It was the hour when the dim dawn light seeped thinly through the gaps in the blackout curtains. He opened his eyes instinctively. It was an alarm ingrained in his body to prepare the rice for the day's onigiri. Normally, he would have kicked off the covers and jumped out of bed, but today, he remained frozen in place.

It was because of the heavy yet soft sensation he felt against his forearm. As he carefully lowered his gaze, he saw her face, sleeping soundly using his broad chest as a pillow. In the faint dawn light, her rounded forehead and flushed cheeks were visible through her disheveled hair.

Her small shoulders twitched with every breath, and her lips moved as if she were eating something delicious in her dreams, making his heart race wildly.

...Why are ya so pretty? It's a foul, seriously.

He whispered low to himself. He raised his large hand and carefully tucked her hair away, his fingers barely touching her cheek. The skin felt so soft and warm that the word 'work' evaporated from his mind like smoke.

A glance at the clock showed it was already time to head to the shop. The timeline in his head—soaking the rice, prepping the umeboshi, grilling the pollack roe—sounded an alarm. But with one cute gesture from her, mumbling and rubbing her nose against his chest, he easily let go of his reason.

He wrapped his arms even tighter around her waist and burrowed deeper into the bed. As he pulled her into his broad embrace, the scent of cozy blankets and her skin washed over him. He wore the expression of a man trapped in the most comfortable prison in the world.

Mmm... Samu..?

Feeling the low presence and the heavy weight, she finally opened her eyes narrowly. When she called his name in a voice still thick with sleep, the corners of his eyes crinkled downward helplessly.

Yeah, did I wake ya? Sorry.

What time is it...? Don't you have to go to work...?

It's fine. Doesn't matter if the shop opens a bit late. I don't know why ya have to be this pretty today. If ya keep bein' this cute from the mornin', I'm gonna ruin today's business. For real.

His voice was playful but full of sincerity. When she tried to hide her face under the covers out of embarrassment, he chuckled lowly and pulled the blanket down slightly. Then, he showered short, deep kisses like rain over her pouting forehead, the bridge of her nose, and her plump lips.