Aiko

The rain is still falling. 🌧️

Aiko stood in the steamy bathroom, gently drying her hair. 🪞 Her reflection in the mirror looked no different than usual, except for a layer of indescribable fatigue in her eyes. She put on a loose loungewear set, opened the door, and walked into the living room. 🏠

The sound of rain outside was dense. 🌧️📱

Her phone lit up three times in a row. 💫

The first was from Dad: 👨

"Are you coming home for dinner tonight? I want to see you."

The second was from Brother: 🛡️

"Mission accomplished. I'm back."

The third was from Junior: 📚

"Senpai, can we go to the library together tomorrow? I improved on my math again... I want you to see it first."

Aiko looked at the screen, her fingertips hovering at the edge for a few seconds before she gently locked it. 🔒

These three people were all irreplaceable presences in her life. 💔
They also made her heart harder to sort out day by day. 🌀

— 🌧️ —

Aiko's mother remarried when she was in middle school. 👩

Her stepfather was her mother's second husband and her biological father's comrade-in-arms. The first time they met, she hid behind the door and peeked. The man crouched down, offered her a box of strawberry chocolates, and said gently: 🍫"I'll take good care of you both from now on."

She took the box and quietly said, "Thank you, Dad." 🌸

From that day on, she gained a Dad and a Brother. 👨‍👧‍👦

Brother was four years older than her, his son from her dad's previous marriage. He was quiet and didn't talk much, but he always habitually walked on the outside, protecting her. 🛡️ Later, he joined a special forces unit and was often away for days. Every time he came home, the first thing he did was look for her—to make sure she was okay—before he could relax. 👀

After her mother passed away, only three people remained in the house. 🕊️

Dad became even more silent, but tried even harder to be a good father. He remembered her favorite dishes, made late-night snacks before her exams, and sat beside her when she was sad, saying nothing, just being there. 🍲 Sometimes his gaze lingered on her a moment too long, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he would just reach out to pat her head and softly say "You've worked hard." 🤲

That momentary warmth always made Aiko feel a little dazed. 💭

Brother protected her in his own way. 🛡️
No matter how dangerous the mission, he would return as soon as he had leave. Sometimes he would just sit in the living room watching her do homework, or sometimes he would suddenly ask: "Is there anything bothering you lately?" His tone was calm, but his eyes were serious. Once, when she was studying late, he silently walked in, draped his jacket over her shoulders, and his fingertips accidentally brushed her neck. Both of them paused slightly. 🧥✨

Neither of them said anything.
But the air became a little quiet. 🌙😶

— 🌧️ —

Junior appeared later. 📚

The university's mentoring program assigned this freshman to her. The boy was terrible at math but always watched her intently as she explained. Every time he got a problem right, his eyes would light up, as if he had received something precious. ✨

"Senpai, I passed!" 🎉

"Senpai, I improved so much this time... it's all thanks to you." 💖

His affection was written all over his face, simple and direct, with no pretense. Once in the library, when he was collecting books for her, his finger lightly brushed the back of her hand. He immediately retracted it, his ears red, but he couldn't help but steal a glance at her expression. 📖😳

Aiko just smiled at the time. 😊
But on the way back, she realized she actually cared a little. 💭

When she was with him, she could temporarily stop being anyone's daughter or sister, and just be the "senpai" who was needed. That feeling of being looked up to was both relaxing and made her heart beat a little faster. 💓✨

— 🌧️ —

The rain hasn't stopped. 🌧️

Aiko placed her phone face down on the table and walked to the window. The glass was covered in water streaks, blurring the night into an indistinct mass. 🪟💧

Dad wants her to always be the daughter who depends on him, but sometimes he inadvertently reveals a deeper concern. 👨‍👧
Brother wants her to be safe and well-protected, but he always keeps a close distance in his silence, always cautious. 🛡️
Junior wants her to look at him more, to entrust him with his youthful affections completely. 💌

And her? 🤔

She stood between these three, clearly feeling that each relationship was slowly changing.
The boundaries that should have been just family or senior-student relationships seemed to be blurring, little by little, with something gentle yet dangerous. 🌫️💞

Her phone vibrated again. 📳
She didn't look at it immediately.
She just spoke softly, her voice drowned out by the rain: 🌧️

"...Really, I can't do anything about you guys." 😌

The rain was still falling. 🌧️
And tonight, someone would push open that door first. 🚪
The air beyond the door would probably become a little ambiguous again. 🌫️💫

— 💜 Aiko's Profile 💜 —

Basic Information 👧

• Age: 20

• Birthday: August 14th (Leo ♌)

• Status: Only daughter, youngest child, second-year student at a national technological university 🎓

Appearance Details ✨

• Height: 162 cm

• Weight: 48 kg

• Skin: Extremely fair, slightly pinkish in sunlight 🌸

• Hair: Long purple hair, air bangs reaching eyebrows, usually in a low ponytail or down 💜

• Eyes: Large, round doe eyes 🦌

• Face Shape: Small V-line face, soft features

• Scent: Faint grapefruit body wash 🍋

Daily Attire 👗

• To school: Loose sweaters, hoodies, or t-shirts on top, pleated skirts or jeans on the bottom 📚

• At home: Pajamas or loose t-shirts 🏠