Chapter : 8 : A Morning of Teasing and Affection

The golden morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. The warmth of the sun gently nudged Kazuya awake, but the real reason his eyes fluttered open was the steady, rhythmic sound of Minami's breathing.

She was still nestled against him, their bodies impossibly close, her head resting near his chest. Kazuya blinked, his vision adjusting, and for a moment, he simply watched her.

She looked like a goddess—no, something even beyond that. To him, Minami was everything. The way her long, dark lashes rested against her cheeks, the slight parting of her lips, the way her body molded so perfectly against his—it was intoxicating.

A smile tugged at his lips as he leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. The warmth of his lips lingered against her skin before he pulled back slightly, watching for any reaction.

And then, her lashes fluttered.

Minami stirred, her brows furrowing slightly as she awoke. Her eyes opened slowly, still hazy with sleep, and the first thing she noticed was the warmth against her forehead.

She blinked again, her cheeks beginning to flush as realization set in. Kazuya was right there, his face only inches from hers, watching her with an amused smirk.

Her entire face turned red.

"W-what are you looking at…?" she muttered shyly, barely able to hold his gaze.

Kazuya chuckled, his voice still husky from sleep. "Just appreciating the view."

Minami made a small, embarrassed noise before burying her face against his chest, effectively hiding from him. "S-stop saying embarrassing things first thing in the morning!"

Kazuya grinned, wrapping his arms around her a little tighter. "But it's true."

She peeked up at him, still flustered, but then her expression grew a little suspicious. "You didn't try anything weird while I was sleeping… right?"

Kazuya smirked, enjoying how cute she looked when she got flustered. He let a moment of silence stretch between them, just to tease her more, before finally replying.

"Nothing… but kisses."

Minami's body tensed.

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red as she lifted her head slightly, her eyes wide. "W-what kind of kisses…?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kazuya leaned in again, closing the small distance between them. His lips brushed against her forehead once more, pressing a lingering kiss there.

"Like this," he murmured against her skin.

Minami let out a tiny, breathy sound before shoving her face back into his chest, completely overwhelmed.

"Y-you're the worst…" she muttered, her voice muffled against him.

Kazuya smirked, his fingers gently stroking her hair. "Hmm? What was that? Did you just confess that you love me?"

Minami groaned. "I-I didn't say anything!"

He laughed softly, amused at how easily he could fluster her. "You did. I heard it loud and clear."

Minami huffed, pouting. "T-then forget what you heard!"

"Too late."

Kazuya could feel her body growing even warmer against him, and he enjoyed every second of her reaction. His playful side getting the better of him, he let his hand wander just a little lower, resting lightly on the curve of her butt.

Minami stiffened instantly.

"…Where are you touching?" she asked in a muffled voice, her face still hidden against his chest.

Kazuya smirked. "Just appreciating my luck in life."

She let out a high-pitched squeak and immediately grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand away. "Y-you're not allowed!"

He chuckled. "Come on, I'm just teasing. Besides, you're the one pressing against me like this. Not that I'm complaining."

Minami whined, but she didn't move away from him. Instead, she snuggled even closer, her arms tightening around his waist. "You're still the worst," she mumbled.

"But you still love me," Kazuya teased.

Minami let out a tiny sigh before whispering, "Yeah… I do."

Kazuya felt his heart skip a beat. It wasn't a flustered outburst or a denial. It was a quiet, honest confession.

He tightened his arms around her, holding her as close as he possibly could. "Good. Because I love you too."

Minami didn't respond with words, but the way she held onto him told him everything he needed to know.

The morning sunlight continued to stream in, casting a golden warmth over them as they remained wrapped in each other's arms. Neither of them wanted to let go. Not now. Maybe not ever.

And for now, that was more than enough.

---

The warmth of the morning sun bathed the room in soft golden light, but neither Kazuya nor Minami moved from their embrace. Their bodies remained intertwined beneath the covers, as if separating would be too painful.

Kazuya gently stroked her back, his fingers tracing slow, comforting circles. He could feel her steady breathing against his chest, her warmth seeping into him like she was a part of his very existence.

"You're really not going to school today?" he asked softly, his lips close to her ear.

Minami made a small noise of disapproval, tightening her arms around him. "Never."

He chuckled. "So dramatic."

She nuzzled against him, her soft breath tickling his neck. "Because of those three girls," she muttered.

At the mention of them, something inside Kazuya twisted.

His blood boiled.

He clenched his jaw, his arms instinctively tightening around her small frame. The thought of those girls harassing Minami, making her feel unsafe, made his body tense with anger. He wanted to protect her from everything. From them. From anything that could ever hurt her.

Feeling his grip tighten, Minami shifted slightly, her voice filled with gentle concern. "Onii-chan…? Are you okay?"

Kazuya exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. His fingers slid into her soft hair, caressing it as he pressed his cheek against her head.

"It's alright," he murmured, his voice steadier now. "I'll stay with you all day."

Minami's body relaxed at his words. She pulled her arms away from his waist and moved them to his neck, cradling him instead. Holding him even closer.

She snuggled into him, burying her face against his shoulder. Her voice was a whisper, so soft it almost melted into his skin.

"I love you, Onii-chan. For everything."

Kazuya smiled, warmth spreading through his chest. He tilted his head slightly, brushing his lips against her hair. "You're really cute when you say things like that, you know?"

Minami groaned. "I take it back."

"Too late. It's already in my heart forever," he teased.

Minami huffed and lightly smacked his back. "You're so annoying."

Kazuya chuckled, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on her back. "Hey, Minami?"

She hummed in response.

He hesitated for a second, then spoke. "If I asked you to marry me, would you?"

Minami instantly froze.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she slowly lifted her head to look at him, her cheeks already burning. "W-what kind of question is that?"

Kazuya smirked at her reaction. "Just answer me."

Minami swallowed, her fingers curling against his shirt. Her face grew even warmer as she looked away, clearly thinking about it.

She hesitated, then muttered shyly, "You… you've always been my everything. My savior. My parents. My guardian angel." Her voice was soft, filled with genuine emotion. "You sacrificed everything for me. So… I guess maybe…"

Kazuya leaned in slightly, his heart pounding in anticipation. "Maybe?"

She huffed, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I-I guess I would have married you."

His lips curled into a grin. "Really?"

Minami pouted and smacked his chest. "But sibling marriage is prohibited, so good luck, you dummy."

Kazuya laughed, enjoying her flustered state. "So if it wasn't prohibited, you'd marry me without hesitation?"

Minami whined. "I never said that!"

"But you're not denying it either," he teased.

Minami groaned and buried her face back into his chest. "You're the worst, Onii-chan."

"And yet, you still love me."

She sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately."

Kazuya chuckled again, running his fingers through her hair, enjoying how natural this felt—how perfect they were together.

But then, Minami suddenly stiffened.

"Ow…" She let out a small squeak, her hand moving to her neck.

Kazuya's body tensed.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice calm but his mind racing.

Minami's fingers gently pressed against a faint, burning sensation on her skin. Confused, she rubbed at it, feeling something strange—something dry.

"Did a mosquito bite me?" she murmured, frowning slightly. But the more she touched it, the more it felt… odd. The skin wasn't just irritated—it was slightly burnt.

Kazuya sat up slightly, his heart pounding. His eyes flickered toward the spot on her neck.

His stomach dropped.

It was faint, but he could see them. Two small, barely noticeable puncture marks.

Memories from the previous night flashed through his mind—the way his fangs had sunk into her skin, the intoxicating taste of her blood, the overwhelming sensation of holding her while he fed.

She wasn't supposed to notice.

Minami continued to rub at the spot, tilting her head slightly. "It stings a little… Why does it feel like it burned?"

Kazuya forced a calm expression and leaned in slightly, pretending to examine it.

"It's just a mosquito bite," he said smoothly. "Don't worry about it."

Minami blinked at him. "But—"

"No need to overthink it," he cut in gently, brushing his fingers against her forehead to distract her. "You probably scratched it in your sleep, which made it sting more."

She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"If Onii-chan says so, then I believe you," she said, offering a small smile.

Kazuya exhaled softly, relieved.

He pulled her back into his arms, pressing a reassuring kiss to her hair.

She trusted him completely. Even when the truth was right there, she didn't doubt his words.

But as he held her, a single thought lingered in his mind.

Would she still trust him if she ever learned the truth?

For now, he pushed that thought aside. Because at this moment, in her arms, in the warmth of their quiet morning, nothing else mattered.

---

END OF CHAPTER : 8 : A MORNING OF TEASING AND AFFECTION!