Chapter : 28 : First Kiss!

He'd asked if they should take this to bed.

She bit her lip.

And then, in the softest, tiniest voice, so small it could've been a dream…

"…Y-Yes."

Shin's breath hitched. Just for a second.

Then his hold on her tightened, his lips curving into a slow, stunned, wicked smile against her damp temple. "Mm? What was that, Ai?" he whispered, his voice like silk over velvet—deep, warm, teasing, as if coaxing out her every secret.

Ai buried her face in his neck. "I said yes," she whispered again, so close to his skin her lips brushed his pulse.

A quiet groan rumbled in his chest.

"Ohhh, you really are growing up," he murmured, running his hand slowly up her back. "My cute little sister's turning into a bold girl, saying stuff like that."

Ai clenched her fingers into his shoulders. "I-I'm not bold… you're just mean…"

Shin kissed her cheek, slow and savoring, his lips trailing along her flushed skin until they reached the corner of her mouth. "Maybe I am," he whispered. "But you said yes, Ai-chan. So I guess…" His hand gave another slow, deliberate squeeze. "…I better keep my promise."

Ai gasped again, voice catching in a helpless, breathy squeak as Shin smiled against her skin.

"Let's finish up," he whispered. "And then I'll take you straight to bed."

Shin chuckled softly, his lips still brushing the edge of her flushed cheek as she trembled in his arms.

"But—" he murmured, fingers pausing in their slow, teasing squeeze against her hips, "—no sex, Ai-chan."

Ai blinked, lifting her head from his shoulder, lips parted in confusion. "E-Eh…?"

Shin gave her a lopsided, affectionate grin, one hand rising to gently tap her forehead with a wet fingertip. "You're still my sweet little sister, remember? I can tease you, hug you, hold you all night if you want… but that's where I draw the line."

Ai's lips quivered, and she puffed out her cheeks, pouting. "But you're the one who made me feel weird!"

"Mm, I know." He chuckled again, this time with that annoying older brother smugness that made her want to pout harder. "I like making you flustered, Ai-chan. You're way too cute when you get like this."

"You're evil…" she grumbled under her breath, burying her face back against his chest.

"Maybe," Shin whispered, kissing the top of her head. "But I'm your Onii-chan. So I'll keep you warm, hold you close, whisper all the things that make your heart flutter… just don't expect me to cross that line. "…Then can I at least get a kiss?"

Shin blinked, his hand stroking her hair slowly. "…Of course," he murmured gently, smiling again. "You want one on the cheek, right?"

But Ai shook her head.

"Not cheek…" she said softly, pulling back just enough to look up at him. Her eyes were glassy, shimmering with unshed tears. "Lip…"

Shin's breath caught. "Ai—"

"I really want it…" she said, her voice quivering. "I want my first kiss to be with you, Onii-chan. I've waited so long… and you always say no… but I can't wait anymore."

She bit her lip, trying not to cry, and it broke his heart.

"It makes me so sad…" she whispered. "Like you'll never see me like I see you… even though I've always loved you more than anyone ever could."

Shin's chest tightened. He reached up, brushing her cheek with his thumb again, but she leaned into the touch and pressed her forehead against his. Her next words were desperate:

"Please… just once. Just once, I want to know what it feels like to be kissed by the person I love the most…"

"Ai…" he said again, his voice lower, shakier.

She gripped his shirt tightly, her small fingers curling into the fabric. "Please, Onii-chan…"

And then she started to cry.

Tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks in silence. Her shoulders shook, but she didn't pull away. She stayed right there, vulnerable and raw, crying softly against his chest.

Shin closed his eyes. His heart was twisting painfully. He hated seeing her like this—so broken, so hurt, all because of him. And even though he knew what was right, the weight of her pain, her longing, and the tears she was now shedding freely…

It shattered him.

He opened his eyes, cupped her face gently in both hands, and slowly leaned in.

Ai's breath caught as their foreheads touched again, and her crying stilled just enough for her lips to part in surprise.

Then, softly, Shin pressed his lips to hers.

It was warm. Tender. Long.

Ai froze at first—eyes wide, heart pounding out of rhythm—but then her whole body melted into the kiss. Her fingers clutched tighter into his shirt, and her lips trembled slightly against his, but she didn't move away.

Shin didn't deepen the kiss. He didn't move or shift or add heat to it. He simply held her there, lips resting gently against hers, long and silent. His hands never strayed, only cradling her face with that same gentle care he always gave her. For him, it was a farewell to something he could never give—but for her, it was everything she'd ever wanted in a single, stolen moment.

When he finally pulled back, their lips parted slowly, and Ai's eyes fluttered open—wet with tears, but shining.

"…Onii-chan…" she whispered, breathless.

And Shin only smiled—soft, aching.

"…That's all I can give you."

But Ai shook her head slowly, her fingers moving to gently cup his jaw. Her voice was a whisper, soaked in yearning. "No… please… not yet…"

Shin's gaze flickered. "Ai…"

"Please kiss me again," she said, barely audible. "But this time… like you really mean it."

There was a pause—a long, quiet pause filled only by the sound of steam and their uneven breathing.

Shin looked into her eyes, and what he saw there made his chest ache. Longing. Devotion. A kind of love that was pure and terrifying all at once.

"…Are you sure?" he asked, voice hoarse.

She nodded.

He swallowed hard, then slowly leaned in again, and this time… he kissed her deeper.

Their lips met with more pressure, more intent. Ai gasped softly against his mouth, and Shin let out a quiet, shaky breath, pulling her closer. His hands slid carefully along her back under the water, feeling the smooth skin of her spine as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss.

Their mouths moved together slowly, tentatively at first, until Ai's arms pulled him tighter, her fingers threading into his hair, clinging. Shin's lips parted, and so did hers, breath catching as their kiss grew more intimate—wet and warm, full of heat from the bath and from everything they'd both held back for so long.

Shin could taste the soft salt of her tears still lingering, feel her small body pressing closer, trusting him completely.

It felt wrong.

It felt right.

And yet, he didn't stop.

Not until he felt her begin to tremble again—not from sadness this time, but from something more tender, more overwhelming. He broke the kiss slowly, lips lingering just a second longer before pulling away, resting his forehead against hers.

Ai's eyes fluttered open, dazed and wide, her lips parted and glossy.

Neither of them spoke for a long moment.

"…Onii-chan," she whispered breathlessly, her voice unsteady.

Shin gently brushed a strand of wet hair from her cheek. He gazed at her for a moment—at her vulnerable, honest expression—and something inside him softened.

"…This might not be so bad," he murmured, a quiet, almost amused warmth in his voice. "We can add this to our bonding sessions."

Before Ai could say anything, Shin leaned in again, kissing her—firm, tender, and slow.

Ai let out the faintest whimper of surprise, quickly melting into him as her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Her bare chest pressed into his, their skin slick with heat and water, hearts thudding together beneath the surface. She tilted her head to match his movement, lips moving with his, chasing every soft shift and deepening sigh.

Shin's hand slid gently up her spine, fingers trailing through the damp strands of her hair. He cradled the back of her head, thumb stroking her nape as he kissed her again—this time with a little more pressure, a little more hunger.

"Shin…" she whispered between kisses, her voice breathless and full of wonder.

"I'm here," he murmured back, brushing his lips along her cheek before returning to her mouth.

Their bodies shifted subtly in the bath, water rippling softly around them. Shin's hand slid down again, this time resting at her lower back, holding her closer, anchoring her. Every kiss pulled them deeper—into each other, into the heat of the moment.

He pulled back for just a breath, their foreheads pressed together. "Still okay?"

Ai nodded instantly, her eyes shining. "More than okay."

That answer made him smile—and he kissed her again, a little longer this time, his other hand rising to her side, fingers brushing over her ribs as if rediscovering her all over again. Every touch was gentle, meaningful, wrapped in trust. It wasn't about possession—it was about closeness. About understanding her heart.

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END OF CHAPTER : 28 : First Kiss!

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