Golden rays of the morning sun slipped gently through the bedroom window.
Birds chirped happily outside as a cool breeze stirred the white curtains.
Haruwiko remained buried beneath the warm blanket, hugging a soft pillow as though nothing in the world could convince him to wake up.
"...Zzz..."
His silver hair was completely messy from tossing and turning throughout the night.
Suddenly—
The bedroom door slowly creaked open.
A little girl carefully peeked inside.
"Hehe..."
Yui quietly tiptoed toward the sleeping boy.
One step...
Two steps...
Three steps...
Until she finally stood beside the bed.
She leaned forward.
"...Still sleeping."
Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
(He's so adorable when he's asleep...)
Unable to resist...
She gently poked Haruwiko's soft cheek.
Poke.
It slowly bounced back.
"...Eh?"
Her eyes widened.
(It's so soft!)
She poked it again.
Poke.
Then again.
Poke... poke...
A smile slowly spread across her face.
(This is fun.)
Soon...
She wasn't just poking anymore.
Both of her hands gently squished Haruwiko's cheeks.
"So soft..."
She whispered happily.
"I could do this forever."
Haruwiko frowned in his sleep.
"...Mmm..."
His eyelids slowly trembled open.
Crimson eyes blinked sleepily toward the cheerful girl standing over him.
"...Yui-san..."
His sleepy voice barely escaped his lips.
"Could you...please stop?....I'm still sleepy..."
Instead of stopping...
Yui puffed out her cheeks.
She crossed both arms proudly.
Then spoke in her best "older sister" voice.
"No."
Haruwiko blinked.
"The breakfast is already ready, So...You have to wake up."
She pointed proudly at herself.
"And another thing!, you shouldn't call me Yui Nee-san.'"
Haruwiko tilted his head.
"...Why?"
"Because!" She placed both hands on her hips.
"I'm older than you so from now on...You must call me... Yui Nee-san!"
She puffed out her chest proudly as though she had just made an important royal decree.
Haruwiko stared at her for several seconds.
Then...
A tiny smile appeared.
"...Okay Yui Nee-san."
Yui's eyes sparkled.
"Hehe! Good!"
She happily grabbed Haruwiko's hand.
"Now come on! Breakfast is waiting!"
"W-Wait...My slippers..."
Before Haruwiko could even finish speaking—
Yui gently pulled him out of bed.
"Ah..."
Haruwiko stumbled after her, still rubbing one sleepy eye.
His silver hair stuck up in every direction.
Watching him wobble down the hallway...
Yui couldn't help giggling.
(He's even cuter after waking up...)
A few minutes later...
The delicious smell of breakfast filled the farmhouse.
Fresh bread rested inside a woven basket.
Warm vegetable soup gently steamed in wooden bowls.
Scrambled eggs, grilled fish, fresh milk, and slices of fruit covered the dining table.
Haruwiko's crimson eyes sparkled.
"...Wow It looks delicious."
Yuna smiled warmly from the kitchen.
"I'm glad you like it come everyone's waiting."
Haruwiko politely bowed his head.
"Thank you very much for preparing breakfast."
Yuna chuckled.
"What a polite child."
Yui immediately grabbed Haruwiko's sleeve.
"Nee-san is sitting here!"
She proudly pointed toward the chair beside her.
"So Haruwiko has to sit next to me!"
Haruwiko looked toward Cecelion for help.
His father only smiled.
"It seems you've already been assigned a seat."
Haruwiko gave a tiny sigh before smiling.
"...Okay I'll sit beside you Yui...Nee-san."
The moment he called her that—
Yui's face lit up with happiness.
"Hehe! I like hearing that."
She proudly sat up straighter, looking every bit like an older sister who had just gained a younger brother.
(To be continued)