The rain poured relentlessly, drenching the bustling streets where people scurried for cover, clutching vibrant umbrellas as cheerful laughter from young girls mingled with the distant roar of vehicles. The gentle spring rain drizzled down, masking the sorrow that loomed just out of sight.

In stark contrast, a silent sob echoed from a shadowy alley near the construction site, on the fringes of the red-light district. Beneath the flickering light of a solitary lamp post, a man lay cradled in the arms of his younger brother, their surroundings a world apart from the laughter outside.

A thick, scarlet pool spread across the concrete, washed away by the rain, transforming it into a ghastly river of blood flowing from the raven-haired man in a suit.

"Brother, no..." The blonde boy, clad in a white high school uniform, spoke in a weak, trembling voice, his azure eyes shimmering with tears that raced down his cheeks.

"Don't... cry... Gi...li..." The young man struggled to speak, his voice laced with pain as he pressed against the wound in his side, trying to stave off the agony.

"W-wait for me... I... I will call for help." Gili attempted to rise, desperation coursing through him, but his brother's grip tightened around his arm, pulling him back.

"Don't... It's... too late..."

The words hung in the air like a death knell, and Gili's body stiffened, a gut-wrenching sob escaping his lips. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Each apology tore through Gili's heart, drowning him in despair as the realization set in: he was powerless to save his brother. Not in the past, and certainly not now.

"I'm sorry I'm so useless!" he cried out. "I... I only ever brought you pain... I was even the reason why you—"

"Sshhh..." Haru, with frail hands, wiped the tears from Gili's cheek. "Do... not blame... yourself... It's... not... your fault."

"Uwa... huhuhu... Bro... brother..." Gili pleaded, his small hand resting on Haru's, warmth radiating from their touch.

As Gili's tears dripped onto Haru's face, the warmth only deepened his ache. His heart ached for his brother's pain, and he fought to hold back his own tears.

"Don't say... that... you... only gave... me pain..." Haru's strength ebbed away, and he coughed blood, but he pressed on, desperate to soothe Gili. "You... cough... are... my ha...ppiness... That's... why... I... named you... Gili..."

"So... please... smile... for me... one... last... time..." Haru's voice trembled, his eyes dimming with the flicker of life.

Knowing his brother was at his limit, Gili summoned every ounce of strength to force a shaky smile, his voice breaking. "Big brother... I love you."

Haru's smile softened, and he lightly bumped his forehead against Gili's. "This... big... brother is... happy."

Then, with that final connection, Gili felt Haru's hand slip from his grasp, falling lifelessly to the ground.

As the rain intensified, its relentless downpour drowned out Gili's hysterical cries, echoing in the desolate alleyway, unnoticed by the world.

.

.

.

"…ther… Big brother, wake up!"

A voice pulled Haru from the depths of darkness, the impact of his back hitting the floor jolting him awake. Confusion clouded his mind as a blonde-haired boy leaped at him, causing him to fall again, this time against the desk.

"Uwaaah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you, big brother… Waaahhh!!!"

Haru's body froze at the sound of his brother's panicked voice, the familiarity tugging at something deep within him. As he lay there, disoriented, fragments of memories surged forward—moments of laughter and innocent dreams shared between two boys on a worn-out carpet.

"One day, we'll have a room filled with toys, Gili," he could hear his younger self say, his voice bright with hope. "And I'll paint dolphins and penguins on the walls, just like the ones in that book we read."

He had envisioned bright colors splashed across the walls, the soft touch of plush toys everywhere, their laughter ringing out in a sanctuary away from the harsh world.

But this... this is just a dream, isn't it?

As he scanned the room, the bright colors and cheerful decor felt surreal, almost too good to be true. White walls adorned with cute animal murals surrounded him, and fluffy, expensive-looking toys were scattered throughout—a stark contrast to the murky alley where he had felt life slipping away.

Why am I dreaming of these things now? His heart raced as he grappled with the thought. I was dying. I was… bleeding out in that alley.

Yet here he was, nestled in a room that echoed their childhood fantasies. A sense of disbelief washed over him. He could still feel the warmth of Gili's skin beneath his palm, grounding him in this strange reality.

I was supposed to be gone, he thought, the weight of loss pressing heavily on his chest. How can I be here, waking up to this?

The memories of their whispered hopes filled his mind, the quiet moments spent imagining a future far removed from the pain they had known. We were so naive, he reflected, a bittersweet smile creeping onto his lips. I wanted to believe… but it was all in vain…"

Lost in thought, uncertainty clouded his mind, until a sharp pain in his head broke his reverie.

"Ah!" He yelped as a small alarm clock tumbled to the floor.

"Kwah! I'm sorry! It's not intentional! I swear!" The boy scrambled to his feet, hand raised in a panic. "You were crying, so I tried waking you up, but you wouldn't wake up, so I had to…"

His heart raced, and Haru's eyes widened as he took in the boy's familiar features. "G-Gili?" His voice quivered as he cupped the younger version of his brother's face. He can see him so clearly, it can't be just a dream.

"Huh? Yeah?" Gili tilted his head, confusion etched on his innocent face.

The warmth of Gili's skin against his palm tightened Haru's throat, and tears pooled in his eyes.

"Wha!" Alarmed, Gili frantically dried Haru's tears with the blanket. "Big brother, is your dream really that bad?"

"Yeah... I... seem to have dreamed a very long dream." Haru struggled to speak, knowing deep down that those memories were not mere nightmares but echoes of a painful reality. Yet somehow, it felt like he'd been given a second chance.

"Well, it's fine now, isn't it?" Gili's bright smile lit up the room as he pulled on Haru's hand. "Besides, Mama made our breakfast! She even made your favorite! Let's go!"

Gili dashed out of the room, leaving Haru frozen in place, a statue caught between two worlds.

Mama? Why do I have to meet her again?