"Don't act like you don't know," I teased, leaning forward slightly. "Half the guys on campus would trip over themselves just for a chance to talk to you. And yet, here you are, doting on this little guy like he's the center of your world."
Arakan perked up at the mention of himself, his tail swishing behind him. "Of course I'm the center of Onee-chan's world! She loves me the most!"
Aiko chuckled, patting his head affectionately. "He's not wrong," she admitted, her voice warm. "Arakan has always been the most important thing in my life. He keeps me grounded when everything else feels overwhelming."
Her words struck a chord with me, and I found myself nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I get that. Aoi's the same for me. No matter what's going on, just having her around makes everything feel manageable."
Aoi looked up at me with wide, adoring eyes. "Onii-chan is Aoi's favorite person in the whole world," she said, her voice soft but full of conviction.
