Young Brother

Kaito Ryoma POV

Who the hell is this kid?

He stood in the doorway, his sharp amber eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. His expression was twisted into something between disbelief and suspicion, brows furrowed so deeply it looked like he was solving a puzzle he never expected to encounter.

And that puzzle was me.

He looked too much like me.

The same sharp nose, the same high cheekbones. His hair, though a few shades lighter, was styled similarly to mine—just slightly unkempt, like he didn't care enough to smooth it down. And his frame, though smaller, carried an odd confidence that didn't quite match his age.

I blinked. Brother?

A younger brother. That should've been obvious. But the realization hit like a sucker punch to the gut.

My gaze flickered down to his hands—clenched into tight fists at his sides. He was tense, like he was holding himself back from something.

Was it anger? Fear?

I wasn't sure.

"So, you're Haru…" I muttered, testing the name on my tongue, watching his reaction closely.

He stiffened.

Not a good start.

Yeah, I figured as much. My own father barely acknowledged me. I'd been nothing more than an afterthought, a failed attempt at an heir they could be proud of. But this kid—he wasn't looking at me with the same contempt.

No, there was something else in his eyes.

Something more dangerous.

Doubt.

And then, his lips curled, and he practically spat his next words.

"You!" His voice cracked, his whole body lurching forward a step. "How the hell did you do that?! That was Ki!"

I stiffened.

Shit.

I had heard someone earlier but assumed it was a maid gossiping in the hallway. I hadn't thought for a second that it was him.

And now, standing here, his eyes ablaze with disbelief, I realized just how big of a problem this was.

He had seen me gathering Ki.

Too soon.

I forced out a nervous chuckle, shifting awkwardly under his piercing gaze.

"Surprise…?"

It sounded about as unconvincing as it felt.

Haru didn't laugh. If anything, his expression darkened.

He took another step forward, voice rising. "Kaito, how the hell are you gathering Ki?"

It wasn't just shock anymore—it was something deeper.

Frustration. Maybe even fear.

"The doctors said something about Ki blockage!" He gestured wildly, hands shaking slightly. "I don't know all the details, but they made it sound like you'd never be able to use it! And yet—" His voice wavered, and he swallowed, composing himself. "You were out cold for three months, Kaito. The best healers in Seiryuu couldn't do anything for you. And now you're just… fine?!"

His voice cracked at the end. Not from anger.

From something deeper.

I stared at him.

He had been worried.

Sage, is there a possibility that the original Kaito and Haru had a good relationship?

That… would be useful. Because right now, I was flying blind, navigating relationships I barely understood. Having those memories would make things a hell of a lot easier.

I exhaled and slowly reached out, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. He flinched slightly, but didn't pull away.

"I apologize, Haru." I said carefully, watching his face. "I didn't mean to scare you. I've just been… trying to make sure I'm stable."

Haru's expression twisted. "Stable? What do you mean?"

I hesitated. "I mean, I wasn't exactly in the best condition before. My body was weak, right?"

His jaw tightened. "Frail." he corrected. His voice had dropped to a near whisper. "You could barely stand most days. That's why no one thought you'd wake up."

Those words settled between us like a heavy stone.

Three months in a coma. And before that, I had been barely able to function. The original Kaito was dying.

And now? I was standing before him, stronger than I should be.

Haru's eyes flickered over me again, scrutinizing every inch of my posture.

"And now you look… different," he said finally. "Not just healthier, but stronger. Your posture, the way you're standing—it's like you're someone else."

My breath hitched.

Shit. I was too obvious. It's been too quick.

I forced out a laugh, trying to make it sound casual. "Gee, Haru, it's been three months, and this is how you greet me? What's with the hostility?"

Haru hesitated, his expression torn.

Finally, he let out a quiet sigh, crossing his arms. "Tch. Sorry, Brother." His voice softened, just slightly. "I just… wasn't expecting this."

His gaze flickered downward. He looked almost lost.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before ruffling his hair. "I get it," I said, voice quieter now. "This is a lot to take in. But I'm here. And I'm okay."

He scowled, swatting my hand away. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

But I caught it—the small, reluctant smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

For the first time, the tension in the room seemed to ease.

But not completely.

"Are you really okay?" he asked after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitated. Then nodded. "Yeah. I am."

For the first time since stepping into the room, he let out a slow breath—like he had been holding it in this entire time.

He believed me.

For now.

Haru shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I should probably go. The clan elders will get suspicious if I stay here too long."

Clan Elders? Right. 

I watched him turn toward the door. "Haru."

He glanced back, brows raising slightly. "Yeah?"

I met his gaze, voice steady. "Thanks for checking on me."

His eyes widened—just a little—before he quickly looked away, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Don't get all sappy on me, Brother. Just… don't go disappearing again."

And with that, he was gone.

A slow breath escaped me.

That went… better than expected.

But the way Haru hesitated at the door, the way his fingers twitched like he wanted to say something more—

Well, I guess this wasn't over.