"Okay, go on," Raito said, his tone softer.
"I just want you to know that if you're ever feeling down about anything, it's okay to talk to me. You can always ask your big sis," Aiko told him.
"That's… okay," Raito replied quietly.
Silence settled between them for a while. Then Raito noticed the sound of slow, steady breathing—a faint little snore.
So, she's already asleep. Guess I'm finally feeling sleepy too, he thought.
And with that, the two of them drifted into slumber.
The following morning, as Raito woke up, the warm smell of rice drifted into his nose. He sat up, stretched, and walked into the kitchen.
There, he saw Aiko moving about with practiced ease. She turned toward him with a smile.
"Good morning. You're already awake?"
"Yeah," Raito replied, rubbing his eyes. "Wow, you're actually cooking. It's been a while since I've tasted your food."
"Well, yeah. I thought it would be nice to make breakfast," Aiko said. "I believe you're staying home today?"
