Yozora carried Asahi effortlessly, holding her from the front like she weighed nothing at all. Her legs kicked lightly as she scanned the toy aisle with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Oooh! Oooh! Look at that one!" she squealed, pointing at a giant plushie shaped like a dragon. Its scales were bright turquoise and fuchsia. She wiggled in his arms, hugging the air around it.
Yozora's lips curved just slightly, a near-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Calm, composed, measured.
"That's… certainly colorful," he said. His voice had warmth, but also a weight—like a quiet warning that he wouldn't be swayed.
Asahi pouted. "Can we get it? Pleeease?" She leaned forward as much as she could, trying to reach it.
"No."
She froze. Then, like clockwork, her tiny fists bunched and she whined, "But it's so cute! I need it!"
Yozora shifted her slightly to adjust the angle of his hold, keeping her close but allowing her enough room to inspect the plushie.
"Asahi," he said softly, patiently, "you already have enough toys for your room. Okaa-san spent hours arranging the colors carefully. That bright turquoise and fuchsia dragon would clash completely."
"Buuuut—" she protested, twisting to try and grab it.
"No."
Her tantrum started immediately. She stomped her little arms against his chest, shrieked, and flailed her feet. Yozora remained steady, holding her up as if she were weightless. His calm presence swallowed the chaos around them. People glanced over, curious, but he didn't acknowledge them.
"I want it! I want it! I need it!" she shouted.
Yozora's voice was smooth and measured.
"Then you will have to wait until we find a version that fits your room. This one is not it."
Asahi groaned and pouted, resting her little chin on his chest, but Yozora didn't flinch. He carried her down the aisle, letting her scan for options. She huffed, flopped her head against him, then, after a few seconds, brightened.
"Hmm… maybe this blue one isn't so bad!"
Yozora allowed himself a near imperceptible nod.
"Good choice."
Asahi squealed with triumph, bouncing slightly in his arms, while Yozora adjusted his hold on his little sister and continued down the aisle, calm, composed, mature… utterly unbothered by the chaos of his little sister.
What do you think of this new character?