Stranger in a Strange Land

The day goes as usual unlike the other Gabriel go to the arcade alone to pass time alone, as it get late he decide to walk home. The house was dark when Gabriel stepped inside. The only light came from the kitchen, casting a dim glow down the hallway. He kicked off his shoes, his bag hanging loosely from one shoulder, and exhaled. The air smelled faintly of miso soup, meaning his mom had at least cooked dinner.

"You're late," a voice came from the living room.

Gabriel tensed for half a second before forcing himself to relax. He turned his head to see his older step brother, Satoshi, lounging on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table. A basketball game played on the TV, but Satoshi's attention was fixed on Gabriel.

"Yeah," Gabriel muttered, dropping his bag by the stairs. "I was out."

Satoshi arched an eyebrow. "With who? Thought you didn't have friends."

Gabriel scowled. "None of your business."

Satoshi smirked, turning back to the screen. "Whatever you say. Just don't come crying to me when they get tired of your attitude."

Gabriel clenched his jaw but said nothing. He didn't feel like arguing—not now. Instead, he made his way to the kitchen, where his mother stood at the sink, drying a plate.

"You missed dinner," she said without turning around.

"Im not hungry."

She finally looked over her shoulder, her eyes scanning him carefully. "Where were you?"

"Just out."

Her gaze lingered for a moment longer before she sighed and placed the plate on the drying rack. "Next time, let me know."

Gabriel nodded stiffly, grabbing a glass from the cabinet and filling it with water.

"You should be focusing on school, not wandering around," she added, wiping her hands on a towel.

Gabriel resisted the urge to sigh. "I do focus on school."

"Then why haven't you joined any clubs?"

There it was again. The same conversation they had a few days before. He stayed silent, drinking his water instead of answering.

His mom shook her head. "You used to love football."

Gabriel gripped the glass a little tighter. "Can we not do this right now?"

She pursed her lips but didn't push further. "Your father will be home late again. You should get some sleep soon."

"Hm."

He left the kitchen before she could say anything else, grabbing his bag and heading upstairs. He didn't bother turning on the light in his room, just tossed his bag into the corner and collapsed onto his bed.

For a few minutes, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the distant sound of the basketball game downstairs. His mind kept drifting back to the arcade, to the rain, to the way Ryota had smirked at him earlier.

"You just don't know how."

Gabriel closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose.

The next morning, the house was quiet as usual. His mom had already left for work, and Hiroshi had probably left Aiko at school. Gabriel grabbed some toast and slung his bag over his shoulder before heading out.

"Oi."

He turned just in time to see Satoshi standing by the door, arms crossed.

"What?"

Satoshi studied him for a moment. "I wasn't trying to piss you off last night."

Gabriel scoffed. "Sure felt like it."

Satoshi sighed. "Look, I just don't get why you gave up on football."

Gabriel stiffened. "I don't play anymore. End of story."

Satoshi frowned but didn't push. "Fine. Just… don't spend all your time sulking alone."

Gabriel rolled his eyes and walked out the door without another word.

At school, Ryota was waiting near the gate, juggling a football with his feet. When he saw Gabriel, he grinned. "Morning, sunshine. Ready to get wrecked?"

Gabriel snorted. "In your dreams."

Kenta walked up beside them, hands in his pockets. "You actually showed up early again. I'm impressed."

Gabriel shrugged. "Got tired of people assuming I have no life."

Daichi appeared behind them. "Wait, so you do have a life? Could've fooled me."

Gabriel deadpanned. "You're hilarious."

Ryota passed him the ball. "Less talking, more playing."

Gabriel caught it effortlessly, feeling that familiar ease settle in. He might not be on a team, but for now, this was enough.

The school day passed in a blur. Gabriel went through the motions—classes, assignments, the occasional snide remark from a teacher about his lack of participation. He was used to it by now. He kept his head down, did his work, and avoided unnecessary conversations.

At lunch, however, things felt… different.

He had barely sat down at his usual corner table when Ryota plopped down across from him, setting his tray down with a loud clack.

Gabriel sighed. "What do you want?"

"To eat," Ryota said, stuffing a piece of meat into his mouth. "Duh."

Kenta and Ayane slid into the seats beside him as well, followed shortly by Daichi. Gabriel scowled. "Are you guys seriously sitting here?"

"What, you own this table?" Kenta smirked.

Gabriel didn't bother answering, instead poking at his food with his chopsticks. He should have known they would pull something like this.

"You always eat alone?" Ayane asked, resting her chin in her palm.

Gabriel shrugs. "What do you care?"

"Just curious," she said. "I mean, I get that you're a brooding loner with a tragic past and all—"

Gabriel shot her a glare.

"—but even the most mysterious types need some company, y'know?"

Daichi grinned. "And lucky for you, we've decided to adopt you."

Gabriel scoffed. "Did you take me for a sort of pet?"

"Too late," Ryota said cheerfully.

Gabriel rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his food. But as much as he wanted to pretend it annoyed him, he didn't hate the company as much as he thought he would.

After school, Gabriel was in no rush to go home. He wandered the streets for a while before eventually ending up at the arcade again. Dit it become a habit without him even realizing it lately—killing time, keeping himself out of the house for as long as possible.

But eventually, the evening crept in, and he had no choice but to head back.

When he stepped inside, the house was eerily quiet. His mom wasn't home yet, and for a brief moment, he thought Satoshi wasn't either.

Then—

"You're late. Again."

Gabriel turned his head to see Satoshi standing in the hallway, arms crossed.

Gabriel exhaled through his nose. "Didn't realize I had a curfew."

Satoshi frowned. "You don't. But you keep coming home later and later. What are you even doing?"

"Nothing."

Satoshi's frown deepened. "You're lying."

Gabriel dropped his bag by the stairs. "Not everything I do is some big secret, you know."

Satoshi studied him for a moment before sighing. "You never used to be like this."

Gabriel stiffened. "Like what?"

"This closed off," Satoshi said. "You used to be—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "Never mind."

Gabriel clenched his jaw. "Just say it."

Satoshi hesitated, then exhaled. "You used to love football. You used to actually care about something."

Gabriel's stomach twisted. He turned away. "I don't play anymore."

"Yeah, I noticed," Satoshi muttered.

Gabriel's hands curled into fists. "Then drop it."

Satoshi's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he finally stepped back. "Whatever. Do what you want."

He walked off, leaving Gabriel standing there, shoulders tense.

Gabriel exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He knew Satoshi didn't mean any harm, but that didn't make it any less frustrating.

He hated the way people kept bringing it up.

Hated that, no matter what he did, he couldn't seem to escape it.

Dinner was quiet. His mom ate while scrolling through something on her phone, occasionally asking about school. Gabriel answered with short, vague responses. Satoshi didn't talk much either, though his eyes flickered toward Gabriel more than once.

It wasn't until later that night, when Gabriel was lying in bed staring at the ceiling, that his phone buzzed.

???: Yo, are you coming early again tomorrow?

Gabriel stared at the screen for a moment. Asking how did someone get his number.

 he typed out a short reply.

Gabriel: Who are you and how did you get my number?

A reply came almost instantly.

Ryota: Its me Ryota and for your phone number i had my ways.

Ryota: So are you coming early tomorrow?? 

Gabriel: I don't know i'll see.

Ryota: I take that as a yes.

Gabriel huffed a small, almost amused breath through his nose.

He set his phone down and rolled onto his side.