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o4 - Bonding
It had become a ritual of sorts. When Natsuki came home, after he made dinner and a few donuts for dessert, he'd automatically get himself ready. He'd clean the cups, break out on the tea (for himself, Sakura liked hot chocolate), and put on one of his cozy fleece sweaters.
With the cups billowing with wisps of white smoke, he'd make his way upstairs. By that time, his dad and Mariko had already gone to sleep but Sakura was waiting for him. When he pushed open the door to his room (trying to keep the sound as low as possible) she would be sitting on his bed, dressed in her long sleeve pajama shirt and bottoms with a pleasant smile on her face.
Carefully, carefully Natsuki climbs onto her bed, making sure he doesn't spill the cocoa. As he climbs on, Sakura jumps off, hurries to the window and pushes it open. The stars are out, they usually are, glistening in a royal blue sky. She lets out a long sigh, "Aahh, Nii-chan, look at the stars! Their beautiful."
"Yeah, they are," he says, smoothing a smile onto his face. Sakura stares with wide eyes at the sky just a little bit longer before cutting the lights, letting the full moon be the only light. She crawls onto the bed, snuggling under the blanket up to her brother. He offers her the cup of cocoa, which she takes and sends him a soft smile, "thank you."
It had become a ritual of sorts. To snuggle up like this against Natsuki, sipping hot cocoa and staring up at the moon and stars. Even from their home, she could hear the gentle surge of the ocean; it was close enough to lull her heart.
Moments like these, nights like these, made everything feel all right. There was nothing to worry about. The world was in slow motion and any stress or anxiety was all gone.
She blows on her hot cocoa, sending the wisps away until they disappear into thin air. She takes a sip and the drink warms her.
Yes, the warmth of a cup of hot cocoa never failed to ease her.