Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

Yoko gently intertwined her fingers with the boy she liked, softly holding his hand. She could feel that his fingers were long and slender. Even though he was a boy, his skin was quite fair, and it was hard to imagine he had ever done any rough labor.

She lightly leaned her head against his arm.

"Lately, I've been busy with the studio, so I haven't had much free time."

"So, is it better to be busy or to have nothing to do?"

Yoko thought for a moment, then gave her answer.

"Busy."

As she spoke, she lowered her head and gently pinched the joints of Ren's fingers with her other hand.

"Even though there's a lot to handle these days, it feels fulfilling to be working on something of my own. Thinking about working hard for my future, about going further, suddenly gives me motivation."

"Of course, there's another reason."

Just as Ren tilted his head to ask something, Yoko Okino lifted hers and kissed him on the cheek.

"When I start earning more, I'll make sure you never have to struggle again. I'll support you."

"…"

The words 'I'll support you' stirred something complicated inside Ren.

For the past fifteen years, he had grown up alone, struggling through hardship, facing the helplessness of poverty, and enduring hunger. Without anyone to lean on, all he had ever wanted was to study hard, find a stable job, and build a new life.

Now, while money was no longer a concern, the scars from those years still ran deep.

He released her delicate hand, only to wrap his arms around her and pull her into a tight embrace.

"So I'll become a little pup, spoiled and supported by you?"

Ren's voice held a smile, but his heart ached with bitter emotions. The wounds of the past began to resurface.

"Is it really that bad to be kept by someone~?"

Yoko Okino smiled as she opened her thick coat. Beneath it, she wore another equally warm one.

Then, she gently held Ren's face and pressed him against her chest.

Her arms wrapped behind his head.

"My little brother has been holding it in for far too long. Just for today, act spoiled with your sister."

Ren slowly grew drowsy.

At this moment, he was at his most fragile.

But instead of coldness, he was surrounded by warmth.

Like comforting a child, Yoko gently patted Ren's back.

Gradually, as she cared for him, Yoko herself began to feel sleepy.

She didn't resist the fatigue. Closing her eyes, she let herself rest.

In a room warmed by the heater, even the winter chill couldn't intrude. There was no need to worry about catching a cold, even while sleeping on the sofa.

In that warmth, the two of them quietly fell asleep in each other's arms.

The night passed quickly, and morning light crept in through the window.

After finally letting out fifteen years' worth of suppressed emotions, Ren fell into a deep and peaceful sleep, mentally at ease.

The time was now 9:48 AM.

Far later than usual for him. But this time, his body chose rest instinctively, free of any stress or pressure.

The sleep and warmth from the night before left him completely recharged.

"Mm…"

The soft sensation on his face made Ren reluctant to wake, but his refreshed mind wouldn't let him stay asleep.

His eyes opened gradually as he regained full consciousness.

Memories of the night before returned to him, and as he looked up, he met Yoko Okino's gentle, maternal gaze. It reminded him of a mother looking at her mischievous son.

It made Ren blush a little.

"Yoko, I'm sorry. I…"

Before he could finish, Yoko Okino wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, burying his words in her chest.

That maternal (almost regal) warmth made Ren want to just sink into it.

"Don't worry about yesterday."

"Don't keep everything inside. Tell me sometimes, okay? I may not be as good as some of those girls you know, but I'm still your sister. That's not something they can compare to."

Indeed. Maternal warmth isn't about physical traits. It's about the tenderness that radiates from deep within.

…Though Yoko Okino's chest was quite substantial.

Her comfort and tenderness soothed Ren's awkward shyness.

He held Yoko Okino tightly again.

His voice was slightly muffled since his face was buried against her chest.

"Don't you have work today?"

"Nope, nothing scheduled."

(To be continued.)

***

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