HIRO'S POV:
It's already been quite some time since my elder brother had left us, or was he asked to leave by my dad maybe?
I sigh.
Up until now, I still have not known what exactly happened during that time. It happened with just a flash that I could not process my brain of what was happening.
When I came out of my room in the middle of the nightly hour from hearing the loud sounds of footsteps and yelling coming from the outside, I was shocked as I looked at my big brother who was just about to go down the stairs while carrying two large bags with him, and after came out father who also burst out coming from my big brother's room and had followed him towards the door, wearing a scary, furious look on his face.
To be honest, I was not surprised anymore of hearing and seeing them frequently fighting these past several years, but the act that my brother had did was just out of my reasoning.
Why did he exactly make that decision? Knowing him best that he had already likely realized that he has nowhere to go and has nothing and no one else to support himself, why did he just decided to suddenly leave the house like that? And for mom and dad, why did they just let him leave so easily?
I really wanted to ask them about it, yet in the end, I didn't take the many chances in doing so, it is because I was getting the feeling that if I did, I won't be getting anything relevant, or most likely the truth of the reason why my brother left. My guess is that my parents don't even know as well of my brother's real reasons, and intentions.
Since that day, a certain day where my brother's attitude and behaviour slowly and suddenly changed, I already don't what he is and what kind of thinking he has anymore, but I do know that his disappearance has brought a great change, especially a disadvantage to my side.
Meanwhile in this current time at night, the Hanuzuki Residence was peaceful, it became unusually too peaceful.
Taking a peek down from upstairs, Mom and Dad were at the living room, sitting and talking to each other on the sofa while the television was turned on. The volume was just enough for them to make an audible conversation while continuing to discuss about some matters.
Having something in mind, I looked hesitant when I saw them busy into it. But still, I needed to tell it to my parents or otherwise, I'll miss my chance even though a good result is quite blurry.
"Hiro! Is there something you need?" While I was confused of deciding when to act, my mom somehow noticed me here at the stairs and has called me.
Wait a minute. They were still facing to each other from the moment I took my eyes off of them, so how in the world did they--- oh~ Was it because of my feet that were clearly showing out in their view from down below?
My parents then stopped their talking, and instantly I went down when my presence was found out.
Slowly I walked and have stood at a corner of the sofa where my father was sitting down, but even though I have gotten the chance to address my concern, I was still being hesitant to say my intentions. I was somewhat scared of facing my strict parents.
But without ado, I then mustered my courage up, taking some deep breathes.
"Pa! The school has announced a meeting for parents for this upcoming foundation day." I said.
Unfortunately expected, my dad was just staring at the television, being silent of the matter, and I too was quiet, waiting for my father to reply.
It is such a pity for me that he didn't even take a glance or give a little bit of his attention, and on the other hand, I felt my mother moved a little so I turned to her, and upon facing her, she was making an exhausted face while staring straight at me in the eyes.
"Hiro, you're father has a lot of work and important matters to do. He is very tired."
From hearing my mother's words, I nodded, hiding my disappointment with a plane face with my head that I lowered a little due to my reaction, yet after a few seconds, I looked back up to her.
"Ma, how about you?" I asked with a desperate face.
The moment I switched my focused towards her, she immediately sighed in front me.
"You know what Hiro, I too have a lot of things to do. I manage the whole household all alone while your father working hard in order for you to attend school. We always give everything we have. We almost feel like dying in trying to make a living and feed ourselves every day."
That having said, I directly headed back to my room without having anything else to say.
As I have gone inside my room, I then went towards the window to open it and have a look outside.
Staring up to the sky while laying my head on the window, the moon and stars were beautifully sparkling and twinkling as ever before.
"What am I going to do with this?" From a sigh, I quietly complained.
If only big brother Hanzaki were still here, I won't be getting into trouble in asking my parents, or more likely, I won't be bothering my parents since big brother was the one who always gives me a lending hand in attending important matters at my school even though he has not yet become a legal guardian, but anyhow, things went well for us regarding it since from the start.
Moreover, it was always like this in the past. Our parents had barely enough time to lend their attention and focus to us, and the most disturbing thing that I noticed and had been wondering since before is that, why my parents were only getting heated up towards my elder brother and not me?
I know they are quite strict and their faces were always looking scary and angry even though it really wasn't, but when it comes to my big brother, they would always end up in a small quarrel.
Gosh, just still being a child is inefficient for me to understand this situation of ours.
Hey, big brother Hanzaki. Without having my own self to be aware of my surroundings as a spoiled kid before, just what in the world happened between you and our parents back then?
HANZAKI'S POV:
As soon as the bell rang for lunch break, my starving stomach has sighed out of relief.
Succeedingly, the students quickly began to flood the pathway of the building after hearing it as they were noisily going down to have their lunch, and as well as for us.
At the canteen together with my four buddies, we were ready to eat our meals while sitting on a long, wide wooden chair paired with a wooden table.
But unfortunately as of the moment, the place was hellish warm and a lot of sweats was pouring down from each of us as were trying to enjoy our meals, and I guess our good mood not a while ago have dramatically went down because of this very warm temperature.
"Haaaaa! Uwaaaaa! Why is it so hot today!?" Francis loudly complained.
"Hey! Just keep quiet Francis. You're adding up the heat!"
"Hey, I'll be going to buy a cold drink so, do any of you also want to have one? If so, then give me your pay and I'll buy one for you guys as well." Romeo and Kenneth respectively followed.
Followed by Kenneth's words, we then gave our money to him as we were also thirsting out from the heat, and without ado Kenneth went straight ahead to get some refreshments for all of us.
"Hey Kevin."
"What is it?"
While Kevin and Francis began talking to each other, my phone has vibrated inside my pocket. Curious of what it was, I then reached my hand inside to take it out.
Turning on my phone and followed by a series of taps and swipes, I began reading the name of the sender.
"Hiro? I wonder what this could be all about."
I then opened it to fully view what's inside, and his message goes like this "I'll come to meet you later. Please wait for me at your school."
"Hmm? Is there something wrong Zaki?" Have been startled a bit, Romeo who was in front me asked me, he probably has noticed my face that showed quite the serious expression.
Looking at him, I turned off my phone as I hid it away on my right hand that I placed down under the table.
"No, not really. I'm just checking the time."
"Eh!? But it's still early, and it hasn't been half an hour yet since we went down."
"I know. Just scheduling some matters."
"Oh, you're really something Zaki."
After faking an excuse, I resumed eating my meal while thinking about Hiro's message.
Jeez, this kid. Is he serious with that? I mean, his school is quite far from here.
I sigh.
This is really a troublesome one for me~
-----*-----
Being mindful of the time, I immediately stood up and packed my things inside my bag when the school bell rang for afternoon dismissal.
"Sorry guys, I've got to go!" Without looking back to my friends, I hurried with a fast walk heading outside while hearing their last words.
"Hey guys, don't you think he is more in a hurry than usual now?"
"Really? I guess it's just the same to me."
After exiting the campus in just a short time, I quickly turned my head around in searching for my little brother. I looked at my left and my right side, and as I looked over at the opposite side of the road, I saw Hiro standing beside a store and was likely looking for me as well.
Without ado, I began crossing the road to go over to him, and in the process, he noticed me as our gazes met.
As I stopped in front of him from arriving, I looked around at both of my sides once more. After my observation, I pointed to the left while looking at him.
"Not here. Let's go somewhere else." I said in a low tone.
Hiro then nodded in response and has followed me from behind like the usual obedient little brother he was.
Turning back, I caught him taking glances of me while we were on our way to some place.
After minutes of walking, we were already a distance away from the school and have stopped as we found at a pizza parlour name 'Albertos'.
"I think this place is good enough." I said as I took a step forward first.
Meanwhile Hiro, who was staring still at the place, has followed me afterwards as I already made a few steps in going inside to look for a vacant spot. Knowing that we can't stay here without the right reason, I went to the counter to order some pizza while he was waiting for me to come back, sitting on a table he just occupied.
"So, why have you come to see me? What is the matter?" I asked Hiro as I put down the plate with the food on it.
Taking my chance to sit down, I noticed Hiro's expression, somewhat being shy and hesitant towards me.
"Brother! You see---"
"Let's get it to the chase, will ya? I still got something to do for today."
"Uhm, it's about our foundation day."
"Hmmm? So?"
"My advisor has announced that there will be a meeting on this incoming Saturday at 9 am for our school's event, and the usual result had happened when I asked both mom and dad."
"I see. I get the gist." From a nod, I replied while eating my share of the pizza. "Fine, this is settled then."
"Really!? Is that really fine with you brother?" Hiro loudly reacted as he stood up out of joy when I agreed, needless to say.
On the other hand, the other customers were quite frightened a bit and have gotten disturbed towards my little brother's actions. I then signalled Hiro to sit down with some of my gestures.
"Hey! Get back down to your seat, will you?" I said in a low tone. Hiro then quickly sat back down as told. "I told you, it's---" Looking at Hiro who was likely still feeling unsatisfied with his face that was obviously showing it, it seems that this little brother of mine has something else to say. "Good grief, I told you already. Just spill all of it Hiro."
"Would you also go to the foundation day with me?" With a desperate face, Hiro directly said it out without any hesitation just like what I requested.
I sigh.
"I'm sorry, but that is quite a difficult one. I'm only up for the meeting Hiro."
"Just being there for the meeting is enough for me. Thank you so much brother." Hiro seemed to felt a little disappointed at first, but I guess he was satisfied enough of the outcome.
"Don't thank yet. It is still a few days ahead." I said, and Hiro nodded in response. "So, you should really eat your share before it goes cold." I pointed out his as I finished mine.
"Ah! Right."
After we finished eating our food, we took our time to have enough rest to move and go out while still feeling a little awkward to each other despite being brothers, but I guess it was just in my imagination.
"So, you really ditched a class just to come here. You should have just texted me about it." I asked, standing at the side of the road together with Hiro.
"I thought about that, but I want to do it in person, and mostly, I want to see my big brother even if it is just for some time."
"Haha, you really are quite troublesome."
That was quite cheesy, but as his big brother, it was acceptable for me.
"Well then, I've got to get going now. See you this Saturday."
"I'll be expecting!" Hiro raised his voice as I began to walk away.
Before I turned my back on him, he was waiving his hand while wearing a big, wide smile while staying still as he sees me off.
When reaching a distance, I turned back to see him off too, and I saw Hiro who was also quite the distance already.
After seconds from seeing my little brother once again, I continued moving forward with a smile of my own as well.