Autumn 1988

On a sunny bright summer day, Katsuro and his Grandpa was resting after practicing Judo in there backyard, when the former noticed a face peeking at them through their gate. It was a boy, not much older than him.

"Grandpa? Who is that boy over there?"

His Grandpa turned to see. "Oh, that's just Tsukihori, our neighbor. He's about your age. Don't mind him, he's just curious about Judo."

"He wants to learn Judo, too?"

"Why won't you go ask him yourself, Katsuro?"

He didn't reply, and walked straight to the spot where Tsukihori was standing. The boy didn't even seem embarrassed, he remained calm and the two of them stared at each other. Tsukihori spoke first.

"Hi."

"H-Hello."

"I'm Tsukihori Reikishi."

"I... Katsuro Tadano..."

"Okay, Kat-kun, wanna hang out?"

"... Um, okay..."

And so after two days at his new home, Katsuro has managed to make his first friend.

Summer of August, 1989

The two boys were walking side by side in the scorching heat of the August sun, each desperately banking on their popsicle to cool their body down. The lazy persistent sound of cicadas in the trees made the children even warier in the heat.

"Oh, yea! I forgot to tell you, Tsuki-kun! I have a new sister!"

"Sister? Okay, they weren't that uncommon."

"No, she's very different! She is the prettiest baby you've ever seen! She has the most beautiful eyes in the whole word! Come to my home, I'll show you her!"

After 15 minutes, the two of them were standing before the door that leads to the baby's bedroom.

"Shush, Tsuki-kun! My Grandma doesn't allow me in when she's asleep, but she's the prettiest then so try to sneak in quietly!"

The older boy nodded and suddenly felt his footsteps becoming tenser.

The door slowly slid open, and the two of them silently slipped in and surrounded the crib. Inside, there was indeed the prettiest baby both of them have ever seen. She is about a month old, pale and gentle but seems very healthy and happy.

They watched as she stretches her tiny body for a little and opened her eyes wide at them. She then locked her stare on Tsukihori, and he unhesitatingly came to pick her up.

"Her name's Shinae. Shinae Tadano. Do you like that name?"

"Hmm... it's a fine name, but she seems even prettier than her name, though."

His pale indigo eyes gazed with her shining turquoise orbs, and she suddenly broke out a warm smile while reaching her tiny fingers up at his face.

"You're right, Kat-kun... She really does have the most beautiful eyes in the world. Have you fed her before she goes to sleep yet?"

"Um.. yea, she was given some milk before bed... She wouldn't drink much. I guess she wasn't used to drinking powdered milk yet."

Tsukihori remained in silent rage. How can that woman left her newly born baby to her parents? She needs her mother's care, her mother's milk!

"I can't believe your Mom left both of you here..."

Katsuro remained silent, but looked up at the older boy again with burning determination in his eyes. "I don't care. I will help my Grandparents raise her! She'll be loved more than she was ever with my Mother!"

Tsukihory stared at him, then at the baby in his arms and smiled.

"Why, then remember to spare me a spot. I want to see her grow, too."

Winter 1996 (Shinae's POV)

You were leaning your tiny figure onto the chilling stone bench near the gate, impatiently checking your wrist watch while breathing into your other hand, desperately warming it up.

"What the frick, Aniki?? You're almost half an hour late! And I'm freezing here?? Where have you left your phone this time??", You groaned to yourself while pulling out your brick-sized cell phone.

Twenty failed calls to "ANIKI_CHAN"

You scrunched your nose angrily.

Changed "ANIKI_CHAN" to "STUPID_USELESS_IGNORANT_DUMBASS".

Sighing disappointedly, you scrolled down your contact list and pressed on the dial named "TSUKI-CHAN".

"..."

"Moshi moshi? Shinae-chan?"

Your eyes glistened with the warmth and the joy presented in the voice.

"Tsukihori-san!"

"Aww Shinae, it's been so long since you last called me. How have you been? Do you wanna meet?"

"We literally met yesterday, but anyways are you free at the moment?"

"On my way home from school, Shinae-chan. So we'll meet?"

You chuckled at the excitement in Tsukihori-san's voice. He's always been such a second brother to you, ever since you can remember. Although he is so much older than your, he'd never let you feel left out between the three of them. The three of you had always been together, had always been stupid together, stupid together, childish together, rattling the whole street with your mischief and your tricks.

"Huh, Shinae-chan? Who are you laughing with? Don't say it's a boy?", the anxiousness in his voice made you laugh even louder, "You can't speak to another boy while you're speaking with me, Shinae-chan!"

"Well, what if it's my Aniki?"

"Then he's got no business to be speaking with you while I'M speaking with you!", you could hear him huffing on the other side of the line.

"Hehe, never mind, Tsukihori-san. Anyways, I'm stuck at school. Your dumbass of a friend forgot to pick me up, that's why, and I'm half freezing to death. Will you mind picking me up?"

"*Gasp* You shouldn't say such words, Shinae-chan! Who taught you that? And Katsuro forgot to pick you up? Dumbass, really, I'll give him a gentle touch on the face with my feet next time he's around. But of course I'll do it for him! And why not dropping in that Seven Eleven near your school for a bag of chips?"

"Well if you'd pay for it. So come quick! I'm waiting for you."

"On my way, Shinae-chan! Stay somewhere warm and windless, please, I won't have your Grandpa chasing on us if you catch a cold!"

After 15 minutes, you were sitting on the back of Tsuki-chan's bike and enjoying your bag of potato chips, occasionally leaning over and shoving one into his mouth while he yells at you not to be stupid.

"Now, here you are, at home.", he smiled as you slid off the back seat, not forgetting to beam brightly at him.

"Thank you, Tsuki-san!"

"You're welcome, Shinae.", he smiled again as you merrily skipped to the door.

.

.

.

I carefully pressed my ear against the canvas framed door and held my breath.

I could make out faint talking in the room, but try as I might I could not understand a word.

"Ooh, what could this be~?"

Ever since I reached home, there was a strange feeling looming over the house that I have never felt before, Grandma avoided me, Aniki was nowhere to be seen in the house, and Grandpa had locked me out of the living room.

"... A young woman? Who could Gramps be talking to at this ti--"

"SHUT THE FVCK UP, YOU OLD MAN!"

I frozed. That woman... just swore at her Grandpa! She--

"THEY ARE MY CHILDREN AND I HAVE FVCKING RIGHT TO TAKE THEM BACK--"

My body was peeled from the door and pulled into an embrace before I could interpret what I just heard. I looked up and my eyes met with clear sky blue eyes.

"Aniki?"

I sneaked a glance at the door. The canvas covering covering the bamboo string have unexpectedly good soundproofing qualities so good that I couldn't keep up with the drama going on behind that commonplace door anymore. There was nothing left to hear except muffled screams and shouts.

"Damn... You heard that, Aniki? Some woman's cussing at Gramps. Seems like drama time, really. Do you think we should burst in and...", I was suddenly aware of how strongly Aniki's hands were shaking while wrapping around me. "Woa, dude, you okay?"

I gently patted his arms and looked up at his nervous face.

"Did you do something wrong?", I whispered, aghast, "You didn't break that vase, did you? Gramps' gonna kill you over that..."

Aniki didn't reply. Instead he hugged me tighter and pulled me further from the door. 

"Shinae... You know... I'll be by your side whenever and wherever you are, right?"

"Uhhh... Yea?", I patted his hand gently, "I'll be by you, too!"

P/s: Ummm sorry guys, but I might have to temporarily drop this story sooner than expected, since this oncoming exam is serious as hell, and I need to make it my priority... I'm so sad as well, since I've really put my best into this first novel and new ideas keep on rushing into my head, but I swear I'll keep it up after the exam in the end of June... If you all aren't interested anymore by then, I'd be sorry, but maybe I'll drop it entirely, though the plot's too good though... Anyways, wish me good luck with the exam, and hope you have enjoyed your time with my short novel and wish you will enjoy other excellent masterpieces as well. Just know that I love you all and appreciate all the appreciation and support you give me ❤❤❤