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The morning announcement hadn’t quite gone off yet. Kako was already awake, all dressed and ready, and sitting at the desk reading. In her bed was Ima, still sound asleep, clutching a pillow and murmuring softly to it as if it was his dear sister.
“Imoutochan… so soft…” he whispered. “Mm… c’mere…”
Kako stifled a snort. He was really an idiot sometimes.
She figured it was best to stay and wait for him to get up. If she went to the cafeteria this early, it would be empty and therefore boring. And if someone saw Ima leaving Kako’s room, she’d be mortified. Everyone already suspected what was going on in private between the twins, and she’d rather not do the work of confirming it for them.
Finally, Sirei’s obnoxious voice came on the monitor to announce another day of grueling active service. Or, Kako thought, more than likely it would just be more free time.
Ima groaned as he awoke. His eyes opened slowly. The moment he gained consciousness, he seemed to realize the pillow was not in fact his sister, and shoved it off the bed with pure vitriol.
Kako leaned back in the desk chair to look at him. “Ima? Are you up?”
“Kako, I fear I’ve been unfaithful.” He lay back in bed, staring in mock horror at the ceiling.
“You’re not capable.” Kako giggled.
Ima glared at the offending pillow. “As soon as I can get Sirei to add one to the Gift-O-Matic, I’ll make a body pillow of you.”
“Don’t do that.” Kako flushed at the thought. It was embarrassing enough she’d had to model for all Ima’s other photos of her, but the thought of lying down for a body pillow photoshoot was too far.
Ima finally sat up. “Then you should make sure to cuddle me all night, ‘til morning, so my focus doesn’t stray.”
“So now it’s my fault you’re ‘unfaithful’?”
“It takes two.” Ima said, his goofy smile growing on his face.
Kako shut her book. She rolled her chair back so she could see Ima properly as he rubbed sleep from his eyes.
“Wow, you look terrible!” She said, remarking upon it like the sight of Ima’s messy hair was the next remote-control shutters.
His hair was all over the place, purple and blonde sticking up at odd angles. His makeup was smudged, since he’d wanted to jump right into bed with Kako last night instead of cleaning his face. He had wrinkles on one cheek from laying on his side.
Kako was the only one who got to see him like this.
Instead of laughing at her teasing observation, Ima was scowling. “Ah, that’s no good. I’ll have to clean up fast before I head to the club…”
Kako tilted her head. She spoke gently. “Um, Oniichan, there’s no host club here. It’s the Last Defense Academy.”
He rubbed his eyes, nodding slowly. He laughed, the sound forced. “Right as always, Imoutochan. Your dumb big brother must still be half asleep…”
Kako wasn’t sure that was all it was. But she knew pressing Ima on their past wouldn’t do any good, not yet. Stuff like that would have to wait a little longer to address.
Instead, she changed the subject. “Could you get up? I wanna try chocolate-covered pickled cauliflower.”
“Uh…”
She stuck her tongue out. Sometimes her recipes were too much, even for Ima. But Kako knew the world would recognize her genius one day…
“First, can I get my good morning kiss?” Ima asked, enthusiastic as ever. It was so embarrassing, no matter how many times they did stuff like this, or how much Kako not-so-secretly loved it.
“Fine.” Kako stood up and leaned over the bed.
But before their lips could meet, Ima’s hand shot out to grab her wrist. Kako was yanked into bed, and then held tight, captive in Ima’s arms.
“Hey!” She yelped. Kako twisted around, trying to wriggle away.
Ima’s hands clasped together on her stomach, pulling her back tight against his chest. “Let’s snuggle a little bit longer before we get botulism, my dear Kako. Okay?”
“A-at least let me get my book!” She protested, her arm reaching out towards the desk.
Ima grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. Kako groaned, but ceased her struggling. There was no escaping Ima when he got this affectionate; it was like being a siscon gave him super strength.
“Just for a few more minutes. I’ve got to make it up to you for my affair.” Ima teased. His nose tickled Kako’s ear from behind, and she resisted the urge to elbow him.
“You’re gonna wrinkle my uniform…” she sighed.
“Take it off?”
“Creep.”
But she relaxed her shoulders. Ima was nice and warm against her, and she felt safe being held like this. Her heart still fluttered even when they spent most nights this way; she sort of hoped it would stay so novel forever.
“I guess this is alright.” She decided. “We should leave our room last so no one sees us, anyway.”
Ima tangled his legs together with hers. “Whatever you say, Imoutochan.”