Extra Chapter: Anime Celebration

226. Sweet Morning — Aquasteed

This is likely a sweet story. I wrote this in a hurry because the anime broadcast starts today at 23:00! It’s short, but I hope you enjoy it!

I suddenly woke to the sunlight and reached out my arm to pull my wife closer—the woman who should have been sleeping right beside me. However, my hand grasped only empty air. Failing to find the warmth that was supposed to be there, I opened my eyes.

—I was wide awake in an instant.

I never imagined Tiara wouldn’t be right next to me. Looking at the sunlight streaming through the window, it seemed I had slept past our usual wake-up time.

—To think I didn’t notice Tiara getting up.

A total oversight. Every morning, I looked forward to seeing Tiara’s comfortable, happy sleeping face. As I was thinking this, the bedroom door opened. The first thing I saw was that fluffy honey-pink hair and Tiara’s face, smiling joyfully.

“Aqua, good morning.”

“Morning, Tiara. It seems I’ve overslept.”

As I spoke with a wry smile, Tiara giggled. “You looked so comfortable while you were sleeping.” Her expression seemed somehow triumphant.

“You should have woken me up.”

“I heard your schedule for this morning was clear. Don’t you think it’s nice to have a day like this once in a while? Besides, I want to see your sleeping face too, you know?”

Perhaps because I usually go to sleep late and wake up first, Tiara puffed out her cheeks cutely as she voiced her complaint. That said, I can’t help it; I love seeing Tiara’s sleeping face.

When I reached for her cheek while she was still in a bit of a daze, she instinctively leaned into my touch. “Aqua,” she murmured, calling my name so adorably. It was heart-wrenchingly precious; my love for her grows more every single day.

“Shall I brew some tea? Or would you prefer herbal tea?”

As Tiara offered to prepare a morning drink, I shook my head slightly and opened my arms. “Come here.” It had bothered me that she wasn’t in my arms when I woke up.

“…! My, Aqua, are you being a spoiled baby?”

“I’m always spoiled when it comes to you, Tiara.”

While giggling, Tiara sat on the bedside and came into my arms. As I breathed in her sweet scent, she laughed again, saying, “That tickles.”

“When I wake up, I want to savor you, Tiara.”

“…Well, I want to savor you too, Aqua.”

It seemed we were both thinking the same thing. Because I always wake up first, Tiara must have been determined to beat me to it for once.

—But I simply can’t give in on this one.

I pulled Tiara down onto the bed while still holding her, kissing her forehead, her cheeks, her ears… one by one. The way she squirmed as if tickled was so cute I felt like I wouldn’t be able to stop, even though it was morning.

Suddenly, Tiara wrapped her arms around my neck and closed her eyes as if pleading.

“I really am no match for you.”

“…Mm.”

As we kissed gently, a sweet sigh escaped Tiara. I had thought I should get up soon, but since I have the chance, I’ve decided to take it slow for a little longer today.

I’ve posted a new story featuring Akari as the protagonist to celebrate the anime. Please enjoy that one as well if you like!

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