Brother

Sakata Akio's POV

Rei and Tatsuo: Onii-chan?!

They looked so puzzled. Right. I haven't told them about having a brother, Sakata Akira. The meaning of his name is similar as my name's meaning, bright and clear. They were not in good terms with father. He looks exactly me but with green eyes like my mother and he's taller than me. I don't know how he became distant from the family. My father didn't tell me and my mother. My father somewhat disowned him. My brother and I were super close. But he even didn't tell me what happened between the both of them. I had no idea where he is and how he is. My father won't let me know.

But now that I see him again today, I remembered he was also a student of Seishin High. That's it! It was because of this school! I think I guessed this right.

I calmed myself before talking to my elder brother.

Akio: Nii-chan, how did you know I was here? I haven't seen you for like three years already.

Yes, three years. After my brother graduated from Seishin, he left home. He did not even show his face to me, not even once.

My brother smiled warmly.

Akira: I thought you'd miss me. That's the first question you are going to ask me? Nii-chan feels sad.

Akio: Why did you show up just now? Without even explaining why you left me. I thought I was someone you could rely to. You made me feel like I was not helpful as a brother. Did you know how worried mom was?

I kept on rambling my thoughts. Spilling out all my unsaid feelings I had for him for three years. My brother just quietly listened to me and Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun had a 'what to do in this situation?' faces.

My brother walked towards me, stepping on the knocked out bodies of the hooligans he hit earlier.

I looked at his face with my head tilting upward. I've been sulking for three whole years and then he just showed up out of the blue. He patted my head gently. I miss his brotherly pats on my head. But I shouldn't give in just yet. He left me. I need some explanations.

I suddenly felt tears pouring out my eyes. I did it unconsciously. Maybe because I really missed nii-chan so much. Especially now that I don't understand the situation in my school I am attending. Nii-chan was the one I confided every time I feel anxious, sad, disturbed, happy, and all before he left home.

Nii-chan held my face with his hands and wiped my tears with his thumbs. I felt comfort with just him doing this.

Akira: I'm sorry, Ah-chan. I'm really sorry. I'm sorry that I left my poor baby brother.

He then hugged me and kept on apologizing to me until I stopped crying.

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We went to the nearest convenient store and had some popsicles. I introduced my brother to my friends and my friends to my brother. Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun felt somewhat awkward after my crying session with my brother. I'm sorry to you both. I just can't help it.

While sitting outside the convenient store, my brother immediately finished his popsicle and started to talk.

Akira: Thank you, Rei-chan and Tatsuo-chan for being friends with Ah-chan in that shithole, Seishin High.

Tatsuo: I am just force--OUCH.

Rei-kun pinched Yamazaki-kun's side.

Rei: No worries, nii-chan. We've been helping each other out.

Tatsuo: But he's the weakest among--OUCH.

Rei-kun smacked Yamazaki-kun's head. Yamazaki-kun gave up and just pouted with his brows crossed. My brother and I couldn't help but laugh.

Akira: Hahaha. I know. He's actually strong but he doesn't try his best because he is really not a fan of fighting.

Akio: You are not saying that because I am your brother, aren't you?

I glared at Nii-chan.

Rei: I also felt that you are strong Akio-kun. You just need a little push.

Akira: See? I am not being biased here.

Nii-chan shrugged and smiled like he just proved what he said was right and Rei-kun nodded in agreement and gazed at me.

I just returned a confused look on my face.

Tatsuo: Ah, Nii-chan, right you are an alumni? What was your rank at school?

Rei: Oi, Tatsuo! You're being rude again.

My brother just chuckled.

Akira: Hahaha. It's okay. Even Ah-chan didn't know about this because he thought our dad's school was just some normal high school. I was ranked first both academic and in sports.

Both Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun gaped in surprise. Actually, I wasn't that surprised. My brother is exceptionally talented in everything he does. That's why I didn't understand what both Nii-chan and father fought about.

Akira: I endured three years in that school just for the sake of father. He fooled me.

Nii-chan paused and shook his head.

Akira: Ah, no, I was really dumb and a fool back then. I thought he'd stop doing these filthy gambling once I graduated. I let him use me as his pawn to earn more money. He duped me saying it was for the family. I really believed him because he really was a loving and caring father. I don't know how greed ate him up. He isn't like this before. I tried to report him to the police but he had someone powerful to back him up. He just told me I am too powerless to do anything out of justice on my own. He got mad about what I've done and that's how I've been kicked out. He had even someone follow my every move. I couldn't do anything. He also made sure that I won't get near Ah-chan. That's why I haven't showed up until now.

He reached his hand on my knee.

Akira: I'm sorry, Ah-chan. Anyway, back to the story, I have been meeting up with mom from time to time. Father didn't mind me meeting mother because he knows that I don't want her to worry much because she is quite frail. He didn't mind mother giving me some allowance from time to time. She also kept it secret from Ah-chan that she's been meeting me. She knew Ah-chan would be restless once he learns that mother has been seeing me. Even I was kicked out, I managed to enter a prestigious college and became a normal student. I wanted to join the police force but I just can't get out from the grasp of father.

Nii-chan sighed.

Akira: And the way how I was able to show my face to you right now was because father didn't mind you about knowing what happened between us. Because you are already under his grasp. He is ready to make you his next pawn.

Akio: Yeah. I went against him and the result wasn't good. Both Rei-kun and I got beat up.

Akira: I knew that would happen since you are much more a man of justice than me.

He roughly patted my head causing to make my hair look messy.

Akira: Just be careful. You are quite reckless when it comes to these kinds of situations. Don't let your emotions cloud your decisions. They usually end up as dumb plans.

I pouted and glared at Nii-chan.

Akio: You really are frank, Nii-chan. You don't sugarcoat them even a little.

Tatsuo: You really are dumb sometimes even if you ranked first in academics, Sakata-kun. Pfft-OUCH!

Rei-kun smacked him again.

Rei: Who are you calling dumb? Coming from the top 20 student from the bottom? Have some shame, you brat.

Akio: That is the 253rd smack of Rei-kun to your head ever since I met you, Yamazaki-kun.

Tatsuo: Why the hell did you count?! That's just too embarrassing for me!

Yamazaki-kun turned as red as a tomato. How cute. Hahaha. So he still has shame. I have seen a new side of Yamazaki-kun.

All of us except Yamazaki-kun ended up laughing at his unexpectedly cute reaction.

We then stopped laughing and let out a deep sigh together. We had the same thoughts about my family situation. Nii-chan broke the silence.

Akira: Ah-chan, I can meet up with you now from time to time but I still cannot go home. Please understand your Nii-chan. And also take care of mom for the meantime for me.

Akio: I was already taking care of her ever since you left, Nii-chan. You don't have to worry. And also, I haven't told her about the school. Won't you see me everyday?

Nii-chan pinched my cheek and stretched it.

Akira: My little Ah-chan has grown into a kind teenage son. No, I won't be able to see you everyday since I am also a busy college student. I'll give you my new contact so that we can talk to each other even we are apart, satisfied?

He let go of my cheek and I rubbed it to relieve it from the pain from the pinch.

Akira: Rei-chan and Tatsuo-chan, I'll also contact you. Please bear with my baby brother. Thank you for taking care of him for me.

He stood up and patted their heads with his hands.

After that, we headed home.

Nii-chan walked me to our home. When we arrived at home, we just stood in front. Nii-chan sighed and studied the house.

Akira: Still the same as before.

Akio: But not happy like before.

We both frowned. We knew we could not return to how everything was before.

Akira: Go in now. You might catch a cold. Please tell mom I'm still doing well and I came to finally meet you. That way, she will worry less about her sons being apart.

He forced a smile while looking at me.

Nii-chan must have suffered a lot alone. I am not supposed to be sulking without knowing what happened. I felt sad for my brother.

I grabbed Nii-chan's arm and hugged him.

Akio: You did well on your own Nii-chan. You truly are a strong person. You must have suffered a lot while living alone for three years.

I said while patting his back.

Akio: I have no right to sulk while you were suffering all on your own. I'm sorry, Onii-chan.

I can feel his sobs. He's trying not to let me know he is crying.

Akio: It's okay, Nii-chan. Just let it all out.

Akira: You really have grown, Ah-chan.

He said with a shaky voice.

We stood for a couple of minutes with him crying and me comforting him.

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End of Chapter 12