My Little Brother May Actually Care About Me? (I Don't Know.)

"YOU LIKE STALKING GIRLS, YOU FUCKING PERVERT?!"

I can tell my little brother's voice as soon as I hear it.

Oh, no. He's tried to pick a fight again. It was already bad enough when he tried to throw down with Haru-kun and now he's fighting someone else. I swear, that little brat is gonna be the death of me.

Gotta use my track speed! "Ryou! Stop it!"

As I run toward the place his voice came from, an average-sized guy dashes out from an alley into the street, and then the brat lunges out, swinging wildly, but the guy moves and my little brother falls flat on his face, and the guitar case goes flying off his back.

"Enough!" I get right between them, stretching my arms out. I'm actually doing a pretty cool pose right now. "I'm very sorry about my brother! We'll leave immediately, so please forgive us- huh?"

As soon as I look up, I recognize the guy standing there in casual clothing, with his shaggy blonde hair disheveled and his brown eyes large and worried.

"Takkun?"

"What the fuck?!" Ryou screeches. "You know this fuckin' criminal?!"

"Shut up, you brat!" Elbow, meet stomach. Yeah, he's not gonna be running his mouth for a while. I hate doing that right in front of one of my closest friends, but I had to defuse the situation.

What is with Ryou picking fights with all my guy friends lately? It's like...is he a yandere or something?

…No. Absolutely not.

Takkun's mouth is still wide open. "Ayappi...what are you doing here?"

"Sightseeing! What about you? Ehehe~"

"How stupid can you get, Nee-san?! That motherfucker was STALKIN' you! He was hiding in that- Owowowow! Stop it!"

Gotta wrench the annoying kid's ear a little bit. That always makes him shut up.

"Be quiet, twerp! Takkun's a good guy...there's absolutely no way he'd do something like that!"

Suddenly, Takkun turns away, embarrassed. "I live around here. There's some shady guys who were roaming around here, and I thought he-" he looks at Ryou- "was one of them. I'm kinda glad he's not. He's your brother, right? I heard him say something like that."

"Yup! Unfortunately..."

Takkun laughs a little bit. He's got a very nice smile. It's much nicer than Haru-kun's. "I'm sure it's not that bad. Anyways..." His expression suddenly drops. "You should probably leave soon. This area's not great and I'm worried something will happen to you."

"Don't worry, we're going home right away!" I grab the brat by the shoulders...and then I wrench his arm behind his back. If you twist someone's arm, you can take them anywhere you want. I learned that from manga. See, Haru-kun, I am smart!

"It was nice to see you again." Takkun smiles, then grimaces. "I wish it would have been under different circumstances, though...see you at school next semester, I guess..."

"You too!" I salute as I start dragging the brat away, but as I turn around to leave, his voice stops me in my tracks.

"Hey, Ayappi! You want to hang out sometime?"

"Of course! I'd love to!"

I've been around Haru-kun and my circle so much lately that I've kinda neglected Takkun...I feel really bad about it. Maybe I could invite him to Comiket? He lives around here, so it might not be far for him...or maybe I could ask him if he wants to join the circle? Oh, whatever. I'll think about it when I get back.

For now, I've gotta get the brat home before Mom or Dad, or both of them, get back.

On the train platform, neither of us speak for minutes. Instead, we just stand there, him wearing his hoodie and with the black guitar case slung over his back, me in a shirt and skirt I just pulled out of the drawer quickly.

Finally, he says, "You gonna rat on me?"

"Absolutely not! If I tell Mom that you snuck out to go all the way to Tokyo, she'll go 'How do you know?' and then I'll end up having to tell her that I did too and then she'll find out that I knew all about you going to that old guy's music store when you were supposed to be grounded and I lied to her about it and then I'll get in trouble! Mom and Dad'll throw my PC in the garbage or something...or they won't let me go to Comiket...I'm definitely not telling a soul!"

When I look over, the little twerp's face is solid white and his mouth is hanging open. "You knew all along?!"

"Of course I did! I used the power of deduction to figure it out. I picked up on it so easily...I guess you could call me a super-natural! Ahahahahaha!" Whenever you say something like that, you've gotta make a pose. So I do.

When I look back over, my little brother is still staring at me in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

"A totally rockin' pose, duh."

"I don't get it."

"Because you play a...oh, forget it."

He turns away for a second, sighing. "So if you knew I was sneaking out, why'd you lie to Mom about it?"

"I told you I was on your side! Isn't that obvious?!" The brat is really slow on the uptake...not at all like me. Heh, heh.

"I thought you said that to make yourself look good." He gives me a side-eye and then flicks his gaze back away from me, embarrassed.

"Huh?!" He's so rude! I try to help him and that's the thanks I get? There go his kneecaps!

"Hold on! Wait! Stop, Nee-san! I'm sorry!"

I guess I can lay off him. For now. "You seriously thought I'd be that self-centered? That hurts, you know. You're not supposed to say things like that to a cute girl."

"...You're not cute at all."

"Say WHAT?! Kiss your shins goodbye, stupid brat!"

"Stop it! That's what I mean! You're Mom and Dad's favorite so you have absolutely no idea what it's like to be me! You don't know what it's like to have your own parents ignoring you and constantly comparing you to others...you, Kouga, you name it...because they love you and they spoil you! They don't give half a flying fuck about me! And then all you do is treat me like an embarrassment, too, and beat up on me! So now do you get why I don't trust you? You've never cared about me, so why should I think you're gonna change now?"

He stands there, breathing heavily. Yikes. I think that was the fabled "rant" that happens in manga all the time. He just got mad and spilled all his insecurities for almost a minute. It was kinda lame, if I'm being honest...but then again, I kinda did something like that in the past, too...let's ignore that for now. Ehehe~

But I just can't believe that the obnoxious guy standing in front of me is the same cute little brother who used to love Zeroranger and playing in the sandbox- the same one who I saved from the neighborhood bullies, the same one who used to say that he loved me all the time. It seems like that was centuries ago.

No, that's wrong.

He's still Ryou. No matter how much I dislike how he's changed, he's still my brother.

I was upset with him all the time because I thought he was annoying and obnoxious (well, he is), but the truth is...I was annoyed at him because I wanted him to stay that cute little kid forever.

I didn't want to accept that he was growing up, too. And because of that, I was totally blind.

I couldn't see the person he was because I was too focused on what I wanted him to be. But I don't get to decide that for him. He's his own person.

He lashed out and tried to act tough and got into trouble because he had no one to turn to...and I never realized that until it hit me in the face.

Man, I'm really stupid, aren't I?

"Ryou...I'm sorry."

"Huh? What?" Suddenly, he turns red, hurriedly looking around. "What are you apologizing for? That's not like you!"

"I'm sorry I acted like I was ashamed of you all the time. I'm sorry I was always getting mad at you. I'm sorry I never realized that Mom and Dad were ignoring you. And...I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when you needed help the most. Mom and Dad told me to 'take care of you', but I didn’t. All I did was get mad at you and act like it was a chore. That's what I'm sorry about."

His eyes are wide, his face white, his mouth open in shock. I'm not looking at Ryou the Tough Delinquent anymore. Beneath all the attitude, beneath the foul mouth and threats...he's just a young boy. A scared, vulnerable kid.

"It was all because I'm weak and stupid and I was stuck in the past and didn't want you to change. In reality, I was the one that needed to change. I promise I will. So please...forgive me."

Wow. Holy crap. That sounded even lamer than him! Why couldn't I say something really cool like "from now on, I'll protect you" or something like that, like Boku? Aaaaaah, I'm so dumb! I'm really, really dumb!

"So...you really meant it when you said you were on my side?" His voice, instead of being rough and angry, is soft.

"Of course I did! No one else was giving you a chance, but that wasn't right. Don't you think so?"

Ryou nods, silently.

"I met the old guy who runs that store you always go to. He told me all about what a good student you are, and how hard you're working. I mean, I saw how much you were practicing the guitar, too. It wasn't as much as Hitoe's 6 hours a day, but it was close. You're getting all your schoolwork done, too, and you even came all the way to Tokyo to take guitar lessons! You're working so hard to improve at something that you love, but everyone wants to treat you like you're irredeemable. It's just not fair!"

"I didn't realize...you know Mitsukoshi-sensei?"

"Yup! That store's super cool! They've got all kinds of guitars, and basses, and drums, and keyboards, and so on...he let me try on an expensive Shamaha and I felt like such a rockstar even though I can't play a note. I see why Mitsukoshi-san's such an instrumental figure in your life! Ahahahaha!"

Somewhat taken aback, Ryou chokes out, "When did this happen?"

"A few days ago. You were in there, practicing or something. I was listening to you play."

Suddenly, he goes red yet again. "You were WHAT?! Oh, jeez..."

"Hey, hold on!" I quickly wave my hands as he flushes from embarrassment. "You sounded really good!"

"Really?"

"Of course!" I smile as widely as I can. "Can I come watch you practice sometime?"

"Absolutely not."

"Fine. Be like that."

"I don't mean it like that..." Ryou's voice suddenly drops. "Old man Mitsukoshi's closing up shop soon. That's why I ended up here. He knew someone who was teaching guitar in Tokyo and gave me her address."

"I know that. I saw the note."

"Wha- Nee-san, don't go nosing in other people's stuff!" my little brother shouts, indignantly.

"Sorry! Ehehe~" Laughing it off didn't really work. He still looks mad. "I was worried about you, though. You were gone for a long time, and that guitar school seemed kinda shady..."

"Yeah, it was pretty weird, but I swear it's legit. And I can defend myself just fine. You were in more trouble than me! That creepy guy was hiding in the back alley, staring at you..."

"Hey, quit talking about Takkun like that!"

"How the hell do you know that guy?!"

"He's a friend from school."

"I don't like him- Ow! I thought you said you were gonna stop beating up on me!"

I did, but that rude remark deserved a little foot stomp. "Takkun's a good friend of mine, so don't call him names!"

Ryou looks away and scoffs, but doesn't say anything back.

The train hisses into the station, and we both blend into the crowd as the doors open. In an hour, we'll be home. I really hope my good luck amulet worked and Mom and Dad aren't there when we get back. They usually aren't home during the week to begin with, but the last time I drew a fortune at the shrine I only got half luck, so I don't want it to run out on me right now...

As soon as the train lurches out of the station, Ryou stretches back on the seat, putting his arms above his head. All I can do is look down at the floor.

"I seriously was worried about you..." My voice comes out so soft and pleading that even I'm a little surprised. "Can you promise me you won't sneak out this far again?"

I hope the puppy-dog eyes work on him. They're super effective on Dad, but I have no idea how well they'll do in this situation.

My little brother sighs. "Fine. That lady was pretty weird anyways."

The train rolls on as the sun sets, and then Ryou says, "You know...you said you were gonna fight for me or something, right?"

"Yup! I promised I'd clear your name! Haru-kun too!"

"Kouga?! What the fuck does he want- Ow! Why'd you flick me, dumbass Nee-san?!"

I'll admit, that felt really good to get him right on the forehead. Haru-kun does it to me all the time, and I've always wanted to do it back to him, but I can never find an opening...I guess I'll take what I can get.

"Haru-kun really likes you, so you ought to show him a little bit more gratitude."

"Whatever. I don't need his help. So, how far have you two gotten?"

"Uh...nowhere."

"Figures."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Doesn't matter. It's not like I care if I have to transfer out. I never liked Shinchou anyways."

I guess he's right, but I still can't help but feel disappointed as soon as he said that. It's like he's giving up. I can't force him to do something that he doesn't want to, but it's still just too sad to see his life at Shinchoushi end like that! I mean, he was framed for something he didn't do!

Why do I know that? Haru-kun told me.

The messages on my LIME from a few days ago are marked as read, but it still feels like I'm reading them for the first time every time I see them. This story gets crazier and crazier the more I think about it.

@Haru10kou: So Kaede knows about Ryou-kun

@Ayamonogatari: Huh? Tell me, tell me!

@Haru10kou: You know the girl Ryou-kun was talking about who got cornered by Senjuu-whatever her name was? That was Kaede

[Sticker of a shocked Aoko from Old Game!]

@Ayamonogatari: No way!!!!!!!!!!

@Haru10kou: As soon as I told her about what happened she stormed out. Said she was going to school to do something.

@Haru10kou: She said she'd take care of it. She won't tell me anything else

@Haru10kou: I swear, girls are so stubborn

@Ayamonogatari: That's what we say about guys lol

@Haru10kou: Thanks for your input, idiot

[sticker of an angry Epee]

@Ayamonogatari: Hey! Not nice!

@Haru10kou: It's the truth

@Ayamonogatari: Whatever

@Ayamonogatari: Is there anything we can do to help her?

@Haru10kou: Not really...I keep asking her, but she keeps saying she'll take care of it and she doesn't want to get me involved

@Ayamonogatari: so all we can do is hope?

@Haru10kou: yeah p much

@Haru10kou: btw the next time I see Ryou-kun I'm gonna have to have a little talk with him

@Ayamonogatari: Pls don't hurt him!!!!

@Haru10kou: No promises

@Haru10kou is offline.

"So..." I turn to my brother, staring him dead in the eyes. "What's this about you and Kaede-chan, huh?"

"How did you..." He suddenly looks like he's seen a ghost. "I told you to stop snooping around!"

"You like her, right? When are you gonna confess? What's your favorite thing about her? Tell me! I wanna know! I'll even help you with the love letter!"

He turns bright crimson red and immediately whips his head away. "Stop it! I don't want your help...you'll just make it worse!"

"Fine." I told myself I was gonna go easier on him, so I guess I have to leave him alone.

The train continues through the suburbs as the sun sinks lower in the sky. The horizon behind the homes and stores that we're whizzing by is painted in every shade of red, yellow, and pink. It's really beautiful. That's a panel I want to have in my next one-shot. It's a great image, right? Two friends...or siblings...or maybe they're boyfriend and girlfriend, alone on an empty train, watching the sunset. I wonder what Haru-kun would think of a setting like this. He probably wouldn't be paying it any attention. Maybe if I put my head on his shoulder, he might-

...That came out weird! I didn't mean it in a romantic way. It's just a friendly thing. I swear!

Sorry.

The sunset's so relaxing, and it's less than a week until Comiket, but my little brother's still in trouble, and I haven't done anything to help him. No...it's more like I can't do anything. Today, it seems like we finally managed to work out some differences, but I'm still nowhere close to finding out the truth about what happened that day in the old school building, and time's running out.

We need a miracle. Please, Kaede-chan...help us.