"--Brother? Are you awake?"
A soft voice came through the door, but in the drowsy morning air I didn't feel like replying.
"...If there's no reply, that means it's okay to come in."
I heard a very ominous voice, a soft knock, and then the sound of the door being quietly opened.
"Excuse me. I knocked properly."
Little sister, I know your plan. You're probably planning to take advantage of the fact that I won't wake up even when you call me and do whatever you want to me, but I won't let you down that easily.
I wrapped myself in the sheets and tried to keep him at bay.
"You're awake, Shiori."
"I can't hear you, I can't hear you."
Saying this, he jumped onto the bed. "I told you I was awake, right?" However, it seemed that Shiori didn't understand my question, and I leaned in close enough to feel his breath on me.
"I'll wake you up with my kisses, brother."
I then brought my lips closer to hers - but wait a minute!
"Wait, wait! I'm awake! I'm awake!"
"Oh, it was impossible after all?"
Pushing the approaching target away, the man spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"Hey, you said you'd wake up on your own after entering high school, right? I told you that a lot, didn't I?"
"I never said I would agree. Besides, it is a sister's responsibility to wake her brother up."
...You don't need to feel that kind of responsibility...
"Um, I'm starting to get a headache..."
"That's too much. Please go back to sleep. I'll wake you up gently."
"It's just too tiring, so I'll stop."
My sister is the same today.
"Uh... well, that's fine. I'll get changed, so you can leave."
"No, I'll help too. I want to burn my big brother's beautiful figure into my memory."
"Get out or I'll send you flying."
"Oh no, that's not possible. In that case, please leave it to me. You can skip as many times as you like."
I was stupid to try and argue with him verbally. I bowed my head and finally chased Shiori away, then changed and went down to the living room.
"Oh, good morning, Su-kun."
When I opened the door, Honoka was standing in front of the kitchen for some reason.
"Hey, Honoka? What's wrong?"
They are neighbors, and they have come over to play a few times before, but they have rarely come in the morning. Apparently, their family situation is extremely strict.
"I, I made breakfast today."
Honoka said this while fidgeting with her hands. Looking at the table, a delicious-looking breakfast was laid out: rice, miso soup, grilled salted saury, boiled eggplant, and cut fruit.
"Did Honoka make all of this? That's amazing."
"That's not true... That's not true."
"Brother! I helped out a lot too!"
Shiori steps in front of Honoka and makes a stern appeal.
"Huh... Shiori, it's you?"
Despite his appearance, Shiori is a terrible cook. No, he can make the food look perfect, but the taste is disastrously sweet and salty. Apparently he made some adjustments to make it more palatable, but I can't help but feel like it's having the opposite effect.
"Well, the only thing I helped with was the preparations. It's frustrating, but I'm nowhere near as good as Honoka-chan."
"No...! Sorry for borrowing the kitchen without permission, Shiori-chan and Su-kun."
Honoka waved her hands in denial. This guy has always been capable of many things, but he has a bad habit of being too humble.
"That's not true. Thanks, Honoka."
I put my hand on Honoka's head and said.
"...Aaah♪"
Honoka exclaimed happily. It seemed she was pleased.
"Big bro? I helped you too."
Shiori looks at me with an accusing look.
"Come on, give me a pat. Come on, big brother!"
"O-Okay. I get it, so pull your head back."
"Yes☆"
Saying that, he quickly bowed his head.
For a while, the two of them continued to stroke my head as a reward, and I thought to myself:
Once in a while...mornings like this aren't so bad.