Aiko stepped into the dining room with Asahi nestled in her arms, his tiny hands clinging to her top as his sleepy eyes blinked at the warm lights above. The soft scent of freshly steamed rice and miso filled the air, mingling with the sounds of quiet laughter and ceramic plates clinking gently as Ai and Shin finished setting the table.
"Welcome back," Ai said, glancing over her shoulder with a soft smile that instantly warmed Aiko's chest. "Perfect timing."
Shin looked up from where he was setting down a plate of grilled fish, his eyes catching Aiko's for a brief second. Something in her posture—something expectant—made him tilt his head, then walk around the table without a word. He stood in front of her, placed a finger beneath her chin, and gently lifted her gaze to his.
Their eyes locked. Aiko's breath hitched as Shin leaned in and pressed a slow, intimate kiss against her lips. Her fingers curled instinctively around his sleeve. Even after everything, every moment like this still made her feel like her heart had forgotten how to beat properly.
When the kiss ended, she remained still, dazed, her face flushed.
From her arms, Asahi stretched out both hands toward Shin with a little whine. "Onii-Cha…"
Shin chuckled, reaching forward. "Want a kiss too?"
Asahi nodded eagerly, lips puckered in a dramatic pout.
Shin leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Asahi giggled and returned the favor, planting a sloppy little kiss on Shin's own cheek, which made everyone chuckle.
Ai stepped forward and gently called, "Alright, everyone sit. Food will get cold."
Shin took Asahi from Aiko's arms and passed him back with a soft kiss on his forehead. Aiko took him gladly, hugging him to her side. Shin moved to his seat at the center of the table. Ai settled on his left, her shoulder brushing his lightly. Aiko took his right, close enough that their knees brushed beneath the table. Yuki sat across from them, already nibbling on a piece of tamagoyaki, but his eyes weren't on his plate.
They were on Shin.
Yuki's gaze was gentle—soft in a way that was almost painfully intimate. He didn't even seem aware of it at first, but when Shin caught his eye, the boy instantly looked away, cheeks pink, lips pursed.
"Still acting like a lovestruck girl, huh?" Shin teased.
Yuki's eyes widened. "B-Baka! I-I wasn't looking at you!"
Shin laughed. "Sure you weren't."
Yuki huffed and stuffed a bite of rice in his mouth, chewing furiously like it would distract from the blush now spreading all the way to his ears.
"Do you wanna come sit with me?" Shin asked, tilting his head playfully.
"W-Who would want that?! You idiot!"
Shin smirked. "So that's a yes?"
Yuki slammed his chopsticks down. "It's not a no, okay?!"
Ai giggled softly beside Shin, the sound like wind chimes caught in a breeze. "You're really adorable when you get flustered, Yuki."
"I am not adorable!"
"You really are," Aiko added, taking a small piece of grilled salmon and feeding it to Asahi, who opened his mouth like a baby bird.
"Amu-Chan, more!" Asahi demanded.
"Eat slowly, A-chan," Aiko said, pressing a kiss to his forehead before giving him another bite.
"Alright, alright," Shin said, stretching in his chair. "How about after dinner, we all cuddle on the couch?"
Yuki blinked at him.
"I'll have Ai and Haa-Chan on both sides, and you can sit on my lap. We'll watch whatever anime I pick tonight. Something romantic."
"I-I'm not sitting on your lap like a kid!"
""You sure?" Shin asked, voice low and teasing. "You look like you're curious what it's like. I mean… my lap is warm."
Yuki nearly choked on his tea.
"D-Don't be ridiculous! Why would I care about that?!" he snapped, cheeks burning bright red.
Shin leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, eyes glinting with amusement. "So, you're saying you don't want to try it? Not even a little curious?"
Yuki groaned and buried his face in his hands. "You're the worst…"
Ai leaned over and whispered something into Shin's ear. He chuckled, then turned to Yuki again. "She says you can still sit in my lap if you say you love me."
"I'm not saying it in front of everyone!"
"But you've already said it," Ai said sweetly. "And done much more."
Yuki let out a whine, like a kettle about to boil.
Aiko reached across the table and gently patted his hand. "You don't have to say anything you don't want to, Yuki-Chan. But I think it's sweet when you're honest."
Yuki's eyes shimmered slightly. He looked down and mumbled, "T-Thanks, Aiko…"
Asahi piped up from Aiko's lap, "And I will sit on Amu-Chan's lap! Can I?"
Aiko giggled, cradling Asahi. "Of course. You can sit on my lap and cuddle all you want."
"You'll squish me with love," Shin added, leaning toward Ai. "And you, Yuki… you'll sit with me. Even if you say you won't, I know you will."
Yuki folded his arms and refused to meet his eyes.
Dinner continued, but the air had become soft—quiet with the comfort of knowing hearts, the ease of being together. Shin's hand found Ai's under the table, fingers slipping between hers, and she squeezed once, her eyes shining with the same quiet affection that had always lived there.
Aiko leaned her head slightly against Shin's shoulder while feeding Asahi. "You're always so warm, Taa-Kun…"
"Maybe that's why everyone keeps clinging to me."
"Because they love you," Ai said softly, "and you love them back. Even if you tease too much."
Shin looked around the table, at Ai's loving smile, Aiko's blushing, content face, Asahi's giggles, and Yuki's still-bright red ears.
"Yeah," he murmured. "I do."
As they finished dinner and began to clear up, Yuki lingered near the table, fingers curling and uncurling at his side. Shin watched him.
When the plates were gone and Ai went to put on the tea, Aiko carrying Asahi in her arms to the living room couch, Shin walked up to Yuki, quietly placing a hand on his head.
"Still pretending you don't wanna be close?"
Yuki didn't look up, but he didn't pull away either. His voice was quiet. "It's not that…"
"Then come sit with me," Shin said gently. "You don't have to say anything."
Yuki hesitated for only a heartbeat before he nodded.
In the living room, Ai curled against Shin's left side, her head resting on his chest. Aiko sat on his right, Asahi curled up against her, half-asleep already. Yuki finally settled into Shin's lap, his legs tucked up, body small and trembling just a little from how fast his heart was beating.
Shin wrapped his arms around him.
"I love you, Yuki," he whispered, close to his ear.
Yuki didn't respond—not out loud. But his hands clutched Shin's hoodie tightly, and after a moment, he leaned his head against Shin's neck, hiding his face there.
"…Idiot," he murmured.
But Shin felt the warmth in it.
He smiled.
And so, with the flicker of the TV casting soft light across them, they watched anime together, cuddled close, hearts bound quietly in a warmth that needed no words.
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END OF CHAPTER : 217 : DINNER, LOVE, AND THE ONES WHO STAY CLOSE!
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