He had a hard time avoiding her. She was in his classes again.

Dante would greet her and converse with her, but Mook would walk the other way. It hurt Aru tremendously, but she's learned to look numb to it on the outside. Aru tried her best to seem okay, but she never was.

Mook wouldn't listen to Dante and Gang Ho when they tried to convince him to apologize to Aru. Gang Ho resorted to hanging out with Aru and her friends to try to convince him to come along, but that only caused him to spend time with Susu.

Not that he was complaining.

Dante just stuck by Mook's side most of the time, only occasionally leaving to hang out with friends. It bothered Dante how much Mook and Aru were so oblivious to each other's feelings about the situation.

Dante listened to the pep talks Mook would give himself all summer to convince himself to talk to Aru. He gave some pointers to his brother and had him practice on himself. Now he sits in the dorm with his brother, listening to the mumbles about how Aru is better off without him. Dante could only take so much of all this. He was trying so hard to be a good brother, a good son, and a good friend. He didn't know what he was doing wrong, but he had to be doing something wrong. The problems didn't start up until he showed up.

"I really wish that the classrooms were much larger than they are now. Why does she have to sit so close?"

Dante sighed as he glanced from his brother to the television. He was really excited to finally have family to look out for him when his new mom showed up and saved him from that orphanage. The death of his biological mother was traumatizing, the disappearance of his father adding to that. When the first wife of his father showed up, he was suspicious at first. After realizing that she was genuine and sincere, he became ecstatic. Meeting his half brother added to his joy.

Then, he realized that Mook didn't see him as a brother. He didn't want him as a brother.

"Where are you going?"

Mook's voice brought Dante back to reality. He noticed that he was opening the front door, ready to leave.

"I'm just going to get us some dinner."

"Alright, I'll let Gang Ho know."

With that, he was off.

The leaves were beautiful this time of year. It still amazes him how the leaves can change into so many colors in the fall. He was really lucky to be given the opportunity to come here. He was lucky to be alive.

He decided that the easiest thing to get for the three of them was a pizza from the nearest pizzeria. As he waited for the pizza the be ready, he mentally prepared himself for more of his half brother's brooding. When the pizza was ready, he paid and thanked the employee, and began his journey back to the dorm. On his way, he bumped into a tall man, nearly dropping the pizza. After it was secured in his gripped, he looked up to apologize.

In an instant, he felt anxiety and fear swallow him. Confusion took over his expression as his stomach knotted up.

"Dad...?"