The crisp New Year's air nipped at Ochaco's cheeks as she approached her family's modest apartment. The festive decorations still clung to the buildings, remnants of the celebrations just past. She'd spent the holiday with her friends at U.A., a lively contrast to the quiet homecoming she'd anticipated. But something was amiss. The usually warm glow from their window was absent, replaced by an unsettling darkness. A small, white rectangle was taped to the door, its surface illuminated by the pale streetlamp.
Ochaco's heart quickened as she peeled it off. The note was written in her mother's familiar, looping script:
Ochaco, darling, we've moved. Please meet us at the address below. We love you!
Below was a scribbled address in the hills. Fear gave way to intrigue. She took out her phone and pulled up the maps app. It was a new, modern development, a far cry from their old neighborhood. What could have caused this sudden move?
Her journey to the new address was a mix of trepidation and excitement. The house that greeted her was a sleek, multi-storied structure of glass and steel, perched on a hillside overlooking the city. It was luxurious, a world away from the small, comfortable home she knew. Could this really be her parents' place?
As she approached the front door, she heard the clatter of pots and pans from inside, punctuated by a familiar humming. Her mother, she realized. Relief washed over her. She reached for the doorbell but the door swung open before she could touch it.
Standing there was a man, tall and lean, with a cascade of long, brown, curly hair framing a kind face. He held a thick, leather-bound book in one hand, and his eyes, the same warm brown as her own, held a mixture of surprise and gentle amusement.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice a low, melodic rumble.
Ochaco blinked, completely thrown off. "I… I'm Ochaco. I'm looking for my parents. Are you… are you a friend of theirs?"
He smiled, a small quirk at the corner of his lips. "Ochaco? You must be. I'm Owen. Your older brother."
Ochaco's jaw dropped. An older brother? She'd never heard of an Owen. Her mind raced as she tried to reconcile this revelation with everything she thought she knew. "My… my brother? I don't… I didn't know I had one."
Owen chuckled, a warm, genuine sound. He stepped back, gesturing her inside. "I figured that was the case. It's a long story. Come in, come in."
The interior of the house was just as impressive as its exterior, filled with light and modern art. He led her to a sprawling living room, where she finally sat on a plush, cream-colored couch. He settled down beside her, placing his book on a nearby table.
"So… how?" Ochaco started, her voice still thick with confusion.
Owen sighed, running a hand through his curls. "It's… complicated. I was… different. When I showed an… unusual aptitude for academics early on, the government approached my parents. They offered a deal – I would attend a private academy, a school for specially gifted individuals, in return for them receiving a substantial sum of money. That was… quite a while ago."
He paused, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "They needed the money. We didn't have much. It wasn't so they could live in luxury, it was to stay afloat. I went of my own free will knowing it would help them stay stable. I had no idea about you. They didn't tell them I had a baby sister. Apparently, they were nervous about me becoming fixated on you and losing focus at the academy."
"So… you just… left?" Ochaco said, her voice barely a whisper.
"It wasn't a choice, not really. I left for them, and it helped. And now, thanks to me they have enough. I had no idea you existed until a week ago. Once they told me, I insisted on bringing them here. I wanted to make sure they had a good life, better than what they had before, if that makes sense." He took a breath. "I only just moved them in yesterday so... welcome home."
Ochaco found herself strangely moved by his words. She could see the longing in his eyes, the desire to be part of their family. She looked at him, truly looked, and saw not a stranger, but a brother. A brother she never knew she wanted.
Before she could formulate a response, her mother walked into the living room, an apron still tied around her waist. Her face lit up at the sight of Ochaco, but then her eyes widened in surprise as she saw them sitting together.
"Ochaco!" her mother exclaimed, rushing over to hug her tightly. "Oh, sweetie, you came! We missed you so much!" She turned to Owen and back to Ochaco, her eyebrows raising. She looked confused for a moment, then she smiled. "Oh! You guys already met. I see. Are you two getting along?"
"Yes, Mom!" Ochaco beamed at her, a genuine smile gracing her lips for the first time that evening.
"Well, that's great to hear. Dinner's ready, everyone. Come on, let's eat!"
That night, as the family sat around their new dining table, plates filled with steaming food, a sense of quiet joy filled the room. It was a strange, unexpected family reunion, one born out of secrets and sacrifices, but as they laughed and talked and shared stories, Ochaco couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging she had never felt before. She looked at Owen, his eyes twinkling with warmth, and knew that despite their unusual start, she had finally found her brother. And she had a feeling, that this new chapter, in this new house, would be filled with more surprises and happy memories for them all.