"Huh? Was that Hiro?" I mumbled, turning my face back as I likely heard Hiro's voice.
Quickly I returned to my post to carefully take a peek again, but for this second time around, the result was still the same as I was not having a clear visual of their faces.
The people from the start were facing away at my direction, but after hearing that yell recently, I know that it was probably Hiro's.
"What is really your problem!?" His voice came loud once more, making me to reach of the conclusion that it was him all along.
This is bad. As what I'm seeing with my observation skills, it looks like Hiro has gotten himself into trouble.
I really don't want to get into small troubles like this, but this is my little brother that has gotten involved… and here I come! His eldest brother is going for the rescue now!
"I told you that isn't it! My big brother is not what you think he is!"
As I made three steps forward, I instinctively stopped again as my name was suddenly involved in the somewhat quarrel, backing myself away to hide again behind the fence. I was shocked of it, and have gotten curious of the specifics. I positioned myself, eyes fixed straight and ears narrowed, focused in trying to observe further.
"What do you mean it's not what we think he is? Your brother is one of those no mannered people. He talks awfully to your parents." One of the people that surrounded Hiro shot back at him, and the talking continues. "You both lived in the same house right? So you should have already seen it yourself, and he ran away from your home which makes it further evidence. Maybe right now, you're brother has secretly became a delinquent already." added the random kid.
"I told you already that he isn't like that! Big brother has been carrying a lot of problems behind his back. You guys don't know exactly what kind of a person he is. And you don't know what exactly happened in his life."
"Tsk. You're still defending your pathetic big brother, eh? But Hiro, we do know for sure, with that mean and bad personality of his, you have experienced it personally don't you? It would be impossible if he hasn't let out his madness onto you even if it's just once"
"Of course no---" Hiro's words froze as he undeniably recalled the bad times that he had with me. His face was leaking out the pain that he felt in those days, and the guilt of trying to defend me.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere of their conversation reached into me, and it hit my conscience about the past.
"See!? Even though you got bad mouthed too, you're still trying to protect him. Just give it up already! You're big brother is not the kind of person who you think he is now. So stop meeting up with him or you'll get into trouble."
I see. Those stares inside during the meeting make sense now. News sure spreads quickly in this time of age. I wonder how long have they already known. Tsk, those non-stop gossiping of the adults.
Hiro lowered his head while he continued being silent all the time.
"So are you convinced now, Hiro? We are only doing this just for your own good! Stay away from your brother already!"
'That would be a good decision too, Hiro. Sticking yourself to an elder brother like me would only get you into trouble and bring you misfortunes. Not to mention you'll be involved in gossips about me. You would have a bad reputation in the eyes of society.' I thought to myself with a depressed look while touching my chest with my right hand as I felt pain and sadness from that very idea.
"No…"
I somehow heard Hiro said something in a low tone. The people surrounding him has likely noticed it too, and got more attentive since they were closer. Hiro's gestures looked like he was about to release fire out of his mouth, but then…
"NOOOOOOO!" Hiro shouted in front of everyone.
I got shocked and highly alerted as he let out a gigantic voice despite him just being a tiny man. Hiro was panting from his yell, and the people around also showed a shocking reaction as well.
"Why?" Another person surrounding him has said.
"I already told you guys, he is not like that." Hiro exclaimed, tried persuading to them again.
"Then tell us wha---"
"My!"
Everybody's gaze were fixed to Hiro as he has gotten more emotional.
"My parents said that when I was little, my big brother took care of me most of the time. He would always carry me around when I was not capable of walking yet. He would always make milk for me and lets me drink it. Whenever I cried a lot, he would always be there for me to cheer up my mood with a smile. He changes my diaper and clothes. He would carry me outside to see the sky, the birds and the trees. He would try to make jokes and funny faces so that I could laugh, especially when I came crying. It is embarrassing to say this but, he took chances on kissing at my fat cheeks when he feels to."
Here at my spot, I felt like stabbing myself as I got awkward with my face that has likely turned a little reddish, feeling my whole face heating up while listening closely to Hiro because of the embarrassing moments that he had spouted from before.
I then slapped my cheeks at both sides for several times in trying to get a hold of myself.
Good grief. Please stop now Hiro, I'm begging you. Don't say anymore.
"As for when we grew up, he was always there for a helping hand. He taught me about the lessons that I had difficulty with. He gave his best to let me understand and he won't stop until I did so. He shouts at me so many times, but that was because I wasn't giving my attention and did silly stuffs. He has high standards, but he didn't hurt and forced me. He would let me off and I took my time. He would also always take the place of being my guardian whenever I had events and meetings at school, and even today he would still do so. When I was bullied for a few times, he stood up for me and taught the bullies a lesson… HE IS THE BEST AND COOLEST BROTHER YOU CAN EVER HAVE!"
Hearing HIro exclaimed it made me feel a warm feeling inside.
"But as we grew older and older, he somewhat--- little by little… he changed, especially his attitude and behaviour towards me."
"Hiro! Just because he was like that in the past doesn't mean he would stay in that way forever. People change Hiro. You're too optimistic about your brother. People change in their own ways."
"NO! HE DIDN'T! It was not his fault! It was because…" Hiro suddenly stopped midway with his left hand holding his right shoulder.
"Because of what!?" The people continued to interrogate Hiro.
"It wasn't entirely his fault. He always gives his best at everything. He excels at sports and academics. But as time went by, his performance slowly went down. He was disappointed and somewhat angry all the time for some reason. I really don't know but, I think it was because of my parents."
"So you're blaming your parents? Are you going against them just like what your brother did? Aren't they the ones who poured a lot of sweat just for us in order to make a living and had something to eat? Are you really against and going to ignore their effort for everything they have done for you?"
Emotions were raising high at the very moment. It wasn't that clear, but basing on Hiro's eyes that has gotten deep, a bit of tears was starting to come out from him.
"No! I'm not against them. I know my parents are important to me and I respect them. But brother had issues with them which made him change."
"So you're really against them, are you?"
Hiro couldn't make a reply and was out of words when it came to that point.
Hmmm… I guess this is the right time.
"See? Just give it up already!" they continue to convince Hiro until he would do so.
"It's really not entirely his fault. It was---"
"OKAY, OKAY!"
HIRO'S POV:
"OKAY, OKAY. I think that would be enough for this day." a voice suddenly came out from out of nowhere, halting our conversation as it was likely directed at us.
Everyone then looked around at their backs to know whose was it, but I was surprised of what I saw as that person showed up and came nearing towards us.
"Hey. Isn't that him?"
"Yeah, definitely. I saw him earlier this morning". The people continued to gossip about my brother despite him who has made his appearance out of the blue.
Big brother Hanzaki walked calmly to us, and his closing presence has made the crowd to back away from him, leaving a clear path towards me. Making his movements a little quicker, he went closer to and has stood beside me. Looking up to him, he suddenly sighed in front.
"This is really quite a trouble you've gotten into, Hiro." He said as he scratched his head, likely because this is quite tiresome for him.
I just looked at him without having anything to say because of his sudden appearance, and big brother then looked back at the crowd that surrounded us with a serious face.
"You kids can sure make a huge mess despite your age--- Hmmm? Hey, aren't you guys his classmates?"
He was surprised to know. My classmates stayed still and silent, probably because of the presence of an older person in front of them, or maybe because they really believed those gossips about him.
"You know, having talks and gossips about me are really nothing to me at all. You can also make stories which tell a positive or negative thing of me. It doesn't matter, and I really don't care. All of you guys and your parents are free to do that but…" From closing his eyes for a second, he immediately opened it with an intense glare directed at every one of them which made them tremble and shake out from the intimidation he's been emitting.
"You're really outnumbering my little brother here. Isn't that a bit unfair? He's quite in a situation now because of you guys. You can trash talk or say anything you want about me or my life but, don't you dare try anything funny towards Hiro!" A sudden burst of anger came out from his words, and my classmates were startled and were unable to lift neither their hands nor feet.
With eyes sparkling out of admiration, I was amazed of my brother's big, heroic words and action.
"Oi!" He called out to them. Without noticing, he has already gone calm and collected in just a flash. "You guys should already head back. This argument here is done." He added.
Lowering their head while not taking a glance back, my classmates slowly went back on their way, leaving us behind together with my brother alone. Seeing them heading off, big brother Hanzaki has let out a sigh once more as he finally got rid away of the troublesome people… or likely that is what he has in mind right now. He then looked at me.
"Are you just fine now?" While petting my head roughly all over, he questioned.
As I lifted his giant hand away from me, I nodded in response, but then he suddenly began in moving away from me without even saying anymore, and it made me a little sad about it, a disappointment to my expectations from witnessing his heroic act for me just recently.
"OI!" While I was staring down, big brother unexpectedly called out to me as he reached a distance between us. I then looked back at him, wondering of what it was. "What are you waiting for over there? Get that butt of yours moving already."
From a down face to a smile, my body has gone questionable lightened up. I then came rushing back to his side to catch up to my big brother who was waiting for me.
"Next Saturday was it?" From taking a glance as I stood beside him, he asked.
I got confused from the start, wondering about what my brother was saying.
"Next Saturday?" I questioned back.
"Hiro. Don't answer a question with another question."
"Oops. My bad. Sorry."
Still not being able to catch up with his somewhat concern, I lightly scratched my head for a few times.
"The foundation day, you airhead. What time was it again?"
Surprisingly, and unexpectedly again, he said it in front of me. I was enlightened up even more and everything in my face went wide stretchily when I heard it.
"6 TO 10 PM!" After seconds of being awed, I loudly replied.
"Eeeeh!? Why is it scheduled at night?"
"Come on brother, don't kid around. You've been in this school too, so you should know why."
"Ahhh! Alright."
Looking up above, the sun was covered by clouds and the same orange sky ran through the world, and here I am walking back together with my big brother, I put up a huge smile on my face as this became a very satisfying day for me.