Chapter 8: Reconciliation?

Hiro sneaked into his backyard.

Making sure no one was in sight, he quietly slid into his house through the back door.

Hiro couldn't let anyone see him all bloodied up. He didn't want his parents finding out that he just got into a fight.

What was he supposed to tell them if they found him?

Hiro had never been in any major trouble before, much less a full on fight. The only thing that was relatively close to that was the time he saved that kid, Yuu Rokuro, and that wasn't even that long ago.

The biggest thing that he had ever gotten in trouble for was stealing ice cream from a kid he disliked in elementary, only to realize that the ice cream he stole and consumed was actually the school administrations'.

His parents seeing him now was certainly not an option.

Hiro tip-toed up the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible-- all the while trying not to reopen any wounds that had already half-clot up.

The hallway light was off, but the lights cast from his sister's and brother's half-open rooms were both on.

Shuuki and Yumi were most likely home-- clubs were certainly over, and Yumi never really partook in any extracurricular activities.

The problem with that however, was that he had to pass both of their doors to get to his room. If they saw him bloodied up, he wouldn't know what to say.

Pressed on time, Hiro shuffled past as fast as he could, hoping no one would notice him, quickly hopping into his room and locking the door.

After wiping off all of the blood and changing his ruined clothes, he stared at himself in the mirror, making sure he looked somewhat presentable.

There were many bruises along his arms, legs, and torso, but he could easily cover that with clothing. Thankfully his face didn't show much of the beating it took, and he exhaled in relief, plopping down onto his bed.

Burying his face in his pillow, it made him think-- "Today was really crazy, wasn't it?"

Nothing in his whole life compared to what had just happened. Fending off three bullies to save his friend? Offering himself up so that his friend wouldn't get hurt? That was nuts. Maybe the bullies were right, maybe he was an overly righteous nutcase.

Hiro laughed a little to himself.

But still, getting all of these wounds just to stop three teens... how would he ever become a combat mage if he could just barely defeat three people?

If only he had magic. If only he was like Shuuki.

The smiling face of Shuuki in his head irked him.

Hiro sighed.

Despite his bruises, at least now Hiro knew how he would act in a tense situation. He wasn't a coward, and that made him feel a little better.

After a few minutes of resting, thinking about all that had happened that day, a loud but mellow voice from the floor under him penetrated the walls.

[Father: Hiro! Shuuki! Yumi--! The barbeque outside is ready!]

Hunger he didn't feel seconds before hit him like a truck. All of that fighting and movement really left him hungry, but he didn't notice it until now.

Barbeque was sounding really good. He was thankful he didn't have to eat leftovers again~

Hiro got onto his feet, shifting his weight a bit, testing his pain. It was bearable, he could hide it.

After slipping on his favorite hoodie to hide his injuries, he opened his door--

[Shuuki: Oh hey!]

Hiro turned around.

Shuuki was right behind him, wiping his hands off after washing them.

Ugh, Shuuki.

Shuuki smiled.

[Hiro: Oh... hey.]

Shuuki ran up in front of Hiro, blocking the hallway to the stairs.

[Shuuki: So, have anything you want to tell me?]

Shuuki didn't say this in any type of stern or demanding manner, but didn't say it with a playful tone either. Hiro couldn't read him. Hiro couldn't read him, and that always bugged the hell out of him.

[Hiro: Tell you?]

What did he want? Did Shuuki see him wearing his bloody clothes from earlier?

If that was the case, this was going to become a jar of worms Hiro didn't have any idea how to close.

[Shuuki: Yeah. C'mon, tell me. How'd it go?]

[Hiro: Wha? How'd what...?]

Now Hiro had no idea what Shuuki was talking about. Shuuki did often come to him and ask him how he was doing and similar things of the sort, but this question was extremely vague. Especially after what had just happened, Hiro wasn't sure what he was asking for.

[Shuuki: You and Kaori, obviously.]

Hiro blushed.

[Hiro: M-me and Kaori--?]

Hiro did not see this outcome at all. Shuuki didn't ask extremely vague questions, but he also didn't ask extremely specific questions either-- about his friends no less!

[Hiro: N-n-n-n-n-no we're not like that, we're not together or anything! We didn't go out on a date, we just hung out and went to a couple places together, that's all.]

Shuuki chuckled.

[Hiro: No seriously! We're just... friends...]

[Shuuki: Hmm... just friends, huh?]

Shuuki said, smugly.

[Hiro: Yeah, friends! We just went to a cafe together, and then pet some dogs and sat on a bench and talked... alone... just me and her...]

Flashbacks of holding Kaori's hand and petting dogs together and talking at the small cafe sped through his head, making him blush.

{Hiro: Dammit Shuuki, why am I so vulnerable right now? I thought my defenses against Shuuki were impenetrable..! The only weakness was a Kaori shaped hole through my ironclad armor, and Shuuki just shot me with a Kaori shaped bullet!}

Shuuki stepped to flustered Hiro's side, putting his arm around him and patting him on the back while chuckling.

{Hiro: Dammit Shuuki!}

[Shuuki: Eh, don't worry, don't worry, it's fineeee. I won't tease you any more about that.]

Shuuki leaned forward.

[Shuuki: That's not the reason I'm annoying you. Sorry about that.]

{Hiro: What?}

Shuuki turned his head and looked at Hiro in the eyes, Hiro did the same. Suddenly the lightheartedness in the atmosphere wisped away, and uneasiness took its place.

Hiro felt intensity wash through him again, Shuuki's eyes displaying a level of seriousness.

Shuuki let go of Hiro, and stood face to face with him.

[Shuuki: Now that I somewhat broke the ice, I wanted to ask-- Hiro, are you okay?]

Hot coals burning Hiro's skin.

[Shuuki: I know this might sound a bit cheesy, but I'm your brother, and I'm worried about you, Hiro.]

{Hiro: I don't need pity from you.}

[Hiro: Don't be, I'm fine. I'm okay. I know how much you try to check up on me and stuff- but trust me, I'm fine--]

[Shuuki: But you're not. I know you're not. I know that you can't tell me things, for whatever reason, but I'm worried about you. You always avoid talking to me, at times you act really cold to me, and sometimes I see you act the same way towards other people.]

[Hiro: I told you, I'm--]

[Shuuki: I saw you, you know. I saw you, only for a second, but you were covered in blood, and your clothes were torn. I'm not going to ask what happened, and I'm not going to tell Mom and Dad. I'm not going to tell anyone. I don't really know what's happening, but I really am worried about you.]

Shuuki looked down, then back at Hiro.

[Shuuki: Don't mix in with the wrong crowd, okay? There are a lot of dangerous people out there.]

[Hiro: I'm not.]

Hiro looked down, and it felt as if hot coals were rolling up his back. He'd been found out.

Hiro didn't quite understand why he was so angry and flustered, but he knew he was being pitied by his brother, and he hated that.

He didn't want to be pitied by the person who had it all.

Despite Hiro's thoughts, Shuuki showed a genuine and kind expression on his face, but it only irritated him.

Shuuki sighed.

[Shuuki: Also it's not just today-- you always come home looking terrible. Whenever I see you at school or when you arrive home and our eyes meet, I can tell there's something inside, hurting you, and it just makes me feel sad, you know? I don't know what's wrong, but I just want to help.]

Shuuki smiled.

[Shuuki: I don't want my brother being all snappy and depressed all the time you know? I want it to be like the old days, when we were best of friends-- like what happened to that?]

Shuuki's smile went away, and he looked down at the wooden floor, as if he was guilty of something.

[Shuuki: I've been avoiding this conversation as long as I could, but after seeing you in such a mess today, I realized I couldn't wait any longer. Hiro, if you don't tell me anything, I can't help you. That's what it all boils down to. And from the looks of it, you can't help yourself either...]

Suddenly, an extremely high-pitched and freakishly loud (but adorable) voice penetrated the walls of the house, interrupting Shuuki.

Yumi.

[Yumi: HIROOOO--! SHUUKIIII--! BARBEQUEEEE--!!!]

Their little sister yelled "BARBEQUEEEE" as she ran up the steps as fast as she could, her steps making loud thumps up the stairs.

In the hallway, the two brothers turned their heads to look at Yumi, running down the hall and jumping at Shuuki.

[Yumi: --QUEEEEEEEE!!!]

Yumi jumped at Shuuki, in which Shuuki caught her, twirling around and smiling and laughing before setting her down.

[Yumi: Shuuki! Hiro! We have barbeque today! Hurry hurry hurry--! Mom says we can't eat unless we're all there!]

[Shuuki: Okay Yumi, don't worry, we'll be down there really soon. You won't have to wait much longer, okay?]

[Yumi: Okay~]

Shuuki tapped her on the forehead.

Yumi's eyes were shining and drool was coming from her mouth.

[Shuuki: Now go~]

Yumi nodded then turned around, singing a song and saying "barbeque" over and over again, her voice fading until she could no longer be heard downstairs as she skipped away.

Once Yumi was out of sight, Shuuki's fake smile dropped, and he looked down sadly once more. There were a lot of things he wanted to say, but couldn't. Or rather, he didn't know how to.

Shuuki sighed.

It was painful seeing him this way... but why?

[Shuuki: Nevermind.]

Shuuki began walking downstairs, but then turned around right before he turned the corner.

[Shuuki: Let's talk later, okay?]

Shuuki smiled then turned the corner and walked downstairs, out of sight.

Hiro felt terrible.

What Shuuki said was true, but Hiro himself didn't quite understand it.

Why did he feel this way?

Shuuki addressed something he wanted to avoid, but now that it was brought up, even if they talked for only a little bit, it hurt his heart.

A few tears dripped from his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, knowing he couldn't let his family wait. Plus, he didn't want to cry. He couldn't cry over something dumb like this.

He couldn't start feeling bad for Shuuki now.

Hiro hit his chest a couple of times, and after heading to the bathroom to make sure his eyes weren't red from crying, he rushed downstairs.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

crckle-- sizzle--

The burning logs in the campfire shifted. They crackled and sent glowing cinders flying upward.

Despite the day's earlier events, the backyard was lively.

Hiro's father was turning the meat in the grill while joyfully humming to an upbeat song playing on speakers he brought outside.

Hiro's mother was sprinkling the flowers in the garden with a watering can, and Yumi was running around trying to catch a butterfly.

Shuuki was sitting on one of the five plastic chairs by the campfire, looking up at the purple sky. The sun was already gone, but the sky was still purple, slowly becoming darker and darker. The moon was already visible.

sizzle sizzle-- click--

[Dad: Alright, food is ready! Everyone get your plates and let's eat!]

[Yumi: Yay!]

Hiro was already by the grill, so he was about to grab a plate first, but Yumi sprinted across the whole yard in her bare feet and skipped him.

[Hiro: Aw, c'mon Yumi--]

[Yumi: BARBEQUEEEE!]

Hiro was about to complain, but then Yumi looked at Hiro with an ecstatic face, steam seeming to come out of her nose, and her eyes like stars.

Hiro couldn't fight against that. She was way more excited for this than Hiro was; might as well let her skip him.

[Dad: Here you go~]

Their father cut up the pieces of barbeque and skewered them with vegetables. He handed Yumi a plate, then handed Hiro a plate.

After their father made sure everyone had food and a drink, he got food for himself and sat down at the campfire with the rest of his family.

Hiro had to say-- the campfire was an odd choice, considering it was just about summer time, but he couldn't complain. It was a nice touch to the atmosphere.

[Dad: Alright everyone--]

In unison, the family said "thanks for the food!", then dug into their meal.

It was relatively late for dinner, so everyone was pretty hungry.

[Dad: Ah, I'm so glad I'm off of work for the rest of the week! Now I can finally lay off for a bit.]

Hiro's dad kicked up his feet onto a conveniently placed rock and chewed on his kebab.

[Dad: Anyway, how is school going?]

Usually Yumi would respond first, but this time she was so engrossed in wolfing down her kebab she ignored it.

[Shuuki: School is going good, grades are A's, final exams were easy, and school is almost over.]

[Dad: That's good, but the question is-- are you enjoying it?]

[Shuuki: Hmm... yeah. I'd say so. If anything, I wish we didn't have to be tested so much. I don't think it's an accurate or efficient way of determining a student's potential. Like someone could be a genius in something, could just be bad in written tests, you know?]

[Dad: Yeah, I totally understand. Honestly though, back in my day, school wasn't as so complicated as it is nowadays, so my affirmation doesn't really hold that much weight.]

Their father wiped his mouth with a napkin.

[Dad: But, that's good. It's good that your grades are good. I wasn't the brightest student myself, so it's nice seeing my kids with straight A's.]

Their father smiled, then took another large bite of his kebab.

Hiro didn't have straight A's, but he was flattered that his dad thought so. He didn't get praise all that much from his parents because of Shuuki's constant superiority, so even this made him feel a little warm inside.

[Dad: What about you, Hiro?]

Yumi had already finished two kebabs and was back again chasing various bugs in the night. Fireflies lit up the starry sky.

[Hiro: Uh, school is going good too! I have good grades, and all my teachers like me!]

Hiro obviously lied, but his father was too dense to see through it. Hiro didn't feel at all confident about a few of his final exams, and he ended up with straight B's and a few A's by the skin of his teeth. His math grade was teeter-tottering over that 79.5% mark. Also, if anything, the only things the teachers would remember him for is being loud, annoying, and painstakingly average.

Chewing on his kebab, his father asked him the same question he asked Shuuki, but with his mouth full.

[Dad: But are you enjoying it?]

Math. Clubs. Shuuki. Jun. Bullies.

That question hit harder when it was directed at him. Hiro felt a pang in his heart, and he lied again.

[Hiro: Yes... Yeah. I'm enjoying it.]

[Dad: That's good. I'm glad to have kids like you-- little stuff like this really make my day. I'm really proud of you guys.]

Their father smiled, and whatever coldness Hiro just felt seemed to wither away, but he still couldn't help but feel guilty giving his father fake happiness.

[Dad: You'll make great high schoolers, and even greater adults some day.]

crckle--

The logs in the campfire shifted, sending cinders up into the night sky.

[Dad: Anyway, now I have to spend time with the most beautiful woman in the whole world~]

Their father turned his body in the chair, so that instead of facing Shuuki and Hiro, he faced his wife.

She laughed, and then Hiro's father went into full conversation mode.

He talked about politics and the economy and rent, but cracked jokes all the while.

Hiro's mother talked with him, laughing and playfully arguing with him-- it was like they were best of friends.

Hiro wished to find a partner like that in the future.

Curiously, his mother and father talking like that next to the campfire under the stars reminded him of himself and Kaori earlier that day, talking and sitting at the bench, looking up at the sky.

[Shuuki: You know, I've always wondered how Mom and Dad met.]

{Hiro: Huh?}

Was Shuuki talking to him?

[Shuuki: I wonder if they were always like that. Ever since I've been here, I've never seen them seriously argue or gotten extremely angry at us. It seems like they're always at their best, you know?]

Was this casual talk? Shuuki and Hiro never usually talked unless they needed to, so bringing something up like this was a little alarming.

Did Shuuki want something?

[Shuuki: I think that's great. I wish I could be like that. Thinking back, even Kobu was like that. He was always at his best. Always helping us with things and showing his magic to us, being a big brother.]

[Hiro: Yeah... I wish I could be like that too...]

Hiro let the words slip out of his mouth on accident, and realizing he said his thoughts out loud, he was flustered.

Shuuki grinned, then continued.

[Shuuki: Hiro, I'm happy that I got into this family.]

Hiro felt warm, but sharp guilt stabbed his sides. He couldn't be feeling this way towards Shuuki now, not after everything...

{Hiro: Why is he... why is he being so nice to me?}

[Shuuki: And Yumi definitely feels the same, haha.]

Yumi was running around, trying to trap fireflies in a jar.

{Hiro: Why is he trying so damn hard to be friends with me, even though I keep trying to push him away?}

[Shuuki: And whether you like it or not, you're part of this family too. So cheer up. As your brother, I can't let you keep yourself down in the dumps all the time! You want to become a combat mage, right?]

Hiro looked down and averted his eyes.

[Hiro: Yeah.]

[Shuuki: Then smile! Kobu always said that having the right mindset was essential to being a combat mage. Plus, I used to hear you at school all the time-- "Positivity is the best policy!", and "No use in dwelling in the past!"-- what happened to that?]

Hiro paused, then laughed at Shuuki's poor impression of him.

Hiro made his decision. He wouldn't let the past take control of him any longer. Shuuki was giving his all to rekindle their friendship, and Hiro wasn't going to throw that away like he has been. It was finally time.

[Hiro: Usually I'd get annoyed, but unfortunately you're right-- or rather, I'm right. I can't be dwelling in the past nor can I be down in the dumps forever... You know what Shuuki, I hate your guts for coming to me after all this time and having a normal conversation like we haven't avoided each other for the past few years, but this time--]

Hiro smiled at Shuuki. A kind smile.

[Hiro: I'll let it slide.]

Shuuki looked at him in surprise, like he was expecting to have to do more convincing, but then looked relieved and gave a genuine smile.

[Shuuki: Hate my guts? Well, at least you finally accepted I'm right-- I've only waited uhh... only a few years for you to come back and talk to me~]

Shuuki stood up.

[Hiro: Oh, shut up.]

Hiro stood up as well, then bumped Shuuki's fist with his own.

The campfire blazed brightly in the night-- fireflies flying around in the starry sky, soft music playing through their father's speakers, their parents laughing in conversation, and their younger sister laying in the grass observing the bugs in her jar.

A peaceful evening. The moon shined brightly that night, almost a full moon, but not quite.

[Hiro: And of course I want to be a combat mage, what other job is there? I can't settle for anything less cool than being a combat mage! And I'm sure you feel the same way, right?]

[Shuuki: Oh, definitely.]

[Hiro: Honestly, with my grades I could get a decent job and a stable life, but that's not fun enough, you know? And I bet for you even more so! You have scores that could get you into any college or occupation you want, but you're choosing to be a combat mage!]

Hiro thought that was amazing. Even though he did hate Shuuki's advantage.

[Hiro: I respect that. I respect that a lot.]

[Shuuki: Thanks. But one question I've always had-- what are you going to do to become a combat mage? You don't have a magic ability yet.]

Damn, Shuuki had to bring that up.

Hiro was sensitive on that topic, but he wasn't going to let that bring him down. Like what Kaori and Shuuki said, he had to be like his old self. Stay positive!

[Hiro: Hey, being a combat mage isn't all about magic you know? There's tactics involved, and physical combat, and many other stuff~ Well, if there's anything I beat you in, it's raw muscle and technique. I've trained these chiseled abs daily and only sparred with the best-- including Kobu. I'm confident I'd beat you in a fight if you didn't have those portals, you know.]

[Shuuki: Ha, that's a bold statement. Would you like to try?]

That brought a smile to Hiro's face. He was pumped.

[Hiro: One of our first conversations in the longest time ever and we're already about to get in a fight? Bring it.]

The fire next to them blazed on.

Shuuki stood up and began walking back inside the house.

[Shuuki: Meet me upstairs. My room. Bring some water bottles and a box of cookies, cause it's gonna be a long night.]

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In Shuuki's room, they settled their differences. They proved who was the best.

However, it wasn't through magical combat-- nor was it through physical combat-- but through the type that trumped all-- digital combat.

The perfect type of battle to forge their bond back together.

In Shuuki's room, the boys played video games for hours and hours that night.

They played fighting games, co-op RPGs, and even revisited old, nostalgic games they used to play together when they were kids.

Even though it was a school night, Hiro and Shuuki stayed well past the time they should have; only going to bed after noticing the sky blending into a brighter hue.

Though sleep deprived, Hiro enjoyed every minute of it. Eating together, fighting together, laughing together-- Hiro forgot how it felt to have Shuuki by his side.

Now it seemed like hating Shuuki for all these years was stupid, and Hiro was an idiot for avoiding him this long.

Sure, Shuuki still annoyed the hell out of him without Shuuki ever meaning to, but Hiro could overlook all of that if spending time with him felt this great.

This forgotten feeling was richer than gold, and sweeter than honey.

A few hours into playing video games, Shuuki said--

[Shuuki: Also, don't think that that talk at the campfire is the last one we're having. We need to have another one of those. A longer, harder hitting conversation. I know that whatever your feeling won't go away with just one conversation, so let's try our best to get rid of it, okay? And more importantly, let's do this again.]

[Hiro: Gladly.]

With only a couple of hours to snatch a bit of rest, Shuuki fell asleep on his unkempt mattress, and Hiro fell fast asleep on the bedroom floor, controller still in hand.

For the first time in a long time, Hiro felt complete.

The brothers were back again.

The Shishu Brothers were back again.

(note: Shi comes from HiroSHI, and Shu comes from SHUuki, hence making Shishu. Shishu in Japanese directly translates to "death guard". The Shishu brothers was their cool nickname when they were kids; fighting prejudice and protecting justice through elementary school)