Raizen, around twenty-three years of age, sat on the edge of a sun-warmed rock, sweat rolling down his cheek as the midday light glinted off his white hair. His aura crackled uncontrollably around him, flickering in streaks of volatile electricity.
“I still can’t control it,” he muttered, frustration edging his voice.
Beside him stood Hiroshi, tall and broad-shouldered with crimson hair tied loosely at the back. Despite the heat, he remained calm, emanating a sense of quiet authority.
“You’re growing stronger,” Hiroshi said with a gentle smile. “But remember, sudden power comes with risks. Real strength is earned—through hardship and suffering.”
Raizen looked up at him, eyes full of doubt.
“You think I’m pitying you,” Hiroshi continued, “but you’re underestimating yourself. Your aura is wild because your mind is unsteady. Control your mind… and you can control everything.”
Raizen nodded, eyes lingering on his brother’s serene expression. He believed him—he always had.
Days passed in a steady rhythm. Training, selling wood in the neighboring city, sharing simple meals. But something had shifted.
One evening, Raizen returned home, the scent of pine clinging to his clothes.
“I’m hooome!” he called cheerfully.
Hiroshi flinched, swiftly folding and hiding a newspaper behind his back. “Welcome back! So, how was the day?”
“A little better than before,” Raizen grinned. “Looks like our business is growing little by little.”
“Really?” Hiroshi smiled, but his gaze dropped as he turned away. “Come inside. I made some takoyaki.”
Raizen’s eyes lit up. “Takoyaki? It’s been so long! Let’s dig in!”
They ate together, laughter easing the tension for a while. But Raizen couldn’t shake the feeling that Hiroshi was different—quieter, distracted.
The next morning, Hiroshi approached him.
“Raizen, want to go to the village? We’ll run out of vegetables soon.”
“Sure.”
As they walked the dusty path to the village, Raizen noticed the villagers glancing their way—then quickly looking away. People whispered behind cupped hands, crossing to the other side of the street.
“Look at those kids,” one villager murmured. “Their parents were killed by a warlord. Don’t feel pity—you never know what they’ll do.”
“The big one with red hair,” another whispered. “They say he took down three squads of national bandits. And the white-haired one? He has electricity aura. Rampages in the woods, they say.”
“I wish they’d just leave. The village would be safer.”
Raizen didn’t seem to notice. But Hiroshi’s shoulders stiffened. He kept his head down as they entered the vegetable shop.
The shopkeeper, visibly tense, greeted them with a forced smile. “Ah, how can I help you?”
Raizen wandered toward a cabbage, staring at it with fascination.
“Hey, is this a vegetable or a flower?” he asked.
Hiroshi chuckled softly. “It’s a vegetable that looks like a flower. You’ve never been in the village much, huh?”
“Ahaha, silly me.”
Behind them, customers were whispering again. Hiroshi lingered near the counter, pretending to check the bill.
“It’s them, right?” one muttered. “Everyone hates them.”
“The white-haired one might lose control here. Dangerous blood runs in their veins.
I bet his parents were trash too.”
“They should just disappear.”
Hiroshi’s eyes darkened. His fists clenched, crumpling the bill. Without a word, he grabbed the vegetables and gently pulled Raizen away.
Raizen looked up. “Hey… what’s wrong?”
Hiroshi glanced down at his innocent face and forced a gentle smile. “Nothing. I just remembered something.”
As they walked back toward the woods, Hiroshi suddenly stopped. “Raizen… you want to control your aura, right?”
Raizen hesitated. “Yeah, but… can I? I always end up burning trees or hurting the surroundings.”
“I’ll help you train harder. It’ll take time, but if you’re willing, we can do it.”
Raizen’s eyes gleamed. “Yes! I’m ready for anything.”
The days became rigorous. Hiroshi shifted his focus entirely to Raizen’s growth, cutting back on his own training. Under his brother’s guidance, Raizen mastered martial arts and gained significant control over his volatile aura.
Years passed. On a quiet morning six years later, Raizen—now twenty-nine—stood in the forest, punching the bark of a tree with bare hands, no aura. Just muscle and discipline.
Hiroshi approached him with a solemn look.
“Raizen,” he said.
Raizen turned. “What is it, Brother?”
“You’ve grown up. And… I’ve decided something.” He hesitated. “I’m leaving the village.”
Raizen froze. “What? Then where are we going?”
“You’re staying. I’m going alone.”
“What?! No way!” Raizen dropped his stance and turned to face him. “You’re abandoning me? After everything we’ve been through?”
“I trained you for this. You’re strong enough to live on your own now. I have a dream—to make this country a better place.”
Raizen’s voice cracked. “You… trained me just so you could leave?”
“This isn’t about abandonment. This is about duty. The nation is falling apart. Ministers are corrupt. The new king—Kuroshin—can’t be trusted. I want to fight for change.”
Raizen’s fists trembled. “So what? That’s not your burden alone! You’re all I have in this world. Don’t leave me behind!”
Hiroshi’s expression hardened. “You’re being selfish. We’re citizens of this nation. If no one steps up, who will?”
"But why does it have to be only you?" Asked Raizen, "I will not let you set a foot outside this village."
Hiroshi slapped him without warning, silence fell.
“You’re not a child anymore. I should’ve told you earlier. Everyone in the village hates us.”
Raizen’s eyes widened. Hiroshi reached out and clasped his hand.
“Believe me, Brother. I’ll be back. Stronger than ever.”
Raizen lowered his head, voice cracking. “I hate this. I want you to stay, but I also want you to achieve your dream. My heart is breaking.”
Hiroshi smiled, placing his other hand over Raizen’s. “Don’t overthink. I’m leaving for a cause. One day, I’ll become a swordsman sharp as the shogun, Kenzo.”
Raizen sniffled, then nodded. “Just… don’t be reckless.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
That night, they packed in silence. As Raizen lay beside his sleeping brother, memories spun through his mind.
(He never told me everything. He endured it all—for me. All those smiles… they were to protect me. He endured all hatred, all offensive words and every single insult and smiled towards me like nothing ever happened.)
(Raizen turned toward him. I’m such a cruel brother to have not noticed sooner. Hiding sorrow with a smile.)
The next morning, Hiroshi donned a mask and retrieved his sword from a hidden compartment. Raizen’s eyes widened, then softened into a smile.
“It’s time,” Hiroshi said. “Treat the villagers kindly. You’ll be fine on your own, right?”
Raizen nodded. “After all, you trained me.”
“One last thing,” Hiroshi added, suddenly stern. “Cut your hair. Right now.”
Raizen flinched. “What? Hell no!”
“Are you resisting?” Hiroshi smirked. “Then I’ll cut off your head instead.”
“Noooo! My beloved hair!” Raizen darted away, but Hiroshi gave chase.
“You’ve never cut it since Mom and Dad died. Why me then?!” Raizen wailed as Hiroshi sliced a clean swath through his hair.
Raizen looked at the strands falling to the ground. “AHHH!”
“You look quite handsome now,” Hiroshi teased, then met his gaze. “Now look at me.”
Raizen did. Hiroshi pulled him into a tight hug.
“Thank you… for being my brother.”
Raizen stood frozen. Hiroshi had never hugged him before. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around him, tears forming slowly and starting to sob silently.
“No… thank YOU. You were a parent to me. I don’t know how I’ll live without you. I am glad for whatever you did to me big brother, you endured so much sorrow but still you protected me from this pressure. I'll never forget you.”
Hiroshi's eyes fill with tears, “You found out? Big brothers exist to protect their younger ones. I’ll always support you—even from afar. Once I’ve saved this country, we’ll live together again.”
Raizen sobbed into his shoulder. “Yes, big brother Hiroshi.”
Hiroshi left at dawn.
Distant birdsong faded behind the tension.
Raizen, tears falling out from his eyes, laying on his bed. His eyes stared at the ceiling as memories rushed in.
"After that day… I only met him twice more."
The wind stirred outside the window as he smiled faintly.
"Kuroshin had risen to power, and one by one, a few years later, brother defeated the ministers. That time… those days… they’ll never come again."
He closed his eyes.
"Those were some days."
—To Be Continued
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