"Haruto, wake up."
A voice pulled me out of my dream. At first, I thought it was Aoi. But when I opened my eyes—
"Mom!?"
I shot up, heart hammering in my chest.
Standing at the doorway, holding a laundry basket, was our mother. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene: me sitting up in bed… and Aoi still fast asleep beside me, hugging my arm like a koala.
Time stopped.
"…What is the meaning of this?"
Her voice was calm, but the weight behind it made my stomach drop.
"M-Mom! It's not what it looks like!" I stammered, trying to pull my arm away.
Aoi stirred at the noise, slowly opening her sleepy eyes. "Mmm… Haruto… five more minutes…" she mumbled, nuzzling closer.
I froze. Mom's jaw nearly dropped.
"Aoi!" I hissed, trying to wake her up properly. She blinked, confused at first, then realized where she was—and who was standing in the doorway.
Her entire face turned scarlet. "…M-Mom!?"
The silence that followed was unbearable.
I could practically feel my life flashing before my eyes.
Finally, Mom sighed, setting the laundry basket down. "Haruto. Aoi. Care to explain why you're sleeping in the same bed?"
My brain scrambled for an excuse. "Sh-She had a nightmare! Yeah! So she just… came to my room, that's all!"
Mom raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, it doesn't look like just that."
Aoi clutched the blanket to her chest, her voice tiny. "…It's true, Mom. I just… didn't want to be alone."
Mom studied us both for a long, terrifying moment. Then she let out another sigh.
"Fine. I'll let it go this time. But this is the last warning. Aoi, you're too old to be climbing into your brother's bed. And Haruto, as the older one, you should know better."
"Yes, ma'am!" I answered instantly, bowing my head.
"Yes, Mom," Aoi whispered, face still bright red.
Mom shook her head, muttering something about "kids these days," before walking out.
The moment the door closed, both of us collapsed back onto the bed, clutching our chests in relief.
"That was close," I muttered.
Aoi giggled nervously, still red-faced. "…But at least she didn't find out the truth."
"Yeah," I agreed, looking at her. "If she ever does… we're dead."
We both burst into quiet, nervous laughter, but deep down, I couldn't shake the fear.