Chapter 1: Can I'm Kiss Your Lips?
Csepel was dreaming.
Something about clouds. A field. Maybe a quiet afternoon with no one shouting from the bathroom.
Peace.
Then the sound of a door creaking open broke the illusion. He stirred slightly but didn't open his eyes. Maybe if he stayed still, they'd go away.
A soft voice reached his ears.
"Nii-san…"
He twitched.
"Csepel… if you don't wake up soon… something dangerous might happen to you."
The words were quiet. Mischievous. Far too ominous for this early in the morning.
A second later, the bed dipped slightly. Someone was sitting near him.
Then a whisper.
"If you don't wake up now… I'll kiss you on the lips."
Csepel's eyes shot open.
He turned his head just enough to see her sitting beside him, grinning with satisfaction.
"Don't do that," he muttered, voice still hoarse with sleep.
Komari giggled. "Good morning, Nii-san."
Csepel rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Is threatening someone with a kiss how people greet each other these days?"
"Only if they're really, really close," she said with a wink.
Csepel groaned and rolled out of bed.
Komari stood up after him, hands behind her back, swaying slightly on her heels. She was already dressed in her school uniform—a dark pleated skirt, white blouse, and red ribbon tied perfectly under the collar. Her long chestnut hair was brushed and shiny, and her cheeks had the faintest touch of morning blush.
Downstairs, breakfast was already set.
Csepel blinked as he sat at the table. "You cooked?"
"I always cook when I wake up first," Komari said proudly as she served him rice and miso soup. "And since I always wake up first, I guess I always cook."
"You wake up first because you sneak into my room."
"Exactly!"
He gave her a look. She smiled innocently back.
They sat across from each other, steam rising from their bowls. The smell was surprisingly pleasant. Komari was a decent cook—something she learned, she once said, "because one day, I'll be the perfect wife."
Unfortunately, the subject of that dream was sitting right in front of her.
As they ate, Komari leaned forward, elbows on the table.
"Nii-san," she said sweetly. "You always look best in the morning. Like a sleepy prince. So handsome…"
"Don't flirt over rice," Csepel muttered, not looking up.
"I'm just being honest."
"You're being weird."
"I take that as a compliment."
He sighed, sipping his miso. "You take everything as a compliment."
"Because when it comes from you, it is."
Another sigh.
Komari watched him eat with sparkling eyes, like she was enjoying the meal just by watching him enjoy it. Occasionally, she would reach out to fix his bedhead, or lean her chin on her palm and stare.
After breakfast, they packed their bags and got ready to head out.
Csepel adjusted the straps on his school backpack and glanced at the clock. "We should go."
"Yup! I'm walking with you today!"
"You always do."
"I want people to see us together."
Csepel didn't reply. He just opened the door and stepped outside, Komari close behind.
The morning sun greeted them warmly. The sky was clear, and the air held that refreshing crispness that only spring mornings had.
Their walk to school was quiet at first—until Komari broke the silence.
"Hey, Csepel," she said, hugging her bag close to her chest. "Next year, I'll be in high school too."
"I know."
"I'm gonna go to the same high school as you."
"I figured."
"And when I do," she said, eyes gleaming, "I'll make sure everyone knows that you're mine. No one can take you from me."
Csepel glanced sideways at her. "You know you make that sound like you're some kind of possessive villain."
"Aw, but I am," she said with a grin. "The final boss of your heart."
He chuckled softly. "That's a little dramatic for a middle schooler."
Komari puffed her cheeks. "Age doesn't matter in love."
"It does when the other person doesn't see you that way."
"You'll come around."
"I won't."
"Someday."
"Nope."
Komari laughed, clearly not discouraged. "You're smiling, though."
Csepel reached up to touch his lips. He was smiling. Slightly.
Another sigh escaped him. "You're exhausting."
"But you'd miss me if I stopped."
He didn't answer that.
They arrived at the usual fork in the road—where the path split between the high school and the middle school.
Komari stopped, standing on tiptoe to look up at him. "Have a good day, Nii-san."
"You too."
"Don't talk to any strange girls."
"I make no promises."
"I'll find out."
"You always do."
Komari leaned forward slightly, as if testing his reaction. "Want a goodbye kiss?"
Csepel took a step back.
She laughed. "Okay, okay, I'm joking!"
She waved as she turned and started down the middle school path. "See you after school! I'll make your favorite for dinner!"
Csepel raised a hand in halfhearted farewell.
Once she was out of sight, he let out one last sigh for the morning.
He didn't hate Komari.
Far from it.
She was annoying, sure—clingy, flirtatious, and about as subtle as a brick—but he loved her like a real sister. Maybe even more than that.
But the problem was...
She didn't know.
She didn't know they weren't really related.
And he wasn't sure what would happen once she did.
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To be continued…
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