The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 65~♫

 On the other side, Nihil caught his breath, holding it up.

The boy, who was respected for being perfect, shattered the facade with a few tears. "I'm scared we aren't really brothers!" He shivered. The phone fell out of his hand, landing on the bedding.

"That our father had affairs behind mom's back, and that's the real reason she died! That he took all of us in to mask this despicable act!" He sobbed, hiding his face. "That all of his smiles were fake!"

Nihil listened on the other side, waiting for Rigaku to calm down a bit. Rigaku blowing his nose definitely made Nihil regret he had such an excellent speaker.

Hearing the other had calmed down, the hacker spoke, "You don't need blood bond to be brothers."

Rigaku took a few heavy breaths. "Why... Why do you always know what to say?"

Nihil chuckled. "I watch too much anime. You would be surprised how many life lessons I've picked from there."

The small giggle traveled through the invisible cable connecting their phones, curling Rigaku's lips upward.

"Arigatou."

"You're welcome. Now take some rest. You need it."

"Hai, I can't argue with that." He rubbed his reddened eyes, wiping out the tears. "Oyasuminasai."

"Good night to you too."

Rigaku finished the call, glimpsing the time. Stumbling back to the living room, he found his brothers and Freya soundly sleeping. The smile on his face deepened. Crawling into the sleeping bag, he sent his thanks to Nihil and promised to make up for this later.

\\_(''>_<'')_//

Saturday started slow and sluggish. Kagetsu's feet decided to remind him how stupid he was running shoeless with every step. Rigaku's ankle wasn't exactly merciful either, so both had to rest. Especially Kagetsu, who had to attend the last Snow White play.

When Freya and Aiyoku left the flat, Rigaku got up. Limping to his flat and back, he resolved to solve the second question that bugged him for some time now. Yet, until now, he didn't have a proper time or opportunity to ask.

Upon his return, he saw his youngest brother examine his foot. The skin reddened, and pressure caused him pain. Taking a seat on the armchair in the living room, Rigaku needed a few seconds to find the strength to push the crumpled sheet of paper towards Kagetsu.

"What's that?" he asked, taking it since Rigaku didn't utter a single syllable.

The oldest Kamini tightened his fists as Kagetsu spread the paper.

"Those are my scribbles I've made for Freya-chan!" he exclaimed. "Why do you have them?" He looked at his brother's pale face.

Rigaku took a deep breath, mustering enough strength to say, "Those are characters from my book."