Mashiro Yuki

I didn't know what to feel.

On one hand, a heart-throbbing update of Ten Count, a psychological yaoi manga, has been released today; we're having hotpot tonight as a mini celebration of the high score Eita, my little brother, received; and Kuro-tan, along with Seirin, of course, won today's match.

On the other, I wasn't even halfway through all of Ouran High School Host Club's manga's chapters, as it is what Ryumi-senpai required me to read; dad's coming home has been postponed from Christmas this year to another holiday next year; and Ryouta-kun, along with Kaijou, no matter how strong and awesome they were today, lost today's match against Seirin.

I was happy for Seirin's win---I really was---but I've never seen Ryouta-kun cry. Yes, I've seen him mock-cry due to Kasamatsu-senpai's harsh scoldings, but I've never really seen him cry out of genuine loss and sadness. It made me feel guilty for being happy for Kuro-tan. The fact that I always get this heavy sensation weighing in my chest whenever I see a friend cry made me feel worse.

So, as a friend, I wouldn't be assured until I make sure that he'd be okay, that he'd feel supported despite the unfortunate event. But I have no idea how to do that at the moment.

Arms crossed in front of my chest, I paced back and forth in front of one of the entrances of the stadium. As I was pretty sure that this exit would what the Kaijou basketball team would use, I waited for them to come out. My brother sat beside the door, leaning on the wall and watching me walk back and forth with tired eyes.

"Yuki," Keiichi-nii called my attention calmly, making me stop in my repeating tracks. His expression had a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Calm down. It's not you who lost in the game."

"But Onii-chan!" I responded with a pout. How could he, who was once the ace player of the team who just lost, be so collected about this?! "Aren't you the least bit sad that they lost?"

He crossed his arms and pouted as well. "Geez, Yuki! I'm not heartless!" He placed his hand on his chest dramatically, wiping the imaginary tear that rolled down his cheek. "You hurt my feelings!" He then turned to me, his arms outstretched as if beckoning for an embrace. "You should comfort your dear, dear brother! It's your fault I'm hurt!"

I gave him the usual I'm-not-taking-any-of-your-siscon-weirdness look. "Remain hurt, then. Sorry, not sorry."

"Yuki~!!!" he whined, further mock-weeping.

I stepped away and pointed at him then looked towards the part where there were many people. "I don't know this person."

"Yuki, why?!"

"Keiichi," I called him by his name and dropped the honorific, "staph."

He chuckled and wagged his hand. "Kidding, kidding!"

I am not amused.

"Well, at least you're looking better," he now gave me a sincere smile, "unlike earlier."

Oh.

Tapping the ground beside him, he gestured me to come sit with him. I sighed, and complied to his wish. Just a second after I sat, a large hand then patted my head. I was about to give my brother a tired glare, as this could be one of his antics once again, but then I was met by his reassuring grin.

"It's not the end of the line for Kaijou. They could still end up at 3rd place, you know."

I sighed again. Even if that was the case, it wouldn't take away the fact that they lost the match they worked so hard for. And to think that this was the third years' last chance with getting to become the champions? It wasn't really that comforting.

"Yuki!" I looked at my older brother again, and he had a stupid pout on his face. "You're thinking of guys other than me! Onii-chan is not happy!"

"Then don't be."

He made a pained laugh.

"But, seriously, Yuki. That's how sports are," he started obnoxiously poking my cheek before I gave him a half-glare, "One team wins, the other loses. You wouldn't want Tetsuya-chan to lose as well, right?"

I nodded thoughtfully. Kuro-tan has also been through enough, and their win was definitely well-deserved.

"A chance at getting third place is better than last year's too, don't you think?" He grinned and stopped poking me. "They're better than we were last year. As a team, even."

I stared at the nearby bushes. My brother didn't even reach the semifinals with team Kaijou last year. If you'd compare today's result with last year's, there is certainly something to be glad about.

A groan left me as I threw my hands up in the air. "Aaaah! What's with this gloominess!? I just want to read yaoi already!"

Onii-chan facepalmed. "Yuki, don't."

"I'll just cross the bridge when I get there!" I decided, regarding intending to cheer up Ryouta-kun. There's no point fussing about it now if I didn't even know his current condition! Who knows, maybe they all have cheered up by now!

"Well, I guess you're okay—Kasamatsun!" Keiichi-nii suddenly stood up and faced the slowly walking Kaijou basketball team. I stood up as well.

In the front were Kasamatsu-senpai and Moriyama-senpai supporting the limping Ryouta-kun, followed by Hayakawa-kun and the others. They weren't all smiles, but they weren't as gloomy as expected either. You could say that while there was somehow this negative air surrounding them, a stranger who didn't know of their defeat would see their expressions as completely neutral.

Ryouta-kun, however, seemed like the sun on a cloudy day. To me, Ryouta-kun has always been like the sun, but now he wasn't as bright. His tear-streaked face was downcast, his usual smile not there.

Our eyes met, and I felt myself getting nervous all of a sudden. He forced a smile and all I could do was smile back.

"Senpai, stop calling me that!" Kasamatsu-senpai scolded him, making my brother laugh.

MashiKasa. OMG.

"But don't you think it's fitting? Kobori? Nakamura? Moriyama?"

The others grinned at him.

"Ah, by the way, Moriyama." Onii-chan crossed his arms and made a ten-kilowatt smile. "You were so cool today! My heart was beating!"

MashiMori!

"No homo, though," my brother added after giving me a quick glance.

Yes homo!

Moriyama-senpai looked so grossed out that he wanted to barf. "I know you're trying to cheer me up, senpai, but that coming from a guy, especially you, is depressing."

Keiichi-nii stepped back, bringing his hand to his mouth dramatically, faking hurt. "How could you say that, Moriyan?! After all we've been through! You even forgot about that amazing night we had! You even left your underwear at my place!"

OH MY GLOB, ONII-CHAN.

"No homo," he added again.

ALL OF THE HOMO!

Now half of the Kaijou basketball team were disgusted, the other half were laughing. Ah.

"Senpai, stop." Moriyama-senpai tried to slap Keiichi-nii on the cheek, but my brother dodged the attack, laughing. Senpai sighed. "It would be much better if," he looked at me, acknowledging my presence behind my brother, "A girl such as Mashiro-chan would cheer me up instead."

The next second, Onii-chan's body was wrapped around mine protectively. His legs sandwiched mine, his body as close as it could be to mine, and his hands pulled my head to my chest. His sweaty hand was even squishing my cheek. "No! Not my beloved Yuki!"

Ryouta-kun also fell out of balance at the same time, dragging Moriyama-senpai down. "Sorry, senpai!" He smiled at him, and yet again, it seemed forced. Is he okay...?

I punched my brother in the gut to make him back away. "Ow!" Tears were in his eyes. "Why is everyone being so mean to me today?!"

"You're seriously asking us that?" responded Kasamatsu-senpai, who was basically so done with Keiichi-nii's antics. The guys at the back chuckled. Somehow, despite that, everyone's mood was lifted. I breathed a sigh of relief. I guess Onii-chan is a natural at cheering people up, huh?

My brother grinned proudly, noticing his effect as well. "Well, since everyone did a good job today, how about I treat everyone to some meat?" Everyone cheered, delivering his finishing blow to make everyone feel better.

I shot him a look of disbelief. We weren't really well off to treat a team of hungry basketball players to some meat.

He mouthed, "Part-time job~"

I frowned. Even if that's the case... "Mom's hot pot," I mouthed back.

He only winked in reply.