Chapter 4: Misunderstanding.

Hiro jogged home.

Reaching his house, he crossed his yard and stepped onto the porch, jumping over the steps. He opened the door and walked inside.

[Hiro: I'm home!]

His parents sat at the dining table drinking tea.

Hiro's father was still in his work clothes, and bore an exhausted expression. Hiro's father was really hard-working. Almost always at work, but when he was home, he would always try his best to help around the house and spend time with his family. Hiro's father had messy black hair like Hiro, was growing a little scruff on his chin, and wore his reading glasses as he read a book.

Hiro's mother also had black hair, and wore an apron. She was sitting at the table watching over her daughter, Yumi.

Along with Shuuki, Yumi was Hiro's adopted younger sister. Shuuki's biological sister.

Yumi had long, snowy white hair and pale skin. She sat on the wooden floor, playing with hand-me-down action figures. For an eight year old girl, she was daring and confident; not to mention, no matter where she was, her smile always lit up the room.

Yumi made fighting noises as she made the action figures fly through the air and shoot imaginary laser beams.

Like Hiro and Shuuki, she wanted to become a combat mage.

Most likely influenced by her two older brothers, who were influenced by their older brother, Kobu.

Kobu was a combat mage out in the field, fighting crooks and bad guys-- a big inspiration to both Hiro and Shuuki. Sadly, Kobu was an adult now, so he didn't live with them anymore.

[Mom: Welcome home!]

[Dad: Welcome home!]

[Yumi: WELCOMEEEE--]

Seeing Hiro come in, Yumi dropped her action figures and ran to Hiro, jumping on him.

[Yumi: HOME!]

Hiro stumbled backwards onto the porch. Yumi was climbing up Hiro like a human ladder, while he was laughing and trying to regain balance.

[Hiro: Haha, Yumi, stop-- aah!]

thump--

Hiro took one too many steps back and tripped over the porch ledge, falling onto his back.

[Hiro: Ow.]

Hiro lay in the grass, gazing up at the blue sky. It was a nice day outside. There was a cloud in the shape of a frog. Very detailed and realistic. Now it was morphing and changing into something else...

Hiro was appreciating the view, but suddenly the face of an overly jubilant little girl blocked the clouds.

[Yumi: Welcome home, Hiro!]

Her bright blue eyes shined with joy as she got to see her brother. Hiro never really understood why she was so happy because they saw each other everyday, but Hiro guessed he could relate, because he felt the same way with Kobu.

Kobu, the new up and coming combat mage. He had only success paved for him and a bright future, and still, he was just Hiro's brother. A Hiroto.

[Hiro: Uh, thanks Yumi. Now get off of me.]

[Yumi: Sorry, no can do!]

[Hiro: Eh?!]

[Yumi: You have to tell me the secret password!]

[Hiro: Secret password... is it "please"?]

Yumi pouted, but got off of Hiro anyway.

[Yumi: That's not it... but I'll let you off the hook for now.]

[Hiro: Eh?]

Hiro was a bit confused on what she meant by the secret password, and that sent him on a deep mental train. He didn't want to disappoint her the next time she asked for the secret password.

Nonetheless, Hiro rolled over to get back on his feet, and walked back inside with Yumi.

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Back in the house, Hiro set down his backpack and other belongings.

Yumi went back to playing with her action figures, and Hiro's parents were still relaxing at the dinner table.

The rice pot was boiling, and something tasty was being baked in the oven. From the smell... was it tilapia?

[Shuuki: Welcome home!]

Shuuki was home?

Archery club must have ended early then. Archery club was technically a sport, so it lasted longer than a normal club would, usually ending around 5 P.M.

Hiro didn't even realize Shuuki was there until he welcomed Hiro. Shuuki was laying on the couch in the living room, typing up a storm on his laptop with his headphones in. His phone was on his laptop, playing a movie. He switched tabs-- he was playing an MMO as well?!

Shuuki was playing video games, watching a movie, and working on homework at the same time... That was so like Shuuki...

[Shuuki: Wait, Hiro!]

Hiro was heading upstairs to his room, but Shuuki stopped everything he was doing and ran in front of Hiro.

Hiro averted his eyes.

[Hiro: What do you want?]

[Shuuki: Uh, I want to talk to you about something.]

Hiro just wanted to rest up in his room before dinner. Was that too much to ask? Did Shuuki always have to bother him?

[Hiro: What is it?]

[Shuuki: First of all, why weren't you at archery club today?]

[Hiro: Why wasn't I at archery club...?]

Flashbacks of Yuu getting beat up and Hiro punching Kazuto in the face played in his mind, but then it dawned on him. The realization hit him like a brick.

He forgot all about Jun! He was dumb! How could he forget?!

Jun was going to be mad at him tomorrow... Hopefully Hiro didn't make her wait all by herself for too long.

[Shuuki: You missed archery club today. Today was the election day for the club's student council, and you weren't there to give your speech. I know so many people that were going to vote for you Hiro, but you missed it! I thought you wanted to become the president, didn't you? Because you didn't give your speech, I don't think you can qualify anymore.]

[Hiro: What...?]

He missed archery club. He missed the election.

Hiro practiced his speech over and over again in the mirror. He spent hours fine-tuning his speech-- and he missed it.

Of course, it was just his luck. Literally, the one day Hiro misses, is the most important one.

Hiro wanted to win, Hiro wanted to become the president of the archery council.

But now that was over.

[Hiro: Are you... kidding me?]

[Shuuki: I know how hard you worked for it... you were always so passionate-- why did you miss it today?]

[Hiro: I can't believe it.]

It seemed like a weight was put on Hiro's shoulders. Why did he have to leave school? Why couldn't he have just told Jun to go at a later time?

[Hiro: Who won then?]

If Hiro was out of the running, maybe Hatori or Kaori made it. If they did, maybe he wouldn't feel so bad.

[Shuuki: Well, Nozoyami became treasurer, Ganda became vice president, and Hatori became secretary-- you know Hatori, right?]

Hiro sighed in relief. At least Hatori made it... In archery club, Hatori never actually shot bows or participated in anything, he was always at the back working on homework or something else. It puzzled Hiro to how Hatori won, but at least one of his friends made it.

[Hiro: But... who became president?]

The question lurked in Hiro's mind. Who was the person who took his place?

[Shuuki: About that...]

Shuuki looked away from Hiro.

[Hiro: What?]

[Shuuki: I was the one who became the president.]

Shuuki smiled kindly and scratched the back of his head, saying it like he did it on accident.

[Hiro: Huh... What do you mean you became president?]

[Shuuki: Yeah, that's what I was going to talk to you about. I'm sorry that--]

[Hiro: Sorry?! Don't give me that!]

Shuuki looked surprised at his sudden yelling and the fierce look on his face.

Yumi and his parents were staring at him.

[Shuuki: Hiro--]

[Hiro: Ergh!]

Hiro pushed Shuuki aside and ran up the stairs to his room. He locked the door and jumped onto his bed.

Shuuki became president?

Of course he did! Of course Shuuki became president!

It was like Shuuki that he would take Hiro's role away so easily. Hiro was always living in Shuuki's shadow after all.

Shuuki was the type of person that would take any chance to push himself higher, with no regard for the people he pushes lower in order to do so.

And Hiro got the brunt of it. All the time.

Of course Shuuki could just come up with a speech on the spot and sway all of the archery club to vote for him to be president. Even when Hiro put in so much work to get where he was.

Shuuki didn't have to work hard for anything...

It made the roof of Hiro's mouth taste sour.

Hiro sighed deeply.

But there was no point in thinking so pessimistically. It would only make him feel worse.

Hiro rolled over in his bed and buried his face in his pillow.

He yelled, muffling his voice with the pillow.

[Hiro: AAAAARGH~]

He didn't feel any better. Or maybe he did. He couldn't tell.

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BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP--

smack--

Hiro wouldn't get fooled this time.

Hiro woke up at the nice, healthy, and stress-free time of 7:30 A.M.

After washing up, saying good morning to his mother and father and eating the bacon and eggs on the counter, he took his backpack and his lunch money and began walking to school.

He didn't want to take the bus. He didn't want to see Shuuki.

Hiro liked morning walks anyways. The birds chirping, the sunrise, and the morning humidity was a good second alarm clock to wake his brain up.

Past the intersection and the alleyway, past the school gates, up two flights of stairs and the long hallways he reached his first period.

8:19 P.M.

Hiro walked into the room and took a deep breath.

{Hiro: Today is a new day-- c'mon Hiro, cheer up, leave yesterday behind, and be yourself.}

Shuuki was already there, as he suspected. The bus usually arrived at the school around 8:10, so that students had a bit of free time before school started-- but that cut into their sleep schedules, so it's not as good as it sounds...

Seeing Hiro enter the room, Shuuki perked up and got up from his seat, approaching Hiro.

[Shuuki: Hiro!]

After Hiro ran to be by himself the day before, Hiro had not talked to Shuuki. Even at the dinner table, they ate silently, only speaking when needed.

Shuuki wanted to tie up loose ends with Hiro. Or at least that's probably what Shuuki wanted Hiro to think.

[Shuuki: I'm... I'm really sorry about archery club. I know how much that meant to you, and just becoming president like that... I didn't mean to rub you the wrong way--]

Hiro completely ignored Shuuki and walked past him.

[Hiro: Hey Jun!]

Jun looked at Hiro and blushed, then looked away, pretending to be mad.

[Jun: Hmmph. What do you want, Hiro?]

[Hiro: Aww, don't be like that. I'll have to admit, I did completely forget about yesterday, but please forgive me!]

Hiro bowed his head down dramatically.

Shuuki saw Hiro overlook him, and left to go back to his seat, disappointment on Shuuki's face.

[Jun: I was waiting for you for hours you know... I got there early, then after an hour later, I thought to myself-- he could be caught up in a few things, so maybe if I stay a bit more-- but then you never came! Jeez, Hiro~ idiot!]

Hiro brought his head back up and tensely grinned.

From her tone, it didn't sound like she was that mad. Plus, she was a bit cute when she was angry. That eased Hiro's nerves.

[Hiro: Sorry.]

Jun sighed and crossed her arms.

[Jun: I tried to contact you and everything, but then I realized I didn't have your number.]

Hiro's ears twitched.

[Hiro: My number?]

[Jun: Yeah, I was looking through my contacts, and you're not in there.]

[Hiro: Oh. Okay.]

[Jun: Yep... I don't have your number...]

[Hiro: Hmm.]

Hiro blinked multiple times.

Hiro wasn't sure if he was listening right. It wasn't processing.

Was she about to ask Hiro for his number?!

Wait, as a guy, wasn't he the one that was supposed to do that?

Was that what Jun wanted him to do--?

[Jun: Jeez Hiro, fine what's your number?!]

Watching Hiro's lack of response, Jun yelled at him to get it through his dense head.

She really was asking for his number.

Butterflies. Butterflies in his stomach.

[Hiro: Oh, uh, here.]

Hiro whipped out his phone and showed Jun his number.

Jun entered his number onto her phone.

[Jun: There~]

Jun handed back Hiro's phone and typed something up on her phone.

zzt~

Hiro's phone vibrated, and a message saying "hello, its jun!" popped up.

Hiro was speechless. Was this how exchanging numbers with a girl was supposed to go?

[Hiro: Thanks?]

[Jun: Now let's find a time we can meet up.]

[Hiro: Time?]

Meet up? With Jun? Even after he missed it last time?

Hiro had completely thrown away that possibility because he thought he blew it when he missed it yesterday. But she still wanted to meet up?

One after another, Jun was pressing forward. Maybe Jun really did like Hiro...

[Jun: Yeah, dummy, we still need to have that talk we were supposed to have yesterday.]

[Hiro: Hmm, I guess you're right.]

Hiro put his hand on his chin and nodded his head thoughtfully. Hiro wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend more time with Jun.

[Jun: So, still want to meet at the park?]

[Hiro: Yeah sure. It's actually really convenient for me.]

[Jun: And when? You tell me this time... I can't have you not showing up like yesterday--]

[Hiro: Today! Today works.]

[Jun: Oh? Really? That's sooner than I expected... ]

Jun muttered to herself, then realized she said it out loud.

[Jun: But! That's great! What time works for you?]

[Hiro: Want to do 4 P.M. again? I promise I'll make it this time.]

[Jun: Yeah, 4 P.M. works.]

[Hiro: Okay, it's decided then!]

[Jun: I'll text you to remind you to come-- make sure you do!]

[Hiro: I will, and don't worry about it-- I never break promises.]

Hiro smiled and gave his classic thumbs up of closure.

ringgggg--

8:30 P.M.

School started, and the students headed to their seats.

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School went by slowly.

More review in magic studies, no fun with stale subjects like english and math, and even lunch time was pretty mundane.

Hatori and Kaori asked about where Hiro was yesterday during archery club, but he tried to stay off of the subject. As much fun as it would be talking about getting into a fight, he still felt pretty bitter towards Shuuki and the whole archery club thing, and didn't want to dwell on it.

Hatori and Kaori knew how much Hiro cared about it, and kept prying, but Hiro smiled and laughed it off, saying it was just a club.

That's all it was, just a club. That's all the title of president was going to be anyways, just words to put on a resume or a box to check on a list of accomplishments.

Nothing that really mattered.

But it still hurt though.

3:29 P.M

After hanging out with Hatori and playing a few hearty games of ping pong at the school's youth center, he made his way towards the park.

As he was approaching the intersection, Hiro looked down the alleyway he punched Kazuto in the day before-- still empty and gloomy. A few pipes here and there, and a dumpster all the way at the end.

Hiro was able to beat the bullies and save Yuu, so he should pride himself in that.

After taking a right turn and traveling about two kilometers, he made it to the park.

3:48 P.M.

The park. Jun.

That's right, he would be seeing Jun.

He should cheer up a bit more.

Yeah, he was going to see Jun. And who knows what Jun was going to say to him? If his suspicions were correct, this could really be the start of something special!

Ooooh, it made Hiro's chest feel warm and jittery.

Butterflies, butterflies.

Hiro walked along the main path of the park.

Various benches and trash cans were distanced every few meters from each other, and because it was a week day, not many people were there. Sure, there were a few people walking their dogs or having their kids play on the playground, but other than that, not many.

It was easy to spot Jun.

Jun was there already, sitting on a bench, waiting for Hiro. She was like a young maiden Hiro was sent to rescue in a video game. Except he wasn't rescuing her or anything special like that. Hopefully not.

She was early too. She really wanted to make sure this meeting happened... it must be a sign...

Butterflies, butterflies.

Jun noticed Hiro, and smiled and waved.

Hiro gave his killer smile and waved back. He ran the rest of the way to the bench, then sat a comfortable distance away from Jun. Just in case.

[Jun: Hi Hiro, I see you actually showed up this time.]

Hiro nervously scratched the back of his head.

[Hiro: Yes, yes I did. Sorry again that I couldn't make it yesterday.]

[Jun: No, don't apologize! I'm the one that should be sorry, I gave you expectations and I actually expected you would follow them-- I thought that when you said you would go yesterday that you would go.]

Jun sarcastically teased.

[Hiro: Haha, cut me some slack already-- I promised I'd make it today and I did. And because I never break promises, my promises are worth more than gold you know.]

Jun giggled which made Hiro laugh as well.

[Jun: So, umm...]

Jun looked downwards and began blushing. Jun looked like she was about to say something, then stopped herself.

[Jun: I-it's a nice day outside, isn't it?]

Was this the mythical "shy girl" that you could only find in modern movies and anime? Was she avoiding the subject even though she was the one who initiated this meet up?

Should Hiro bring it up? Hmm... for now he should go along with it.

[Hiro: Uh, yeah. The weather is pretty nice. I think it would be better with less sun though.]

[Jun: Mhmm, I wish there were clouds. With this clear sky there aren't any clouds to admire.]

Jun's face lit up.

[Jun: Oh, you should've seen yesterday! When I was at the park, on this very bench, I gazed at the sky for a long while. There were really beautiful clouds yesterday-- there was one in the shape of a deer, one in the shape of a fox-- oh! And there was this really detailed one that looked like a frog's face!]

She giggled at the thought as she traced the clouds with her hands in the sky.

[Hiro: Oh, the frog? I saw a frog cloud yesterday too!]

[Jun: Oh really?]

[Hiro: Yeah, my rascal of a sister viciously assaulted me and I was left outside to fend for myself, only to be attacked once again as she hopped onto my stomach. The only relief I had were the clouds to grant me strength during those hard times. I didn't think I was going to make it out alive.]

Hiro put on an ominous look on his face.

[Hiro: My sister... that monster... they call her... the Frosty White Empress of Snow!!! Mwahaha!]

Hiro imagined his tiny sister in a white dress made of ice, her menacing eyes gleaming red.

[Jun: Oh, shut up.]

Hiro and Jun laughed.

[Hiro: Yeah, if anything she'd be a rabid yeti.]

This time, Hiro imagined his tiny sister in a fluffy white onesie and a beard yelling "rawr".

Yup, that image definitely fit better than the previous one.

Hiro made Jun giggle again. Jun covered her mouth with her hand.

It was great to see that Hiro could make Jun laugh... he felt so at ease.

However, this was going to go nowhere if they stalled it any longer.

Plus, he wasn't going to place his bets on being late to dinner. Hiro could already see his mother frighteningly staring him down, making him reflect on his life choices.

[Hiro: So... Jun. Why did you call me here?]

[Jun: Why did I call you here...?]

Jun averted her eyes, then after an obvious mental struggle, she sighed and decided to go ahead with it. She was too far to go back now.

[Jun: I called you here because I have something... important to tell you.]

Hiro's heart began beating fast.

[Jun: I want to tell you something about me. I want to confess something I've held back for a long time-- and make sure you tell no one, okay?!]

[Hiro: Okay, I won't tell anyone.]

[Jun: Okay... I-- I think I'm in love.]

Hiro's heart beat faster.

Jun blushed and her mouth quivered.

[Jun: Y-you know the feeling you get, when you're around a certain person, and you just want to feel that way all the time? You just always feel a warm and fuzzy feeling when you're around them. Your heart might beat faster, and maybe when they talk back to you it makes everything seem brighter. Sometimes you find yourself thinking about that specific person, and you can't get your mind off them. You think to yourself, "jeez, stop thinking about them, it's weird if you keep doing this", but you can't! It's so odd! It's crazy, you know?]

Hiro was right?! Jun did call him here to confess her love to him!

Hiro considered the possibility, but never mentally prepared himself for it. He was astonished. The girl he liked liked him back. It was a match made in heaven.

Hiro thanked Kami-sama and responded the only way he knew how.

[Hiro: Uhhhhh, yeah.]

Hiro's mind was going blank.

Hiro wanted to say he felt the same way, that that is the exact same feeling he gets when he's around her, but couldn't say it. He was too dumbfounded.

[Jun: Even now, my chest feels tight, and my heart won't stop fluttering.]

Hiro didn't think Jun thought this much of him. Hiro thought that Jun saw him as just another energetic boy that was in her class that occasionally spoke to her.

[Hiro: Jun...]

Hiro's heart was beating like crazy.

[Jun: Hiro...]

Jun twirled her hair with her finger, then put a determined look on her face.

[Jun: I think I'm in love--]

[Hiro: I feel the sa--]

[Jun: --with your brother, Shuuki!]

Jun yelled it out, even someone walking by quickly glanced at them then continued their stroll.

Huh...?

Shuuki...?

Jun held her hands in front of her defensively

[Jun: You said you would keep it a secret so please don't tell!]

Huh.

Jun placed her hands on her heart.

[Jun: Even the first time I saw him, he stood out. His shining white hair and stunning blue eyes~ and he's always been kind to me. I remember when I just moved in as the new student, he was the first one to talk to me. He showed me around the school when I didn't know where anything was, and showed me how to use the lunch tickets when I didn't know how. Even though I was a big dummy back then, Shuuki put up with me. Shuuki's a real nice guy...]

Huh.

[Jun: I was going to ask you... since I don't think I have the courage to do it myself... or rather, I'm not sure if he'll say yes if I ask him out! I know this is a huge favor I'm asking of you, but do you think you could try to help hook me up with Shuuki?]

What.

[Jun: Or something...? I figured since you were brothers and all, you would be able to help me. Plus, I thought you'd know a few things about him that could give me the edge above the other girls trying to win his heart, you know?]

Shuuki.

[Jun: With him being one of the most popular students at the school, I need some help to get him to notice me. He's a really nice guy, so I bet if you told him about me he would--]

Hiro stood up from the bench.

[Hiro: I have to go.]

[Jun: Hiro?]

Hiro began jogging, then running.

Jun stood up from the bench and called out to Hiro.

[Jun: Hiro? Wait! Wait! You don't have to help me with it! I-I'm sorry if that was a bit much, I was just--]

Jun was too far away to hear anything anymore.

The sound of Hiro's heartbeat and footsteps were drowning out everything else.

Jun was using him.

For Shuuki.

Of course she was.

With his luck, of course she was.

Hiro should have known; nothing ever goes that well. He should've known not to think positively.

Of course she didn't want him, she wanted Shuuki. Hiro was only the inferior brother after all.

No good looks, no magic, no huge charm, no natural talent-- only the ability to try and try harder. What good aspects did he have besides his determination?

And even that was dwindling.

Hiro's hard work and persistence was swept away by Shuuki's allure, at times without even knowing it.

Hiro loved someone, and the person he thought loved him back was really just in it for Shuuki.

Jun didn't love him back.

The person Hiro thought he loved didn't love him back.

It stung, so much.

Hiro ran down the stone pathway, out of the gates of the park, back to the intersection.

Tears were streaming down his eyes, and the people around him were definitely watching-- but he didn't care.

Archery club, now this? Shuuki hurt him all the time, even when they were kids. Was his life a joke? Did Shuuki even know he was doing this to him?

It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter-- those were the words Hiro tried hammering into his brain.

Jun never loved him in the first place, Shuuki will always top him in everything he does, and Hiro will always be second place, no matter how hard he tries.

It will always be that way-- so it doesn't matter, there's no use in thinking more of it.

Just make the best of the situation.

Suck it up.

Because it doesn't matter, and nothing will change.