*Seiya*
I took a deep breath as soon as we were outside of the labyrinth. It was good to be out of that dark, musty place.
"So, about that story your promised me," Purpura said, looking at me.
"Oh, right! I guess I can tell it to you as we walk back home." I hummed. "Although, I got several stories of kid Sou. I mean, I did live with him for sixteen consecutive years."
"Surprise me."
I laughed. "Alright." Hmm, what story, though? As we walked through the forest, I found myself getting lost in memories of our childhood on the farm. One particular day came to mind, an afternoon that was as vivid now as it was back then.
"I got it!"
***
[Eight Ago]
Sou, barely nine years old, had approached me as I played soccer with Ziv. My little brother had a look in his eyes that I knew all too well. It was the sparkle of mischief, the gleam of an upcoming adventure.
"Seiya, I have a plan!" he announced, his small hands clutching a bag.
I raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"
"I'm going to explore the old barn at the edge of town," he declared, pulling out a makeshift explorer's kit from his bag - a flashlight, a rope, and his favorite toy sword.
I frowned, remembering our parents' warnings about the barn's dilapidated state. "Sou, that's dangerous."
Ziv nodded. "Yeah. I heard it's infested with bats and rats."
But Sou only grinned. "I'll be careful, I promise!"
With that, he sprinted off leaving me behind, no choice but to trust his promise.
"Sou!" I yelled.
"I'm back!" Ava said, carrying a jar of pink lemonade. She looked around. "I thought I heard Sou's voice just now. Where is he?"
I sighed. "He went off to the old barn. I'm gonna go grab him!"
Ava sighed. "Just let him be. If he gets into trouble, he can find his own way out of it. It'll teach him not to go to places that are off limits."
She sure was cold for a nine-year-old girl. Although, what if she was right? If I babied Sou, he might never learn responsibility.
"Anyway, let's have a drink."
I wiped my face with my shirt and smiled. "Alright."
Ziv turned away for some reason. The tips of his ears were slightly pink, blending with his hair. Back then, I thought it was because of all the running we had just done. It wouldn't be until another five years that I would realize the meaning behind that blush.
As the hours passed, each ticking minute felt like an eternity. My worry grew with each passing moment until I couldn't take it any longer.
I set out to find him, my heart pounding in my chest. I found Sou in the barn loft, stuck and unable to climb down.
"Sou!" I called out, my voice echoing in the old barn. "What on earth were you thinking?"
Despite being stuck, Sou grinned down at me. "Just exploring, like I said I would! Chased away of bats! Didn't think I'd get stuck, though."
Unable to help myself, I laughed before climbing up into the loft. After a bit of struggle, I managed to get him down safely.
Later that night, under the dim glow of our shared bedroom, Sou's voice broke the silence. "Next time, Seiya, I'll bring a ladder."
I chuckled, shaking my head in the dark. "Just promise me there won't be a next time, Sou. At least not in the old barn."
He snickered. "No promises on that. You should join me next time!"
I patted his head. "I'll think about it." It would help me keep an eye on him. Plus, going on adventures with Sou was always fun, even if we got into a lot of trouble. Granted, it wasn't always his fault. Half the time it was mine.
He hugged my arm and giggled. "I look forward to it." My brother closed his eyes and doze off.
I smiled and pulled the covers over him. "Night, Sou. Tomorrow is another day, another adventure."
***
That memory never failed to make me smile. Those were simpler times, filled with laughter and love, and the occasional misadventure. Sou had always been full of energy and curiosity, his spirit as vast and boundless as the fields on our farm. Even as he grew older and faced life's challenges, I hoped that part of him would never change.
"And that's the story," I said, smiling.
Purpura sighed. "Ava did say he was a reckless kid. How can one guy be so chill?"
I laughed. "I'm pretty laidback myself, but that Sou brings out my worried side."
He sighed.
"Last night, he seemed off. He was unusually serious, not even cracking a smile. Do you know if something happened to him?"
He frowned. "It'll be best if you ask Sou yourself."
So, something had happened to him. "Did you get into a fight with him after all?"
Purpura shook his head. "It doesn't involve me. Well, not directly."
So, what was the issue? Guess I would have to ask Sou about it. I just hoped he would tell me about it. While Sou and I would often share everything, there were a few things we kept to ourselves.
"Alright," I said, nodding. "I'll talk to him about it."
We continued walking through the forest in silence. The air between us felt heavy, the unspoken weight of the situation pressing down on us. What was bothering my little brother?