"Good morning again," I murmured, breaking the comfortable silence. My voice was still husky from sleep, but the way Ai tilted her head up to meet my gaze made my heart skip a beat.
Her smile was small but genuine, her cheeks faintly pink. "Good morning," she replied, her voice gentle.
I chuckled, shifting slightly to tighten my arm around her waist. "I thought you'd fallen asleep again."
"Not with you holding me so tightly," she teased, her tone light but affectionate.
"Oh?" I smirked, leaning closer until our noses almost touched. "Is that a complaint?"
Her blush deepened, but she didn't shy away. Instead, she tilted her head and gave me a playful glare. "I might consider it if you keep teasing me."
"And what if I don't stop?" I countered, my voice dropping to a soft whisper as I brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
