Chapter 36 - Guardian

HIRO's POV:

The clock is ticking fast; it strikes at 8:45 early in the morning.

From a head start at the gate of my house, I bursted my way out exerting all of my leg's strength and speed to run as fast as I could in heading towards the highway.

OH CRAP! Why did this happen!? Since I woke up very early at 6:25 am, I decided to go back to sleep for a bit to kill some time, but when I woke up the second time around, the time was already pointing at freaking 8:28 am!

Holy Moly that was too much! Just what kind of a black magic spell did someone put me under!?

The meeting would begin sooner with just a few minutes remaining, and here I am who has recently took a bath with my hair that was still wet and was not properly combed, have gone running with an empty growling stomach.

Oh man~ I could have at least snatched a bread with me.

Arriving at the side of the national highway, I was panting in panicked as I began waiting for a 'Tricycle-cab', or in short, tri-cab.

Looking at my watch, it is now 8:49 am. Damn it!

Without several minutes have gone by, I sighted one that was approaching ahead with great speed.

Even still from a far, I already raised my hand to try in signalling the driver, but due to my desperation, I raised it even higher while vigorously waiving side to side, looking like a somewhat crazy person.

Eventually, the Tri-cab has stopped in front of me, and looking in the inside, luckily there was a last vacant space seemingly left just for me.

Phew~ Thank heavens! Mwah! Mwah!

I then quickly went inside the vehicle to not waste the ticking time.

Sitting at the right corner of the back seat, the space was quite small in which made us passengers inside to be closed tight with each other, shoulders touching to each other.

This tricycle-cab is only a 5-man passenger vehicle, excluding the driver who was positioned in front where he is taking authority of the wheel, and the passengers would either take a seat at the left and right side at the front beside the driver, or at the backseat where it could hold 3 people.

The moment I made myself to be safely positioned without showing out my head, feet and arms outside, the tri-cab began to move forward and has instantly gone at full speed.

Time check, it is 8:56 am, and I already passed through half of my way to school.

Staring blankly straight at an open space, I was internally screaming due to this unfortunate event, causing me to stomp my right foot up and down while also lightly tapping my leg at the same time.

Huhu, I'm getting nervous in getting into this kind of situation. If only I hadn't went back--- Gah! There's no used in regretting now. I can't do a thing about what just happened recently. This will just make me more nervous.

Calm down self, you've got to calm down. Breathe in~ Breathe out~

At some point, the Tri-cab unexpectedly stopped at a certain place, and I got secretly furious in the inside because of the sudden halt.

"Excuse me" said the lady at my left, her body bending pointed towards my direction.

Knowing of the reason why, I went out to let the passenger inside get off, and quickly I went in again when it was already fine to do so, but as the vehicle was about to move forward, I gave a glare towards the lady who just got out and has made my situation even worse with an intense look while she was facing away.

Huhu, I know it's unreasonable for me to be angry since this is a public transport and not a private one, but it would be a bliss if these other remaining people inside would not get off before I would.

Looking at my watch again, it is 9:03 am, and finally I arrived at my stop.

The moment I handed my transportation fee to the driver, I dashed out wearing the same panicked face from inside the vehicle and with a bit of sweat pouring down as my chest was agitatedly palpitating like crazy.

"Agusan Elementary School", a school where its classrooms were uniquely placed to the sides surrounding and circling around the green grassy field in the middle, and when I stepped foot at the school gate, the campus was quite quiet outside the empty field, and so I continued with my running in catching up.

Along the hallway, I saw the other classrooms around, especially the parents and students that were already inside and had started their meeting.

Not good. Imagining the probable same scenario when reaching my final destination got me more nervous.

Taking a glance at my watch for the last time as I halted my running, it is 9:05 am. Heavily breathing while taking out my handkerchief to wipe the sweats on me, my eyes wandered all over with haste to study the current situation.

Seeing what was in front of me outside, I saw my classmates together with their parents, and my big brother who was having a seat at a cemented chair.

Wait... how come they are still outside of the room? And as I was approaching to my big brother, I noticed that there were also some people inside our classroom.

"Lucky you, your teacher is still not around. Have you always been like this before?" Big brother asked with a not-so-good-news of an angry reaction.

Oh… what a lucky day indeed, but not that lucky enough to face big brother's incoming wrath.

"Yeah, sometimes. I'm glad I made it." I said as I was scratching my head because of my late presence, ready for a scolding.

"Jeez. I took the time to wake up early and went here as early as I could. I've been waiting here for almost an hour, and not to mention you are near to this place, you should have gotten here first. Man, you're such a troublesome one." Hearing his words of complaint, it made me gone silent, not having anything and something to rebut with. "Come on, take a seat first and catch your breath." added big brother who was likely showing his care that made my mood turned into positivity.

I then went closer and sat right next to him as per his command.

After a few minutes of rest, my advisor finally came, and we stood up together with the other students and parents that were outside and have gone inside the room for the meeting to begin.

With the busy atmosphere inside the room, the chairs inside were put and arranged to the side and everyone including Big brother and I took our chances to get a seat, having a wide view of our advisor in front of us while the discussion of the matters is about to formally start.

-----*-----

The bell rings, indicating the end of the meeting.

The people slowly went out at each of their respective classrooms and the campus was flooded by the mass for just several seconds when the meeting was adjourned.

On our side, big brother and I also went carefully along with the flow and have gone out from our own classroom. While heading outside of the school, we were taking our time in reviewing what was discussed to us back at the room.

"That play of your section would really be costly. A lot of costume and make up will be needed."

"Yes, you are right. And I'm glad you're here brother. There were really a lot to sign as my guardian."

"Yeah. I'm also glad and just realized that I recently became a legitimate guardian."

Wait… what?

"Aaah!" I looked at my brother in surprised, have realized of what he said. "I see" On the other hand, I felt bad about it for some reason. "I'm sorry brother for forgetting."

"I exactly have no problem with you forgetting it. And besides, it doesn't matter to me." Big brother said, seemed to be just chill about it.

Hearing his cold words, I just quietly followed my brother beside him. We then made our stop when we were already at the gate.

Noticing him, he was looking at me whose face was obviously showing that I still had something to say.

What a keen sense he has~ Big brother Hanzaki is quite the skilful and observant person, someone not to be messed with.

"I will be still staying here until afternoon. We have to gather for our project."

From hearing me, Big brother nodded, letting out a sigh afterwards.

"Okay. Take care then." He said as he raised his arm a bit while taking a few steps forward.

"Brother!" Could not control of myself anymore, I called out to him, making him to turn back to me due to my loud reaching voice. "How…" Big brother then seriously looked at me in the eyes, likely expecting a troublesome concern coming from me, and that is how he was always since from before, expecting the worst.

"How are you really? What happened to you after that night? What is your current condition? Are you doing fine with your place right now?" With my will of restraint quickly shattering and breaking itself loose, I let my emotions took control over my mind and mouth. "Hey, tell me." I added, pleading in front of my elder brother.

Big brother Hanzaki suddenly then cracked his neck while facing on the ground, letting out a sigh once more afterwards. Slowly he lifted his head up while his eyes were close, and then he slowly opened it afterwards as he looked back at me in a very intimidating way.

"Oi Hiro, Listen. I'm really fine with helping you with these kinds of stuffs. It's not really a big deal for me despite my condition. Really, I don't mind. But you know, what you're asking is too much." Big brother remarked, his mood somehow worsen. "Don't get ahead of yourself asking these kinds of stuffs. Whatever happens in my life would only be known by me alone. I don't have an obligation to tell you, and I don't have any intention to do so. Don't go meddling in someone's life in your own accord. Don't you ever try to ask again or---"

"But---"

"OR ELSE. I won't agree to go along with your requests anymore. You'll be on your own if you would do that again. Put it in your mind always."

Hearing his words, I slowly lowered my head, been hurt and disappointed. I stood still while being silent as there was nothing else left for me to say.

"Don't ever forget about it. Well then, I guess I'll be going back."

Big brother turned back and walked away from school, and from me. Knowing I still had something to do, I too have started to go back to my classroom without seeing my brother off.

This is bad. Why am I getting the feeling that the distance between us grew larger now compared from before?