounds kinky," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
She cracked her knuckles ominously. "Say that again and you're scrubbing my back with your tongue."
"Eww!" he squeaked, recoiling. "You're the one who made it weird!"
With a smirk, Ai dipped her hands into the warm, foamy water and lathered them up slowly, deliberately. Then, without warning, she slapped both slippery palms onto his back.
"Ahhh! Cold!" he shrieked.
"Liar. It's warm," she said, massaging the soap into his tiny shoulders with slow, swirling motions. "You're just a dramatic little nudist."
"I'm not—ugh—slippery!"
"You will be," Ai cooed near his ear. "Real slippery. Like a greased dumpling."
Her hands moved lower, scrubbing around his lower back and sides. When her fingers skated over his ribs, he jerked forward, giggling.
"Ticklish little punk," she grinned.
"Nooo—Onee-Chan, stop!"
"Not until I punish you properly~"
She dug her fingers in mercilessly, and Asahi twisted like a wet eel, foam flying, stool squeaking under his butt.
"You're evil! This is abuse!" He smiled.
A smile that made her forehead twitch every now and then.
"…You really stick to Onii-Chan too much," Ai muttered, rubbing soap between her palms before scrubbing his back.
"Huh? What did you say, Onee-Chan?" Asahi looked up innocently.
"Nothing," Ai replied sweetly, lathering up his back. "I'm just saying you're lucky. Getting a warm shower… then Onii-Chan and Amu-Chan cooking your breakfast like it's some fairytale."
"Hehe!" Asahi giggled, bubbles sliding down his shoulders. "Onii-Chan's the best! Amu-Chan too!"
"Haa-Onee-Chan," Ai corrected with a twitch. "Call her properly."
"Okay," he nodded. "Amu-Chan."
"…You're lucky, y'know," Ai muttered, breaking the silence. "Getting pampered like this. Hot bath, food waiting, everyone dotes on you…"
"Because I'm the cutest," he said smugly.
Ai gave his side a soft pinch, making him squeak.
"You're the brattiest is what you are," she said.
"But you're still giving me a bath."
"That's because if I didn't, you'd come out stinking and sticky."
He pouted dramatically, blowing a bubble with his lips.
"I'd still be cute."
"Debatable."
Ai smiled to herself. The water dripped softly into the floor. She grabbed the bucket again and splashed his front, letting the bubbles slide down before starting on his chest with gentle strokes. He kicked his legs a little, happily humming a tune.
Then Ai's fingers slipped down his sides again and poked his stomach.
"Wah!" Asahi squealed, nearly falling off the stool. "Onee-Chan!"
"You're so ticklish~" Ai grinned.
"You did that on purpose!" he pouted, flailing a bit.
"Maybe," Ai said, standing up slightly as she began scrubbing under his arms. "You know, I heard from Haa-Onee-Chan that you were doing something pretty shameless this morning…"
Asahi blinked. "Shameless?"
"You used her boobs as a pillow and sucking on them, didn't you?" Ai asked, lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "Even though she was still sleeping."
Asahi turned pink, looking away.
"She didn't say she didn't like it," he mumbled. "She didn't stop me either…"
Ai tilted her head and sighed dramatically. "That's because she loves you, brat. Doesn't mean you get to go full cow-milking mode on her chest."
"I wasn't milking!" he protested, face turning red. "I was just checking…!"
"Checking what?"
"…If she makes milk like Mama," he said with complete innocence, then blinked up at her. "But she doesn't, right? Then… why are they so big?"
"They're like marshmallows—big ones! Yours are more like… rice crackers."
Silence.
Ai smiled sweetly, lips twitching.
"…Come again?"
Asahi blinked innocently. "They're small, y'know?"
That did it.
"Right. Waterboarding it is."
She dumped a bucket of warm water straight over his head, soaking him until suds were dripping from his nose.
"BLARGH! I'M DROWNING!"
"You deserve it."
"You better fix that answer," Ai said, looming with the soap still in hand.
"You're the prettiest Onee-Chan ever!" he said quickly, eyes wide and terrified. "And your chest is totally average and perfect and I love you!"
"Hmm…" She tapped her chin. "You do have a cute face when you're begging…"
Asahi sniffled, arms crossed. "You're the scary one… not Onii-Chan."
"That's because I have to deal with brats like you."
She smiled, Asahi gave a big pout but didn't move away when she gently ruffled his damp hair.
"You're becoming a real pervert like Onii-Chan," Ai muttered.
"Is that a bad thing?" Asahi asked. "Everyone loves Onii-Chan."
"Hmph. That's true," Ai sighed. "But that doesn't mean you need to copy him so fast."
Asahi smiled. "But Onii-Chan always hugs you too. You never complain when he squishes you."
Ai blushed a bit, turning her face away.
Ai tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear, her fingers lingering at her cheek as her gaze dropped to the floor. Her voice came out soft, barely above a whisper.
"That's… because I'm Onii-Chan's girlfriend," she said, her face burning. "He has the right to touch me… whenever and however he wants."
Asahi blinked, his smile fading just a little as he tilted his head. "Eh… really?"
Ai nodded slowly, her hand fidgeting in her lap. "I can't say no to him. I love him too much. Just the thought of him being disappointed in me—of me pushing him away—it… it hurts."
Her voice trembled slightly, but she straightened up a bit, forcing herself to look back at Asahi. "And I'm not a kid anymore. I know what it means. I know how much I want him. How much I need him."
Asahi's eyes widened, his little mouth hanging open for a second. "Wow… Onee-Chan…"
She gave him a small, embarrassed smile and ruffled his hair again, this time more to hide her own flustered face than to comfort him. "So don't copy Onii-Chan just because you see him doing things. You're still growing up, Asahi. You'll understand it better when you're older."
"But…" Asahi leaned a little closer, a cheeky grin tugging at his lips, "if I grow up like Onii-Chan, will girls let me do whatever I want too?"
Ai groaned, gently bopping him on the forehead. "Baka Asahi. Only if they're madly in love with you. And even then, only if you treat them like they're your everything."
Asahi rubbed his forehead with a pout, but he didn't look upset. "Then I'll find someone to love like that one day."
Ai smiled softly. "Good. But until then… stop trying to squish Amu-Chan's chest, okay?"
"No promises," he grinned.
She sighed, turning her eyes toward the bathroom door where steam still drifted under the edge. Her heart skipped as she thought of Shin behind it, and her cheeks warmed again. Just thinking of him made her feel weak. She really was hopeless.
Ai scrubbed his chest next, hands gently soaping around his collarbones and stomach.
"Careful, you're not a car I'm washing," she said, reaching for his tiny arm and lifting it up. "Soap under here…"
"And here?" Asahi raised both arms dramatically.
"Yup. Both pits," she said, scrubbing his underarms while he wriggled and laughed again.
"Tickles! Onee-Chan, stop!"
She smiled. "You said I had small boobs. This is payback."
"But it's true!"
Ai gasped. "You said it again!"
"You said don't lie!"
She flicked his forehead. "You're gonna make Onii-Chan go bald from stress raising you."
Asahi pouted. "Onii-Chan said I'm smart."
"Onii-Chan is too nice to you," Ai muttered, crouching lower to scrub his thighs and knees. "Now hush. I'm cleaning your legs."
Still snickering, Ai resumed her scrubbing, now working her way down his chest, over his ribs, belly, and finally between his legs. She was thorough. Mercilessly thorough.
"Do you have to go that close?" he asked nervously, as her hand slid along his inner thigh.
"Do you want grime between your nuts?"
"I don't have nuts!"
"Not big ones anyway."
"HEY!"
She laughed, ruffling his hair. "You're all foam now. My little soap monster."
"I'm cold…"
"You'll live. Now scrub me."
"Yay!" he beamed, snatching the soap with far too much excitement.
He scooped a heavy glob and smacked it onto her back, rubbing with wild, circular motions.
"Gently, dammit!" Ai winced. "That's not dough!"
"But your back's so soft~"
"Don't flirt with your sister."
"I flirt with everyone."
"Little creep."
Asahi grabbed the soap and carefully stood behind her, his tiny hands making soft scrubbing motions along her shoulder blades. Ai closed her eyes, relaxing.
"You have soft skin," he said.
"…Thanks?" she said, slightly confused at his tone. It was sincere, but completely uninterested—just like he was talking about a chair or a table.
"You smell nice too."
"…You're not secretly trying to flatter me because you're scared, are you?"
"…Maybe," he admitted.
Ai laughed softly. "At least you're honest."
She reached back and flicked some water at him. He squealed.
"You little brat…"
"But I'm your brat."
"Hmph. Can't argue with that."
"Y-You're really soft, Onee-Chan…" he said quietly, pressing the soap to her back again. His hands moved in small, slow circles.
Ai hummed softly, her voice relaxed. "You've said that three times already, Asahi."
"I mean it every time…" His voice was a little higher than usual, a mix of bashfulness and awe. His hands slid lower, from her shoulders to her sides, then closer—more carefully—toward the front. "…You're really warm too."
"I'm always warm when I'm with you," she murmured, a tiny smile on her lips as she looked over her shoulder at him.
Asahi swallowed. His small hands had reached around now, lathering the soap onto her chest. He was slow, almost hesitant at first, but the soft pressure of his palms grew steadier as he rubbed the creamy lather across her breasts, his fingers splaying gently across the soft, full curves.
"A-Asahi…" Ai said softly, eyes half-lidded. Her voice wasn't scolding, not even warning. Just… breathy.
"I just have to clean you… right," he whispered, blushing hard. "They're… heavy."
Ai chuckled, low and affectionate. "They've always been heavy. You just never had your hands on them before."
His face went beet red, but he didn't stop. His fingers moved slowly, carefully, circling around her nipples, the slick soap making each motion smooth. Ai's body responded with small twitches, but she didn't flinch or stop him.
"…You're not telling me to stop," he mumbled.
"I don't want to," she whispered back, tilting her head so her hair brushed his arm.
Asahi leaned forward a little, his chest pressing softly to her back as he rested his head near her shoulder.
"…You're not embarrassed?" he asked, still rubbing gentle, slow circles over her breasts, letting the lather build into a silky foam.
Ai shook her head slowly. "Not with you."
His voice trembled. "I guess they're kinda big too, Onee-Chan…"
Ai giggled. "You noticed that just now? You touch them like you're holding treasure."
"They are treasure," he murmured.
Ai's heart skipped. She reached one hand back, fingers brushing through his wet black hair, her touch gentle.
"You're really bold lately, Asahi."
"You said I could touch you however I wanted…" he said, voice small. "Because I love you."
Ai turned just enough to look at him, her damp lashes low, her smile soft. "I didn't think you'd get this good at using that excuse."
"You're getting too bold," she murmured, voice low and teasing. "Do you even know what you're touching?"
"I do," Asahi answered honestly. His hand moved a little, fingers curling. "But it feels… nice. I like it."
Ai smiled faintly, the corners of her lips twitching with restrained amusement.
"You're such a little pervert," she said softly, but there was no anger in her tone—only affection. "Just like your Onii-Chan."
"…But I love you too," he mumbled. "Not just Onii-Chan."
Her heart melted at those words. She reached her hand back further and pulled him into a slow hug, his soapy hands now pressed between them, squished between her breasts.
"You're going to get stuck in there," she whispered teasingly.
Asahi looked down. "That's fine. I could live here…"
Ai burst into laughter, the warm sound echoing in the small shower room. "You're too naughty for your age…"
"But you like it," he replied, hugging her tighter from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder now.
"…I do," she said after a beat, her voice quieter. "I love every bit of you. Naughty, clingy, sweet Asahi. All of it."
He was silent for a moment, soaking in her words, then nuzzled her shoulder.
"I want to stay with you like this forever."
She turned her head and kissed his damp hair. "Forever sounds perfect."
Warm water from the showerhead sprayed nearby, misting lightly across their skin, but neither of them moved to rinse off just yet. They sat there together, Ai on the stool and Asahi wrapped around her from behind, her body bare and open to him, and his touch as gentle as it was adoring.
Nothing about it felt wrong to her.
It felt like love. Their kind of love.
"…Can I wash you like this again tomorrow?" Asahi asked, his voice barely audible over the soft hiss of the water.
Ai nodded, smiling. "Only if you hold me like this after."
"I promise," he whispered.
"Then I promise too."
"Let's finish up. You've got warm breakfast waiting."
"And hugs from Onii-Chan," Asahi grinned.
Ai rolled her eyes. "Of course that's what you're excited about."
"You're jealous," he whispered.
Ai froze again.
"…What did you just say?"
"Nothing! You're the best Onee-Chan ever!" he squeaked.
Few moments later, after Asahi finished.
Eventually, Ai shifted back and turned to face him.
"Done. Good job," she said, ruffling his hair.
Asahi smiled proudly. "I like helping."
"I noticed." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Especially when it involves boobs."
Asahi blinked. "…I didn't say anything."
"I didn't say you did." Ai smirked.
He flushed slightly and looked away. She reached over and dried his damp hair with a separate towel, her movements gentle, practiced. The air around them was quiet, warm, full of faint echoes from the water and their soft breathing.
"…You're not allowed to hug random girls just because they smell nice or look pretty," Ai said suddenly.
"I won't," Asahi replied softly. "I like hugging Amu- Chan, you and Onii-Chan."
Ai paused, just briefly, before continuing to dry his hair.
"…Idiot," she murmured.
"I'm your idiot."
She snorted. "Unfortunately."
She gave a long, dramatic sigh.
"I'm surrounded by idiots," she muttered with a small smile, drying his hair a little more roughly.
"Hey!"
Then...
"Brrr! I'm freezing!" Asahi clung to her leg like a baby koala.
"Well then hurry up. There's food, warm blankets, and maybe a hug from Amu-chan waiting."
His eyes sparkled. "Can I sleep on her chest again?"
"Say that again and I'll chop off your hands."
He cackled, then hugged her waist tightly.
"I love you, Onee-Chan."
Ai blinked. The warmth in his voice caught her off-guard.
Then she sighed, knelt down, and pulled him into a hug, foam and all.
"…Yeah, yeah. I love you too, you dirty-minded little goblin."
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END OF CHAPTER : 192 : AI'S LITTLE BRAT!
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