Ichika poked Shinichi's cheek with her finger and rubbed it lightly, feeling the warmth that belonged to her.
Ichika slowly crouched down, looking straight at her sleepy face in the darkness.
"That's so cute."
she couldn't help but laugh, her voice was naturally very gentle.
Gently draw circles with her fingertips, touching his eyebrows, his eyelids and the corners of his lips. With every touch, the heartbeat quickens.
The other hand covered her chest.
Stopping her movements, Ichika calmed down a bit, then said softly.
"...Hey, Shinichi-kun, the following words I can say only now."
There was a hint of regret in her tone, but the smile on Ichika's face became gentler.
"Maybe it started when you were willing to be a confidant, Or maybe it started when I heard you say those words on the roof."
"Most likely in the little things I experienced with you, your help, your seriousness, your strength, your trust, and the feelings I experienced by your side really touched my heart."
"I like you."
"I really like you."
"This feeling is unbearable."
As Ichika muttered, she lowered her palm and caressed Shinichi's face, ran her fingers through his hair, and played with it.
"When I found out that you prepared this fireworks display for me, I wanted to say this... I wanted to tell you my heart, I wanted to hold your hand, and I will watch the fireworks with you from now on, whether it's true or fake..."
"As long as you are here, my heart will beat really fast, maybe when the time comes, I can't even hear the sound of fireworks?"
Ichika pulled Shinichi's hand that was covering the blanket, and placed it on her left chest.
The sensitive place was touched by a warm palm, she was panting, embarrassment appeared on her face, and her breathing became faster.
Ichika bit her lower lip, ignoring this charming reaction, held Shinichi's wrist, and said slowly.
"Hey, look, see if my heart is beating really fast? I don't know how many times today, I have endured it, and I don't want you to know that my heart has reached this point. If not, it would be too embarrassing… Obviously we've only met for less than a month."
Some people say that love is not born in length, but weight and depth.
Ichika doesn't know when, Shinichi has occupied half of her heart, his weight is unbelievably huge, no matter how many times she thinks about him, today is far more than work and her sister combined.
As for the depth, with his help, Ichika can not only have a certain understanding of accounting affairs, but also choose a supporting actress in a movie. Her acting skills have changed, and she has found a way to continuously improve.
During this period of growth, Shinichi has long been rooted in her heart.
How should Ichika let go? Can't let go of this at all?
Ichika hated pain, and she was used to smiling, so she preferred the feeling of smiling.
"...But, I can't tell you, and I don't dare to tell you."
She knelt on the ground on one knee, rubbing her cheek while letting his big warm hand rest on the side of her face.
"Because I'm an Onee-san, and I want to become an Onee-san who can protect everyone... Even though mother never asked me to do so, from that day on, I didn't want to see my little sister's sad expression again."
She wanted to stand in front of all the little sisters and be an indicator of their progress.
All Ichika wants to do is be a proud big sister.
"So this is the last time I say it."
Feeling a little uncomfortable in her heart, Ichika's mouth twitched, and finally gave up on keeping on smiling.
After all, no one is watching, so there's no need to suppress it anymore, just be her true self.
"I... Fall in love with you... Shinichi-kun..."
Closing her eyes, tears wet Shinichi's palms.
"However, Miku was the first... She fell in love with you first, and made changes for you first. I can clearly see how that girl found her purpose and worked hard to move forward..."
"How can I tell her that, I like Shinichi-kun too, we will compete fairly in the future, if I lose, don't be sad or anything..."
"I can't do something like this…"
The voice that spoke choked with sobs, Ichika laughed to herself.
"Even if I don't do my job, I'm still an Onee-san, and I have to protect my little sister's happiness."
"After all, in the face of love, family affection is indeed superior."
To be honest, it's really bad to steal a guy from a sister.
How could unrequited love accumulate in just half a month compared to a brotherhood of more than ten years?
It was with such awareness that Ichika came to Shinichi who was sleeping soundly in the middle of the night and said these words.
If Ichika doesn't tell him all her feelings now, one day, she will definitely become unlike herself, ignore family affection, and do things like fight with each other.
To prevent something like that from happening, Ichika gave up.
"Okay, I've said all I need to say. From now on, I will still like you. After all, this relationship had only reached its peak today. How can it go out like this?"
"It's just that, until the only thing left in the Nakano family is I like you, you will always be my best friend, a good partner who listens to my complaints, and supports me in various things."
"If there really comes a time when I can hug you tightly, I will definitely say it out loud in front of everyone."
『I like you, please stay with me from now on! 』
"Even if you refuse, I will chase you to the end. I believe I have tenacity."
Ichika bowed with her upper body.
At such a distance, she finally saw clearly Shinichi's slight frown in his sleep, and his sleeping face.
It was clear just by looking at him, but her heart beat faster.
Confirmed again, it's true that she likes Shinichi.
"Good night, and see you tomorrow."
Ichika bowed her head to Shinichi's lips.
—in the palm.
"...For a first kiss, it's better to give it when we're both awake."
After all, she was just a coward who didn't even dare to confess.
Ichika walked away reluctantly and headed for the door.
Holding the doorknob, she looked back one last time.
Her face contorted as if she was about to cry again, but she regained her smile.
Going back to sleep, she should feel better when she wakes up.
Thinking so, she turned her head and met Miku who was standing quietly behind the door.
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