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Masaki always wanted a sibling, since he was a toddler. It didn’t matter if they would be a boy or a girl; but when he was left on Ohisama En by his biological parents and was adopted by Hiroto and Midorikawa, he knew it would be pretty hard or almost impossible.
He always wanted a sibling, he didn’t care about if they would be an older one or a younger one, he just wanted someone to play with, to talk with, to stay with, someone to protect and be protected. Of course he also wanted someone to bother with lovely pranks, someone to teach to and from learn to. Maybe that’s why when he arrived to Raimon and joined the club he started to bother his teammates, maybe that’s why Kirino was his main victim, he was the closest thing he could get as a sibling with Hiroto and Midorikawa working all day and with his own biological parents in some place that probably not even them know where is it.
“Psss! Kariya!” A cheerful voice said in a whisper calling all Teal haired boy attention. It was Tenma’s voice. “Did you do your math homework? Cause… It looks like I completely forgot about it… he, he… Same with Shinsuke tho… And Aoi doesn’t come today… so… Pretty please?” The football’s captain said with a shy smile and praying for help, next to him was Shinsuke copying him.
“Please! We promise we will pay for it! With Ice-cream!” Shinsuke suggested.
“Or with… Cards! Didn’t you like that card game? Uhm… Meckemon TCG!” Tenma said with a nod. “My auntie also plays it with the residents of Kogarashi Manor!”
Kariya chuckled. “So you play it too, don't you?” He said with a sigh. “Well… I really need some new cards… but some ice-cream is pretty great too.” He expressed, crossing his arms with a fake thought, of course he would choose the cards. “But, since today I feel really generous, I think I chose the cards. Plus, Ryuuji asked me to save money because… ‘I’m growing up and maybe I want something later more expensive.’” He sighed sarcastically.
“Deal! You’ll have your cards by the afternoon training!” Tenma said with a smile. “So this way we got the homework, you got your cards and Mr. Midorikawa has nothing to worry about!”
“Sounds good to me.” He said, letting the notebook to them. “Don’t destroy it, alright?”
“That just happened once! And it wasn’t even our fault!” Shinsuke said with a frown.
“Yeah, yeah. But be careful.” He warned. “Or I will tell all to the trainer.” He joked.
The fear in his friends’ face was so funny how to hold the laugh, so Kariya couldn’t hold it more and let it free.
The afternoon training was as everyone expected. All of them were giving them best trying to be their better versions. Meanwhile, Kariya was opening the card’s envelope next to Kirino and Hikaru.
“Oh! That is a new one. How lucky!” Hikaru said with a big smile.
“Yep! Tenma has a good hand picking card envelopes” Kariya said with a sassy smile.
“Even though it is pretty… impressive.” Kirino started, picking his water bottle. “I don’t think that extortion is the best way to get cards.” He said looking at the younger boys. “Why didn’t you buy the cards by yourself, tho? If you needed money I could have let you some.”
“My pops doesn’t let me. He said that I have to be responsible and save money. Even though my papa says that it’s okay… but whatever Ryuji says is the law in that home.” He explaining, letting the cards to Hikaru. “Why do you care about it anyways? Are you jealous, senpai?” He said with a sassy smile. “Because if you want to buy me some cards, you can do it.”
The pink-haired boy shook his head. “Nah. I’m fine without buying those cards, maybe on your birthday, but just if you don’t bother anyone in the club until then, knowing you, you won’t make it.” He chuckled
“I can be a good kid, Kiri-mom, I just choose to be the kid who puts your nerves to its limits.” He said, showing his tongue which, in fact, put Kirino’s nerves in its limits.
“Isn’t this one the special one?” Hikaru said, showing one golden card.
“It is!”
“How cool!”
“Alright, kiddos, let's go back to training. I don’t want to be left behind.” Kirino said, calling the younger boys’ attention.
“Yes, Kiri-mom!” Both kids said with a silly smile and chuckle, which also made Kirino laugh.
What Kariya wasn't expecting was that Kirino actually bought him some cards as a way to thank him for helping him to get stronger, getting the power of Jeanne D'Arc and his own Kenshin.
“So, do you have any siblings Hikaru?” Kariya asked one day to his friends while they were on their way home.
“Yes, I have a little sister! Her name is Miko and she is one year old, is the cutest!” The blue eyed kid said with a smile. “What about you? Any siblings?”
“Nope. No one, at least until I know.” Kariya said, crossing his arms. “How is having a little sibling? I mean, in your case it is still a baby… so I guess she cries a lot, maybe not as much as Shindou-senpai, but kinda.” He joked, making his friend laugh and without noticing that certain pink-haired senpai was behind them trying to hold his laugh.
“She cries less than Senpai, but she also plays with me! I love to sing her songs, would you like to see her some day?”
“Do I have to change nappies?”
“Just if you want to.”
“Then… I will think about it. But thanks for the offer.” Kariya said with a nod. “Having siblings must be pretty great, doesn't it? Even if they are babies.”
Hikaru nodded happily. “It is! I mean, look at Tsurugi, or… Ichino-senpai! I heard he has three siblings! Two eldest sisters and a younger brother.”
“Three?! Wow! That's pretty impressive.” Kariya said with surprise. “I never would have guess…”
“And Sanguku-senpai has a step-sister! And Hamano-senpai has two younger brothers.”
Before Kariya could answer that, Kirino started to talk. “Kariya, Hikaru… Both of you shouldn't gossip about your teammates’ families.” He said, trying to sound serious. “Both of you should know more than anybody…” he sighed. “Or I have to remember how you were trying to hide it from everyone who your families were at first? Shall I?”
“No! Sorry Kirino-senpai!” Hikaru said quickly,
Kariya also apologized before smiling at his senior. “Hey, senpai. Do you have siblings?”
“Who? Me?” Kirino said with a blink. Then he shook his head with a calm smile. “Nope, I have not.”
“And would you like to have one?” The kid with brown eyes asked.
“Well… yeah. But it’s okay, I have kohais that act like ones… and some classmates that do the same.” He sighed, remembering Hamano's speech about the best points of fishing in all of Inazuma city, with the best hours and days. “It's getting pretty late, be careful on your way home, okay?”
“Okay! See you tomorrow, Senpai!” Hikaru said with a smile. Kariya copied him with a sassy smile looking at the oldest one going back home.
That weekend was Masaki’s turn to go to the grocery store, Hiroto was busy with some paperwork and Midorikawa was trying to help him, so that left all the responsibility to the teenager. “Just the essentials, you can get some candies if you want to, but remember to buy some greens and meat.” That was what the green-haired adult told him before letting him his own credit card.
“Okay… uhm… what if I say that they had no onions… nah… Pops is really smart, he probably has a list with all the stores that sell onions, he probably even has a friend who only sells onions…” The teenager said with a sigh, reading the list that the adult gave him. “And those tomatoes? Aren't they supposed to be red? Well, I won't judge their color… but, green doesn't mean they are not ready yet?”
“Kariya, you really should eat your veggies. If you don't, you will stay short for a long while.” A family voice said. It was Kirino’s voice, who also was buying some food. “And yes, you should pick those ones, they look better.” He added pointing to a couple of tomatoes before picking a few more for himself. “Shopping day?”
Kariya, who turned out as soon as he heard the blue-eyed kid's voice pointed at him. “Kirino-senpai? What are you doing here?” Then he took the tomatoes that the older kid pointed to. “Uhm… thanks.”
“Same as you, getting the groceries for the week. They have some discounts for people with membership cards. I got one as soon as I could because here is where they have the best meat, it's soft enough to help my grandma to eat.” Kirino explained, crossing his arms. “Also… don't put the bed under the other food, it will be smashed, talking from my own experience, the first time that I went shopping alone the same happened to me.”
“Do you live with your grandma?” Kariya asked, following Kirino's advice. “Wait… do they have a membership card? Where can I get one? Is it free?” He asked, picking lettuce too.
“You need to be at least fourteen to have one. Don't worry, I'll let you mine later.” He explained. “About my grandma… is it complicated… She lives in the residence, but on the weekends she can leave and stay at my parents’ flat. I'm getting the shopping done before going to search for her… which reminds me that I should get her those cookies she likes and nappies.” He sighed.
“Nappies?” Kariya asked holding a chuckle. “I didn't know they had adult size. Cannot your parents go to search for her?” He asked again, walking next to his senpai to get some meat and fresh fish.
“Yes, nappies. It's complicated to explain, Kariya. And, no, they cannot pick her, they are on a job trip.” Kirino explained. “Oh… fuck, I also should iron some clothes.” He sighed with tiredness.
“Job trip?” The youngest one asked with a blink. “Wait… so you technically live on your own? Kinda like Tenma but without sharing a house.”
“Kinda. My parents work a lot because of my grandmother’s treatment, because life is more and more expensive…” He sighed. “So, if I can help doing this kind of thing, I will help. Like you with your parents, aren't you helping them because they are busy?”
The teal haired kid nodded. “So… you are all alone now, right?” He asked with sympathy. “Like… you are cooking everything, cleaning, shopping and studying. Kinda like Sanguku-senpai does.”
The pink-haired shook his head. “Not that much. My parents come back as much as they can, I also have a neighbor that sometimes prepares me some food… when I'm sick for example, also, since I spend so much time at Shindous’ house there's nothing to worry about.” He explained with tiredness. “What about you, Kariya? Your parents work a lot too, don't they?”
The younger one nodded with a little smile and started to talk. “They do, I mean… they lead Kira’s Corp, but even so, Pops always prepares me a bento for school, and Papa always tries to make some time to play football and watch movies with me.” He explained with a smile without looking at his friend’s blue eyes. The kid was letting go of his true thoughts and expressions without noticing it. “They really tried to make me feel like their son, even though they are pretty young yet… They were patient with me, they listened to me, feeded me and they still do all that every day.” He said, raising his eyes for the first time just to look at Kirino's smile. “What's wrong?! Don't tell me you think it is funny?!”
The pink-haired kid shook his head. “I don't. I just realized that you look happier now. When you arrived here for the first time you were all a dumbass.” He said with a chuckle. “I mean, you didn't even want to tell us that you have two fathers. Everyone would accept it, Kariya, and if there's someone who bothers you for that, just tell me, okay?” The older one said, resting his hand on Kariya’s shoulder.
“Why? What would you do? Use The Flamme? Didn't miximax leave all of you deathly tired?” The youngest asked sarcastically.
“The Flamme would be seen, but in the mist you cannot see what's inside.”
Both kids shared a laugh after that joke before coming back to their chores, and as Kirino promised, he helped Kariya with the discount.
A few days later, Kariya was still thinking about how Kirino confessed that he usually was all by himself. He couldn't hide the sympathy for his friend, that's why he suggested that his parents invite him to eat.
“Do you want a friend of yours to come here for dinner?” Midorikawa asked, serving some rice. “Well… I don't have any problem, but… what about his parents? Are they okay with it?”
“It's fine with me too. I'm happy to see you having friends.” Hiroto said with a calm voice.
“His parents are not in the city right now. To be honest, I dunno if they even are in the country or on the continent.” The kid explained, picking some eggs. “Also, his grandma is in a residence so he cannot just have dinner with her, and since we all are dealing with finals, I think this can help him a bit. Did you know he irons the clothes?”
“He irons the clothes? Geez… at his age I didn't know that.” Hiroto said with a blink. “I couldn't imagine that your friend was that busy at his age…”
“You don't even know how to iron at your age, honey.” Ryuji said with a laugh. “And well… I couldn't imagine it either… but to be honest, we both aren't the best one to talk to, at his age I was des…” Then he looked at his son, who was looking at him with an eyebrow raised as he was eating his food. “I was doing things that I'm not proud about and you were doing the same.”
“What were you doing? Being bad boys or what?” Kariya said with a laugh.
Both adults sighed and shared a nervous laugh. “Well! The point is, we are okay with him having some dinner with us, or lunch. He is a kid, he shouldn't be dealing with adult stuff on his own.”
“Cool. Then I'm telling you that I already asked him. He is coming at 8:30 PM.” Kariya said with a smile. “Maybe I should also call Sanguku-senpai, he also does a lot of stuff on his own… but he always shares lunches with his mom.” The teenager explained, taking some orange juice and serving it on his cup. “Also, Sangoku-senpai sometimes brings some lunch for Kirino and other guys who spend a lot of hours alone. He literally says: ‘Since I’m your senior, it’s my duty to make sure you eat all your lunches, and not just stuff from the store.’ So… yeah, and since I only know Kirino-senpai of all those kids that are feeded by Sangoku-Senpai-Solidary-Association… I invited him.”
“Did you invite him? Or did you force him to accept?” Hiroto asked with a chuckle.
“No one was forced to do anything. Buuuuut!” The kid started with a silly smile. “Maybe, and just maybe… I said that you needed some help getting that discount card that I told you about, because neither of you know who to use his own phone.”
“You did what?” The green haired adult asked with a blink. “We know how to use our phones! At least, I do.”
“Yeah! He does!” Hiroto supported with a chuckle. “But hey, faking not knowing how to use a phone must be easier than faking being an…” The red-haired man could notice his partner’s gaze, he could read in his black eyes ‘If you say alien, you will be in trouble’. “A straight man.”
Kariya nodded. “Yup, easy-peasy.”
Hiroto then took a banana from the bowl. “But I have to ask this, son. Why do you have so much interest in helping this friend? I mean, I prefer having you helping people than getting in trouble, but, why are you helping him?”
Kariya felt all the blood coming to his face and glazed away. “Because it's the closest thing to a sibling that I can get right now… and he doesn't have any siblings either.” He confessed. “I know that you cannot adopt another kid right now because you are too busy to even think about it, and both of you are still very young, how to deal with a grumpy teenager and a baby or a little kid. Also, my biological parents are in who knows where! Maybe I have a lost sibling or step-sibling and I don't know.” He confessed, hugging himself. “And yes, it's stupid and it's selfish… but maybe I am all that.” He admitted, blinking trying to hold up his tears.
Both adults, who were listening carefully, stood up and after sharing a glaze they hugged the young kid trying to comfort him. “You are not stupid.” Hiroto started. “Maybe a little bit grumpy in the mornings or when you are hungry, or tired, or when you don't get that card you wanted, but you are still a kid.”
“And as a kid, you are still growing up. You have a lot of hormones that are making you feel everything more intensely than how you would want to.” Midorikawa continued. “I know you are scared of loneliness, we all are…”
“And I know that in this last year a lot of stuff happened to you, a lot of changes.” The red-haired one said, putting his glasses on the table. “But you faced all those changes as a true champion.”
“Thanks for saying all that… but it doesn't change the fact that I'm acting selfish. I'm doing all this just because I want to feel that I have a sibling, it doesn't matter if it's a eldest or younger… just a sibling, someone to talk about the kind of stuff that I cannot tell ya, someone who can understand me too… and maybe someone who doesn't abandon me.”
Hiroto cleaned the kid's tears. “I’m still thinking you didn't act selfish. You wanted and want to help your friend, yeah you also want to feel that he is like your older brother. But, at the same time you saw him needing help, needing a shoulder where he can rest and where you can rest too.”
“Exactly, didn't you tell us that he said that he would protect you if someone messed with you or with your family?” Midorikawa said with a smile.
“Yes… I did. But… I cannot just tell him, ‘Hey, I just adopted you as my older brother, okay? Dinner is at 9:00 PM’ He would laugh at me! I would laugh at myself!”
“Why not? I mean, the worst thing he can say is that he doesn't want to be adopted by younger kids.” Hiroto said with a chuckle. “Just try it when you're ready, that's how Ryuji and I started to date.”
“But I don't want to date him. I want to be like a sibling.” Kariya sighed with a tired smile.
“Well, you can still try. He sounds like a good kid, he will probably be careful with his answer.” Midorikawa said, patting his son's head. “Now… how lost are we supposed to be about technology?” He asked with a smile. “I mean, you already lied about it, we have to act perfectly, because if you want to I can just scream at the phone and be worried about why it doesn't work.” He joked.
“Nah, too much. He already deals with his grandma on the weekends doing that.” Kariya asked. “Just with no knowing how to download and register on the app should work.”
“Got it. But if we see that it goes wrong we put the phone in the microwave, deal?” Hiroto said with a chuckle.
The kid nodded. “Deal.”
That afternoon, when Kirino arrived at Masaki's place the first thing that the family did was show him the house, or at least both adults did meanwhile Masaki was following them with a big blush.
“Hey! Didn't you need help with your phones? I don't think he needs to know where your office is! Or why did you collect stones from each place you were!”
Both adults decided to ignore the commentary, Kirino just looked at him as a deer into the light, there was no upset on his glaze, just confusing. “I didn't know you traveled that much…”
“Oh, we did. That door is the bathroom, the first floor bathroom. Upstairs there's another two.” The green-haired man explained with a calm smile. “Masaki's one is the one with a green alien on the door. Ours is inside our room.”
“Do you have your own bathroom?” The teenager asked his friend. The teal-haired kid nodded with a little blush. “Oh, I see. So, aliens, uh?” He asked with a little chuckle.
“Hey! Don't look at me! They chose the drawing, not me!” The kid expressed crossing his arms. “A-anyways! Shouldn't all of you be installing something or whatever!”
“Oh, that can wait. We have to show him the floor upstairs.” Hiroto said with a smile. “Understand us, son. You don't bring friends here, maybe just Hikaru and just sometimes.”
“Exactly!” Midorikawa supported.
Kariya sighed. “Kirino-senpai, didn't you have to do some stuff tomorrow? I don't want that THEY” he said, pointing at his parents. “Make you come back too late at your house. It's getting pretty dark outside at night.”
“I can always give him a ride home, or he can stay here tonight.” Hiroto expressed with a calm smile. “But, you're right, let's do what we have to do first.”
“Alright, meanwhile you are doing that, I'm going to prepare the dinner, alright? Kirino, do you have any allergies?” The other adult asked with a friendly smile.
“I don't, sir.” He answered. “Thank you for offering to give me a ride home.”
“There’s no problem. Thank you for being a good friend for our little and grumpy kid.” Hiroto said with a smile. “Okay, so… first of all… what’s an app?”
Kirino just blinked, Kariya just wanted to jump off the window and with luck, travel to an alternative universe where his parents have some brain.
Hiroto got the app installed before he thought, and since Kirino linked the new account with his own both of them would get more discounts in a few days. Now, meanwhile the adults were finishing to prepare the dinner, both kids were in Masaki’s room waiting to chat.
“I wouldn’t have guessed you liked Pretty Pretty Magic Warrior.” Kirino expressed looking at the poster next to the bookshelves. “It is a pretty cool show tho, my neighbor’s kid also likes it.” He explained with a yawn. “Sorry, today I was cleaning at home, my parents are coming back tomorrow for a whole week.”
“It’s okay.” Masaki said; he was trying to find the right words to his friend. “So… uhm… thanks for helping Hiroto, he is bad with technology.” He started. “And… uhm… how are you feeling today?” He said, trying to remember what the article that he read online said.
Kirino raised an eye-brow before speaking. “I’m fine. But, what about you? There’s something messing in your head?” He asked, crossing his arms. “You had been acting strange recently, like if you had something in mind that you cannot let it out. Someone said something bad about you? Or do you need help with something?”
Masaki took a deep breath trying to find the right words. “I want a sibling.” He started. “And I’m selfish for the way I want to get it.”
“Selfish? Kariya, didn’t you rapted a kid or something, don’t ya?” Kirino asked, crossing his arms.
“Of course not! I’m just trying to see if you could be a good one, you asshole!” The younger one expressed with a frown without notice that he just let out what he was thinking.
“Testing… me?” Kirino asked in surprise. “Oh, I’m glad for it, I guess.” The blue-eyed kid said with calm. “But why me? I don’t have any siblings or cousins.”
“Exactly for that.” He admitted. “And I know you have a lot of responsibilities, more than a kid at your age should have. But, I also know that you are alone most of the time, even if you have Shindou-Senpai, your friends and neighbors.” Kariya looked at his friend’s eyes. “And I know that feeling exactly, there's a lot of stuff that you cannot tell to your family or friends, there's stuff that you only can share with a sibling.” Kirino was listening carefully, letting the younger one continue. “I also feel that way… even if I love my adoptive parents and even if I still love my biological parents even after everything… There’s stuff I cannot just tell my friends or parents. There’s a special bond between brothers… Look at Tsurugi for example.” He didn’t notice he was shaking his body because of nerves until Kirino put up his hand on his shoulder, he glazed at his friend’s hand and then at his eyes.
“So… you want me as your big brother?”
“And that you can trust me as your little brother, or just brother… As you prefer.” He finally admitted.
Kirino nodded and thought about it. “It’s fine with me. But… I have no idea about what a sibling does, so… do not expect too much, alright?” He said with a chuckle.
“I wasn’t expecting anything at all, so alright.” The teal-haired kid said with a sassy smile. “Anyways, knowing Pops you’ll have food in the fridge for the rest of the week… and he probably also will give you our phone number just in case you need something. Like… if you get sick for example and you don’t have your parents at home, just call us, Pops probably will be there with three tuppers of soup.”
Kirino chuckled at that. “Fine. If any of you need something you can call too. I know where you can get more discounts.”
Both kids shared a laugh and kept talking until dinner was ready, just like two brothers who get along most of the time.
Two weeks later, Shindou and Kariya were accompanying Kirino to visit his grandmother at the residence. She couldn’t leave it in a while because she was getting worse with her sickness and since Kirino’s parents couldn’t go to visit her due to their jobs, all responsibility fell on the teenager.
“I cannot understand why they cannot make time for him and his grandmother, isn’t she the mother of one of them?” Kariya asked Shindou, both of them were getting something to drink while Kirino was talking with the nurses and getting all the paperwork for his parents.
The grey-haired teenager looked at the younger with a sad frown. “It’s not easy, Kariya. Even if I also think that Kirino is taking too much responsibility for his age, I cannot blame his parents either.”
“Why not? Isn’t the role of a parent to protect their kids? Why aren’t they here?” He expressed crossing his arms. “Our parents also work a lot, but they always make time for us. They go to your recitals and matches, my parents always make time for having dinner together and a family day. Even if they have to travel to another country, they make sure we keep in touch.”
Shindou sighed and picked some candies and sandwiches from the store. “Because his parents are not like ours. Of course they love him, but they work to keep living, our parents work to earn money and get cool stuff.” He explained looking at the snack he just took. “Living is more expensive than a few years ago, and the hospital is expensive too. Kirino is still growing up and he needs new clothes, new shoes and stuff. Also, remember that Raimon is an expensive school but with a good reputation, if you pass Raimon High School with good grades, you will get better places in the future.” He explained with a sigh. “He understands that, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect him.”
“I don’t like it… but I think I understand his parents.” Masaki sighed. “But why doesn't he ask for help?”
“Because he is a stubborn guy who doesn’t want to bother anyone with his problems.” Shindou said, crossing his arms and with a frown. “But… even so, he is still asking for help with little things, for example asking us to come with him because he didn’t know how he would feel after this visit.” The grey-haired teenager explained with calm. “And if you are going to act as a ‘little sibling’ to him, you must learn to read him. You already did in the past with the mixi-max, so I know you will be okay.”
Masaki smiled proudly. “I can do it. So you have nothing to worry about, senpai.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Shindou chuckled. “Just, promise me that you’ll keep an eye on him if by any chance I cannot, alright?”
“Alright, senpai.” Masaki nodded. “No problem!”
A few minutes later, they would meet up with Kirino, who was holding his tears and trying to calm down, after all, he was still a kid who was playing a role too big for him with Jeanne’s soul or without it, he was still a kid. When he saw his friends, he tried to fake a smile that no one believed.
“We bought you some snacks. How are your grandma? What about you?” Shinsou asked with a frown.
“I’m… fine. I guess.” He sighed. “She doesn’t seem to remember who I am, she thinks I’m my mother.” The pink-haired kid expressed. Shindou and Kariya shared a sad glaze as long as Kirino started to talk again. “I have to call her tho, there’s a lot of forms she has to read and sign.” He sighed again, he was tired. “Thanks for coming with me, tho.”
“Always, if there’s something we can do, just tell us.” Shindou said, resting his hand on Kirino’s shoulder.
Kariya just was standing there, trying to find the right words to say. “If you want to, you can speed the night at my house. I don’t think my parents would mind it, and if they do… I’ll face the consequences later.” He tried, making his friend smile even if it was just a bit.
“Yeah, it sounds good… Thanks, Kariya.” Kirino said with a sad smile. “But, don’t get in trouble for me, I’ll be okay. Alright?”
“Nah, you’re staying tonight. You too Shindou-Senpai, I can even call Hikaru or Tenma and say it’s a sleepover.”
“I dunno if I should be concerned about how fast you can think in a plan.” Shindou said with a sigh, he was still comforting his friend.
Kirino shook his head. “I don't have enough energy to worry about it right now.”
“Well. I’ll take it as a yes. We’re having a sleepover tonight, don’t be late.” Kariya said proudly.
His expression made his friends chuckle. “Oh, Kariya. You’re the best unbiological brother I’ve ever had.” Kirino said with a little smile.
“Did you have one before?” Shindou asked, raising a eye-brow.
“Of course I’m the best you’ll ever have.” Kariya said with a smile. “Now, c’mon. You need to get some fresh air and relax a bit, or you’ll turn the whole place into a mist temple.” He joked, taking his friend’s wrist and leading the way to the outside.
A few months later, when fall arrived, the team that would represent Earth in the tournament was announced, and with it, Raimon’s team chose Kirino as their new captain until Tenma would come back from space. What no one would expect, either the own team, was that with the Earth having the possibility of disappearing, most responsibility would fall on the captains of each team since the adults were trying to get everything in order.
“Have you seen Kirino-senpai? I haven’t seen him since this morning.” Kariya asked Hikaru and Ichino who were practising together some passes.
Ichino nodded. “Yes, he is outside trying to get some fresh air. He said that he needed some time out to relax. Today we had an exam, and since he is the captain now and we can talk with the space, some teachers are telling him to say something to Shindou, Tenma or Tsurugi. Also, well… maybe Hayami and Amagi broke a window after this morning practice…” He sighed. “To sum up, he said ‘I need to calm down a bit’.
Hikaru passed the ball to Kariya as he started to talk. “And since the members of the third school year are studying for the exams a lot of responsibility is falling on him…” Hikaru added.
Midori, who was listening while she was watching the practice, came closer to them. “I mean, everyone would be stressed if it were him.” She said, crossing his arms. “It’s not just leading the team, it’s keeping everyone calm, or at least all calm you can be knowing that there exists the possibility of dying the next day. Because, even if we have coach Endou to help us a bit… We all know he is more focused on the whole situation right now.” She sighed.
Masaki nodded, listening to everything. “And did he tell you where he is? I bet he needs some company, right now.”
“Who needs company right now?” Kirino, who just came back from his walk, asked. He looked tired but somehow calmed.
“I thought you did.” Masaki asked, crossing his arms. “Did you have a proper lunch? Or enough rest?”
“I’m not answering anything if it’s not with my lawyer, who looks like he is playing football around the galaxy right now, so…” Kirino said, messing with his friend.
Masaki frowned and searched for something to eat in his pockets. He found a candy, and he gave it to his friend. “Here. Eat this, I think it has mint flavour or strawberry. It doesn’t matter, eat it, it has sugar.”
Midori, Ichino and Hikaru saw how Kirino rejected the candy carefully. “I’m fine, but thanks Masaki.” Kirino said.
“You have to eat. Take it.” Masaki said with a frown, and tried to give the candy to him again, failing and giving as result the fall of the candy. “You are still getting proper food today. Even if I have to go and give it to you by myself. Hikaru, who are babies feeded?” He asked, looking at his closest friend.
“Like a baby? Masaki, have you heard of yourself?” Kirino asked with a sigh. “I’m fine, I’m just tired because we had an exam today and I wanted to study a bit before going to sleep.”
“Well… You are still having a proper lunch tonight. I’m calling my parents to tell them I’m dragging you for dinner.” Kariya said taking his phone.
Hikaru, Ichino and Midori were just looking at the comical scene in front of them. Looking at how Kirino took Masaki’s phone to stop him. “That won’t be necessary. My parents are at home tonight.”
“Did they have a free day?” Ichino asked with curiosity. “Oh, before I forgot, I have the book that you let me, I’ll give you after the training, okay?”
Kirino sighed. “Okay, and not exactly.” He said, shooking his head with tiredness. “They needed to ask for a few free days because my grandma is getting worse. So… they need to be here.”
“Oh.” Was the reaction of the other four kids. Either of them was sure about what to say to make him feel better.
“Do you need some free days from the captain's responsibilities? Because if you do, I can cover you. I’m pretty sure no one would be lazy with me telling them what to do.” Midori offered with a sassy smile. That made Kirino chuckle nervously and the other three guys sweat.
“There’s no need… But thanks for the offer.” Kirino said with a smile. “Well, let’s stop talking and let’s go back to training, we have to do everything we can to support the others from Earth. Also, I talked with Minamisawa, he said we can have a practice match in two weeks so… Let’s train, guys.”
“Yes! Captain.”
That day, Masaki went to Kirino's apartment to spend the afternoon; part of the brotherhood blonding they were trying to understand. Kirino’s house was smaller than Kariya’s, with just two rooms and one bathroom. An open kitchen that was connected to the living-room that was also used as a dining room. Everything in one just floor.
“My room is that door next to the bathroom.” Kirino said, walking to the fridge to get some drinks.
“The one that says ‘Ranmaru’? I’m not a detective, but I think I could have guessed.” Masaki said with a laugh.
“Yeah, yeah. Little alien, go there and turn on the laptop if you want to. Didn’t you want to play some videogames?” The older one said from the kitchen.
“Fine, fine.” The teal-haired kid said with a laugh, walking to the room. As soon as he entered, he left his backpack on the bed and looked around. Some pictures were on the wall; half of them of the team, of Kirino and Shindou at different ages, and a few of Kirino with his parents as grandmother when he was around five years old. There were also some posters, a few ones about football and anime, and one about Jeanne D’Arc.
Masaki kept looking around, in the bookshelves there were a lot of books and mangas, one of the books from a collection was missing, being that it was the book that Kirino left at Ichino. On the desk, there was a laptop with some school books next to it, between those books there was Kirino’s diary. Masaki had to help to control himself to not be too noisy.
“Alright. I got us some orange juice and salt cookies.” Kirino said, entering the room. “Alright, what did you want to talk about? Did you find any good games?”
Masaki sat down on the floor and shook his head. “Hey, Kirino-Senpai… Do you miss Shindou-Senpai?”
Kirino took a long breath before answering. “Of course I do.” He said with a sad glaze. “Why do you ask?”
“I miss Tenma too. Not just him though, but… You get the point.” He said nervously, even though Kirino had no idea what Kariya meant. “Kirino-Senpai, how do you discover your sexuality?”
Kirino, who was not expecting that question, needed a second to think. “I don’t think there’s a correct way to discover it… and I don’t think you need to discover it at a young age. There is no need to put a name to it.” He said, calmly.
“And you have to like a thing or someone?” Kariya asked with a frown.
“What do you mean?” Kirino asked. “There’s someone you like?”
“No, there’s not. And I don’t think it's normal or not, I heard people around my age talk about girls or boys they like. One of the best examples is Akane-senpai, she is pretty direct about her like about Shindou-senpai.” The younger one started to explain. “And well, I know better than anyone that two people of the same sex can be attracted to each other, I mean… I’m being raised by two men.” He started to talk faster. “But I dunno what people see in dating, kissing or in doing that kind of stuff. Do you have to choose one gender and love it? And yes, I know you cannot choose what you like, but… you can just like one thing?”
Kirino put a hand on his friend’s shoulder trying to help him to breathe and relax. “You can like all sexes and genders; just like you can like just one or any of them.” Kirino said with calm. “In my case I like both.” Kirino said with calm. “And it’s okay if you don’t have any answer right now, or if you are not interested in it right now or never. That doesn’t make you less valid than others."
“Do you like both?” Kariya asked with a blink. “Guys and girls?”
“Yes. Don’t tell anyone, alright? Just you know about it.” Kirino said with a calm smile.
“Yeah, sure. Not even Shindou knows about it? Wow, I feel special.” Kariya said with a smile.
“Well, you’re my non-biological little brother who adopts people.” Kirino joked. “What about you, what do you like, Kariya? It’s okay to not have an answer yet or not tell, you have to decide when to come-out or if you want to come-out.”
Kariya closed his eyes and thought about it. “I would say nothing. But I dunno…” He sighed. “Thanks for talking with me about this. I wanted to talk about it with someone, but… I would feel ashamed to talk about it with my parents and with Hikaru.” He said, hugging himself.
“It’s okay. I have a book that helped me to find the word that felt correct. I can give it to you if you want to. Remember that it’s a spectrum and you can feel that a word can fix you but at the same time not at 100%” Kirino said with a smile, as he stood up and picked the book.
“Okay… and tell me, senpai, how did you discover that you liked guys too?” Kariya asked.
“Shindou. And maybe some actors on TV.” He confessed with a little laugh. “Do not tell Shindou, okay?” He warned.
“Okay, okay. What about girls?”
“Well… At first I thought it was the 'correct’ thing, the norm. You know? After all, I always saw shows where the man gets the woman, so… Well, then I met a girl and I found her very attractive…” He explained with a laugh. “Anywaays, do you want to play some videogames?”
“Sure thing. Thanks for listening to me.”
“Always.”
A week later, Kirino didn’t go to train or at school. He didn’t answer calls either, he didn’t even say something at the words that Shindou and the others sent him from the Earth Eleven. That’s why, as soon as school was over, Kariya skipped the practice and went directly to Kirino's apartment.
When Kirino opened the door, he looked miserable. He had red-eyes sign that he had been crying and he was still in his pajamas. “What’s wrong? I was trying to sleep a bit.” He said, hugging himself.
“Kirino-senpai? Are you okay?” Masaki asked with worry. “Do you have a fever? I can call Pops or Papa… I’m pretty sure they will know what to do.”
“I’m not okay… But not for fever.” He admitted with a tired voice. “Anyways… shouldn't you be at the practice? We have a match soon…”
Kariya frowned as he crossed his arms. “Can I enter? We were worried about you, so I decided to skip the practice. Don't worry, Ichino-senpai is taking your role today.” He said walking inside the apartment without waiting for an answer. “Did you have something for lunch? I cannot promise you great food, but I can prepare some rice and an omelette.”
Kirino blinked watching Kariya walk into his home as if it was his own place. He closed the door next to him, before walking to the sofá and sitting down again, to hug a pillow and cover himself with a blanket. “I did not.” He admitted.
“Why not? You have to eat! I don't care if you are tired, you have to eat even if it's just yogurt.” Masaki said, crossing his arms and looking for what he needed to prepare the lunch. It was then, when he noticed a couple of suitcases on the living. “Did your parents get more free days?”
“Yes. They did, for three days.” Kirino said, closing his eyes and laying on the couch.
Masaki nodded. “Well, that's good, isn't it?”
“No, it's not…” The pink-haired kid said, hiding on the blanket trying to escape from the light that Masaki just turned.
“Why? What happened? Do you like onions? I don't, so I'm not adding it to mine, but do you like it? Yes, I'm staying with you for lunch, Hikaru accidentally dropped my bento today so I just ate half than usual.”
“Do whatever you want Kariya… I'm too tired to even be polite…” Kirino said, ignoring his phone that started to ring. He had a lot of messages from the club group chat.
Masaki frowned as he kept cooking. “Why are you so blue?” He asked again.
Kirino took a long moment to answer. “My grandmother died last night.” He said from the blanket. “My parents arrived this morning, they had to go to sign some papers and to do a lot of stuff I don't even remember.” He finally admitted with some tears. “And I know I should be mature, and that there's a lot of things more important right now but… I cannot.”
Kariya, who just finished the omelette, went where his friend was and hugged him. “Well, fuck up with resoonsabilities then.” He simply said. “You deserve to be sad and angry with life itself. You deserve to cry all that you want too.”
Kirino hid his head on his friend’s shoulder and let out some tears. “Did you know I had to call my parents in the middle of the night? I hadn't slept since then… neither did my parents. They had to run to do all the papers as soon as they arrived… Tomorrow is the funeral and… I dunno if I'm ready for it.” He admitted between tears.
Masaki just kept hugging his friend and letting him cry everything he needed. “I'm so sorry…” He said, hugging him stronger. “Remember to breathe Kirino… one breathing, two breathing…” He didn't care about being formal right now, his friend needed him, his non-biological brother needed him. After a couple minutes, Kirino could breath calmly again.
“Sorry for crying on your shoulder…” Kirino said, looking at the omelette that Kariya prepared and the salty rice that was next to the omelette.
“There's no need to apologize. You feel sad, you cry, look at Shindou-senpai or Tenma for example, they cry so much and no one says anything to them because it's perfectly fine.” He said with a smile, without noticing that the only mention of Shindou would make his friend feel sadder. “Would you prefer that it would be Shindou-senpai the one who prepared the food or who would hug you, don't ya?” Masaki asked with a sad smile and a bit of jealousy.
“I won't lie… I would like to have him here. But not replacing you, but… supporting you.” Kirino said, playing with the rice. “Who I would prefer to be here would be my parents… I understand why they work, I understand why they can always be here, I understand why they left me with my grandma when I was little and then with Shindou. But… I cannot understand why they didn't even call me now…” Kirino said with tears in his eyes. “And maybe it sounds selfish, I dunno and I don't care… but I need them too, damn it.” He yelled, closing his eyes and trying to calm down. Then, he glazed at his friend, who was looking at him with worry. “Sorry for dropping all this shit on you… You can go back to your own house. I’ll be fine, there’s nothing to worry about, thanks for the food tho.” He expressed standing up as he grabbed the plates to put them on the dishwasher.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Masaki said with a sassy smile. “I cannot leave you like this. That would make me a bad brother, friend and person.” The brown-eyed kid said, taking all the plates from Kirino’s hand and putting them on the worktop. “Now, you are going to get a shower and a proper sleep.” Masaki said. “I`’m not washing you, so… grab all your stuff and go the bathroom, I’ll clean up the mess and prepare your room.”
“You cannot wash the dishes if I’m taking a shower.” Kirino said with a sigh.
“Well, I’ll throw them off the window then; but take a shower. It will help you to relax your body and mind, it will refresh you. My parents are always telling me that, and it works.” Masaki explained, opening the window to refresh the room. “C’mon, go to the bathroom! Have a shower, wash your hair and grab clean pajamas.” He said, raising his hands, copying what Midorikawa used to do at home.
The pink-haired kid chuckled with tiredness. “Fine, fine… Alright Kari-mom.” He tried to joke.
“I’m not the mom’s team! That’s Sangoku, and sometimes you!” The younger kid said, crossing his arms. “If any, I’m your sibling.”
Kirino smiled at that. “Yes, I know.” He answered with a yawn as he started to walk to grab his clothes to get a refreshing shower. When he was ready, he went to his room where Kariya was waiting for him, reading the book about gender identity and sexualities that Ranmaru talked about last time he was there. “All refreshed…” The older one said with a yawn, laying on the bed and closing his eyes fighting against the tiredness.
“You can sleep if you want to. No, you know what? You have to sleep.” Masaki said, spinning on the chair. “I promise not to paint your face and wake you up if someone calls ya. I already took your phone and put it in charge, you only had 2% of battery.”
Kirino tried to shake his head and kept himself awake, but he couldn’t. Bit by bit the tiredness was stronger than him, until he finally fell asleep. Masaki smiled after noticing it, taking his phone and sending a message to Hikaru, he wouldn’t tell the rest of the club what happened to Kirino, that was Kirino’s job to say and just if he wanted, but he knew that at least the coach had to know.
Hikaru A.K.A. The Good-Kageyama
Hey.
Could u do me a favor?
Everything legal, dw
Sure??
What is it? :D
Tell Otonosahi-Senpai
Trainer Endou that Kirino
didn’t went today
Cuz of some stuff
I think they already know that…
OH? REALLY??
Yes. Pretty sure ‘bout it.
That was sarcasm.
Oh.
Well… I can tell ‘em, but why?
What should I say?
Just tell’em…
It was something about his family.
Got it!
btw, if I was on another planet…
and something bad happened to you
you’d be happy if I heard it from another person?
What?
Well…
I would need your support…
So maybe I wouldn’t be pretty mad
Why?
I’d like to know…
Even if I’m fighting for the universe
u know?
Are you talking about Shindou?
…
No??
But…
He is important for Kirino-senpai.
And he is able to come back
if he hears Kirino-senpai is sad.
That's why I'm not sure
Kirino wouldn't like to
Shindou-senpai to be distracted
because of him.
Then…
we can wait until he can tell by himself.
Good plan.
Thank Hikaru.
You're welcome!
Kariya left his phone away and looked at his friend, whose breathing was slow. He even was snoring a bit, showing that he fell asleep really deeply. The younger one smiled at him before turning off the lights.
Next week, Kirino was finally back at the training. They had a practice match in two days and they had too much to do. Next to Kirino, there was Kariya on the left side and Ichino on the right side.
“So… We are gonna focus on the attack?” Ichino asked, reading the notes that Kirino made about their rivals. “Resistance Japan has a lot of Kenshin, doesn't it?”
“It does.” Kirino said, looking at his teammates who were practicing some passes. “We only have Ryomas and mine.” he started. “We have to focus on the attack to know how to pass all the avatars. We cannot use Miximax either. My avatar is focused on the defense… When we finish training ways to steal the ball of an offensive player, we can try to break the defense.”
“Do you feel okay about doing that?” Kariya asked with a frown. “It's just been a week… Are you sure you will be ready to say what to do?”
Kirino shook his head. “No. I’m not.” He admitted with a sigh. Then, he scratched his captain's band, a band that passed from Sangoku to Shindou, and from Shindou to Tenma, passing finally from Tenma to him. “I’m not sure of anything to be honest. But, just like Jeanne did in France, or like our friends did against our rivals, I’ll give my best.”
Kariya smiled at his ‘brother’. “Oh. Look at you, acting as a true captain. You’ve grown up a lot, next thing we’re gonna see you doing is gonna be being our coach.” The brown-eyed kid joked.
Ichino, who was next to them, nodded. “If you don’t feel well, you can always do that. We don’t want to put more pressure on you… or on any of us.” He said, looking at his friend’s blue eyes directly. Kirino already told him the whole situation with his parents and grandma’s death, so he could understand Kariya’s worry.
The captain shook his head. “Everything will be fine. We are a team, aren’t we? We cover each others’ backs, we comfort those who need to be comforted. Sometimes we save the timelines or the football itself.” He expressed it with a calm smile. “Maybe we win, maybe we lose… but we’ll give our best.”
“Yes!” Ichino said with a smile, looking at Hamano and Hayami who just fell, trying to steal the ball from Ryoma’s feets. “Sometimes we also break a leg playing soccer.”
“Yes… I’m gonna ignore that happens more times than I would like to recognize.” Kirino said with a sigh and a chuckle.
Kariya then joined the practice, after a failed pass from Kurama that hit him directly in the face. “C’MON! I’M JUST HERE WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING! WHY ME?” He cried, raising his hands.
“Maybe that’s why! Move your ass!” Kurama said, showing the tongue at the younger kid. “Let’s see if you can steal the ball from us.” He said with a sassy smile.
“Oh, you are gonna see it. Senpai count the seconds, I beg I can get the ball back in less than a minute.”
“Do not play rude.” Kirino said with a sigh. “But if any, it would be three minutes.”
“Don’t encourage him, Kirino!” Ichino said with a chuckle.
“Oh, I’m gonna prove both of you are wrong! You’ll see it!” Masaki expressed, passing the ball back to Kurama and running to get it back. In the end, he needed three minutes and a half.
On their way home, Kirino and Kariya had one of their heart-to-heart talks. That day, Kirino would have dinner at Masaki’s house, so they were going to the bus stop.
“Ugh… Tomorrow I’ll get the ball sooner! I promise! I dunno what’s stuck on my mind… I’m always fast, I dunno how the only ball I could get was the one that you were defending! And I’m pretty sure you let me win!”
“Oh, I didn’t.” Kirino said with a sassy smile. “You were so fast, I couldn’t remember which foot was which.” He joked. “But seriously… What's stuck in your mind? If it’s about me, there’s nothing to worry about. I think I already accepted that once you get the captain band you get your own development; like… look at Shindou and Tenma, they faced a lot as captains, not just in the team tho… but also as persons. Shindou broke a leg, Tenma lost his own confidence, even Sangoku had problems, did you know he broke a wrist?"
“Do not pass me the role never, please.” Kariya answered with a laugh. “But nah… well, yeah and no. Glad to see you better, even if I know it is still hurting.” He sighed, and looked at his friend with sympathy. “But… It's that I’m still with no answers about what I am supposed to like or not like… and I dunno how to tell my parents. I know they are not homophobic; not just because they have a brain even if sometimes they lose it…” He sighed. “But… Can I just not feel interested about that kind of stuff yet?”
“Yes.” Kirino said. “You also can just not feel it never, or just with some people after a special and deep bond. It’s a spectrum.” He explained searching for the bus card. “You don`t need to tag yourself either. You can try and see what you like.”
“And what if I get kicked out for it?” Kariya said hugging at himself. “I mean… people are prepared for people liking someone, not for people not having interest.”
“First we use the flamme and hunter’s net, to have a really mature and calm with them.” Kirino started. “Then you come to my house, you’ll have a futon where you can sleep."
Masaki hugged his friends. “Thanks, Kirino.”
“Hey, what’s a brother for?” Kirino answered with a smile.
Finally, after months of waiting, the Galaxy was saved and the Earth Eleven could go back home. To celebrate their victory all schools reunited to celebrate a party together; after a lot of hugs, tears and even pictures, Kirino tried to give the captain’s band back to Tenma.
“This is yours, captain.” Kirino said, tending it to the younger kid. “I did my best, but this is your role, not mine.” He said with a calm smile.
“You did it great, senpai! Thanks!” Tenma said with a happy smile. “You even look more confident about yourself!”
“Do I?”
“Yes. You do.” Shindou, who was behind Kirino, said with a smile. Next to him, was Kariya who was messing with Ibuki and Matatagi in a friendly way, who were trying to eat some cake. “I heard about what happened to your grandma, I’m so sorry.” He started carefully. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Kirino shook his head. “Thanks… but that won’t be necessary.” He said, looking at Tenma who was trying to calm the little argument between Kariya and Matatagi. “I had some help from an unexpected little brother.” He said with a calm smile.
Then, as if he was talking about the devil, Kariya ran to hide behind him. “C’mon! Use the mist, the flamme or something, please!”
“I’m not burning out our friends’ friends.” Kirino said with a sigh. “Just apologize. Remember that I have your parents’ phone number, I can call Midorikawa and tell him to cut off your pocket money.” He warned.
“Fine, fine… Sorry Ibuki-Senpai and Matatagi-Senpai.” Kariya said with a sigh. “Happy?”
“Yes. Pretty much.”
Shindou couldn’t hold his laugh. At his left, Tenma was dragging Ibuki and Matatagi with him to introduce all his friends from Raimon. “I’m glad to see both of you get along. So… are both of you brothers, now?” He asked, looking at his friends.
“I guess we are.” Kirino said with a calm smile.
“Of course we are.” Kariya said with a proud smile.
“Thanks for keeping an eye on him, Kariya. I owe you one.” Shindou said, resting his hand on Kariya’s shoulder.
“Well… You can always get me some cards.” The younger one joked. Shindou didn’t get the joke, so he just nodded making him know that he probably would get him the full set. “Wait… I was.” Kirino also rested his hand on Masaki’s shoulder and shook his head, saying ‘Let him be’. Masaki just chuckled at it, completely ignoring Shindou’s confused gaze.
Maybe they didn’t have the best start, but for now and the future, they know they had each other as brothers by choice.