The evening sun cast a warm glow over the city as Ryusei and Ryota walked side by side, the weight of the day's events beginning to lift. For the first time in years, the brothers weren't simply coexisting—they were connecting.
"Do you think they'll believe it?" Ryusei asked, breaking the silence.
Ryota smirked. "Believe what? That their two sons are now teammates in the most competitive CT league in Japan?"
"Yeah," Ryusei said, glancing at his older brother. "It still feels surreal."
"Well, Dad will probably laugh, and Mom… she'll cry. You know how she is," Ryota replied, his tone softening as they approached their family home.
---
The Hasegawa Household
The Hasegawa home was modest but inviting, a traditional Japanese house with a small garden in the front. The faint smell of Sakura's cooking wafted through the air, making Ryusei's stomach growl.
As they stepped inside, the familiar sound of their father's voice greeted them.
"Is that you, Ryota? Ryusei?" Shinsuke called from the living room.
"Yeah, it's us," Ryota replied, slipping off his shoes.
Shinsuke appeared in the doorway, his face lighting up at the sight of his sons. "You're both home at the same time? This must be some kind of miracle!"
"Shinsuke, don't tease them," Sakura said, stepping into view with a towel in her hands. Her eyes widened when she saw both of her boys standing together. "Oh my goodness… You're both here! Together!"
Ryusei shifted awkwardly as Sakura rushed forward, pulling them into a tight hug. "I missed you two so much," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Mom, we weren't gone that long," Ryota teased, though he didn't pull away.
"Speak for yourself," Ryusei muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
---
Sharing the News
Over dinner, the brothers shared the events of the day, from the trials to their unexpected reunion as teammates.
"So let me get this straight," Shinsuke said, leaning back in his chair. "Ryota, you're the captain of the Aomari Vanguard, and Ryusei, you're now one of their All-Rounders?"
"That's right," Ryota said, his tone casual.
"And you didn't go easy on him during the match, did you?" Shinsuke asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not," Ryota replied with a smirk.
Sakura wiped a tear from her eye, her smile radiant. "I'm so proud of both of you. This is… this is more than I could have ever hoped for."
Ryusei felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in years. For so long, he had carried the weight of isolation and self-doubt, but sitting here with his family, those burdens felt lighter.
---
A Moment Between Brothers
Later that evening, as the family settled in for the night, Ryusei found himself on the porch with Ryota. The stars sparkled above them, and the cool night air was filled with the soft chirping of crickets.
"Do you remember the last time we sat out here like this?" Ryota asked, breaking the silence.
Ryusei nodded. "Yeah. It was the night before you left for the national league."
"I didn't want to leave," Ryota admitted. "But I thought… if I could make it big, maybe I could bring us all back together somehow."
Ryusei looked at his brother, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. "You didn't have to carry that alone."
Ryota sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe not. But I'm glad we're here now. On the same team, no less."
Ryusei smirked. "Don't think I'm going to make it easy for you. I'm not just some rookie you can boss around."
Ryota chuckled. "Good. I'd be disappointed if you were."
For the first time in years, the brothers shared a genuine laugh, the barriers between them beginning to crumble.
---
A Family's Resolve
Inside the house, Shinsuke and Sakura watched their sons from the window.
"They've grown so much," Sakura whispered, her eyes glistening with tears.
Shinsuke placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression soft. "They've been through a lot, but they're stronger for it. And now, they have each other again."
Sakura smiled, her heart full. "I just want them to be happy."
"They will be," Shinsuke said confidently. "They're Hasegawas, after all."
As the night deepened, the Hasegawa family found themselves united once more, their bonds strengthened by the challenges they had faced. Together, they looked forward to the journey ahead, ready to face whatever the future held.