Chapter : 14 : The Evening Embrace

The sky outside was painted in deep hues of orange and violet as the sun dipped beyond the horizon, leaving behind the quiet serenity of the approaching night. The air was cool, the room dimly lit by the soft glow filtering in through the curtains.

Kazuya stirred first. His eyes fluttered open, taking a slow breath as he adjusted to the weight pressed against him. His body felt warm—no, not just warm, but at peace, as if something in his very soul had finally found its missing piece.

And then he remembered.

His chest rose and fell in an unsteady rhythm as the memories of the day rushed back. Their conversation, her hesitation, her trust, the way she looked at him with a mixture of fear and longing. And then, the way she surrendered to him completely, their bodies tangled beneath the sheets, no barriers between them.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the sleeping girl in his arms. Minami.

She was pressed against him, her soft breaths tickling his bare chest. The blanket covered them both, but he could still feel the delicate warmth of her skin against his own, no space left between them. She looked so peaceful, her delicate fingers curled slightly against his arm, her dark hair splayed messily over his chest and the pillow.

To anyone else, she might have looked terrifying, cursed by fate with a face that bore the marks of suffering. But to him?

She was the most beautiful girl in the world.

Kazuya lifted a hand, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek. His touch was feather-light, as if afraid she might vanish if he pressed too hard. His heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. After a thousand years—after an eternity of loneliness, fighting, and surviving—he had finally found someone. Someone who had given herself to him, trusted him, and accepted him despite everything.

Minami stirred slightly, shifting closer as if instinctively seeking his warmth. He let out a soft chuckle, watching as her eyelashes fluttered, her lips parting just slightly.

And then, those black eyes opened.

For a moment, she simply stared, still caught in the haze of sleep. But when her gaze focused and she realized he was watching her, a deep blush crept over her face. She buried her face in his chest, letting out a muffled sound of embarrassment.

"Onii-Chan… why are you staring at me like that…?" she asked shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.

His lips curled into a slow, teasing smile. "Because you're cute when you sleep," he murmured, tracing his fingers along her bare shoulder. "And even cuter when you wake up blushing like this."

Minami let out a tiny whimper, her fingers clutching the blanket tighter around her. "D-Don't say that…"

He chuckled, dipping his head closer, his warm breath ghosting over her ear. "But it's true. You were sleeping so peacefully, clinging to me like a kitten. It was adorable."

She let out a soft gasp and tried to wiggle away, but Kazuya's arms tightened around her waist, keeping her close.

"Onii-Chan!" she whined, her voice flustered.

"What?" he asked innocently, nuzzling the top of her head. "I'm just saying what's on my mind."

She huffed, turning her face away, but the redness on her cheeks betrayed her.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he trailed his fingers lightly along her spine. "You know, I think I like waking up next to you," he murmured. "I could get used to this."

Minami's breath hitched. "D-Don't say things like that so casually…"

"Why not? It's the truth."

She shifted in his arms, still hiding her face, her embarrassment evident. But despite her shyness, she didn't try to pull away.

Kazuya tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to look at him. "You're beautiful," he whispered, brushing his lips against her forehead.

Minami squeezed her eyes shut, clearly overwhelmed. "You always say that," she mumbled.

"Because it's always true," he said without hesitation.

She let out a shaky breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "You're unfair, Kazuya… you always say things that make me feel…" She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

He raised an eyebrow. "Make you feel what?"

She hesitated, then buried her face in his chest again. "M-Make me feel like I'm special…"

Kazuya's teasing expression softened. He gently kissed the top of her head, his hand stroking her back. "That's because you are, Minami. To me, you're the most special person in the world."

Minami trembled slightly, but this time, she didn't argue.

Silence filled the room, a peaceful kind of silence where neither of them felt the need to say anything. They simply lay there, wrapped in each other's warmth, breathing in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

But then, Kazuya decided to break the silence with a mischievous grin.

"Hey, Minami."

She hummed softly in response.

His fingers trailed down her back, slow and deliberate. "I want to do it again."

Minami's entire body stiffened.

A second passed. Then two. And then—

"W-What!?" she squeaked, her face turning impossibly red.

Kazuya laughed, finding her reaction absolutely adorable. "What? Is that a no?"

Minami's hands shot up, gripping his shoulders as she tried to form a coherent response. "I-I… I mean… we just… we just did it this afternoon!"

"And?" Kazuya smirked, pressing a teasing kiss to her cheek. "It was amazing. I want to feel you again."

Her breath hitched as he trailed his lips along her jawline, his warm hands caressing her sides.

"Onii-Chan…" she mumbled, her voice trembling.

He tilted her chin up, his golden eyes filled with playful intent. "What do you say, Minami? Do you want to?"

Minami swallowed hard, her fingers clutching at his chest. "I… I d-don't know…"

Kazuya smiled. "Is that a yes or a no?"

She turned her face away, her blush reaching all the way to her ears. "I-It's just… it was our first time… and I…"

He leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "And you liked it, didn't you?"

Minami let out the softest whimper, her body betraying her as she tensed against him.

Kazuya chuckled. "That's a yes."

"You're terrible!" she whined, hiding her face in her hands.

He pried her hands away gently, kissing each of her fingertips before whispering against her lips. "I only want you, Minami. If you're not ready, I won't force you. But if you are…" His gaze darkened with warmth. "Then let me love you again."

Minami trembled in his arms, her heart racing wildly. She took a shaky breath, peeking up at him through her lashes.

"You… really want to?" she asked shyly.

Kazuya cupped her cheek, pressing their foreheads together. "I do."

Minami's fingers curled against his chest, her blush deepening. After a long moment, she slowly nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"O-Okay…"

Kazuya's eyes softened, and then—he kissed her.

A slow, lingering kiss filled with everything he couldn't put into words.

And as she melted against him, he knew—tonight, just like this afternoon, he would make her feel just how much he loved her.

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END OF CHAPTER : 14 : THE EVENING EMBRACE!