The scent of sizzling meat, warm miso broth, sweet rolled eggs, and buttery pancakes filled the house like a cozy hug.
Shin stood back, surveying the finished spread with a satisfied nod.
Ai hovered beside him, cheeks pink, sneaking shy glances at him every few seconds — still dazed from everything that had happened just minutes earlier.
Shin ruffled her hair gently, smirking when she let out a small, happy noise.
Then he raised his voice, calling out toward the living room:
"Rika, Yuki — come to the table! Food's ready."
There was a short beat of silence.
Ai wiped her sweaty palms on her apron.
Almost instantly, a bright, happy voice rang out.
"Coming, Onii-san~!" Rika chirped, her usual cheerful tone lifting the air.
A second later, Yuki's grumpy mumble followed:
"Hmph. I'm not hungry or anything... I'm just checking if it's edible."
Ai smiled nervously, her stomach flipping with anticipation.
Moments later, Rika bounced into the dining room, her soft chestnut hair bouncing along with her.
"Onii-san's pancakes~!" she sang, practically skipping to her seat.
Behind her, Yuki trudged in, hands stuffed in his pockets, his face slightly red as he studiously avoided looking at Shin.
Ai flinched at their tones, guilt pooling in her stomach.
*They know... they definitely know we were doing something...!*
Ai bowed her head politely.
"S-Sorry for making you wait," she said, voice small.
Rika giggled and waved a hand.
"It's okay! If Onii-san's cooking, it's worth the wait!"
Yuki muttered something under his breath, but Ai couldn't hear it.
Shin smirked slightly, pulling out chairs for them.
"Sit down before it gets cold," he said.
They all settled in.
Shin and Ai set out the dishes: fluffy sukiyaki bowls, sweet tamagoyaki, miso soup — and of course, the shining tower of golden pancakes.
Rika's eyes sparkled.
Yuki's stomach growled audibly — he quickly coughed to cover it.
Ai had to hide her giggle behind her hand.
They all put their hands together.
"Itadakimasu!" they chorused.
Immediately, Rika reached for a pancake, her face glowing with excitement.
She took a bite — and practically melted.
"Mmm~! Onii-san's pancakes are the best!" she declared, rocking back and forth happily in her chair.
Her cute praise made Shin chuckle.
"I'm glad you like them, Rika," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately.
Rika beamed, cheeks turning pink.
Yuki, meanwhile, picked up a pancake and bit into it — only to visibly freeze.
The flavor exploded in his mouth: buttery, sweet, light.
He nearly moaned.
But instead, he scowled and looked away.
"Tch... not bad, I guess," he muttered, cheeks puffed slightly.
Ai hid another giggle.
So cute, she thought.
Shin reached for a pancake himself, completely calm.
Under the table, his hand brushed against Ai's thigh.
She stiffened — her heart pounding — but she didn't move away.
Instead, she subtly shifted closer.
He rewarded her by slipping his fingers under the hem of her shorts, tracing her skin lightly.
Ai bit down on her bottom lip, trying to keep her face normal.
Rika, chattering happily about how much she loved Onii-san's cooking, didn't seem to notice.
But she did notice the way Ai's cheeks flushed a little deeper, and the way her hands trembled slightly as she picked up her chopsticks.
They're... doing something again, aren't they... Rika thought, smiling sweetly even as her heart squeezed.
She stabbed a piece of pancake and stuffed it into her mouth, forcing herself to focus on the flavor.
Yuki, meanwhile, was too busy trying not to stare at Shin.
He pretended to be annoyed, but his eyes flickered toward Shin's hands, his chest, his smile.
*So annoying... why does he look so good even when he's just eating?* Yuki thought, cheeks burning.
Shin's hand slipped a little higher on Ai's thigh.
Ai's breath hitched softly.
Shin glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, smirking.
Behave, he mouthed silently.
Ai nodded shakily, her face blazing red.
Rika twirled her fork in her pancake, humming.
"Onii-san, can you teach me how to make these pancakes sometime?" she asked brightly.
Shin smiled warmly.
"Of course. Anytime."
Rika clapped her hands together, looking like a puppy being praised.
"Yay~! Onii-san is the best!"
Yuki stabbed at his food a little harder.
"I could totally make pancakes if I wanted to," he grumbled.
"No you couldn't, Yuki-kun," Rika said sweetly.
"You'd probably burn water," Ai added gently, trying to lighten the mood.
Yuki's face turned even redder.
"Sh-shut up! I'm not interested in stupid cooking anyway!"
Under the table, Shin's hand grew bolder.
He traced the edge of Ai's panties, slipping his fingers just underneath.
Ai clenched her legs together, but it only trapped his hand closer.
She whimpered softly — barely audible.
Rika's eyes flickered toward her again — sharp for just a second — then she smiled even brighter.
*They're definitely doing something...* she thought, heart aching.
But she pushed it down.
She wouldn't ruin Ai's happiness.
Even if it killed her.
Shin teased Ai carefully, rubbing slow circles against her most sensitive spot, hidden by thin fabric.
Ai couldn't breathe.
Every bite of food felt surreal, her entire world reduced to the maddening, delicious pressure between her legs.
Still, she smiled and laughed along with the conversation, pretending everything was normal.
Shin finally withdrew his hand, giving her thigh a soft squeeze.
Ai slumped in relief.
But her body throbbed with need.
The meal wound down slowly.
Plates emptied.
Cups were drained.
The atmosphere was thick with the smells of syrup, butter, and unspoken emotions.
Rika stretched with a yawn.
"That was amazing, Onii-san~" she said brightly. "Your cooking makes me wanna marry you!"
She giggled playfully.
Ai tensed.
Shin just chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair.
"Be careful what you say, Rika. Ai might get jealous," he teased.
Ai flushed scarlet, but smiled shyly.
*I would. I really would.*
Yuki muttered under his breath.
"Not like I care if he marries someone," he said. "As long as I get the pancakes."
Everyone laughed.
Even Yuki cracked a small, reluctant smile.
Under the table, Shin reached for Ai's hand and squeezed it gently.
A silent promise.
A secret just for them.
And Ai squeezed back, her heart so full it hurt.
She didn't care about anything else.
Not jealousy.
Not rivalry.
Not the world.
As long as Shin was by her side, she was happy.
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END OF CHAPTER : 69 : PANCAKES AND GLARES!
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